Customer Reviews

Rule Number Two: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Dr. Kraft has written a fresh, emotionally bruising record of what it is to be a care giver not just to those who obviously need it, but to those whose experiences lash them from the inside. This is the book for anyone who ever wanted a concise version of the direct and indirect mental cost of combat.

The wrenching depictions of comrades in arms openly weeping for those who used to sit and laugh beside them, of leaders expressing love and care for those for whom they are responsible, of the small things and large which provide relief and anchors for those caught up in chaos all leave a reader wondering how it is anyone can truly survive combat unscathed. Intervention after intervention trod upon each's heels; from the schizophrenic Marine who argues with his combat knife, to the weathered veteran who wants hypnosis so he can stop his two-pack a day smoking habit, to talking down a Marine with a rifle muzzle to her head, weeping as she apologizes for what she is about to do, even when the interventionalists themselves find themselves on the receiving end of an ad hoc group session held by a commander of a neighboring unit who happens to be a practicing psychiatrist, even addressing the stress of being one of the new "untouchables" - graves registration Marines. "We did the best we could" is the strong underlying theme throughout this memoir. This is a powerful rendering of what we ask others to do, and suffer, in our name.

Rule number three: Rule number one and two compel us to provide our armed forces with the compassionate combat stress care of doctors like Lieutenant Commander Heidi Squier Kraft.

Rule number one and two refer to a particular episode of M*A*S*H. Use the search inside feature for more about this. I met Alan Alda once. Having followed his career, I noticed he gives medical commencements. His advice after a near death surgical crisis is, "Treat me like a human being".

That is exactly what Dr Kraft describes in her memoir as a Navy flight psychologist, marine pilot's wife, submariners daughter, colleague friend and confidant. She is one of the Marines "Alpha" female care givers at the Combat Hospital in Anbar Province, Iraq.

I recall reading the news story of Marine Corporal Dunham's heroism and susequent Medal of Honor. It is comforting to know he was treated with such dignity and compassion by Dr. Kraft and her team at Alpha Surgical.

This book is a compelling read and allays some of my fears about how our military addresses combat stress. You will meet members of our military requiring the assistance of Heidi Kraft. Many looking for someone to talk with, at Alpha Surgical Hospital, so they can rejoin their units. Some would not make it.

I was also pleased to see 10% of Dr. Kraft's royalties are donated to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. As if she hasn't already given enough.

Ma'am, thank you!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and within the first chapter found that I had a hard time putting it down. Kraft gives a real-life perspective of the experiences and impressions of a modern day war. She provides a realistic view on the emotions and every day details that haven't been captured by the media. And after reading this, I feel closer to the war in Iraq and the individuals who give their time, hearts and minds to fighting.

I could not put this book down. The author gives us a view into the war we don't see readily from home. We are privileged to experience the heart and soul of a soldier -- in particular the loyalty each has for one another. I was awestruck by the amazing strength of a mother away from her children to serve her country. It made me proud to be an American. It made me proud to be a mom.

Finally, I appreciated the insight into the human mind-- how we as humans process emotionally difficult and heavy situations-- and that with some work and effort, we can ultimately get through them.

This is a must read. It is the most moving book I have ever read. One moment I was laughing. The next moment I was in tears. More importantly the book is an inspiration - as Dr. Kraft shows, from several different perspectives, how anyone can positively affect the lives many others. This masterpiece is also a monument to our military. Lastly, this book is well written and anyone who thinks to the contrary has made no attempt to perceive the complexity and the depth of this book's multiple messages.

The stories are astonishing. Honestly, I'm still processing them. She may not have been out there fighting, but she was doing her work at the point of conflict, running on adrenaline, compassion, determination, and nothing resembling normal sleep. Plenty of others here have discussed one or another tragic, traumatic, challenging situation, so I won't do that here (though so much of what she wrote is unforgettable).

I think this is a great book for anybody who wishes to help vets in a sophisticated way. We'll NEVER be able to understand what our troops go through during war, though this book paints an extraordinarily poignant picture. With her stories, the author clues us into a world of well-meaning attitudes and strategies -- some that she found were helpful and some that decidedly were not.

I bought this book out of sheer interest (the esteemed alum gave a talk to SDSU while I was teaching there; she used to work at the VA hospital in La Jolla), and out of my own desire to be a better therapist for vets. I think the book will help therapists better understand their clients' experiences in combat. Moreover, it shares the rare perspective of a deployed psychologist. Kraft had all the standard cognitive-behavioral training and experience, but found that the research-based, textbook approach didn't give her what she needed to do her best amidst the chaos. Her "case load" was huge and cut deeply into her psyche. If nothing else, this book will help one understand the "traumatic transference" that therapists can experience. The mere exposure (albeit second or third hand) is part of what makes this book a gem. (This paragraph is such an understatement...)

Highly recommended.

Another book that I'm finding helpful with vets is "Strategies for Managing Stress After War: Veteran's Workbook and Guide to Wellness" by Whealin, DeCarvalho and Vega. (It is an educational text for vets, not a collection of stories...)

Dr. Kraft is now a retired Lieutenant Commander clinical psychologist in the United States Navy. She was called to Iraq several months after her twins were born, making her tour of duty an extra hard one. I can only try to visualize just how hard this tour was with her husband being a naval pilot and leaving those twins, while she was away serving our military.

As most of us think we know how bad things are in Iraq, or were when Dr. Kraft was on duty, we have a hard time understanding how much our military officers and non-commissioned men and women are and were in need of her profession. She never knew when she would be called out of the shabby barracks to assist someone; never knew when shells would rain down on her and her fellow soldiers; never knew what she would see in the way of physical wounds such as missing limbs, eye, or other body parts; had no way of knowing if the patient would pull through or be a vegetable; but she always knew that her help as a psychologist and sometimes as a medical doctor or nurse would come into such dramatic use.

During her tour of duty she contacted her family as much as possible but the use of any communications gear was in such short demand and it was shared by so many. Dr. Kraft had many a sleepless night, some due to noise from exploding shells or mortars, but many due to the hot conditions she had to endure in Iraq with temperatures regularly getting to 132º, making sleep extremely difficult. Sometimes she and some of her fellow staff would be called to a different location where problems existed. They had to talk soldiers down to earth when they wanted to commit suicide for a reason they felt they couldn't live with. Their own fellow medical professionals helped each other when things got too tough.

When a soldier is lost on the battlefield or in the hospital setting, it is so physically and mentally difficult for the entire staff to stay concentrated on their objectivity. Dr. Kraft draws you into the scene wherever it may be and you will find yourself shaking your head as you wonder how the staff could survive through such terrible actions. Yes, you will probably shed a few tears reading through some of the very sentimental times both from the battlefield and from personal lives as they endured the unknown.

When you finish Rule Number Two you will have been through an experience you will never forget and you will have even more respect for our men and women in our armed forces and what they endure. Thank you Dr. Heidi Squier Kraft for your excellent story and the way you told it to all of us.

I have to say, I am not the typical "war" reader, nor am I an advocate of the Iraq war, and if reading for leisure tend to stay in the realm of authors such as Stephen King, Maeve Binchy, or Mitch Albom - just to name a few. This book absolutely caught me by surprise and is not at all what I expected. It is thought provoking and excellent material for book clubs, mother's groups or small group discussions.

Rule Number Two, as I perceived it, was about a mother's journey - not only to a place where she had to "disconnect" from being a mom in order to treat her patients, but in order to survive her own mental anguish. There were many stories of patient's that Dr. Kraft would interact with, most of whom she learned a deep and meaningful lesson from. But in nearly every chapter, there was this lingering reminder of her role as a mother, wife, daughter, and sister, amidst the surreal horror, yet simplicity, of war. It appears to be a journey of remembering, learning and healing.

Nearly every person that I have recommended this book to has loved it, whether they are in favor of or an opponent of the war has been irrelevant. We've all agreed that we walk away feeling very proud and patriotic--not necessarily of war, but of those who serve our country. It's a great read that you won't be able to put down.

Dr. Kraft's Rule Number Two is a well written account of her experiences as an active duty Navy psychologist deployed with the Marine Corps in Iraq. Dr. Kraft pulls no punches as she describes, in vivid detail, how she manages her own experiences of working in a combat hospital while simultaneously providing services to her patients.

I would strongly recommend this book to trauma therapists who are interested in better understanding their patient's experiences in a combat zone, and others who are interested in gaining the unique and genuine perspective of a deployed psychologist.

Dr. Kraft offers a truly rare insight into the hearts and minds of those who serve on the battlefield. There are many books out there that talk about tactics and treatment; however, none of them capture what it truly means to treat the combat veteran. For those who have worked in a combat zone, you know that all those treatment manuals get thrown right out the door; there is no standard procedure or book to read that will tell you what to do. Kraft offers her own personal account on what she did what she experienced, and how it affected her. You won't find anyone more honest, or sincere about her work treating Marines in a combat zone. I highly recommend this book, as it is meant for everyone, Mental Health Professionals, combat veterans, Physicians, Nurses, the like. You won't find a better account about what happens in Iraq, or what these Marines go through until you read this book. I know I had a hard time putting it down. Thanks Dr. Kraft for giving me a perspective that no one else could, for your honesty, sincerity, and dedication to our Marines. Very Respectfully.