Spc. Jaynee Inman, a Cherokee, Oklahoma, native and 68W combat medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery, serves her fellow Soldiers in the North Carolina National Guard and her neighbors as a National Registered Paramedic. Inman, like many National Guardsmen, is often called to state active duty in response to natural disasters which allows her two career functions to meet.
Inman’s dual role reflects the enduring commitment to service shared by military members and first responders who joined after the 9/11 attacks. Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks claimed the lives of 2,977 people, including 343 firefighters and 60 law enforcement officers in New York City.
“Serving as both a Soldier and a paramedic makes the 25th anniversary of 9/11 especially meaningful to me,” Inman said. “I am honored to continue in their footsteps to hopefully make even a fraction of the change that they did.”
Inman, who joined the North Carolina National Guard May 27, 2022, never initially intended to pursue a career in emergency medical services. After earning her EMT certification through Army training, she discovered a passion for serving people directly in their communities and later became a National Registered Paramedic.
“The first responders on that day set a standard for hard work, dedication and perseverance all while continuing to show empathy and passion to the patients and families they encountered,” Inman said. “I hope to continue building on my experiences in both military and emergency medicine.”
Her military service has also strengthened her civilian career, giving her opportunities to work alongside medical professionals and other Guard medics with diverse civilian backgrounds. For Imman, those shared experiences have expanded her knowledge, strengthened her ability to manage limited resources, and provided an invaluable opportunity to learn from others.
“I am honored to continue in their footsteps,” Inman said. “I hope I never forget these two roles as my starting point and as the reason I continue pushing for meaningful change in the medical field.”