Letter to a Medic

Hey! I know we're all in strung out shape
but stay frosty and alert.
We can't afford to let one of those bastards in here
--Aliens (1986)

Life’s goin' nowhere. Somebody help me, yeah.
I’m stayin' alive.
--Stayin' Alive, The Bee Gees
___________________

A friend has asked for some advice for a young medic now preparing for his first overseas deploying to Afghanistan. Ranger will give some basic advice, but any medic readers are encouraged to offer their own specifics (that means you, too, FDC). He will be reading this.

In addition, friend/reader Deryle coincidentally offered the writings this week of Marc Levy, who served with D 1/7 Cavalry as an infantry medic in Vietnam and Cambodia in 1970. The piece, "The Medic at Rest", features a link at bottom to writings on his other experiences in Vietnam, so this may provide some more insight.

As an aging soldier, I can say there is one thing worse than getting killed in combat and that is not getting killed in combat. Whatever you do, do your utmost to perform to the best of your ability and training, because your actions or inaction will stay with you every day of your life.

Keep it clean, keep it simple. Follow your medical training and live by the oath, first do no harm. You may lose a few in your time, but those that make it have a lifetime ahead of them.

Focus on the wins and minimize your losses. Always focus on today and tomorrow and do not let the past drag you down. Stay frosty, medic.