Petraeus recognizes preventive medicine Soldier

Photo By Spc. Alisha Hauk | Gen. David Petraeus awards a coin to Spc. Naima K. Strickland, preventive medicine specialist, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker cavalry Regiment, July 26, 2008, for the work she has done improving the living standards and ensuring the health of Soldiers deployed to Iraq.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

07.27.2008

Story by Pfc. Alisha Hauk 

14th Public Affairs Detachment

By Pfc. Alisha Nye
14th Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq - Soldiers and civilians were recognized for their hard work and dedication to service by Gen. David Petraeus, commander, Multi-National Forces Iraq, in a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

One such Soldier is Spc. Naima K. Strickland, preventive medicine specialist, Medical Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

"Our sergeant major from our RSS actually went out with me the other day and he said that I was very professional and I'm good at what I do," Strickland said. "So, he recommended me to be presented with a coin from Gen. Petraeus."

Preventive medicine is the part of medicine that deals with preventing diseases and sickness.

"I'm the only one in our regiment that does what I do," Strickland said. "I see approximately 11 combat outposts each month."

Strickland's job covers a wide range of public health and preventive medicine aspects, she said.

"It's like being a health and safety inspector," said Strickland.

Strickland does everything from testing water for bacteria to helping to coordinate the construction of new shower structures to pest control.

"The best way I would describe it is 'preserve the fighting force,'" said Strickland, "I keep Soldiers from getting sick – so they don't get injured or get diarrhea or fall victim to anything else."

The most major issues are diarrhea and respiratory infections; even simple issues such as these are enough to prevent Soldiers from performing to the best of their abilities, especially while on a mission, said Strickland.

"It's my job to make sure they don't get sick and they're still able to fight," said Strickland.

Some of the most important tasks Strickland performs are testing water and food and training others on how to keep water and food to a certain health standard so people do not get sick.

"Our immune systems are not the same as the Iraqis' immune systems," Strickland explained. "We can't take so much additional stuff in our system. We're not used to a lot of the bacteria and things that are in their water and food normally."

Strickland has had a variety of jobs in the past, which include retail, telemarketing and furniture repair and installation. But none of them compare to the one she has now.

"I think the best part of my job is that I actually get to help people," said Strickland, "I think the best thing, for me, is when I actually get to make unsafe conditions better – when I'm able to actually fix the problems."

It gives her a good feeling when she makes monthly visits to outposts and sees the improvements that she has helped to make said Strickland

"When I go one month, nothing is there," Strickland said. "When I go back the next month, people are able to take showers, they're getting water. They're getting taken care of."

However, it isn't just people Strickland helps take care of, but animals as well.

"Sometimes people want to keep dogs when they find them," she said. "It's a morale thing."

Part of Strickland's job is to help get these animals put on orders to become force protection dogs and to coordinate veterinary visits for the dogs to get vaccinated. Short of that, she said, the dogs must be put down.

"That's my least favorite part of this job," Strickland said.

Some of her most rewarding experiences come from preventing euthanasia.

"I got a chance to coordinate the vaccinations for dogs and normally, with my job, all I get to do is kill them," Strickland said. "It was fun for me to be able to coordinate their vaccinations and pet them and not have to put them down."

With the role she plays in helping both people and animals live more safely and healthy in a combat environment, Spc. Strickland seems to be an unsung hero. To her, however, the job is its own reward.

"My job is to help people," said Strickland. "And I like that."

• Date Taken: 07.27.2008
• Date Posted: 10.02.2008 06:10
• Story ID: 24409
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ