Alaska is home to grizzly bears, black bears, and polar bears, with a population size estimated to be around 140,000 in all. Alaska, of course, is also the home of a number of different Army units that conduct training there, such as the 11th Airborne Division. When the unit was out conducting land navigation training, one Army medic's training paid off in the aftermath of a bear attack.
Sgt. Zachariah Clark was participating in land navigation training in the snow-covered forest (finding your way to predetermined points with a map and compass) when he heard that two soldiers had been mauled by a bear. He shifted gears immediately from land navigation to fulfilling his role as an Army medic. As he made his way through the woods to the injured soldiers, he rallied other soldiers who were still out there training to follow him and assist.
When Clark reached the survivors of the bear attack, he immediately began treating them.
"As a medic, I prefer to work out of my aid bag, but being that I was conducting land [navigation], I didn't have my aid bag with me. So, we were all working out of first aid kits. It's a unit standard that every soldier has a first aid kit on the left side of their fighting plate carrier. Having my first aid kit was essential that day," Clark said.
When Air Force medical services showed up, Clark helped arrange for a good handoff of the casualties and helped the Air Force evacuate them by helicopter.
"It is a privilege, and it is an honor to be able to take care of other soldiers and bring your friends home," Clark said.
