On Mar. 18, students in East Rockaway High School's health and EMT classes had the opportunity to learn life-saving skills from three visiting U.S. Army medics. The hands-on session gave students practical experience with basic trauma first aid techniques used in emergency situations in the field.

During the visit, students learned several essential trauma response skills, including how to apply a tourniquet, pack wounds, and conduct a full body scan to assess injuries. The medics guided students through each technique, offering the kind of real-world expertise that goes beyond the classroom.

Beyond the practical lessons, the medics took time to answer students' questions about careers in the medical field and what life in the Army is actually like. They also shared valuable information about the pathways available through military service, including opportunities to have college tuition covered in exchange for service, and highlighted the wide range of medical specialties and roles accessible through the Army.

The visit offered students a compelling look at how health and emergency medicine training can translate into a meaningful military career, while equipping them with foundational skills that could make a difference in any emergency.