Leonard Blessing Jr.

Warrior Healers: the Untold Story of the Special Forces Medic Leonard Blessing Jr.

The United States Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant is an extensively trained soldier possessing extraordinary medical capabilities and responsibilities. "The requirement for acceptance into the course is among the Army's most stringent and the attrition rate is high. Prior to graduation each student is examined orally by a board of physicians and senior medics, who will permit no one but those qualified to graduate." His skills as a warrior are an essential element to the success of his teams' mission. "Just because you were a medic didn't mean that you would never have to climb a mountain, row a rubber raft, blow up a bridge or organize an ambush." His compassion and dedication as a healer are without equal. "That night, that was quite a challenge. I found out that most of our training had brought us right up to that level with no problem. You quickly remember that you're not God. Even if you're a full-trained American doctor-you realize you're not God. There were some things you just could not fix. Some of them were already dead, some you could stop the bleeding, tie off the bleeders and keep 'em alive to be evacuated."