HOHENFELS, GERMANY— On Nov. 4, 2020, a mock traffic accident blocked off an intersection in Hohenfels, Germany. A light medium tactical vehicle was staged to hit two mopeds, spilling their passengers onto the road. Military police were already on the scene providing first aid to the victims when the medics arrived. Immediately, the medics stepped in and took over emergency care of the wounded.
Amid the chaos a singular voice rang out, calling directives and issuing orders to his fellow medics. An air of command hung over the man like a mantle. He wore it proudly as he helped transport multiple casualties to safe locations. He wore a line of white tape on his sleeve where he kept track of the patients, a practice that leaves his arms free to carry stretchers alongside his fellow Soldiers without losing track of the remaining crash victims.
U.S. Army Soldier Spc. Garrett Moats, a combat medic specialist with 566th Area Support Medical Company, 61st Medical Battalion based out of Fort Hood, Texas. He took the time to see each patient, making absolutely sure everyone received the correct care.
“We got a call that there were ten casualties down here,” said. Moats. “We needed more medics down here to help with the situation. We came down. We saw there was a lot going on in the middle of the street. We saw to guys in the cab, a bunch of people spread out. There was a lot of recklessness going on.”
The training exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Training Center was extremely realistic, from the way the vehicles were staged to the graphic moulage makeup used to simulate injuries on patients. Everything about the scene was tailored to test the responses of both the 566th ASMC and the 29th Military Police Company, Maryland National Guard.
The exercise took place on a chilly evening, and it presented each Soldier with a daunting task. However, with the help of leaders like Moats, the medic team successfully assessed the casualties of the accident and prepared them for medical evacuation.
“Personally, I liked it,” Moats said. “I came down here expecting to do normal medic things. Just treat and have the NCOs do the triage, but they put me in a higher up position. I learned a lot. It was very hectic, but I tried to control it the best I could.”
Moats is looking forward to being promoted in the near future and said he plans to serve at least 20 years in the Army. In the meantime, he’s doing his best to set himself apart in the ranks by embracing leadership roles when they come along.
“He was stationed here in Germany before as a line medic,” said Staff Sgt. Cody Grant, who will be the treatment platoon sergeant for Task Force Med assigned to Kosovo Force 28. “He grabs the attention of his battle buddies as well as some of the NCOs. With the knowledge he has from his previous unit, he’s able to teach not just the junior enlisted, but some of the NCOs as well.”
Moats and the rests of his peers with the 566th ASMC are completing the JMRC rotation to prepare for their mobilization to KFOR 28 in support of Operation Joint Guardian. The NATO organization ensures freedom of movement and a safe and secure environment for all people in Kosovo. During the deployment, Moats plans on embracing an even stronger leadership role in his unit.
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