Iraq News (and good!)

Some of you were emailed this. I'm putting it here to cover my bases. More on the last 3 crazy weeks of my life in future posts...

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This is a mass email.

As many of you heard, both Gwen and I were slated by the Army to go to Iraq for a year beginning in early November. Since we have arrived in Germany in mid July, most of our time has been spent in “training” for this activity.

Last week, however, because of complicated administrative issues from US Army Europe Command, Gwen and I ARE NO LONGER SLATED TO GO TO IRAQ AT THIS TIME. It’s a long story, but the gist is that we were slated, at the last minute, to replace two other docs who were originally supposed to go. Our department at the hospital had made the switch back in July, but the switch was blocked at a higher command level just a week or two ago. We were subsequently “unswitched” and are no longer going this November. The reasons for all of this changing and unchanging are completely unclear to Gwen and I but are unfortunately an excellent illustration of the military system at it’s finest (not a complement). We were initially told we would likely NOT be going with this particular deployment as of last week (while we were in the field doing training for this deployment, ironically - has anyone else here read Catch 22?) and it was confirmed a few days ago. (So the docs who ARE actually going actually miss the training yet still go.)

Despite this temporary reprieve from Iraq duty, the higher ups at the Army were quick to say that we must remain flexible and could be slated to deploy to Iraq again at almost any time. But, for now, we are clear and are staying and working in Germany for at least the foreseeable future.
Gwen and I appreciate immensely all the support we have received from any and all of you reading this message and look forward to beginning work at our regular jobs here at the hospital.

And so begins 4 years of my life to be spent at the end of an army yo-yo. (My clinic chief, who has been here in Germany for 3 years, has been slated to go, as we were, no less than SIX times. Personally, she still has yet to go. But there are many others who have gone. So things can change at a moment’s notice.)

Again, I appreciate all the kind words and support. Hope this message finds you all well.

Mike (aka Mick, Stup, Disco, Army of One)