Topic: The Club House / Army Medic turned Correctional Officer

Irish Assassin Thanks. I suppose that’s something I forgot. There are positions for all regardless of their stature. And the twisted humor, that’s gotten me in trouble before. I’ll laugh about something completely inappropriate and everyone just kind of looks at me like I’m crazy, haha.

I was thinking about buying another pair of my old black jump boots. Good enough to jump and ruck in, gotta be good enough for cement floors. And hot sauce, it’s the cornerstone of any mans diet…

Topic: The Club House / Army Medic turned Correctional Officer

Mick Thanks for the response. You’re absolutely right in that sense. And it sure is good to know that those who are incapable for the most part will leave. It really has been on my mind, but I’ll take your word on it that the weak willed give up along the way. And that’s just outstanding, like to hear that you’re a force to be reckoned with.

As for the twisted sense of humor, being a Doc I got that covered.

Topic: The Club House / Army Medic turned Correctional Officer

Mick – Thanks, absolutely right. “Better to ask than wing it and get it wrong.”

Eitel Status – Thanks for the insight. They like to humor themselves? Good thing I have quite the capacity for patience.

Irish Assassin – Thanks for the reply brother, I can almost hear the words “Stay Alert, Stay Alive” being grunted at me.

I guess the only other thing I would like to ask is probably loaded, but I’d like a straight answer if possible. I am honestly concerned about who some of my fellow officers may be. When I took the physical fitness test I took note of who else was present and what they were able to achieve in a controlled environment at a gym after a full nights sleep. Now, for the most part I understand we all bleed red regardless of age and gender, but to be honest I have a doubt as to the effectiveness of who some of my peers may be. I’m not saying everyone has to be Superman. I know all to well from my experiences in the Army that many times it’s the weak looking 120 pound soldier who is able to outlast the body builders in combat as it’s a mental game, but strength has to needed as well. To put it bluntly, some of the people who “passed” I wouldn’t trust to walk up a flight of stairs with a bag of groceries, much less fighting off a prisoner or two while dragging my body to a position of cover. I mean, I hope nobody takes it the wrong way as I do know there are plenty of people of advanced age or the opposing gender who are capable, just as there are guys my age who are not… I just want your insight to how it is and how I should prepare myself.

I don’t mean to appear as if I’m calling every older individual, obese individual, or woman incapable, just that it honestly worries me given I didn’t see many physically fit individuals there. I’ve been in a fight for my life before, too close to use my weapon, and it was rather difficult even for me. Because of that it does scare me to think some of these people may be the only support I may have. I have to believe that these prisoners have nothing better to do than work out and plan for that one moment they may strike. Maybe I shouldn’t treat it like the Army, but I always could count on my squad being fully capable of destroying everything around them and turning all to rubble and ash if a brother needed help.

Sorry for the rant, and once again I hope people can understand that I’m not saying anyone is incapable merely because of the way they look. Just hoping you guys can alleviate my concerns, or at least mitigate them.

Topic: Health & Wellness / Mandated CPR On Inmates: Good Or Not So Good?

Even though I may be a rook in the Correctional Field, I’ve been a Medic in the Army for awhile. Even when I was downrange in Iraq we did CPR on Iraqi’s. There is a difference however, I will go no gloves/straight mouth to save the life of a man/woman wearing the same uniform as I do. As for Iraqi’s (or prisoners in this case), that is why we have gloves and barrier devices.

Besides, the rescue breaths really are not that important, rather the compression’s are. If you can get a BVM (Bag-Valve-Mask) and AED while another guy does straight compression’s you will do more good than you would if you stop compression’s every 30 seconds.

But I suppose it comes down to your local policy.

Topic: The Club House / Army Medic turned Correctional Officer

Happy New Years to everyone. I spent 5 years as an active duty artilleryman who deployed twice to Iraq (27 months) and then transferred and re-classed as a Medic in an Infantry Battalion in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. I’ve been doing that for 2 years and plan on retiring as a Medic while I pursue a career as a C/O. I’ve done patrols, cordon and searches, fought with a few Iraqis and transported some detainees in my time, but I’m fairly sure this we be a whole new challenge. I’m looking forward to cutting my teeth at a maximum security correctional institute once I complete my pre-service training.

I understand this will require a whole new approach than what I’ve come to expect from the Army, but the mindset has to be the same. Any advice for a rook? (Kinda funny to think that now I’m the cherry)