weeks on the USS Essex (CV-9), a World War II aircraft
carrier, and a one-week tour on a supply ship, each time
acting as temporary replacement for the ship’s Medical
Officer. After morning sick call, there is literally nothing
for a medical officer to do: absolute boredom. These ex-
periences made it clear to me that I was not a “Blue Water
Sailor.” As result, much of my reserve time was spent
in support of the Marine Corps. Because of a potential
combat role, this was a much better fit for a surgeon.
PHYSICIANS ON THE FRONT LINE
During the mid-1980’s, my assignments were in sup-
port of the Naval Hospital at Camp LeJeune, the Marine
Corps base in North Carolina. The annual active duty
training provided general surgery support for two weeks
at the hospital. This Marine Corps connection provided
the opportunity to participate in cold weather train-
ing with elements of the 4 th Division stationed at Camp
LeJeune. Downhill and cross-country skiing through
my youth and middle years gave me skills that allowed
participation both as a Medical Officer and an Instructor.
This training was carried out during winter months at
Camp Riley, in northern Minnesota, and was conducted
by the Minnesota National Guard, with many members
of Norwegian heritage.
The Norwegian connection was interesting since the
purpose of the cold weather training was to prepare units
of the 4 th Marine Division to participate in NATO training
exercises in Norway. These exercises were conducted
yearly until the Berlin Wall came down in 1991. In the
scenario of an invasion by the Soviet Union through the
northernmost cap of Norway, a number of events would
occur. The Norwegian Army stationed in the North, Bri-
gade Nord, would go into the mountains and function as
a guerrilla force. As the Soviet mechanized infantry came
down the peninsula, the Norwegian Home Guard would
blow up the bridges after the Soviets passed to prevent
resupply. The 4 th Marine Division would be loaded on to
ships with the expectation that they would arrive in four
days and come ashore 200 miles above the Arctic Circle
along with military forces of other NATO countries. In
1988 and 1989, I commanded groups of medical person-
nel to act as casualty role players.
These two events were easily the most challenging,
interesting and rewarding of my Navy experiences. Inter-
action with military personnel of the Norwegian Army
and Royal Navy was a pleasant and unique learning op-
portunity. Coordinating and supervising the activities
of 125 US casualty role players involved working with
members of the Norwegian Brigade Nord and medical
personnel from other NATO countries, especially the
Royal Navy.
I have the very clear memory of sitting in a Biergarten
(continued on page 16)
NOVEMBER 2019
15