Catching up

It has been a long while since my last little entry here.  A lot has happened since then so I figured a recap with some insights might be overdue.

To catch up....

 I have joined the Air National Guard in the field of radio frequency (RF) transmission technician with the 232nd Combat Communications Squadron.  This means that my job, if deployed, is to prep and maintain satellite and radio equipment for us and our allies.  Some have asked why I didn't go medic.  Two reasons for this choice:  1)  there was not a medic spot available during the time of my enlistment, 2) most of the medic spots that are normally open would result in a job that has less scope of practice than I already have in the civilian world.  I like tech stuff so the position is actually interesting to me.  I am currently finishing up tech school in Biloxi, MS and will then report to my base for an additional 2 months of on-the-job training.

My wife and I are expecting a son in October.  Yay for her being able to visit between basic training graduation and tech school.  This has, of course, merely solidified my intent from the previous post concerning making decisions to safeguard the growth and well-being of my family.  We are ecstatic about the little guy.  While I am disappointed I am not there as much as I would like during the pregnancy, my wife and I figure it as an investment for the future.  I will be home for the birth and and can't wait.

As I prepare for all of this, I am happy but I see this as up'ing the ante.  I return to being a firemedic in October, and I worry.  I will have a child that depends on me.  After speaking with folks back at the department, I found out that the city officials wanted to give the firemedics a raise since the numbers are coming in that we run our asses off.  Our chief made the decision to turn down the offer of a raise since giving the firemedics a raise would cause dissent among the other firefighters that are not also licensed medics.  They do this and yet they wonder why they have such a high turn over rate.  I understand that they would like to avoid dissent but here's the thing.  The average fire truck might run 4-6 calls per day.  The average ambulance will run 12-15 calls per day.  We were losing medics before this deal was ever on the table so that means that our workload/time on the ambulance will continue to increase.  The attrition of medics to other departments will most certainly continue since the higher ups have shown no desire to incentivize staying.  It pains me because I love the job but if I had any lingering doubts about making the jump to get into school, they are gone now.  I have to make a good life for my son and wife.  If something isn't in line with that objective then it will have to go.  End of story.

 This brings me to the current situation.  While I have, in the past, alluded to shooting for physician assistant school I have decided against it due to most programs being more traditionally cast resulting in an inability to continue work while going to school.  With that in mind, I am planning on attending a bridge program for paramedic to RN which a much quicker route to more opportunities.  After that, we will make the decision on when and where to pursue graduate level education while working as an RN.  

That about wraps up the catch up.  Now for some things that I caught me off guard about being away from my wife and the few friends I have for so long:

*While it cannot be denied that the lack of intimacy sucks, I have found that I was woefully unprepared for how much I would miss simple human touch.  The effect a hug, kiss, or other similar body contact has on the psyche (mine at least) was made apparent by my lacking it.  It sounds silly, but I would've never thought about that as being one of the things I would miss the most.

*I have traveled a good deal in my life and met many folks during my adventures.  I still maintain that my dogs make better companions than 90% of the folks walking this wide and wonderful world.  Nothing against the people, but my dogs are fucking awesome.

*Going through basic as a 30-something with late teenagers has shown me just how out of shape kids are.  This is not just a physical thing.  Kids today are not mentally in shape in terms of toughness.  The concepts of tenacity and willingness to be patient and suffer for a bit to get to a better outcome is wholly lost on many of them.

I welcome the coming challenges and adventures.  I am well and truly blessed.