A commitment to serving others has defined both of TRIMEDX associate Josh Carrio’s careers. Josh was featured in a TechNation article, where he reflects on nearly 19 years of service in the U.S. Navy and Air National Guard. He shares how his experiences have shaped his work supporting patient care.
World War II Medal of Honor recipient Gen. James H. Doolittle once said: “There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”
One biomed who answered that call is Josh Carrio, CBET, biomedical engineer III with TRIMEDX in the clinical engineering department at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown Campus.
Carrio is a member of the Tennessee Air National Guard. He has almost 19 years of service between active-duty Navy and the Air National Guard.
“When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to join the U.S. Navy to serve my country just like my grandfather did during World War II. By enlisting into the Navy I knew I would also be able to travel the world. I had the honor of seeing many places while in the Navy for eight years before I switched over to the Air National Guard. Since my change to the Air Guard, I have had the opportunity to serve at three guard bases including my current one here in Nashville, the 118th Wing,” Carrio says.
He explains that two years after he left active-duty Navy, he still felt the need to keep the uniform on.
“My inner voice kept telling me that I could do more. When I was living in Reno, Nevada, I went to the 152nd Airlift Wing and joined as an Air Force medic. During my time as a medic, I trained in search and extraction on the rapid response team called CERF-P. I stayed a medic for six years and then I was asked if I wanted to become the BMET for the 118th Wing since I had been doing it on the civilian side,” Carrio says.
Serving as both active-duty military and Air National Guard provides Carrio an ability to speak to their differences.
“From my experience, I can tell you that as a service member in active duty you can expect to move a lot and sometimes it’s not where you want but where they need you. Although I wanted to be stationed in Europe, my first duty station was Yokosuka, Japan, on the Kitty Hawk. You will likely spend more time with your brothers and sisters in uniform while off duty because they may be all you have,” Carrio says.
He says that “guard life” is different because you can choose where you want to serve depending on availability and you don’t have to live there either.
“When I first moved to Nashville, Tennessee, I would drive to Montgomery, Alabama, to serve with the CERF-P at the 187th Fighter Wing. I have seen many service members retire after serving decades at one Guard unit during their career,” Carrio adds.
His experience on the clinician side has proven to be valuable as a biomed.
“Being a medic for six years before switching roles to a BMET at the 118th MDG has helped me tremendously in understanding how vital it is to ensure the medical equipment is calibrated and running correctly. When a healthcare provider is caring for the patients, they should be able to focus on them and not worry if the machine is working properly,” Carrio says.
He adds that he is able to communicate with the hospital staff better because he has a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology and the knowledge of how to provide life-saving skills.
“As a medic, I was trained on how to stay calm in high-stress situations, which has helped when troubleshooting OR equipment when a patient is on the table,” Carrio adds.
‘First shirt’ in focus
The Tennessee Air National Guard was established in 1921 and is one of the oldest Air National Guard units in the country. One of its community focuses is charitable work and this is one activity that Carrio has enjoyed as a member.
“One of the things I enjoy most about being in the Air National Guard, and specifically living local to my Guard unit, is the community involvement. One year I was able to participate in a Christmas event called ‘Shopping with Heroes.’ As members in uniform, we volunteered to take a child in need shopping to help them get essentials such as winter clothes, but we would also take them to the toy aisle which made both of us smile. Another year at the 118th Wing, we came together as a medical group and purchased over 20 bicycles that were given to kids in the local community,” he says.
For those motivated to advance, the guard offers opportunities just like the corporate world. Carrio looks forward to achieving some goals to that end.
“Right now, I also perform as the assistant First Sergeant for the 118th Medical Group. A goal of mine is to become a First Sergeant of my own group at the Wing and one day put on ‘the diamond’ so that I may mentor and guide more service members. To become a ‘First Shirt,’ as it’s affectionately called, then I would have to be selected by other First Sergeants and the Command Chief, be interviewed by a panel, and graduate from the First Sergeant Academy,” he says.
Carrio says that he has a deep desire to become an honorary Chief.
“For me to earn this respect from the Chief’s Mess, I must be working with the Navy and be selected during Chief Season. Then, I would participate in the valued tradition of going through Chief Season, which is demanding from what I hear. Those fouled anchors a Navy Chief wears may look small on the uniform, but they carry the weight of each young sailor who has looked up to them,” he says.
“I have almost 19 years of service between the Navy and the Air National Guard, and I feel that being able to continue wearing the uniform is an achievement and truly an honor,” Carrio says.