Life is full of lemons and I'm sucking some big ones right now. I'm riding in the back seat- once again. I wished I knew what it is that I do that makes the big guys so irate. I seem to have the BIG target on my forehead all of the time. I was told to go to Kandahar to rest after a big event that happened on the base that I was visiting. My little boss from nowhere land would take my place while I was evaluated for the nut case that I am.
Let's back up for a minute...I handled myself well...check. I was given numerous atta boys....check. I even got a certificate that stated I did a good job...check. None of my people were injured or killed...check, check. So what is the problem? This, my friends and EMS pals, is the problem. Some desk sitting, boss licking, brown nosing medic decided that he missed out on some good ol' adrenalin rushing fun and I was in the trenches. He was sick of being the paperwork bitch and saw an opportunity to push aside a girl and see some "good stuff" himself. Plus his buddy gave him an excuse to get rid of me (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome), and away they went...Off to save the day... but first to get me outta the way. So away I go and in comes the ball droppers to save the day. WTH?
Stress debriefing is what I was to get- a medical term meaning crisis management. They do a series of checks within a week to make sure your cookies are intact. It goes like this:
Step 1; Defusing: You're given a lifeline in the form of a phone number. They also talk to you before "beddie bye time" to make sure you are ok... in my case this step was skipped.
Step 2; Debriefing; Within 72 hours- You're given a chance to rest and "talk out" your experience. If you need additional coping mechanism, they are suggested by a mental health professional. I spoke to a MH worker alright... as he stepped on my carcass as I was ordered back to the big house. Atlast he was seeing to the needs of the FOB, about time. I guess I'll rest when I get home because the big base is busy and short staffed as usual and my working skills were needed. So, this step was skipped too.
Step 3; Follow up. A check up following debriefing and it happens 7 days later....oh I guess I don't get this either since step 1 & 2 were skipped.
I have given no reason to think that my coping skills flew out my ears or that life is bleak due to a little drama. I get no rest and I've talked to all, even most of the staff, about my experience. I've never been better! What makes anyone, especially one that does not work the road (so to speak) or deal with patient's think they have the right to judge me. Actually, I think you must be a little nuts to purposely put yourself in a situation after the fact. What is there to clean up. It's done.
I read a statistic that in Detroit the murder rate is in the top 10. That means I am more likely to get killed at home than here. However, stabbings in the back can happen anywhere... Even here in the sandbox.
