Corpsman ensures Marines stay healthy

1st Marine Logistics Group
Story by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

Date: 05.17.2010
Posted: 05.25.2010 14:37
News ID: 50259
Corpsmen ensures Marines stay healthy

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The hard work Marines do when they push them¬selves to the extreme while working out can take a toll on their bodies. Lucky for the Marines of 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, they have someone looking out for them even if they are otherwise distracted.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Curtis J. Randall, 21, Headquarters and Support Company, 7th ESB, 1st MLG, has the responsibilities of helping Marines stay fit and at the best possible health.

"I wanted to work with Marines be¬cause they have a high level of motivation," said Randall. "I knew a lot of Marines before I joined, so I had a good idea of what a corpsman does."

Randall, Grass Valley, Calif., native chose to work with Marines instead of having duties in a hospital or ship.

Randall stated the daily duties of the Battalion Aid Station include investigating any complaint a Marine may have.

"I average about ten patients a day," said Randall. "I mainly do muscle-skeletal exams, sometimes we do minor surgical procedures."

No matter the illness or injury, Randall only gives forth his best effort for each case.

"He cares about every patient he sees," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris G. Keller, corpsman, Headquarters and Support Company, 7th ESB, 1st MLG. "He does not stop until the job is done."

Randall puts out a lot of effort be¬cause he enjoys seeing people's health improve.

"He knows how to prioritize," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ibarra G. Diangkinay, the assistant lead petty officer, Headquarters and Support Com¬pany, 7th ESB, 1st MLG,

Hard work in the BAS is broken up by different training scenarios in the field.

Randall provides medical support during field operations whenever he gets sent out.

"I usually get to learn what the Marines are learning and do something extra, like be the enemy or even just watch to see how things work out from a different perspective that most people don't get to see," said Randall.

Randall deployed to Iraq with 1st Ex¬plosive Ordinance Disposal Company, 7th ESB, 1st MLG in February, 2009. While in Iraq he went on 45 combat missions and 10 improvised explosive device calls.

"I really liked my deployment," said Randall. "I got to do a lot of neat things and I met some really cool people."

Randall kept the Marines and sailors he deployed with in high morale while in Iraq.

"He was always looking at the silver lining," said Keller, who deployed with Randall.

Off duty, Randall keeps himself busy with volunteer work and keeping in shape.

Randall coaches soccer for the Boys and Girls Club in Temecula. He likes teaching the kids about responsibility through his soccer coaching methods.

"I coach two different soccer teams; one is in Temecula the other is in Lake Elsinore," said Randall. "My goal is to have every player reach their full potential."

Randall enjoys coaching because he feels as if he learns just as much from the children as they learn from him.

"I get a degree of satisfaction working with the kids," said Randall.

Randall recently began running marathons. He placed 3rd in the Death Valley Trail Marathon in February, and he plans on running the Rock and Roll Las Vegas Marathon in December.

He explained he likes to run for the challenge. One day he wants to become a special amphibious reconnaissance corpsman. He wants to run the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon. He trains six days a week and hopes to qualify for the run in July.

Corpsmen not only need to be able to keep up, they need to be with Marines wherever they go to help with any injury or sickness that could prevent them from completing the mission. They help Marines in any situation, and they make sure the Marines are healthy for the fight.