Thursday, March 31, 2011

Prep work...in San Diego

Howdy,
It's been its been a few years since I wrote. Haven't had much to talk about. 

There have been a few good patients I have had the pleasure to treat, but nothing to put into words. I figured I just bore you.  
Uncle Sam & the Navy's travel agency has got some plans in my near future. Rather than use mainstream social medial, I thought the experience would be better served as when I wrote about med school. Hopefully, when I'm in Afghanistan, it will be excessively dull time in my life. 

If you're interested in the coming emails & such, read on. I'll be transferring the emails & sending these out through my 'gmail' account:  jamesjowdy@gmail.com

At this time, I am officially 'deployed' in San Diego, finishing up 1 wk of processing, ie getting info & some gear/uniforms. On Sunday, I head to Camp Atterbury, Edinburgh, Indiana for Army training. Yep, Army. I think my Uncles & Dad would be a bit proud but I joined the Navy for ocean scenery. Didn't expect the Afghan desert, while wearing & working with/for the Army. Semper Gumby.

The position that I was billeted to is known as 'IA ~ individual augmentee'. The Navy has been assisting the Army with staffing many of the support staffing positions. At this time I'll be stationed at/with Provisional Reconstruction Team Farah. The info about the small FOB ~ forward operating base is surprisingly easy to find on google/wikipedia & such. The base has about 100 
people on it, a mix of Army, Navy, & Italian forces, is basically 100 miles from the Iran, western Afghanistan. Fortunately, the western side of the country hasn't been very busy. 
 
There are a slew (~50 or so) PRT's (provisional reconstruction teams) throughout the country. The PRT's (mostly engineering & medical) work with local & regional people of the country. We've assisted them with building schools, bridges, community buildings as well educating them on those issues as well. Their  infant mortality rate and death of children from 1-5 years of age is 3x's of what it is here in the US & 2x's of what it is in surrounding countries. Education & health care for woman is a big deal with improving the lives of the people.

In the future, when I can & per content, I'll attach some photos. They probably won't be much, but 'hey, I'm in the desert' & it looks like Arizona or New Mexico. 
 
That's all I got for now. Until I get to Indiana, take care. 
James