August 5th, 2006: I am pretty happy with life in general.
August 6th, 2006: Upset to be leaving to Iraq for a year, but sure the trek will make me stronger, better.
August 6th, 2007: 365 days in Iraq; nearly 60 days to go - my confidence wanes. I am unhappy.
September 26th, 2007: My feet are back on the ground in Hawaii, and I am happy to be home.
April 22nd, 2008: After dealing with serious emotional issues for several months, I succumb to the reality I may need medication.
April 23rd, 2008: I visit the Soldier Assistance Center and ask to see my provider to discuss medication options. I am told walk-in hours are at 7:30 AM. Won’t you please come back tomorrow?
April 24th, 2008: It is 7:15 AM and I wait for the doors to open. They do, and I am told all questions regarding medication must be addressed in their daily walk-in medication briefings, held at 1:30 PM. Won’t you please come back this afternoon?
April 28th, 2008: Unable to return for Thursday’s walk-in, and again unable to enjoy the weekend, I take time out of my day off to travel to work and attend the medication briefing. I am told those briefings are held at 10:30 AM on Mondays. Won’t you please come back tomorrow?
Tomorrow I have a dental appointment at 10:30, and bigR’s soccer practice at 5. It is highly unlikely I will be given the liberty to disappear from work three times in one day. Won’t you please try again Wednesday?
At this point I am certain I would have more success seeking “medication” from random strangers on the streets of Wahiawa.
I had a lot of those same issue the first time we lived here and I learned one valuable lesson. Call, call, call and call again. Out of the four times you call only once will you get the right answer on when and where you need to be.
Secondly, I’m sick and tired of civilians that think it’s so damn easy to just go to the dr when you have free health care. You do get what you pay for. And especially at Tripler, it’s hit or miss on if you’ll get a decent dr that gives a damn.
The wife and I were just talking about all this, how socialized military medicine leaves so much to be desired. If she calls for an appointment, you can bet it’ll be two months out. If she goes in for a same-day acute appointment, they’ll only treat ONE thing.
The only real REAL benefit is not having to pay for meds … assuming you can actually get someone to write you a prescription.
I’ll second what Chris said. Any time I have to deal with Togus, I end up calling a half dozen times to get my question answered. Eventually I get someone who both A)feels like bothering to do their job that day and B)can help me get the answer I need. Don’t give up.
And if you do get a prescription, like with my allergy meds, they won’t give you any refills. So you have one months worth of meds and an appointment two months in the future. I guess they’re concerned I’ll OD on Allegra.