Day 26: Combat Life Saver

My mind has been turning with excitement as I am only a few hours away from being reunited with Gemma, Max, and Maya! All the anticipation has made it a little more difficult to focus on my training, but I have continued to press on. The last few days have been spent on the Combat Life Saver Course or CLS. Most of the stuff I have learned is similar to topics I've learned in residency with the exception of learning how to use cool gadgets like high-speed tourniquets, Chitosan dressings, Quik Clot, and tension pneumothorax "darts". As a physician most people on my team assume that I am an "expert" in all this battlefield medic stuff...truth be told...not even close!

Chief Ciaponni aka Doc's Pin Cushion
Third Time's the Charm

Today was extra special as we had to start IVs on each other and everyone on my team wanted me to place their IV as I was the team "expert". It only took me 3 sticks to get my IV in...not bad for an MD. In my defense, those veins were very deep and I didn't have time for a rotation in IV placement.

My First IV!

Being on the receiving end of an IV was a nail-biter. I was victim to my team leader, Air Force Colonel Dickerson who has no medical experience whatsoever. On top of that he had just passed out while having his IV placed just 30 minutes before getting geared up to place mine. I couldn't wait to be stabbed in the arm with a large bore IV by a post-syncopal, diaphoretic, non-medical type. Good news...I didn't pass out.

Good Job Colonel!

Day 25: My Little Sparrow

Only one more day before I get to enjoy a 4 day weekend in California with the family. Today was a routine training day until I received several missed calls on my cell phone from Gemma with the news that Maya Lourdes Miranda Mercado has arrived! She was born August 28th, 2008 at 12:08 PM. She weighs 6 pounds 4 ounces and is 18.5 inches long. 10 fingers and 10 toes. Both she and Gemma are doing very well...Gemma only pushed for 3 sets before it was all over!! Daddy can't wait to meet his little girl.

For those of you who haven't read our family blog, Onto the Water...Maya comes from the Tagalog word for "sparrow" which is mentioned in the gospel book of Matthew as a reminder of God's concern over us. It is only fitting that during this upcoming year her name will be a constant reminder of God's unfailing care and love for us.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31 NASB

Day 23: Road Warrior

The last couple of days were dedicated to learning how to handle a High-Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle aka a "HUMVEE". We were taken through a crash course (no pun intended) in maintenance, safety, towing, driving, and...the handling of rollovers. Yes...rollovers. Rather than describing my experience just check out the video below.

Disclosure - This is not me getting out of the H.E.A.T trainer as my experience was a bit more embarrassing.

If you can't stand the "H.E.A.T" then get out of the Humvee!! Above is H.E.A.T or HMMWV (or "Humvee") Egress Assistance Trainer. I apologize for the acronyms, but please do keep up:) This excellent training simulator gives everyone a first hand experience of what a rollover will be like, and how to escape with your feet dangling in the air! This is important as the Humvee weighs thousands of pounds due to their armor, therefore any sudden turns can easily lead to a truly upside-down experience. Most of us treated this like a ride at Magic Mountain.

The other portion of our training was driving these badboys! I had never driven a Humvee until today and man are they fun (as long as gas is covered). We took these vehicles on a driving course which included four-wheeling on bumpy dirt roads and weaving between various obstacles such as trees, ditches, and crashed vehicles (oops, there goes the side mirror). Thank goodness we didn't have to practice our rollover escape skills.

Day 21: Godspeed

Life has brought to me a variety of adversities...adolescence, college, medical school, residency, and now military deployments. But through adversity have I found lifelong friends. One such a friend is Justin Jones. Together we endured residency, and now we are deploying to Afghanistan in service to our country. He departed for the Middle East early this morning, and I will be following him in about 2 months. I was fortunate to spend some time with him before his departure here on Fort Riley.

Always known for his quiet efficiency and calm demeanor Justin embodies the qualities of a caring, competent, and patient physician. I would be remiss if I didn't express my appreciation for the many times we crashed his place for American Idol nights...thanks man! But, it is his unwavering dedication to his family that I admire the most. I know that he will serve his country and the people of Afghanistan well.

"Fair Winds and Following Seas" my brother and Godspeed!

"The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you." Numbers 6:24,25 NKJV

Day 20: Sabbath In Kansas

Today I was able to break away from training to attend church services today. As a Seventh-Day Adventist Christian, I believe that the Sabbath is a day that the Lord has set aside for physical rest, spiritual renewal, and time to experience the peace that comes from being a creation of God. On military facilities, a Saturday church service is virtually non-existent...fortunately I was able to find a church in nearby Manhattan, Kansas which is about 6 miles east of Fort Riley. I was blessed with a warm congregation, a meaningful sermon, and a great potluck! In sabbath school we discussed the joy that comes out of Christ's sacrifice for us, and the power that then enables us to live godly lives. The pastor preached on the necessity of ministry as a springboard for spiritual growth.

During the sermon I was immediately taken back to this past year recalling all of the wonderful ministry opportunities that the Lord had opened up to me while we were on Guam. Whether it was having energetic youth over for bible study, singing at church, praying with a patient, or spending time with Gemma and Maxwell...each one of these forms of ministry allowed me to experience an increased closeness in my relationship with Christ. My prayer for today is that we all continue to seek out ways in which we can be a minister for Christ...trust me, the "toil" is well worth it!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain." I Corinthians 15:58 NASB

Day 19: Armor

What would the military be without physical training or "PT"? In the military, team "PT" is an excellent activity that fosters team building, discipline, accountability not to mention good heart health. During my pre-deployment adventures my "PT" has consisted of leisure jogs, basketball, weight lifting...but today...my team decided to take a group walk in our body armor. I guess it was only a matter of time before I would have to unpack my newly issued body armor and actually put it on... all 35 pounds of it!! Lucky for me I survived that walk in one piece...hmmm... maybe I'll try jogging in them next week. hahahahaha!!

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand
against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11 NKJV

Day 17: Counterinsurgency

The global war on terrorism has been a learning experience for our country, especially for the military. We, as a global superpower, have always flexed our military muscle in response to atrocities that threaten our freedom as Americans, and for the most part we have always emerged victorious. Our approach to the war on terrorism today has focused less on showing off American firepower (missiles, bombs, planes, tanks, etc...) and shifted to the use of combat advisor teams whose goal is to be experts in the theory and practice of counterinsurgency (sorry...big military word). Here are some guiding principles that were discussed in class today...

1. Legitimacy is the Main Objective - we must ensure that the people view the Afghan central government as an organization that is there to preserve and protect the rights of the people. As US military forces training the Afghan national army and police forces...we are representatives of the central government.

2. Unity of Effort - the different countries and organizations involved (NATO countries, various military branches, and the Afghan government) need to continue to work towards the same goal.

3. Intelligence Drives Operations - "Intel" or information regarding the operative environment (which is obtained from the people) allows an advisor team to be more effective. The gathering of valuable "intel" relies on the strength of the relationship with the people we be training and the local people we will be serving.

4. Long Term Commitment - our goal as military advisors is not only to merely train Afghan police, military members, and medical personnel, but to also establish a commitment to a safe and free Afghanistan.

5. Empathy Leads to Competency - by placing ourselves in the shoes of our counterparts, taking the time to learn about their prior experiences, and building trust and rapport...that will lead to a highly motivated and competent team.

6. You Will Never Win...Nor Should You - in other words, I am not there to gain a victory for me or the United States...the victory is for the Afghan people. We are NOT there to take credit for anything...humility will be our most powerful weapon.

Don't these principles sound familiar? As Christians, is not our first goal to legitimize the government of Christ through the example of his character in us? Are we not bound to a great commission that empowers us to take His gospel to the ends of the Earth? Have we not the Word of God, the Bible, as the ultimate source of "intel" regarding the treasures of the kingdom of God? Are we not called to a fully surrendered commitment to His will? Are we not called to a life of service that is motivated by a love for others which will in turn lead to an increase of His kingdom? Are the things that we accomplish in this lifetime a reflection of our own effort or the efforts of Christ in us?

I pray that we all remember the "insurgency" that is clamoring for new recruits in our world today. Satan is using every weapon, every resource, every evil tactic to win souls to his side. May we all be experts in being "counterinsurgents" for Christ!

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1,2 NKJV

Day 16: Culture Shock

Yesterday, I was asked to participate in a "meeting" with an Afghan "commander" and his "deputy" for the first time along with my Dari interpreter. We exchanged greetings, talked about family, had some Chai, and used the meeting to get to know each other. The biggest lesson I had learned was to appreciate the value of patience...to just chill! Getting right down to business (as we high-strung Americans are so accustomed to) would have offended them! I thought the role-playing was a great tool...took me back to those wonderful med school OSCEs.

Today, my team had the opportunity to partake in Afghan cuisine prepared by our Dari language and cultural instructors. It was a wonderful time of fellowship...talking about Afghan culture, Islam, Afghan food, as well as their life experiences living in Afghanistan. Good times!

The menu included Salata (very similar to pico de gallo), Naan (flat bread), Qabli Pulao (seasoned rice with veggies and raisins), and Korma.

Where's the Silverware?

Day 15: Back To School

Salaam! Today seemed all too familiar to me...sitting in a lecture room, highlighter in hand, and slowly finding myself fighting to stay awake during lecture. The material wasn't painful physiology or pharmacology lectures, but rather an introduction to Afghanistan culture, politics, geography, history, and the Dari language. Also, we learned how 9/11 and our reaction (militarily) to that tragic day affected our relations with Afghanistan. One of the most interesting things learned was how to appropriately greet Afghans...here are some pearls.

1. you do NOT initiate a greeting with the opposite gender

2. when meeting for the first time you shake hands then put your hand on your heart. It is not uncommon for an Afghan to continue to hold your hand while talking to you.

3. when greeting an acquaintance you would touch cheek to cheek one time.

4. when greeting an acquaintance that you have not seen for a while you touch cheek to cheek 3 times...you definitely have to be comfortable with your masculinity for this!

Well, it's time to hit the books some more... I have some reading assignments and a homework project due on Wednesday!

Day 13: Hail to the Chiefs

The Big Chiefs

Among the enlisted ranks, the most significant promotion in one's career is from petty officer first class (E-6) to chief petty officer (E-7) or "chief". Becoming a chief has it's privileges as now they are entitled to better living quarters on a ship, private dining areas (the chief's mess), khaki dress uniforms (similar to commissioned officers), and more administrative responsibilities. They represent an elite group of enlisted sailors who have reached the pinnacle of their naval career. They lead by example and expect only the strongest sense of integrity and accountability from their young sailors. In a nutshell, chief petty officers are HARD CORE! Just look at the picture above.

I found Chief Fickens to be very friendly and approachable which is often atypical for chiefs. As I was walking by his bed I noticed he had a Bible. We began to chat about the Bible and shared verses that have been strengthening us through this pre-deployment experience. He told me his was Psalms 91 and I shared with him Isaiah 43:1-3 and Ephesians 3:20. Although it was only a few minutes I was quickly reminded at the opportunities that the Lord can give us to share his Word with others...even chiefs.

Chief Fickens

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
--Isaiah 55:11 KJV

Day 12: WAR

as Edwin Starr puts it in his classic soul hit..."What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!". Nobody desires war, but it is a painful reality that war remains in our world today. Afghanistan is a country that has been ravaged by war resulting in a quality of life that has been wounded by poverty, crime, substandard health care, substandard living conditions, and the list goes on. As many of you know my duties in Afghanistan involve being part of an "ETT" or Embedded Training Team. The general purpose of an ETT is to aid in rebuilding the infrastructure of the country with a focus on advising and mentoring the Afghan people (security forces, doctors, supply managers, etc...). ETTs come in a variety of "flavors" to include medical, logistics (store keeping, supply, warehouses), security/patrol, public health just to name a few. We are all working together in hopes of something better for this struggling country.
Please pray for the nation of Afghanistan, and for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and civilian volunteers who continue to put their lives in harms way in the name of freedom.

Day 11: Relocation

A panoramic view of Custer Hill

A panoramic view of an impending hernia

To recap, the last 6 days were spent at an area of Fort Riley called Custer Hill as it is conveniently located near the warehouses which facilitate the distribution of our equipment (lots of it) required for training/deployment. After a long day of packing and lifting and unpacking...I am now on location at my new training command at Camp Funston, 2nd Battallion, 34th Armor which is a 20 minute bus ride from Custer Hill. This is where my training will take place...stay tuned!

I have noticed that my accommodations have gradually taken a turn for the worst...remember Gulfport which had free wireless Internet, private rooms, kitchen and cable TV. Then on to Custer Hill which no longer had TV or wireless Internet, but at least I had privacy. Well now I get to enjoy this...

Day 10: The Sailor's Creed

So far things have been straightforward. We get stuff followed by more stuff followed by..well...more stuff. Today, we received team supplies to include office supplies, laptop computers, printers, and even a device called a "phrasalator" (you speak into it and it will translate what you say into a foreign language - pretty cool). Being out here in "Army country" it can be a bit intimidating for us Navy folks. In order to encourage our young sailors we decided to recite the Sailor's Creed in formation this morning as a reminder of why we are all here (see picture above).

I am a United States Sailor,

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America

and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me,

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy

and those who have gone before me to defend

freedom and democracy around the world,

I proudly serve my Navy's combat team with

Honor, Courage, and Commitment,

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

Day 9: Weight Gain

Here we go again. Today involved the accumulation of more gear which translates into...HEAVY! We went to an area of the base called RFI or the Rapid Fielding Initiative, but it actually felt more like shopping at REI!! I received everything from a ruck sack (a large hiking back pack), sleeping gear, camel back, cold weather gear, extreme cold weather gear, a parka, thermal wear, ballistic eye wear, pocket knife, first aid kit, and helmet. It feels like I am going on a hard core camping trip. The stress of this whole experience comes after staring at now 2 stuffed sea bags, my ruck sack, my personal duffel bag, and computer bag...time to hit the gym or grow another pair of arms.

RFI or REI?

Sailor to Soldier: The Evolution Continues

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." II Corinthians 4:17 NKJV

Day 8: Go Narmy?

Well here is the unveiling of my brand new "ACUs" or Army Combat Uniform. We are only the second group of Navy sailors to be indoctrinated into the Army's version of battle dress attire. They are actually very comfortable, but the boots need some breaking in. Lucky for me my feet remain blister-free! You will also notice a large duffel bag which we Navy folks refer to as a "sea bag"...this is bag #1 of 3. Don't be fooled by the smile on my face...that bag is holding well over a hundred pounds of gear to include body armor, canteens, jackets, coveralls, sleeping mats, rain gear, and much more. I'm still trying to figure out how I am going to haul this stuff around. Just pray for me that my knees don't give out.

Day 7: Fort Riley

I am now enjoying my new home for the next few months here in beautiful Fort Riley, Kansas. Since arriving yesterday I have enjoyed a tremendous amount of down time. My activities have included TV, reading, shopping at the "Exchange" (kinda like a military Wal-Mart or Target), jogging, lifting weights, blogging, taking pictures...things I never have time to do. I even had time to enjoy a couple games of bowling. Training begins tomorrow and I am sure it will lend itself to some blog-worthy experiences...

Above is a picture of an Iraqi tank that was confiscated during Desert Storm as a memorial to those who have sacrificed their lives during conflicts in the Middle East. Hoorah!

Day 5: Battle Dress Uniform

...well sort of. If you notice my lovely picture below you will see that I am partially dressed. Too bad you can't see my combat boots! Today, I had this urge to parade some of the military gear that I've received so far in hopes of entertaining myself...which in turn allowed me to think of this brief thought.


Question...

What makes someone a true soldier? Is it the weapon, the uniform, the haircut, the colorful ribbons...?

My friends, it is one's sense of MISSION.

I immediately thought of the words of Paul, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 2 Timothy 2:3,4

Ephesians 6:12,13 reveals a spiritual battle which we are all a part of, and it goes on to list the "battle dress uniform"which is critical for victory. I think we all know whose side we want to be on...the real question is, "Are we ready to demonstrate full commitment to the mission?"

FYI...tomorrow I head off to Fort Riley, Kansas to begin my next phase of training. Keep me in prayer.

Day 4: The Gas We Pass

Yesterday, I was fitted for a gas mask, and I was quickly reminded that my job will be dangerous...from bullets to bombs to chemical/biological warfare. In order to stay positive I needed to think of something funny, and the first thing that came to my mind was a book that Gemma gave me while we were dating entitled, The Gas We Pass. Without going into too much detail it is actually a humorous yet educational children's book on flatulence. Why she bought me the book is beyond the scope of this blog entry. Just the many creative ways that I will be using to stay positive.

I also considered the attitude of Job, "If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and wear a smile." -- Job 9:27

Day 3: The Big Easy

Today was a rather easy day which consisted of primarily free time so a couple of my shipmates and I decided to celebrate our "easy" day with a trip to the "Big Easy", the city of New Orleans. Known for Mardi Gras, jazz, seafood, pralines, and these cool little french doughnuts called beignets (pronounced Bin-Yay) New Orleans is all about food and entertainment with emphasis on my favorite pasttime...food.

Bourbon Street

Good Eats!

We started out with an quick walk through Bourbon Street (home of Mardi Gras) and then made our way to the famous Cafe Du Monde to sample their world famous delicate French doughnut, the beignet. The beignet is a pastry made from deep-fried dough which is covered in confectioner's sugar...nothing beats fried sugar-coated goodness!

Here are few more highlights from our sightseeing...

Jackson Square

Posing with Jazz Legends

Lunch at Deanie's

Day 2: What, Me Worry?

Sitting yet again through another painful flogging by PowerPoint, I had no choice but to start taking notes just to stay awake! The most notable presentation was given by the Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) on the topic of stress.

Here are some sobering statistics...

Approximately 60% of active duty service members' marriages end up in divorce. Research has shown that multiple deployments increases the risk of divorce.

1 in 5 deployed service members will have signs/symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The 2nd leading cause of death in the US Navy is suicide.

There is no doubt that being in the military is STRESSFUL, but often times the stress can be addressed if one is willing to admit that he/she is in need of help. One of the coolest things about Christianity is our faith in a God who is truly looking out for us, who knows our needs, and will meet them if we admit our need for Him. I am reminded of His provision through my experience with the FFSC on Guam, and how helpful the counselors were in taking Gemma and I through the process of preparing us for deployment...by the way...not an easy thing.


In Jeremiah 29:11 it says that He has "...thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." King David in Psalms 62 prays to God saying, "...when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." If you are ever stressed out take the time to reflect on just how God has taken you through life...you just might find a few things to be thankful for!

Day 1: The Seabees

Fighting Seabee Statue

I can't seem to find inspiration in a day that was full of powerpoint briefings and paperwork. The most interesting part of my day was to observe the unique training of young enlisted sailors that takes place on this particular Naval facility. I haven't returned so many salutes in one day! Although Naval Station Gulfport functions as an in-processing point for deploying sailors, its primary role is to train the "Seabees" which are the construction battalions of the United States Navy. Dating back to World War II, the Seabees have built roads, airstrips, bases, and completed many other construction projects in various military settings from World War II to their current support of GWOT (the Global War on Terror). The battalions consist of sailors who are skilled builders, electricians, machinery mechanics, steel workers, and engineers. Their official motto is "Construimus, Batuimus", which is translated "We build, we fight!" By the way, did you know Al Borland, Tim "the tool man" Taylor's assistant on Tool Time is portrayed as a former Seabee (Wikipedia is so cool)?

A New Chapter

A patriotic farewell at San Francisco Airport

Today marks the beginning of yet more Mercado family adventures. Unfortunately, for most of the next 454 DAYS, these adventures will be spent apart. Saying goodbye is never an easy thing. These last 2 weeks were spent doing some of my most favorite things: pooltime with Max, shopping (yeah I admit it...), basketball, visiting with family, date nights with Gemma, and making storytime videos with Max...but the pain of seperation still lingers. Actually, I am in a bit of an emotional hodgepodge with Baby Girl Mercado on the way (she is due September 7th!)...there is this sadness of seperation mixed in with feelings of excitement, anticipation, fear, joy all topped off with a sense of peace knowing that my family is in the hand of God. Although e-mail, web cams, WIFI internet connections, and cell phones may bring some relief, there is no greater solace than knowing that I have been brought here to fulfill a higher purpose that I can't wait to discover.

I love you Max!

I have safely arrived to my first destination which is Gulfport, Mississippi, and I must say that the accomodations are excellent! My room is equipped with great amenities including wireless internet, cable TV, refrigerator, DVD player, and a kitchenette. As I am writing this blog I am enjoying an episode of Iron Chef America where the "secret ingredient" is curry, man I'm hungry...sorry, tangent. I think it's time for bed.

Breath mints on my pillow, I feel so special!