THE END!

Since I am no longer a Navy Dentist in Iraq and will not be a Navy Dentist in 6 months, I felt it was time to get a new blog. I hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog, but most of all the looking at pictures of my time in Iraq.

Follow along in my new blog as I document the next 3 years as an Orthodontic Resident at USC.

http://uscortho.blogspot.com/

Fight On!

LIGHTNING

Today was our last official day with medical battalion. We are now "officially" going back to work in our clinic. On the drive up I caught this storm passing through San Diego. I guess this is a good end to my Blog. Maybe I will post a video if I ever get it finished or start another blog. So much to do, so little time.

COMING SOON

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED....more to come

SHOUT OUT

I made this shout out to my best friend Luke who got married while I was in Iraq.

FINALLY

I have been waiting 7 months for this. An epic dust storm that I could actually see the front of it moving in. Of course this was the only time I was glad to see the dust storm come, so I could get a pic of it. My work here is complete.

USE THE FORCE!

After a year of lectures, signs offs, field trips, 6 mile hump, and pistol qualification I finally received my Fleet Marine Force pin.

INFO ON THE FMFQO PIN

Attainment of the FMFQO designation for a Navy officer signifies an achieved level of excellence and proficiency in Marine Corps operations and indicates a fundamental understanding of a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and its components. The FMFQO insignia signifies additional general knowledge that enhances their understanding of war fighting, mission effectiveness, and command survivability.

History & Significance of the FMFQO Device

The Eagle, Globe and Anchor (EGA - Marine Corps Emblem) is centered on the breast insignia as the capture of the device, making a clear statement that the wearer is a member of the Navy/Marine Corps team.
Background - At the time the advice was designed, Forward… From the Sea was the Navy and Marine Corps joint vision for the future. This is represented in the background of the device; a surf wave crashing on the sandy beach (the littoral zone), the place where Sailors have served alongside Marines as the earned their reputation, “on the shores of Tripoli” and the “sands of Iwo Jima”. The littoral (or coastal) regions of the world are also where the Navy and Marine Corps team will exert the U.S. Interests in future conflicts as reflected in the doctrine of the time, “Operational Maneuver from the Sea”.
Crossed Rifles - Warfare programs have served the purpose of installing warrior ethos in Sailors as well as enhancing mission effectiveness in both individual and unit survivability since their inception. On ships and submarines, every Sailor is trained as a firefighter and damage control man to fight and save the ship in an emergency. With the Marines, it is essential in combat for every person to have the knowledge and skill of a rifleman, if the unit is to survive. The two crossed rifles symbolize the rifleman ethic this program is designated to install in Sailors assigned to the Marines.
Scroll - The scroll along the bottom of the breast insignia is emblazoned with “Fleet Marine Force” Although Marine componency was established in 1982, significantly changing the operational environment in which Marine Corps forces deploy and operate in a joint environment. The Navy continues to utilize the title Fleet Marine Force in their role as a Naval Type Commander, therefore since programs are a distinct part of Navy culture, it is appropriate our program be titled after the role in which Marine Forces are tied to the Navy.

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT...

http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/update/august08/COMM_dentistiraq.html

I was asked by my dental school to write a first person account of my experience in Iraq to be published in the monthy update. This is the best I could come up with.

FALLUJAH T-SHIRTS

Here are some T shirt designs we have had made. The STP is for the group and the fencing one is for one of the Doc's fencing club. No I did not pick up a sword, but I think I will have to get a shirt.

If you are looking to have t-shirts made then you need to check out Mary Ann @ Sew Saintly
maryann@sewsaintly.com www.sewsaintly.com

She has done an excellent job on our shirts. Great communication, quality, and most importantly pricing!

FOR THE BIRDS

I thought this was funny when I saw the pigeons sitting in the tree next to the clinic. If you take a closer look you will see the man is on the right. How do I know this? He is checking out the other bird flying bye. Yeah, I've been out here too long!

I am always leery when I see a reduction in the pigeon population and they are serving "Cornish Hens" at the chow hall. Coincidence? I think not!

YARD WORK

We woke up at 5AM to demilitarize the camp. It is only in the 80's so it makes the work bearable.

My team was in charge of moving the tires that were stacked throughout the camp. I was taking pics of other people when someone said that I should get my pic taken.

After we moved the tires we had to start taking down the sand bags.

Run Forest Run! This is the psychiatrist. He seems to only sweat smiley faces.

Here is our tire pile.

INCOMING?

At first glance you would thing there was some sort of incoming that hit Camp Fallujah, but fortunately it is just the burn pit.

FALLUJAH MOON

SUNSET IN FALLUJAH

Mr. Jingles UPDATED

Last night I went to throw some trash away when I noticed something dart along the wall out of the corner of my eye. It was pretty late so I was wondering if I had started seeing things. I moved some things around and a mouse scattered away. I put on my boots, grabbed my head light, broom, and opened the door trying to hockey one time slap shot it with the broom out the door. He disappeared somewhere under the fridge. I have no idea where he went so now I guess I have a permanent room mate.

UPDATE

About a week after the Mr Jingles sighting he was caught in the room next to mine. A few days later there was a Mr Jingles reincarnate. Either that or it was Mrs Jingles seeking revenge. She was also caught in the Captain's room next to mine. Captain is the only one in the group who is going to leave Iraq with 2 kills.

4th of July in Fallujah

We had an "All Hands" flag ceremony for the 4th of July before the BBQ. Flags that were flown today will be given the above certificate of authenticity. We did not get the day off unfortunately. I did not get to see any fireworks or go to the beach, although there is plenty of sand here. There was a controlled detonation by EOD, but I did not hear it. Just another day in Fallujah.

SNAKES ON A BASE!

After dinner I was going in to my room when CDR was at her door with a bucket in her hand. She said "John, do you see that?" Down the hall was the snake slithering away from CDR's room. It proceeded to go into another door which was locked. About 20 minutes later and 3 rooms the snake hid in, we had Norm the Navy seal turned Ortho Physicians Asst. charm the snake. It was a catch and release program. Needless to say everyone in here was sealing off the bottom of their doors that night.

OSPREY @ NIGHT

The night photos are mine, but I included some other pics (http://www.richard-seaman.com) since most of you might not know what the Osprey looks like. I have some of my own pics of the Osprey from the Miramar air show, but they are on the computer back home. I set my camera up on the tripod about 1 foot off the ground and it got blown over from the thrust of the propellers as I took shelter behind the SUV. It is still alive! I almost had my first casualty, but I brought it back to life. The yellow light is the crew chief walking by the camera as the shutter was open. They have a little light they wear on there vest. I was chewing sand for about 30 minutes after takeoff. Next time I don't think I will get so close.

CAMPFIRE

100th POST....

Looks like I made it to 100....posts that is. Here are some pages I put together for our Cruisebook. We were alloted 6 pages for the group we are attached to. I will most likely put one together for the group at the end of the deployment. I decided to submit these after seeing what they had done for our pages. Let's just say there was much to be desired.
I took a break from my applications to work on this. 5 days and 6 pages later, it's finished. About 90% of the photos are mine. The artwork on the signs is from the last dentist who was a master painter. I just put my twist on them.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I'm a little preoccupied getting my applications completed for Ortho residency, so I have not posted anything in a while. Between all the application forms I jump from photoshop to MS Word until my head spins. My Excel sheet is daunting and packed full of info. I have to email everything to Secretary Sarah to print and mail (sometimes Secretary Sandi fills in). Administrative Ass. Alan is always too busy to help. I'll remember that when he comes to me for his kids treatment hahaha Double the cost! Transcripts, recommendation letters, and writing checks $$$ is keeping me busy. I will get back to taking pics when I am finished with the application process.

IT'S ABOUT THAT TIME

In case you haven't figured it out...this is a countdown to when we come home. There is an excel file that counts it down from months, weeks, days, and even second until we return. The group here like to go by paydays remaining instead. 6 if you are wondering.

HUDDLE UP

All the members of the 1st Dental Battalion Camp Pendleton got together for a group photo and dinner. 6 of us work in a dental capacity. All others are augmented to medical or work in headquarters.

Here is a pic of everyone stationed at Miramar.

BLACKHAWK @ NIGHT

NO COUNTRY FOR IRAQ

Toby Keith came to Fallujah and played a few songs. After his concert he came by the STP to visit medical and say hi to all the wounded troops. Fortunately we only had a Ugandan guard sleeping in the ward and a detainee as a pt, but no wounded Marines.

GySgt Gibson, the first Marine to re-deploy after losing a limb had his artificial leg signed by Toby. No that is not GySGT Gibson. That is our CAPT welcoming Toby.

GROUP PIC

Devil Dolphins hanging out as usual.