2009.05.19
19MAY09--9-Line Tattoo
Today, I met a Soldier from North Carolina. He had the most interesting tattoo that I have ever seen.
The Army has distanced itself from tattoos, alcohol and fist fights in the last couple decades. However, tattoos on Soldiers are still not such an uncommon sight. After all, Soldiers identify with unit crests, badges, insignia, mascots, motos, tabs, etcetera. Common tattoos include crossed rifles for infantry, U.S. Army, SPQR, skulls, and names of fallen comrades.
At the hand-washing station outside the chow hall, a Soldier reached across me to reach for the soap. As I looked down, directly in front of my face was the 9-line medevac.
The radio procedure used to call for a medical evacuation is usually posted on dashboards, windows, visors and pocket notebooks. In this case, however, the 9-Line spanned from the Soldier's wrist to mid-way down his forearm.
The Soldier explained how important it was for every Soldier, not just the radio operators, to memorize the 9-line medevac. He recounted an incident from his last tour to Iraq, when he was on active duty. One of his comrades did not come home; he did not survive to see the medic.
I am a big fan of 'body art,' but I can understand where this Soldier is coming from.
Now the Soldier is in the North Carolina National Guard with the unit that is moving into the US on which my team resides. The unit stationed in Germany is all but gone, and I am looking forward to working with the Tarheels.
9-Line Medevac
The black bracelet on his left wrist at the top of the tattoo bears the name and date of death of his fallen comrade.
