On Call in Hell, by David Jadick

[firemedic]

I am not a Navy man. I was a Army medic from "93-98" @ FT. Bragg / 82nd. Airborne. I did just purchase this book as of today and I think that so far it is a good read. It does take getting used to with the Navy terms / rank structure. Has anybody else read this book yet.

Firemedic.

[CA64boat]

I read it a few months ago. I liked it because it gave me a glimpse into the Navy Medical Corps and what happens if you're a medic/corpsman/doctor in combat.

[firemedic]

I just got finished reading the book. I thought that it was a good read. Makes me miss the infantry guys I served with.

[oldavt]

I read the book a year ago, and thought it was good generally. The Dr. seems to have an ego that irritates me. His Corpsmen tend to get short shrifted in the book.

[firemedic]

I noticed the same thing also.

Firemedic

[AndiRRT]

I loved this book, being that it is indeed what I want to do ultimately. John got it for me thinking it would deter me. I think he forgot who his wife is. I love a challenge of any shape or form.

I didn't think Jadick jilted Corpsman in any way. As a matter of fact, I thought of all of you when I read it, being that I read it during my absence from the site this summer. He had very positive things to say about what a great group Docs are in general, and even stated he could not do it without them. Perhaps, just perhaps, it is the way the reader is interpreting what is written? By that I mean that possibly internal language is interfering. There is the notorious officer vs. enlisted thing going on in just about every branch. Not saying this is definitely what is happening, just a little food for thought.

[withoutsight7]

I don't think the Corpsmen in that book got jilted at all. I work with one of them (now HM2(FMF/SW) Ernesto Argueta) and he had nothing but positive things to say about CDR Jadick. In fact, he said he was the best battalion surgeon he's ever had. And for the most part, besides a couple of ass chewings, CDR gushes about how great his Corpsmen were.
I couldn't put the book down when I started reading it and even if CDR does come off a little "high and mighty" at times, it was valuable insight into combat medicine. It defintely helped knowing what he was talking about (I wouldn't suggest it someone who doesn't have a background in the Corps or in combat medicine to read it) and overall, I felt his insights were on point. I'd suggest this book to anyone wanting to become a FMST, especially those who want to deploy with Division. It was an eye opener and overall a GREAT read.

[jeepinva]

It was a great book. I was surprised how much recognition he gave to the corpsman. I thought he was mostly going to talk about himself and how he worked. He did that but also gave credit to those around him.

[HMC-FMF-PJ]

As a Bn Surg and as a LCDR, let alone the "only surgeon in Fallujah", why was he where he was?

It seems someone wasn't doing what he was suppose to be doing.