Ruff's War: A Navy Nurse on the Frontline in Iraq

by Cdr. Cheryl L. Ruff, Cdr. K. Sue Roper

Twenty-five years in the Navy had made Cheryl Ruff an independent, resilient, strong woman - and a master at providing patient care while serving at various Navy hospitals around the world. But nothing prepared her mind, body, soul, and spirit for what she experienced on the frontlines of the Iraq war as a member of the Bravo Surgical Company. Known as the "devil docs," they followed directly behind the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force as they entered Iraq at the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. Right along with the Marines, Commander Ruff, the only female nurse anesthetist at the front, and the rest of her surgical team learned to endure the brutal conditions of the desert while regularly confronting questions of life and death. Working in temperatures well over 100 degrees in full MOP gear, Ruff and her team set up mobile hospital tents in the sand wherever needed. As Black Hawk helicopters brought in steady streams of the wounded, they found it impossible to maintain standard sterilization procedures, and clean up often amounted to just shovelling the blood-soaked sand out of the tent. During surgery they often wore lighted helmets so they could continue operating if the generator failed and donned gas masks when warnings were issued. These horrific conditions, coupled with the gruesome images of shredded bodies and the cries of wounded children, became Ruff's world. This is her story of the war, up close and personal. It is a story of sacrifice, survival, and courage, movingly written by a woman unconditionally dedicated to the life-saving mission of the United States Navy Nurse Corps.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Deena Scintilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Altho I was not for this war, I came to appreciate even more those who have gone to Iraq & Afghanistan. There's no way I would be able to withstand all that she had to contend with as a nurse anesthesiologist in Iraq. She currently lives in Portsmouth or Chesapeake.

[Brandon Snickles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really gives you a much better appreciation for our troops.

[Mitchell Rozonkiewiecz · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

This book was very well written. It was laid out in such a way that you felt her feelings and hardships but not emotionally told. Truly makes you thankful for our military that go through all of this for us. God bless the USA.

[Marianne Sciucco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cdr. Cheryl Ruff’s account of her experience serving as a Navy nurse anesthetist in the early days of the Iraq War is a gripping story of the horrors of war and the sacrifices made by those who go to war, including the medical personnel who accompany them. Written chronologically, Ruff’s account follows her life as a young teen choosing to enter the navy, her training and education, and the many missions she served on throughout her 25-year career. Ironically, it is at the tail end of that career that she finds herself in the middle of a war in which everyone –including medical personnel – is considered the enemy and under attack. She describes in great depth these challenges: building surgical suites in the dessert without routine supplies; assisting in surgeries for both wounded soldiers and enemies of war; living without the necessities of daily life – clean air and water, fresh food, and sometimes shelter – and working interminably long hours in the OR with little sleep. I read this book as research for my novel-in-progress Swim Season, and it’s a tough though enlightening read that’s given me a greater respect and admiration for those who selflessly answer the call of duty.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

DDC 956.7044 Subjects: Nurses; Iraq War 2003. A US surgical nurse relates her experiences, near retirement age, serving with a MASH-like unit from the onset of the war in Iraq in 2003. Ruff also discusses her background, motivations to serve, and transition to civilian life. Her account includes a map, photos of the author in the war zone and with family members, and a list of resources for supporting the troops in Iraq.

[Beverly Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruff's War

I found this book to be very enlightening! It made the War in the Middle East so real! It showed the dedication of the nurses, doctors, and medics who saved the lives of so many men and women. We should be thankful for this dedicated military personnel and especially to Cheryl Ruff who spent twenty five years in service to her country. We need more unselfish people like her!!!