At some point in our lives we all go through hardships, and we have to make tough decisions. A prime example of this in our own history is the Battle of Mogadishu. As I watched the movie *Black Hawk Down* I began to see more and more of how leaders in the military are faced with difficult decisions almost daily. In particular I was impressed with STAFF SGT. Matt Eversmann.
As stated in the book, Reliving a Firefight by Mark Bowden," Inside Super 67, Eversmann was anxious about being in charge. He'd won the distinction by default. His platoon sergeant had been summoned home by an illness in his family, and the guy who replaced him had suffered an epileptic seizure." Eversmann did not intend to be in charge nor did he ever expect it, but yet here he was minutes away from the start of this mission with the codename Irene with a dozen men under his authority. He was not asked to take this position. He was told how things were and he made the decision to obey orders and accept. Little did Eversmann know that his day of difficulties had only begun.
As Eversmann's helicopter arrived to the drop site, the pilot told Eversmann that they were going to be about 100 meters short. SGT Eversmann gave the pilot a thumbs up and waited to be the last man out to ensure his men made it down the ropes safely. Quoted from the chapter *"Reliving a Firefight"* from the book *Black Hawk Down* "It was such a long descent that the thick nylon rope burned right through the palms of his leather gloves. The rest of his Chalk, had roped in. Nearing the street, through the swirling dust below his feet, Eversmann saw one of his men stretched out on his back at the bottom of the rope. He felt a stab of despair. Somebody's been shot already! He gripped the rope hard to keep from landing on top of the guy. It was Pvt. Todd Blackburn, at 18 the youngest Ranger in his Chalk, a kid just months out of a Florida high school. He was unconscious and bleeding from the nose and ears." This quotation paints a very clear picture of what Evermann had experienced.
This quote from Reliving a Firefight describes how already a few minutes into the mission STAFF SGT Eversmann is faced with a major problem. Despite being under fire, Eversmann makes it a priority to get Pvt. Blackburn out of gunfire and to medical attention. Ignoring the risk of being shot, 6'4" Matt Eversmann along with two medics carried unconscious and severely injured Pvt. Blackburn to safety.
I admire STAFF SGT. Eversmann for multiple reasons. One reason is the loyalty of Eversmann. He did not leave a man behind. Instead of just assuming that Blackburn was shot or was to badly injured to continue, he took the time to check over his fallen soldier in the midst of enemy gunfire.
The second reason I admire Eversmann is his bravery. Bravery is a common word used to describe our soldiers, but in my opinion the will to risk your life not only for the soldiers fighting with you, but also the soldiers who have fallen serving shows a greater deal of bravery.
The last reason my admiration goes to the STAFF SGT is for his decision-making skills. From the very beginning he is nervous about leading his chalk. That nervousness does not effect Eversmann one bit in his decisions. Once the pilot told him they would be short of their destination, Eversmann ensures all members of his chalk make it to the ground while staying in the giant Black Hawk like a sitting duck. The next problem occurs when Blackburn falls from the Black Hawk to the ground because he missed the rope. While there is no doubt Eversmann is worried about his fellow comrade, he safely makes it to the ground and immediately calls for the medic of his chalk to assist him in checking over Blackburn's condition.
These are the signs of a good soldier and an even better leader, and for these reasons STAFF SGT. Matt Eversmann receives my admiration and respect. I feel like we could all learn from his experience. Just because he was down, he showed through his decisions he was still not out.
