Page 131 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Fall 2014

“It's exciting and important

to have a journal so focal and unique.”

– COL (Ret.) Craig Llewellyn on Five Decades of Special Operations Forces Medicine

Interviewed by John F. Kragh, Jr.

How did you come to SOF medicine? As founder of the Center for Disaster and Humani-
My father-in-law had a glossy magazine in 1961 with tarian Medicine, how should the readers prepare
a Special Forces Soldier on the cover; this was before I now for future humanitarian medicine?
graduated medical school. I was going to train as an Army Google “humanitarian medical care.” Most topics are well
neurosurgeon, but I had to go off-cycle so I became a covered. Disasters and humanitarian missions are chaos.
general medical officer. During my medical training, the Nobody’s in charge, there’s a lot going on, and there is
SF recruiters for doctors talked to me. civilian mistrust of the military.

Why did you seek SF duty? For the readers interested in developing their ex-
I wanted to be with the Army’s best, get in shape. I was ecutive skills, what do you recommend?
going to pay back my obligation and get out. I stayed. I Don’t skip professional education courses. Look for ways
went to the 6th SF Group as a flight surgeon. I did a bunch to volunteer for things, run things, and seek leadership
of SF schools. UWO, HALO, UW, positions and organizational man-
and CI courses. Fun. Sent to RVN agement roles. Don’t try to avoid
as 5th SFG surgeon. “Craig plays baritone administrative duties. Don’t make
saxophone in a jazz group administration-clinical an either-or
What was the most meaningful that loves bop to fusion. decision; do both.
thing you learned from your
Vietnam service? Catch them at Rick’s Tavern What advice do you have for
Persevering under severe stress. in Newfane, Vermont.” JSOM’s future?
During my 16 months in RVN, Have a strategic plan, solid fi-
much we did we were not trained for. We were always try- nances, partner fully with SOMA. You want heavy hitters
ing to learn from that. Casualty care was ridiculously dif- citing JSOM. Be the vehicle for discussion: SOF topics,
ficult in that setting. The experiences were very personal, civil-military topics. Medics are to become obliged to read.
your physicians, your medics; we all were marginally re-
moved from the fight. We took care of our guys. What would you like in SOMA’s future?
I endorse Bob Mabry’s vision. A true medical society with
How did you come to the executive roles in SOF training, research, and education. Mess Night!
medicine?
I was out of phase on residency training so I gained op- Which of your publications is your favorite?
erational and tropical medicine experience. When I went Oh, god, . . . .
to get a residency, I had met the person who later became
the Army Surgeon General, whose secretary grabbed me Which of your jobs was your favorite?
in the hallway and brought me to him. He got me into USUHS [Uniformed Services University of the Health Sci-
residency. I kept serving, and the opportunities kept com- ences, Commandant]. Loved it. Seeing the graduates do
ing. I took them.
what they have done—that’s the greatest satisfaction.

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