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JBSA News
NEWS | Oct. 4, 2012

Warrior Transition Battalion Soldiers continue with 68W combat medic training

By Marsha Huffman BAMC Public Affairs

Wounded warriors assigned to the Brooke Army Medical Center Warrior Transition Battalion trained to renew their Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician license at Fort Sam Houston Sept. 11.

This is the first year the WTB and the Pre-Hospital Medicine Branch of the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston coordinated efforts to train and coach the warriors to remain current on their NREMT recertification.

"The WTB did not have this type of training in the past," said Master Sgt. Emmanuel Martinez, battalion medical noncommissioned officer in charge for the BAMC WTB.

"This is a great opportunity for the warriors to get involved and refresh their EMT skills."

Supported by the Department of Combat Medic Training and the U.S. Army 68W EMS office at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, the recertification is a part of a series of training events that allows the wounded warriors to recertify their NREMT license.

Even though wounded warriors are exempt from their NREMT expiring, they continue to succeed regardless of the challenges they face.

"Some of these warriors have not had the opportunity to complete training due to their injuries and illnesses and are exempt from their NREMT license, but they go above and beyond what is required of them in order to maintain their skills," Martinez said.

The course includes EMT classroom lectures and basic life support on simulated mannequins.

"The difficult part of this training has been balancing on my legs while I'm performing simulation exercises," said Cpl. Aaron Jacinto, from the BAMC WTB and a double amputee, who was injured last November in Afghanistan.

"This training is truly motivating to our warriors and shows others that they can continue on despite of their injuries," Martinez said.

"However, it's important that all medics, including staff, should recertify their license every two years to maintain their MOS qualification."