Kenneth Russell, a 2009 Sequim High graduate, was recently awarded the National Association of Emergency Medical Technician (NAEMT) North American Rescue Military Medic of the Year Award.

Russell received the award during the NAEMT World Expo held Oct. 15-16 in New Orleans, La.

Nominees for Military Medic of the Year Award are recognized military medics (a qualified active, reserve or National Guard U.S. Army Medic, Navy Corpsman or Air Force Medic) who demonstrate excellence in the performance of military emergency medicine, with their primary role being that of theater patient care.

Russell, a Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman serving as the acting Medical Chief and Lead Petty Officer for Company M, 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, has served in the U.S. Navy for nine years. He is based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

He has deployed with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in Okinawa, Japan, as well as serving two overseas tours to Africa with Marines special operations teams.

Russell was previously awarded the Luke Milam Excellence Award in 2019 for his abilities as both a medical professional and a tactical leader. He led a responding joint Department of Defense team of more than 30 personnel in the care of 21 multi-system trauma patients that included prolonged evacuation times of up to six hours.

In the past year Russell has answered his calling as an independent medical provider within a Special Operations Command. He has sought civilian education, achieved the height of his technical progression, earned the highest marks in fitness, and molded a diverse group of specialists into a team, leading to the best possible outcome in a combat zone for nearly two dozen casualties.

“Without reservation, HM1 (Hospital Corpsman, First Class) Russell represents the top candidate for nomination by 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Special Operations Command,” Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael J. Mason said.