By Alabama Public Radio
Decatur, AL – A north Alabama psychiatrist says he's going to Iraq. The Army has called John Wicks out of retirement. He's 68 years old. The military needs Wicks to fill a shortage of mental health experts to help soldiers deal with combat stress. Wicks says he could be overseas as long as a year. The Army has not told him exactly what his assignment in Iraq will be. Wicks also doesn't know where he'll be based once inside the country. Wicks will serve at the rank of colonel. His previous military experience includes two years of active duty with the Marines and 18 years in the Alabama National Guard.