News & Information - The Mercury - September 2009 Mercury

Story and photo by SSG Dilia Ayala

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

	SGT Jennifer Watson, NCO-in-charge of the Casualty Liaison Team, stands outside the Air Force Theater Hospital in Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The CLT works within the Patient Administrative Department, acting as a liaison for all military and civilian patients in-theater and initiating the casualty-notification process to the patient’s next-of-kin. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSG Dilia Ayala)

The emergency-room trauma call and the medical staff's immediate action upon his arrival is only a memory to her now; sitting quietly at the bedside of her brother-in-arms, she carefully takes his hand, thanking him for his service and assuring him she will not leave his side until he's ready to go home. He is a critically injured combat casualty, and she is SGT Jennifer Watson, noncommissioned-officer-in-charge of the casualty liaison team (CLT) at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Although a somber scene, it is not an uncommon one. Watson has taken it upon herself to ensure no U.S. casualty passes away alone. Holding each of their hands, she sits with them until the end, no matter the day or the hour.

"It's unfortunate that their Families can't be here," said Watson, who is deployed here from Fort Campbell, Ky. "So I took it upon myself to step up and be that Family while they are here. No one asked me to do it; I just did what I felt was right in my heart. I want them to know they are heroes.”

"I feel just because they are passing away does not mean they cannot hear and feel someone around them," she continued. "I talk to them, thanking them for what they have done, telling them they are a hero, they will never be forgotten, and I explain my job to them to help them be at ease knowing the Family will be told the truth."

In general, Watson explains to the patients that the team works within the patient administrative department, acting as a liaison for all military and civilian patients in-theater and initiating the casualty-notification process to the patient's next-of-kin.
Upon their arrival at the Air Force Theater Hospital, Watson speaks with each combat casualty, getting as accurate information as possible about the incident. Once the doctor gives the diagnosis and severity of the patient's injuries, Watson and her team complete and send a Defense Casualty Information Processing System folder report to the Department of the Army or the patient's respective service so that their next-of-kin can be notified.

"I make sure we tell their Family everything they want to know, so they know everything that's going on," said Watson.

Furthermore, once the initial report has been sent, the CLT and Watson make hourly rounds to the intensive-care ward or unit to check on the patient's well-being, or, for the more critical patients, to check on their stability.

“From the moment a service member is brought in through Hero's Highway, they are never alone," Watson said.

"The hospital staff is wonderful," said Watson. "They know how important it is for me to be there with them and if they know it's time, someone will come and get me no matter where I'm at.”

"I see it as a form of closure, not just for me, but for the Families so that they know that somebody was there with their son or daughter," she added. "My heart goes out to every patient that comes into the hospital, especially my wounded in action Soldiers. I feel like everyone who comes through the door is my brother or sister."
"Sergeant Watson's story is one of the most compelling here in the Med Group," said COL Mark Mavity, commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group. "She is a Soldier's Soldier who combines an unparalleled level of compassion and commitment to our most grievously wounded warriors with amazing professionalism each and every day.”

"Angel" and "hero" are only two of the many titles Watson has been given; although she is appreciative of the kind words, she remains humble.

"I am far from an angel," said the sergeant with a smile. "I just do what is in my heart. I guess for me, I think about the Family and the closure of knowing the Soldier did not pass away alone. To say I'm a hero ... no. The heroes are my guys who come in [through Hero's Highway]."

Reflecting on her time here, Watson said she is extremely thankful for the opportunity she has had to work side-by-side with the Air Force.

"The staff of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group has done an amazing job since I have been here," she said. "They are incredible. They have done procedures and saved the lives of the most critically injured Soldiers, and have been some of the most professional people I have ever worked with.”

"I want the Families to know that their service member was a hero,"
Watson concluded. "They made the ultimate sacrifice, but before they passed on, they received the best medical treatment, and the staff did everything they could -- they were not in pain and they didn't die alone."

From the September 2009 Mercury, an Army Medical Department publication.