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Spc. David Woods helps Staff Sgt. Jonathan Clark Friday afternoon with health care paperwork. Spc. Woods is a new medical noncommissioned officer for the 35th Special Troops Battalion.

The Missouri National Guard at the Mayes Memorial Armory welcomed a new addition to their staff with the acceptance of a medical officer.

Spc. David Woods, 28, of St. Joseph, is a three-year military veteran, which included a nine-month tour in Iraq. He will serve as a medical noncommissioned officer in the 35th Special Troops Battalion.

At the armory, Mr. Woods will be in charge of duty reports including documenting injuries of deployed soldiers and serving as a medic on drill weekends at the armory.

It’s a fitting position for a

soldier who served as a medic at Camp Bucca in Iraq, one of the largest internment camps in the world. He provided medical assistance to about 21,000 detainees.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “I picked up a little bit (of the Arabic language), but not a lot.”

A man of aspiration, Mr. Woods said he was always interested in joining the National Guard while growing up in Bedford, Iowa. It was getting his parents to side with his views that was the problem.

“I’ve always wanted to serve my country,” he said. “I got talked out of it twice (by my parents).”

During one instance, Mr. Woods said he had all the papers signed and ready to give to the recruiter when his parents gave it the kibosh.

Refusing to be deterred, Mr. Woods signed up regardless.

“I called them and told them I was a private in the National Guard,” he said.

Raised in a military family, Mr. Woods said his parents eventually warmed up to the idea. “They’re proud of it now,” he said. “They’re very glad I did it.”

Though highly recommended from his superiors, Mr. Woods said he wasn’t entirely confident he’d get the job in St. Joseph, just 10 minutes from where he lives.

“An AGR (Active Guard Reserve) is a coveted full-time job,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d get it because there’s people out there with more experience.”

Mr. Woods will be spending the next three years working for the Missouri National Guard in St. Joseph. After that, he said, the Guard could decide to extend his time here.

“I feel very lucky to get a job just 10 minutes from where I live,” he said.

Andrew Gaug can be reached at andrewgaug@npgco.com.