It’s not like the old TV standard M*A*S*H, but today’s combat surgeons sometimes do operate in tents.

“The structure itself depends on the situation,” said Dr. Daniel Butler. “If you were in a real combat environment, the structure is tents like in M*A*S*H but the equipment is very modern and up-to-date.”

Butler, director of the Trauma Program for Atrium Medical Center, is also a colonel in the Army Reserves and has served two tours in Iraq.

“The first time I was with the 629th Forward Surgical Team in Baqubah and then was in Baghdad with the 31st (Combat Support Hospital — abbreviated as CASH). I was there for 30 days.

“The second tour I was near Tikrit for about 30 days with the 21st CASH and then I was with the 932nd Forward Surgical Team just west of Baghdad,” he said.

Butler did his undergraduate work at Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. He then received his doctorate in medicine from Indiana University.

He joined the Army Reserves while still in his first year of residency and is now completing 20 years of service. He was born in Korea and adopted by an American family.

“I think (being in the military service) is just something that I can give back to the country that has given me a lot.”

He said that his military experience has helped him in his job as director of the trauma program.

“Absolutely. It made me feel more comfortable with taking care of bad wounds. A lot of the trauma that you see in the military, you don’t see in civilian life except very occasionally.

“There are certain processes set up in the military on how to take care of trauma patients,” he continued. “Also the military always seems to be at the forefront of innovative ways of taking care of trauma patients. Some of the things that we have learned in the military also apply to civilians. I was able to bring some of the ideas back to our hospital here.”

Butler said he has to decide within the next couple of years if he wishes to remain in the military system.

“There are not a lot of surgeons that have the opportunity to serve in the military and also be a civilian. I learned a lot and I enjoyed the camaraderie with the other soldiers. And it does help with my care of trauma patients.”