 Health
Everyone has their own way of relieving this stress. Many military members use physical training activities to manage their stress such as running, sports, and weight training. Seaman Patrick J. Brock, a corpsman with Combat Logistics Regiment 2's Regimental Aide Station, uses his artistic hobby, drawing, to melt away any work-related stress. "Drawing helps me escape," Brock said. "It makes me feel like I worked a lot less that day. I lose track of time. Sometimes I look up from my work and hours have passed." Brock's leaders agree that having this hobby has helped him deal with the rigors of working in a hectic environment. "Brock's past-time of drawing contributes to the way he performs on the job," said Chief Petty Officer James Meeker, the leading chief petty officer at CLR-2's RAS "Everyone needs something extracurricular that they like doing in their off time that can help them step away from the stress at work." Brock said he's been drawing for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Chicago where he attended Glenwood Military School. He knew even in elementary school that he had a gift as an artist. "In a way I was influenced by my brother who's autistic," Brock said. "He would sit down, zone out and just draw for hours." Brock took art classes in high school to expand his knowledge of the subject and learn different techniques that he hadn't yet explored. His love for art occasionally got him in trouble in school. Instead of taking notes in class, he would work on yet another piece of art. To attempt to get this out of his system, Brock started doing more art on his own time. He said he once helped a friend's mother teach an art class regularly given at Michael's Arts and Crafts Store. "As I got older and more experienced, I decided to take my art to another level," explained Brock. "I was able to participate in a couple art exhibitions in 2006 where I displayed some of my work." He never went as far as making a career out of his hobby, but instead joined the Navy shortly after high school, stating he was influenced by his grandparents to join the military. His grandfather is a retired Marine master sergeant and his grandmother a retired gunnery sergeant. His grandfather on his father's side also served in the Navy and the Army. Brock didn't leave his artistic side at the infamous "line" located at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Ill. In boot camp, Brock painted his recruit division's flag, which is the identifying banner for each division. "My recruit division commander loved the flag so much he asked me to do another one for him to keep," Brock said. Brock said his creativity is also useful in his occupation as a corpsman. He said he is able to relate to the patients' descriptions of symptoms and can give them a better diagnosis. Brock recently strayed away from his art because he's currently studying for his Fleet Marine Force Advancement Examination as well as working toward promotion. The artistic corpsman intends to take some college art classes, but even more so, he desires to pursue a career in the medical field. |
