(no subject)
I know it's been forever since I've written in here so I figure it's time to get back online and start writing.
I'm currently in a safe base in Southern Afghanistan. Well, relatively speaking, that is.
I'm working with a shock trauma platoon/forward resuscitative surgical system facility. I feel both underutilized and overworked.
I'm not working as a surgical technologist, although that's going to change soon. I'll be volunteering my skills on my days off to keep sharp. I currently am working in the command operations center where I monitor secret intel traffic on several computers and basically wait for any 9 line requests to show up in our grid. If 9 lines in our grid get dropped and depending on the injuries sustained, the patient(s) can end up at our facility. I wait to see where they are assigned, (although it's gotten to a point where I can pretty much guess where they'd send 'em to with pretty accurate results) and when they get assigned to us, I alert the duty crews to get ready for whatever comes our way.
Oh, and I answer phones and do a whole lot of phone problem solving for people outside of my job description. I'm a great secretary. Nice and sarcastic.
I've also been assigned the collateral duty of being the unit's S-6 (comms) rep, so whenever one of our networks or phone lines go down, which they do ALL the time, I have to somehow fix them. I'm also responsible for keeping all of the computers in working order and have done so pretty well, except in the case recently where an 0-6 went over my head and was told we could get some new laptops and then when they didn't show up he laid into me about it. I often have to explain to people I'm only capable of doing so much...the comm marines are the real problem solvers. I get told to get issues fixed TODAY when all I can really do is pass the message along that something isn't working right. The comm marines do the rest. People still don't seem to realize that, so I'm stuck running around base coming up with new ways to say the exact same thing over and over again.
Most of the comms work is handled on my off-time, since I can't leave the C.O.C. when I'm on watch. Someone HAS to be monitoring the net at all times, but I've learned that it's okay to wander about the facility to find someone who's needed and nothing dramatically terrible will have happened in my absence.
There's a few infantry battalions out here gearing up for a big op in February. I'm not violating OPSEC by saying this...the news have been blaring stuff about it for weeks. Casualties are expected to be high, but I figure more of the local population and EPW's will be seen than marines. In any case, I miss being with the grunts and when I see them laying in the dirt, practicing preparing fighting positions, or doing night patrols up and down the roads with heavy packs and full gear I get a tad nostalgic. As much as it sucks, there's a sort of masochistic pride in being down and dirty and the tip of the spear.
I'm sitting in some gravel on the other side of the base from our facility; recently a wifi hotspot was installed and there's not really any vacant tents in which to sit and browse, so I'm propped up against an environmental control unit (ECU/air conditioner) out in the open. Hopefully my layers will keep me warm for just a few more minutes as I finish this up and download some updates for my laptop.
Be well, all.
I'm currently in a safe base in Southern Afghanistan. Well, relatively speaking, that is.
I'm working with a shock trauma platoon/forward resuscitative surgical system facility. I feel both underutilized and overworked.
I'm not working as a surgical technologist, although that's going to change soon. I'll be volunteering my skills on my days off to keep sharp. I currently am working in the command operations center where I monitor secret intel traffic on several computers and basically wait for any 9 line requests to show up in our grid. If 9 lines in our grid get dropped and depending on the injuries sustained, the patient(s) can end up at our facility. I wait to see where they are assigned, (although it's gotten to a point where I can pretty much guess where they'd send 'em to with pretty accurate results) and when they get assigned to us, I alert the duty crews to get ready for whatever comes our way.
Oh, and I answer phones and do a whole lot of phone problem solving for people outside of my job description. I'm a great secretary. Nice and sarcastic.
I've also been assigned the collateral duty of being the unit's S-6 (comms) rep, so whenever one of our networks or phone lines go down, which they do ALL the time, I have to somehow fix them. I'm also responsible for keeping all of the computers in working order and have done so pretty well, except in the case recently where an 0-6 went over my head and was told we could get some new laptops and then when they didn't show up he laid into me about it. I often have to explain to people I'm only capable of doing so much...the comm marines are the real problem solvers. I get told to get issues fixed TODAY when all I can really do is pass the message along that something isn't working right. The comm marines do the rest. People still don't seem to realize that, so I'm stuck running around base coming up with new ways to say the exact same thing over and over again.
Most of the comms work is handled on my off-time, since I can't leave the C.O.C. when I'm on watch. Someone HAS to be monitoring the net at all times, but I've learned that it's okay to wander about the facility to find someone who's needed and nothing dramatically terrible will have happened in my absence.
There's a few infantry battalions out here gearing up for a big op in February. I'm not violating OPSEC by saying this...the news have been blaring stuff about it for weeks. Casualties are expected to be high, but I figure more of the local population and EPW's will be seen than marines. In any case, I miss being with the grunts and when I see them laying in the dirt, practicing preparing fighting positions, or doing night patrols up and down the roads with heavy packs and full gear I get a tad nostalgic. As much as it sucks, there's a sort of masochistic pride in being down and dirty and the tip of the spear.
I'm sitting in some gravel on the other side of the base from our facility; recently a wifi hotspot was installed and there's not really any vacant tents in which to sit and browse, so I'm propped up against an environmental control unit (ECU/air conditioner) out in the open. Hopefully my layers will keep me warm for just a few more minutes as I finish this up and download some updates for my laptop.
Be well, all.