Special Ops doctor to receive Hero of Military Medicine award

[JJ_BPK]

We need more like this one...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (May 2, 2012) -- Col. Russ Kotwal will receive the 2012 Heroes of Military Medicine awards courtesy of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine in Washington D.C., May 2.

Kotwal is one of three individuals to be a recipient of the award. These individuals have distinguished themselves through excellence and selfless dedication to advancing medicine for our nation's wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families.

Kotwal has served in the U.S. Army for 27 years. He is currently the Deputy Command Surgeon for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from Texas A&M University (1985), a Doctor of Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (1996), and a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch (2004).

Kotwal has completed residency training in both Family Medicine at Martin Army Community Hospital (1996-1999) and Aerospace Medicine at the Naval Operational Medicine Institute (2003-2005). He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

His operational assignments include four years with the 25th Infantry Division, nine years with the 75th Ranger Regiment, and two years with the U.S Army Special Operations Command. He has deployed to combat twelve times with the Rangers, nine times to Afghanistan and three to Iraq. He has conducted hundreds of combat ground and air missions as the senior medical provider for which he has received five Bronze Star medals, two Joint Service Commendation medals for valor, and two combat jump stars.

His other awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, and four Army Achievement Medals. Other recognitions include that of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Excellence in Military Medicine, Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Medical Association Award for Lifetime Achievement, Order of Military Medical Merit, and Infantry Order of Saint Maurice.

Kotwal is also a master parachutist and master flight surgeon. He is credited with numerous novel training and technology initiatives, professional publications, and national and international presentations related primarily to pre-hospital medicine on the battlefield.

Kotwal is an adjunct professor for both the Texas A&M Health Science Center and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and he is a member of the U.S. Department of Defense Health Board Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care.

http://www.army.mil/article/79252/Sp...edicine_award/

[greenberetTFS]

When did the Rangers make those 2 combat jumps?....... My eyes must be deceiving me because looking on his masters wings I didn't see 2 combat jump stars.....

Big Teddy

[Stras]

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS

When did the Rangers make those 2 combat jumps?....... My eyes must be deceiving me because looking on his masters wings I didn't see 2 combat jump stars.....

Big Teddy

BT, you better go get your eyes checked. the stars are on the lower portion of the jump wings, just to the sides of the lower portion of the parachute.

There were at least 2 combat jumps in Afghanistan that the Rangers made.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by Stras

BT, you better go get your eyes checked. the stars are on the lower portion of the jump wings, just to the sides of the lower portion of the parachute.

There were at least 2 combat jumps in Afghanistan that the Rangers made.

Thanks,Stras I do have cataracts I need to take care of and I didn't realize they made those combat jumps............

Big Teddy

[TF Kilo]

Afghanistan and Iraq.

I'm proud to have worked with COL Kotwal. I'm glad you're willing to continue the Ranger bashing prevalent on this forum, especially on a thread about someone who has worked to improve tactical medicine for all elements of SOF across the board in the Army, as well as in the other services.

How many combat jumps you got, anyway? Respect's a two way street and I'll give it where it's due... but right now, I don't see any reason. You're shit talking about missions you weren't on with a unit you weren't with.

In closing, I'd like to ask if there's some issued manual at SFAS regarding mandatory envy of other SOF elements missions, equipment, manning? It really seems prevalent in the discussions here, nary a new technology or even current technology/equipment discussion passes without some snide remark of that flavor.

Have a very Ranger day.

[TXGringo]

Originally Posted by TF Kilo

Afghanistan and Iraq.

I'm proud to have worked with COL Kotwal. I'm glad you're willing to continue the Ranger bashing prevalent on this forum, especially on a thread about someone who has worked to improve tactical medicine for all elements of SOF across the board in the Army, as well as in the other services.

How many combat jumps you got, anyway? Respect's a two way street and I'll give it where it's due... but right now, I don't see any reason. You're shit talking about missions you weren't on with a unit you weren't with.

In closing, I'd like to ask if there's some issued manual at SFAS regarding mandatory envy of other SOF elements missions, equipment, manning? It really seems prevalent in the discussions here, nary a new technology or even current technology/equipment discussion passes without some snide remark of that flavor.

Have a very Ranger day.

I may be out of my lane here, but where's the shit talk? No need to get bent over bad eyesight.... No offense to GreenberetTFS...

[olhamada]

Congrats to COL Kotwal. Very well deserved.

Re TF Kilo.......

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by TF Kilo

Afghanistan and Iraq.

I'm proud to have worked with COL Kotwal.
Have a very Ranger day.

You are out of line.
I don't see any shit talk about rangers in this thread.
Be advised..

[Richard]

Teddy - although not as well known as the 173rd jump, elements of the 75th also made several company-size combat jumps in Iraq, too.

TFKilo - Teddy may need to get his eyes checked, but now I'm wondering about your reading comprehension. Personally, I'd like an explanation of why you think the following statements constitute, "...Ranger bashing..."

"When did the Rangers make those 2 combat jumps? My eyes must be deceiving me because looking on his masters wings I didn't see 2 combat jump stars."

Standing by.

Kudos to COL Kotwal - OFS!

Richard

[booker]

Well done COL, and it looks to be well deserved. Hopefully he will train up the younger docs to follow in his footsteps.

[98G]

Russ Kotwal has that rare combination of action and documentation. The attached 9 page article is well worth the read for medics and anyone in a command/leadership position.

The Rangers managed no preventable death on the battlefield using TCCC (October 1, 2001 - March 31, 2010). The one cited was a post-op complication.

The case fatality rate in WWII where care was medic centric was 19.1%.
During Vietnam, it was 15.8%. 2500 of those from single extremity hemorrhage.
Today, warrior-centric care puts preventable death at 9.4%.
The Rangers are at 3% -- (again, that 1 that drove the % was post op).

Dr Kotwal ensured training to muscle memory and prepared his men well.

He also had the good sense to marry a phenomenally smart and fun wife Bari.

Just some background...

[Sacamuelas]

Originally Posted by TF Kilo

Afghanistan and Iraq.

I'm proud to have worked with COL Kotwal. [edited]... He is someone who has worked to improve tactical medicine for all elements of SOF across the board in the Army, as well as in the other services.
How many combat jumps you got, anyway? Respect's a two way street and I'll give it where it's due... but right now, I don't see any reason. You're shit talking about missions you weren't on with a unit you weren't with.

In closing, I'd like to ask if there's some issued manual at SFAS regarding mandatory envy of other SOF elements missions, equipment, manning? It really seems prevalent in the discussions here, nary a new technology or even current technology/equipment discussion passes without some snide remark of that flavor.

Have a very Ranger day.

TF KILO- I show you posted this late at night. Hopefully, you were just a little sauced and overreacting. If not, I can't help but wonder why you would access this site if it bothers you so much. Another QP had already corrected Big T in this thread. You then frag the thread with your post. What I highlighted in your post would have been one helluva a rebuttal if made without the subsequent taunt. Either fall in line with the direction of this site or withdraw.

[FMF DOC]

Bravo Zulu Col Kotwal

[Sacamuelas]

Job well done, Col Kotwal.

[Stras]

Originally Posted by TF Kilo

Afghanistan and Iraq.

I'm proud to have worked with COL Kotwal. I'm glad you're willing to continue the Ranger bashing prevalent on this forum, especially on a thread about someone who has worked to improve tactical medicine for all elements of SOF across the board in the Army, as well as in the other services.

How many combat jumps you got, anyway? Respect's a two way street and I'll give it where it's due... but right now, I don't see any reason. You're shit talking about missions you weren't on with a unit you weren't with.

In closing, I'd like to ask if there's some issued manual at SFAS regarding mandatory envy of other SOF elements missions, equipment, manning? It really seems prevalent in the discussions here, nary a new technology or even current technology/equipment discussion passes without some snide remark of that flavor.

Have a very Ranger day.

TFK,

When last I worried about counting jumps, I had two. One with my mom, and one with B 2/75 when we went after Noriega.

You're walking a thin line with your post on this forum. BT asked a simple question, that was answered.