Category: War Stories

And there we were, a bunch of Green Berets, huddled around a makeshift breakfast table, swapping stories and jokes with a wounded Korean soldier, finding humor and camaraderie amidst the chaos of our unexpected adventure in the ROK.

From rucking through the Rockies to navigating the nuances of Korea, my journey as a soldier has been a tapestry of gritty experiences and humorous encounters, all underpinned by the unbreakable spirit of camaraderie and adaptability.

In Simon Scarrow’s brisk and chilling new book set in 1940 Berlin, DEAD OF NIGHT: A Berlin Wartime Thriller (on sale Dec. 26, 2023), Kriminalpolizei Inspector Horst Schenke is a seasoned and deeply conflicted detective who has failed to publicly voice his support for Hitler, making him a visible target to his superiors. He defies repeated life-threatening warnings by Nazi brass to stand down from his investigations into a series of murders that initially seem unconnected but will lead him straight to the regime’s most brazen architects of death. In the process he uncovers a stomach-churning SS scheme to exterminate the most vulnerable, deemed “unworthy.”

James Nelson Sudderth, with his characteristic knife-hand to the chest, didn’t just advise, he commanded with a conviction that propelled me out of my self-doubt and straight into the heart of Delta Force.

In the shadowy realm of Red Cell, where the line between protector and pretender blurs, the team’s audacious maneuvers within the heart of America’s most secure facilities reveal the unsettling truth about our nation’s preparedness against unseen threats.

After a grueling trek and mental ordeal, I sat by the campfire, savoring a hard-earned respite with ‘Long Walker,’ reflecting on the profound realization that sometimes, letting go is the key to achieving what you truly seek.

Trudging through the unyielding laurel, I found myself at a crossroads between the relentless pursuit of success and the whimsical curiosity of what lay ahead on this unforgiving mountain.

Flying in the first bird, my heart raced as we neared the LZ, knowing each assault was a precarious dance between tactical precision and the raw unpredictability of combat.

Even in the challenging conditions of Afghanistan, we found a way to bring a touch of home to our troops with Operation Turkey Drop, ensuring that every soldier could enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, no matter where they were stationed.

Pushing through the relentless mountain laurel, with every muscle screaming and my mind focused solely on the upward climb, I reminded myself that at the top of this grueling ascent lay the sweet, hard-earned paradise of accomplishment.

In the relentless downpour, clutching my rifle like a lifeline, I trudged through the tangled, muddy terrain, each step a test of endurance and a battle against nature’s unforgiving elements.

In this surreal blend of military rigor and whimsical escapades, I navigated the twilight zone of training, melding the harshness of survival with the absurdity of dream-like encounters, culminating in a rustic, communal respite under the stars.