I was a 902X0, Medical Services Specialist in the USAF, 1972-1976. I definitely remember Sheppard AFB and its icy winds, during February marches to and from the class room to the chow hall along an exposed flight line. Nothing like a north Texas ice storm to warm one's heart.
After tech school training, I PCS'd to Keesler AFB Biloxi MS for my entire tour of duty. I did a few months of OJT on a Neuro ward, and then assigned to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for the duration.
This first hand account of being a "902" brought back a lot of memories, laughter, and even some tears.
Though I pre-dated the author's dates of service, I have to admit, we "experienced" medics did pull a number of jokes on the "newbies" that came to our ICU, regardless of the rank of enlisted or officer. I definitely remember pulling the "urinalysis/apple juice" trick on an especially attractive 2nd Lt nurse her first week on the unit. What's interesting about this book is describing the liaisons that went on between officers and enlisted. That 2nd Lt and I became really good friends over our time in the unit, though when I went to the Officer's Club with her, I was recognized as a "buck sergeant" (E-4) and "kindly asked to leave." She eventually married a pilot, as we were also a flight training base.
As an ICU tech, I did my share of CPR, blood gases (ABG's) and 'tag-and-bagged' several deceased patients. I recall vividly the patient's relatives visiting post-mortem and often had to remove tubes and clean the bodies, to make them look less ...or more human. That brought the tears. One sad note about working ICU for 2+ years is I got emotionally numb to the patients, even while delivering care. It was a defense mechanism. But, it worked to keep one's head in a crisis. I was good at my job because of it.
I grew up a military brat, and skin color wasn't something we as dependents used to define someone's character. This is one facet of the author's account, and I really appreciate that. The chapter about a mixed race married AF couple being assigned to Alaska rather than the Deep South is spot on. Sadly there were places in Mississippi I wouldn't take a date because of the color of her skin. On base was fine. Off base, it was an invitation to harassment and violence. Thank you Mr. Ives for bringing that forward.
A really good read. A lot in the USAF has changed since I served, but in reading these stories, much remains the same.
Highly recommended.
OR
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