At first glance Jeremy Troutman is a fellow Texan striving to earn an education much like the other 7,000 Tarleton State University students here in Stephenville, but in reality he’s a man who has risked his life for the United States.

After serving in the military for six years, Troutman is not only a Tarleton student, he is also a military Veteran who just recently received a Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice by General Terry Wolff.

Troutman went to high school in Sidney, Texas, and was part of the graduating class of 2004. A year after graduation he joined the United States Army.

“I received my Purple Heart during my second deployment to Iraq in 2009-2010,” said Troutman. “The Stryker I was riding in was struck by an IED [Improvised Explosive Device] right outside of Camp Liberty in Baghdad. When we hit the IED we followed our standard operating procedures and moved up 300 yards from the blast site.

“We dismounted and searched the local area for any military age males that looked suspicious. Another guy and I were injured and didn’t know that we were injured until we got back to the aid station and saw the PA and he told us about our injuries.”

Troutman was a sergeant at the time and was later discharged with the same classification from active duty.  Troutman is no longer in the guard or reserves and is now earning his degree at Tarleton.