ER

SGM was screaming leaving the NCOIC and Sergeant in the room confused. Everyone was just trying to figure out what was going on and me? I was trying to prevent myself from passing out. Everything I did or said only made SGM angrier so I was afraid to move or speak. SGM was making accusations that I was pretending to be sick because I knew I was in big trouble. Preposterous! I still had no idea what offense I had committed but other than that, I truly was ill and the more I tried to explain that to this idiot, the crazier he got.

By now it was as if everyone in the room was unaware of my existence. The Sergeants were trying to understand what was going on and SGM was just yelling and spitting about my blatant disregard for his rank and blah, blah, blah . . .

I was unable to stand anymore so I walked over to a couch in the office and sat down. The talking in the room seemed mumbled to me. I was crying because well, crying is usually the outward expression of most any emotion I have but I remember just feeling so alone at that moment --no one really cared about me and no one on that entire military post even knew me. Well, except for Chief but even then, its not like Chief and I were good friends. SGM was even more upset that I sat down and though he was almost to the point of calming down now, he still kept on and on about how I was disobeying his commands and faking illness.

The NCOIC asked me what was wrong and I told him I didn't know but I had been sick for a few days. Then NCOIC started scolding me and telling me if I had really been sick I would have gone to the doctor. Though I didn't explain it to them, the reason I had not yet been to the doctor is that I was waiting until I was assigned to my unit. Being in a holding barracks is horrible, a place that's no fun to stay and going on sick call can only prolong your stay there. I didn't want to risk losing my assignment at the headquarters JAG and I didn't want to stay in the holding barracks one day longer than need be. So my grand plan was to wait until I got to my unit then go see the doctor.

The NCOIC was on the fence about my whole illness thing -- I think he wanted to believe me but he had SGM breathing fire down his neck. He was in a tough position. But the female Sergeant in the room seemed to be on my side and spoke up saying, "I think SGT Dodge really is sick."  NCOIC decided if I really was that sick I should be taken by ambulance to the ER--but in saying so, I think he thought he was going to call my bluff.

But as my head was spinning and sounds were muffled and unclear, I nodded my head in agreement; it indeed was time for me to get to a doctor.  There was a few seconds of silence in the room as if everyone tried to figure out what was next.   Still thinking I might be faking it, NCOIC said to me, "Do you need an ambulance?"  Once I again, I just nodded my head then laid down on the couch.  I couldn't even sit up any longer.  Now I think I had SGM a little scared because he suddenly got very quiet.  There was some discussion between SGM and NCOIC that if I was really sick he'd be willing to drop the whole matter but if I wasn't sick, he wanted to see judicial punishment brought against me.  Then SGM left.  I'm kind of unclear of everthing that happened after I laid down on the couch because I was so out of it.

Next thing I know I was put onto a stretcher and taken to the post hospital.  Before I left the NCOIC said to me, "For your sake, I hope you really are sick."  The medics had called ahead to the hospital so they were expecting me --and they weren't very busy at all so I got a lot of attention from a lot of people.  They were probably bored, glad to have someone there.