Long Day On The FOB

August 16th, 2013
FOB Freedom, Fort McCoy, WI

[Note:  All patients mentioned here turned out to have no suicidal intent.  All are now safe and have had appropriate counseling.]

About 2200 I had updated my briefing slides for the next day’s command brief in the CP tent and headed back to the Aid Station, thinking I would shower and hit the rack.  Might even get 6.5 hours of sleep which would be nice.  One of my medics told me LTC T (Deputy Brigade Commander or DCO) was looking for me, so I went to his office in the TOC. He was there with COL S (Brigade Commander) and asked me to shut the door.

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In Uniform in Wisconsin

August 10th, 2013
FOB Freedom, Fort McCoy, WI

I got back from Nepal in late April and started working back at Fort Irwin.  Due to budget cuts, a number of Brigade Combat Team training rotations at Irwin were cancelled, so they put me working at the Troop Medical Clinic (TMC) for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.  I work with Army medics and treat soldiers just like in the Dustbowl, but in a regular building with a nicer environment.

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Nepal: The Trek

April 15th, 2013
Kathmandu, Nepal

Back in Kathmandu.  The trek went well and I had a great time.  It’s good to be back.

The morning flight to Lukla was uneventful and we were hiking by mid-morning.  The valleys and villages below Namche Bazaar are beautiful and lush.  Rhododendron blooming everywhere.  The trail is littered with small villages, each having several small “markets,” tea houses, and lodges.

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Off To Nepal & Thailand

March 27, 2013

Well, the federal government buggered up my contract work at Fort Irwin.  The Brigade Combat Teams scheduled to rotate through there in March and April have been canceled, thus, I have no work until May.  I guess I could cut back on spending, tighten my belt, and eat boxed mac ‘n cheese for two months, or I could go on a 3 1/2 week trip to Asia.  Tough call, that.

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