On Call In Hell: A Doctor's Iraq War Story

by Richard Jadick, Thomas Hayden

A personal account of life on the frontlines of the war in Iraq chronicles the experiences of a thirty-eight-year-old Navy doctor during the Battle of Fallujah, when he and his medical team worked around the clock under fire to save the lives of troops involved in the horrific street fighting. 75,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Medical, Medicine, War, History, Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 8, 2007

Reviews

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book after hearing the author on NPR. While the attempt was okay, the author never quite gets to the heart of the story and it's clear he has way too much emotional distance, probably as a form of self-preservation, to tell the story in a truly moving way.

There is also a lot of self-congratulation and Big Surgeon Ego, which also made the story less compelling. Everyone, including the author, remained a caricature - brave, loyal, dedicated. That probably ensured that no one in the book is pissed off at him, but didn't make for a very compelling story. I didn't finish it and that is very unusual for me and an indication as to how flat this story felt.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was obvious when I read this book what kind of man CDR Jadick was when I realized that he remembered each Corpsman that worked for and with him, and the men who he tried to save and those that he did save. They were important to him. That really says a lot about who he is. My stepson served with CDR Jadick, so when I heard this book would be coming out I was curious. I listened to the interviews on NPR, and read the interviews in Time magazine. I noticed something I don't ever thing I'd ever, ever seen a senior officer do before--CDR Jadick made a point of recognizing his team every time he was told what a "hero" he was. He continued to say (paraphrasing) things like "I couldn't have done it without my Corpsmen", or when asked what would have happened if he had been killed, he explained that he had trained his Independent Duty Corpsmen to do exactly what he could do, and that life would go on because his team would take up the slack. What officer *Does* that?? I *HAD* to read this book!!

I found this to be a really amazing book about an incredibly brave leader of men and women. This is what our Doctor Officers should be. And they should read this book before they join looking for that sign up bonus...

So much of the meaning in this book was held in not only the fact that CDR Jadick stopped to tell you about each Marine and Corpsman- but that he remembered each person. That he stopped to tell you that a real person was out there fighting, or fighting to keep the Marines alive in the Corpsmen's case.. when it would have been so much prettier to do a glory book about the brave doctor. He obviously wasn't really worried about that. You can clearly tell he cares and cared about every man and woman.

-I also got a feeling that most likely it wasn't his idea to write this book. Somehow.. reading it, I have a sneaking suspicion from his deep respect for the Chiefs and Command Master Chief that he was convinced after long discussions that if he did this- someone could hear his opinions. Now, I do not know him at all.. I'm just someone who is incredibly impressed.. no.. STUNNED.. reading this book.

Now, if you read this book and you do not work in Navy Medicine.. this guy is for real. (I am Retired from working in Navy Medicine) That he cared this much, to go out and risk his life because he knew his idea of the Forward Aid Stations, and previous Trauma experience could make a significant difference in saving lives, is so commendable. (Doctors do not go Forward, they stay in the Rear in Aid Stations or Field Hospitals. For CDR Jadick to choose to create this Aide station because he knew the lag time was costing lives was unusual and brave.)

His ideas on how to improve the Navy Medical Corps are unbelievably good. I PRAY someone at Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) reads this book.

(I have one addition to his idea. He says to try to get doctors from among our enlisted ranks who show leadership and want to go to Med School, I say not to just look in the Navy.. look in the Marines too..)

We have some awesomely good doctors, and some good doctors who are good leaders. Like he says, it is *not* normal that they are taught to be both. To be fair, they are not given the time or training usually. Enlisted are given much more leadership training and experience than a doctor. We keep them busy constantly seeing patients and doing paperwork. If you then pull them from that environment and expect them to magically turn into a officer who can deal with Marines.. it is a little much. CDR Jadick's previous experience as a Marine coupled with his trauma experience made him an ideal person to see some unique possibilities to improve treatment and training.

GREAT BOOK. Could not put it down.

Should be a text book for all Hospital Corpsmen deploying with the Marines (with small text warning "*do not expect your doctor to behave like this, or *please place your senior IDC in the place of the doctor in this book.) Should be required reading for Navy Doctors deploying with the Marines. Would give an excellent feel for the actual set up of the Marines, tips on interacting with the personnel, and generally some excellent mental preparation for training to do trauma treatment.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty interesting look at what happens after the soldier is wounded. How is he recovered, treated, evacuated? Dr Jadick tells us his story as the battalion surgeon for the 1/8 Marines, the center unit in the operation to reclaim Fallujah in Nov 2004. 3 1/2 Stars, only reduced because it feels like he repeats a lot just to pad the story. He didn't have to because it is an exciting look at battlefield medicine and the young, brave medics who are right there with the guys at the front. Recommended.

[Jeff Brailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Richard Jadick adequately describes the challenges that confronted his medical platoon and the not-so-novel ways they responded to them. The best parts of the book were when the author was describing the mass casualty situations during the battle for Falluja. The intensity of the battle is appreciated, but Jadick falls short of telling us what it was really like to participate in the insanity of mass traumatic events. On Call in Hell is not a modern Red Badge of Courage. It is a fine piece of reporting and that's about all it is. Perhaps this is more the product of Jadick's co-author, a journalist, than of the doctor himself.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful memoir of the war in Iraq, more specifically the experience of a Marine infantry battalion in the battle of Fallujah, from a unique perspective - rather than one of the Marines, this is the story from the viewpoint of the battalion surgeon. Commander Jadick reveals a great deal of his inner life as well as the terror and chaos surrounding him and his Navy medical team, trying to save wounded Marines while often under fire themselves due to his decision to put the aid station much closer to where the fighting was taking place, to shorten the time and distance needed to get those Marines to medical help.
From my perspective as a retired Marine officer who started my career in the infantry, I see in Commander Jadick the character of a great leader as well as an innovator. He is the kind of officer I would want leading my son or daughter if they were in the military and going into combat, and that's the highest praise I could have for him. I wish every American would read this book and gain a greater appreciation of the hardships and sacrifices our men and women in uniform are making in carrying out the directions of our country's leaders.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hoped to read mostly about the actual medical cases and problems the author dealt with. The book had less of those than I'd have liked. It had more of the military mindset than I liked; readers who like that may like it better than I did. Also the author was quite taken with himself (and of course with how humble he is even though he saves lives). The writing was not bad, but it didn't draw me in. There were so many brief descriptions of people (I think he had at least several paragraphs on each man who died in action, and more about many other men he served with) that they all blurred together for me. His push to have medical care available as close to the battles is interesting and apparently saves lives.

[Terry Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A different perspective on what takes place on our current battlefields. Commander Jadick's story of serving in Iraq makes it seem all to real.

[Ruthanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like reading the "true-life" stories from soldiers who have been on the front lines. Cmdr Jadick's account of his tour in Fallujah and the implementation of a "forward aid station" is riveting. The horrors these medics saw cannot be told and their tireless work to save as many soldiers (and eventually even the insurgents) is to be commended. The idea of a Forward Aid Station should be a must in any theater of conflict, the injuries the soldiers suffer must be handled as soon as possible and at times the 30-45 minute ride to the nearest first aid station would mean certain death - especially considering that a person can "bleed out" in as few as 5 minutes. All our soldiers should be looked on with honor and the medics carry their weight in combat as well as keeping calm in crisis. An excellent read!

[Paul Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jadick's story of redesigning trauma response and saving lives in Faluja is either an inspiring hero story or a great case study on leadership. He successfully walks a fine line between defending the military (he calls himself a "company man") and pointing out opportunities to improve. At every point he honors the men and woman that he served with.

There is no question that Dr. Jadick's selflessness in volunteering for this service is uncommon. His innovation is uncommon. His plain speaking style is uncommon. And his ability to tell the story without romanticizing it is uncommon.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really just okay. I definitely was interested in getting some back stories happening during such recent war times. I always find that just amazing. While it was very easy to read though, it was just that gripping in the way it was written. I also found myself getting annoyed at the author's praise of himself so often. All in all- a worthwhile read, but not something that you would ever want to read again...

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for the faint of heart. Just in case you had any illusions about the "glory" of battle, read this and gain a healthy respect and a deep and abiding appreciation for the men and women who staffed the 'Emergency Room' during the Battle of Falluja. I read this several years ago before joining the Army, and I can't help but wonder how six years of military service would change my perceptions of LtCdr Jadick's memoir.

[Cheryl S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eyeopening look at what the medical personnel supporting our troops go through just trying to perform their duties. This book focuses on the battle for Fallujah and brings home just how grateful we should be for all the young service men and women in our military.

[Annalise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really hoping this book would go into what medical doctors in the military do, but it was much more a gung-ho pro-military book. The people in it were very one-dimensional, cardboard cutouts. I don't think the author really succeeded in depicting a very "lived" version of military life in Al-Fallujah as the narrator was very far from what happened and felt disconnected from the events most of the time.

[Alec Scarborough · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Navy HPSP medical student, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the epilogue as I felt that the beginning of it spoke directly to me and my fellow hpsp medical student classmates. Definitely something I will refer back to as I navigate my career as a navy medical officer and physician.

[Josh Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hopeful when starting this book, but was disappointed to find it felt strongly as a rah rah propaganda piece.
It had a handful of helpful clinic takeaways, but overall it just felt like a defense of the war in Iraq and the glory of the Yankee Doodle doctor…

[Steven Rudnicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Dad and my brother both recommended this book and it did not disappoint. Great read!

[Nick Maher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense descriptions of front line medicine with surprising great humor dispersed throughout the book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combining the best of trauma medicine with the best in medical professionalism, CDR. Richard Jadick (with Thomas Hayden), brings us literally to the front lines of the battle against terror. A window into the camaraderie and vital lives of Navy corpsmen, On Call in Hell tells it like it is, tough, and terrifying. Memories of my own experiences as a SICU/trauma nurse at Parkland Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, come flooding back with Dr. Jadick’s descriptions of injuries and lifesaving procedures. Like Dr. Jadick, my life has been forever changed by the people I’ve cared for and worked with, by experiences of victory and defeat (life and death) in the medical war that, for the heroes on the frontline in the war against terror, is a war within a war.

Featured on the cover of Newsweek Magazine in March, 2006, Commander Jadick was awarded a Bronze Star with a Combat V for valor. Read the Newsweek article here:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/47026

From On Call in Hell: The Marine’s Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

[Sara Tranum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Busy moms (and dads), here is a book that tells the story of awe-inspiring actions in the face of danger. It provides insight to war and battlefield medicine through the eyes of the physician who refused to remain behind while those in his unit went into battle. Cdr. Jadick’s story of ending up in the military at a late age, volunteering for deployment during the early days of the Operation Iraqi Freedom and designing changes to the organization of battlefield medicine that would alter the outcomes for hundreds (possibly now thousands) is fascinating.

The number of people introduced through the book is a little intimidating, and at a few points I wished I had started taking notes about who was who and their roles, similar to how I felt when I read “Black Hawk Down.” Overall, everyone who was introduced had a pertinent role, so while it was a challenge to keep track of everyone, there was not the issue of superfluous people whose role was insignificant or non-contributory to the overarching story. It also helps that there is an appendix with a quick reference to the four main Marine forces, the 1/8 battalion companies and the medical personnel who worked with Cdr. Jadick.

The book reads easily, with prose that flows and a sense of urgency that increases until the battle comes to an end. The story follows the natural path of warriors leaving the battlefield, and eventually returning home. There’s an appropriate “decrescendo” and closure of Cdr. Jadick and his unit’s time in Iraq, and Fallujah. In the final chapter, Cdr. Jadick gave an overview on the transition to home and what followed for both him and his personnel. It’s a riveting story of life on the battlefield and after, and left me with a renewed appreciation for the men and women in our military. Although many things may be remarkably different by the time my kids are old enough to read this book, with or without me, it’s one that I look forward to putting in their hands so that they, too, may appreciate true heroes, acts of bravery and valor.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the true story of LCDR Richard Jadick, a man who started out in the Marines, decided he wanted to be a doctor, and then returned to serve as a Navy physician in Iraq during the Battle of Fallujah.

This was an "okay" book I guess. It managed to keep my attention pretty well and I finished it in less than two days. I thought the writing could have been better though. Some of the sentences were worded strangely, or were maybe missing the correct punctuation, causing me to wonder what the heck did I just read and having to go back and re-read certain passages.

Also, being a doctor in Iraq, of course he saw lots of casualties and Marines killed in action. When he describes someone being mortally wounded, he writes like an obituary writer, like this: Joe Blow, 22, was killed in action when his vehicle was hit by a grenade. He then goes on to write some tidbit or another of the person killed in action: he leaves behind a wife and two sons, or always had a sunny smile, etc. These passages really bugged me because it felt like he didn't know them and was just regurgitating information given to him. I know it's not possible for him to have personally known everyone that passed through his morgue, but it just felt like he could have tried a teeny bit harder.

Also, there's a a moment when he's applying to medical school and has one friend write up something for him and then has his girlfriend write something else (I think it was the admissions essay). Anyway, reading that he had 2 different people help him write his medical school admission application made me kind of wonder if he had someone else write this book for him. Things that make you go "hmm."

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again I am incredibly grateful for the men and women who serve in the armed forces and risk their lives in situations unfathomable to the rest of us. Cdr. Jadick's story was extraordinary in the sense that he volunteered for a job most would have done anything to escape. His "out of the box" thinking resulted in the Forward Aid Station, bringing higher level medical care into the middle of the battlefield in order to save more wounded soldiers.

He makes strong arguments for utilizing Forward Aid Stations, even though it puts a "valuable asset" like a doctor at higher risk. He also argues that many medical officers are great on the medicine side, but may be lacking on the military side. To meet this need, he advocates changing the way Navy physicians are recruited, by including those already enlisted in the military who may just need some encouragement and incentives. Throughout the book he talked about what he did to make himself a part of the larger team, getting to know the Marines and the Sailors that he'd be working with and stepping outside the traditional role of a medical officer whenever it would improve communication, increase morale, or show the others that he was "one of them."

For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is easy to read and provides many interesting insights into front-line medical care in Iraq. Jadick and his fellow corpsmen saved many lives during the Marines's second attack on Fallujah in November 2004. However, Jadick's writing style is clunky and amateurish. The narrative is first-person--at times rambling, occasionally bordering on stream-of-consious.

Additionally, I found Cdr. Jadick difficult to like. He first wanted to become a battallion surgeon when he saw that surgeons got heated quarters during cold-weather exercises. He had a friend write his personal statement for med school admissions. And, most disgusting in my mind, he told his wife that he was being deployed to Iraq when in fact he volunteered for duty there. His wife was pregnant at the time and Jadick's "deployment" would mean he would miss the birth. Ultimately, his wife had labor induced and was forced to undergo a ceasarian section four days before Jadick left for Iraq. However, my rating does not penalize Jadick for being honest.

This book was worth reading once, but I will not read it again.

[C.J. Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading books about the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars as part of my research for my Letty Valdez mystery series. Letty was a medic in the Iraq War. Richard Jadick, author of On Call in Hell started as a U.S. Marine, quit to go to medical school and become a doctor, then returned to the Marines and volunteered to serve in Iraq. His desire to experience the battlefield is something I don't get at all. But he's not the first to say this, having felt that his life as a Marine wasn't complete until he was in the middle of a war. His book is a graphic description of urban warfare, in particular the Battle of Falluja. We get detailed descriptions of bullets flying overhead, valiant attempts to save wounded soldiers, and medical details about how those attempts were accomplished. One of the most evocative passages had to do with his description of fear, of not wanting to leave the shelter of an armored vehicle, and of the feeling of weight in his body. "Fear is like deep water, slowing every step...," Jadick says. But his training took over and he found he was about to do the job. This is a detailed description of the how of warfare but not the why.

[Joaquin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it's still going on with no end in sight, I've been impressed by the number of memoirs and documentaries already coming out about the US' Gulf War II. For me, these first-person accounts are a necessary complement to the info being published by traditional news outlets. One novel aspect of this genre is how many different types of memoirs are coming out - from stereotypical front line infantry soldiers, to servicemembers serving in support roles, to women in a variety of roles, and even one written by a deserter.
I found this memoir, written by a US Navy medical officer working with the Marines, better than most. The author went relatively easy on the jingoistic 'Go America' stuff and instead concentrated on his personal experiences working with Marines. As a result, you're left with a good feeling of his day-to-day experiences trying to get his job done in a completely alien and usually hostile environment. I found the lack of artifice and extremely liberal or conservative - for a USN officer working with Marines - politics to be refreshing.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read that should have a profound impact on each and every American reader. It's a very moving story that gives you a real appreciation for our troops and what they risk on a daily basis so you can enjoy the freedom of living in America. The story really brings home how grateful we should all feel to those brave, loyal and dedicated men and women who fight to provide a safe environment for every one else.

Though it's easy to read, the writing tends to jump around and doesn't really flow as it should. Sometimes it gets bogged down in Cdr Jadick personal history which is interspersed between battles. Though IMHO the horrors of war are such that a little levity was appreciated to make the reading less traumatic for us non-military persons. I did think that the depiction of each and every Marine as brave, loyal and dedicated was a bit of a cliche. In my experience there's good and bad everywhere and the fact that each and every person in Cdr Jadick's sphere of influence was perfect just seemed incomprehensible and unrealistic.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

"On Call In Hell" is an amazing story of what it takes to care for wounded Marines in the urban warfare that occurs in Iraq. The author definitely leaves the reader with a feeling of appreciation for the sacrifices that the servicemen and women made on a daily basis. However, at times it seemed as if he was tooting his own horn just a bit too much, particularly with the concept of the Forward Aid Station. Additionally, although I appreciate his efforts to honor those Marines who were killed in action, he overdoes it, eulogizing each individual, almost at the expense of their sacrifce. It might have been better to simply tell the story and let the facts speak for themselves. I acutally would give this 2.5 stars, but, since I can't, it gets 2. Overall, this was a decent book that told a great story of sacrifice and perserverance, but tried a little too hard in the process (0.63).

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very engaging recounting of Commander Jadick's career and life path while serving
as a Marine and later as a Navy doctor with the Marine's in Iraq.

This is the first book that I have read that covers the effort it takes to provide critical care
to combatants in the war zone. Commander Jadick comes across as a professional soldier, a dedicated doctor, and a strong leader who feels great care for his corpsmen and the troops to whom he administers.

"On Call in Hell" is the fourth book I have read about the experience of the war in Iraq, the previous three "House to House", "Shooter", and "Ambush Alley" present a Marine's view of the
experience. "On Call in Hell" presents both the Marine combatant's view, but also a seldom shown
side of combat, that of the doctor and corpsmen who serve along side of the Marines.

Well worth reading.

[Studebhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Call in Hell

My perspective is different from many of the readers of this brilliant story of courage and dedication to our troops.
I was an Air Force medic during the Vietnam conflict. My reserve unit was an air evacuation squadron stationed on the flight line attached to the main base hospital.
I witnessed the trauma of our combat wounded in those days. The pain included our men, their families, and, I witnessed the toll on our professional staff. Today with the great improvements in patient care in the field, as documented in this book, I am glad to see the great dedication, devotion to the care of these men and women on the front lines today. This is a story that needs to be told.
On Call in Hell is riveting, compelling storytelling. The dedication of the author shines through on every page in this well told story.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent listen. Once you understand the book is a first-person perspective, with all the benefits and drawbacks that it entails, it is useful. Of course, some of the most important aspects of the second Battle of Fallujah are there between the lines, such as the large, and largely ignored, role of the U.S. Army in the battle, and the fact that most doctors (author excepted) are not really good at making tactical decisions as their training ephasizes technical skills, not military decision-making. There is a reason that as a planner I work with the medical planners, not the doctors. Overall, an interesting view into how medicine can be practiced at the battalion level, but Dr. Jadick is exceptional due to his prior military experience.

[Carly Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am an academic adviser for pre-health students at a University, so I found much for this memoir informative. I will definitely draw on his experiences as a re-entry students navigating medical school applications and medical school itself. I always have a few ROTC students, so the information about a medical career within the armed forces will be useful. His descriptions of his group's experiences in Iraq made me very grateful for our armed forces as well.

However, the writing felt flat and the book got a bit boring at times. I'm glad I read it, though! 3.5 stars.