USMC Corporal Matt Garst demonstrated several things last June during a patrol in Southern Shorsurak, Afghanistan.

First, he demonstrated that metal detectors don’t always identify improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—especially when they are buried deep in the ground as improvised landmines.

Second, he demonstrated that Marines are made of tougher stuff than you or I, as the IED (comprised of three liters of explosive) detonated directly beneath Cpl. Garst’s feet and blew him, unconscious, at least 15 feet, “where he landed on his limp head and shoulders before immediately standing back up”—according to this story.

And what was Cpl. Garst’s reaction to nearly being killed? According to the story—

‘It pissed me off,’ he said. He directed his men to establish a security perimeter while letting them know in his own way that he was OK.

‘[What are you looking at?]’ he said. ‘Get on the cordon!’

The story continues—

Once EOD cleared the area, Garst led his squad the four miles back to their observation post — just hours after being ragdolled by an IED blast.

‘I wasn’t going to let anybody else take my squad back after they’d been there for me,’ he said. ‘That’s my job.’

The next day Garst awoke with a pounding headache and was as sore as he’d ever been in his life. ‘Just getting up from trying to sleep was painful,’ he said.

But he saw no reason being sore should slow him down. He popped some ibuprofen and after a day of rest, Garst was back out on patrol ….

Congratulations Corporal Matt Garst, Company L, 3^rd Battalion, 3^rd Marine Regiment. You are one lucky Marine.