An Airman’s story: challenge accepted

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristoffer Kaubisch
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The call comes in and the adrenaline starts flowing. His heart is racing as he reflects on everything he's been trained to do. He grabs his gear and jumps in the ambulance, anticipating the scene ahead.

The day can change in a matter of seconds for Senior Airman Ryan Praleikas, an Aerospace Medical Technician for Minot Air Force Base's 5th Medical Operations Squadron. Trained in triage and medical care, Praleikas serves Minot as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Ambulance Services.

"As an EMT in Ambulance Services, I deal with a wider range of issues with the patients," Praleikas said. "I see more traumatic injuries, more immediate situations where they have to be seen right away."

After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Naugatuck, Connecticut native joined the Air Force due to his interest in politics and travel, but mainly for his love of country. Beginning his Air Force career in military medicine at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Praleikas started out as an Aerospace Medical Technician in Family Practice.

"I saw a lot of active duty members and their families for basic health issues," he said. "I learned different procedures, like stitches, toenail removal, cyst removal, and wound packing, just a little bit of everything."

After living in the United Kingdom for two years, Praleikas received orders to Minot, and was excited to return back to the States.

"After you live outside of the States for a little while, you start to miss how much easier it is to live here," said Praleikas.

Air Force Aerospace Medical Technicians provide patient care to a wide variety of beneficiaries to include those on flying status or special operational duty. They are a part of the Air Force medical Service's nursing team, but job duties may vary from assiting providers in routine medical proceudres to providing field medical care in emergency situation "I like being able to respond to emergencies and being a little more hands on than when I was in Family Practice," he said. "With Ambulance Services, I feel there is a more immediate satisfaction in what I'm doing."

As a medical technician, Praleikas also participates in and leads training exercises for other personnel. This kind of training includes ambulance training for the rest of the EMTs in the clinic and as well as infection control.

Apart from his duties training new Airmen, Praleikas is responsible for connecting patients with on-call providers for off-duty non-emergent care or giving referrals to patients for off-base care as well as coordinating with on-base Law Enforcement and Fire Protection on many 911 calls.

Although Praleikas enjoys his job as an EMT in Ambulance Services, he is currently looking into commissioning to become a Special Tactics Officer, which Leads Tactical Air Control Party and Air Support Operations Center operations.

"I always feel the need to challenge myself whether in schooling or in my career and becoming an ALO happens to present a wonderful challenge," he said.

Not only is Praleikas looking into commissioning, he is also beginning to send out applications to PhD programs for American foreign policy.

"Doctorate programs are very competitive, with most schools only accepting 10 to 20 candidates a year," said Praleikas. "Any early denials will present useful feedback for further applications and at the chance I get accepted to a program, then that's wonderful."

Praleikas has been serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years, and plans on serving his country for many years to come.

"My time in the Air Force has presented me with many opportunities and taught me many things," Praleikas said. "I only hope that the rest of my time serving my country can be as adventurous and fulfilling as my first four years."