1/2
Sergeant Minjin Choi, a physician with the Command Assessment Program, keeps a close eye on the candidates as they take the Army Combat Fitness Test Nov. 5, 2024, at Fort Knox, Ky. Choi provided timely medical attention to a candidate suffering from a health problem. crisis during an ACFT earlier in CAP26. (U.S. Army photo by Sp. Mark Bowman)
VIEW ORIGINAL
2/2
Sergeant Minjin Choi stands alongside U.S. Army Human Resources Commanding General Major General Hope C. Rampy and HRC Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Major Robert Atkinson after receiving an Army Commendation Medal for her actions in assisting a life-threatening emergency during CAP26.
VIEW ORIGINAL
‘I was right behind her’ – CAP medic intervenes in a crisis
FORT KNOX, Ky. – When a Command Assessment Program candidate collapsed, her doctor literally had her back. Sergeant Minjin Choi, a registered practical nurse from the 531st Field Hospital and currently at Fort Knox in support of CAP, ran with her, allowing Choi to catch the candidate as she fainted and render immediate aid.
On October 17, 2024, Choi came to work the same way he always did: vigilant and ready to intervene if necessary.
“I’m manning the medical station,” Choi said. “But instead of just sitting in that corner, I like to walk around and cheer on the candidates as they conduct their ACFT event.”
Before running the two-mile running event, a candidate approached Choi and asked her to check her pulse. It was abnormally high. The candidate was given a choice: drop out or attempt to run, the final Army Combat Fitness Test event.
The candidate chose to run. A few laps later, she approached Choi and said she felt sick. Choi again felt the candidate’s pulse and started running behind the candidate, who wanted to continue the event.
“At least that way she had the comfort of me standing right behind her; and she could at least try to finish it,” Choi said.
Moments later, the candidate told Choi that she was going to faint, and Choi assured her that she would be there to catch her. Moments later, the candidate fell into Choi’s arms.
The medical staff called 911.
“We monitored her, let her cool down and verbally assured her that she was okay, because it is also a physical and mental thing to calm the patient down,” Choi said.
Soon the patient was transported to a medical facility.
“I believe I shortened the time of care that could be given to her because I was running the rounds with her. I was right behind her.”
The rest of the CAP cadre and candidates stepped up and assisted, Choi said.
“It is a life-threatening situation, but with the help I received I was able to do my work calmly,” she says.
Choi received an Army Commendation Medal for her actions from the U.S. Army Human Resources Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Hope C. Rampy.
“We’re trained to do a lot of things, but you can probably name one or two times where it was really on the line. You either execute or you don’t,” Rampy said. “And not everyone who is trained to do what (Choi) knows how to do can do it under stress… Someone owes a life to (her actions) and will remember it forever. So (this award) is just a very small sign.”