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 | April 28, 2021

Pennsylvania Guard medic administers vaccine to father

By Staff Sgt. Oriana White Pennsylvania National Guard

LANCASTER, Pa. - Spc. Mariah Redwood, a combat medic assigned to Company C, 328th Brigade Support Battalion, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, never imagined she'd use her combat medic skills to administer vaccines to civilians. And in this case, not just anyone, but a close family member.

As Redwood prepared medical supplies on a mobile medical cart, her father stretched out his lanky frame on a folding chair nearby and rolled up a sleeve in preparation for his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. A retired 21-year veteran of the Coast Guard, Michael Redwood was clearly brimming with pride.

"I think this is amazing. As a parent, you're hardly ever given the opportunity to witness your child at work, let alone something like this where they're working an Army mission," he said. "I think that's a pretty spectacular thing. I'm very proud."

His daughter is a petite 22-year-old with a shy demeanor and engaging smile. She attended the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts in Cambridge, Massachusetts, until her love of medicine won out over her love of food. She decided to take a different career path with the military as a combat medic.

"I've always been so interested in science and the medical aspect of things," she said. "I really wanted to explore my options. Eventually, I want to work at Wellspan Health."

Mariah Redwood has been on state active duty orders since December, administering hundreds of COVID-19 vaccinations.

"Recently, I was at a local gas station and someone there recognized me and told me I'd given them the COVID-19 vaccination," she said. "It was pretty cool. I love being able to help people and help my community. It's really fulfilling."

For Mariah Redwood, the importance of her job within the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as a combat medic cannot be understated.

"I'll definitely stay in this job skill within the military," she said. "I'm really committed because I worked really hard to graduate as a combat medic."

Mariah Redwood finished sterilizing her father's arm and administered the COVID-19 shot quickly and expertly.

"Wow, that was easy," said Michael Redwood." I didn't even feel it."

Father and daughter hug goodbye and Michael Redwood exits the vaccination area as Mariah Redwood tidies up her workspace for the next vaccination.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group prepare dummies for a simulated casualty evacuation at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 17, 2025. The 108th Medical Company engaged in a weeklong field medical exercise to validate their readiness and elevate their medical and basic Soldier skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Booker)
Pennsylvania Guard Medics Simulate Chaos in Exercise
By Capt. Christopher Booker, | July 18, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group, are engaged in a comprehensive two-week field medical exercise here.The...

Soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team practice various close quarter battle techniques at the live fire shoot house complex at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, June 10, 2025. The Soldiers conducted several iterations to practice movement while firing live rounds. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell)
Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Train at Live-Fire Shoot House
By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell, | July 17, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Soldiers from Pennsylvania Army Guard’s B Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducted training at the live-fire shoot house here during the unit’s...

Lithuanian Command Sgt. Maj. Ruslanas Gulevas, senior enlisted leader of the Grand Duke Algirdas Infantry Battalion, Lithuanian Land Forces, left, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jason L. Barclay, senior enlisted advisor for 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, tour Fort Indiantown Gap as part of a bilateral engagement through the State Partnership Program, June 15, 2025. The two leaders, who served together during a joint mission in Afghanistan in 2011, reunited during a training event.
Enduring Brotherhood of Pennsylvania, Lithuania Partnership
By Sgt. Vail Forbeck, | June 17, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – More than a decade ago, amid the harsh conditions of Afghanistan, two Soldiers from different countries built a bond through shared sacrifice. The two Soldiers, one from the Pennsylvania National...