Posted on 01/13/2006 4:41:02 PM PST by SandRat
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Jan. 13, 2006) -- Being a hospital corpsman with Marines is different than most Navy jobs. They are inserted into combat zones right next to their “Devil Dog” brothers to ensure their health and safety. For one corpsman numerous challenges did not stop him from joining the fight and earning the title “Doc.”
Petty Officer 3rd Class David L. Brown, a hospital corpsman with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), was committed to himself when he decided to join the Navy after speaking to a recruiter.
“I didn’t think they would let me join,” the 40-year-old Washington native explained because of his age. “I wanted to be master at arms actually, but they [said] I could be a corpsman and serve along Marines; I signed right up.”
Brown left his job as an auto parts store manager in Florida and left for Naval Training Center Great Lakes, Ill., for recruit training.
He than became a hospital corpsman and looked forward to serving alongside Marines after finishing Field Medicine School at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Being able to help Marines and Sailors out by having more time in the civilian life proved to be a valuable asset, Brown said.
According to the Congressional Budget Office’s Web site (www.cbo.gov), the average age of military enlistees is 19.
Brown faced some challenges at first keeping up with Sailors and Marines that were more than 10 years younger than he.
“It was hard at first but once I figured it out I just did what they did and joined right in,” he said.
Brown explained his love of serving with leathernecks.
“Helping Marines is what I enjoy,” Brown said. “When I help Marines I truly feeling I am contributing to the mission.”
Before serving with the Marines, Brown worked at the heart of Navy medicine at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland.
“I really enjoyed my time at Bethesda. I was close to home and learned a lot,” he said.
Being deployed to a combat zone doesn’t bother Brown, including being separated from his sons: David, Daniel and Aaron.
Brown keeps in contact with his sons through letters and the occasional phone call when he gets the chance.
“I love my boys, and can’t wait to get back and see them,” he said.
Another love Brown has acquired over the years is his passion for cars and specifically custom automobiles.
“I like anything about cars,” he said. “Fast cars, performance cars; I just love cars.”
His patriotic roots extend deep with family who have served in the Navy as well.
“I have two uncles who were in the Navy; It’s like a family tradition that I felt I wanted to follow,” Brown explained.
Brown is just one example of a “Devil Doc” in Iraq serving alongside his brothers Din the Marines, and at a later age felt dedicated do his part during the Global War on Terrorism.
Marine Corpsman PING
God Bless Davey Brown. Give him all the strength he needs to take care of his Marines and get back home to his family.
BTTT
But, if he's earned the title 'Doc' then it's a distinction without a difference.
Semper Fi, Doc.
To make it through that school at the age of 40 is amazing. It regularly eats up and spits out guys half his age.
L
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