The C-Monkey
Posted by Erik Rupard on July 24th, 2008
I have to admit it: though I like all of the soldiers who work in my clinic, Specialist Maria Cordero is probably my favorite. The reasons for this are multiple. First, she is originally from Stamford, Connecticut, just down the Merritt Parkway from my home town of Cheshire. Amazingly, of the 15 people in my clinic, three of us are originally from CT.
Additionally, SPC Cordero is only a few years older than Madeline (my oldest daughter), and she looks even younger than Maddy, so she has been sort of a surrogate kid for me.
But the best thing about Cordero is her very laid-back, self-deprecating sense of humor, which has served our whole clinic well when we needed to lighten up a bit. She has also been a consistently interesting medical case for me, as she has had four or five mysterious illnesses while I have been here, one of which landed her in the hospital for a couple of days before completely disappearing as fast as it came. This propensity to catch any virus, bacteria, or fungus brought in by our patients resulted in the medics referring to Cordero as the “outbreak monkey,” and that was eventually combined with her last name resulting in her current nickname, as per the title of this post.
Since I arrived here, SPC Cordero has been our front desk staff. Though she is a trained laboratory technician, we are currently without a lab, so SPC Cordero’s job description had to be modified a bit. Unfortunately, she will be leaving us in the not-too-distant future for another undisclosed location, which is a real bummer, as she has been an important part of our team, and an even more important part of our deployed family. Earlier today, I talked with SPC Cordero, and here are a few of the highlights:
You were raised in a rich community in Stamford, CT. Not too many kids from Stamford end up in the Army. When did you join the Army, and why?
I joined in November 2003. I honestly was too lazy to apply to college. I was offered scholarships, I had good grades, but I was so stressed-out with the idea of having to apply to colleges, that the Army just seemed like an easier thing to do. One day I saw the recruiter at lunch, and he told me to just take the ASVAB test, see what happens. I took it, and in my mind I decided that whoever calls me first, I’m gonna join. The Marines called me first, and I thought to myself “Hell, no! Whoever calls me second is who I’m gonna join.” And it was the Army.
Did you get to pick your MOS [military occupational specialty]?
Yeah, I wanted to be something in the medical field. Medic and x-ray didn’t sound very exciting, but when I heard about lab and all of the gross stuff that has to do with it, I though that was pretty cool. So I picked it.
Have any of your family members been in the Army?
My dad was in from ‘84 to ‘91. He got out right after desert shield, desert storm. He deployed a good three or four times. I remember my mom crying when he left.
You are part of a small group of soldiers in this war who ended up with a 15-month deployment. Did you know before you came out here that you’d be here for that long? What did you think about it?
I knew I’d be in Iraq for fifteen months. I thought “this sucks,” but I knew what I was getting myself into, and I was prepared for it.
Do you like being deployed?
Overall I like it. The only thing that sucks is being away from the family, missing out on everything that is going on with my daughter, Lola, who is two years old. My husband is in Afghanistan right now, and he’s a fifteen-monther too, and he left seven months after I did, so I won’t see him until seven months after I get back.
What experiences out here will you remember?
I haven’t been shot at or had to fear for my life at all, which is good. The only thing that really stands out is the people I have worked with. Even though I’ve reached the point in my deployment where I can’t stand most of them, I know I’ll never forget them. It’s one of those things that you’re gonna remember for the rest of your life.
So, you were trained in the lab, but the Army has made you our front desk staff for now. What do you think about your current job?
I love it. I wish I had known about this job before I picked lab. Being able to work with the medics, and bother the docs, and hear all of the funny things that the patients come in with…
Plus, you have your own office, which I don’t even have.
[Laughs] I know! And my own computer, my own desk. It’s nice.
What do you do to pass the boring time here?
I watch a lot of TV. If I’m not lazy, I go to the gym. I hate running so I do put it off as much as I can. I read a lot. I’ve been studying, taking online classes from George Washington University, trying to get my Associates in laboratory medicine. I’m six credits shy of that degree.
Are you considering a four year degree?
I’m definitely going to do a four year degree. My husband and I have been talking about me getting out, and now that the GI bill is such an awesome thing, the way they changed it around, we are definitely going to use it. I’m going to go to school first, get my four years, and then we’ll switch. Once I have a good steady job, then he’ll go to school for four years.
Will either of you stay in for twenty?
I’m still considering it, but my husband is pushing me to get out, and with the baby I’m really leaning towards that, too. I would love to put in the twenty years, maybe take a break, go to school, come back as an officer. That’s still an option.
Have you re-enlisted?
I re-enlisted last summer, and got a bonus of 8500 for an extra two years. It’s all in savings.
Who are you going to remember out here?
Bits and pieces of everybody. The two people that I’ve incredibly bonded with are Villa [SPC (p) Andres Villareal] and Vera [SPC (p) Castulo Vera]. Villa because he’s got kids and he understands what I’m going through, and Vera’s just a crazy awkward Mexican, and he’s like a brother to me.
July 24th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Erik,
I enjoyed meeting SPC Cordero. I will keep her family in my prayers as well. Her situation seems so difficult being away from her toddler for so long.
On another note:
I wanted to make a quick shout-out to Mom and Dad who are celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary on this beautiful pioneer day! Happy anniversary! Thanks for the great example you set for each of us on how to have a happy marriage. I love you. Becky
July 24th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Greetings, C-Monkey! Welcome to the family. Ask Erik to tell you about the other sea monkeys if he hasn’t already. One way (but not the only way) to enjoy a happy and fulfilling life is to get a good education. Best wishes to you and your family.
July 25th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Hi Erik,
It’s nice to see a woman’s perspective as she serves in the army. Good to read about her positive outlook on it all, and life in general. Thank you both for sharing.
It was also nice to read the June 2008 issue of the Ensign article, titled “Armor of Battle, Armor of God” in which five military families were interviewed and shared their feelings and experiences in being separated during their various deployments.
It’s amazing how we all have to step up to the batter’s plate and give our best in our new times of challenges and tough circumstances.
You and Lorri and the girls have done extremely well in facing this challenging chapter in your lives.Nice to see and hear about the great support you have both had from both sides of your families as well as from friends and co-workers, church members and neighbours as you each coped and did your best during these last five months, and continue to do so for the time you have left in this assignment.
Keep up the good work.
With love, Audrey & Mike
July 25th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Thanks mom for commmenting. I’m glad to see that you are still reading Erik’s blog. I’ll have to pull out that article in the Ensign and give it a read when I have a second.
I can hardly believe it’s already time to clean closets and get the girls ready for school.
July 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Erik,
It was nice to read about your friend, Maria Cordero. I hope she was able to enjoy some of the “chick” books I sent out. I had the women in mind when I sent quite a few books. Your interviewing skills aren’t bad, considering your chosen career, however, you were an English major, so I expect the best.
It was interesting to note that Maria is a Mom. That must be incredibly hard to be out and away from her little girl for so long. Maria, you are setting such a good example for your daughter. I want all 3 of my girls to grow up knowing that they can do what they want in terms of careers, and that they can support a family if need be. Daughters need to be empowered just as much as sons, and we should expect no less from them than we do from males in general. I love my girls, and hope for a happy marriage and life for all of them, but I also want them to be able to walk away from a bad situation with the confidence that they have the emotional and financial ability to provide for their children, if need be. Also, having to ask anyone for money when you are a grown up with no excuses is horrible and puts you at a distinct disadvantage. You should be proud of yourself, Maria, and I want you to know that you are much cuter than the sea monkeys we are used to seeing in Christmas stockings, etc., (just add water…). Thank you for sharing your story with us. It makes a nice change for the blog, which sometimes becomes too infused with testosterone, through no fault of Erik’s, just one of the hazards of being in a male dominated field.
Mom and Dad seemed to have a nice 48th, and I have to say, are the happiest couple I know, regardless of the fact that they are my parents. I think the mutual respect between them, coupled with tolerance, helps make a marriage a good one. Even if your spouse does wear a nerd ring and listens to Rush non-stop. Now that is true love.
Erik, I am counting the days until you come home safely to your wonderful girls, and us, of course. Please be careful until then.
Christian is off to the Cape for a week with his friend Evan. It must be hard to be 14 and have so much fun stuff to do!
All my love to you and everyone there, Mit
July 25th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hi Erik! It’s been awhile since I peeked in on your life! Been a busy summer for us.
The funniest thing today- I came home this evening and walked in to find Austin just beside himself with excitement! (Mom! We’re on the phone with Maya and ALice!) I don’t know who inspired them to call the boys but apparently they talked for an hour and half (sorry about the bill!) It sounds like they covered everything from 2nd grade to the present. Even Samuel got on and caught up with Maddie for a few minutes.
It was great fun for my boys and nice to be thought of! So thank you, Maya and ALice, for making their day!
So glad you are almost at the end of your deployment. We’ll all be happy when you are back home, safe and sound!
Love,
Renee
July 26th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Audrey and Mike: Nice to hear from you. I appreciate your prayers and faith in my behalf, and I know that those prayers have helped me out here. I will see if I can get the Ensign article from the web tomorrow. I am grateful for the support that you have always given Lorri, and I credit your daughter greatly, as she has really had the tougher job during these past two months, keeping everything together on her own.
Melissa: Always nice to hear from you as well. I appreciate Christian’s skype messages every so often, and have had a few nice chats with him. Kid knows his music. I think I’ve missed his last few attempts to contact me, but I’ll catch him when he gets back from the Cape (if he is already gone). Hang in there, Mit, and I’ll be seeing you soon.
Renee: Glad to hear that you and the family are well. It has been too long a time since we communicated, and I’m glad the girls thought to call. They told me about it without my asking them, and were genuinely excited to have spoken to your boys. You have a sweet family. Please say hello to Ted for me, and I hope everyone is staying healthy.
Thanks to all for checking in!
–Erik
July 26th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Hi, Erik,
It is so nice to read your blog and see notes from so many people that I know. In my mind Renee’s boys (and little girl) are still little guys. I know that isn’t correct, but it’s hard for me to picture them as teenagers. Also, it is so nice to see the notes from all of Lorri’s sibs and Audrey and Mike. It is really such a small world. It is a hot summer day here. I spent the afternoon with Melissa’s girls today while Dad was working on mini trek carts for the youth in our Stake. A pleasant Saturday and hope yours was the same. Love to all, Mom