The protracted conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have highlighted the medical issues associated with repeated exposure to the forces unleashed by explosive devices. Our understanding of the mechanisms of brain injury remain incomplete in spite of extensive efforts over the last several years. With our colleagues in the services, the Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and TBI, and the Defense and Veterans' Brain Injury Center as well as a host of extramural clinical and research partners, we are committed to continue our efforts to understand brain injury better and to find better ways to not only diagnose and treat brain injury but also prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Today marks the 125^th Anniversary of the AMEDD Enlisted Soldier and it is only fitting and proper that we celebrate this day of our outstanding troops. The AMEDD enlisted Soldier has been around for a long time and continues to work hard taking care of other Soldiers, their families and our civilians as well. The AMEDD Enlisted Soldier has served in every major war since World I, fighting in the trenches and playing a huge part in all of the victories our country has won since the beginning. The contributions of the AMEDD Enlisted Soldier to the United States are immeasurable. The AMEDD Enlisted Soldier has saved numerous lives on the battlefield while also providing great assistance to the medical providers in the hospitals and clinics around the globe. Working as an AMEDD Enlisted Soldier is not for everyone, but rather a great honor for those who answers the call. The calling to give of themselves for the good of the mission; the calling to have compassion and mercy for those injured, sick and ill on the battlefield, but at the same time being fit, ready and reliable to endure the rigors of combat; the calling to demonstrate the highest caliber of integrity and selfless service; the calling to deliver the best medical care and attention that is needed for those injured or ill; the calling to give it their best for the best (Soldiers) of the best (Army); the calling to instill confidence in their comrades that they serve due to their technical and tactical competence on the battlefield and garrison; the calling to sacrifice their lives to preserve freedom, peace and democracy in our country; the calling to work with our great force and getting the job done with or without resources; the calling to work hard in the day and/or night and always being prepared to fight; the calling to Soldier in the rain, heat, cold or snow, and display the motivation to be ready whether in a static position or on the go; the calling to fight in any battle or war or thru the jungle and desert or any type of terrain, while being prepared to fight for victory, while enduring the mental, emotional and physical pain; the calling to realize that this is your life style, being an AMEDD Enlisted Soldier for the greatest military force in the world and representing the AMEDD Soldier of yesterday, today and tomorrow from every state, city and town; the calling to serve this great country in which we call the good ole U.S.A, while continuing to fight for freedom, peace and democracy every single day; the calling to serve and live by the Army Song because this is the theme of our nation, so we can continue being United States Strong.

The AMEDD Enlisted Corps is strong because of the Soldiers who have paved the way for those of us today. We should all be proud of AMEDD Enlisted heritage but also proud of what we do each and every day. Happy Anniversary AMEDD Enlisted Corps and I hope that we continue to demonstrate that will, desire and determination for the next 125 and more years to come.

By SGT(P) Angela Madoux, ISR

The word "soul" often conveys many meanings. Simply defined, it is the active and essential component of an individual's life. It is the life force; it is what makes a person whole. The U.S. Army has its own soul - its own life force - in the AMEDD enlisted Soldier. We, the AMEDD enlisted, are the guardians of the Army's most precious asset - the life of the American Soldier.

In every single war that America has fought, the AMEDD enlisted Soldier has played a key role. From the battlefield to the bedside, we provide the highest degree of compassionate care to all wounded Soldiers. Although most people associate the combat medic with the AMEDD enlisted corps, he is but one small piece of the puzzle. There are more parts that are needed to fill the holes. To make a Soldier whole, to allow him to get back his true self, requires much more than field medicine. It requires a team of unbelievable, astounding, capable NCOs and junior enlisted Soldiers - the AMEDD enlisted corps.

That infantry Soldier injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan will come to experience the work of the AMEDD enlisted team in a very personal way. He will receive medical care on the field of battle; his limbs and possibly his life will be saved through the use of a tourniquet developed in part by an enlisted lab or research technician. That injured arm or leg will be prodded back to life by an AMEDD enlisted physical therapy assistant, and his physical wounds will be treated by an enlisted licensed vocational nurse.

When he begins to have nightmares or sleep disturbances, an enlisted mental health technician will gently guide him to the appropriate treatment and help soothe his emotional pain. A medical maintenance technician will diligently ensure that the monitors and machines keeping our Soldiers alive do not fail. For that medic headed back into the fray, a medical logistics NCO will ensure that he has exactly what he needs to save another life.

I could give you the full history of the AMEDD enlisted Soldier, but I don't have to. These Soldiers speak for themselves. The AMEDD enlisted soldier is the very best at what he or she does - period. The standard is perfection and it is a standard that is met every single day by thousands of NCOs and junior enlisted Soldiers nationwide.

Every AMEDD Soldier will acknowledge that he/she strives for absolute excellence because the cost of failure is unacceptable. We are the soul of the U.S. Army - we breathe life into the force; we are why that foot soldier stays in the fight and we are the angels that bring him back home. Sometimes, however, no matter what we do, a Soldier will make that ultimate sacrifice in the defense of his country. It is then that the AMEDD enlisted Soldier takes on his greatest role.

It was once said that "the eyes are the window to the soul". For one brief moment in time a very real connection is made, from one human being to another. There is an understanding of sacrifice and endured hardship, of love, of fear, and of pain. With a single look, two people acknowledge that they are not alone in the universe.

With a single look, an AMEDD enlisted Soldier can lead, comfort, and console even under the very worst of conditions. He is a leader, a counselor, a mentor, and a friend. Of all the reasons, this is the epitome of why the AMEDD enlisted Soldier is considered the soul of the United States Army. For when that American Soldier draws his last breath on the battlefield of war, he will gaze, soul to soul, into the eyes of an AMEDD enlisted Soldier.