If you are wondering what it's like to be on a combat patrol
936030
I read "One Million Steps" in 3 days, couldn't put it down. Bing West describes combat and the young Marines as it is. As a combat Marine LT in Vietnam, I'm with my platoon again - I was riveted. If you are wondering what it's like to be on a combat patrol, no matter the war, this is as close as it gets.
The young Marines are the soul of America, my honor to be one of the brotherhood. Semper Fi & Bravo Bing West
1819467
This is a great story which gives you the actual feel of being in the jungle on patrol during the Vietnam war.  I haven't read anything about Vietnam
since the actual conflict so this gave me the inside look to the stupid mistakes made by the higher ups which cost the lives of many of the actual
grunts.
1887776
My company commander, CPT Jason Conroy, and our embedded reporter Ron Martz have put together an outstanding narrative of the Iraq War from the point of view of the soldier. This is so much more interesting to me than another book written by some general. If you want to know what it was really like serving as a tanker in combat, read this book. I was one of the Cobras during the war and this book really tells it like it happened. A great read!
1892527
This book is such a great look into marine life. As someone who doesn't have any personal military experience, I really got a great feel for what it is like for our soldiers at war. The author did a great job of explaining coming home to civilians that think if a soldier wasn't directly involved in combat then they shouldn't have a difficult time transitioning. It was very inspiring to read about the authors continuous motivation throughout his experience. I definitely suggest this quick and enjoyable read.
98516
Tom is a good friend and I served with him as a Prairie Fire FAC. Tom would write down what happens on missions while most of us would just head for the bar. These are real stories about Special Forces personnel who are heros!  You will feel as though you are in the cockpit with Tom as you read this.
3449232
I enjoyed this book.  The author does a great job of bringing you into the action.  Whether he is taking the long, lonely walk towards some ordinance or being attacked while in a motorcade, you can't help but feel your heart pound a little faster.  I already have great admiration for the men and women in uniform and this book shows just how brave and selfless they are.  I also enjoyed the personal side where he discussed his relationship with his wife and described what a toll his service took on his marriage.
54976
I am currently deployed to Afghanistan.  I'm no special operator but was intrigued at comparing just how accurate this game is to life on the ground.  I just started this game recently and can tell you that at least from a geographical and political perspective that this game is pretty scary in its ability to paint a realistic day in the life...  While obviously some elements of the game are stretched a bit to enhance playability and enjoyment, I can say from personal experience that this game does a good job of showing you what our finest have to deal with on a daily basis.
4891923
I had a buddy who got killed flying supply missions over there. I just wanted to know maybe just what he might of been through. This book is excellent in telling you just what went on over there. I am almost done with it  and will be sad when I an finished with it.
Thanks Mark for sharing your story!
Steve
2730278
Took me back to those days sweating in the heat, patrol after patrol. Easy read for my family members who weren't in the military as everything was broken down into plain english. Sooo glad that I read this and I recommend it to all those that really don't understand what its like and want a glimpse of what its like from a first person point of view. Thanks to Luc Dyer for putting our story out there. Semper Fi
3155947
This astounding book describes a young man's combat tour in Viet Nam in the late 1960s with the 101st Airborne Division. His frank and vivid descriptions of life in the jungle will amaze you, and they made me respect this generation of soldiers even more.

11Bravo, or the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code for Infantry, is the man who comes with the black rifle to save your butt, often at the expense of his own. Sgt Rock made me feel like I was there with him during his entire tour through the successes and the failures.

Thanks Rocky, and God bless you.
607125
Despite the rather off title, this is a first hand account of a young officer going through Sandhurst and onto the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.  It is told in an almost breathless style with the occasional insert from an e-mail home and it does take a little getting used to.  This is a generation that are trained to fight and it is not surprising that they are keen to get in and do the business.  Some have complained that this is shallow or unprofessional, but the reality is that these guys are trained to do something and of course they will want to test their skills against a real enemy.

Patrick Hennessey manages to convey a number of things, the boredom, the intensity of action, the pain of loss, the comradeship and the professionalism of the fighting end of the British Army.  It is a very honest work and quite hard to put down.  It certainly gets over how relentless the fighting is in Afghanistan and how flawed some of the tactics and military assumptions are.

A very important picture of a young officer's lot, and a war that is going on right now.
4222476
For those wanting to know "what was it like" from their granddads or other family members, this book tells it like it was.  Or, for those who were there and want to reminisce, the full picture of the men on the ground in America's largest battle ever, can be visualized.
 "Once Upon a Time in War, The 99th Division in World War II" tells the division's story from the veterans' themselves, as recorded and presented by Bob (Dr. Robert E.) Humphrey, professor and friend of the division.  The GI language has not been sanitized, but expresses the inner feelings of the soldiers as they experienced the hard conditions of training and battle.  The 99th (Checkerboard) Division is my division.  We still have 1,500 members in our mid-80s on the roster of our Association, of which I am currently president.  I recommend the book for an enlightening read and a true virtual experience.

B.O. Wilkins, Jr.
Frm. Sergeant, K Company, 393rd Infantry Regiment
1256219
A quick disclaimer here, I worked for KDPS for a couple years as a dispatcher in the late, late 90s/early 2000s, so I'm a bit familiar with PSO Christensen and some of the stories he writes about.  Tough to not be a little biased right?  It brought back some good memories about having worked there some of the other officers he mentions in the book, some good laughs too!

I think this is a good read for anyone, particularly those in law enforcement or those who have family/friends in law enforcement. For the reader who's not in law enforcement, and knows nobody or anything about law enforcement, and is curious how things are from the officer's point of view; this provides you with a first hand account of how this job really affects someone.  He tells the story of the grit that comes with police work through his experience with being assaulted, street level drug dealing, homicides and losing one of your own, to the more rewarding things like delivering a baby, helping a neighborhood through community policing and being able to help someone at their lowest point (and sometimes getting a "Thank you" from that person.)  With the news accounts of policing today, this definitely gives a different perspective to the "outsider."  Gives a human aspect to the profession.

As far as the tactical and patrol tips; he provides some good info for the cub (rookie) to the old-timer who's been around forever.  Things you may have forgotten about, or never thought about, or have become complacent about. Not that you like reading about someone getting beat up or making mistakes, but it's good that he shares his experiences in both areas.  We can all learn new things no matter the age or experience.  It's a great training tool to hear from someone with experience the things they feel they did wrong AND right (see "Stupid S*** I Did at Work.")  It goes to show that police officers are human just like everyone else, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and tomorrow's another day.  Being an FTO myself, there's things I've learned from reading this!

Again, I may seem biased, but seriously, it's a great read, worth your time and I highly recommend it!  (My wife gave me a copy for Christmas this year, I read it cover to cover on Christmas Day.  I'll probably reread it to soak in a few more of the details.)

Enjoy the read, it's worth it!

MCO J. Killey
Michigan State Police
261606
For once a work about how the rest of the army feel about having to go to war. No generals, no chiefs of staff, just dogfaces.
This book is, to my mind, a must for any NCO or officer who would like to have an idea of how  the mind of the PFC works, and what motivates.
Also, the book is a very  candid look at ordinary people at war. More than once, I was choked up by  what I read, as I can't imagine how I myself would react in a similar  situation. All I know is that every single one of those all too young men  were incredibly brave. Especially the ones who were scared witless, but  were able to function anyway.
I found this book particularly evocative  for two reasons:
1. My paternal grandfather landed on King Beach with the  Royal Engineers, and my maternal grandfather was a German conscript in  Denmark. This helps me understand how they felt.
2. I'm a 2nd Lt. in the  Royal Danish National Guard, and can't imagine myself at war without being  scared s***less. At least I know I won't be the only one....
3603547
Ed Rasimus writes of his experiences during his tour of duty as a Fighter Pilot driving the F-105 Thunderchief in a way that does not glorify Fighter Pilots or war, but speaks frankly of the highly stressful missions into North Vietnam that he and his fellow "Thud Drivers" had to deal with on a daily basis.  At times it is bone chilling stuff, but always keeps you mesmerized.  Ed pays tribute to all the members of the team that ultimately lead to a Pilot being able to fly a mission, the Crew Chiefs, The Armourers, The Parachute Riggers and the Life Support guys.  Without these integral parts of the team, the Thunderchief just wouldn't fly.

A book that I just couldn't put down.  I just had to get Palace Cobra after reading this one and I am sure you will too.
4657574
I have been a lover of war fiction and memoir for years.  Having been a 19D (Cav Scout) myself, I have a sliver of familiarity with the Soldier's Life.  But what David Bellavia gives us in this book is a powerful perspective of the relationships between fellow warriors and the dynamics of that brotherhood under the spectre of death and evil.

Bellavia is as straight forward as a punch in the mouth and describes complex fire fights without losing the reader. This book is full of vivid soldier sayings (my favorite one was "hit him so hard you knock the corn out of his [...]") that literally cause you to laugh out loud.  Then he pours on the deep introspective moments of confronting pure evil.  The most refreshing part of it is that he does all of this without sounding like a braggart or a junior philosopher.  He comes across like an average guy called to do extraordinary things.

Toward the beginning of the book, Bellavia reveals that his reason for becoming a soldier is rooted in an event that left him feeling ashamed and less than a man.  When he is given a chance in the midst of combat to make up for that cowardly moment, he fails again.  But these two failures are what drive him on to become one of the greatest heroes of the War on Terror.  You are left feeling honored to have even experienced the story.

If you are currently a soldier, are thinking about becoming a soldier, or you just want to understand what drives these seemingly crazy men, this book is as powerful a leap into their world as you will ever experience without choking on the smell of gunpowder and diesel fuel.
1546092
I was with Co. N Ranger 75Inf. 173rd Abn. Bde. At LZ English (Bong Son). We knew that the 1st Cav had been there before us, as a matter of fact John English was killed there hence the name. It was very informative reading about what places were like two years before I got there. I have to say I was shocked by some of the behavior in the Bush. Our missions were four to six days and we only carried one "lurp" meal per day and never snacked during the day and never EVER smoked in the Bush. Never spoke out loud and our night sleeping areas were called "Laggers". Our noise and light discipline seemed much stricter. Other than that it doesn't take anything away from you guys, lurping was new in your day and we learned from your hard  learned mistakes. Welcome Home!