;)
And the Fun Begins
Friday, October 9, 2009 at 8:58AM I've been trying not to think about our upcoming move to Honolulu. Not because I'm sad about moving, but because I don't want to jinx anything! Orders are fragile things - you never know when they'll be rescinded because the powers that be have decided that they need you more somewhere else. And while Hawaii has never been very high up on my list of cool places to live, there are worse places to be stationed! The Man is in one of those career fields that does Army support, so we are eligible for the crappy Air Force assignments AND the crappy Army assigments. That's a lot of crap to worry about. So Hawaii is perfectly okay with me, but I've been trying not to get too attached to the idea because I might really end up at Fort Irwin, California instead. That would be . . . crappy.
It seems that I can start getting used to the idea of Hawaii now, though, because we are in the midst of our overseas medical clearance. The Man just dragged us to the base dental clinic so they could evaluate our dental health. What a lousy morning that was. I caused an administrative nightmare by refusing to give out my Goobs' social security numbers. I was a pencil pusher for the military medical system during my four years in the United States Air Force, so I knew that it would be a pain. I also knew that it can be overcome. Unfortunately, the gal in charge of the records hadn't learned that lesson yet. Now she knows, but I don't think she'll look back with misty eyes on the day she learned how to improvise within the belly of the beast.
Once we got over that little hump, I had to stand by and let the dentist evaluate my Goobs' dental health. I went first to show them that they wouldn't actually die, no matter what it felt like at the time. See, military dentists evaluate your dental health by roughly shoving large metal sticks into your mouth and banging around with excessive force. If you manage not to scream and choke out the dental assistant, your dental health is just fine and you're fit for duty. They're not quite as rough on civilians, and they make even more of an effort with children, but it was still such a traumatic experience for my Goobs that we had to go out for ice cream afterwards.
(Oh, the stories I could tell you about military dentists. Perhaps another time.)
Now we get to look forward to our appointment over at the main clinic - we'll be poked and prodded and inspected and asked prying, insulting questions, all to find out if we are healthy enough to live in HONOLULU, HAWAII. Ridiculous. The medical facilities available there are ten times better than what's offered at our present location. What a waste of time.
But it means that we might actually be moving in February! Woo-hoo!
military in The Squares
Reader Comments (9)
I have no memories of military dentists, my mother took us to civilian ones.
I have always taken The Goobs to civilian dentists as well, but we couldn't get an appointment fast enough for the military this time so we had to take them to the base dental clinic. I feel terrible about it, but they learned a valuable lesson - what doesn't kill you gets you ice cream.
Poor Goobs! We had to deal with all the yucky appt.s to come here too. But we only had to take the form to our dentist to have him fill it out. They didn't make us come in for a "check up". The appt. that I found the most worthless was the "family appt." with the peds clinic. Something to the effect of making sure everyone was well so that any medical conditions that were pre-existing were noted to be sure there was "adequate care" at the receiving base. WHAT a CROCK! They didn't even look at the kids, much less talk to the! They made us drag everyone in for an appt to fill out paperwork in front of us. AAARRRGGGG!!!! I hate what the medical care has become!
YAY for ice cream! I think we treated our Krew to lunch after all the frustration!
"what doesn't kill you gets you ice cream"
That is a a valuable lesson!
I am glad things are moving along for you, even if it is a pain.
I like that lesson. Overseas screening to go to Hawaii is ridiculous. I am sorry, but you are moving! Yay!
Awww yes, the memories. Retirement is good...thanks for the reminder!
I still have no pity for anyone moving to Hawaii, well, maybe some for your kids, but that's all. ;)
So are you learning to hula dance yet?
I forgot to say that you're awesome for not giving the Goobs' SS#
I always refuse to give out SS#'s too and it always causes a big uproar. They just sit there looking at you all confused and flumoxed when you don't fill in all the boxes like a good little sheep. "But it's on the form! You can't just not fill it out!"
The last time I went to my family doctor, they wanted to take my picture! Can you believe that? I asked what for and they said they had a new policy "to help protect me in case my wallet gets stolen and someone tries to come in and get medical care by posing as me". Riiiiiiiiight. I'm supposed to believe THAT'S how insurance fraud works? If my wallet gets stolen, the first thing the thief will think of is "oh, thank goodness, now I can get my foot looked at" ? Please.
Meanwhile, they photo copy my insurance card EVERY SINGLE TIME I go in there. All those photo copies are not in my chart however. They probably throw reams of papers away in the dumpster that contain all kinds of personal information.