popsie
09-26-2006, 04:26
I've been reading a lot of posts since finding this site. I just want to share something with you all. I served as corpsman from 74-79. ( it would of been longer, but I was young and in love with first wife and she didn't care being a military dependent) I digress. My greatest memories and best times were when I served at Camp Pendleton. I became very proud of my nec 8483/8404. When I became a civilian again it was a little culture shock again. Jobs were scarce and at the time military schooling wasn't really recognised. I had to go through civilian traing to become a EMT and later a paramedic. It was mainly review. I've been a paramedic for over 26 years. I still work the streets, never liked the manage side. During that time I'm glad I became a Navy Corpsman. What I learned and practiced helps me everday I work on the streets. The improvision of working with nothing andaccomplishing everything has set me apart from many medics. I still have a habit I never lost. All my garbage goes in the shirt. During a call my shirt becomes a storage locker for all sorts of stuff. On my winter jacket I display the fmf corpsman shield on my collar. I have met many marines that way and they recognized the shield immediately. They also seemed to be relieved that a navy corpsman was there for them again. I went air national guard in the late 80's and 90's . During that time when doing my 2 weeks and when I was activated for desert storm doing back fill. The air force medics knew from the git go. That I was not air force trained and after a few perfornancesin my duties. They always asked.You were a Navy Corpsman weren't you?I'd answer still am at heart. Since visiting this site I was reminded I'm not a formernavy corpsman. I still am one and that means an awful lot to me. I apologize for getting sappy. However, those who are there can relate and those who are starting out will eventually start feeling the same way. I just wanted to share some of my feeling with a group who I know will understand. I miss being called Doc . It means a lot when you hear it. The term term "Corpsmanup" still givesgoosebumps. Because I know when it's used. Somebodys life is on the line.A corpsmanwill always step up to the plate and do what has to be done. As a paramedic I have practiced that way and still believe in the corpsman oath I took in 1974.