Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Ohio Guard Soldier sets gold standard in Puerto Rico By Sgt. Joanna Bradshaw
                Ohio National Guard
 PONCE, Puerto Rico - When it comes to children's health, a parent will do almost anything for their child. Parents always ask themselves, "Who can I trust with my child's medical care?" One such medical professional who has earned his patients' trust is Staff Sgt. Matthew Crabtree, a health care specialist with the Ohio National Guard's 285th Medical Company (Area Support,) who has been deployed to Puerto Rico providing medical care to citizens impacted by Hurricane Maria. Crabtree, who lives and works in Dayton, Ohio, is more than just a National Guard Citizen-Soldier. He is a father, husband and also an assistant nurse manager in the emergency department at Dayton Children's Hospital. And with more than 11 years in the Ohio National Guard, Crabtree has a vast amount of real-world experience, which helped prepare him for the relief mission in Puerto Rico. In 2009, he deployed to Iraq for one year as a line medic for Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment. Because of his role as a line medic, at just age 24, he was responsible for 30 cavalry scouts (some just 18 and 19 years old) who were running missions six days a week. "I was their only medical asset," Crabtree said. "I was responsible for knowing their medications, knowing their allergies and providing day-to-day care while we were out." Crabtree 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. Those Hungarians would then train Afghan soldiers in medical tasks and procedures. Between these two missions, his military medical skills were enhanced while attending Wright State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 2011. Fast forward to 2017, when Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Crabtree volunteered to deploy with the 285th Medical Company (Area Support), yet again, answering the nation's call for help. In addition to his medical duties at the Federal Medical Stations in Ponce and Manati, Crabtree, now 33, also was responsible for the scheduling and organization of a 28-Soldier platoon capable of treating between two dozen and 200 patients in one day. 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," said Spc. Joel Schmelzer, a fellow medic with the unit. "Sergeants are always supposed to put their Soldiers first, but he really lives up that motto." Schmelzer and his fellow Soldiers are equally impressed by Crabtree's talent with children as they are by his leadership skills. "I finally got to see him work with kids the other day and he was absolutely fantastic," said Sgt. First Class Dustin Hartman, the acting first sergeant of the 285th. "Not only did he have little tricks and things to make the kids cooperate, you could see he genuinely cares about children." Crabtree had the opportunity to treat children on several different outreach missions in the mountains surrounding Ponce. On these types of missions, medical professionals would bring supplies and provide medical assessments to citizens who could not travel to hospitals. "I loved that, (the outreach missions)," Crabtree said. "The biggest struggle for me is I don't always get to be the medic in the room working on patients all the time. That's why I joined (the Army), to be the medic that got to treat people. So, to be out on those missions was like when I first joined. I felt like a line medic again." Whether he is a medic in the mountains of Puerto Rico or a nurse in the emergency room back home in Dayton, Crabtree is an example to others. One health care specialist in his platoon, Spc. Will Mauntler, is a firefighter-EMT in his civilian life and has delivered patients to Crabtree's emergency room. "I've seen him interact with his civilian employees and you can really tell that he does a fantastic job leading them," Mauntler said. "I wish there were more Staff Sgt. Crabtrees." Crabtree is able to focus on the mission because of the unwavering support of his Family, specifically his wife Kaitlyn, who is a counselor at Kettering Medical Center and volunteers with the 285th Medical Company Family Readiness Group, and his 16-month old daughter, Margo. "I can't imagine how hard it is for my wife at home. I couldn't do what she's doing," Crabtree said. "She's very proud of me. She sends texts about that all the time." Crabtree's life is a successful integration of his civilian and military responsibilities. He embodies all of the organizational values of the Ohio National Guard, especially Service, Integrity, Reliability, Teamwork and Inclusion. "Staff Sgt. Crabtree is an outstanding leader," said Spc. Tarrah Berg, a Soldier in his platoon. "After completing paramedic school, he helped me get a job at Dayton Children's Hospital. He goes above and beyond in his duties and is a great mentor to our junior-enlisted individuals." Added Hartman: "He embodies the Army values, which contributes to him as a person outside of the military. He lives those values in and out of uniform." Whether his uniform is camouflage pattern or hospital scrubs, Crabtree's medical proficiency and dedication to helping others is apparent. During the 285th's time serving in Puerto Rico, Crabtree and more than 50 other health care professionals from the unit were able to treat more than 2,000 patients. Not only parents, but all citizens needing treatment could rest assured that they were in capable hands with Staff Sgt. Crabtree and the men and women of the 285th.
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Hurricane Maria
 
 Puerto Rico National Guard ready for 2020 hurricane season
 By  Puerto Rico National Guard
  N.Y. Airman returns from hurricane support with furry friend
 By Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Lambert
  Airmen aid Puerto Rico town first struck by Hurricane Maria
 By  Master Sgt. Chris Botzum
  More
 Idaho Air Guard Conducts Panther Shadow Exercise5/3/2024Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar5/2/2024Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics5/2/2024 View more Guard News »
 Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School5/3/2024
New York Army Guard Soldiers Heading to North Africa4/30/2024
Pennsylvania National Guard Members Deploy to Africa4/19/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership5/3/2024

Guard Leaders Stress NCOs Role in State Partnership Program5/3/2024

Enduring Partners 2024 Begins with Thai-US Airmen Exchange5/2/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil