Natick Soldier Wounded In Iraq 5 Years Ago, Redeploying To Afghanistan

NATICK (CBS) - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Scott knows he's very fortunate to be alive.

He was serving in Iraq in 2008, when his humvee hit a roadside bomb. His comrade and friend 20-year-old Army Specialist Michael Gonzalez died in the explosion.

Shrapnel from the explosion hit Scott and he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

"I was hit and there was a shrapnel that came down on my helmet. So this helmet saved my life," Scott said. "I was told if it was one inch off I would've been killed instantly."

Scott had to learn how to walk again and underwent treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

These days the 33-year-old is doing well and working at Natick Soldier Systems Center.

In the lab, they develop, research, design and study military equipment.

"It was the advanced combat helmet that saved my life and that was designed here," Scott said.

Scott says his work is far from over.

He will leave his post next month in Natick and serve in Afghanistan with the 344th Military Police Company, an Army Reserve unit out of Massachusetts.

"It means a lot to me to be going back with my soldiers. It's just who I am. That's what I love to do. It's the Army," Scott said.