Ms. Roach would be classified as a science writer, but an entertaining science writer, who has wit and grit and shares it. Her dust jacket photo shows her laughing, which is how you usually find her. There is probably still available a YouTube clip of Ms. Roach on the John Stewart show, talking about her book 'Gulp', an entire book she wrote on swallowing. You've never chewed and thought so much about swallowing until you see this clip. The two of them are hysterical over gum and tongue movements.
At a book signing for 'Grunt' at a Barnes and Noble in Union Square, NYC, Ms. Roach navigated the subtleties of what really goes into equipping and treating the nation's military when wounded. Even when they are killed. Details do not escape her.
Most people in this country do not have any exposure to the military. There is no draft anymore, so service is not compulsory. We have elected presidents who have not served in the military, which frankly scares me. Either of the two candidates running now have no military experience. One was in a military school. Hardly the same thing. Even without the draft, the armed forces are staffed by those who volunteer for service, be it active duty, National Guard, or Federal Reserves. It is somewhat amazing that they do, but that's how it really is.
Ms. Roach has crafted chapters on the thought that goes into designing weaponry, vehicles, and particularly clothing. There are several chapters devoted to the medical care aspects of keeping personnel healthy. We are treated to a treatise and sweat, uncontrolled bowel movement, noise, and sleep.
Some parts of the book are so detailed you might get queasy. The part of using a used feminine hygiene product and casting it with a fishing pole to determine bear attraction to menstrual blood is clear evidence that those who try and take care of the military will do whatever takes. They are inventive people.
You encounter so many acronyms and military abbreviations that your head spins. But Ms. Roach patiently describes them all, so you never feel left out. A list of these acronyms is long, but somewhat colorful. Thus we have the following, culled from only the first three chapters of a 14 chapter book.
BASH, BAM, FRACU, IED, ACU, RPG, JUON, MRAP, ARL, WIAMan, TCAPS, MO.
I got to the last chapter and wasn't aware I was near the end of the book. There are still many pages that follow for acknowledgements and an extensive bibliography.
Thus, you reach the end somewhat abruptly, but it figures, you are treated to what goes on when those who are killed are autopsied. Apparently, since 2001, every service member of the US military who dies, even dogs, is autopsied.
This is done in an autopsy room that can accommodate 22 autopsies at the same time. A room way bigger than anything depicted on the numerous crime shows and movies we see. All aspects of what killed the individual are reviewed, as well as what treatment that may have gotten when wounded and later died. How well did the medics do with the equipment they use to stop bleeding? All bodies are subjected to a CAT scan. Every detail is used to determine if something else needs to be provided.
An example of this is that those soldiers who are heavily muscled in the chest area, 'jacked' as you would put it in the gym, have tissue that makes certain lung needles useless. Longer needles are now provided to get past the tissue that gets in the way of relieving air pressure on collapsed lungs. Now, just having six-pack abs doesn't contribute to a demise that might have occurred because the muscle tissue wasn't breached by a shorter needle.
The sub-title to the last chapter is, 'How the dead help the living stay that way.' Sadly, the dead are all young. A pathologist knows all, but by then it is too late.
http://www.onofframp.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment