When people usually talk about the word military, what pops out of my mind usually has the same meaning of being raw, rugged, and extreme. But everything changed when I had the chance on meeting a nurse wearing a battle dress uniform, I felt devotion where two selfless career in one life can shine.
- Instrument for Healing Hands -
It is probably a non-refutable fact if I say that military nursing can be one of the most difficult jobs available in the world as Lt. Gen. Nestor R. Santillan, AFP (Ret) once said, "The life of a soldier is a life of duty, not adventure; a life of sacrifice not choice; a life of service not profit; that is why we call our job, the service... the greatest reward for a soldier is to see the country and people we serve benefit from our dedicated service..."
I see now that there are little pointers to differentiate a civilian nurse to a military nurse... but being able to see their duty of marrying the career of arms and a provider of holistic care. They are undeniably one of most aspiring people in the field today.
If you are a nurse, try to imagine this when you wake up with the sound of reveille in the morning, run for your physical exercise, bathe in excruciatingly cold water, don your army uniform, wear those heavy combat boots, then accessorize yourself with stethoscopes, first aid kit, penlight, among others...
Towards the start of your shift, one of your objective is to help the wounded soldiers and regain the hope of life within them. Some may have probable post traumatic stress disorder which can be a big hindrance to your healing hands. You see them without limbs because they just came in from the battlefield. Even a cold or flu can still make the day bad. However, you, being their support makes a big difference and their dependents vouch for your care to teach them in taking part of their well-being.
It is not just soldiers whom our military nurses support. Their dependents are also part of their circle of care. On the wider scale, the whole community is also an extension of their responsibility.
By these words I say, military nurses are a great asset to the troops, their dependents, and the community.
Along with reservists and their nursing degree (photo on left), they work hand in hand for nation-building; pushing greater horizons of service to community education and rescue operations. This is Bayanihan.
Along with reservists and their nursing degree (photo on left), they work hand in hand for nation-building; pushing greater horizons of service to community education and rescue operations. This is Bayanihan.
It is not an everyday scene that you see military nurses in the field. Not because they only show their service in the back of the stage, rather, they just don't do it under the spot light to gather fame. These camouflaged Nightingales are too busy rendering their service for the people who need them most.
This blog is dedicated to the military nurses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. To the nurses with a soldier's heart.
© iamreservist
