Proper hygiene keeps coalition fit to fight

  • Published
  • By Army Sgt. Frank Magni
  • 17th Public Affairs Detachment
AFGHANISTAN (AFPN) --  Proper hygiene is critical to remaining combat-ready.

To ensure servicemembers stay healthy, most forward-deployed locations throughout Afghanistan offer plenty of opportunities for good hygiene, like running water for showers and hand-washing stations next to the chow line.

However, the situation quickly changes when the mission dictates continuous operations away from established bases. When this occurs, coalition members must quickly adapt or become susceptible to the many harmful effects of poor hygiene.

In fact, when there is a lack of formal washing facilities, it should be an indication that more attention must be paid to good hygiene, said Army Capt. Susan Thomas, a field hospital nurse.

With the combination of increased activity and more exposure to Afghanistan’s foreign environment, the field can leave little room for error in terms of hygiene, she said.

“Many (servicemembers) are exposed to many potential problems when traveling off post in Afghanistan,” Captain Thomas said. “But many problems can be avoided with preventive steps.”

After more than 10 months of seeing servicemembers coming into the hospital for treatment, she said she has seen many situations that could have been prevented.

Bacterial infections, dysentery and parasites like worms are all common ailments Captain Thomas said she treats. But the chances of being infected with illnesses like these are greatly diminished with regular hand washing.

“If you can do anything to prevent illness, hand washing remains No. 1,” she said.

Besides always washing hands before eating a meal, Captain Thomas recommends doing so before and after using the restroom.

Following this regimen is easy with sinks and hand-washing stations on bases, but in the field where these amenities are practically nonexistent, servicemembers do have alternatives.

Captain Thomas said using an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer works just as well as hot water and soap. It is actually the preferred method if servicemembers are uncertain of local water supplies.

Keeping cuts and scrapes clean and covered while in the field is also something commonly ignored, she said.

“Infections can set in very quickly if wounds are not kept clean,” Captain Thomas said.

While maintaining proper hygiene in the field has many benefits from a health perspective, it is also closely related to remaining combat-ready and more prepared for mission completion.

For Marines like Cpl. Erik DeGiorgi and Lance Cpl. David Hughes, maintaining good hygiene habits in the field is a way of life. Regularly embarking on missions lasting four to eight days, the Marines said they have incorporated ways to stay clean into their battle rhythm.

In place of showers, the Marines use baby wipes, Corporal Hughes said.

They also concentrate on switching out dirty articles of clothing -- socks and boots in particular.

From a preventive perspective, Captain Thomas recommends all servicemembers in the field change their socks at least once a day to prevent foot fungus and other conditions.

Besides changing socks, the Marines also rotate pairs of boots each day. This allows the alternate pair time to dry. Rotating boots has become increasingly important during the winter months, when many units are maneuvering in snowy areas.

Corporal DeGiorgi said he constantly monitors his Marines’ hygiene habits, so much so that it has become another pre-combat inspection.

“I know we are all grown-ups here, but this stuff is very important,” he said. “If they aren’t doing the right thing, they won’t be 100 percent for the mission.”

Corporal DeGiorgi said he is very candid with his Marines because hygiene is not a matter of vanity, but the entire team’s health.

“We are in such close proximity to each other daily, if one person catches something, it can easily be passed to everyone,” he said.

Captain Thomas echoed this statement.

“There is a bit of a stigma that has developed in the military that it is all right to be dirty in the field,” she said. “But (servicemembers) have to know that there is more at stake when it comes to hygiene than offending the person sitting beside them.”