One such medical professional who has earned his patients' trust is Matt Crabtree, a health care specialist with the 285th Medical Company (Area Support) who has been deployed to Puerto Rico providing medical care to citizens impacted by Hurricane Maria.
In 2009, he deployed to Iraq for one year as a line medic for Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment. Matt answered the call to duty again in 2012 when he deployed to Afghanistan on an Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) rotation that provided medical training to Hungarians.
Fast forward to 2017, when Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Matt volunteered to deploy with the 285th Medical Company (Area Support), yet again, answering the nation's call for help. In Puerto Rico, he was accountable for every piece of equipment brought by the 285th that was used to treat patients. He also acted as a trusted resource, often instructing other medics in their skills and applications.
***
He leads by example. He shows us what he wants instead of just telling us what he wants us to do. Sergeants are always supposed to put their soldiers first, but he really lives up that motto.
***
I finally got to see him work with kids the other day and he was absolutely fantastic. Not only did he have little tricks and things to make the kids cooperate, you could see he genuinely cares about children.