Started my overseas screening today. Spent 45 minutes to fill out a one page form. It took all of 2 minutes. Then was sent to immunization, had to complete the block "all required immunization for destination country completed". Arrived at immunization and took my number, filled out all three of the required forms and awaited my turn. After about an hour, my number was called. I presented my self and my paperwork to the nurse.

Nurse: What do you want
Me: Working on my overseas screening to deploy to Africa. I need the required immunizations
Nurse: OK, which ones do you need.
Me: I dont know, I thought you would tell me.
Nurse: (over her shoulder to a disheveled a bored looking, dishevelled Hospitalman Apprentice): Hey, what does he need for this part of Africa?
HA (Hopitalman Apprentice): I don't know, mayber malaria
Nurse (looks at me says nothing)
Me: Maybe you should look it up
Nurse (to HA): Hey look it up
HA (after rumaging around the office): Uh, Hep, Yellow Fever, Menogo..something unpronounceable, TB test. I thing thats it.
Me: You think or you know? What about Anthrax and Smallpox.
Nurse: Those are only required if your orders say so. go follow the green foot prints and dots to the waiting area.

I go to the next waiting are filled with confidence in the competence of staff and cool my heals for another hour.

Finally, my name is called and they inject me with all kinds of horrible concoctions and it is over.

With two painful arms I report back to the overseas screening office. They tell me to comeback tommorrow to complete Phase II.

As a sidenote, if you enjoyed the little tableau in the immunization office. Remember, the military healthcare system is a MANAGED CARE SYSTEM. It is the granddaddy of all HMOs. If the government has their way, every man, woman, and child will be subjected to the medical bureaucracy I just decribed. Be afraid. Be Very Afraid