Ah, The Traditional Rites Of Spring

This morning was a rare treat. Instead of the usual mind numbing work we were able to enjoy a mind numbing training session about Heat Stress Injuries and, Gasp!.....The Evils Of Dietary Supplements. Basically the heat stress portion consisted of "It's Hot, It's Getting Hotter. If you don't drink water and if you do drink beer then your gonna die. However, before you die we are going to strip you naked dump ice on you and shove a 12 inch thermal probe up your butt so we know exactly what your core temperature is when you die" Thats the thing about military medicine, no bedside manner is required. Have I mentioned that Doctors are inherently evil, like cats? Probably 'cause it's true. The second period of instruction was over dietary supplements. I found this fairly amusing 'cause several of my troops are heavy into that stuff. They've got those hundred dollar giant bottles of protein powder, creatine and the like. They are constantly gulping down those protein shakes that look like pureed puke. Me I am all natural. There ain't no nutrient your body needs that can't be found in beef jerky or Tang! I just sat there and snickered while the Pecker Checker giving the training held forth about how those supplements don't do squat, how many are banned and considered elicit drugs by military regulations. I really could have cared less since I have no interest in supplements. My troops weren't convinced though. They must have argued the value of supplements for an hour after we got back to the office. I'll let y'all in on a little secret though, they all look the same to me as the day they got here despite all the protein shakes. Based on that piece of scientifical analysis I tend to agree that the supplements don't do squat except, according to our trainer, make you more susceptible to a Heat Stress Injury.

P.S. By God you don't know heat stress until you've taken one of General King's nature walks in wearing a 100% wool uniform, to include shell jacket, and light marching kit! I'm sure all my Pard's is the 1st Texas can attest to that!

TO THE TYRANT NEVER YIELD