Dr. Helwig was born in Greenwich Connecticut. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1988. He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1990. He was commissioned into the US Army via ROTC in 1992. He subsequently graduated from Uniform Services University with a Medical Degree in 1996. He completed his residency at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in Family Medicine in 1999. He also completed the US Army Flight Surgeon Course in 1999. He completed the Hyperbaric Medicine Course in 2000. In 2004, he completed the US Army Command and General Staff College. In 2009, he completed the Faculty Development and Leadership Fellowship at Madigan Army Medical Center, completing course work for a Master of Public Health at the University of Washington, with a focus on global health. He is board certified in Family Medicine.
While on active duty, Dr. Helwig served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, 2nd Infantry Division, Friedburg Army Health Clinic (as commander), Madigan Army Medical Center, 5th Special Forces Group, and Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (as deputy commander for clinical services).
Dr. Helwig’s operational deployments include: Operation Inherent Resolve as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Syria Surgeon (2015), Operation New Dawn as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula Surgeon (2011), Operation Iraqi Freedom as Task Force 2-69 Armor Surgeon (2009-2010), Operation Iraqi Freedom as Task Force Olympia (AO North) and 3/2 Stryker Brigade Surgeon (2004), Operation Enduring Freedom as Task Force 11 Surgeon (2001, 2002), Blast Resuscitation and Victim Assistance Project in Ethiopia and Eritrea (1998), Medical Support for former President Jimmy Carter in the Liberian Civil War (1998), Operation Joint Endeavor as liaison officer for Casualty Care Research Center/TATRC Telemedicine project in Germany (1996).
Dr. Helwig was the physician on medical team in support of the Mayan Mountain Expedition, National Geographic Society and lead short term medical exchange to Honduras to expose US Army Family Medicine Residents to tropical medicine. He has performed humanitarian medical missions in Belize and Bolivia.
Dr. Helwig’s honors and awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Service Medal, Iraq Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Flight Surgeon Badge, Parachutist Badge, Canadian Parachutist Badge, Order of Military Medical Merit, Womack Army Medical Center Family Medicine Resident of the Year, Honor Graduate of Army Flight Surgeon Primary Course, Expert Field Medical Badge Honor Graduate.