Major Steven Bogdanoff, D.M.D.

I’m finally getting into a routine. You wake up around 5 from all the noise. The airport is close by, which runs 24/7, and the sun rises about then. I get on the Internet and watch a little TV. I then walk to the mess hall ( DFAC ) for breakfast and walk back to the Dental Clinic. I get there around 8:10 and we start patients at 8:30. We see patients untill 11:30. We have an 1 1/2 for lunch, I know it sounds like a lot but, remember we walk to and from the DFAC and it feeds thousands. We start seeing patients again at 1 pm and work untill 4:30 or so. There’s a lot to clean with all of the dust and mud. It’s a losing battle. I walk back to my room, clean up and walk to dinner. After dinner, I either go for a walk, or walk back to my room and rest a little before heading to the gym. Yes, you guessed it, I walk there. Then I return to my room, clean a bit. Cleaning is never over here with the dust and mud. I then take a shower and get on the Internet and watch TV.
We treat military from all countries, retired military, and DOD personel.
The weather here is fall, it is cooling off. 50′s t0 70′s now. At noon in uniform it is still warm walking everywhere. It is the rainy season now.
I really appreciate having my own room and my rug. It’s amazing how depending on your circumstances, what you start to value and appreciate. I don’t want to get to deep, but look around at the people around you and your surroundings and really see what’s important to you and value it. Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween. MAJ B

So far I have two. The first is a big ugly scar from the smallpox vaccine. The second is from the trailers here that have metal frames with a quarter inch clearance from the knobs. I found that out the hard way. Luckily it was on my left hand on a knuckle. Wasn’t worth getting a few stitches. Whats another scar at my age, adds character. Bacitracin and a band aid and I was on my way.
It rained this morning so it was another day of slip and slide and mud every where. The few side walks get really slick. At night there are no street lights. It is pretty dark, you really appreciate your eye sight.
I skipped lunch to go to the PX and get a shoulder holster. When you take your weapon every where it is very convenient. I got one made from camel skin, I was told it doesn’t discolor your uniform when wet. I got lucky and got a rug for my room. They sell out in hours and just got in this morning. The simple things in life, a $10 remnant.
I bought more cleaning supplies, we not only clean our rooms but pay for the supplies. The mud and dust is quite a challange.
We had a lot of emergencies this morning. In the afternoon I did fillings and some cosmetics.
After dinner I went to the gym and worked out. Walking in boots in the rock and sand is a pretty good workout on it’s own. The rain cooled it down a bit. Next trip to the PX is for a jacket for the PT’s. The Army has coordinating accessories for everything. It can get cold here in the winter.
For dinner they had an Indian bar among all the other foods. If you don’t watch it you could really put on the weight. You can also eat very healthy, just a matter of choices.
After dinner and working out I took a shower and am now hanging in my room on the internet and watching TV. We have 9 channels. A lot of repeats.
Thankfully things have been boring from a war point of view. Though we are constantly reminded of situational awareness.

Woke up at 6. Walked to breakfast, then back to my room, and then over to the Dental Clinic.   ( The internet here is to slow to put up pictures, sorry! ) We start sick call at 8:30. My first patient was a wisdom tooth extraction, my next was 2 wisdom teeth. The rest of the day was exams and some tooth aches. Tomorrow I have some scheduled patients. Everyone was very helpful. Obviously things are done a little different here. We walked to lunch and dinner. If you haven’t figured it out yet, we walk everywhere. Imagine living in a small city without a car.

The 2nd anthrax shot has now swelled to about a 2 inch round, raised lump. A bit sore.

Yeah. For abvious reasons we have a full bathroom near the clinic. Oh, how you learn to appreciate the simple things in life.

Talk about being spoiled! We have laundry service here. They even fold it. That’s better then at my house.  Hopefully, I’ll be in a routine soon. The internet here is a little faster than dial up. The PX is supposed to have some rugs in soon. A nice touch for the room, and it beats walking on the floor. Anything to help with the dust! The food here is very good. If you’re not careful, as they say here, “you will either leave bench pressing 300 lbs. or weighing 300 lbs. There’s a great selection, always a salad bar, fresh fruit, even Indian food. And did I mention all the Baskin-Robbins you want?

Fashion, don’t worry. You either wear PT’s ( workout clothes that double as pajamas ) or your ACU’s ( army combat uniform ).    

I arrived yesterday at 2am. It was a military flight, not even economy class, packed like sardines in full gear. You learn to make the best of every situation and become very adaptable. I finally got to sleep at 5am, after a little snack. You can get food 24/7 here.

THE GOOD-I have my own room. Hooked up the TV and computer and cleaned up. There is no maid service here. There is laundry service. The latrine and the shower trailers are next to mine.

The food here is very good and the Dental clinic is about 100 yards from my quarters. Everyone here is extremely helpful and have great attitudes. The MD’s pick on the Dentists. We are off Saturday afternoon and Sunday. You can buy almost every thing you want here. There is a beauty parlor, barber shop, electronics, Burger King, Sub-Way, and others. 

THE BAD-You walk every where, which is great exercise, to eat, the PX-about a mile away, and the gym. There is a fine, silky dust every where, sand and rocks. The dust is everywhere. It rained yesterday most of the day. There is no drainage and the fine sand turns to a soupy mud. The roof drips orange from the dust on the roof. The latrine and showers are in seperate trailers.  I had a flu shot and anthrax shot today. In uniform you don’t use umbrellas, so you just get wet. It’s fun eating lunch all wet.

THE UGLY-This place after rain. One big mud pit. Any one for some football?  

First, walking over here I was caught in my first small sand storm. Visabillity drops fast, then you turn so your back protects you. You need your gleasses for the sun and the sand blowing. The sun really reflects of the sand. 

We were supposed to leave today, now they say tomorrow. You have lots of gear so I did without buying a pillow, large fluffy items are hard to pack and you only get 4 duffle bags. With all your gear it’s not as much room as it sounds. Yes, we buy a pillow, it’s not issued. I just coudn’t go without a pillow 2 more nights. Yesterday started at 3:45. It was a long day. We usually get up between 4 and 6. Today I got to sleep in, untill 7 with my new pillow. It was my best night sleep since I left home. Some of my tent mates have been shipping out. Hopefully we leave sometime tomorrow. Got my meclazine for the flight. I heard the landing can be a real roller coaster.

It is amazing how fast people bond in such situations. Everyone looks after each other. The older guys do tend to find each other. You just have more in common. A lot of the younger soldiers like to talk to us for advice and such. We are limited to 1/2 hour on the computer today. So I have to go. Regards to all.

For those of you interested in the medical aspect my smallpox, it is getting bigger and nastier. It is hot here during the day, but the nights aren’t to bad. Every where you look is desert. Sand and dust blowing every where. You don’t want to get lost out here. It is very dry. Your eyes are dry, as are your skin and lips. We did Humvee rollover training yesterday. My daughter would have loved it. It really wasn’t too bad hanging upside down and climbing out. This morning was another trip to the range. We were in full gear. It really is hot and heavy. You have to watch your step. Internet is $5 an hour and is very slow. Remember dial up? Moral is high. Every one is ready to get to their assigned bases and get to work. I know I am.
The food isn’t bad, a decent variety, 3 meals a day. There is bottled water every where. You must wash your hands before you enter the dining room. There are two other dentists here with me. Both have been deployed before and have been very helpful. You get a lot of on the job training. The only TV we watch is in the dining hall. It is hard to tell one day from the next. I’m looking forward into getting into a routine, and of course, laundry service.
Did I forget to tell you, we have Baskin Robbins in the dining hall. When it’s in the 90′s it’s hard to resist

The jet was 2 days late so we were in lockdown about 48 hours. Chartered jet. We slept in recliners 2 nights and in our cloths. 250 people in a large hall. The food was pretty good. After the flight which with stops in Maine and Germany and the time loss was about 24 hours. Another night sleeping in a upright. Last night I finally got to sleep laying down. An Army cot never looked so good. I really miss my bed, and Ellyn of course. I finally got to take a shower last night. Even though you have to walk 200 feet and carry all you need it was wonderful. Oh, did I mention we have 15 gallons of water alloted to ech soldier so they are short with you turning water on and off. The bathrooms are portable, in the other direction of the showers. You take for granted that they are together. We use a lot of the hand sanitizer. You try not to use the potable mid day in the heat. Use your imagination. Did I tell you I was in my boots 4 days straight. I’m not complaining, just trying to let you know how things are. I have it easy compared to many of the enlisted. The vest are very heavy and hot. Trained in them today. GTG

Once you are issued a weapon you never let it leave your sight. Since our plane was delayed we are all sleeping in a large Hall with your cloths on. We have recliners, cots, and sleeping bags. You sleep with your weapon. It’s not a lot of fun. Once we were processed our bags were checked and we were placed in lockdown. We are presentlly awaiting our jet, which is about 48 hours behind schedule.  You can imagine all of the strange noices at night with over 250 people. I’m learning a lot from the other soldiers and the private contractors. You are thankful these guys and women are on our side. There are 10 large screen TV’s here. Since it was Saturday most everyone was watching college football. The catfish we had for dinner was very good. We are all praying the jet shows up as planned tomorrow. There are 9 medicalrofessionals here. The others treat us very well. I don’t know when I’ll have access again. The flight and the stop for fuel and time loss can take at least 20 hours. That’s 4 days in the same clothes. You are only allowed one small carry on, and the 4 duffle bags are locked up. Talk to you soon. 

We woke up at 0400 to draw our weapons. I made Marksman at the range. We are all busy packing for the flight. The Medical Officers got out of playing in the dirt this afternoon. They don’t want us getting hurt. Spirits are high. Not a lot of sleep, but we will be able to sleep on the plane. On base here the weapons are locked up. We travel with them on the plane and keep it on us at all times. That takes a little getting use to. You do not want to loose your weapon. A lot of things are classified, for obvious reasons. You gain a whole new perspective on life. People are happy to get some sleep, take a shower, have a good meal, and being able to talk to their family and friends when they get a chance. Don’t even think about sleeping in. I may be out of contact for a few days untill I arrive at my final destination. Finished briefing at 1900. We start at 0530. Everyone was happy we get to sleep late. Processing a couple of hundred people takes a lot of time. You do a lot of hurry up and wait. The only complaint you ever hear is no one here likes standing and waiting. Everyone is eager to get to work, very focused on their mission.