MEDCoE (US Army Medical Center of Excellence)

Whether you prefer pumpkin or sweet potato, we can all agree pie is better than a trip to the emergency room! Don't drive under the influence, don't drive if you're tired, inspect your car, and make sure you and your family are wearing seatbelts or a properly fitted booster or car seat for the kiddos. #ArmySafe

#MEDCoE welcomed two new members into the Sergeant Major of the Army Leon L. Autreve Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. Inducted into the prestigious military club were Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Helgeson and Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Tucker during a ceremony at Blesse Auditorium on Nov. 22, 2024. Command Sgt. Maj. Victor J. Laragione, MEDCoE command sergeant major, officiated over the ceremony that included guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Helton, the incoming command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Futures Command. Please congratulate these two outstanding enlisted leaders! Induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is an arduous process, consisting of a recommendation by the Soldier's non-commissioned officer chain-of-command to participate in the rigorous board examination process. Only the absolute best Soldiers are recommended and inducted. The club recognizes noncommissioned officers who set the highest standards of leadership, excellence and exemplify the characteristics of Sgt. Audie Murphy, an American hero. When a soldier is inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, he or she is given the medallion above which is approximately two inches in diameter. The medallion is suspended by a broad powder-blue ribbon representing the traditional color of the infantry. The medallion is worn around the neck on the outside of the Class A, or dress uniform, for official functions such as military balls or Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meetings. Fort Sam Houston's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was established in 2000, when the installation command sergeant major Command Sgt. Adolph M. Arista Jr., directed the formation of a local chapter. In 2002, Fort Sam Houston's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was redesignated the SMA Van Autreve Chapter. Today the club is a thriving chapter with monthly functions to aid in the support of Fort Sam Houston's soldiers and community's interests. The SMA Van Autreve Chapter, which has the distinction of being the first chartered club in the MEDCOM, is committed to community and installation involvement. #ArmyMedcineStartsHere #SMAVASAMC #ArmyFutures #TRADOC #USACAC #32dMEDBDE

If you signed up to host Soldiers for Mission Thanksgiving, you should receive an email by today letting you know whether you've been chosen or not. Once again, thank you for supporting our Soldiers!

We hope that you will take the opportunity this Thanksgiving holiday weekend to relax and enjoy some well-deserved time off with your family and friends. Take time to unwind and reflect on the positive things in your life. Keep an eye out for your family members and battle buddies, and reach out if you need help. If you will be traveling, plan your drive in advance, and leave yourself plenty of time to reach your destination safely. Remember that this time of year, inclement weather can change traffic and road conditions in seconds, so stay vigilant. Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Sadly, the Army suffered four accidental fatalities during the November/December holiday season last year. Motor vehicle accidents involving speeding, alcohol and failure to wear seat belts were the primary causes of these fatalities. Leaders, please talk to your Soldiers and Civilian employees about the importance of safe and responsible behavior, both on and off duty. Thank you for your exceptional service and commitment to the MEDCoE, the Army and our great Nation. Enjoy your time off, and return to us safely. We wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

Every November, we join the Nation in recognizing and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of people of American Indian and Alaskan Native descent. This year’s American Indian Heritage Month theme, “Affirming Native Voices: Visibility, Leadership, and Service,” spotlights outstanding service and leadership during peace and war. American Indians have served with distinction and valor in U.S. conflicts since colonial times. During World War I, more than 8,000 American Indian Soldiers served. In World War II, 25,000 American Indian and Alaskan Native people fought on all fronts in Europe and the South Pacific, earning more than 71 Air Medals, 51 Silver Stars, 47 Bronze Stars, 34 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Congressional Medals of Honor. Twenty-nine Native American Soldiers have been presented with the Medal of Honor, our country’s highest military decoration. Today, there are more than 150,000 Army veterans of American Indian and Alaskan Native descent. More than 8,000 Native Americans serve in the Total Force. They have built a legacy of courage, professionalism, and selfless service that will benefit the Nation and inspire future generations for years to come. We encourage you to learn about the contributions and challenges of America’s original indigenous people. There are over 9 million American Indian and Alaska Natives living in the United States today and 574 federally recognized tribes across the U.S. with unique and diverse cultures. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, bringing people from many cultures together to offer their unique talents and perspectives. We are grateful and proud of every one of you for supporting each other and our Army Values. #NationalAmericanIndianHeritageMonth #BAYCB #NAIHM #PeopleFirst

#MEDCoE Medical Noncommissioned Officer Academy hosted the #JBSA National American Indian Heritage Month Observance at Blesse Auditorium. Every November, we join the Nation in recognizing and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of people of American Indian and Alaskan Native descent. This year’s American Indian Heritage Month theme, “Affirming Native Voices: Visibility, Leadership, and Service,” spotlights outstanding service and leadership during peace and war. Command Sgt. Maj. Deanna Carson, Medical NCOA Commandant, opened the ceremony and was followed by a reading of the City of San Antonio proclamation signed by Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Afterwards guest speaker Drill Sergeant Cherise Smallcanyon, assigned to the 232d Medical Battalion, spoke about growing up in a small town and her experiences in the Army. She is from the Dine (Navajo People) tribe hailing from Tolani Lake, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. Following her remarks the audience enjoyed a series of cultural dances by the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Mission. American Indians have served with distinction and valor in U.S. conflicts since colonial times. During World War I, more than 8,000 American Indian Soldiers served. In World War II, 25,000 American Indian and Alaskan Native people fought on all fronts in Europe and the South Pacific, earning more than 71 Air Medals, 51 Silver Stars, 47 Bronze Stars, 34 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Congressional Medals of Honor. Twenty-nine Native American Soldiers have been presented with the Medal of Honor, our country’s highest military decoration. Today, there are more than 150,000 Army veterans of American Indian and Alaskan Native descent. More than 8,000 Native Americans serve in the Total Force. They have built a legacy of courage, professionalism, and selfless service that will benefit the Nation and inspire future generations for years to come. We encourage you to learn about the contributions and challenges of America’s original indigenous people. There are over 9 million American Indian and Alaska Natives living in the United States today and 574 federally recognized tribes across the U.S. with unique and diverse cultures. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, bringing people from many cultures together to offer their unique talents and perspectives. We are grateful and proud of every one of you for supporting each other and our Army Values. To learn more about contributions to the U.S. military visit https://lnkd.in/eq8_aQEn #ArmyMedicineStartsHere

This week SFC Bakhita explores key elements of casualty collection point planning and execution. For more information refer to ATP 4-02.13 Casualty Evacuation: https://lnkd.in/gWEJDj5w If you enjoyed our Med Minutes installment, please follow, or subscribe for future installments. The complete collection can be found at https://lnkd.in/g7RhMAis. Would you like to develop Med Minutes for your own specialty? Contact MEDCOE Learning Technology and Multimedia Division at: [email protected]. #MEDMinutes US Army TRADOC U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

For our San Antonio locals... Reminder! It's the last week to buy tickets to this year's MEDCoE Holiday Ball! Check your email for details on how to buy tickets! Friday's the last day! (event not open to the public)

Read more about our Best Medic Challenge here! https://lnkd.in/gnRkA_BD #MEDCoEBestMedic #BeAllYouCanBe

Students from McCollum High School JROTC visited had the opportunity to tour #MEDCoE to learn about Army Medicine. Seeing first-hand how MEDCoE trains soldiers was a great experience for the students. To learn more about the many opportunities in Army medical careers visit GoArmy.com or call 1-888-550-ARMY (2769) #BeAllYouCanBe #GoArmy #ArmyMedicineStartsHere #McCollumHighHISD #HarlandaleISD #TRADOC #USAREC