September 2008 Archives

I passed Combat Life Saver (CLS)! That was the last of the things I feared in coming on deployment. I didn't want to get the small pox vaccination again, I didn't want to get a lot of other shots again and I was afraid of CLS. I have now passed CLS.

CLS teaches one to deal with three avoidable life threatening situation in combat. Bleeding out, collapsed lung, obstructed airway. The correction involves tourniquets and IVs, needle decompression of the chest cavity and a nasal airway. One of the requirements of the class is to successful start an IV. This is the part I was frightened by. That and allowing some beginner to start an IV on me. I got my IV started first try without incident. My partner stuck me once but was unsuccessful. He had an appointment so he had to leave early. He'll have to go back, hopefully with someone else as a pin cushion.

Other aspects of training are going well. There is a lot of repeat training from my last deployment so I don't find much of it very interesting to talk about.

aloha

Today, my daughter's childhood legally ended. Today, my daughter turned 18 years old. As I sit, some 2500 miles away, the memories of her childhood flood my mind like milk poured into a glass by a five year old. So many memories. So many sweet, sweet memories.

With more time to write, I would wander through those memories recounting each and every one. My daughter was an awesome child and is an amazing person. It is only the promise of what she is yet to become that holds back the torrent of sadness that would overwhelm me at the passing of her childhood.

My daughter very often seeks my counsel. She also does me the honor of taking my advice. When she was first old enough to understand what it meant I told her that she only gets one childhood and then the rest of her life is adulthood. Do not rush toward adulthood but cling to childhood and innocence. I believe that my daughter has truly enjoyed her childhood. I believe that she has managed to carry more of her childhood into adulthood than most people. Good for you, girl! Good for you!

"Go on, take on this whole world but always know the road that will lead you home again..."

I love you, girl. I'm sorry I wasn't there today. Happy Birthday, princess.

aloha

So, it's been a week. I've gone through all the initial in processing stuff; finance, medical, dental, etc. I've been deemed suitable for sending to war, though I can only wonder at the criteria used. I got four shots. Fortunately, I didn't have to repeat the smallpox experience for which I am very grateful. That sucked. The vaccination is good for 10 years. I'm kind of hoping that I'm done with deployments by the time I'm due for a another.

I am somewhat needle phobic. Me getting poked bothers me a little bit. Watching other people get poked bothers me a lot. I have one more experience to go through that involves needles. Not sure when but at some point I will need to take the Combat Life Saver course. This course teaches the fundamental advanced first aid required to keep a wound soldier alive until s/he gets to the trained medical folks who can actually save his life. That's a good thing. Learning to start an IV. Passing the class requires actually starting an IV on a live person. Your buddy starts one on you and then you start one on him. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like it. I might also get to have an airway inserted up my nose. Sounds like an E ticket ride.

Found this article today. Presents an interesting summary of the situation in Iraq after the surge.

That said, it's still an open question whether the surge accomplished its main goal: of providing breathing space for the Iraqi government to regroup.

There's more than a little spin going on here. There's little doubt that the surge - in conjunction with other events in Iraq - has reduced the violence and created some stability in the country. The above quote more accurately stated would be, will the Iraqi government capitalize on the opportunity provided it by the quell in violence that currently exists.

Iraqi politics has been a bastion of corruption, deceit, and intrigue for over forty years. Iraqis must learn a whole new set of skills to function in a new society in which the government is a servant to the people and not the other way round.

aloha