I was a corpsman from 1973 to 1976, stationed at the Dispensary @ T.I. San Francisco. The above remedies were NOT taught in HM “A” School but in the field or dispensaries by senior Corpsmen to Junior Corpsmen. The best times I had while @ T.I. were on training ops with the Marines from Security Co T.I. They always sent two of us, usually a HM1 or HM2 and a HN or HA (E3 or E2). The Marines couldn’t do enough for us (we didn’t ask for any of it either). Riding shotgun in the Deuce and a 1/2, setting up our tents or shelter 1/2’s, carrying our extra medical stuff, besides the medical bag, etc. My paternal Grandfather was a Staff Sergeant in WWII and it was drilled into my thick skull by him that if I didn’t take care of “my Marines”, my ass would be handed to me on a platter, and literally shoved down my throat. So I kept up with them on the hikes, dug my own foxhole, in camp set up the slit trench with a X frame to sit down (so no one would get their utilities crapped on) on,Got qualled on the M1911A1, M-14, and the M1. Nothing below expert on all of them, but as I was technically a non combatant I wasn’t allowed to have it entered in my Service records, or get the medals/ribbons. I learned the same technique on treating blisters, reducing blood blisters under the nail ( red hot paper clips) and the usual foot problems (pecker dripping on the foot), etc. And the most important, keeping the cooks in line, so there wasn’t any intestinal disruptions. I usually kept 10-12 bottles of Tabasco in my pack and the guys knew they could get it out any time. The food was that bad. Having been a boy Scout as a kid, most of the camp stuff was a variation on what I learned as a Scout but to USMC/USN Standards. One time we were out on a field op, and the gunny slipped on something and spilt a whole pot of coffee(it wasn’t 30 seconds off the field stove) down his leg. 2nd degree burn on the front 1/2 of the thigh. It was Sunday afternoon and we were due to be picked up in 3 hours so it was the last pot(or was supposed to be). The blistering was just below the crotch all the way to the knee and engaging the whole front 1/2. I poured alcohol on the whole burn and opened it up along the edge from the knee up about 2″ and drained the fluid. 6mg M.S.in the Arm, Merthiolate on a Q-tip, Burn cream, with a drain in the opening into the bandage, then wrapped the whole thigh. When we got back to the dispensary, I recleaned it and dressed it. As he was my patient initially, the Duty Medical Officer (Dr. Lane) ordered that I was the primary care giver and I was to treat the Gunny for the whole treatment regimen. Gunny came in 2 times a day for dressing changes, debridement, and cleaning. I lived in the Barracks and I was on standby on weekends and days off. I didn’t mind as I didn’t have anything else going on. 4 weeks later it was healed, and no scarring. From then on the Gunny made sure I went on all Field ops (even Annual Weapons quals)while I was at the dispensary. After that I never had to pay for beer at the EM club or anywhere else there was booze and any Marine from Sec. Co. I didn’t drink so I was a cheap date. (I didn’t like the taste of beer, wine, or any of the hard stuff. Still don’t). So they kept a case of Cokes on hand in the Rec Rm for me. Gunny wasn’t the ony guy I treated for more than minor stuff, but his injury was the worst I had with them in the field. When I made HM3 I had a party and made damned sure the whole barracks was invited and had a couple cases on hand in the cooler for the duty section when they got relieved. I still have the memories, and most are clear and fresh in my mind still. If I could do it again, I would have re-enlisted and requested FMF School and stayed with “My Marines” for as long as I could get the detailer to get me a detail with them. My grandfather died while I was @ TI and 6 of the Marines went to Riverside for the funeral. I didn’t ask them to go. They served as pall bearers. Grandma thought I had set it up, but I told her I didn’t have anything to do with it. They came because Grandpa was a MARINE. You guys are the BEST, and I’m proud and Honored to have served with you.. SEMPER FI! .
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