Neurologists in Iraq

Abstract

In 2006, Drs. Ling and Maher described their experience as neurologists deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).1 Neurologists continue to participate in the war on terror and continue to be deployed to the battleground. In 2010 and 2011, Dr. J. Ivan Lopez and Dr. Julio A. Chalela were deployed to Iraq with the 322nd Medical Company in support of OIF and Operation New Dawn (OND) (figure). This article is intended to highlight the similarities and differences between our recent deployment and that of Drs. Ling and Maher. Figure Major (Dr.) J. Ivan Lopez at Camp Cropper, Iraq (A), and Major (Dr.) Julio A. Chalela (B) at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Iraq As opposed to Drs. Ling and Maher, who are active duty neurologists, the authors are both neurologists in the US Army Reserves and academic neurologists on the civilian side. Dr. Lopez is currently the Commander for the fifth Medical Brigade Headquarters Company in Birmingham, AL, and Dr. Chalela is the Brigade Surgeon for the 415th Chemical Brigade in Greenville, SC. We are both board-certified neurologists with training in vascular neurology and headache medicine (Dr. Lopez) and vascular neurology and neurocritical care (Dr. Chalela). In late 2009 (Dr. Lopez) and 2010 (Dr. Chalela) we were identified for mobilization to Iraq as general practitioners. Compared to Drs. Ling and Maher, we were fortunate to receive our deployment orders with ample time (certainly more than 2 weeks!). Prior to deploying, we knew little about the mission we were to accomplish but were eager and proud to serve. Our predeployment preparation was very similar to that of Drs. Ling and Maher. Saying good-bye to our families was particularly hard, even though our orders would only keep us away from home for about 3.5 months. An extraordinary amount of legal paperwork had to be completed prior to reporting to the CONUS (continental US) Replacement Center in Fort Benning, GA. Living wills, …