Ascension

Saturday 10 October 2009

“The superior man…stands erect by bending above the fallen. He rises by lifting others.”

Robert Green Ingersoll

Ingersoll was a famous 18^th century orator and lawyer, but beside that, he seems to have been a pretty good guy. I think he was an agnostic, and I wonder if his experiences as a soldier during the Civil War had any impact on his thoughts and values. I imagine that seeing numerous, shattered young men inspired his words, in both the literal and figurative sense. In my experience in Afghanistan, I continue to be impressed with the skill and compassion of those people who spend their days and nights bending above the fallen. I see the very best of humanity and compassion on display every day. It’s hard for me to place the health care debate ongoing in our nation into perspective over here…budgets, tort reform, partisan politics. The care here is sincere, unadulterated, risen to its purest form. I’m fortunate to see it and be a small part of work that is healing for both patient and provider.

I think Ingersoll was right in the figurative sense, as well. I have had the recent opportunity to meet with some of my senior leaders, and it has led me to reflect on what makes (some of) them effective. Actually, I’ve been thinking how to manipulate those in my direct chain of command in order to achieve my team goals, but that’s beside the point.

When I think back on the leaders that I respect the most, they always seemed to be more concerned about the welfare of those around them than on personal gain or advancement. They never tried to rise by pushing down on others. They would certainly shine, probably all the more from the reflection of those shining around them. I’m convinced that you do rise best and furthest by elevating and celebrating those who surround you.

Saw an interesting quote in the laundry tent, yesterday. Yes, inspiration comes from the most unlikely sources.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

-Albert Einstein

The bomb

Tuesday 6 October 2009

One thing that has really surprised me about this deployment is that people are actually nicer to each other here than back “in the world.” Internists and surgeons practice together peaceably, nurses rarely seem to complain, and even administrators appear to grasp the big picture. It’s kind of a strange “cats and dogs living together in harmony” sort of thing. Given my suspicious nature, I assumed it must be just an introductory phenomenon, but it actually seems genuine.

I experienced another example of an unnecessary and undeserved act of kindness, today. My team was taken on a tour of the flight line, highlighting the Air Force jets. There are a number of cool jets and fighters, here. While my more jaded side wonders if they might be more valuable if the Taliban actually had an Air Force, I realize that they do fill an important strategic role. I won’t go into the lecture I received from my well-intentioned, but exasperated, USAF tour guide after I questioned the potency of Al Qaeda air-power. Despite the wide-eyed stare, I realized we were still friends when I was offered the opportunity to help the weapons section assemble a bomb. With a half-smile, I flashed back to the Oath of Hippocrates I had muttered so many years ago, “First, do no (bomb?)”

Sure, friend, why not? Then, again, is that a favor or an answer to my question?

The gator

Fieldcraft lesson #2: Never walk when you can ride.

On average, we probably walk at least 4-5 miles per day on this FOB. While I realize that in the life of an infantryman, four miles is nothing, the art of fieldcraft demands that a soldier constantly strive to improve his quality of life. Being fully committed to this endeavor, one of my deployment goals has been to acquire the use of a "gator-" a 4-wheeled, offroad vehicle.

One of my partners in Hawaii recently asked if I've had my name stenciled on the side of a helicopter, yet. While I have ridden more than my share of helicopters over here, they are accessible to the masses, and therefore I deem this goal not fit to earn the title of "fieldcraft."

Now acquiring a gator, there's a challenge. They are incredibly hard to find and possess in this theatre. This past weekend, I succeeded in securing the services of a sweet gator, red cross and all. My friend Bill and I took the "long way" to deliver a package and loved every minute of it. It's probably the most fun I have had in the past two months, as you can probably see from Bill's smile (behind the wheel) and my filthy face. While I enjoy nearly anything that makes me dirty, this was absolutely smashing. Much better than walking.

Fieldcraft

Saturday 3 October 2009

Soldiers have a slang term for the little skills, or tricks of the trade, that help you to survive life “out in the field” or in a deployed environment. This art is called “fieldcraft,” and it has existed and been passed down to young warriors as a sacred religion since the first soldier walked out of his garrison. The lessons may be as profound as how to best avoid an IED or as mundane as the adage to change your socks regularly. I have decided to pass on some of this ancient wisdom to which I have become privy over the past few months. I will start with the first, and most important, tenet of fieldcraft:

LESSON #1- How to choose a toilet.

You approach a line of port-a-potties, field toilets, toilet trailors, whatever. It doesn’t matter. The lesson will still apply. You are suffused with a mixture of trepidation, hostile intent, and silent relief. The DFAC food hasn’t exactly been racing through your digestive tract, so you have some time to pick your target- probably about 10-15 seconds before the guy behind you starts to get jumpy. He may have been a “healthy eater” who stuck to the frozen vegetables. Anyway, you have a decision to make. Before you decide to engage your other senses in order to identify your victim, use your eyes. Look at the magazines on the ground in and around the port-a-potty or toilet. You will inevitably see a Maxim outside at least one of them. These should be avoided at all costs. The generation of over-caffeinated, Rip-it infused Maxim readers is not known for their fastidiousness in toilet etiquette and cleanliness. This one(s) will also have been the most used, by far. While you may be sorely tempted to peruse the article on calf-muscle exercises, step quickly away. Look, instead, for the toilet with a Car and Driver or Popular Mechanics on the ground. The gear-head, engineer types are much more considerate with their toilet-care, and they are far fewer in number.

I hope this provides some insight into the thought processes of the reflective soldier. More to follow. Cheers.