Page 5 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Summer 2014

Gary Welt Was Honored at the 2013 SOMA Mess Night

The following is a highlight from that night: combat medical personnel to mix it up with the trauma
surgeons at the meetings and come up with a right an-
In summer of 1992-ish, NSW met on battlefield trauma swer based on both perspectives.
care. Some of the SEAL docs there had a restrictive view
of what SEAL Corpsmen should Gary was a powerful voice
be allowed to do. PO1 Welt got Gary’s wife, Brenda, shared these sentiments for SOF combat medics. As
up and said, “Doc, if you aren’t about her beloved husband: the Senior Enlisted Advisor at
going to let me take care of these “Gary was an amazing human being!! the JSOMTC in Ft Bragg, he
casualties, then you get your Through out his entire journey with helped to shape the instruc-
%$#** combat gear and come ALS, he did not waver. He continued tor cadre at the SOF medi-
on the mission with us.” Some to fight this beast of a disease with cal schoolhouse and hundreds
years later, when we started grace and dignity. His trust and faith of medics. CAPT Butler was
looking at people to be on the in God gave him incredible strength, honored when Gary accepted
TCCC Committee, Gary came as well as all of the love and support his offer to come down to
immediately to mind. Whatever of his family, friends, and teammates. SOCOM and be the Senior
success that TCCC has had has Gary was a true warrior and his legacy Enlisted Medical Advisor while
will remain in our hearts forever. RIP
been due to the Combat Medics, Gary Welt. Fair Winds and Following he was the Command Surgeon.
Corpsmen, and PJs in the mix. Seas.” He was a transformative fig-
Gary was a Plankowner on the ure – SOF ATP, TMEPs, TCCC.
TCCC Committee. He helped to set the tone for our Gary was the driving force!

I first met Gary while standing on the ramp of a
C­130 for my first free fall. He assured me that he
would let go of my chest strap and let me exit on
my own (I knew he was going to push me out). To
my surprise, he did just what he said he would do.
Well, I had a lousy exit and a lousy first jump as
well. When we got on the deck, Gary said, “Grab
another chute and let’s go.” In a nutshell, that
was Gary; he always said what he was going to
do and made sure that what needed to be done
was done.
Bud Farley, BUD/S 104

I met Gary in 1990 during 300­F1. He was one of first Navy Seals I had the honor of working with. He was
a leader in our 300­F1 class and helped all of us students make it through the course. He made me laugh
with his occasional “hi jack” and “hi jill” exercises during PT. Basically, “hi jack” and “hi jill” was a way of
taking it easy for PT ... a rarity in Gary’s world.
Gary and I remained friends and would catch up with each other most years at SOMA. It was an honor to
be his friend and watch him deservedly rise through the ranks to Senior SOCOM Enlisted Medical Advisor.
I’ll miss not seeing my friend Gary at SOMA. Thanks for letting everyone know about Gary. I’ve posted
his obituary on my clinic door so that others who undoubtedly knew him are aware. And maybe more
importantly are reminded about ALS ... no known cause, no known cure.
Regards, Charles Neal

Preparedness for Resuscitation at an Isolated Army TMC iii