Doc A
05-03-2007, 22:10
I would like to take the time to introduce myself. My name is Gayle Armstrong HM1 Retired. I started out my careear in the Navy as a Navy Musician believe it or not. After 12 years in the Navy Band, when advancement was pretty much locked up, I took a lateral conversion into the Hospital Corps program. I was a civilian Paramedic working off duty hours with a fire department so Corps School was something I felt right at home in.
After Corps school I was sent to beautiful Camp LeJeune and served with the BAS in 2/6 making HM1. Traveled to Japan, Panama, Beirut after the Barracks Bombing. Then became the BAS Chief at 3/10 again at Camp LeJeune. 3/10 is an Artillary Unit and while serving there I sustained a training accident causing permanent spinal damage. A medical board was started and with me having 18.5 years in the service I applied for an extension on active duty to complete a 20 year careear. The extension was granted but I was held in rate and with retirement I found out I did not have enough service in E7 land (due to the hold) therefore I had to retire as an HM1.
After retirement in 1988 started I tried to stay retired but within 3 months I had to get back to doing something. I applied to Nursing School and due to disability retirement I had to again undergo physical exams to prove I could do the duties as a Nurse. Finally got clearance from School and the State of Illinois and got into nursing school. Graduated in 1991 and have been working as a Nurse since then.
Currently I work as a Nurse at the North Chicago Veterans Hospital Emergency Room. I was working at Froedart Trauma Center in Milwaukee commuting from Waukegan daily until the VA and DOD merged in June of 2006. I came to the VA when they were looking for highly experienced ER nurses. Nice to be back serving the Navy again.
I am a biker and ride a Harley Davidson Springer dedicated to POW-MIA's everywhere with special paint job and custom engraved chrome for show. I also ride with the Patriot Guard Riders performing funeral escorts and greetings for returning warriors!
As a hobby I raise Labrador Retrievers although I fall in love with all the dogs and find it hard to sell or give them up. Current count is 23 dogs! All of which think they are lap dogs.
For those in the local area please feel free to stop in and say hello anytime you are at the VA for treatment, services, or lunch. I am currently on PM's but I rotate between AM's and PM's every 2 weeks. (Sounds like Navy Hospital Corpsman shifts to me).
Keep safe all of you. Those of us who have been there before will keep you in our prayers.
Gayle Armstrong RN, TNS (HM1 Retired)hd-vtwin@hotmail.com
After Corps school I was sent to beautiful Camp LeJeune and served with the BAS in 2/6 making HM1. Traveled to Japan, Panama, Beirut after the Barracks Bombing. Then became the BAS Chief at 3/10 again at Camp LeJeune. 3/10 is an Artillary Unit and while serving there I sustained a training accident causing permanent spinal damage. A medical board was started and with me having 18.5 years in the service I applied for an extension on active duty to complete a 20 year careear. The extension was granted but I was held in rate and with retirement I found out I did not have enough service in E7 land (due to the hold) therefore I had to retire as an HM1.
After retirement in 1988 started I tried to stay retired but within 3 months I had to get back to doing something. I applied to Nursing School and due to disability retirement I had to again undergo physical exams to prove I could do the duties as a Nurse. Finally got clearance from School and the State of Illinois and got into nursing school. Graduated in 1991 and have been working as a Nurse since then.
Currently I work as a Nurse at the North Chicago Veterans Hospital Emergency Room. I was working at Froedart Trauma Center in Milwaukee commuting from Waukegan daily until the VA and DOD merged in June of 2006. I came to the VA when they were looking for highly experienced ER nurses. Nice to be back serving the Navy again.
I am a biker and ride a Harley Davidson Springer dedicated to POW-MIA's everywhere with special paint job and custom engraved chrome for show. I also ride with the Patriot Guard Riders performing funeral escorts and greetings for returning warriors!
As a hobby I raise Labrador Retrievers although I fall in love with all the dogs and find it hard to sell or give them up. Current count is 23 dogs! All of which think they are lap dogs.
For those in the local area please feel free to stop in and say hello anytime you are at the VA for treatment, services, or lunch. I am currently on PM's but I rotate between AM's and PM's every 2 weeks. (Sounds like Navy Hospital Corpsman shifts to me).
Keep safe all of you. Those of us who have been there before will keep you in our prayers.
Gayle Armstrong RN, TNS (HM1 Retired)hd-vtwin@hotmail.com