C077/K051
Feb 21-Apr 25, 1990
We remember how MEPS was
with the medical there. It was a long day, and we were examined pretty well.
Did we expect to be looked at all over again when we went to Orlando? I know I
was a little surprised.
First, Dental.
Off to dental, we all went one fine muggy Orlando morning. We were told no talking as we all stood in line to be checked out by a Navy Dentist. We all had the full mouth X-rays taken. That had a double purpose. First, check for dental issues. Second, in case the worst happened. They could be used to identify remains.
First, Dental.
Off to dental, we all went one fine muggy Orlando morning. We were told no talking as we all stood in line to be checked out by a Navy Dentist. We all had the full mouth X-rays taken. That had a double purpose. First, check for dental issues. Second, in case the worst happened. They could be used to identify remains.
Side not on that. When I
was in my accident I ended up in Germany at the Wiesbaden Air Force Hospital.
My records did find me there, a guy from my ship flew up with them for me. When
I was getting ready to fly back to the states, the Navy Liasion lady told me to
tell them I did not have my dental records. The Navy kept copies of those in
the states. The Airforce did not keep copies. Anyone flying on an Airforce
plane was not allowed to carry their dental records in case the worst happened.
I can say this a C-141 is not a comfortable flight. I know you wanted to know
all of that.
So, we also had to brush our teeth and chew the red tablet to see how good/bad we did. Also, at Dental, we had our teeth evaluated and were scheduled for dental work during work week as needed. We all were scheduled for cleanings. I feel lucky, I had wisdom teeth pulled, and fillings. But did not have the horror stories I have seen sine them. I had some Lt(jg) pull my wisdom teeth, he did not seem too knowledgable. But it was done. For my fillings, I had a different female Lt(jg) each time. The guy in the company agreed with me, they were rather nice looking too. I know, enlisted guys would not be talking about the cute Lt(jg) filling our teeth.
OK, medical. The biggest thing I remember there was the colorblindness test that we received. I did not realize some with colorblindness could pass the initial tests. But, the light test was not so easy to bluff your way through. I believe we had a few people get dropped from their classes because of color blindness. I think we also had to retake the hearing test.
On a separate day, we had to go for shots. I and the others older than 21 had to get a booster for one shot. Then we doffed our shirts and made an assembly line. I recall one gun in each arm and then smallpox.
We were told about smallpox when it started to scab up. Basically, do not touch it and try not to rub it when drying off. Guys in our company had a wide range of reactions to it. From very mild to really nasty looking. A couple would get the guck oozing through their shirts during the day. I believe they went o medical to get gauze to stop that. Sorry for this next part. One moron actually rubbed the guck in his eyes! Yeah, smooth move bone head. If it was the guy, I am thinking about he was kind of a slacker and overall idiot. I think he might have eventually been given a 2-week extension as well. But, medical cleaned his eyes up for him.
So, we also had to brush our teeth and chew the red tablet to see how good/bad we did. Also, at Dental, we had our teeth evaluated and were scheduled for dental work during work week as needed. We all were scheduled for cleanings. I feel lucky, I had wisdom teeth pulled, and fillings. But did not have the horror stories I have seen sine them. I had some Lt(jg) pull my wisdom teeth, he did not seem too knowledgable. But it was done. For my fillings, I had a different female Lt(jg) each time. The guy in the company agreed with me, they were rather nice looking too. I know, enlisted guys would not be talking about the cute Lt(jg) filling our teeth.
OK, medical. The biggest thing I remember there was the colorblindness test that we received. I did not realize some with colorblindness could pass the initial tests. But, the light test was not so easy to bluff your way through. I believe we had a few people get dropped from their classes because of color blindness. I think we also had to retake the hearing test.
On a separate day, we had to go for shots. I and the others older than 21 had to get a booster for one shot. Then we doffed our shirts and made an assembly line. I recall one gun in each arm and then smallpox.
We were told about smallpox when it started to scab up. Basically, do not touch it and try not to rub it when drying off. Guys in our company had a wide range of reactions to it. From very mild to really nasty looking. A couple would get the guck oozing through their shirts during the day. I believe they went o medical to get gauze to stop that. Sorry for this next part. One moron actually rubbed the guck in his eyes! Yeah, smooth move bone head. If it was the guy, I am thinking about he was kind of a slacker and overall idiot. I think he might have eventually been given a 2-week extension as well. But, medical cleaned his eyes up for him.
We possibly had another
round of shots, I vaguely remember two rounds. Some of us had more vision tests
and then a series of psych evals, that’s for another time.
One other medical-related
visit we had was BMI. Waist and neck measurement combined with weight gave the
BMI. I was always borderline because I have a smaller neck. One guy was a rail,
and he had a skinny neck. But, his BMI was over the limit. The CC was like WTF?
They did another check, and he was actually OK.
I know the term used for
those over BMI is not proper today, but it was the Fat Boy Club in our day.
Those members had to wear blue headbands during PT. As did the redheads, along
with those black guys who were positive for sickle cell trait.
One particular guy in our company SR Rider dropped a boatload of weight. He had to have all his uniforms redone because of it. On our second PI, he had to wear dungarees because all of his other uniforms were being tailored.
When the inspector got to him, he asked, “You on the fat guy program?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Damn good job, son.”
I recall Rider smiling at the inspector. Nothing was said then. He was reminded of his military bearing afterward.
One particular guy in our company SR Rider dropped a boatload of weight. He had to have all his uniforms redone because of it. On our second PI, he had to wear dungarees because all of his other uniforms were being tailored.
When the inspector got to him, he asked, “You on the fat guy program?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Damn good job, son.”
I recall Rider smiling at the inspector. Nothing was said then. He was reminded of his military bearing afterward.
No comments:
Post a Comment