Dr. Brad Butler is headed to assist at a medical center in Okinawa, Japan.

“I will begin deployment on Jan. 3, 2010 and return on Sept. 30,” Butler said.

An emergency doctor, Butler graduated with a medical degree from the University of Arizona and began practicing medicine after his residency in 1998 at Maricopa Medical Center.

He still works there part time in addition to working at Arcadia Urgent Care.
Butler said he always wanted to be in the Navy Reserves.

At first denied entrance because of a long history with childhood asthma, Butler waited again to apply only to be denied again because of a recent surgery.
“I had just received Lasik surgery and was told I couldn’t qualify. I remember my wife telling me that it was a sign,” he said.

Determined not to give up, Butler waited seven years before reapplying. The news of his commission came on Memorial Day.

When Butler is deployed to Okinawa, he will begin working in the emergency room of the United States Naval Hospital, where he will be taking the place of two doctors who are currently deployed in Afghanistan.

“It’s pretty much a large, full-service hospital,” he said. “It’s the largest of its kind in the region.”

While some of Butler’s colleagues don’t totally agree with his decision to join the Reserves, Butler said many of them are supportive.

And even a bit jealous.

“Some think that I am crazy at the age of 41 to join the military,” he said.
“But,” he added, “others are jealous that I have the type of job that allows me to be able to take time off to serve my country.”

Butler said he plans on being in the Reserves for 20 years and will be returning full time to emergency medicine after completing his duties in Okinawa.

In addition to his coworkers, his family is also supportive, but they too have their doubts.

“They are supportive of my desire to serve my country, but at the same time they are worried and nervous about being without me for nine months,” Butler said.

While there may be doubts, Butler said he knows he is doing the right thing.

“I have always wanted to serve my country part time in the Reserves,” he
said.

“Not only will I be helping our Marines and Navy personnel, but I will be assisting their families as well.

“We all have to do our part.”

Butler and his wife, Stephanie, have two children, who attend Arcadia High School.

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