New Clinic

Two days ago we took a little trip to meet with our counterparts at the ANP Regional level. The main purpose of the visit was to tour and get an understanding about how the new ANP Regional HQ clinic would be used. The building is new, nice with adequate facilities. It is a great improvement over their current situation. We will be working very closely with the Regional Medical Director (far right) and his staff to get them situated in this new facility. We also had a great meeting afterwards and worked through various

issues with ambulances, medical training, logistics and much more. Afterwards we also visited with the clinic on the ANP recruit training center and gave a class on hypertension diagnosis and treatment. Much like our first set of encounters with the ANP Medical folks, the meetings were cordial, productive and appreciated. Perhaps in a few months I can show you how the clinic looks when it is in use. Another productive day doing the job I was actually sent here to accomplish. Yeah.

The view from the back

The elections are close at hand in Afghanistan so everyone is a little tense and dreading a potential increase in violence. Ramadan will start after that. For these reasons I have been out recently a few times to meet, mentor and interact with ANP medical personnel. Luckily I have been able to get out and do what I was sent to do. Now I just need to get better seating. Sightseeing is limited while strapped in a passenger seat in an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protection) vehicle. The MRAPs are large, noisy, slow- but they do have excellent Airconditioning and are the safest way to travel by road in Afghanistan. Per guidance from leadership, no photos of an MRAP, sorry.

The Navy Jack

I must admit that I was a little taken aback when I started this mission, since the Navy had us wear Army uniforms. I mean, every other service has its own distinctive combat uniforms. The Navy is still wearing old style desert cammoflage utilities in certain spots of the world.
Well thankfully I feel vindicated to some degree now that the Navy has authorized those of us wearing Army Combat Uniforms (ACU's) to wear the Navy Jack on our left arm.
The Navy Jack is the earliest flag of the United States Navy. A red and white striped flag with a rattlesnake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me!". Usually this particular jack was only to be flown from the bow of the oldest Navy vessel on active service when secured at anchor or pierside, but since 31 May 2002 the Secretary of the Navy directed all US Navy Ships to fly this flag for the duration of the War on Terrorism. Thus it is an altogether fitting patch for a sailor to wear while deployed with the Army in support of the War on Terrorism

Thank You Brother Rats

I was very suprised yesterday when I recieved a small box from Lexington Virginia. In it was a VMI flag signed by my brother rats who were in attendace at our 20th reuinion. As you can see I have it prominently displayed in my office area. As usual I can always count on my Brother Rats of the class of 1989 to show support for all the challenges I might face.

Thank you Brother Rats, Rah Virginia Mil

Class time

Of the various duties I have here in Afghanistan: mentoring, teaching, performing physicals and immunizations, I enjoyed teaching the most this last week.

We have just finished a mission in Konduz. The Afghan and coalition force camps are located near the airport on a plateau. I caught a glimpse of the deep green valley below and even saw a few wispy clouds.

There was a little bit of everything in Konduz. Some rapport was established in a mentoring relationship, many physicals were performed and lots of immunizations were given. We taught about 30 ANP NCO's the basics of the Combat Lifesaver Course in after hours sessions. The lectures were very truncated since they had to be interpreted and therefore took twice as long to go through. Like most of us, they seemed more lively and interested in the hands-on portion where we split into smaller groups and actually practiced bandaging techniques, IV's and so forth. It was a lot of fun and made me use more of my limited Dari in order to communicate. They seemed appreciative of my poor efforts to use their language. I think they liked the IV's and the casualty carry portions of the training the best.

I hope that my new freinds never need to use these skills, but now have the confidence and equipment to perform some lifesaving procedures if called upon to do so.

The Sunflower

Tricia loves Plants, so this entry is for her,

I know that I thought of the common sunflower as a uniquely American Summertime phenomenon. So imagine my suprise when I saw that most gardens on the bases and some in the local Afghan communities have at least a few sunflowers. The seeds are eaten by children as a snack food according to my interpreter. The name is a little different as well. 'gul e aftab parast' translates more literally into -flower which worships the sun. An apt description of this large beautiful flower. Sometimes amidst war and strife we need to take the time God has given us to find the beauty in his creation.