March

Fleet Marine Force A brief look at the training necessary, for Officers and Enlisted, to earn the coveted “FMF” pin.

Who are the Dental Detachment?You may ask, “Why is there a Dental Detachment with a Surgical Company?” Meet the Sailors who comprise this specialized group, and how they are integrated into our mission.

Counter IED TrainingA quick look into the training required of Bravo Surgical Company shortly after we arrived in theater. From “Kevlars” to “Flaks”, your guide to our lingo.

Bravo Surgical Company

FROM THE FRONT A F G H A N I S T A N

FROM THE FRONT: AFGHANISTANMarch 2010, Volume 1 On The Cover:

Sailors and Marines of Bravo Surgical Company, 1st Medical Battalion aboard a C17 Globemaster aircraft enroute to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

FROM THE COMMAND DECKThoughts in words from the Command Element.

Commanding Officer’s Desk

Dear family and friends, back in the States

and around the world. It seems as if we have

been gone far longer than we actually have.

However, three months away from you has

proved challenging and has found many of us

reflecting on the wonderful lives we live back

home, and missing the supporting loved ones

we left behind.

Our days here in Camp Leatherneck, and in

other surrounding forward operating bases,

have aloud us to prepare for the challenging

mission that lies before us. On 19 March, we

took a company photograph and began the

process of moving our operations forward to

meet our mission to provide world class trauma

care to coalition forces engaged in operations

around Helmand Province.

The Bravo Surgical Company team is filled

with motivated and extremely talented health

care professionals and marines. You should be

proud of your loved ones and what they have

volunteered to do here in Afghanistan. Each

member of Bravo Surgical Company has taken

an oath to support and defend and perform

missions that are often above self and for a

greater cause. We know the sacrifices and we

accept them. With the continued support from

you back home, we are energized to represent

you and our country by serving the many

medical needs of our patrons here in

Afghanistan. It is an honor and a privilege to

serve as the Commanding Officer of this

outstanding Surgical Company. Thank you for

sharing your loved ones with us as we serve our

country with honor, courage and commitment.

Sincerely,

Commander Jay Woelkers, MSC, USN

Senior Enlisted Leader

  We came together as a team on

January 11, 2010, and quickly form into a family.

Now we are together in Afghanistan and we

could not have wish for a better family. Every

person brings a special talent with them and as

we start to push to our different missions, please

In the Helmand Province

a sunset can lend a hint of beauty to an

otherwise bleak landscape.

Command Deck OfficersExecutive Officer, Lieutenant Jared Taylor, MSC, USN (left) and Commanding Officer, Commander Gerard Woelkers, MSC, USN (right).

Newsletter of Bravo Surgical Company, 1st Medical BattalionOFFICIA

L

know they will not be alone. We hope you

enjoy this first of many newsletters and god

bless all the family members of the service

members of Bravo Surgical Company.

HMC(FMF) Jonathan RyanSenior Enlisted Leader, Bravo Surgical Co

Fleet Marine Force Officer Warfare Device Qualification Program.

Bravo company officers are keeping

busy working on their Fleet Marine Force (FMF)

qualification. Currently, twenty-five officers are

attending classes and working in the field to

earn their FMF pins.

Several aspects relating to a variety of Marine Corps operations are presented, observed, and tested. Since we’ve arrived, we have covered topics such as history, structure, organization, communications, logistics, amphibious operations, and weapons with several more planned.

Physical field exercises include a trip to the confidence (gas) chamber, Marine Corps physical fitness test, 6 mile field hump with fifty pound packs, and Beretta M9 pistol qualification. Each section includes several hands on exercises to fully understand how the Marine Corps operates.

The qualification culminates with an oral board exam to fully test each candidates understanding of the Marine Corps. This prestigious device can be worn on Marine as well as Navy uniforms and is highly respected by the Marines whom we work with. It displays dedication to the Marine Corps and numerous hours of mental and physical preparation are spent earning the device.

LT Broc Mushet, DC, USN

Newsletter Staff CDR Gerard Woelkers, MSC, USN

Commanding Officer

LT Jared Taylor, MSC, USNExecutive Officer

CAPT H.R. Bohman, MC, USNChief of Professional Services

HMC(FMF) Jonathan Ryan, USNSenior Enlisted Leader

LTJG Jon Hamrick, NC, USNEditor In Chief

QUICK SHOTS

FMF Officer device as worn on USMC Desert

Cammies

Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Device Qualification Program.

EFMFWS, this stands for Enlisted

Fleet Marine Force Warfare Specialist. This

device is attained while permanently (or while

deployed) with a USMC unit. The wear of this

device signifies that many long hours were

spent learning and testing on different aspects

of Marine Corps knowledge.

Each individual must pass the Marine Corps physical fitness test (PFT), Marine Corps history, organization, combat and security fundamentals, weapons, aircraft, land navigation, and countless other categories deemed important to the Marine Corps.

Each type of Marine Corps unit has unique aspects to learn, for example: Division for ground combat element (GCE), Wing for air combat element (ACE), Logistics for logistics combat element (LCE). Bravo Surgical Company falls under the 1st Marine Logistics Group (MLG), which is part of the LCE.

The LCE by definition provides: “essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks within the MLG that sustains all elements of operating forces in theater of all levels of war on the battlefield.”

Classes are convened for an hour or more depending on the topic covered. Bravo Surgical Company has 25 individuals currently seeking this prestigious qualification.

HM1(FMF) Socrates Ibanez

Not just a “Surgical” Company, the Dental Detachment is fully integrated and ready to support.

Among those that deployed with

Bravo Surgical Company is a small dental

detachment consisting of two dentists, four

dental technicians, and biomedical repair

technician.

This small group is dedicated to

providing a spectrum of oral health care to our

deployed war-fighters. During their down time,

they keep themselves mentally and physically

charged by engaging in frequent training

activities and a daily exercise routine.

Realizing the need for recreational

activities, members of the dental detachment

often use the MWR tent for calls and emails to

friends and family. Computers are a big element

to the morale of the sailors and both, the

enlisted and officers, enjoy playing games,

watching movies and listening to music on their

computers.

It isn’t all fun and games, mandatory

training includes: weapons familiarization (BZO)

shoots, improvised explosive device (IED)

classes, and convoy operation training.

Dental training is also required as

there are many differences between field

dentistry and the well-known office at home.

Triage, radiology, and surgery all change when

working in a field environment. Although our

clinic is not up and running yet, everyone is

looking forward to the challenges and unique

experiences to be provided by our new

environment and diverse patient population. We

are expecting to provide care to all service-

members, DOD civilians, as well as humanitarian

operations.

Taking it all in stride, the dental

detachment maintains great morale through unit

cohesion. Where there is one member of the

team, there are surely others nearby.

HM1(FMF) Jerry Hughes

QUICK SHOTS

Bravo Dental

Detachment

Bravo Surgical Company, Dental Detachment (left to right): HN Joesph Humber, HM3(FMF) Jeffery Baughn, HM3 Argentie Raizon, LT Broc Mushet, LT Darien Lazaro, HM3 Adrianlyle Ibarra, and HM1(FMF) Jerry Hughes.

“Prepped” for Greatness.An essential component for any

deployment is being mentally ready, with skills

learned through continuous training. Being part

of a Forward Resuscitative Surgical System

(FRSS) or a Shock Trauma Platoon (STP) it is

important that we not only know specific duties

pertinent to our job, but the duties of everyone

within the FRSS and STP. The idea is one mind,

one mission, to save lives.

The need for continuous training was

summed up by LCDR(SEL) Jon Schoeff, MC,

USN, “It’s crucial for the Corpsman to be

exposed to a surgeon’s thought process, and be

encouraged to start thinking along those lines,

because the Corpsman serves as our first line of

defense, and may be the initial member of the

medical team to evaluate the patient.”

Training currently being conducted at

Camp Leatherneck includes: basic airway

management, primary and secondary survey,

steps to a thoracotomy, Mobile Trauma Bay

(MTB) equipment familiarization, STP-FRSS

setup equipment familiarization, and of course

Limited Technical Inspection (LTI). It is

imperative that the Corpsmen begin to think and

rationalize like their physicians and surgeons so

that the medical treatment process is quick and

efficient.

Along with our medical skills training,

classes are being conducted to improve our war

fighting abilities through Improvised Explosive

Devices (IED) Lane training, which encompasses

a four class emphasizing on how to spot, search

and report IEDs. Furthermore, we also

completed a marksmanship and weapon

familiarization with the standard military issued

M9 as well with the M4 rifle. Lastly, lectures are

given to assist in those wishing to earn the

Officer or Enlisted Fleet Marine Force Warfare

Specialist Device (FMF).

HM2 Beatriz Salinas

HM2 Jemel Thomas

QUICK SHOTS

FRSS Teams

Bravo Surgical Company, FRSS Teams (left to right): LT Jared Taylor, CDR Theodore Pratt, LCDR Russell Saari, HMC(FMF) Jonathan Ryan, LCDR Bill Krissoff, HM2(FMF) Andrea Boyse, HM1(SW/AW) Donald Highley, HM1(FMF/SW) Sabrina Russell, LTJG Jonathan Hamrick, HM1(FMF) Trinidad Alvarenga, LTJG Matthew Moore, LCDR Shawn Harris, HM2 Beatriz Salinas, HM2 Derrick Magee, LCDR Patrick Mullins, LCDR Bradley Bunten, HM2 Jemel Thomas, LCDR(SEL) Jonathan Schoeff, HM2 Michael Martinez, CDR Gerard Woelkers, and CAPT H.R. Bohman.

There are no wizards behind the curtain.

For those that are not aware, CST stands

for Combat Stress Team. We combat the mind,

body and spirit from concussions to nightmarish

dreams. We specialize in providing multiple

levels of care ranging from the sleep deprived to

the mental challenges of the battle scarred

mind. Some battles cannot be won overnight,

therefore, similar to a compound fracture, all

healing requires time. Composed of three

mental health providers and three Hospital

Corpsman psych techs, CST encompasses

individuals from all services ranging from E-1 to

O-5. In the past there have been major

misconceptions with mental health, now most of

those thoughts have become shadowed

remnants.

Our main focus thus far has been patients

that have been concussed from blasts. Using

Psycho Diagnostic to Neurological testing,

CST’s role is vital both in and out of theater.

Some examinations include: Military Acute

Concussion Exam (MACE), Repeatable Battery

for the Assessment of Neurophyschological

Status. (RBANS), Personality Assessment

Inventories (PAIs), and hours of therapeutic

report with various patients along with their

commands. In addition, our treatment has

vastly expanded to other military treatment

facilities (MTFs). Each 8404 (FMF Hospital

Corpsman) attached to a Shock Trauma Platoon

(STP) within Bravo Surgical Company has been

trained to assess for battle fatigue and blast

injuries. Side by side with the Air Force medical

teams, we currently assist in administering

MACE as well as training the Air Force staff to

properly conduct and document exam findings

resulting in expeditionary patient care which can

be tracked, reviewed, and adjusted based on

the patient’s therapeutic goals. Not everyone

can contend with difficulties with the stressors

of a foreign environment, thus, CST will be there

with a blueprint to getting them back on track.

HN Michael Pilati

QUICK SHOTS

Combat Stress Team

Bravo Surgical Company, Combat Stress Team (left to right): HN Michael Pilati, CDR James West, MC, USN, HM2 Anthony Brown, HM1 Ivan Bell, LT Rachel Passmore, MSC, USN, LT Shane Eynon, MSC, USN.

Long Journey to Afghanistan

On February 17 we began our LONG trek

toward Afghanistan. After a wonderful send off

from family and friends we boarded buses to

March Air Force Base and soon flew to Bangor,

Maine and were greeted by the famous

Langolears. Next stop Lipzig, Germany and

then landed at our temporary destination,

Manas Air Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan. With

all the travel and time changes it was February

19, 0530, upon our arrival. Confused? We

sure were.

Manas greeted us with snow and

temperatures in the 30’s but spirits remained

high with our deployment journey finally under

way. Manas was surrounded by beautiful snow

capped mountains, provided excellent food,

and comfy bunk beds. What more could we

ask for? Our stay at Manas was brief and

everyone headed out to Afghanistan by the end

of the weekend on wonderful C17s. Ah

beautiful Manas, we all still think of you with

fond memories.

LCDR Sharon House, NC, USN

QUICK SHOTS

STP 1

Shock Trauma Platoon 1, Push Out!

We moved this month from Camp

Leatherneck to a much more rough and austere

outpost in northeast Helmand Province.

While we have the challenges of

intermittent showers and laundry and tray

rations for food, we live in a beautiful location

surrounded by rugged mountains with spring

greenery dotting the valley floor.

We have a great team that is our family

away from home, training and drilling daily to

get better and faster should we be called upon

in a time of need. We love being so closely

connected in a community of local Marines and

other forces.

Additionally, we have been able to start

treating minor injuries among both the local

and military population. Though our team will

be partially breaking up to support other

operations elsewhere, we are still happy to be

where we are and have this time together.

LCDR Gray Dawson, MC, USN

What is a Surgical System without Blood and X-Ray Services?

The Ancillary Section provides laboratory

and radiology services for the Forward

Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS) and the

Shock Trauma Platoon. Laboratory provides

services like blood tests and administering the

“Walking Blood Bank”. Radiology provides

diagnostic imaging ranging from the “Walking

Wounded” to the severe traumatic injury in the

operating room.

A couple of Ancillary Personnel traveled to

Camp Dwyer, a neighboring

base, for training and review of

setup of their services in an

operational environment.

HM1(FMF) Socrates

Ibanez

QUICK SHOTS

Ancillary Services

Bravo Surgical Company, Ancillary Services (left to right): LT Jared Taylor, MSC, USN, HMC(FMF) Jonathan Ryan, HM2(FMF) John Jones, HM3 Megan Laines, HM1(FMF) Danna Mosely, HM2(FMF) Brian Yocum, HM1(FMF) Socrates Ibanez, HM2(FMF/SW) Sisavart Chanthaphon, CDR Gerard Woelkers, MSC, USN.

Shock Trauma Platoon 2 Pushed Out

Shock Trauma Platoon 2, led by LCDR

Matt Shepard, MC, USN pushed out to

Musakala with a Mobile Trauma Bay to support

USMC and Coalition Forces as they conduct

operations. Although it is an austere

environment, e-mail and snail mail can still be

received, although sporadically.

LTJG Jon Hamrick, NC, USN

Semper FI

STP 2

Gear Up Bravo, Full Battle Rattle. Time for Counter IED Training!As part of the training package prepared for all inbound forces, the

Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED for short) class is essential.

Defeating the enemies primary means of attack renders them nearly

powerless, and the goal of this course is to facilitate that.

A motivated Bravo Surgical Company attended this

training, prepared to learn the skills. It was said on more

than one occasion by the cadre, “This training could save

your life.” All personnel, officers and enlisted, from the

Commanding Officer to our Hospital Corpsman Recruits,

took this to heart, eagerly participating in all the skill stations.

Following a brief formal lecture, it was time to gear up in full

battle rattle (body armor and Kevlar helmets) and head to the different

stations that the instructors had prepared. Not only were they

knowledgeable in the equipment used in Afghanistan, they were also well

versed in how the enemy was implementing the various types of

IEDs.

The skill stations ranged from: use of the Compact Metal

Detector (CMD), the basics of how to spot different forms of

IEDs, how to defeat them, and how to walk in areas that

they may be suspected. Although the chance of Bravo

Surgical Company personnel being in these situations is very

slim, should they occur, the expert training we received will

serve us well.

LTJG Jon Hamrick, NC, USN

Search and DestroyLT Pete Sunden, NC, USN using the Compact Metal Detector in an IED Lane at the training site.

Silent EnemyA landmine, an all to common sight found in Afghanistan.

“BATTLE RATTLE” “KEVLAR” “EYE PRO” “FLAK” “FROG GEAR”

The light weight helmet (LWH) currently issued to USMC forces.

From goggles to ballistic sunglasses, protection for our eyes.

The heavy Modular Tactical Vest (MTV) or Plate Carrier issued as body armor to USMC forces.

A set of camouflage clothing engineered to be fire resistant, offering flame protection.

“This training could

save your life.”

COUNTER IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

Tonight I wait in the extra long chow line

to fill my cardboard plate with meat, noodles,

and a variety of happy little vegetables. It’s a

heaping mound of tasteful delight and my

mouth is watering just writing about it.

On the way over to long line #2, I dip my

hand into the industrial strength grey garbage

can where they keep the plastic eating utensils.

I inch forward,

holding my

prized meal.

Finally I am at the

sauces and

spices table; an

organized

cornucopia of

ginger, garlic,

olive oil, BBQ

sauce, red

pepper, soy

sauce...the list

goes on and on.

Like a mad

chemist, I mix and match in an attempt to

improve on last Wednesday’s culinary

experiment. Maybe just a touch more

Worcestershire sauce...

“Next please!”, the short order cook

barks. I hand him my concoction, he gingerly

tips it onto the grill. Chop, flip, flop, chop, flip.

With finesse and dexterity that rivals any

Benihana Chef, he cooks my meal. I look on

with big eyes, trying to catch

the exact moment when the

“magic” happens.

He flops my stir fry back

onto my paper plate, which

sags under the heavy burden. I

carry it with both hands, moving

slowly to my seat, avoiding elbows

and shoulders that could lead to catastrophe

within seconds. I sit down at my table. With

deliberate intent, I open my utensil packet. I

have been waiting all week for this moment,

the first bite, the tastiest bite...

LCDR Nicole Delpidio, MC, USN

PARTING TALES...Aaahhwww...Yeah Baby! Mongolian BBQ!

A Not So Tall Tale of Adventure Through The Chow Hall

FAMILY READINESSFamily Readiness Officer

Leah Proutyleah.prouty@usmc.mil

MAILING ADDRESSRank Last Name, First NameCLR-15 FWDBravo Surgical CompanyUnit 42135FPO AP 96427-2135

STP 1 Friendly Patient