Episode 7: Today's daily crisis, and "The Toughest Job in the Army"

Written by Team Jedi

Sunday, 30 November 2008 19:40

Fri, 2008-09-19 14:59 — Jedi

Episode 7:19 Sep 08

We had just entered the gate on the FOB after a long day of patrols in a bad sand storm. I was just finishing up clearing my weapons when CPT Wentworth came up to me quickly.

"Sir, Jeremy got his thumb caught in the Rhino (one of our IED protection systems). Doc's with him now and is taking him to the aid station. It doesn't look good."

By the time I got to the aid station to see how 1LT Jeremy Alaniz was doing, the on-duty medical soldiers had already given Jeremy something for the pain and started giving him stitches for the gash he now had. His thumb looked pretty bad. Of course, I did what any good Commanding Officer would do in this situation: I started telling jokes.

"You know, Jeremy, you can't get a Purple Heart by injuring yourself." (A small laugh from Jeremy.)

"When I said that girls dig scars, I didn't think you would take me so seriously." Jeremy is one of two single guys on the team. (A little more laughter.)

"Do you know how much paperwork you've just created for me?" I said, feigning disgust.

"I'm sorry, sir. I won't let it happen again."

"Well, you've got 10 months to come up with a good war story to match that scar."

1LT Jeremy Alaniz is our team administrative trainer for the Iraqis. Unlike most admin specialists, he spends a good portion of his time as the .50-cal. gunner on the lead MRAP on our patrols. This particular day, he was driving and SFC Connaughton was the gunner.

He was actually pretty fortunate. At the instant it happened, Jeremy thought he had sliced his thumb off when his grip on the heavy Rhino slipped and it slammed down on him. It was "only" a broken thumb. He'll be out for a few days and will have a soft cast/splint on it for a while, but otherwise he'll be fine.

Dealing with the daily crises over here is something I expect and prepare for. I can do things to prevent or correct issues as they come up. But having to sit back and not be able to do anything while crisis hits at home? That is very hard for me.

Last week, Hurricane Ike roared through the Galveston/Houston area, leaving devastation in its wake. Our home lies between those two cities, and it was excruciating to watch the eye of Hurricane Ike move slowly and steadily at full strength right over our town. I have a radar picture printed out and taped on my wall here of the category 2 hurricane eye directly over League City.

My wife had all her hurricane prep kits ready to go and evacuated with our two dogs to her parents in Sulphur Springs. There was a three-day period when we had no idea of the damage to our house. Turns out that the house withstood the full force of Ike with only minor damage — amazing.

Other guys on the team have had issues at home come up, too. It is so hard for us to not be able to help our families the way we could if we were home. There is a bumper sticker that is popular on Army installations: "Army Wife: Toughest Job in the Army." That is very true. As soldiers, we have layered support systems that enable us to do our job. The wives don't always get all the support that we do. To all the military spouses who take care of everything while we are gone: I thank you. You make our job over here that much easier to do.

By the way, I want to say "Happy Birthday to my wife, Joy." Her birthday is on the 20th. She looks like she is 29, the age she officially claims ...

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