In recognition of National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25, Air Methods will celebrate the contributions of military veterans across its ranks, including one of its own.
The air medical company will Mercy Air 66 pilot James Schmittle out of Barstow, an army chief warrant officer veteran, whose journey from military service to emergency air medical care is both inspiring and deeply personal, the company said.
“When Schmittle transitioned out of the Army after more than eight years of service, including a deployment to Afghanistan as a Kiowa Warrior pilot, he initially joined the airline industry through the support of the Rotary to Airline Group,” Air Methods stated.
While that career path provided a much-needed reset, Schmittle knew his true calling was elsewhere as he needed to fulfill a fundamental promise he had made while in the Army.
“I decided to work for Air Methods due to a promise I made to myself and an Army instructor pilot after the passing of my son,” Schmittle said. “I swore I would fly medevac and give others the same chance at potential life-saving interventions that the medevac Black Hawk crew gave my son.”
Schmittle added that although his son died at the hospital due to his injuries, what the medical crew and pilots did for him and his family during that tragic time “inspired me to give back—to fly with a newfound purpose and help bring hope to other families.”
Since joining Air Methods over three years ago, Schmittle has found more than a job. He has found a community and teammates who have become like family, he said.
“I’ve had the honor of working alongside fellow veterans who bring loyalty, honor, and integrity to every mission,” Schmittle said. “They feel like extended family. The veteran culture here is strong and adds tremendous value to the company as a whole.”
Schmittle said he sees clear parallels between his military service and his role in EMS aviation.
“The professionalism, work ethic, and the mission are all still part of the job, just in a different uniform,” he said. “What I appreciate now is the work-life balance and stability this role provides. It’s less stressful, and I know when I’ll have time with my family. That balance makes a big difference. I enjoy the fact that what I do as a pilot helps contribute to defending someone else’s tomorrow.”
Veterans like Schmittle are essential to Air Methods’ mission of delivering critical care when every second counts, the medical service provider said.
“Veterans possess a unique blend of leadership, resilience, and mission-first mentality that aligns seamlessly with the demands of emergency air medical services,” said Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Air Methods Paul Williams. “We’re not only grateful for their service, we’re intentional about creating career pathways that honor their skills and support their transition. People like James Schmittle are incredible examples of how military experience translates into lifesaving impact.”
In 2024, the air medical service program celebrated 35 years of service to the region, which includes teams gathering from Mercy Air Base 2 Victorville, Base 22 Hesperia, Base 66 Barstow and Base H285 Big Bear.
National Hire a Veteran Day
Marine Corps Veteran and Hire Our Heroes founder Dan Caporale created National Hire a Veteran Day in 2017 as a call to action for companies to hire veterans and to encourage veteran job applicants, according to Veteran.com.
Congress passed the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) in 2017.
This resulted in the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, a federal award that “recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development,” according to the program website.
Air Methods offers a wide range of career opportunities tailored for military veterans. For more information, visit airmethods.com.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Air Methods medical service provided to honor veteran pilot on National Hire a Veteran Day
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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