FORT KNOX, Ky. – Cadet Triston Eddlemon from Western Illinois University, Advanced Camp, 9th Regiment, watches his fellow squad members practice their first aid skills during Tactical Combat Casualty Care training at Fort Knox, Ky., July 24, 2023.

During TCCC, Cadets learn about the standard procedures and practices they would use in the event of a medical emergency involving a casualty.

“Currently the Cadets are running through lanes where they are assessing a casualty for possible injuries, addressing those injuries, and treating them,” Eddlemon explained. “You never know when something bad is going to happen. If somebody sustains an injury, you can’t always wait for help to come so you got to be able to help them.”

Working as a motor transportation operator for the U.S. Army Reserves, Eddlemon is used to being prepared for the unexpected.

“One thing that I’ve learned while I’ve been at camp is that I’m pretty good at adapting and adjusting to things,” Eddlemon said. “This training is preparing me to help the people that I have served alongside with, and who I will be leading.”

According to Eddlemon, serving and working with others is what being an Army Officer is all about. He became interested in becoming a commissioned officer once he realized that it would help him reach his ultimate career goal.

“I want to further my career, and becoming an officer will give me the opportunity to help more people than I’ve been able to,” Eddlemon explained. “Becoming an Officer is going to help me in my career path since working with people is really my strong suit.”

When asked what his ultimate career goal, Eddlemon said that he one day wants to become the President of the United States. He said that being a leader in the public sphere will allow him to serve the most amount of people.

“My goal is to eventually get to a place where I can run for public office,” Eddlemon said. “I want to help people not necessarily just in uniform, but in the legislative sense, so I can help even more people.”  

Eddlemon said that he discovered his passion for public service while he was in high school. This passion is what drove him to enlist in the Army in the first place.

“Since high school, working with people is something I’ve wanted to do,” Eddlemon said. “Joining the Army has been the best decision I’ve ever made, and getting to help the people around me has been absolutely amazing.”

Eddlemon believes that leadership is a privilege; it’s something that is earned by serving others. Eddlemon spoke on what leadership means to him.

“Leadership is a service, not a privilege. The more time you dedicate, the more you have to sacrifice,” Eddlemon explained. “A good leader puts their people before their own comfort and convenience level, because they know their Soldiers are their best assets.”