The EMF-K
Laboratory Experience
By LCDR L. N. Griffin
With contributions from
LT C. Baker, LCDR D. Baker &
LT E. Angelo
22 Mar 2010
EMF
• Welcome to EMF-Kuwait.
• A US Army facility run by
the US Navy-GO NAVY.
• Lots of sand and heaven
forbid, do not get caught
anywhere without your
“glow” belt. The ultimate
joke: the military spends
millions to make you
camouflaged; only to
wear a glow belt so
everyone can see you!
Hmmm..go figure!
Training
• Training Consisted of:
– Weapons (9mm)
qualification
– IED detection
– TCCC-again for most HMs!
– Land Navigation
– First Aid
– Survival Skills
– ISO Container Construction
– LOTS of downtime!!
EMF-K DET
ECHO ECHO ECHO
• LT Charles Baker volunteered after tour in
Japan
• Summer 2007-Winter 2008
• 32nd St
• Camp Pendleton
• March, AFB; WA, Maine, Germany-30 hrs
• 2 days of thorough L seat/R seat
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EMF-K DET
ECHO ECHO ECHO
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EMF-K DET
ECHO ECHO ECHO
• SWOT: Personnel, BB, TMC merger (N/A)
Supply chain, heat & dust
• MWR: Qatar-1st beer in 4.5 months!
Simultaneous USA-USN football
game. Who won? Gooooo Navy!
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DCSS
The One of One All Star
Team!
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Laboratory
Optometry
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Radiology
From left to right: LT Boyd, PT; LCDR Griffin, Lab; LCDR Kras, Pharmacy; CDR Bergren, Radiology; LCDR Hicks, Optometry; HMC Gamboa, DCSS SEL.
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OUTLINE
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Taking care of yourself: Mind, Body & Spirit
Structured five day turnover
Your mailing address
How do I call home?
When do I eat at the DFAC?
Admin notes: Working hrs, meetings, evals, awards, BPAs, OPMs, Cmd website, etc.
Most commonly called numbers
Chain of Command
S-Shops/MTF (“Behind the wire”)
Supply lessons learned
Important forms and procedures
History
Talking points for DV tours
Daily routine
Personnel
Supply & equipment
Reference labs
IT
Excel tracking database
Medically related tours
Reports and frequencies
Daily blood inventory report
Oh by the way…!
New blood bank, WBDP and MASCAL procedures
SWOT
Accomplishments
Resources
Questions?
Taking Care of Yourself
• Keep in constant touch with family members and friends.
• http://www.aafes.com/ems/euro/arifjan.htm
• Mind: Library, Woodshop, MWR, Mental Health COPE classes,
Qnet wireless internet (I-Bldg, Starbucks) and free video chats.
• Body: 24/7 Gym, no excuses! Pool, free bicycle rental & MWR.
• Spirit: Z1 Church services of all types at 0830, 1000, 1200, 1400…
• Plan for and take your R&R midway! You’ll need it!
Pool and
Woodshop
R&R to QATAR
• Finally all the change
of command protocol
was done and over
with and the last
group to Qatar was
on the way! Four
whole days of
NOTHING!!
• Of course a
sandstorm as we
left…how fitting!
Qatar
Qatar
Structured MT 5 day Turnover
• Day 1: Lab, hospital and base tour
• Day 2: Outlying TMC Tour
• Days 3 & 4: Reference Lab Tours (Hadi, ICL, United, KCBB, Embassyoptional-PA source of medical intel)
• Day 5: Verbal exchange with power point of pending challenges,
opportunities for improvement, lessons learned, oh by the ways, electronic
and paper files
• Upon completion, Incoming and Outgoing MT sign PQS/Turnover Checklist
& Equipment list
• Turn over MT duty cell, bldg key & office keys
• Provide recommended LOTTD to get off to a good start
Temporary Housing
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Open Bay
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EMFK/TMC
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Your POC Info
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Mailing Address:
RANK LAST NAME, FIRST NAME
EMF-K
NAVY
APO AE 09366
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TEL:
DSN: 318-430-1942Office/1975Lab, CELL: 964-9745, COMM: 011 (965)
389-1942
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E-mail:
NIPR (Public E-mail): firstname.middleinitial.lastname@kuwait.swa.army.mil
SIPR (Secure or High Side E-mail): firstname.middleinitial.lastname@swa.army.smil.mil
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DSN area codes:
CONUS 312, Europe 314, Pacific 315
Central Cmd (SW Asia, incl Iraq) 318
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Keep in mind time differences: We are about 7 hrs ahead of East Coast 10 hrs ahead of West
Coast, one hour ahead of Europe
How do I call home?
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1. Call your parent Cmd and ask them to transfer, if it’s a local call
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2. Use DSN phone list to obtain local # or call Global DSN 312-560-1110
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3. Morale call numbers:
312-639-8909, 98-area code & #, enter code 360971#
Norfolk DSN 312-564-0111 Press 2
MCRD DSN 312-524-1011
312-678-5056, 1, 2, 2, 991-area code, tel#
NHCP Morale DSN 312-365-0026, 3
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4. Skype.com/MSN.com/Yahoo.com at the I-Bldg, Starbucks, etc.
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5. 800 Calling cards: 312-835-9870, 7, 1-800…
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AT&T: 9480-9463-3376, 800#, Code, Tel#
 When do I eat? 
DFAC Hrs
• Breakfast 0500-0800 (except Sundays Z2)
• Lunch 1130-1330
• Dinner 1700-2000 (except Z1 = 1930)
• Midrats 2330-0100 (only Z 2 & 6)
DFAC
• The Dining Facilities became
our “family time”. Each day
had a special menu at a
different zone AND we would
all be there to share our day.
– Monday, burrito night at Zone 1
– Wed, surf and turf: Zone 2 was
the best and closest.
– Friday, Mongolian BBQ Zone 6
– Sat, pizza and a movie
– Sun brunch-Zone 1 of course,
that’s were all the generals ate!
That’s how engrained it was, I
still remember it!!!
Not so fresh
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AJ
• Fast Food if you had
a hankering….but
why when you could
eat at the DFAC free
and have your choice
of 3-4 different meals,
4 times a day PLUS
dessert!
Admin Notes
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Colors: Salute in the AM with first song and in the evening start salute with second song.
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Working Hrs: Mon-Sat 0700-1600.
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Phlebotomy no earlier than 0700-0730 no later than 1630-1700.
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Meetings: As needed depending on collaterals, DCSS, Lab PI, Wardroom, EOC, space
utilization, EPRC, watchbill, etc.
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Evals & awards: Process starts 3 months into deployment. Navy awards only.
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Renew BPA memo and draft thank you ltrs.
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Command website/POW/tel dir: http://emfk/default.aspx
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http://emfk/EMFK%20PHONE%20BOOK/Forms/AllItems.aspx
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Weekly OPM renewal.
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Transportation currently meets ICL courier at gate.
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Most Commonly Called
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Lab MT Office: 318-430-1942
MT Cell: (99 first from DSN line)-964-9745
LCPO/SEL: 430-2809/99-722-5156
Lab: 430 (389 from your cell) -1975
AJ TMC Lab: 430-1801
NMCSD 312-522-6400
NHCP 312-365 1288
LRMC Cyto 314-486-8909/6261
Hadi Lab 533-9799/RN Fatma 919-3950
United Dr. Khadije 720-9645
ICL Felipa’s Cell (Supervisor) 604-7432
FDPMU 720-9214 (Microscan?)
USAF Lab in Balad, Iraq
CAPT Ciolorito (Larry.Ciolorito@AFIP.OSD.Mil) 202-782-2267,
DSN: 662-2267, Fax: ext. 6022
• Central Receiving Shipping Point (CRSP) 649-8656 Dexter Harp,
Supervisor
• Rock Cargo (Ali) 442-2774
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Chain of Command Det G
• CO: CAPT Elaine Wagner
• XO: CAPT Robin Wilkening
• DCSS (CPS): CDR Lorraine Nadkarni
• DFA (Senior MSC): CDR Jeanmarie Jonston
• SEL: HMC Samuel Henry
• (Theater Medical Command)
• 1st TSC
• 311th
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S-Shops/MTF
• S-1 Admin (Leave, TAD, etc.)
• S-3 Transportation (TAVs, courier, etc.)
• S-4 Supply
• S-6 IT/Telcom/Radio (K:Hospital/Blood, J: Awards)
• MRO is “behind the wire” bldgs 506-7 X6147
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Supply Lessons Learned
Order early, order often!
• Be proactive vs reactive.
• Keep accurate and all documentation, at all times for all items.
• Conduct inventory at least bi-weekly.
• Order small quantities daily.
• Follow up on every single order after 24-48 hrs of submission.
• If DCAM is down, use paper process and ALWAYS follow up.
• Always be prepared w/NIR, 3 Quotes, LOJ.
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Important Forms
& Procedures
• POC: S-6/IT for U.S. Member Network Account Processing Form
(Check NIPR AND SIPR)
• POC Hayko.Worl@AMEDD.ARMY.MIL at DSN 314 486 8828 for
LRMC CHCS Access
• Know how to change your tel # in Outlook
• Know how to create a PST file
• Know how to scan a document
• Know how to encrypt an e-mail
• Direct cultural inquiries to Tom@malki.com
• Save all of your e-mails (Sent box and prior to departure)
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History
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The tent hospital was in use for 4-5 years. There was no space, supplies or
any phlebotomy functions performed in the tent hospital Lab.
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Billeted for 4 Techs only, in addition to 1 LCPO & 1 Lab Officer. Lab Officer on
call 24/7 via command cell phone. Radio on board for MASCAL use.
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Lab Officer Det E was the Command Urinalysis Coordinator.
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Lab Officer Det F was the DCSS and at least one other Lab Officer was as well
(Det D)
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DCSS for Det E was the Radiologist. For Det G is a Provider due to the junior
ranks of the Lab & Pharmacy Officers. Physical Therapist, Optometrist and
Radiologist too busy with patient care for additional responsibility.
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LCPO Det F was the Assistant Command Urinalysis Coordinator and SEL.
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LCPO Det G is the Command Urinalysis Coordinator and DCSS SEL.
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The new hospital was open for business on Easter Sunday, 20 Apr 2008.
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Lab Facts or Talking Points
for VIP/DV Tours
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The most distinguishing feature of our Laboratory department is the
fact that we provide 100% of the Blood Bank and Microbiology testing
for the USA, USAF & USN in the Kuwait theater.
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We recently improved the quality of reference laboratory testing by
visiting Kuwaiti Labs and choosing to send our general mailouts to the
only College of American Pathologist accredited laboratory in Kuwait,
which also provides free daily courier services.
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We send histology to the Hadi Clinic downtown, and virology and
cytology (PAPs) to LRMC.
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We currently average approximately 4200 tests in-house monthly. We
are awaiting the arrival of new, floor model, high volume type of
equipment with increased capabilities.
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In addition to Micro and Blood Bank, which are considered specialized
areas, we also provide basic Phlebotomy services, Chemistry,
Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis and Serology testing. All testing
services, whether in house or from a reference lab, are provided 24/7.31
Daily Routine
• 0700 Morning report
• 0715 Blood Inventory Report
• 0730 QC Review EMF Lab/Equipment status
• 0800-0830 Check outlook/answer COC taskers
• 0830-1130 Rounds/Work on projects
• Lunch 1130-1230
• 1230-1300 Rounds
• 1300 QC Review AJ TMC Lab
• 1400-1600 Work on projects
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Personnel
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Det F survived with 5 Techs because one was reallocated from his duties at the 708th
Ambulance Company. He came to us as a motivated HM2 and left as a motivated HM1
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Two Techs extended from Det E, so we had lots of corporate knowledge
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One of these two Techs came as an HN, straight out of school, serving as an Admin person
at the school house and left here as an HM3 Lab Tech
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Lab Tech 1:
Lab Tech 2:
Lab Tech 3:
Lab Tech 4:
Lab Tech 5:
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12 hr shifts during R&R and turnover between waves I & II
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Techs should not stand command watches!
Techs should cross train at AJ TMC to run Vitros and Advia when the TMC Tech is
unavailable
LPO
ALPO
Supply PO
PM Swing Shift/Trng PO
Night Swing Shift/Safety
Justification for 6 Personnel
Phlebotomy duties 0730-1630
Blood Banking requires two Techs at all times for verification procedures
Safely multitask between 6 analyzers, the telephone, visitors, couriers
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All Equipment on
ER Power
Chemistry
>K+ causes falsely >CK
Piccolo* x 2 (+ 1 loaner/no dilutions!)
I-STAT x 3
Triage x 2
Urinalysis
Clinitek 50
Hematology
Act T Diff 2 primary (on order)
Act T 10 Back up
Coagulation
Hemochron (back up on order)
Microbiology
Incubators
Non-functional hood & CO Incubator**(F/U BM)
Bactec & Vitek on order
Blood Bank***
Shipments come from Qatar to Ali
regularly (Need Tail No, Transp Ctrl No,
Time, etc.). Staff must stay until flight
leaves.
Manual testing performed. Avg of 30 PRBCs, 20
FFP and 10 Cryo on board
Send to Balad/Bucca PRN
Use Base Transp for pick up from Ali and EMF
Transp for drop off to Ali en route to Balad
Serology
Manual (GC/Chlamydia by DNA via Ref Lab) 34
Supply & Equipment Issues
Chem
In date clue software for I-STATs (2 of 2 operational)
In date simulator for Triage (1 of 2 operational)
Piccolos: Exchange loaner for ours (2 of 3 operational)
Vitros 250 en route status? If not, change to 350 (ice machine must
move to make room for Vitros). New refer needs work request for
plug. No rotors for new centrifuges!
UA/BB 2 of 2 Clinitek 50 operational/Cell washer on order
Hemo
Primary: Mother board died, too costly to order
Back-up in use. New unit(s)* on order
Coag
New unit on order. No issues with current unit, except that there is no
back up, but it has never been down.
Micro
Joint standardization team recommended Microscan. We requested a
Bactec and Vitek. No Microbiologist in theater.
New hood is non-functional no regulator for CO2 incubator
Sero
RPR supplies received. Testing can now be done in house or
continue sending to AJ TMC.
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How To Choose a Reference
Lab
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Accreditation
In house test menu
TAT
Quality
Location/distance from core EMF/travel time
Specimen requirements
Test methodologies
Result retrieval mechanisms (fax, online, encryption)
Courier services
Provider satisfaction
All of the above for their reference lab
Cost
Reference Laboratories
TMC Lab
(Separate TC2* CHCS Icon)
Quantitative BHCG,
Hgb AIC, Mg, TSH, T4, PSA, RPR.
Hadi Clinic
(Tissue Form+BPA Memo)
Histology (tissues) 3-4 day TAT/ results faxed
to Host Nation** daily for pick up.
ICL/Central United Med Labs
(Request more blue forms)
CAP Accredited/Courier Service
Online results***www.unitedlabs.com.kw
Userid : 416
Pwd : 90416
Login As : Corporate.
LRMC, Germany
(Separate CHCS****)
They order our PAPs (cytology) & virology in
their CHCS
https://landstuhl-sa.amedd.army.mil/chcs
Kuwait Central Blood Bank
(KCBB)
Free Blood Products!
Coordinate w/MRO for pick up via Helo.
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IT Systems
Don’t Talk To Each Other!
EMF CHCS = TC2
Ask DBC to order
unk under him/her
All providers must be registered in EMF’s TC2
regardless of TMC assignment so they show up in our
menus to order labs & Rx for them.
TMC Lab
Separate TC2* CHCS Icon.
Copy and paste form their TC2 to our TC2.
Hadi Clinic
Results faxed to Host Nation** daily for pick up. How
providers get their surgical pathology results is an area
for improvement.
ICL/Central United
Med Labs
Copy and paste from online to our TC2(CHCS)
Online results***www.unitedlabs.com.kw
Userid : 416/Pwd : 90416/Login As : Corporate.
LRMC, Germany
(Separate CHCS****)
Copy and paste results from LRMC CHCS to our TC2.
https://landstuhl-sa.amedd.army.mil/chcs
Kuwait Central
Blood Bank (KCBB)
No IT system used by us.
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Excel Tracking Database
It is the responsibility of all Techs to monitor mail outs TAT and
document status during turnover every shift to prevent
specimens pending for weeks at a time without follow up.
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Medically Related Tours
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AJ TMC/Walk in Refer/Host Nation Office/OIC/XO/DH
AJ TMC Annex
Dental
Refrigerated Conex
Room Temp Conex
FDPMU
WRU / WTP
TMCs: Buehring, VA, Ali USN & USAF and KNB
KCBB
Hadi
ICL
United
Embassy
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Off Base Trips
• We had a few trips off
base at the beginning,
then due to the
tragedy with our
fellow MSC officers,
all off base trips were
stopped. All trips
required a chase
vehicle and tight
security checks.
Reports & Frequencies
EMF QC & AJ TMC QC
Daily by LPO/Weekly
Blood Bank Inventory on SIPR
Daily NLT 0800, except Sun
SITREP
Weekly
^SLG
Daily
^WRM
Monthly
Phlebotomy/Blood culture totals
Monthly
MRSA & other cultures
Monthly
Antibiogram ^Micro ^MCR
Monthly
Tissue & Transfusion Rxns
Monthly
QCRs/Mailout Tracking Database Monthly
TAVs
As needed post TMC visits
POCT Rounds
As needed post rounds
AAR/LL/Accompl & Equip T/O
After MASCAL & EOT
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Daily
Blood Inventory Report
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Lab Techs conduct inventory at midnight
Use actual paper inventory to update electronic blood report
Log on to SIPR using first name.middleinitial.last name
(BloodReport08$$)
Click on my computer, access K: drive
Then Hospital folder, EMF Blood Report
Det “G” 2008 Month (Aug) folder
Access yesterday’s file, update and save as today’s date
When inserting lines in the inventory by type, right click on shaded bar
so the formula will work
Add new unit numbers to the bottom of the list in accordance with exp
date
Open Outlook’s latest sent file, reply all and insert today’s report
Change the message title to today’s date
Change the body of the message to reflect today’s date
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Delete any extra info and insert any pertinent comments
Oh BTW…!
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Any Legal inquiries from Provost Marshall, attorneys and others must go through the front office & Legalman 1st.
Host Nations and Kuwait reference laboratories are closed on Fridays.
Hadi will not fax us results, but ICL will. However, we don’t have a working fax in EMF.
Supply has to rotate between FedEx and DHL. As of recently, we are now utilizing DHL to send specimens out.
Dry ice shipments arrive automatically every Tuesday.
BTC in Qatar automatically resupplies us and we send left overs to Balad for Bucca or where ever as needed.
Base transportation delivers our blood shipments to us, but we have to go to Ali to send to Balad. Can’t leave
until the air craft leaves in case it doesn’t take off for some reason.
Get clues for I-Stat & simulators for triage.
The QC card for the Act T Diff 2 works for the Act 10.
Implement use of micro QC organisms. There’s a $250 Influenza Wizard box in the admin rm from FDPMU.
Need rotors for centrifuges, CO2 regulator, polarizing lens for microscope.
Good luck with ever getting the Vitros 250 on board!
A Joint Standardization team came in early Aug and recommended disapproval of Bactec and Vitek purchase.
Evals and awards are done 3 months into the deployment! If it has not happened, it will be removed!
Biowaste is taken to the TMC. ASG has the contract.
We do not do command urinalysis for the USA nor paternity testing.
HM2 Demegillo wants to host a Bone Marrow Drive and HM2 Owen will be at NAVLEAD on 01 Sep (x2wks).
Draw extra tubes when sending to France via ICL/United to prevent lost in transit issues.
Ensure containers are labeled vs lids per Hadi.
Can’t result tissues in CHCS because we need a Pathologist (options encrypted email, paper delivery, LRMC).
Avoid batch testing when possible because it delays the TAT.
All formulas may not be correct in the blood report if you don’t use the “shaded” line to insert rows.
Discourage the Fleet from dropping off their HIVs here due to shipping materials and result retrieval challenges.
They should collect, spin, separate, freeze and deliver to a large MTF or TPC en route.
No PDHA blood draws at this time!
When Techs extend, they only get one eval. Important to follow up.
Attend defensive driving course after online and paper tests, cultural awareness class on Friday Ams and 44
woodshop safety brief.
Remind Pharmacy to order glucometer controls for wards and TMCs.
New BB & MASCAL
Procedures
WBDP
• All Techs must have a verifier for their blood banking procedures
from beginning to end (not just ABO/Rh, Cx too!)
• Preserve O type blood at all costs
• Phlebotomy must be performed ASAP and Type specific blood
issued as first choice
• Units sent with patients are documented as a shipment (eliminates
f/u on disposition)
• No Cryo or FFP used to date
• Avg of 0-2 Tx/month (Jul 08 was unsual)
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Laboratory Department
Strengths
• Outstanding staff! Corporate Knowledge: HM2 Owen.
• All Blood Banking & Microbiology for Kuwait (USA, USAF & USN).
• CAP & AABB accredited reference Labs, ICL/United/LRMC and
KCBB respectively.
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Laboratory Department
Weaknesses
• Staffing, if billets (4) not increased (6) for future dets
• Small, low volume POCT equipment
• Limited space for expansion of provider desired capabilities and
sustainment (vs. EMF) mission
• Reference Lab TAT and procedures outside of our control (QCRs)
• Appropriate mechanism to give providers pathology results
• Qatar TAT for re-supply during MASCAL
• Reliance on MRO & KCBB working together for prompt resupply
during MASCAL
• WBDP not implemented x 3 Dets
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Laboratory Department
Opportunities for Improvement
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Provider satisfaction surveys
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Staffing quantities and quality (experience)
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SOPs
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^SLG
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Intermec printers
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TAR (Transfer Auto Result)
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^ WRM Capturing additional workload in CHCS
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Ordering specimens in CHCS prior to delivery & transport specimens in biohazard
bags
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Warm transfers of specimens for accountability & TAT
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Standardized Hematology instrumentation in Kuwait (share parts, reagents, back ups
in AOR)
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Supply chain drop shipments/Ordering reference books
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Micro reporting (certifying no growth daily, adding drugs/MRSA)
CHCS Test files (interpretation, ref ranges, cpt codes, units, ref labs, etc.)
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Laboratory Department
Threats & Vulnerabilities
• Constantly changing procedures based on fluctuating individual
provider preferences (ping-pong effect/mission creep)
• Supply system TAT from Qatar, Germany, U.S.
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USA/USN relationships
• Relationship with local reference laboratories
• Lack of Embassy sponsored blood drives for KCBBx1yr
• Contacting Techs without cell phones after hrs for MASCAL
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Accomplishments
Serving the Fleet and the Forward Deployed
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Improved quality of reference laboratory services by switching to CAP accredited laboratory
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Established relationship with Kuwait Central Blood Bank for MASCAL and CENTCOM Joint Blood Program Officer
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Successfully completed transition from Tent Hospital to New Facility and successfully absorbed AJ TMC’s workload
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Improved mail-outs, supply tracking and QC review
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Obtained additional permanent (1) and temporary (3) personnel for assistance
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Improved PAP TAT
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Technical Assist Visit to all 5 BMCs (TMCs)
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Identified equipment for the Command’s wish list that will reduce mail-outs and eliminate manual procedures.
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Camp Buehring analyzer repairs
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I-STAT clue software & CHCS workload capture
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USS Cleveland supply assistance & USS Tarawa technical assistance
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Djibouti Lab consultation
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Creation of Lab divisions for CHCS merger & dual visibility within both systems
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Access to LRMC CHCS
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Successfully completed multiple VIP Tours
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GC/Chlamydia by DNA
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Chicken pox evolution
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Document scanner in Lab
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Cross trained LPO in AJ TMC Lab
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Resources
• Tracking specimen shipments: http://www.packtrack.com/
• Chicken Pox
• Biomnis http://www.biomnis.com/index.php/Marcel Merieux Test Guide
• Pathologists in Iraq (& Det G Psych): CPT(P) Jennifer Russell, Theater
Pathologist, OIC 44th Pathology Team, 86th CSH (Ibn Sina Hospital),
Baghdad, Iraq 09348, DSN 239-7713/Cell 914 822-0241
• Field Lab Website: http://www.dcss.cs.amedd.army.mil/field/FLIP%20Disk%2041/FLIP.html
• Organize a Blood Drive! What are you waiting for!? 
• http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=26367
• Recommended LOTTD
• Re-deploying is accomplished via WTP in Zone 6
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EMF-Kuwait
• Hotel Det
• 04 Jan 2009-22 Aug 2009
• LCDR Baker-Volunteered for this Deployment
Where it all
Started
• All Members
converged in Gulfport
Mississippi on the 4th
of Jan 2009. So
beings the
development of our
deployment family
and team.
Finally in Kuwait
• Long flight from
California, to the East
coast, via Germany
and finally arriving in
Kuwait around 0500
on 27 Jan 2009. We
are all excited to “just
get started with the
deployment”. Our
Boots on Ground time
starts NOW!! 
EMF
• Welcome to EMF-Kuwait.
• A US Army facility run by
the US Navy-GO NAVY.
• Lots of sand and heaven
forbid, do not get caught
anywhere without your
“glow” belt. The ultimate
joke: the military spends
millions to make you
camouflaged; only to
wear a glow belt so
everyone can see you!
Hmmm..go figure!
Clinics
• Although the detachment
started out together,
many of us got separated
being sent to support the
other clinics.
• Above, Beth and I at
KNB.
• Below, my nephew
(Army) at Beuhring.
– Lab Tech at Beuhring:
HM3 Wolff
EMF-K Hotel Lab
AJ Staff
• HM1 RamdassPortsmouth
• HM2 Greer-Yokosuka
• HM2 Onigbanjo-Bethesda
• HM2 CarrasquilloOkinawa
• HM2 PaguilianJacksonville
• HM3 Lockhart-Bethesda
• HM3 Acker-Bethesda
Great Group
Lab
TAD from
Deployment??
• Due to the fact 8506 staff
were sent to forward
deployed units untrained,
thus unable to perform
basic lab technician jobs,
we had to send 2 staff
members, HM2 C and
HM2 Oni to support
forward deployed
missions. This is where
we as a MT Community
can do better with our
8506 community.
So What Did We
do?
• Medically we had very
little to do. Sick call,
couple of suicides and
the occasional contractor
having an MI or anemia
(needing transfusion with
anti-c3d-amazing).
• So to pass the time there
was Mustache March to
raise money for the Nurse
Corps Ball. Creepy!!!!
• Visits by NFL players. All
us Minnesota staff with
Jared Allen- Go Vikings!!!
NC Ball-Camo
gone Wrong!
Kuwait Joint MSC
• First ever Joint MSC
association
established.
Celebrated our Bdays together and
had a visit from
RAMD Mittelman.
Hotel Detachment
Leaves; without 5
of Us
• Amazing how hard it
was be to say “goodbye” to people you’ve
only known for 7
months. Five of us
were left behind for
an additional month
due to our
replacements not
showing or hung up
during initial training.
My Last Tech
• Although it was difficult to
say goodbye to all my
shipmates, I was very
happy to have been able
to welcome back my last
TAD tech- HM2
Carassquillo came home
a week later! HM2 C and
HM2 Oni were true sports
about these TAD trips
and did work that made
me very proud to serve
with them!
Lab Family
• How much better can it get to
see your lab family thousands
miles away from your normal
setting?
• CAPT Soyk, so great to meet
up with you! Even if you
caught me dumpster diving at
the Warrior Transition Unit for
Gortex! It was a surprise
meeting for both of us!
• LT Angelo-thank you for
relieving me! I was beginning
to think I was part of India det
too 
Hotel Detachment
Accomplishments:
Forward blood supplier for downrange facilities, All lab staff crosstrained, Development of First ever Joint MSC Assoc.
Strengths:
Sick call clinic, Great Blood support from Kuwait Blood Bank, at least
one tech trained in each area of the laboratory.
Weakness:
Staff arriving untrained in all areas of the laboratory, Lack of
experienced leaders. Lab staff having to go TAD to support other
inexperienced 8506 staff at forward deployed units.
Challenges: The “rules” change from Det to Det; from CO to CO.
Supply, Contracts, H1N1, Army vs. Navy way of doing business,
CHCS.
Lessons Learned: Life if not Fair 
INDIA DET
LT ANGELO
• Most recent challenges was Operation HT
– Army Merger
– DCSS Merger
– Drawdown in Iraq
– Afghanistan Work ups
– Wounded Warrior Program
68
Causality Receiving
69
Tearing Down The
Tents
70
Be able to carry about
150lbs…
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INDIA DET
LT ANGELO
• Drawdown in Iraq also lessened our Blood
Products creating more Blood Products for
Afghanistan
• We had to get creative. What do you do?
– Develop and implement the Walking Blood
Bank Program
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INDIA DET
LT ANGELO
• Installed and Validated the Vitek 2 and a
Biosafety 2 Cabinet (hood)
• Take home message! Some of EMFK
India Det Lab Techs were deployed into
Afghanistan to train lab techs on blood
bank and/or microbiology.
• Have technicians Complete Competency
Assessment Packets prior to deploying.
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So you’re going to
deploy?
• Print the checklist (do each item on the
list) YOURSELF
• Do the NKO/AKO training
• Make three copies of everything including
your HIV results, cholesterol results, last
Pap, all your shots, etc.
• Verify your security clearance and have
three copies of your verification.
• If I can make it through the process,
74
anyone can!
Any Questions?
Hadi Professionals
Kuwait
Central Blood Bank
Professionals
EMF-K Det F Professionals
United Professionals
Det G MT Professional