My first 48

So just returned home from the first shift working in Kuwait. I am working at the Kuwait Naval Base where there is a presence of less than 1000 military permanently working there. A large amount of transient come and go through there heading home or into the shit. Many different attitudes depending on where they are headed.
My first partner here was an older Hopi indian EMT who has lovenly been named Chief Wrongway. didnt really understand the name until he provided me with the base tour. I never thought it to be possible to get lost on a base the size of two Walmarts but now i know. I would drive but one i dont know where the hell im going, and two i dont know where the hell im going. Apparently neither does he but nonetheless i met a lot of people.
First day there i was going through the truck getting a good feel where everything is and realized that there isnt a drug box or a cardiac monitor on the rig. hmmmm i thought to myself, that pretty much takes out all the stuff i needed to be a medic. so we run BLS calls with an ambulance, paramedic, and a 40 min minimum transport time. shit, i hope everything goes ok. and hell if they want to pay me as a medic and work me as an EMT i'm cool with that. Cash has no real value on our base except for the PX so i headed with Chief WW over to the big base to get an Eagle cash card.
$150 on the card which allows me to purchase meals and the ever so important Green Bean coffee stand so its a need to have. Dinner and lunch run about $4.25 and breakfast $2.25. So its reasonable as far as im concerned. others here dont feel the same way and want everything for free. still im trying to figure that out.
the living conditions for the station are pretty nice a room with 4 bunks and two individual rooms with two bunks along with a day room take up the whole trailer. porta-johns are a short 50 yard walk away with the shower trailers being about 500 yards. really makes me take a second thought to showering at night before bed.
most people on base are happy to have us. very friendly and not too judgemental on us driving around or staying in quarters watching TV. so all in all its a pretty nice place to work. the word on the gravel, remember no real pavement there, is about a call a week is our norm but nah nah nah nah nah i already got one.
1830 after a less than satisfying meal of ham, scalloped potatos, and mixed veggies i retured with Cheif WW to the station to finish Clash of the Titans that we started watching before dinner. the radio went off for a call for uncontrolled bleeding at one of the personnel buildings just on the other side of the stage/movie theater compound. the base being so small i grabbed the jump bag and jogged my way over as CWW fired up the rig and followed.
i rounded the corner to see a Army guy kneeling on the gravel with a decent pool of blood on the ground. his back was to me so as i walked up putting my gloves on i am trying to figure out where it was coming from. i heard hit spitting and didnt take me long after that to figure it out. this outstanding member of our armed forces got the bright idea to smoke right after getting his wisdom teeth yanked out.WTF i thought to myself i would hit him in the mouth, but i dont want to get blood all over me.
"So whats going on today buddy" i asked as i set my bag down and started my paperwork. through his garbled gauze in mouth talk i found out that he got them yanked two days ago and didnt take the dentists word on not smoking for a couple of days and got an infection. saw the dentist today and had the infection removed and new sutures put in place to keep the open wound closed. he had some pain and took two of the painkillers that he was precribed and felt a little better.
I went to the gym today and was lifting after i ate and felt a pop in my mouth. "WAIT!" i stopped him. didnt the professional i went to school for 8 years to do this for a living fancy officer tell you no heavy lifting for a while until that heals? "Uh, yeah but it didnt hurt so I didnt I had to wait anymore." he says. "So, let me get this straight." you took it upon yourself to continue smoking, get and infection, get it fucking worked on today, and then went to the gym? "Yeah" holy fucking Christ all mighty. you have got to be fucking kidding me. This is the person I rely on to keep me safe at night while i sleep? So 24 year old high as a kite on Vicodin and doesnt listen when people, who know what the hell they are talking about, stand guard in one of the most angry areas of the world. "Get on the strecher" i barked as i helped him up.
The 40 min ride to the ER was unevenful. I called ahead and let the Doc know I was headed his way and what I had. Ran through the vitals and asked if there was anything he wanted me to do for this Gem of a person. "If you have time, throw a line in him." It was like a sign from above to teach this little bastard a lesson. 18 guage in the hand. Started my fluids and turned over care.
As CWW and myslef were headed out, i heard the dentist EXPLODE on this kid screaming about what a dumbass he was and he.....door closed. Back home we go.....man im tired

If your still reading this, I cant believe it. That was a complete waste of time for you, but thanks for readin. im going to take a nap.....