A Soldier's Story part 2

Editor's Note: This is the second of a six-part series of first-hand accounts written by Sgt. Raymond Murray, a Norwich student on leave to serve as a medic in the U.S. Army in Kosovo. He will serve as a medic treating army personnel and Kosovo citizens for several months. Ray Murray is a Norwich communications major who also served last semester as the The Norwich Guidon sports editor.

This article is written from his first assignment at the 399th Combat Support Hospital in Tauton, Mass. preparing for service in Kosovo.

By Ray Murray
Norwich Guidon Correspondent

"Just thirty days left." That phrase was the first my unit heard from our command sergeant major as we began the last of our home station pre-deployment activities.

Currently the 399th Combat Support Hospital is on day 8 of a 10-day training exercise at Fort Devens, making sure each solider is ready both mentally and physically to handle the stress that Camp Bonsteel is sure to bring.

Camp Bonsteel covers 14 square miles, and from the briefs we have received things could definitely be worse. Sleeping quarters which previously were tents with plywood floors and cots have been replaced by sea huts that sleep six soldiers and have their own latrine. The compound has two chow halls which serve breakfast, lunch and dinner 24 hours a day; a gym that doubles as a movie theater; and there is a computer center where soldiers can check e-mail.

"Once you're on the compound you don't get out until it's time to fly home" sounded a lot worse when the compound wasn't so established.

This 10-day period is the last time the unit is going to be together in a working status until March 5, three days before we fly to Ft. Benning, Georgia. It amazes me to see just how many things can get accomplished in such a short span of time when you take into account an entire hospital is two days from being ready to start work both medically and tactically.

Much of the training we have experienced has been geared towards making sure all the primary care givers, the doctors, nurses and medics, are competent and certified to carry out their mission in Kosovo. Courses such as basic trauma life support, advanced cardiac life support, and pediatric life support have our primary focus.

These courses are mandatory for us because in Kosovo the hospital treats civilians daily who have suffered severe wounds resulting from contact with small arms and land mines.

The treatment of pediatric patients, children under the age of 16, is being stressed because they have become easy targets. Explosive play fields and toys, which kill and maim children, have become popular ways to break the morale of the people.

The training we have received from the classes so far gives, in conjunction with the real injuries the briefs and slides provide, has boosted my unit's determination to help as many victims as possible. Though all the unit's doctors and surgeons are used to dealing with these types of injuries, they stress that the worst injuries for caregivers to witness are those done intentionally to a child.

"I can't imagine what it's going to be like to see such crimes done intentionally to children," said anesthesiologist Col. Edward Cyr. "These docs are going to see a career's worth every week."

As soldiers, we must be qualified on the M-16 and 9mm.

As busy and hectic as things are, though, the best part of this training is the bond created between troops. Rob Murray, an original Norwich Charlie Company sophomore from Franklin Mass., and I can't help but relate this experience somewhat to the bond we formed with fellow students during rookdom at Norwich.

What we are being trained to experience in Kosovo has our entire unit, every soldier, officer and enlisted man, working with and for one another. As with rookdom, the beginning of our experience here was confusing and a bit scary. But as time has passed and everyone has gotten more comfortable with each other and the idea of living in Kosovo for 210 days, we are anxious to arrive in country.

Our next big event is being held on Feb. 11, and oddly enough it's called the unit's "Recognition Ceremony." It will be covered by the local and national media and will be attended by almost more dignitaries than soldiers. Six generals, various congressmen and senators from throughout the country, and the surgeon general will attend.

It's an elaborate way to thank the soldiers in training here, those who will be deploying as well as the soldiers who are staying in the rear as their support. I've quickly learned that the people going can't accomplish their mission without the people who work back at home station.

Never in my three years at Norwich did I think I'd spend "Ring Ceremony" day without being able to raise the customary glass of wine with my rook buddies and friends. And not being able to drink for seven months promises to make this experience difficult.

Next story will be from Ft. Benning and our test at Germany. Kosovo isn't far.

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