First of all, let me say hello to all of you whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I am Marine Major Qensha vestai-DevnoH, known to my friends as Brook Ramsey. I am the newly appointed Director of Personnel for the IMF, also known as the DCEPER. I am here to inform all of you about a project that I would encourage every Marine, male or female, to participate in. This project is the qualification for the Marine Medical Badge.

Ideally this project would be ideal for every member of KAG. I particularly challenge the marines to spearhead this project for the simple reason that there is such a need for knowledge of this kind in our Division. Since one of our primary functions is con security, I feel that this would be a great aid to ship COs when determining duty positions for their respective cons. First let me tell those of you who do not already know what is involved in qualifying. To qualify you must be certified by the Red Cross (or higher medical training organization you choose) in First Aid and CPR. To my knowledge the Red Cross offers regular classes in both of these areas for a nominal fee. This would be an ideal "away mission" for most ships.

How many of us have ever been at a convention where there has been a person in dire need of medical attention? Do we know how badly it makes us feel not to have the knowledge to assist that person? There is no greater feeling in this world to know that you went above and beyond the call of duty, to know that you did something for someone without expecting something in return for it. We have been doing blood drives for years now with the same intention of helping someone that really needed it. This would just be a continuation of that same spirit.

Put this another way. Imagine you are walking with a large group of grinning, snarling Klingons down a hot sidewalk. You are traveling to a nearby restaurant and are all eager to show off to the terrans. Suddenly, one of the Klingons in the group collapses on the sidewalk ahead. Might be heat stroke, might be something more serious. There is no time to debate--action is required. If you have the training you will know not exactly what to do. If you don't then you are forced to stand on the sidewalk with all your Klingon brethren and wait for an ambulance to come, hoping that your friend makes it out okay.

Wouldn't it be nice not to have to hope?

I implore all of you not to fall into the trap of thinking that someone else will know what to do. It has always been the Klingon way to grab the bull by the horns and take action. I expect all of you to show what true Klingons you really are and heed my challenge by the time the next issue of Mindscanner comes out!
 

Major Qensha vestai-DevnoH
Director of Personnel KAG Marines
[email protected]