Veterans, remember when you got vaccinated at "Basic"?

[TitanMike]

I've been reading about the fiasco's around the country where vaccines are sitting in the freezer and the local authorities can't seem to administer vaccines in an orderly and efficient manner.

Remember when we were vaccinated? All in line were processed much like cars go through a car wash. ID first, shot record somewhere along the line, and Medic's well organized. Syringes filled, arms poked, those that fainted pulled aside (on the floor), and on out the back door.

Seems like it's time to put all the Medic's stationed around the Country to work. One thing the military is good at is organizing the "Processing" of large numbers of people.



::::::as for the comment about "fainting", the guy behind me at Fort Ord did exactly that. Biggest guy who looked like an NFL player got poked in the arm and down he went.

[Mr. Dan]

The air gun shots in both arms simultaneously were always a hit.

[NJKris]

I had an evil Corpsman give me the bicillin shot in the butt, I got in her line because I thought she was cute. Big mistake. The yellow fever shot combined with being forced to drink a half a bottle of Listerine before inspection did not go well with me. Started sweating really bad and puking. Had to fall out and run to head. I'm kneeling in front of the toilet puking, while a DI was screaming behind me about how dare I fall out without permission. Some days you don't forget.



But I agree, military was very efficient vaccinating a lot of people.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by NJKris

I had an evil Corpsman give me the bicillin shot in the butt, I got in her line because I thought she was cute. Big mistake. The yellow fever shot combined with being forced to drink a half a bottle of Listerine before inspection did not go well with me. Started sweating really bad and puking. Had to fall out and run to head. I'm kneeling in front of the toilet puking, while a DI was screaming behind me about how dare I fall out without permission. Some days you don't forget.



But I agree, military was very efficient vaccinating a lot of people.

It's been roughly 19,991 days since my last Army vaccination session and I haven't forgot yet. But then who's counting

[NJKris]

There's nothing funnier than seeing a bunch of Marine recruits in nothing but skivvies, sitting Indian style on the floor rocking back and forth as instructed to distribute the golf ball sized bubble of bicillin they just pumped into your butt cheek. The discomfort at the time made me fail to appreciate the humor of the situation, but looking back on it, pretty damn funny.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I've been reading about the fiasco's around the country where vaccines are sitting in the freezer and the local authorities can't seem to administer vaccines in an orderly and efficient manner.

Remember when we were vaccinated? All in line were processed much like cars go through a car wash. ID first, shot record somewhere along the line, and Medic's well organized. Syringes filled, arms poked, those that fainted pulled aside (on the floor), and on out the back door.

Medic's gave you the vaccinations in basic training? Wow. Army Basic Training in Ft. Dix, NJ in 1984 here. It wasn't a medic that gave me those "air gun" shots in both arms at the same time in Basic Training. It was the first two guys in line that got their shots first. They were given about 30 seconds of instructions and then handed the guns.

[tkarper14]

Especially when one would flinch.

Funny that this thread popped up. We had the exact same conversation at breakfast this morning.

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

The air gun shots in both arms simultaneously were always a hit.

[CA Fisherman]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

It's been roughly 19,991 days since my last Army vaccination session and I haven't forgot yet. But then who's counting

It has been 5 days since my last military vaccination, specifically, my first shot of Maderna COVID-19 vaccine at a VA Hospital.

While in the Army I had a red dog tag listing the shots I could not have, including tetanus. Even without a tetanus shot I still spent way too much time in Vietnam.

[Virginian]

Originally Posted by tkarper14

Especially when one would flinch.

And while the guys are walking back past you with blood running down both arms, they're telling you to just stay relaxed and don't flinch.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Virginian

And while the guys are walking back past you with blood running down both arms, they're telling you to just stay relaxed and don't flinch.

Right............ and I don't mind saying there were a few times when I couldn't see in color -- didn't have both eyes pointed in the same direction!

[walaby]

Never forget when I was in line. Guy in front of me got both arms same time.. stopped for a second and then fainted. Me - holy crap, Im next...



Mike

[EdJunior]

I remember it well, even almost 41 years ago. The one to fear was the air gun. Way too often people moved a little too soon and that blast of air would cut your arm pretty good. But agreed, it was efficient and quick. When they were talking about all the logistics of getting the shots out to so many people, this was the first thing I thought of. I still think it is a good idea.

[debit]

I remember going overseas and reporting to the debarkation station before midnight with an updated and current shot record to again get all the shots. Or after getting the required flu shot that usually made me sick, it took me almost 50 years to volunteer for another.


..............................
Ram 2500 / Surveyor 251rks

[dvalley]

Its been 43 years since I got out of the AF but not only do I remember the air gun shots while being "processed". I remember being stationed at Holloman and getting more shots each time the base went on training maneuvers. I swear those medics enjoyed that.

[DougW]

I remember the rumor of the square needle in the left testicle. The second or third round of shots, when a bunch of us went out the door we were holding ourselves and saying how we couldn’t believe they actually did that to us. The guys still in line were looking rather pale and apprehensive as they went in the door.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Mike you are so right about the big guys fainting and watching them bounce on a concrete floor. Same thing watching them on the cargo planes before a paratrooper drop. They sit there looking at each other and when the first one barfs they all follow in rapid order. Lol

[emm-dee]

I think this might have been posted somewhere on the forum, or some other forum, but a friend sent me this.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Oh yes, navy boot camp 1967 San Diego. All lined up and the gun broke shortly after only a few. They then brought out the syringes and loaded them up. I call getting 5 or 6 injections. Yeap, a few of the big guys fainted. My memory of the next day not being able to lift my arms and having to do drilling with the M1 garand. Took about 3 or 4 days for the pain and swelling to go down. Looking forward to the Covid-19 vaccination. Heard that the VA is setting up appointments for Vets over 75. Not there yet.

[LittleBill]

It's been 55 1/2 years since I was inducted into the Army. I'm sure I was given some shots at that time, but sadly (or maybe not) I don't remember it as vividly as others.

What I remember vividly about my induction that I was almost AWOL the first day after. We were put on a train to travel from Chicago, IL to Louisville, KY with a guy who was re-upping in charge. The MP's made sure were tucked away in our sleeper cars. The guy that bunked with me and I slept pretty soundly. Next thing we know there is loud pounding on the door and it is the porter. He tells us that everyone is gone. By the time we gathered our few items and caught up with the rest of inductees, they were coming back from breakfast. Sadly we didn't get anything to eat till way later in the day.

Happily I can laugh about it now . But back then I wasn't very happy with the re-upper as felt he should have taken some sort of roll call before leaving the train. Oh well, water under the bridge now.

Veterans - Thanks for your service.

[jeff64]

I remember the AAFEES center in Chicago, 10-19-70 the day of my 19th b'day. Got #5 in the draft lottery. Lucky me!
Stood in line with all the others for vaccinations