rapidfire NutritionNotes P Soldiers Experiment T
he typical sea of T-shirts and blue jeans was replaced by green-and-brown military fatigues in the classroom of Dr. Stefan Bossmann, profes-
sor of chemistry at Kansas State University (K-State). Bossmann recently opened K-State’s organic chemistry teaching lab to 30 soldiers with the 172nd Chemical-Bio- logical-Radiological-Nuclear Company at Fort Riley, Kan. Soldiers from the company’s 2nd and 3rd platoons met for a day of basic training in organic chemistry. These soldiers, who specialize in chemical, biological,
radiological, and nuclear detection and decontamination on the battlefield, learned the fundamental principles of organic chemistry through hands-on experiments involv- ing recrystallization, distillation, and extraction methods — including extracting caffeine from tea. Though the exercises were basic, the time in the lab with Bossmann could prove invaluable when applied in combat, says Army 2nd Lt. Andrew Owens, the com- pany’s 2nd Platoon leader. “One thing that has happened while in Afghanistan
and Iraq is that we’ll find clandestine labs, and we don’t know whether the labs are used to manufacture explo- sives or drugs — or if they are just a high school chemis- try setup,” Owens said. “By working with the different instruments and glass-
ware and doing these extraction methods in this training, these soldiers can perhaps be more familiar with how to get an appropriate sample from a setup they find and how to go about getting a sample of a more pure product,” says 2nd Lt. Keith Byers, the company’s 3rd Platoon leader. From there, Byers says a sample could be given to experts who could tell exactly what is being produced. — Greg Tammen
2 4 MI L I T A R Y O F F I C E R O C TO B E R 2 0 1 0
Pick Pumpkin umpkins aren’t only a great Halloween deco- ration. They’re a healthy vegetable with only 50 calories a cup and high levels of vitamin A (espe-
cially pumpkins with dark orange pulp), plus they contain vitamin C, folate, fiber, potassium, and other minerals. Though all pumpkins are edible, the smallest round va-
rieties — both orange and white — tend to be the sweetest and have the smoothest texture. Of course, those sold as “cooking” or “pie pumpkins” are good for their intended use. The typical jack-o-lantern pumpkin is safe to eat, but it might be tough and stringy, with little flavor. Many people also cook pumpkin seeds in the fall. These tend to be mostly hull. You’ll find tastier seeds sold as pepitas at Hispanic gro- ceries. (Squirrels will love those other castaways.) Pumpkin pie is a perennial
ON THE WEB
favorite, but the gourd-like squash also can be stuffed, mashed, stewed, pickled, or substituted for French fries.
■ Rear Adm. Joyce Johnson, USPHS-Ret., D.O., provides pumpkin tips and recipes at
www.moaa.org/wellness. Click on Nutrition Facts.
Miscellany: Win Big
KEEP PLAYING: As an MOAA member, you have an opportunity to enter the 1+1 Sweepstakes
through November. Enroll a friend (see the enclosed card or enter online at
www.moaa.org/sweepstakes), and you both will be entered. Remember, the more names you submit, the more chances you have to win $5,000.
*READINESS LUNCHEON: MOAA has combined its annual military spouse and professional symposia into
one program titled “What’s Readiness Got To Do With It?” The two-hour lunch event Nov. 16 will consider how the services are empowering military couples to make it work despite deployments, war, and wounds. See pages 29 and 30 to register for the event.
IMAGES: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT, SHUTTERSTOCK, PUNCHSTOCK, SHUTTERSTOCK
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