Cadet First Class (C1C) Charles Carr exemplifies the United States Air Force Academy’s (USAF) core value of “Service Before Self.” Whether he is on or off duty, he has not only been a positive representative of USAFA but a compassionate member of his community. He genuinely cares about the well-being of others and it shows in all he does.
C1C Carr is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and Responder (EMT) (EMR), a volunteer firefighter in his hometown, the new Wing Personal Ethics and Education Representative (PEER), and the creator of an ambulance ride-along program for cadets.
In his many roles, C1C Carr has given back to the squadron, local community, and hometown. He has maintained his EMT/EMR qualifications and ensures the 73 other cadet EMTs/EMRs receive the same training. Through his diligence and dedication to providing timely and adequate care to those in any USAFA training environment, he ensured adequate mandatory medical manning for many events such as Recognition, Basic Cadet Training, Warrior Weekends, Commandants Challenge, Adventure Based Expeditionary Training, and Summer Support. The need for medical support at all military training functions caused C1C Carr to review the cadet EMR process and start-up an ambulance ride-along program for cadet patients and cadet EMRs. This will give the cadet patient support from a peer while allowing the EMR to gain crucial reactionary medical knowledge and continuity of care for the affected cadet.
C1C Carr was also able to secure funding for medical supplies through donations from various USAFA parents’ clubs. His dedication to developing and supporting the work of himself and others has led to being recognized as USAFA’s premier training program. By championing the ride-along program, he has helped USAFA save over $146K in ambulance rides and emergency room visits.
C1C Carr has responded to many medical and mental health emergencies in the squadron. He is the “Go-To” PEER in CS-38. He has assisted with a fellow cadet’s shoulder dislocating several times, keeping the cadet comfortable on the way to the emergency room. Additionally, he responded to cadets experiencing suicidal ideations. Due to his quick thinking and care, all cadets he assisted were able to get the help they needed. Every cadet he has responded to here at USAFA continues to rely on him again and again.
During his off–duty time, C1C Carr has come across incidents where he has responded to fires and assisted as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Hightstown, NJ in winter of 2018. In a separate incident, he assisted with a vehicle pile-up off the NJ Turnpike and acted to put out tractor-trailer fires. He maintains the required certifications to continue being a volunteer firefighter and recently got certified as an Emergency Vehicle Operator so that he can drive the ambulance.
Additionally, in Colorado Springs, he assisted an elderly woman who was hit by a car in a crosswalk. He provided immediate care to the woman as well as monitored crowd control. With his experience responding to medical emergencies at USAFA, he could properly care for the patient and hand-off her care to on-duty responders. In a separate crosswalk incident, another older woman had tripped over a pothole, and he found her lying in the street with a damaged back. He was able to stabilize her until medical help arrived.
When asked what a person could do to be a hero every day, he responded; “Surround yourself with team members who will teach and support you. The will help you become your best self”
