MARK CRAWFORD - USAF PARARESCUE RET, NOLS WMI INSTRUCTOR

One of the most difficult things about writing a bio is, you have to talk about yourself.  And there’s nothing that Mark hates more than talking about himself.  What WILL Mark talk about . . . his kids, his wife, his Wilderness EMT/W First Responder students, his USAF Pararescue teammates, his Wilderness Medicine co-instructors.

He’ll tell you that 22 years as a USAF Pararescuemen was the best career ever; “Glorified Boyscouts” playing in and planning for every combat rescue environment imaginable.  He’ll talk about how amazing his kids are at moving themselves out of their comfort zones after completing a thorough risk assessment, physical ability eval, mental status checklist and advisor consultation.

He’ll speak of critiquing his Wilderness Medicine co-Instructors in how they might have run a training exercise with a bit more precision or intention for optimum student outcome, and follow it with commending their exceptional communication through an emotionally charged conversation.  He’ll tell stories of hero USAF PJ teammates in action-mode one minute then playing pranks that outdo Candid Camera episodes the next.

But ask Mark to talk about himself and it will never happen.  He won’t tell you about the influence he’s had on the exceptional people that his kids have become. He won’t tell you about the hundreds of students who’ve shared with him and WMI that his influence, as their instructor/trainer, has changed the trajectory of their lives, motivated them to take action in a crisis, become healthcare providers, become medics or enter the military.

He’d never mention the instructors that have acknowledged his influence in them becoming better versions of themselves.

He wouldn’t disclose his legacy of standards-of-training and field-preparedness within the USAF PJ career field.  And you’d be surprised to read about his “Legends That Walk Among Us”  Lifetime Acheivement Award from National  Association of EMS Educators. 

All this because you wouldn’t hear it from him. He won’t tell you about the numerous missions, the wall-full of awards, the Purple Heart, the injuries, the scars, the saves and losses and the torment; because he’s a silent warrior.

But being a silent warrior takes its toll.  In the recent past we’ve become blatantly aware of the impact Post Traumatic Stress has taken on his psyche - anger, depression, physical symptoms, hyper vigilance, sleeplessness and suicidal thoughts.  Thanks to numerous resources (Pararescue Foundation, National Center for Veterans Studies, Soldiers House,  WY State Veteran Services) our willingness to listen, his wife’s insistence, and a shadow of hope that life could be better, we were willing to acknowledge the pit that PTS had excavated.  Slowly the pit is filling in and we’re rising up.  We see the light. We’re hopeful.

Join us on this journey of self discovery and sharing in PTSD Awareness.