USCG, one more time (CG 3)

It was years in the making - 11 to be exact. But as of May 12, 2003 sometime around 2pm I will be an official member of the United States Coast Guard. Once I cleared the physical, the process leading to this point was remarkably fast. The physical, though, was a true test of hoop jumping and perserverance. Initially disqualified outright for declaring a kidney stone, I decided that result was not sufficient. Here I was at 29, finally deciding to do this, and because I passed a stone about 3 years earlier, that chance was being taken away from me. Now I think honesty is the best way to go, but at that moment part of me wished that I'd accidentally forgotten to declare that little tidbit of information.

So I wrote my recruiter asking if there was any possible way for a second opinion. I wound up sending her all my documentation. I also made an impassioned plea for my doctors to write a little note on my behalf, declaring my health and fitness. One of them did. I certainly need to thank him.

The original disqualification rating was pulled and I was allowed to 'test.' Excellent. Progress. I was therefore to meet my recruiter Wednesday afternoon for testing (ASVAB) and then all day Thusday would be spent doing physical testing (the whole process is called MEPS). It was a cool couple of days. All branches of the service were present with the clear numerical majority belonging to the Army. And why not - they throw tons of money at their recruits. To an 18 year old this can be a nice incentive. I met a lot of nice folks, from all walks of life, all ages, ethnic backgrounds and reasons for joining. Stereotypes were shattered. There were no war mongers. I just met a bunch of people that wanted to serve, wanted some direction or wanted a job. All valid reasons.

I scored well on my ASVAB, which I liken to the military version of the SAT. And I did well on the physical. Good vision, good hearing, even made the weight cut off (which disqualified others). But those darn kidney stones. The military docs wouldn't let me pass until I had a new x-ray of my kidney/bladder area to determine if more stones were present. So on my way back from MEPS that Thursday my recruiter calls me and informs me I've been scheduled for a medical consult the following Monday. The message was cell-phone choppy but I heard some vague reference to 4o'clock. Called her back and 4o'clock turned out to be 4am. That means I have to leave good 'ole BU around 12am to get to Philly by 4am. And did I mention that amazingly enough there are no bathrooms in Philly for someone with a full bladder at 3am? Every gas station miraculously didn't have a commode. Where do the employees go? I was positively crippled with pain. So each gas station I go into, I buy something. I figure that's a fair trade. Here I am at 3am driving all around Cottman AVE in Philly PA with a half-dozen newspapers in my car that I will never read in desperate search for a bathroom. Finally, a kind man at the 7-11 lets me use the employee rest room. I think he knew what my deal was when I purchased a newspaper that was 2 days old. He looked at me, saw the pained expression on my face, and I commented 'I know it's 2 days old. I don't care. I just need to use the can.' He smiled, accepted my $.60 and pointed to the head.

I arrive back at Fort Dix NJ at 5am after following the USCG recruiting van to the base. This whole process is an exercise in 'hurry up and wait.' And so I did. From start to finish I was there for about 9 hours. For one x-ray.

Mind you, for the past month I'd been drinking Cranberry juice and water like it was my job. And I positively hate Cranberry juice. I mean that stuff is so incredibly tart I can't fathom how anyone could possibily drink it straight. I did some math one time and figured that I had consumed 128 ounces of Cranberry juice in a two day period. See I learned from my Doc that Cranberry juice is good stuff if you have stones. Don't know why; didn't really care why. So I drank this stuff like it was my job. I really have no idea if this actually works. All I know is that the picture came back clear and that meant I was in. I was happy but a bit nervous at the same time. This was the moment of truth. Everything I'd been working for. I hadn't signed anything. I could still back out. The thought was quickly erased. This was an 11 year old bug and I intended to see it through.

So this was my first introduction to the military was quite interesting. It is qualitatively counter to the culture in which I currently reside - education. In my world, time is a general idea, shaving is only a thought and jeans are standard attire. In the military, you turn corners at a right angle, shine your shoes every day and begin at 4am. The contrast was striking. I found myself beginning to stand up straight, being more intentionally courteous, saying 'yes' instead of 'yeah.' And I wasn't even officially in the military yet.

On May 12, 2003 I will swear in to the USCG and essentially begin basic training. Two months in Cape May NJ. And I think I graduate on July 4. Cool.

I'm excited and proud to begin serving my country. I was a little concerned as to how others might perceive this decision. I'm known as a fairly mild guy on campus. I'm laid back, entirely casual and don't stick to formal rules all that much. But I've been humbled by the great support and words of encouragement from everyone - family, friends, students and colleagues are all behind me. And I think in a very real way that's what this is all about. Helping out. Sure I have to shave my head and face (scary thought). But in the end, I'm just trying to give back to a good country filled with great people.

Keep it real.....