Physician in a Combat Zone

Col. Vicente Font, MD presenting Holy Cross Hospital president and CEO Patrick Taylor, MD with the U.S. flag that was flown in Afghanistan on July 4, 2012

Deploying to a Combat Zone
The TV show MASH gave us a biased view of military doctors. On one hand, it described the stories of surgeons who did not volunteer but were drafted into a war zone. Second, it was both comedy and anti-war satire. Lastly, and as everything else, the military changes with time: the traditional Mobile Army Surgical Hospital no longer exists (phased out 6-7 years ago) and was replaced with a smaller, more efficient system of treating battlefield casualties.

In reality, only a small proportion of military physicians are deployed to war zones, and depending on the mission (i.e. needs of the military), the doctor may end up serving in a variety of venues, like hospitals, forward surgical teams, medical clinics, battle aid stations or even perhaps providing administrative and leadership skills like in a medical command position. The patients also, may vary among American troops, allied forces, civilians and local nationals.

My deployment to Afghanistan consisted of 3 months “boots to ground,” but effectively, it started about four to six months prior to my travels since there was much training to do before leaving home. Endless online training sessions and classes are required to assure that you at least know some basics like certain important rules and legal topics. There was also a trip to San Antonio, TX to complete a week course in combat casualty care.

Leaving home is never an easy task, but I think that it is easier having been deployed before (Iraq 2008-2009) and even being a little older than the average soldier helps reduce the stress. My trip started by flying to Ft. Benning, GA, where I joined other medical personnel being mobilized to different parts of the world. We spent a few days of additional training, medical checkups, etc. and from there we took a plane that flew us into Kuwait for a few more days. Eventually, I made it to a small base outside of Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan where I would serve as Battalion Surgeon for a military police battalion.

I did not go as a cardiologist on this trip but as a general medical officer where we took care of many different medical problems. Complicated cases could also be transferred to a nearby hospital if necessary. Regardless, the quality of the medical care rendered was excellent.

During the deployment, I shared a tent with four other medical and dental officers (there were two more physicians and two more dentists on post, as well as a few physician assistants and nurse practitioners). Now, we are talking austere conditions here. The bathroom facilities were only a short walk away. And of course, as a reminder that we were in a combat zone, a bomb shelter sat conveniently near our sleeping quarters. There was a gym, a dining facility, a recreation building, a barbershop and a small PX store. For those with fast food cravings, there was a small Burger King and Pizza Hut trailer.

When my time was up, I went through the reverse process to get back home: Kuwait then Ft. Benning then Florida.

To me, my deployment to a war zone was a humbling experience that allowed me to grow as a person and as a professional. I can say that the experience was spiritually uplifting, and despite the austere and dangerous environment, I feel proud and honored to be given an opportunity to serve my country in this chapter of our American history.

I only hope that the readers will keep in thought and prayer all of the young men and women in all branches of the Armed Forces who are presently deployed and committed to this selfless sacrifice in the defense of our freedom and to the protection of the world against terrorists.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 at 4:45 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.