Captain America

Like I said last week, this week was a big one for me.  After 2 years in the Air Force, I pinned on Captain today.  For those of you non-military folks, that is O-3, or the third officer rank.  I am no longer an Lt.  It is a big deal, and I am happy to say that I have been promoted.  Normally, at home, we would have a party and something at the clinic, but over here, we did this a bit differently.  I was very lucky to get to take a helicopter ride to do so.

Getting Ready to go up in the bird, a Black Hawk.

Sitting in the hot seat, heading out 

Dr Park did my commission.  He is  a Doctor who I work with at home at Hill.

Awesome flight, but I can't say much about the view, lots of brown, and then more brown 

Taking the Oath of Office  

That is the Persian Gulf in the distance 

After the flight, out in front of the bird 

Goofing around putting on my new ABU top.  Thanks to Capt Salas and MSgt Spears for helping me with that one 

And what would any promotion to Captain be without a token picture of Captain America?  Oh so perfect 

On a funny note, this is what we were given by the flight crew prior takeoff - thankfully, none of us had to use it! 

So this was a great day, a step higher on the food chain, and then, oh yea, a raise!!!  

Field Trip

This week, it is all about the pictures.  We took a trip to an art gallery and a mall in downtown Kuwait City. This was a nice break from the routine.  

This was a building on the drive into downtown.

 At the art gallery...the sculpture without a face

 Not sure about this one...

 beautiful painting on the wall

 and another

 Clearly, studying the artwork

 Spellcheck anyone?

 The famous Kuwait water towers in the background

 The mall.  This was no ordinary mall, it was more like a ritzy boutique.  we are talking Juicy, Armani, Prada, Gucci and pretty much any other high priced brand that you can think of.  Needless to say, I did not buy anything

And it's not a mall without TGI Fridays 

 My Mom and I used to go to Marble Slab all the time in high school, and look, they have one here.  Who knew?

 Where we ate lunch

 Back at the mall. It was 4 stories and huge

 So I thought maybe I was at the Bellagio, and then I woke up!

 I tried Iranian food, not bad.

Me and the guys at lunch.  Still doing well over here.  Looking forward to a BIG week next week, but I don't want to spoil it, so stay tuned

Arabian Nights

Allright, this week I fulfilled a lifelong goal to ride a camel....I mean I think that was a goal of mine, right?  Either way, I rode on a camel for a good solid minute, and I have the picture to prove it!

I think it was a girl...we got to feed her carrots, and she didn't even try to bite us - though I was warned by Mom about that!  Also, we were the only goofballs who showed up in uniform, as you can see in the background.  But, in the Army, you can wear civilian clothes when off duty, for the Air Force, it is strictly our PT uniform.  And let's be honest, who wants to get on a camel in shorts? (I feel like this would be a good place for a camel toe joke, but I will refrain)

I have been gone from home 1 month today!  It is hard to believe, but the time has really flown by.  I am getting more busy in the clinic as well, so I think that helps.  7 patients in an afternoon is a lot for around here!  When you compare that to my usual 18/day at home, it does not seem like much, but at least I feel like I am contributing.

While we are on the topic, I just have to mention that the Army does this thing called "sick call," and I think I severely dislike the idea.  Here is how it works, you come in the clinic between 1300 and 1445, take a number, sit in line and wait to be called back.  Now there are between 4-6 providers, so they distribute evenly, but it just seems like a waste of time - lots of sitting around for the people waiting...why not have appointments? I told myself that this blog would not be about my dislikes over here, so I am going to try and avoid that but I just see an area for improvement.

Good things that happened this past week: got care packages from both my parents and Jeremy - I think I am good for food for a while :)  They know me too well, because they both sent wheat thins and goldfish!

Waiting for our camel ride 

Believe it or not, the sunsets are quite pretty here, I keep reminding myself to take pictures, but I forget. The sun goes down around 1830 - no daylight savings time here.

Doing work at the TFCF

Leadership, Followership and SOS

Since I am here, and have much more free time that I have at home, I am taking advantage and starting Squadron Officer School (SOS).  This is part of professional military education (PME) and is for Captains (O-3).  I am not yet a captain, but will be soon, and I since I have the time, I have started the course.

So, what is the next generation of military officers learning?  Unit 1 is focused on leadership.  I have been reading much on the topic and have become quite interested.  It is funny, because I am usually the person who hates this type of reading, but as I hope to be at the front of those future leaders, it is somewhat applicable.  The material is full of "how to's" on what is right when leading people from different backgrounds.

The information is fairly dense, and through the multiple articles, there are many theories on how to lead, follow, show integrity, and otherwise morally guide those around you, but there is one poignant quote that sticks out.  As spoken by President Dwight D. Eisenhower,

"You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership."  While true, it puts a smile on my face to think that people might actually try that technique.

Other than that, just another week here at Camp AJ - doing time.  TFCF, TMC, and gym, my life as I know it.  Photo highlights of the week:

 

I bought The Hunger Games DVD.  It came with a commemorative coin.  If you haven't read the books, I highly recommend them, and the movie is great too.  Can't wait for Catching Fire.

This is the logo on the bookshelf in my office.  Gotta love the Navy.  The funny thing is that I didn't notice it until this week, because it was covered in dust.  This was after I cleaned the wood....and the dust returned the day after - thank you sandstorm.

One of the Navy flags outside of the TFCF.

TFCF Medial staff being serious outside the facility. Pictured L to R, me, Capt Salas, social worker, MSgt Spears, medic, and HM1 Crain, Navy Corpsman.

Getting in to a routine

I have been here almost 3 weeks now, and the one thing that I have discovered is that life is all about routine.  My job here is to support the theater field confinement facility (TFCF) for US prisoners - not the bad guys.  I am the chief medical officer for the facility and I also provide healthcare coverage for the staff - about 40 Navy personnel.  In the afternoons, I volunteer my time at the medical clinic on post. So here is what my day looks like:

0600 wake up - get dressed and call the hubby for some FaceTime
0700 breakfast
0800-1000 sick call at the TFCF
1000-1200 gym
1200 lunch
1300-1530 sick call at the Troop Medical Clinic (TMC)
1800 dinner

I keep joking that I feel like I am in the movie Groundhog Day, but there is variability built in to the week. Tuesdays is movie night, Saturday I don't work at the TMC.  The time has been going by fast so far, so hopefully that continues.

The best part about Kuwait so far are the people.  There are 3 AF individuals assigned to the TFCF - myself, a social worker, and a medic.  We are getting along great and are having some laughs along the way.

And.....it still feels like a blowdryer outside! :)

 Hanging outside the TFCF

 There needs to be some Air Force Love around here if you ask me...

You know it is official when we have the date on the whiteboard. I am going to ride a camel at the end of the month...pictures to follow, SO EXCITED!!! Drawing courtesy of the MSgt - he knows my affection for the Longhorns already.

 Medical MRAP

 They are huge vehicles

 If you look closely, the max weight is at the top of the vehicle, 73,500 lbs, clearly I have been hitting the gym so I can lift this

Someone with a sick sense of humor named the street that I live on as above.  Every time we drive by, we laugh.

August

When most people think of the month of August, they think hot weather, Labor Day and going back to school.  For me, and most of my former teammates, it brings thoughts of fresh cut grass, new uniforms, and preseason training.  Along with those wonderful images, I also cannot help but think of the ever-present fitness test that I always hated!  It has been 5 years since I finished my soccer career, and I don’t know if I will ever forget that sense of excitement, urgency and passion for something that I love so dearly. 

(Pictures courtesy of texassports.com)

This year, I had that same sense of urgency and excitement about my deployment to Kuwait.  Instead of getting new cleats, shin guards and gloves, I was getting new boots, uniforms, and anything else that comes in olive drab.  In place of fitness every day to get ready for the preseason test, I had computer based training to prepare me for what I would encounter here – and believe me, it was just as PAINFUL.  I learned how to shoot both an M9 and an M4 (handgun and rifle.)  I spent 3 weeks at a trauma center in the heart of Baltimore preparing for the medical “just in case.”

I guess I just find it crazy how much life can change is such a short period of time.  If you would have asked my 5 years ago if I wanted to join the Air Force, I would have told you ‘heck no.’ But now, almost 2 years in, I know that this was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I am a better person for it.  So this year in my month of August, I am trying to adjust to being across the globe – mostly the heat that feels like a blow dryer outside ALL the TIME, and the food (this is no Ruth’s Chris).    And as noted in my last post, I live in something like a dorm, so that reminds me of college. Work is work, so that seems to never change – helping people is what I do, so it’s not that complicated.

The last week has been spent acclimating and getting in to a routine.  I even started seeing patients in the last couple of days. 

This uniform I wear today is certainly different from Challenge Red and Texas Burnt Orange, but I wear it with the same – if not more – pride.  I think of a quote that a former coach used to always tell me, “strive for perfection, settle for excellence,” and that is just what I plan to do.  

Traveling...and home sweet home

Before I left Utah, I visited the EOD shop.  EOD is explosive ordinance and disposal - think the movie, "The Hurt Locker" with the bomb suit and everything - I have worn it, and it is HEAVY!  We have a flight of about 45 men and women at Hill, and I was assigned as their primary care manager for the last year and a half.  They are some amazingly stubborn, yet awesome individuals who I had the pleasure of getting to know.  This was my going away present.  The photo is a controlled detonation at our range in Utah, and they all signed it.  Just wanted to share because this is something that means a lot to me, and I am proud to have helped them in their healthcare.

 The placard is awesome just because of the quote.  Kinda crazy, but true in their case!

While I am not supposed to say much about travel to and from for security reasons, I will try and give a brief rundown of the last 3 days of travel from home to Camp Arifjan.  I left Salt Lake, and flew to the East Coast for a 4.5 hour flight.  That was the best flight by far.  From there, we took a rotator that was FULL to Europe, stopped for a bit, then flew to Kuwait.  This was a total of 17 hours in the air...so very long.  The flight attendants were super nice, and we had hot meals that you didn't have to pay for :).  Arriving in Kuwait, we were taken by bus to the Air Force base to be inprocessed.  Then, I got about 4 hours of much needed sleep.

Myself and a MSgt med tech were picked up the next day and taken to Camp Arifjan by the staff at the prison where we will be working.  The drive was also interesting...apparently driving laws and lane lines are more of a suggestion here.  There was lots of trash on the sides of the road and many broken down cars.

We passed these on the road - they are water towers and I guess they light up at night - somewhat of a landmark here.

I was able to get settled in to my POD and then slept for about 12 hours, went to the gym and went to sleep again.  Tomorrow, I will start work/more inprocessing to get started with what I will be doing here.  More info to come on that.  For now, here are some photos of my super sleek living arrangements.

 This is my POD - basically a rectangle with my bed, two nightstands and 2 lockers.  It isn't much, but it has the most important feature here - air conditioning!!!

 Wall of fame with my pictures

I had to bring this and put it up on my wall.  My friend Tiff and I went to see the Katy Perry movie together before I left (it was awesome) and we were given a poster.  It totally goes with the decor!

Last, but not least, couldn't leave home without it.  Looks fantastic on the wall.  Hook'em.

Allright folks, its been a whirlwind few days, so just wanted to give an update.  Oh, and did I mention that it was 130 degrees yesterday?  I hear its good for exfoliation :)