Reconnecting

A questionaire. Four pages. On top of a stack of seven packs of some-odd papers, also. And they were? Papers for paper’s sake. The same information requested in six of them, but with different form numbers and colored headings.

Flipping through our pile in a gym’s bleachers…

Do you have any of the listed symptoms…

Initial on lines seven, 15a, date of birth, social, name on each page. In the upper left? Did he say if you had taken “malaria pills” or “anthrax” to mark “yes” in item 13?

Last test taken? Dates of shots? PPD positive in the past? Look for these symptoms. You can contract the disease up to a year after returning.

“This my 7 o’clock group? It is now 9:30. Try to not talk and keep moving. Now you may begin.”

We would proceed to where? Station four before two, three stamps then to legal and finance, only if you needed an SGLI adjustment.

Did you have your shot record? Vision tests only with glasses. “This the line for hearing? No? Down next to HIV screening? Gotit?”

…You feel like hurting yourself or others: (A lot) (often) (some) (never)…

“They didn’t sign what? Have to get in line again? Then I’m done? No? Okay.”

“How are things? Weekend’s not long enough, huh? Yeah, got a new car. Apartment’s nice.”

…Do you feel like you’re disconnected from others? Do you not find enjoyment in activities?…

“Are you having trouble sleeping?” “Yes.” “Frequent indigestion?” “Yes.” “Were you exposed to pesticides, industrial polution, sand, dirt, vehicle exhaust, and oil fires?” “Yes.” “You’re done here, go on to station seven.”

“We’re done after this?” “Yes, colonel wants you to have half days for the first week back, so we’re trying to get that to you.”

The folder doesn’t have a yellow insert , proceed to “personnel.” Line forms here. “You here for personnel? Okay, good.”

“ID card, RSRP form and the PDHA packet, you keep all that.” “Am I done?” “Yes, sir.” “Am I ready to come back to the world?” “Medically you are.”

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