Purpose

We were contacted in early January by a corpsman from the 26th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Units consisting of nearly 2200 personnel). Apparently, they had deployed almost two months earlier than expect back in August leaving many of the Marines without their required eye protection or extra glasses. In the months that followed several had also lost or broken the set that they had. While floating in the middle of the ocean, this was not as big of a deal. But the 26th MEU was being tasked to go forward. These Marines needed to be able to see and to have their eyes protected in order to carry out their new mission.

With the help of their corpsmen, we were able to pull the majority of prescriptions out of their medical records to facilitate the ordering of their glasses and inserts. However, nearly 100 Marines did not have an exam or refraction in their record. For two and a half days we evaluated and refracted all of these Marines. We fabricated glasses for all but two (their prescriptions exceeded any lenses we had. Luckily both of them had a set of spectacles to get them by until their new ones arrived). In total, we ordered or fabricated 644 sets of spectacles and inserts.

I want to thank HM2 Cruz, our optometry tech, HM3 Hickey, our 0000 (a 0000 is a general corpsman), and IT3 Castaneda (IT is Information Technology), who made this evolution as smooth as possible. They did an outstanding job working up the patients and fabricating the glasses ensuring the patient left with their spectacle that same day (the Marines were located at a Camp about 2 hours away). It was truly an example of perfected teamwork working towards a common goal—making sure we were taking care of our Marines.

I also want to thank the NOSTRA team (NOSTRA is the fabrication lab for the Department of Defense). HM2 Cruz coordinated with CDR Andre to make our orders a priority. We began receiving completed orders less than a week after they were entered.

The Marines have already left for their next destination. And they left with their required eyewear in hand. It was an honor and a privilege serving the warfighters going to the pointiest tip of the spear.

R&R

I never thought I would be excited to do absolutely nothing. Generally speaking, I like to be active and have something to do. Boredom is not my friend. However, in the last day or two I have come to appreciate “nothing”.

I am on R&R (Rest and Recuperation), a four day pass given to those who have deployed for greater than 180 days (our deployment is around 235). Because I am not here a full year, I am not allowed to go home. Our only option for R&R is in Qatar.

Our journey began on Monday by going to another base to catch a flight to Qatar. The first flight out was on Tuesday which gave us about 24 hours to get through before the next leg of our trip. We are one of the last groups to go on R&R so we had heard many horror stories about the travel and how long it took to get places and all about the “hurry up and wait”. Although my type “A” personality would usually buy right into the annoyance of multiple delays, this time I was determined to make the most out of my down time.

I spent 24 hours playing on the computer, uploading pictures, reading a book, listening to music, watching a movie, and sleeping. It was glorious. I can’t remember the last time I have had the luxury of doing absolutely nothing of real importance. If I have any “extra” time, I fill it with completing records, doing laundry, working on collateral duties, and if I’m lucky, I might work in an escape to the wood shop.

Now I am a little more recharged and I’m ready to tackle Qatar and all it has to offer. I have no doubt R&R will accomplish what it is intended to do….provide rest and relaxation. ..and a little bit of nothing.