In the Desert, Under Fire: What Combat Medicine Taught Me About Teamwork and the Will to Give

 

In the Desert, Under Fire: What Combat Medicine Taught Me About Teamwork and the Will to Give

Inspired by the writings of Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh

“In trauma, there’s no room for uncertainty—only the relentless pursuit of saving a life. Our focus is total.”

— Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh, The Art of Human Care for Soldiers

I’ve been reading the works of Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh—a thoracic surgeon, U.S. Navy officer, and war doctor who served in Afghanistan. His experiences as a combat surgeon opened a door for me into a world few of us civilians ever glimpse.

It’s a world where life and death hang in the balance, where medical tents become operating rooms, and where precision, discipline, and human compassion intertwine in ways that seem almost mythical in their clarity and grace.

What struck me most was not just the courage of the medical teams, but the culture of unity and execution—what I can only call group precision. And what fascinated me most of all? The walking blood bank.

A Sacred Choreography

Dr. Tetteh describes a medical team in a war zone like a well-rehearsed orchestra, each person playing their part with fierce intention. There’s no debate, no ego, no unnecessary talking. Every breath is focused on one mission: save the life in front of you.

 “In combat medicine, discipline isn’t optional—it’s how we honor the sacredness of life amidst chaos.”

— Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh

The operating room, often a tent or makeshift structure, is still sacred space. Everyone in the room knows what to do. No one steps out of line—not out of fear, but out of commitment to the group’s rhythm. This level of teamwork feels rare in civilian life, where confusion and conversation often delay the moment of action.

It made me wonder: What if we brought this focus, this cohesion, into our daily work? Into our hospitals, classrooms, and communities?

The Walking Blood Bank

And then I learned about one of the most humbling aspects of combat medicine: the walking blood bank.

In remote, dangerous zones where supplies are limited and time is everything, soldiers become living donors for their fellow soldiers. If someone is hemorrhaging and needs immediate blood, a call goes out—and others step forward to give, right there, on the spot.

“When we called for blood, soldiers didn’t hesitate. They rolled up their sleeves, lay on the cots, and gave what they could. There was no pause. That’s love. That’s service.”

— Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh

This image stunned me. In a world where giving often comes with hesitation, calculation, or conditions, these men and women gave instinctively, generously, and silently. They gave their blood for their brothers and sisters. No need for thanks. No recognition required.

More Than Training—A Way of Being

What sets these teams apart isn’t just superior training—it’s clarity of purpose. Everyone knows the goal. Everyone understands the urgency. There’s a humility in how they operate: no one is above the mission. And that humility is what creates such extraordinary trust.

I found myself reflecting: Could our civilian systems—especially in healthcare—learn from this culture of clarity and cohesion?

I believe so. We often lack the urgency that drives commitment. We allow time for ego to creep in, for distractions to blur our focus. But reading about Dr. Tetteh and his team showed me that another way is possible: a way where service, focus, and presence are the highest values.

A Lesson for All of Us

Reading Dr. Tetteh’s work reminded me that the battlefield can teach us about grace under pressure, generosity without recognition, and unity in the face of adversity. The walking blood bank alone is a symbol of a deeper truth: we are at our best when we give to others without hesitation.

In a world torn by disconnection and division, the selflessness and teamwork of combat medics offer us a mirror. They challenge us to live with more intention, more service, and more trust in one another.

“In the battlefield, you see the purest form of humanity: not in the fighting, but in the healing.”

— Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh

Author bio

I’m a lifelong learner, writer, and knowledge sharer exploring the intersection of humanity, healing, and communication. As a longtime Wikipedian and researcher, I find joy in uncovering the wisdom of others and sharing it in ways that connect us. This article was inspired by Dr. Hassan A. Tetteh’s profound work on war medicine, teamwork, and the art of human care.