An Army of One - Spec. Carlos Perez - Brief Article

Serving country leads to fame for combat medic

In September of 1999, when Army Reserve Recruiter Sgt. Audra Hicks contracted her first soldier, little did she know the impact that her new recruit would have on the Army and the Army Reserve. Sgt. Hicks was absolutely thrilled signing up Carlos Perez as a Combat Medic for the 6252d United States Army Hospital, Ventura, CA. Perez would be memorable not only as her first recruit but as the featured Army Reservist in a new "An Army of One" TV spot and a website "What would you Do?" series.

Stepping stone

Spec. Carlos Perez said, "the main reasons I joined the Army was, having a new challenge in life, a stepping stone in helping me obtain a Master's degree in Physical Therapy and, what my father instilled in me, a need to seek the training, discipline and respect he acquired as a soldier."

Carlos grew up in Los Angeles the oldest of six children. His late father, a first generation Mexican American, was drafted in 1967 and served as a helicopter gunman in Vietnam.

Perez, 25, has had many challenges in his short Army Reserve career to include the tragedy of losing his parents 3 years ago. He now helps provide support and guidance to his younger siblings. "There are many things that I've done while serving in the Army that have made me feel special. My graduating from both Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training are moments my parents would have been proud of." Carlos said.

Being close to home and family are important in the Hispanic community that Perez grew up in and one of main reasons he chose to serve in the Army Reserve. His training as a Combat Medic provided him with the experience to land a civilian job as an Emergency Medical Technician with Grabor Ambulance Service in downtown LA.

"I got out of my school in Fort Sam Houston and was immediately able to qualify for my current job," Perez said. "We do a lot of patient transport, on call ambulance service and the same type of basic life support I learned at AIT."

He is particularly proud of the duties he performs at the 6252d. "I know how stop any type of bleeding, cover a wound or provide a soldier with an IV. I am capable of saving a life if given the opportunity."

Recognized soldier

Earthquake, the first Army Reserve TV commercial under the new campaign, turned the 25 year old into one of the most recognizable soldiers in the United States. It appears on both English and Spanish language TV stations targeted at 17-24 year olds.

"I didn't know what to expect during the shoot.. .1 met a lot of great people, had to wear makeup and was little nervous in front of the camera," he admitted.

The 30-second TV spot is a realistic U.S. Army disaster relief dramatization that takes place in a Latin American country. It confronts the Combat Medic with the question "What would you do?" after a native boy begs him to enter a shaky building to help his stricken family after an earthquake.

"I just joined the Army Reserve and I get to experience a commercial shoot. It was long hours but a lot of fun and there were always a lot of people to help you get it right."

The only thing he said he didn't like was the production crew spraying water in his face all the time to give the look of being part of a harried, disaster relief scenario.

Family pride

"When I told my family I was going to be in TV commercial they didn't believe me. Then they saw me on TV and they were very proud."

His family was also impressed with seeing him on the goarmy.com website where the question "What Would You Do?" is answered.

So how does he handle his new fame, "A lot of people just come up to me and ask if me if I'm the guy in the commercial. Sometimes the nurses (at work) give me a hard time."

He says he's only seen the English version once, but because many of his friends watch Spanish language TV, they have seen the Hispanic version several times. "They're both the same commercial so I really don't have a preference of which one I like better," Perez explained.

So is this the beginning of an acting career for the Los Angeles native? "If I had an opportunity I'd like to do another commercial" he said modestly.

The Army Reserve has kept Perez busy with appearances before military and civilian groups and his continuing presence on the web site. He was present representing the Army Reserve on stage with the Secretary of the Army and the Vice Chief of Staff at the official launch of the "Army of One" campaign.

"I came back from Washington D.C. and showed my recruiter my medals and certificates. She was both amazed and very happy with what happened to me since I joined the Reserve.

Maj. Zimmer is with the Public Affairs, Liaison Directorate, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve

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