KABUL- A local Bellingham, Wash., soldier serves as the personal security detail squad leader and combat medic for NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan's commanding general at Camp Eggers.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Woolley has been an in-close bodyguard and personal combat medic for three commanding generals. He is currently on his fourth 12-month deployment since joining the Army seven years ago. Woolley first enlisted in the Army as an infantryman but retrained to become a combat medic.

"I became a medic because I wanted to help people that were hurt, at point of injury if necessary," said Woolley. "After I was wounded in Iraq, I re-enlisted and got certified as a Combat Life Saver instructor and Combat Medic Advanced Skills trainer, to better facilitate passing on lessons learned, often the hard way, to new soldiers and medics."

"When bad things happen through hardships, we make a conscious decision to either be resilient or give up," he said. "We let these things either strengthen or weaken our resolve."

Before joining the Army, Woolley faced some hardships in his personal life, but joining the service helped him use his past experiences as a turning point in his life and devote time to help others.

"In the past through foolishness and selfishness, I lost everything; my wife, children, my job and friends," said Woolley. "The Army gave me a second chance to contribute to society."

Woolley is deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., where he serves as the non-commissioned officer in charge for the I Corps Battalion Aid Station responsible for about 1,100 soldiers. Other duties include resiliency and physical readiness trainer, as well as an Equal Opportunity and Battalion Suicide Prevention representative.

"These programs emphasize bouncing back from adversity," said Woolley. "Based on my past, I thought that I could help others bounce back rather than break, so I volunteered for that training."

"It helps me to understand the whole soldier, mind and body, to better help them. They deserve it and it allows me to be more useful."

Throughout his past deployments, Woolley has been a squad leader and part of a small kill team performing close target reconnaissance missions while also training soldiers with firearms and close quarters combat. He's participated in over 300 scout operations and 700 missions as a combat medic, personal security shift leader, machine gunner and Arabic interpreter and instructor.  

During his three tours in Iraq, Woolley has not only treated service members but also help provide medical aid to local nationals.  

"I have been able to travel throughout both Iraq and Afghanistan and it's an honor and privilege to be able to go where the enemy is and provide help to those who are hurt and can't help themselves," he said. "It is heartbreaking to work on civilians on the battlefield, especially children. Life is fleeting; it's humbling to spend the last few minutes of someone's life with them."

In addition to his contributions, Woolley has received approximately 32 awards and decorations to include a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, and three Army Commendations including one with a Valor device. He is currently half-way through his deployment and plans on re-enlisting in the service this month.

The 42-year old medic said he is always ready to deploy both physically, mentally and spiritually.

"I love being a medic; I'm confident in what I do and I want to be as useful as possible," said Woolley. "I maintain physical fitness to make sure I am always one-step ahead of the younger guys."

PHOTO: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Woolley serves as the personal security detail squad leader and combat medic for NATO Training Mission--Afghanistan’s commanding general at Camp Eggers, Afghanistan. Woolley is deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., as the non-commissioned officer in charge for the Battalion Aid Station responsible for about 1,100 soldiers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andrea Salazar)