The Wizard
The Untold Story of a Combat Psychiatrist in Iraq

The Wizard is the unforgettable story of a combat psychiatrist serving alongside a U.S. Marine Corps surgical shock-trauma platoon during the height of the Iraq War. In military circles, “The Wizard” is the nickname given to the behavioral health provider with the authority to determine whether a deployed service member can continue fighting or must be evacuated from the combat zone. Those life-altering decisions carried profound consequences for both the individual and the mission. Set at the highly kinetic Al Taqqadum Air Base in Iraq’s dangerous Al Anbar Province, this firsthand account takes readers behind the scenes of military psychiatry, where split-second decisions, relentless operational demands, and the psychological toll of war collide. Through vivid, often graphic experiences, Dr. Kowalsky offers a rare glimpse into a world few civilians ever witness. Balancing moments of intense drama with unexpected humor, The Wizard reveals the emotional burdens borne not only by combat troops, but also by the medical professionals entrusted with preserving their mental health under extraordinary circumstances. Every patient carried a story. Every evaluation had lasting consequences. To protect the privacy of those who served, the names of Dr. Kowalsky’s colleagues and combat patients have been changed. What remains is an authentic, compelling, and deeply human account of courage, sacrifice, and resilience from inside one of the most demanding roles in modern warfare.

Dr. Kowalsky dedicated 29 years to military service, beginning as an enlisted E-1 and retiring as a U.S. Navy Captain (O-6). Throughout his distinguished career, he served in multiple war zones in Iraq, provided psychiatric care for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, and practiced both shipboard and undersea psychiatry. He later continued his service as a federal civil service employee with the U.S. Department of State, serving at highly active bases throughout Afghanistan and the Middle East. Following completion of a Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center-National Capital Consortium in Washington, D.C., Dr. Kowalsky developed a special passion for caring for older adults. He retired from the U.S. Navy in September 2007 and from federal service as a GS-15 in November 2016. Today, he continues to practice part-time while enjoying time with his family, riding his Harley-Davidson, reading, and expanding his knowledge of the remarkable world around us.