Oh Shi-, Help! (Corpsman.com Forums Post)
October 19, 2010 by Da-Chief
Filed under Corpsman.com News, Marine Corps News, Military Information, Navy News
"Fleet Marine Force" Warfare Pin
I am publishing this post as it was asked on our forums. It’s a good question, and SpykeCOD has received some valuable advice from his shipmates and those who have deployed before him.
Here’s the question:
Good Afternoon from US Naval Hospital Guam,
Today I was pulled into my Chief’s room to be told I’ve been assigned for a deployment, 1ST MARDIV. Most of the Corpsman here would be like, “That’s Awesome! Your so lucky!”, etc. I really wish I could say the same thing.
So I have been in for aprox. 1 YR 8 MONTHS. I’ve went to Field Med after Corps School, and ending up here at Naval Hospita Guam for 3 Year Orders. Now I’ve never worked in Patient Care. I’ve done a few IVs while I OJT’d in the ER, but I have no clue nor remember anything about working on a Patient. I’m scared of this deployment. All I know is Outpatient Records, from filing chits to registering. I’ve been doing this for a year now. So for those that deployed, Did that training come back? Please help.
I’m really not sure what to expect nor how to really read these orders. It doesn’t state where I’m going and I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post my NE on here. Whats the rules on that?
My answer to him, and mind you there were already a bunch of answers prior to me posting this was:
First of all I commend you for realizing that you don’t know everything and are concerned about it.
Second though and this is important, Understand that when we taught you at NHCS, and at FMTB, it was just the basic’s.. Everything you have been told on here by the folks who have already done the job, is “SPOT” on.
Take it from someone who went to “FMSS” (Prior to FMTB) back in 85 but didn’t get assigned to the USMC until 2000!
Find your senior Line Doc, Be confident, Listen to them. Listen to the Sgt’s and CPL’s who are there as well. Sgt’s are ususally in the know on everything as they have 1 foot in the NCO group but are also trying to step up to the SNCO group as well.
Last but not least, your most valuable asset are your ears. Listen, Listen LISTEN. But also take heed as to what your folks are saying.
I can’t say and won’t say nothing will happen over there. It’s a dangerous place and anyone telling you different is lying their asses off. You are now going to be doing the job that so many thousands have done before. We stand behind you and realize Corpsman.com is here to answer your questions. Your answers may not be what you want to hear, but they will be truthful.
Good Luck Shipmate..
Da-Chief
You can read the entire post and the answers in our forums. If you have something to add, how about leaving a message for him inside or in the comments below.
Da-Chief
I don’t have time right now to register to be able to post in the forums, so I hope this gets to him.nnI am quite sure that you will be sent through more training before you actually deploy. This tends to more often than not be the case if you are medically augmented for a deployment. You can probably expect Tactical Combat Casualty Care course among others. It will all be part of the work ups. On top of that the unit itself will ensure you are spun up on skills within itself as well. In the meantime, not you can inquire through your chain of command and the staff education & training department about getting into a TCCC course there at the hospital. They do have one in Guam. Just be open to instruction, flexible, and ask a lot of questions. You’ll do fine.nnFYI… all current TCCC course material including ppts, videos, etc can be found and downloaded from this link.nnhttp://www.health.mil/Education_And_Training/TCCC.aspxn
I don’t have time right now to register to be able to post in the forums, so I hope this gets to him.nnI am quite sure that you will be sent through more training before you actually deploy. This tends to more often than not be the case if you are medically augmented for a deployment. You can probably expect Tactical Combat Casualty Care course among others. It will all be part of the work ups. On top of that the unit itself will ensure you are spun up on skills within itself as well. In the meantime, not you can inquire through your chain of command and the staff education & training department about getting into a TCCC course there at the hospital. They do have one in Guam. Just be open to instruction, flexible, and ask a lot of questions. You’ll do fine.nnFYI… all current TCCC course material including ppts, videos, etc can be found and downloaded from this link.nnhttp://www.health.mil/Education_And_Training/TCCC.aspxn
Read, read, read!!!go to every ER an volunteer until deployed, trauma centers, take refresher or teach yourself trauma. Get in touch with a educational advisor. get information and an arm to practice IV’s on. rnDo everything you can to prepare yourself for any situation. GOD SPEED…
Hey DocrnI spent 17 yrs out of 25yrs with the USMC. You will be just fine as long as you do not try to BS the troops! I have been retired now for 28 yrs so all has completely changed I am sure. I spent 2.6 yrs in Vietnam with the USMC. Your new CPO and the other HM’s that you will be assigned with. will help you. Also all of the training that you have had will come back to you. Like Da-Chief says get to know the Sgt’s and the Cpl’s they too will help you. rnAbove all keep your head down and cover your six. rnTake Care DocrnJim BeyersdorfrnHMC USN RET
Hey DocrnI spent 17 yrs out of 25yrs with the USMC. You will be just fine as long as you do not try to BS the troops! I have been retired now for 28 yrs so all has completely changed I am sure. I spent 2.6 yrs in Vietnam with the USMC. Your new CPO and the other HM’s that you will be assigned with. will help you. Also all of the training that you have had will come back to you. Like Da-Chief says get to know the Sgt’s and the Cpl’s they too will help you. rnAbove all keep your head down and cover your six. rnTake Care DocrnJim BeyersdorfrnHMC USN RET
First review the latest TCCC principles here: http://www.health.mil/Education_And_Training/TCCC.aspxrnrnThen understand you should join your unit it time for some training, hopefully to include Advaced Combat Trauma Training (live tissue stuff).rnrnFinally look on your orders for Pont of contact information and get in touch with the unit your going to, it should be listed in there, probably towards the end.rnrnoh…yea….PT, PT, PT…..start now and it won’t be too bad. We (2/8) took 11 HSAP’s out with us last summer and they all did great stuff.rnrnHMC (FMF) Bob Wheelerrn2D Marine DivisionrnManpower & Operations Chiefrnhmcwheeler@hotmail.com
Hey Shippy!rnrnSo you’re worried, like Da Chief before me, I can tell you’ve got your head screwed on right where it should be. Your real worry is when the Shi_ hits the fan, will you know what to do, correct? Well, I would advise you to find a fellow Corpsman, a mentor, who knows his sh*t when you get there and LEARN. Believe me, the Green Side Doc’s can’t stand getting an IA who thinks they know everything. They will teach you and you will learn from them. rnrnAlso, get as much training as you can before you go. IV’s, medication, immunizations and Preventive Medicine, hell even NKO! Knowledge is power in the Field as much as anywhere. Ask Questions…lots of questions and don’t be embarrassed by what you don’t know. Keep Serving with Pride!rnrnMichael FeltonrnHMCS(FMFSW/AW)rnRetired and Loving it!
Hey Shippy!rnrnSo you’re worried, like Da Chief before me, I can tell you’ve got your head screwed on right where it should be. Your real worry is when the Shi_ hits the fan, will you know what to do, correct? Well, I would advise you to find a fellow Corpsman, a mentor, who knows his sh*t when you get there and LEARN. Believe me, the Green Side Doc’s can’t stand getting an IA who thinks they know everything. They will teach you and you will learn from them. rnrnAlso, get as much training as you can before you go. IV’s, medication, immunizations and Preventive Medicine, hell even NKO! Knowledge is power in the Field as much as anywhere. Ask Questions…lots of questions and don’t be embarrassed by what you don’t know. Keep Serving with Pride!rnrnMichael FeltonrnHMCS(FMFSW/AW)rnRetired and Loving it!
After 5 years as a FMF Doc and 3 combat tours in area’s most people dont know the name’s of, I can say that you will be fine. FMF Doc’s stand alone in my book. They are best leaders and teachers I have had in the navy. They will teach you what you need to know and will not send you out without knowing you can do it. They will know you better than you know your self. Plus you will have your marine’s with you, and they love there Doc’s. They will look after you like you will take care of them. If you get in to somthing bad, just stick close to the Gunny and listen to what he says. It is okay to be afraid, just keep your mind on the task at hand, whiching taking care of those marine’s and coming back safe.