Inside his office at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Senior Airman Mike Malarsie types away on his computer. A few feet away, his seeing-eye dog, Xxon, gnaws contentedly on a chew toy. Malarsie is busy creating a program that he believes will help wounded, ill and injured Airmen in ways only those who have shared similar experiences can.
Malarsie, a tactical air control party specialist, was blinded by a roadside bomb explosion while he, another TACP Airman and 11 Soldiers were on a foot patrol outside a small village near Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan. 3, 2010. In the blast, Malarsie sustained a shattered jaw, a broken nose, multiple lacerations to his face and neck, and the eventual loss of his eyesight.
Despite those setbacks, however, Malarsie is fighting to stay on active duty. If he has his way, he’ll test for promotion alongside his fellow Airmen, taking his physical training test, as well.
“Yeah, I’m blind, but I’m still here. I’m not going to let this wound hold me back,” he said. “I don’t want to take off the uniform. It’s always been a dream of mine to be in the military, and I want to be competitive.”
Stephen Page, the Air Force Recovery Care for Wounded, Ill and Injured program manager said that mentality is why Malarsie was chosen to establish the Recovering Airman Mentorship Program.
“Mike Malarsie doesn’t only want to survive, he wants to make a difference,” Page said. “That’s the difference here. He’s not only in the survival mode where he’s trying to learn [and adjust to] his daily living, he wants to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
Malarsie said the mentorship program takes wounded, ill and injured Airmen who have been through recovery and rehabilitation, teaches them mentoring tools and then pairs them up with other Airmen who have experienced similar situations.
“The idea is that nobody can help these recovering service members get back on their feet better than someone who has been there and done it, someone who really understands the difficulties in dealing with what that they’re going through.”
Malarsie said this program would have helped him tremendously had it been around when he went through his rehabilitation process.
“I remember people coming in my room who had been injured and talking to me. Those people had the biggest impact. They really put my anxieties at ease. The amount of comfort from someone who has been there and experienced it, and can now share that with someone who is lying in a hospital bed makes a huge difference.”
Malarsie is now taking his experiences and the lessons he learned through his recovery and rehabilitation process and applying it to the mentorship program.
His goal is to “get this program to the point where it’s going to be beneficial to all of the wounded, ill and injured. I know what it’s like to wake up in a hospital and not know what comes next, to have everything completely change,” he said. “That’s one of the goals of this program, to put those fears and anxieties away and address [them with] people who have been there and experienced those things, and provide that guidance for them.”
Donald Damron, an Air Force recovery care coordinator, can attest to that. He works with wounded, ill and injured Airmen every day to help them throughout their recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration stages. He said that no matter what kind of support he provides, there is one thing he can’t give them — the kind of emotional support and credibility Malarsie and other mentors can.
“I took Mike to visit two wounded warriors with me at Brook Army Medical Center [in San Antonio] who were [severely injured] by an IED,” he said. “Instantaneously, Mike has credibility with them, and they start asking questions because they’re curious. He comes in and takes care of that emotional healing, and the winner in all of this is the wounded service member.”
Damron said Malarsie’s location in San Antonio is an added benefit.
“If someone is seriously wounded, ill or injured, at some time, they’re probably going to come through San Antonio. Mike is in this area, so while they’re here, we can do their training. So, there are no monetary expenses, as far as bringing them all to one place for training,” he said. “Then, those service members can return to their units with that mentorship training that he’s given them, and they’re able to help other Airmen.”
Even with his physical injuries and limitations, Malarsie still considers himself a TACP specialist and always will. Page said the TACP spirit is still strong within Malarsie.
“His sole motivation is based on helping others,” Page said. “That’s something he knows and embraces. That’s what he’s doing each and every day.”
The program is still in its infancy, with 15 members to date, Malarsie said. He is still refining the training plan and working with Air Force recovery care coordinators to find the right mentors.
While he’s focusing on the future and helping his fellow wounded, ill and injured Airmen, Malarsie doesn’t forget those who died in the attack where he lost his vision. He wears a bracelet bearing the names of some of the service members who died in the explosion. He does this to honor his fallen brothers in arms but to also remind him to stay true in helping other service members who have become wounded, ill or injured.
“Yeah, I’m blind, but I’m still here.”
Wow, I’m so impressed with your character. My son’s in Afghanistan serving in the US Army. It gives me such a sense of warmth and pride to know there are Warriors like you who have been through so much yet focus on the welfare of others. If, God forbid, anything should happen to him or his buddies, it gives me great solice to know he may meet a fellow Brother in Arms like yourself to help him heal and move forward mentally as well as physically. My late husband served in the Army from 2001-06 when he was medically discharged. He died from his injuries almost one year ago, on December 30, 2010. Not a day went by that he wasn’t praising the Army and wanting so badly to return to active duty. He loved the Army and loved wearing the uniform. What you are doing is so important. A part of him died when he had to be discharged that never came back. I worked at a VA for a year as a Substance Abuse Counselor. There were so many vets who have never adjusted to having to leave or choosing to leave only to regret it later. Simply put, they lost their sense of purpose. You have found the way to keeping yours. The work you’re doing will help others to regain their sense of purpose and reason for being. Make no mistake, this hurdle is the one that will make or break a warrior. Without mental strength, recovering physically is severely impaired. As you well know. No one can do this work as well as you and other fellow comrades. I’m so grateful this is happening now and I wish it would have been there for my husband.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your service to our Country and for your service to your Brothers in Arms.
Margo Crane
Truly an inspiring attitude in this warrior and a cause that will definitely help fellow comrades as they recover from injuries suffered while keeping us free, whether we appreciate it or not. So others may live… enough said.
Great article about a GREAT AIRMAN. But proper research is always important.
“It’s kind of the TACP world, ‘so others may live.’
The TACP motto is ‘The Strong Will Stand’. Senior Airman Mike Malarsie is one of those STRONG.
God Bless you– Thank you for your sacrifice and for NOT giving up… You heroes are the reason I do the job I do!.. (Aerovac..) Toughest guys and girls I’ve ever met and true American Heroes ride on those planes!!!!! I look forward to reading more about you!
Mike, you are an amazing person! I love the idea of your mentorship program. I hope you do get to continue being Active Duty. Keep fighting for what you believe in! You’ve already showed that nothing can hold you back. Thank you for your continued service and for all your doing with your program.
Sandy Snyder
wife and daughter of Air Force veterans
This is by far the most touching story. My husband is currently in Afghanistan serving in the US Army. It’s a scary place out there. I’m terrified of all of it. But when I see men like this, it gives me a sense of hope that I wasn’t sure I had.
I’m so proud to be the wife of an honorable, strong man who wants nothing more than to serve his country. It’s men like you, and my husband that make this country a better place.
Thank you!!!! You are so loved and respected. God bless you with your new endeavor to continue on to help your band of brothers.
Malarsie,
I didn’t get to meet you, but I knew Smith well. You both are heroes, to the TACP career field, the US Air Force, the Armed Forces,the United States and the world. You continue to be an inspiration to us all. Keep up the excellent work, God Bless you and your family, and may our future generations grow up with strength and courage and heart like you and Smith have so perfectly demonstrated.
The Strong Shall Stand.
SrA Malarsie, thank you for your service and spirit. I think I have some level of knowledge of what kind of warrior spirit you must have to qualify as TACP. Many of my CCT Brothers were TACP “back in the day” of VN. Please accept my “hand salute” to your continued efforts to adapt and overcome obstacles so you can continue to serve. Again, THANX!!
God Bless You. Thank You For Your Service.
Not only will you be an inspiration to your brothers and sisters in arms, you will be an inspiration to the families. May you always be blessed and always have a strong spirit. God bless you and Thank you so very much. Much love and respect!
Thank you!! I pray you will be successful in your task. May God bless you and all your brothers you help!
you are a brave soldier…god bless you ,,our country is safe because of soldiers like you protecting us,.,may god be beside you everyday and give you strength. thank you you are a kind spirit very brave an angel…..
You are an amazing young man – God Bless you as you work in this program to bring help and hope to our Wounded Warriors.
Thank you…..
You are an inspiration to us all, not to mention a great role model for our children. God bless you & thank you for your service from an old SRA. I served from 1983-1987…one of my regrets in life was leaving the military..it is an honor and a privilege to serve our country & if I had it to do over, I would have stayed the full 20. Your attitude will take you far & you will have no regrets as I do. Good for you!
Take care and God bless.
As a retired Air Force member and the State Adjutant for the State of Maine, VFW, I congratulate you for the superb job that you are doing for not only the wounded soldiers but also the soldiers who need to recognize what you and other wounded solders have and going thru in your rehabilitation. In working with Veterans on a daily basis, I understand where you are coming from with your determination to stay in the military for 20 years and retire and join our ranks and hope that the hiarchy of the Air Force recognizes that. I wish you the best of luck in your career and keep up the good work that you are doing.
A retired Air Force Veteran
You are an inspiration brother! I am proud to wear the black beret knowing there are men of your caliber amongst our ranks. Keep up the amazing service!
The Strong Shall Stand.
This is exactly what we do at the Wyakin Warrior Foundation. Not only do we provide a full ride scholarship, but a multi-tiered mentorship program and other leadership activities to bring our severely wounded home properly and help them become our next generation of leaders.
Our severely wounded warriors don’t want pity, they want to know what else they can do and just need a hand to get started and get re-grounded, Mentors make that happen.
Sr. Airman Malarsie would be exactly the type of candidate we would want as one of our next gen leaders and would be a welcome candidate to our program (info available at our website; ). Congrats to him, keep charging!
Marv
USN “Mustang”, (ret)
Thank you all for these amazing comments. It is comforting to hear all of the support that is out there for me and so many others like me. God bless you all.
i think they should let you stay…you are not handicapped…after all they let a salior with one leg stay in a long time ago..i am a vietnam veteran and i stand by you and i salute you….thank you for you service
Thank you for your service, and I pray that you are able to continue to serve on active duty. I believe that such a program as you are doing is important. In the past wounded warriors were just discharged to recover in VA hospitals and so not only lost their sence of purpose but lost the support of the active military. For you and the future wounded I hope that the military continues to see the importance of keeping men like you. God Bless You and God Bless America.
Viet Nam Veteran
Mike,
As a former Navy Hospital Corpsman, I commend you for your great attitude and strength. I saw many men who were injured and needed someone to guide their recovery and take them that “Extra mile” to be useful and respected servicemen once again.
I think if they had someone like you to see them through that ‘Extra mile,’ they would have been able to return to active duty instead of sitting out the rest of their lives being cared for by their families. Some who were left to survive on their own, are either on the street today or living out their lives in a retirement home.
I saw the real need of someone like you that had been through it all and returned to active duty.
May our government see your value so you can continue to mentor others. Even if they don’t, I know YOU will! May God bless you.
Doris, Honorably discharged in 1961.
Being a former sailor from the late Vietnam Era, I salute you for your bravery and desire to continue to serve! God Bless you and thank you for such courage…wish more were like you!
You are the epitamy of courage and unselfishnes May God continue to bless your endeavors.
I really wish that I could talk to you in person as this is exactly what I want to do for my fellow partners in dispatch, fire and police. That is all that has been on my
mind since my surgery. How can I help my partners?
Thank you so very much for continuing your courageous and unselfish mission.
Mike, you are one in a Million. The world needs more people like you. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your willingness to be of service to others in their time of need.
God Bless YOU and all those who serve to protect us all.
May you continue to be dedicated and blessed in all that you do. I wish you much success. Thank you.
I am impressed by this airman’s attitude and his resolve. I was injured, at sea, during my naval career and wish that we had something like this when I suffered my injuries. As it is now, I have back and neck problems and both of my knees are shot. This airman has it all where it counts and is truly a good hearted individual who is giving back to his fellow warriors. I have 2 children in the Army, one who just returned from Afghanistan in October and one who is going to Korea in January. It is good to know that this program is out there to help our warriors recover. Awesome job, Airman Malarsie, and best wishes for your future. By the way, good luck on your advancement test.
i couldnt go any further after i read seeing i dog, i broke down in tears. he is so courage and he is still there tryign to find ways to help the wounded. my heart and love goes out to u Mr. Senior Airman Mike Malarsie, he is just one example of a strong and standing AIRMAN.
WITH MANY THANKS AND MY LOVE TO YOU
Mike, Don’t know anything about the Air Force except that is a branch of military that serves this country greatfully.
I’m an old U.S. Navy man. Served (4) years aboard the U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61). We are both retired.
The thing that I think impresses me the most is that there is a person like yourself that is more than willing to stay on active duty (I know the money can’t be the issue) and your branch of the service is willing to find something useful for you to do to help others in the same or similar situations.
I really like your slogan, “I’m blind, but I’m still here”. Good man, I hope the Air Force will not go blind and continue to ensure you that they are still behind you.
Good man, good job and what a future………………
Larry
Thanks Mike for your service man. I am truly honored to have all of our men and women that are fighting for us right now so that we all may have the freedoms that we have. From a former soldie to a fellow…. once again thanks for your service Mike.
From Seaman Hall, Benjamin
United States Navy
Honorably Discharged
Dear Mike, God has spared your life for a reason! I am a nurse, and I feel your pain! I think you must really be In tune with your Heavenly Father! I think you are definitely still here and you have a plan that will be of so much good to yourself and many many others! I couldn’t be more proud of you if you were my son! My family and I will continue to add you to our prayers. Thank you Mike, for all you have done and continue to do!
speechless in pride for you…….
Cpl, USMC
I am the mother of a Marine and Soldier. I want to thank you for your services and sacrifices for our freedoms. You are amazing and you are a beautiful person. Thank God you are a survivor! I am honored to meet you!
I am so very proud of you, you are a strong man and move forward. Thank you so much for your service. I pray for our military men and women every day, and what happened to you just makes me pray harder. I have a son and a son-in-law in the Air Force. I just want to hug you and tell you how much I appricate you for all you have done for all of us. God Bless you Malarsie I will thank of you every day!
Thank you for your service! I am an Air Force Veteran and served a tour in Vietnam. Your attitude is terrific and it is great that you want to help others. I noticed that you are an E-4, Senior Airman. I was also an E-4, about 40 years ago. Back then an E-4 was called a Sergeant. Mike, I feel that you are a NCO. God Bless You and your future! America is fortunate to have men like you that serve. Go Blue!!!
You and I have alot in common. We lost our grandson in Iraq on Feb. 28th 2007.Since then we have been very involved in doing as much as we can for our veterans.I am sorry to say that it took the death of our grandson for us to do these things to numerous to talk about on here, but there is one thing that maybe you can help us with and we may be able to also help you.I am the founder of The Dairyland Outdoor Veterans Retreat, We are building a camp for our Veterans to come to and enjoy and relax in the great outdoors,and to be able to be with thier commrades and talk freely among themselves.There is so much to tell you about us,If you are interested please contact me,we have the same goals in mind.We are on facebook at The Friends of the Dairyland Outdoor Veterans Retreat,and our web site is still under construction at Dairylandvets.org. I hope to hear from you soon. God Bless.
You Rock Sergeant Mike!!! Your dreams will come true and your efforts will be rewarded. Remember that God is with you and Your Commrades every minute of the day and I am sure that your fallen Brothers are looking down and smiling at what you are accomplishing and what you will accomplish in the future. Your are blessed and God be with you!!!!!!
Sometimes, I’m not so certain that, those who gave their lives for our country, paid the ultimate price. They’re reaping their reward in Heaven… Praise God. It’s the surviving veterans who may be paying the ultimate price. I cherish each and every one of them and hold them in the highest regard. I’m thankful and grateful for all United States servicemen/women and veterans. I pray that the Lord heals all of their wounds; physical and emotional.
You are the American Soldier! I am Army, so please forgive the misuse of rank, but you the 5 Star General!!! The Air Force would be very foolish to let you go. Keep flying high young man, the sky is your limit!! And, thank you.
This man, one person, wounded inside and out has decided to make a difference and give meaning to the suffering he has endured. Senior Airman Mike Malarsie is an inspiration to all Americans and I applaud and am honored that you are a member of all our forces. Ann Magdalene.
i can say as a women amen you are with us and you are a great man and wish only good thig are comeing you way may peace be in your heart
sir, you are my hero. and i thank you. YOU are the reason we as americans are free today, so again i thank you god bless you and your family. hopefully all of our boys will soon be home.
all you troops are always in my prayers god be with you always protected you but i pray that no more of you troops get hurt no more god to bring you all home safe i got a fiance in iraq and iam so worred about him to god blesse are troops keep them safe from harm so sorry forr the injured and my heart goes out to you all and the ones thathave lost there lives god blesse you all your thights and prayers are always with you all
Mike, May God bless you and the endeavor that you are trying to take on. I pray that the military will let you continue your career and the service that you are providing for our fellow Airmen. I am an active duty SMSgt and I would be proud to serve along side you any day. You are the example of the kind of person that the military needs more of. I say again may God bless you in all that you do and we will be praying for you and all of our wounded brethren and sisters in all the branches of the military.
SMSgt Mark Keck
You Sir, are just plain amazing. The fight and the will that is in you is a credit to your branch and your own fortitude. It’s people like you that inspire Supporters like me to do what we do. On a side note, you make me even more proud to be an Airman’s daughter. Though my father has been gone for many years now, your courage and commitment spans across time to my childhood when I looked at my father and saw a true superman. Thank you for your continued service, and to you I say kudos!!! Truely a hero and an angel in the form of an Airman….
I am so proud of you for staying strong and not letting this make you give up. I would be proud to be called your friend. I thank you and all our military men and women for their service to our country. Freedom is not to be taken lightly and because of men and women like you I am so glad that we have it. Thank you so much for being you Airman Malarsie
Sincerely, Shirley Davis
Son, You have a rare quality of 20 20 focus and determination. It has been my experience that the Air Force will Do their part in making things work. I think you will remain a career airman as long as you want. I know it would be hard for you to leave the Air Force because you love it. I love it too, but I made a rash decision at the 20 year point and left. If there is ever anything I can do for you, let me know. The Air Force needs people like you as much as you need the Air Force.
Just hang tough and keep on doing what you are doing
MSgt Stephen Powers, USAF Ret.
What a wonderful story of your life….Stay strong!. You are simply an AMAZING person and God Bless you in everything. Thank you for your sacrifice. Freedom is not free but the men and women of our military make us have the freedome that we do have….For that Im grateful…TRULLY!!!….Me and my husband support the troops in everyway that we can….we never turn our backs on them and we will never will.
Sincerely Your,
Leann Betters
Proud Air Force Veterans Wife
You are Awesome! Such a inspiring story. My Husband suffered a injury and was medically retired. He’s 100% I wish there was someone like you to inspire him as much as you. Thank You for your continued service to our Country. God Bless you
God Bless You for your service to this great country! Nowhere on Earth will you find better Military than right here in the USA! Keep up the positive thoughts and work, and know that millions of AMERICANS are proud of you! Without you, we wouldn’t be who we are today!
YOU MAKE AMERICANS PROUD….. YOU ARE AMONG THE TRUEST OF TRUE AMERICAN SOLDIERS…. GOD BLESS YOU!!!
We all went through bad times I have 10 1/2 lbs of titainum in my back and 3 broken vertibra in my neck,just for starters. I also cam back with 4 diseases. I’m sorry for your bad luck. Have fath and Keep trying don’t give up like I did.