March 2010 Final Draft
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Transcript of March 2010 Final Draft
March
Fleet Marine Force A brief look at the training necessary, for Officers and Enlisted, to earn the coveted “FMF” pin.
Who are the Dental Detachment?You may ask, “Why is there a Dental Detachment with a Surgical Company?” Meet the Sailors who comprise this specialized group, and how they are integrated into our mission.
Counter IED TrainingA quick look into the training required of Bravo Surgical Company shortly after we arrived in theater. From “Kevlars” to “Flaks”, your guide to our lingo.
Bravo Surgical Company
FROM THE FRONT A F G H A N I S T A N
FROM THE FRONT: AFGHANISTANMarch 2010, Volume 1 On The Cover:
Sailors and Marines of Bravo Surgical Company, 1st Medical Battalion aboard a C17 Globemaster aircraft enroute to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.
FROM THE COMMAND DECKThoughts in words from the Command Element.
Commanding Officer’s Desk
Dear family and friends, back in the States
and around the world. It seems as if we have
been gone far longer than we actually have.
However, three months away from you has
proved challenging and has found many of us
reflecting on the wonderful lives we live back
home, and missing the supporting loved ones
we left behind.
Our days here in Camp Leatherneck, and in
other surrounding forward operating bases,
have aloud us to prepare for the challenging
mission that lies before us. On 19 March, we
took a company photograph and began the
process of moving our operations forward to
meet our mission to provide world class trauma
care to coalition forces engaged in operations
around Helmand Province.
The Bravo Surgical Company team is filled
with motivated and extremely talented health
care professionals and marines. You should be
proud of your loved ones and what they have
volunteered to do here in Afghanistan. Each
member of Bravo Surgical Company has taken
an oath to support and defend and perform
missions that are often above self and for a
greater cause. We know the sacrifices and we
accept them. With the continued support from
you back home, we are energized to represent
you and our country by serving the many
medical needs of our patrons here in
Afghanistan. It is an honor and a privilege to
serve as the Commanding Officer of this
outstanding Surgical Company. Thank you for
sharing your loved ones with us as we serve our
country with honor, courage and commitment.
Sincerely,
Commander Jay Woelkers, MSC, USN
Senior Enlisted Leader
We came together as a team on
January 11, 2010, and quickly form into a family.
Now we are together in Afghanistan and we
could not have wish for a better family. Every
person brings a special talent with them and as
we start to push to our different missions, please
In the Helmand Province
a sunset can lend a hint of beauty to an
otherwise bleak landscape.
Command Deck OfficersExecutive Officer, Lieutenant Jared Taylor, MSC, USN (left) and Commanding Officer, Commander Gerard Woelkers, MSC, USN (right).
Newsletter of Bravo Surgical Company, 1st Medical BattalionOFFICIA
L
know they will not be alone. We hope you
enjoy this first of many newsletters and god
bless all the family members of the service
members of Bravo Surgical Company.
HMC(FMF) Jonathan RyanSenior Enlisted Leader, Bravo Surgical Co
Fleet Marine Force Officer Warfare Device Qualification Program.
Bravo company officers are keeping
busy working on their Fleet Marine Force (FMF)
qualification. Currently, twenty-five officers are
attending classes and working in the field to
earn their FMF pins.
Several aspects relating to a variety of Marine Corps operations are presented, observed, and tested. Since we’ve arrived, we have covered topics such as history, structure, organization, communications, logistics, amphibious operations, and weapons with several more planned.
Physical field exercises include a trip to the confidence (gas) chamber, Marine Corps physical fitness test, 6 mile field hump with fifty pound packs, and Beretta M9 pistol qualification. Each section includes several hands on exercises to fully understand how the Marine Corps operates.
The qualification culminates with an oral board exam to fully test each candidates understanding of the Marine Corps. This prestigious device can be worn on Marine as well as Navy uniforms and is highly respected by the Marines whom we work with. It displays dedication to the Marine Corps and numerous hours of mental and physical preparation are spent earning the device.
LT Broc Mushet, DC, USN
Newsletter Staff CDR Gerard Woelkers, MSC, USN
Commanding Officer
LT Jared Taylor, MSC, USNExecutive Officer
CAPT H.R. Bohman, MC, USNChief of Professional Services
HMC(FMF) Jonathan Ryan, USNSenior Enlisted Leader
LTJG Jon Hamrick, NC, USNEditor In Chief
QUICK SHOTS
FMF Officer device as worn on USMC Desert
Cammies
Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Device Qualification Program.
EFMFWS, this stands for Enlisted
Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist. This
device is attained while permanently (or while
deployed) with a USMC unit. The wear of this
device signifies that many long hours were
spent learning and testing on different aspects
of Marine Corps knowledge.
Each individual must pass the Marine Corps physical fitness test (PFT), Marine Corps history, organization, combat and security fundamentals, weapons, aircraft, land navigation, and countless other categories deemed important to the Marine Corps.
Each type of Marine Corps unit has unique aspects to learn, for example: Division for ground combat element (GCE), Wing for air combat element (ACE), Logistics for logistics combat element (LCE). Bravo Surgical Company falls under the 1st Marine Logistics Group (MLG), which is part of the LCE.
The LCE by definition provides: “essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks within the MLG that sustains all elements of operating forces in theater of all levels of war on the battlefield.”
Classes are convened for an hour or more depending on the topic covered. Bravo Surgical Company has 25 individuals currently seeking this prestigious qualification.
HM1(FMF) Socrates Ibanez
Not just a “Surgical” Company, the Dental Detachment is fully integrated and ready to support.
Among those that deployed with
Bravo Surgical Company is a small dental
detachment consisting of two dentists, four
dental technicians, and biomedical repair
technician.
This small group is dedicated to
providing a spectrum of oral health care to our
deployed war-fighters. During their down time,
they keep themselves mentally and physically
charged by engaging in frequent training
activities and a daily exercise routine.
Realizing the need for recreational
activities, members of the dental detachment
often use the MWR tent for calls and emails to
friends and family. Computers are a big element
to the morale of the sailors and both, the
enlisted and officers, enjoy playing games,
watching movies and listening to music on their
computers.
It isn’t all fun and games, mandatory
training includes: weapons familiarization (BZO)
shoots, improvised explosive device (IED)
classes, and convoy operation training.
Dental training is also required as
there are many differences between field
dentistry and the well-known office at home.
Triage, radiology, and surgery all change when
working in a field environment. Although our
clinic is not up and running yet, everyone is
looking forward to the challenges and unique
experiences to be provided by our new
environment and diverse patient population. We
are expecting to provide care to all service-
members, DOD civilians, as well as humanitarian
operations.
Taking it all in stride, the dental
detachment maintains great morale through unit
cohesion. Where there is one member of the
team, there are surely others nearby.
HM1(FMF) Jerry Hughes
QUICK SHOTS
Bravo Dental
Detachment
Bravo Surgical Company, Dental Detachment (left to right): HN Joesph Humber, HM3(FMF) Jeffery Baughn, HM3 Argentie Raizon, LT Broc Mushet, LT Darien Lazaro, HM3 Adrianlyle Ibarra, and HM1(FMF) Jerry Hughes.
“Prepped” for Greatness.An essential component for any
deployment is being mentally ready, with skills
learned through continuous training. Being part
of a Forward Resuscitative Surgical System
(FRSS) or a Shock Trauma Platoon (STP) it is
important that we not only know specific duties
pertinent to our job, but the duties of everyone
within the FRSS and STP. The idea is one mind,
one mission, to save lives.
The need for continuous training was
summed up by LCDR(SEL) Jon Schoeff, MC,
USN, “It’s crucial for the Corpsman to be
exposed to a surgeon’s thought process, and be
encouraged to start thinking along those lines,
because the Corpsman serves as our first line of
defense, and may be the initial member of the
medical team to evaluate the patient.”
Training currently being conducted at
Camp Leatherneck includes: basic airway
management, primary and secondary survey,
steps to a thoracotomy, Mobile Trauma Bay
(MTB) equipment familiarization, STP-FRSS
setup equipment familiarization, and of course
Limited Technical Inspection (LTI). It is
imperative that the Corpsmen begin to think and
rationalize like their physicians and surgeons so
that the medical treatment process is quick and
efficient.
Along with our medical skills training,
classes are being conducted to improve our war
fighting abilities through Improvised Explosive
Devices (IED) Lane training, which encompasses
a four class emphasizing on how to spot, search
and report IEDs. Furthermore, we also
completed a marksmanship and weapon
familiarization with the standard military issued
M9 as well with the M4 rifle. Lastly, lectures are
given to assist in those wishing to earn the
Officer or Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare
Specialist Device (FMF).
HM2 Beatriz Salinas
HM2 Jemel Thomas
QUICK SHOTS
FRSS Teams
Bravo Surgical Company, FRSS Teams (left to right): LT Jared Taylor, CDR Theodore Pratt, LCDR Russell Saari, HMC(FMF) Jonathan Ryan, LCDR Bill Krissoff, HM2(FMF) Andrea Boyse, HM1(SW/AW) Donald Highley, HM1(FMF/SW) Sabrina Russell, LTJG Jonathan Hamrick, HM1(FMF) Trinidad Alvarenga, LTJG Matthew Moore, LCDR Shawn Harris, HM2 Beatriz Salinas, HM2 Derrick Magee, LCDR Patrick Mullins, LCDR Bradley Bunten, HM2 Jemel Thomas, LCDR(SEL) Jonathan Schoeff, HM2 Michael Martinez, CDR Gerard Woelkers, and CAPT H.R. Bohman.
There are no wizards behind the curtain.
For those that are not aware, CST stands
for Combat Stress Team. We combat the mind,
body and spirit from concussions to nightmarish
dreams. We specialize in providing multiple
levels of care ranging from the sleep deprived to
the mental challenges of the battle scarred
mind. Some battles cannot be won overnight,
therefore, similar to a compound fracture, all
healing requires time. Composed of three
mental health providers and three Hospital
Corpsman psych techs, CST encompasses
individuals from all services ranging from E-1 to
O-5. In the past there have been major
misconceptions with mental health, now most of
those thoughts have become shadowed
remnants.
Our main focus thus far has been patients
that have been concussed from blasts. Using
Psycho Diagnostic to Neurological testing,
CST’s role is vital both in and out of theater.
Some examinations include: Military Acute
Concussion Exam (MACE), Repeatable Battery
for the Assessment of Neurophyschological
Status. (RBANS), Personality Assessment
Inventories (PAIs), and hours of therapeutic
report with various patients along with their
commands. In addition, our treatment has
vastly expanded to other military treatment
facilities (MTFs). Each 8404 (FMF Hospital
Corpsman) attached to a Shock Trauma Platoon
(STP) within Bravo Surgical Company has been
trained to assess for battle fatigue and blast
injuries. Side by side with the Air Force medical
teams, we currently assist in administering
MACE as well as training the Air Force staff to
properly conduct and document exam findings
resulting in expeditionary patient care which can
be tracked, reviewed, and adjusted based on
the patient’s therapeutic goals. Not everyone
can contend with difficulties with the stressors
of a foreign environment, thus, CST will be there
with a blueprint to getting them back on track.
HN Michael Pilati
QUICK SHOTS
Combat Stress Team
Bravo Surgical Company, Combat Stress Team (left to right): HN Michael Pilati, CDR James West, MC, USN, HM2 Anthony Brown, HM1 Ivan Bell, LT Rachel Passmore, MSC, USN, LT Shane Eynon, MSC, USN.
Long Journey to Afghanistan
On February 17 we began our LONG trek
toward Afghanistan. After a wonderful send off
from family and friends we boarded buses to
March Air Force Base and soon flew to Bangor,
Maine and were greeted by the famous
Langolears. Next stop Lipzig, Germany and
then landed at our temporary destination,
Manas Air Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan. With
all the travel and time changes it was February
19, 0530, upon our arrival. Confused? We
sure were.
Manas greeted us with snow and
temperatures in the 30’s but spirits remained
high with our deployment journey finally under
way. Manas was surrounded by beautiful snow
capped mountains, provided excellent food,
and comfy bunk beds. What more could we
ask for? Our stay at Manas was brief and
everyone headed out to Afghanistan by the end
of the weekend on wonderful C17s. Ah
beautiful Manas, we all still think of you with
fond memories.
LCDR Sharon House, NC, USN
QUICK SHOTS
STP 1
Shock Trauma Platoon 1, Push Out!
We moved this month from Camp
Leatherneck to a much more rough and austere
outpost in northeast Helmand Province.
While we have the challenges of
intermittent showers and laundry and tray
rations for food, we live in a beautiful location
surrounded by rugged mountains with spring
greenery dotting the valley floor.
We have a great team that is our family
away from home, training and drilling daily to
get better and faster should we be called upon
in a time of need. We love being so closely
connected in a community of local Marines and
other forces.
Additionally, we have been able to start
treating minor injuries among both the local
and military population. Though our team will
be partially breaking up to support other
operations elsewhere, we are still happy to be
where we are and have this time together.
LCDR Gray Dawson, MC, USN
What is a Surgical System without Blood and X-Ray Services?
The Ancillary Section provides laboratory
and radiology services for the Forward
Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS) and the
Shock Trauma Platoon. Laboratory provides
services like blood tests and administering the
“Walking Blood Bank”. Radiology provides
diagnostic imaging ranging from the “Walking
Wounded” to the severe traumatic injury in the
operating room.
A couple of Ancillary Personnel traveled to
Camp Dwyer, a neighboring
base, for training and review of
setup of their services in an
operational environment.
HM1(FMF) Socrates
Ibanez
QUICK SHOTS
Ancillary Services
Bravo Surgical Company, Ancillary Services (left to right): LT Jared Taylor, MSC, USN, HMC(FMF) Jonathan Ryan, HM2(FMF) John Jones, HM3 Megan Laines, HM1(FMF) Danna Mosely, HM2(FMF) Brian Yocum, HM1(FMF) Socrates Ibanez, HM2(FMF/SW) Sisavart Chanthaphon, CDR Gerard Woelkers, MSC, USN.
Shock Trauma Platoon 2 Pushed Out
Shock Trauma Platoon 2, led by LCDR
Matt Shepard, MC, USN pushed out to
Musakala with a Mobile Trauma Bay to support
USMC and Coalition Forces as they conduct
operations. Although it is an austere
environment, e-mail and snail mail can still be
received, although sporadically.
LTJG Jon Hamrick, NC, USN
Semper FI
STP 2
Gear Up Bravo, Full Battle Rattle. Time for Counter IED Training!As part of the training package prepared for all inbound forces, the
Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED for short) class is essential.
Defeating the enemies primary means of attack renders them nearly
powerless, and the goal of this course is to facilitate that.
A motivated Bravo Surgical Company attended this
training, prepared to learn the skills. It was said on more
than one occasion by the cadre, “This training could save
your life.” All personnel, officers and enlisted, from the
Commanding Officer to our Hospital Corpsman Recruits,
took this to heart, eagerly participating in all the skill stations.
Following a brief formal lecture, it was time to gear up in full
battle rattle (body armor and Kevlar helmets) and head to the different
stations that the instructors had prepared. Not only were they
knowledgeable in the equipment used in Afghanistan, they were also well
versed in how the enemy was implementing the various types of
IEDs.
The skill stations ranged from: use of the Compact Metal
Detector (CMD), the basics of how to spot different forms of
IEDs, how to defeat them, and how to walk in areas that
they may be suspected. Although the chance of Bravo
Surgical Company personnel being in these situations is very
slim, should they occur, the expert training we received will
serve us well.
LTJG Jon Hamrick, NC, USN
Search and DestroyLT Pete Sunden, NC, USN using the Compact Metal Detector in an IED Lane at the training site.
Silent EnemyA landmine, an all to common sight found in Afghanistan.
“BATTLE RATTLE” “KEVLAR” “EYE PRO” “FLAK” “FROG GEAR”
The light weight helmet (LWH) currently issued to USMC forces.
From goggles to ballistic sunglasses, protection for our eyes.
The heavy Modular Tactical Vest (MTV) or Plate Carrier issued as body armor to USMC forces.
A set of camouflage clothing engineered to be fire resistant, offering flame protection.
“This training could
save your life.”
COUNTER IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Tonight I wait in the extra long chow line
to fill my cardboard plate with meat, noodles,
and a variety of happy little vegetables. It’s a
heaping mound of tasteful delight and my
mouth is watering just writing about it.
On the way over to long line #2, I dip my
hand into the industrial strength grey garbage
can where they keep the plastic eating utensils.
I inch forward,
holding my
prized meal.
Finally I am at the
sauces and
spices table; an
organized
cornucopia of
ginger, garlic,
olive oil, BBQ
sauce, red
pepper, soy
sauce...the list
goes on and on.
Like a mad
chemist, I mix and match in an attempt to
improve on last Wednesday’s culinary
experiment. Maybe just a touch more
Worcestershire sauce...
“Next please!”, the short order cook
barks. I hand him my concoction, he gingerly
tips it onto the grill. Chop, flip, flop, chop, flip.
With finesse and dexterity that rivals any
Benihana Chef, he cooks my meal. I look on
with big eyes, trying to catch
the exact moment when the
“magic” happens.
He flops my stir fry back
onto my paper plate, which
sags under the heavy burden. I
carry it with both hands, moving
slowly to my seat, avoiding elbows
and shoulders that could lead to catastrophe
within seconds. I sit down at my table. With
deliberate intent, I open my utensil packet. I
have been waiting all week for this moment,
the first bite, the tastiest bite...
LCDR Nicole Delpidio, MC, USN
PARTING TALES...Aaahhwww...Yeah Baby! Mongolian BBQ!
A Not So Tall Tale of Adventure Through The Chow Hall
FAMILY READINESSFamily Readiness Officer
Leah [email protected]
MAILING ADDRESSRank Last Name, First NameCLR-15 FWDBravo Surgical CompanyUnit 42135FPO AP 96427-2135
STP 1 Friendly Patient