Rule Number Two: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital

Rule number three: Rule number one and two compel us to provide our armed forces with the compassionate combat stress care of doctors like Lieutenant Commander Heidi Squier Kraft. Rule number one and two refer to a particular episode of M*A*S*H. Use the search inside feature for more about this. I met Alan Alda once. Having followed his career, I noticed he gives medical commencements. His advice after a near death surgical crisis is, "Treat me like a human being". That is exactly what Dr Kraft describes in her memoir as a Navy flight psychologist, marine pilot's wife, submariners daughter, colleague friend and confidant. She is one of the Marines "Alpha" female care givers at the Combat Hospital in Anbar Province, Iraq. I recall reading the news story of Marine Corporal Dunham's heroism and susequent Medal of Honor. It is comforting to know he was treated with such dignity and compassion by Dr. Kraft and her team at Alpha Surgical. This book is a compelling read and allays some of my fears about how our military addresses combat stress. You will meet members of our military requiring the assistance of Heidi Kraft. Many looking for someone to talk with, at Alpha Surgical Hospital, so they can rejoin their units. Some would not make it. I was also pleased to see 10% of Dr. Kraft's royalties are donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. As if she hasn't already given enough. Ma'am, thank you!

An excellent book, it makes you think deeply about questions that have no answers. When a person has to choose between killing a child to possibly protect his unit, and then realizing that said child didn't really pose a threat; what advice could a person give? It delves into questions like this, artfully interspersed with recollections about the war, giving you a glimpse deep into the author's soul. Artfully written, and beautifully expressed, it makes one feel as though they were living the actual experience. I'm considering joining the Navy, and to get an idea of the worst case scenario, this is what I chose to read. An exceptional piece of literature; it introduces you to war in a way you can barely imagine.

This book describes the experience of a navy psychologist in Iraq. Not only is the main character a Navy psychologists , but she is a woman and the mother was left her children. The book speaks eloquently about pressures the woman fields, but need to be with her children and the need to serve her country. It also speaks graphically about the hardships of being of the rack. Everything from the camel spiders, the lack of water, soldiers dying in your arms , and some just barely making it out to another hospital. For the psychologist also had to do triage duty for the hospital she stationed at. The book is filled with images that are hard to take in some places. It speaks so well of the sacrifices that are people made a rack. It is a book that everyone should read wants to learn about that. It does not honor war, but it does honor the people, the young men who fought it. I think you will enjoy it.

It was interesting to learn about deployment of medical personnel during the Iraq War; I wasn't aware they were just "told" out of the blue to report. Even though the accounting by Heidi was interesting and informative, certain chapters were very difficult to read because my family made the ultimate sacrifice in the loss of my brother in 1967 in Vietnam....also a Marine officer. It brought back painful memories of my parents having that visit from uniformed officers to break the news when Heidi reminisced about what that would be like for a mother. I have read a combat book on Vietnam.....only because the author mentioned my brother in that book....and this is the first book I've read on the Iraq War. I would recommend it to others simply because it brings one closer to the understanding that you just cannot begin to understand the sacrifices of war unless you've served and been part of a 'band of brothers', as the saying goes.

Dr Krafts book is in no way insulting to other services. As an army officer and mother currently deployed to Iraq, I found her depiction of life in Iraq realistic and sympathetic toward our warriors, regardless of branch of service. She focuses on 'our Marines' because that's her perspective from the war and in no way is offensive or insulting. If anything, she gives us a glimpse into the lives of Marines from a provider's point of view. I laughed over the Legend of the Camel Spider, because the stories about that thing get bigger with every deployment. And I cried when she wrote letters to her twin toddlers, because I'm going through something similar. At the end of the book, she makes a comment about people back in the States having such trivial problems compared to what the Marines she counseled did and I agree with her assessment. Once you've gone through an experience that is true suffering, the every day problems that overwhelm people in the rear do seem trivial by comparison. An amazing book by a sympathetic author. Highly recommend for anyone, but especially mothers, going through a deployment away from their children.

I completed two tours to Iraq. I have purposely not read books written about the war because I was just not ready to deal with what I went through or how I feel about my deployments. I have been numb, with almost no emotion left inside at all. This book hit home and I found the emotion I so desperately needed to find. Dr. Kraft did an outstanding job of writing this book and I would like to thank her for that. I may now be able to begin to heal. This is a must read for anyone who is deploying, has deployed, or family of a service member.

This book is a fantastic account of Dr Kraft's experience in Iraq. The only complaints I see about it is from military spouses complaining their service isn't represented enough, or people thinking this is a medical "how to" book. It is a personal account, and you go through the deployment of a sailor, working in a clinical setting (deployed), who has 2 young children she had to leave behind, and also has a military husband. She does a fantastic job describing her experiences, her emotions, and giving us a vivid account of what occurred without violating HIPPA regulations. This book is not service driven, so please put your egos aside. Read it for what if offers, as you will gain an appreciation for what our troops have endured down range.

This is the first book I've had a chance to read since being out of grad school and reading textbooks all the time. I loved this book and not only because I'm obsessed with M*A*S*H. It was an easy read that'll make you laugh and cry and truely appreciate what the men and women of the armed forces are doing for our country. While it would have been nice to see some more technical psycholgy (as a mental health worker myself), I think it worked better for the reader that doesn't have a psych background.