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.

CRUISEBOOK LOGO

FIELD TRIP

CH-46 Sea Knight

MRAP- Mine Resistant Ambush Protected

ARTILLERY FIELD TRIP

SHOW OFF!

HOWITZER PREP

ARTILLERY EXCALIBUR

ARTILLERY

A COMPLETE SUCCESS

Operation April F.Ools was a complete success. The word about the internet being shut off spread like wildfire. Most were angered at first glance and did not continue to read who the letter was from. Some people could not open the .doc on their mac. As a result they heard from others who fell for the prank. It also helped that the fake email address I made in CDR's name kept people from suspecting me as the culprit.

Until next year....

MORE TANKS

BRAVO ZULU

I took some pics of some of our dental techs in honor of their awards.

HN (FMF) GRANT awarded Junior Sailor of the Quarter.

HM3 (FMF) MILLER awarded the Commanding Officer's Award for Clinical Excellence.

April F. Ools

In the spirit of April Fool's Day I wanted to think of something good for the group. As you may know we have satellite internet in our room which is somewhat costly. Although it is worth the cost to be able to webcam to family back home. We have paid for the first three months of service. I drafted a fake letter from our internet service provider stating that they were filing for bankruptcy and our service would be canceled without a refund.

I emailed it to all the officers shortly after midnight from a fake email account I created. I knew no one would believe it if it were from my email and since CDR is our business liaison, I created a fake email krisjknutson@gmail.com. At first glance you would think it was her email, but I put the "J" in the middle for my name.

If you read the letter you will see it is signed by April F. Oools so it should be obvious.

I was approached today by one of the officers that said she had her boyfriend researching the bankruptcy. She was also telling the nurse about it at lunch. I will update you as I hear more, but so far it seems like a success!

INCREASED TUITION

I can't even imagine how much USC's tuition would be if they got these in the sim lab.

MY NEW RIDE

Sure it can take on anything in its path, but does it come in black?

IRAQI PRINCESS

When asked what she was going to do upon returning from her tour in Iraq, CDR said "I'm going to Disneyland!" It has been said that she makes her niece and nephew call her Princess Beautiful in return for gifts. You can imagine how she runs the clinic. This is one of many crowns she has in her wardrobe.

This photo was taken in front of the recently renovated clinic that was designed according to the CDR's specifications.

SURVIVING IN THE DESERT

Due to the harsh environment of Iraq we had some survival training on a new technique now being developed. The trials are still in animal testing, but the results look promising.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT...

Easter also brought our first day of 100 degree temps IN THE SHADE!

Only in Iraq can a Jesus made of BUTTER survive the temp. He Lives, but with High Cholesterol.

HAPPY EASTER

The chow hall with all the Easter decorations.

IS THERE A MARINE BIOLOGIST?

Never a dull moment in Iraq. Wednesday nights are SURF N TURF here in Iraq. A choice of a slab of meat, crab legs, or shrimp. As CDR and I were eating I noticed some Marines a few tables down that looked to be rough housing. It turned out that someone was choking and was receiving the Heimlich maneuver. I stood up and looked back to where our ER docs were sitting, but they had left already. By this time the thrusts were so intense that the pt was being lifted off the ground and puking all over the floor. It looked like he was getting the job done so I did not feel the need to ask if I could cut in. The pt was ok so I gave the rescuer a pat on the back and said good job.

It reminded me of a Seinfeld episode where the whale was choking on a golf ball Kramer hit into the ocean. George was pretending to be a Marine Biologist and was called upon th save the whale.

WHAT TO EXPECT...

Well, here is CDR working again. An earlier post you may notice her top was a few sizes too big. Her family asked her when she was due and said how exited Grandma was going to be. This pic is to show that she is not expecting. Sorry Grandma! Actually this pic makes her look about 10 weeks. JK I think I will have to change this caption once she reads it, so enjoy while it is up.

JOE

CDR's favorite pt.

MEDEVAC

COOL DOWN

After a nice game of volleyball we decided to cool off the tough guys.

RED SKY...

Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red Sky in morning, sailors take warning. Red sky all day, better start to pray!

TV

Yes, I have a TV. Since we have been in Fallujah for some years now there have been many before us. A lot of junk has accumulated, but some good stuff has also been passed down. Just about everyone has a tv in their room, some bigger than others. The Armed Forces Network consists of about 10 channels here. It is by no means HD, but we can't complain. The commercials are so bad they are funny. Shows air about a day later than in the states. Lost is on tonight at 2300 and is worth the wait.

The other night when our power went out CDR said "I can deal with no lights, concrete floors, and boarded up windows. When you take away my American Idol, then life is just unbearable."

TV night consists of covert operations. Some of these include Operation Alpha India, Sierra, and coming soon Delta Whiskey Tango Sierra. Anything to keep us entertained.

DAILY COMMUTE

I asked the people "what do you want to know about my life in Iraq?" Some of the responses were how far is your work, what's the food like, do you get your own shower? This is the first of the series of answers in which I will attempt to express my life here in Iraq.

Notice the sky in the video. There are no special fx here. The sky was orange most of the day. My favorite weather forecast, "blowing dust!"

FRONT SIGN

STP "Shock Trauma Platoon"

At night when the halls are quiet you get the sense that if they could talk they would tell the stories of courageous Marines that have served here.

CLEANING TIME

AMBULANCE @ NIGHT

DENTAL CLINIC @ NIGHT

An hour before this picture was taken, the wind was blowing hard and sand was everywhere. It got in your eyes if you weren’t wearing eye protection and you could feel the grit in your teeth. We even got some sprinkles. The power went out in our living quarters so I took the opportunity to get out and take some photos. To our surprise sky cleared up with only a slight breeze left. As I was taking pics there was a huge animal that ran by the dental clinic. It has been said that there are a pack of hyenas running around. I’ll keep an eye out.

FIGHT ON!

MY DOOR SIGN

TOUR OF THE CLINIC

A typical day in the clinic consists of field day before the patients arrive.

USO

I forgot to post this video.

All along the way the USO was there to support the troops. Even here at the airport at 0500 people were lined up to greet us with a hand shake and thanks for our service.

I know the audio is choppy. I will try to fix it later. It's bed time!

EXODONTICS

CDR Knutson hard at work. No pictures please!

TRAINING DAY

In an attempt to get the team caught up on basic skills that we may use while we are out here we have had a number of training days. Here are of few pics of them. This one is to package a patient to prepare them to be transported on the helicopter.

CDR places a C-collar on a pt suspected of a spinal injury. Luckily I watch ER so I'm already up to speed. JK

HM3 Palacios and HM3 Miller practice placing the C-collar.

WE MISS YOU SARAH???

So I got this letter from my niece and at first glance I read "We Miss You Sarah." I thought that postal employee Sandi mailed it to the wrong address. Then I realized that it was Sarah standing by the oak tree and that it WAS intended for me. Thanks Alyssa!