The Spirit of Volunteerism

I got a text message from my brother Scott a few days ago that said " Dude, I'm off to E.S. Love you." I was again reminded about the great concept of "volunteers." I see the soldiers that I have served with in the Army and see the desire to step out of their comfort zone and go somewhere in the world and work. Seldom in the nicest of zip codes. Scott is a great person and a cool brother. He served his "mandatory reserve" two weeks for the Army in June and now is off to serve those who need dental care in the worst way.Because he wants to! He wants meaningful living. He signed up to serve in war zones twice and ended up in Fallujah- right in the middle of the Sunni Triangle. The worst place in the world to be in at that time. On a humanitarian mission to the Dominican Republic he served in schools all over the eastern part of the country. His section provided dental care with minimal security even with threats to their lives. He did not stay in camp, they went to work. He was leading soldiers and soldiers work in less than optimal circumstances.

The point is often overlooked that many of the professionals who serve in the Army Reserve Medical Corps are volunteers- to enrich their lives. They see a need and step up to say: send me and I will do the job and do it well. Some have laughed over the years that I am a pediatric dentist and why in the hell am I in the Army. Simply put, because I can [serve my country] and for the men and women next to me in the war zone or in a third world country. Do I need the Army money? Probably not- that is my business but I am blessed and I know it.

I was called to Iraq for the second time in the fall of 2007. My brother Scott was just home and he said there were two places in the south of Iraq I absolutely did not want to go to. One was Camp Bucca, a huge prison and the other was FOB Echo, because it was a very dangerous hellhole. I got Echo and went into service as the only American dentist there. I was honored to serve there. I went with an open mind and knew that I had sworn to be obedient to my command. I was satisfied because I was a volunteer. Isn't is superb to have choices!