German native receives U.S. Army award

by Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/1/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- A German medical officer was awarded the Army Achievement Medal July 23 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

"No matter what field we work in, we are Soldiers first," said Capt. Michael Guthmann, from the German air force Center of Aerospace Medicine. "From staying physically fit, to improving our skill, it is important we train every day."

Guthmann received the prestigious award for teaching medical U.S. Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors various contingency skills that could be implemented down range.

"For example, during the German proficiency course we had all the medical members shoot with a variety of weapons so they can familiarize themselves with what they might use in the field," Guthmann continued. "The point was to build on the interoperability between the two nations by providing these unique opportunities to train together."

From October 2013 to March 2014, U.S. Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors came together with their foreign medical counterparts to participate in various training. The course consisted of firing German rifles and pistols to qualify for the Proficiency and Schützenschnur badges, track and field events for the sports badge, ruck marches and much more.

"Joint training like this, not only with our sister services, but with the host nation is always beneficial," said Maj. Michael McCown, Public Health Command Region-Europe chief of operations. "This was a unique opportunity we would only receive here in Europe and it was well worth it."

While stationed in Germany, U.S. forces took advantage of gaining the knowledge and skills from their foreign counterparts. Guthmann said throughout his 27 years of service, he has never received a U.S. Army medal and appreciates the recognition, as it is a rare circumstance and will probably never happen again in his career.

"I am very excited and honored to receive this award," he said. "It is not normal for a German service member to receive this and it is very special to me. I cannot express how proud I am. These past few months have been amazing and I thank all the participants for the friendship and camaraderie. You have really made me feel a part of the team."

Guthmann said he felt a sense of joy when he looked into the crowd of U.S. Soldiers standing before him, the men and women he mentored for so many months. Not for the success of the course or for the medal he received, but for the friendships that were forged along the way.

"Though my career requires me to leave soon, I plan to stay in contact with all my new friends I have made here," Guthmann said. "I thank all the U.S. members who accepted me as their own, I will never
forget you."