By Staff Sgt. Mylinda DuRousseau
Third Army/ARCENT Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - More than 25 years of service to the Army Medical Department culminated to one moment, but those years, and all the dedication and commitment, were not in anticipation of awards or accolades.
"It was never about me," said Master Sgt. Deon E. Dabrio, who was inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit during a ceremony at the Third Army/ARCENT headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. April 18. "It was always about the Soldiers around me."
Dabrio, a U.S. Virgin Islands native, currently serves as the medical operations noncommissioned officer for Third Army/ARCENT. He played a role in the synchronization and integration of Health Service Support to more than 250,000 service members in 18 of the countries throughout the Third Army/ARCENT area of operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Master Sergeant Dabrio is probably the most professional noncommissioned officer I have ever worked with," said Sgt. Maj. Lance Tomiczek, Third Army/ARCENT chief medical noncommissioned officer. "He is dedicated to working with other countries and providing whatever training is needed to shape the Third Army/ARCENT area of operations for the future."
Membership in the order recognizes those individuals who have clearly demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence, served in the Army Medical Department for a minimum of 10 years and have made a sustained contribution to the betterment of Army Medicine.
"Master Sergeant Dabrio is an exceptionally outstanding noncommissioned officer with a distinguished career. His outstanding service absolutely qualifies him to receive the prestigious Order of Medical Military Merit," said Tomiczek.
Dabrio also served as the Third Army/ARCENT lead for six medical theater security cooperation engagements where he shared information on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Combat Lifesaver and Concept of Medical Evacuation.
"These missions undeniably cemented relationships with 336 key medical leaders and enhanced medical capabilities of partner countries throughout the Third Army/ARCENT area of operations," Tomiczek said.
Dabrio said working with military forces in other countries gave him a chance to pass on the knowledge he has accumulated throughout his military career.
"I always consider myself blessed to do what I do for this great country," Dabrio said.
Dabrio hopes to retire from the Army in a couple of years and continue to serve his country afterwards.
"My goal is to be a diplomat," Dabrio said. "I am preparing myself to be a Foreign Service officer."
Dabrio said being a Foreign Service officer would allow him to further America's interests on a diplomatic front.
The Order of Military Medical Merit is a unique, private organization founded by the commanding general of U.S. Army Health Services Command in April 1982 to recognize excellence and promote fellowship and esprit de corps among Army Medical Department personnel. Membership in the Order denotes distinguished service which is recognized by the senior leadership of the AMEDD.
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