An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 1, 2019

Medical readiness is key for being prepared

By Staff Sgt. Michael Carden Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Members of the Ohio National Guard are required to respond at a moment’s notice, whether for a local emergency, state response to a disaster or a federal deployment. That means they need to be prepared, no matter the mission. Military medical professionals play a significant role in ensuring that Soldiers are ready.

“Medical readiness is making sure the Guard can supply a force that can serve without limitations,” said Capt. Erin Rinto, a field surgeon with the 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment. “We make sure that they are healthy enough to be sent to an austere environment with limited resources, and they can do whatever job they need to do.”

Soldiers are required to attend an annual periodic health assessment (PHA) to confirm their overall health and to address any issues they may have. Medical professionals check each Soldier’s vision, vitals, hearing and dental. Soldiers who need blood work or immunizations are also taken care of. For serious issues, case managers are on hand to coordinate follow up services, either with military or civilian healthcare providers.

“The PHA sets the standard for whether a Soldier can deploy or not,” said Sgt. Natalie Flory, a health care noncommissioned officer with the Ohio Army National Guard Medical Detachment. “Without knowing their physical health, we can’t send a Soldier overseas.”

PHAs are not just for a Soldier’s physical health. Behavioral health officers are available to address Soldiers’ needs, not only in uniform but for their everyday lives.

“Even though we are here to make sure they are ready for deployment, we are also dealing with real-world issues,” said 1st Lt. Miranda Blackburn, a behavioral science officer with the 371st Sustainment Brigade. “We provide intervention for things they are struggling with, making sure they are the best person and the best Soldier they can be.”

Units scheduled for PHAs, with some larger ones having multiple iterations spread out throughout the year to ensure every Soldier can see medical personnel without adversely impacting a unit’s ongoing mission or training. A typical PHA, conducted in one day of a weekend drill, can include multiple units, with sometimes hundreds of Soldiers being seen in a single day. Regardless, the Soldiers running the event take the time to focus on each individual.

“Their job is to be ready, and it’s our job to make sure that they are,” Rinto said. “If there is a problem or an issue, we want to know so we can help them.”

 

 

Related Articles
Tech. Sgt. Franklin Angel, 105th Airlift Wing production recruiter, poses for a photo with his two Blue Suit Awards at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, April 22, 2025. The Blue Suit Award recognizes the 14 top-performing recruiters from around the world, including those in active duty, the Air National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve.
Meet the New York Air National Guard’s Record-Setting Recruiter
By Senior Airman Sarah Post, | April 23, 2025
STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – One recruiter at the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing is standing out from his peers, having recruited more Airmen in 2024 than any other recruiter in the Air Force and...

U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Martinie, North Carolina Joint Force Headquarters-Air, State Air Surgeon and Staff Sgt. Idris cates, 145th Medical Group, medical technician pose for a photo in an exam room at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport base, March 8, 2025. Martinie is being highlighted for being named one of North Carolina’s best doctors for 2024.
N.C. Surgeon Reflects on Military Medicine, Career and Service
By Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove, | April 23, 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After nearly three decades of military service and more than 25 years in medicine, Col. Daniel Martinie, North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters - Air chief flight surgeon, remains committed...

Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers conduct a close-quarters battle exchange with members of the Tajik military April 7 - 11, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The engagement was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which has connected Virginia and Tajikistan since 2003.
Virginia Army Guard Soldiers, Tajikistan Conduct Battle Exchange Training
By Mike Vrabel, | April 23, 2025
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan  –  Four Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers recently conducted a close-quarters battle exchange training with members of the Tajik military.  The engagement was conducted April 7-11 through the...