RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Name and Rank: Senior Airman Josh Compston
Unit: 48th Medical Operations Squadron, embedded with 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department
Duty title: Paramedic
Time in service: 4 years, 6 months
Time at Mildenhall: 6 months
Hobbies: “Travelling – my favorite place I’ve been to here is Dover, England. I love researching the history of different areas. I like to try and find where battles have taken place, and I’m particularly interested in medieval and Roman history.”
Core Value portrayed: Excellence in all We Do
Why is serving in the Air Force important to you?
“Not only is it service to my country, but it’s also service to my family and friends. Serving in the Air Force, I’m making a pretty big difference; I feel like I’m out changing the world and doing different things. Being a part of the 48th Medical Group, but embedded with the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department, is an amazing experience because I get to see how the rest of the Air Force works. It’s what I was trained to do in paramedic school and it feels like I belong here – as a medical guy, it’s really good to get that teamwork with the firefighters. It’s nice to work together on scene, and if I’m not working here but working in the emergency room and we respond to the same call with these guys, I know who is going to be there and I know I can trust them.”
What accomplishments during your Air Force career are you most proud of, and what are your personal goals?
Graduating paramedic school in four months through Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. It was a difficult learning experience, but a lot of fun at the same time. My personal goal is to be the best husband and father I can be while working 48-hour shifts at the fire house. My wife does an amazing job of parenting our two boys while I’m at work.
What does it mean to you to be a caregiver and aid in saving lives?
“Being a paramedic means being the first to take action when someone is in trouble and doing that to the highest scope of practice in pre-hospital level. It’s really rewarding and I’m really thankful that the Air Force has given me the opportunity to do this.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Helping people when they’re in need. We show up on their worst days. I never show up on somebody’s best day, so when I say, ‘Hi, I’m Josh, I’m a paramedic, and I’m here to help you – what’s going on?’ they tell me what’s wrong – if I can help them then I do, but if not, then I’ll take them somewhere that can. Everyone needs a medic; no matter where you’re at, people agree it’s good having a paramedic around. It makes people feel safe and taken care of, and it’s nice to know I can make people feel better.”
How does the individual portray core value of Excellence in All We Do?
“Senior Airman Compston is a true professional in all aspects of duties as a paramedic,” said Tech. Sgt. Kurt Trausch, 100th CES Fire Department station captain. “He provides top-notch medical care to all assigned to RAF Mildenhall, and strives to achieve excellence in all he does to ensure mission accomplishment.”