One of the reasons that I hate the military at times (AFR, National Guard)

[Zig'sbird]

I received this in a blast email:

Leaders, disseminate this information to the lowest levels.

Metal Shavings were found in water bottles with a production date of 16 JUN 08. See attached pictures. Shavings were found while soldiers were brushing their teeth. ALSO shavings were visible in the water bottles themselves. LOT NUMBERS ARE WPS 4 16 06 2008 0411 and WPS 4 16 06 2008 0410.

If you find any bottles with metal shavings in them, deliver the bottles to KBR Help Desk at BLDG XXX immediately.

Around the same time listed, I started to pass blood in my stool. No one could even give me a good reason for it. I was even sent to a different camp here in Iraq where they have a GI specialist to try to find out since a few of my movements were mostly blood.

Needless to say, I was scoped top and bottom, and they could not come up with an exact answer for the at times severe bleeding. They had several ideas, but I was told verbally they were not 100% sure.

I get back to my unit and the above email was in my inbox. Note that this is 2.5 months AFTER the water was bottled.

At least this explains some of the problems me and a handful of guys in my unit are going through. We currently have SEVERAL with blood in their stool, while we have almost as many passing blood in their urine.

And the worst thing of it all??? We have no choice but to drink the water.

/rant

[masonsdaughter]

Situation not good, but can you filter the water some way before you drink it?

[Crew Chief]

Zigs'sbird, as proud as I am of our military (and those who have, are or will serve) that, too, is one of the things about the U.S. military that deeply disturbs me is the inability (in far too many cases) to admit mistakes. It's a shame that the #1 rule has to be "Cover thine own hindquarters at all costs". I'm sure that it's always been this way, but I believe that issues like that got even worse when the military decided that it should be run like corporate America, back in the '70s. Being a good steward of our tax dollars has always been important. And that should be the priority. But when issues like the one you brought up or Agent Orange or "Gulf War Syndrome" are summarily dismissed because of cost or political concerns, that's just flat wrong. I have, perhaps to a lesser degree, but still some heartburn about defense contractors from being shielded in liability lawsuits, but that's another thread...

[dmarie123]

If you ever wondered why you can't sue for things like that, it's called "Ferris Doctrine"

[Crew Chief]

Yep, I'm well aware of the Feres Doctrine.

[Angel079]

That's messed up, specially the delayed not to be mailed out.
But why does that just really not surprise me!?
I really feel sorry fr you, don't get this wrong, but its ALWAYS something u know what I mean.
The only idea I'd have is to use a shirt to "filter" it if you can.

[tet tea]

Unfortunately it was just this kind of "mess" and severe lack of communication between those in the know, that landed me in the waiting room with inactive TB.

I really hope you and your fellow soldiers come out of this ok. Make sure it's all documented 'cause it'll make a difference further along the line.

Can you get your hands on some coffee filters? I know it's not a great solution.

Good luck!

[Ohs]

I'm sorry Zig'sbird that is terrible. I have some friend in the Military and from what they tell me the medical care is very dubious and many many many mistakes are made. Many permanent mistakes. I hope you make it through ok, continue to watch out for yourself and insist on getting the best care. I know this is an issue aside from the medical care, but they do go together. My friends also told me about how the military uses you as guinea pigs to test out new medicines and vaccines. It's a wonder so many of you make it back ok aside from everything else you have to deal with. I really respect those who choose to help our country out, Thank You. The coffee filter idea sounds like a good one, steal some from the kitchen or something. Good Luck!

[121804]

Corporate America in a uniform. Gotta love it.

Never stops amazing me how crappy the the military is at passing out the pertinent info but makes a tv commercial on the importance of wearing a road guard vest when running on post...

The stories my dh has told me when he was at Taji...wow...sometimes he was more afraid of the stupidity coming down from higher than doing a patrol at 3am around an Iraqi water tower.

If any of you remember when Bob Woodruf was injured...let's just say higher decided to pull the MEDIC so that the camera man could take a ride in the tank along with some other really stupid PR decisions about that particular patrol. Brillant.

Sorry you had to endure that b.s. Zigsbird

[Zig'sbird]

Thanks for the suggestion on the coffee filters. As a non-coffee drinker I would not have thought of it. I went today and picked up a bunch.

My time is almost up in the military as I am currently sitting at 17 years. Since I am National Guard my rules are a little different. As soon as I get home I can submit a VA claim. Since I am already sitting on a 40% rating, any rating over 10% puts me over the 50% mark. As such, I think that I am going to try to push for a medical retirement. Yes, I will be missing out on some retirement points, but that is how fed up I am right now. Like 121804 said, it's not the war, nor is it the military. It's the leadership.

On a side note, one good thing DID come of my problems. I have been relieved of my position. I was my unit's S1 NCOIC. However, when I became a non-hostile Med-Evac, they moved another NCO into my position solely to oversee my assistant. The bad part though is all of the work load is on my assistant. Anyways, the reason given why I was not put back in my position is that with my medical issues, they are afraid to put in such a critical position just for me to have more severe problems with my GI track rear up and I have to go to another base again. I DO respect the reason and it DOES make sense. Even better for me I am now back with the maneuver guys where I started out. Needless to say, I am loving my new position

I still might catch it though. My family notified our Senator, Senator Richard Lugar, of the contaminated water and now supposedly his office has contacted my state's National Guard HQ wanting some answers. Hopefully everyone in uniform will realize that we are not complaining about the military, but KBR. I'll keep you updated. And like they say about rank - Easy to gain, Easy to lose