The Day After

November 20, 2008 - Initial entry

It is the day after a long Naval Reserve weekend and I am a mix of fatigue, accomplishment and pain. It appears as though the many long hours of this past reserve weekend and loss of sleep have taken their toll as I sit at work looking more akin to a zombie (which is right in line for Halloween) rather than an industrious nurse!

Such is the life of this part-time "doc" who spends three to four days a month wearing a camouflage uniform, sporting a "high and tight" haircut and doing my best to fit into the role as a leader in today's Navy.

In my full-time life, I embrace the honorable monikers of "husband," "father" and "nurse."

Four jobs - one man - one life...

It is no secret that I am getting older, my body is failing to listen to me, the corpsmen in my unit are young enough to be my children (had I had children when I was 20) and an abundance of my stories often begin with, "Well back when I joined the Navy..." I am in the grips of what could be politely described as a "transitional phase" within my Naval Career and soon I will have to deal with retirement, twilight and an eventual boat ride into a glorious tropical sunset. It is a hard bit of reality to have to come to terms with, but one that I am sure to see through, cursing, fighting and kicking my way right to to its very end.

All in all, the past drill weekend went well for our little band of "misfits" in our BAS (Battalion Aid Station) as we managed to place robust "checks" into most of the "Things To Do" boxes.

Dental? Aye-aye!...

Flumist? Roger!...

SAAR-N paperwork? Uhhh...what?...

IA Training? Ooops! Wait...here is my certificate! Check! (whew!)

Did I mention that drill weekends can be tough! How so? Try accomplishing 30 days worth of work in a 2 1/2 day work period and see if you can still manage to squeeze in some sleep somewhere!

Leaning forward into the "foxhole," we are busily "squaring away" our dress blue uniforms and shrinking our waistlines in preparation for the upcoming Marine Corps Ball!

Additionally, I am nursing a knot on my scalp after bashing it on a .50 caliber machine gun handle while trying to jump into the turret position of a 7-ton vehicle. 14 years in the service and I forgot a critical rule when around weapons and vehicles: Always wear your "brain bucket" (Kevlar helmet).

Tired of working for the day, I am looking forward to defensively piloting my vehicle along a severely congested San Diego Freeway to home where my wife, children and pillow await me. Usually I the customary Monday night football game is mandatory "relaxation" but for some reason tonight I find myself more enthused about getting into a warm, comfortable bed rather then seeing a bunch of knuckleheads chase the pigskin around for 3 hours!

I am a part-time "Doc" in a full-time world who is looking forward to a good night sleep!

Good night! I'll see you on the other side!