Story Market Day

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik was kind of at a loss on what his part in this would be. Thinking of all the gear he had sorted and organized the last couple weeks, he started to figure what he brought to the table.

He would gather stuff for each of them for survival in the wilderness from what they had there to supplement the students. This would include things like sleep systems, tents, backpacks, portable stoves, snowshoes and so forth. If he got their sizes, he might also be able to scrounge up body armor and plates.

When he was thinking on how to segregate and stash this stuff, his mind went back to the surplus snow sleds that were stashed in one of the connexes. He could pack the stuff for two people into one sled, then bundle it up. This would give him secure, segregated packages. They might even work as roof top pods. If you pack them right, then load them upside down onto the roof rack, the smooth fiberglass side would be facing up, presenting the most weather resistant surface. The canvas body would keep the contents dry.

His initial idea was now growing. He could pack his and Paige’s together, Sabine’s and Andrea’s together, then the Commander and his wife, the Sergeant Major and his wife, and a set for the V’s. He needed to get some sizes from the Commander and the Sergeant Major.
 

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Andrea was already planning stuff on her end. She knew her part would be different. The plan wouldn’t include radios for every swinging dick walking out of this place. Instead, she was planning radio sets for the members of their group. She knew some of the answers for her questions, but needed a few tips. Having found out the Commander was a radio guy back in the day, she would go to him with her questions.

She walked into his office, a quizzical look on her face.

“Sir, since I’m new over here at the Special Operations section, I had a question or two about some of the differences in operating requirements and field capabilities needed.” She thrust out her clipboard so he could see what she had on it. “I’m looking at the portable deployable packages we are building and need to know some of the range requirements.”

The Commander was thinking on her question as she held out the clipboard. There on the clipboard was a list of frequencies, radios and such. On top of that, however, was a small sticky note next to the radio sets. On it was a simple phrase. ‘Good enough to reach your daughter?’ He smiled, reviewed the gear on the list, made some annotations and modifications and handed the clipboard back to Andrea, while surreptitiously pocketing the sticky note.

“I think you have a pretty good understanding of the parameters we will need. Don’t forget spares of the critical components though. Many times, when we are away from base, we won’t have an opportunity to call for resupply or replacements. Overall, it looks good.”

Andrea beamed as she walked back to her new corner of the compound. She had a good plan. Now she had to make it work.
 

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine was looking around at her small space. She had everything she needed to open up her own little clinic right here. That was basically her job downrange, medical support in a deployed environment. Keeping them alive and functioning with both sick call and the more serious stuff. But that was within the military. On the outside, she would have to get more credentialing to operate at that level. Was that what she wanted to do? She didn’t know.

There were jobs running clinics in foreign countries, but she didn’t want to leave the States, she didn’t want to leave Andrea and the guys. She would have to give some serious thought to what she needed or wanted and what she would turn back in to the clinic. They might need stuff if they were staying open for a while to support the families of those TDY, at least until they return. Maybe she could stay on the payroll for a bit longer by working there.
 

Sportsman

Veteran Member
Great, a three-fer! Thank you. Now we know that the details are the important part. It's going to be interesting listening to them thinking up all those little details.

Thanks.
 

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine was still torn. If the plan was to stay open to support the families of those TDY, at least until the troops returned and out processed they would need the stuff. She might either be able to get a civilian job or not be discharged right away. That mission essential stuff. It was medical stuff to help people it was different than weapons. She had a hard time agreeing with the Sergeant Major about not giving the city anything when it came to medical supplies. If only the small clinic in the village had what it needed maybe he brother would still be alive. She needed a walk and cup of coffee to clear her mind.

On her walk, she ran across the Sergeant Major.

“The medical augmenting kits you have me building. The stuff I don’t use goes back to the clinic for our people, Right?”

The Sergeant Major could see the agonizing Sabine was doing in her head.

“Look, here's the plan. We need three remote deployed set ups able to support two medics, at your level. All the rest of the stuff is going back over to the base clinic. It is staying open to support our people for as long as we have people here. After that, I think the idea is to convert it to a DoD/VA clinic for the mil retirees up here. I just don’t want the stuff shoveled into pallets and bought at auction for a dollar by some doc in a box for profit urgent care clinic. Mil shit for Mil people. Does that help clarify?”

Sabine thought she understood a bit better. She was nodding her head when he finished. With that guidance, she could work a bit better. She still wasn’t sure why he selected them for this giant scavenger hunt, but now wasn’t the right time or place to ask. Maybe Thanksgiving.
 
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ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Once again, it was a busy time for everyone. They were organizing stuff and making plans. Henrik was still making trips to the city to buy food and supplies. Each person was making lists for what to pick up. Depending on what it was, someone else would go with him. They rarely liked going too far alone. This was reinforced by the events on the news. Riots were getting more and more frequent. Not just in the big cities, either. There were shops being looted and burned down in some places.

As part of the redistribution of assets, Paige made a change with her and Sabine. The Sergeant Major had provided them the M11 pistols they were still carrying. She decided those two would be set aside for the package she was building for Violet and Veronica. Veronica would be more used to the M11 since it was standard issue for her position. She and Violet having the same type of pistol made more sense.

Paige approached the Sergeant Major about permits for Henrik and Andrea as well. At first he wasn’t sure, but relented when she laid out her case for it. If they were authorized for carry, they would be able to escort shipments without involving outsiders and potentially making others aware of the weapons being moved to the other military installations. At least that was the pitch she made in the office where other ears might be able to hear.

The Sergeant Major was thinking on her suggestion when it occurred to him they should do them with a nice long expiration date, and add some for himself and the Commander. Things were getting dicey around the area and he didn’t expect it to get better anytime soon.

Paige got with Sabine and swapped out the Sig M11 she was carrying for one of the Glock 19Ms she had. She only had five of them, so she could arm her little group, plus the Sergeant Major.

Putting the pistol on her hip gave her a sense of safety. She knew in some ways this was an illusion, but these days, anything to help her nerves was welcome
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Prepping for the bug out is wise, but sooner than later is best for it will only get worse the longer it takes.

Texican....
 

Griz3752

Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Nice! But too big for my small hands.... darn, drooling here.
Have you tried one? I know a couple of true petite women & several smaller guys who won't consider anything but a 1911.

Even my wife, a died-in-the-wool wheel gun girl says they're 'nice'.

Of course bring male, I'm not sure what nice means in this context; in others, it could mean I (or someone else, hopefully) is in tres deep caw-caw.
 

Griz3752

Retired, practising Curmudgeon
The only thing I would change is that backstrap safety, for some reason those with the raised portion hurt my hands.
Swapping the main spring housing gets the best of both worlds; rids you of the arch you find difficult to use and keeps the grip safety. Doing it is so easy, you probably don't even need a smith to do it if you stick to brand name parts. Of course a smith could tune the trigger, swap springs... I mean if you wanted such done.......
The 1911 is arguably the safest pistol extant because of its simplicity and redundant safeties, presuming of course the person holding it has a modicum of training.
 
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Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
Of course bring male, I'm not sure what nice means in this context; in others, it could mean I (or someone else, hopefully) is in tres deep caw-caw.

Griz,

We know that you are definitely bent way out there, but....

Bring definition, to carry, convey, conduct, or cause (someone or something) to come with, to, or toward the speaker.

Now that is just weird and you are definitely in tres deep caw-caw if your DW ever discovers this.

Texican....
 

Griz3752

Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Griz,

We know that you are definitely bent way out there, but....

Bring definition, to carry, convey, conduct, or cause (someone or something) to come with, to, or toward the speaker.

Now that is just weird and you are definitely in tres deep caw-caw if your DW ever discovers this.

Texican....
yeah see what happens when I have a decent cigar w/ some acceptable whiskey and stay up later then I should? Any of the Penguins I had for English would have been on my butt like ugly on an ape for that!
 

john70

Veteran Member
Have you tried one? I know a couple of true petite women & several smaller guys who won't consider anything but a 1911.

Even my wife, a died-in-the-wool wheel gun girl says they're 'nice'.

Of course bring male, I'm not sure what nice means in this context; in others, it could mean I (or someone else, hopefully) is in tres deep caw-caw.
A STEEL 45 IS NICE TO SHOOTE
 

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
One only had to watch the nightly news to see how bad it was getting and they were right. Riots were getting more and more frequent. Not just in the big cities, either. There were shops being looted and burned down in some places close to their families and small towns not too far from the bases on the coast where they had friends. Gas stations bombed and robbed for apparently no reason. It was ridiculous. It was an excuse to rob and act out not because they needed it.

The events of the world made it busy time for everyone at home as well work. They were organizing stuff, making plans and Henrick had each them of doing lists. He figured each had an area of expertise so he had them make list accordingly. Henrick loved list. He told everyone it made life easier so they didn’t forget things. The trips to the city to buy food and supplies became group activities. No one went by themselves any more or if they did it was not very far from home. It was getting less safe to go anywhere alone.
 

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Sabine was a little worried. Paige was having some trouble sleeping. At least she was talking to her about it. If she was being honest with herself, she wasn’t sleeping too well herself, but it was new territory for Paige.

Sabine started thinking about pharmacology for the long term. She needed to adjust Paige’s meds some. If it was pain, she needed to look at weaning her off narcs. If it was more stress, then she could look at different pharmacological tools. She knew hiding behind drugs wasn’t the answer though. If it was in her head, she had to figure out how to help her. Maybe some holistic, herbal or alternative medicine would be useful, especially as resources diminish.
 
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ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik was in his element. He kept prowling through everything. It was almost ‘fun’, if it wasn’t for the seriousness. It was mission planning. He did enough of it all the time prepping for leading classes. He also did enough for other environments piloting the Riverine Assault Crafts before becoming an instructor here. Route needs, logistics, response capabilities, all the details no one thinks of, he had to think of. He had a whole roll of butcher paper mounted on the door of the barn. He used a big marker and made list after list. He had all of his housemates making lists as well.

The Sergeant Major had him planning and working with the Horsemanship and Animal packing sections as well. There were a few still in that section. It was hoped a few of them would take the animals when they closed.

Henrik slowly moved a lot of the pieces he needed for the ten special kits. He took one of the classrooms and laid out some of the sleds. He listed everything he was pulling for them. He used the whiteboard in the classroom to diagram how all of it jigsawed into the sled. When anyone asked him what he was doing, he was designing deployment kits.
 

Texican

Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
He used the whiteboard in the classroom to diagram how all of it jigsawed into the sled. When anyone asked him what he was doing, he was designing deployment kits.

More like E&E kits to get the sam hill out of there.

Texican....
 

ComCamGuy

Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Thanksgiving was only a few days away and everyone was getting stressed. The chaos was spreading. Shortages of everything were growing. Many more of the base personnel were submitting their packages so they could leave and care for their family members or move away to better, or at least cheaper locations. The Sergeant Major and the Commander were puzzling over the problem of keeping the dependents safe. Base housing was over twenty miles away. A large number of the inhabitants were the family members of TDY Marines. This left them isolated and separated. Other Staff families were spread out over the surrounding area. They worried about how to keep them safe and supported.

Andrea overheard the Commander and the Sergeant Major discussing the problem. She jumped right in with a possible solution.

“Sirs, why not offer to move them onto base into the student quarters. There should be enough spaces for the remaining families. They would be inside the perimeter and much easier to take care of and support. It shortens the patrolling footprint, alleviates the other support issues and consolidates your manpower remaining.”

The Commander and the Sergeant Major both looked at her, then each other. Each of them had the classic look of ‘why didn’t we think about that’ plastered on their faces

This possible solution set up another cascade of headaches. The Sergeant Major rounded up a couple of trucks and some connex boxes to put next to the student quarters. These would be used to house the personal effects of any of the families who moved onto the base, pending their departure at the closing of the base.

As whole sections kept consolidating manpower and equipment, the personnel were shuffled to other sections that needed the help. Anyone not immediately engaged in the drawdown operations was seconded to a crew put together to help pack out the families and move them onto base. This process also influenced many to submit their departure paperwork as well. The numbers on base were diminishing fast.
 
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