Submitted by SoldierMedic on Sun, 04/26/2009 - 7:57am
Sorry, but I really have nothing to say about the book "Starship Troopers", it was just the best title I could think of right now. I'm sweaty and tired, so my brain doesn't want to work at 100%.
My previous skirt with possible deployment actually panned out 1 week after my last blog. For those curious about my disappearance, it was due to pre-deployment training. A couple of weeks of medical training followed by a couple of weeks of training with my deploying unit, and on to now were I am receiving all my hooah-hooah equipment and additional deployment training. It's 91 Degrees today, and with the weight of body armor it feels like I'm standing on the sun. Add in my combat load, and the we are talking about a pretty shitty situation. But I'm still liking this experience. I'm attached to a good team, and I still love getting to walk around with a weapon. I keep trying to trade my M16 for a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon 249B), and I keep trying to arrange a position as the gunner for just one convoy, but the prejudice against medics just keeps me out of either of those possibilities. Apparently people don't approve of the medic being in vulnerable positions.
All in all, the only parts of this deployment process I am disagreeing with is the wasting of time and my Anthrax shot.
It is an Army standard to rush to places and then wait for FOREVER for things to get done (Also known as "Hurry up and wait"), and at times it seems like we wait around for a long time before receiving our next training task. And with the Anthrax shot, well, I'm just freaked out about that. There is good research pointing to the Anthrax vaccination being the cause of Gulf War Syndrome in the 90's. Up until recently it was a voluntary vaccination because it wasn't quite approved by the FDA. Scary shit. I didn't mind getting smallpox, yellow fever, and one I can't remember what it was, but that Anthrax one left me with a cold sweat.
Well, upwards and onwards. I need to get back to work (basically alternating between Army training and downloading Gig after Gig of porn for this deployment), but I will try to be back for another update before I get on the big bird and fly off.
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Re: Starship Trooper
Keep in mind your role as a medic is to be there for your buddies when they need you! Keep your wits about you, keep your head down when necessary. May you always find the adrenalin rush greater while saving life than when taking it! Be strong and compassionate, serve us honorably.
Let us know if you need anything. Return safe and intact.
Re: Starship Trooper
Well good luck to you Brotherman, remember if you need anything, anything at all just let us know. As for the Gulf War Syndrome and the Anthrax Shot .... Personally I believe the culprit for the Syndrome was the "P" Tab's that they made us take. It was a mild dose of a nerve agent, their thinking was for us to build up somewhat of an immunity, idiots. Anyway if you look at the symptoms they are very close to that of Nerve Agent poisoning, that's just speculation on my part.
Anyway good luck again and once again, if you need anything just let us know!