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Feb
27

Redeployed review by Greg Drobny of Ranger Up

By | Guest Posts, H.U.A. Blog, Reviews

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Introducing, guest reviewer, Greg Drobny who posts and writes reviews ’round the net’ under the name:  Mr. Twisted. He is a writer for Ranger Up and Rhino Den. His concerns revolve around giving a public voice to Veterans who’ve returned from combat and are suffering–either mentally or physically or both. PTSD has many tentacles,  including a high rate of suicide among returning military veterans. These daily deaths are just one reminder of the challenges of re-integration and transition that face warriors returning to every day civilian lives, families and jobs.   

Greg Drobny in thought 1“Mr. Twisted” counts these at the top of the list that he feels need the military community and general public’s attention.

From my own civilian point of view, I see “warriors” coming back with all manner of skills. Most, my peers and I might never think to master. Nor would we consider ourselves capable of performing at such a physically fit level. We could not even claim control by virtue of the discipline instilled along with determination in our nations’ warriors.

Some of these are awesome powers and we wonder, us non-hero accredited folks, how does it feel to come home with that kind of mindset and bodily energy to a civilian, smaller and limited playing field?

The book, Redeployed, has been embraced by Greg and his colleagues, because it reflects their and other warriors’ experiences. Speaking as a civilian, looking into the ‘ring’ of sport and competition that some veterans enter, we see a memory bank of intensive muscle and mind training. We wonder how they will channel all that energy and experience from the battle ground into the mixed match set up of every day life. We hope that they are equipped and know ‘what to do with themselves’ in such ordinary, yet challenging circumstances.  (HK for MilSuccessNet)

The MilSuccessNet team met Greg Drobny on a rare occasion – in that its unusual for all three of us to be in the same country, same city and in this case, one Writers’ Conference. The event, Sangria Summit , held in Denver, Colorado was designed for aspiring and experienced Mil Writers. Others will be featured in coming posts. (SUBSCRIBE NOW and be alerted to your battle buddy’s debut)

Now to Mr. Twisted’s review of “Redeployed”, in his own words….. [Read more…]

Jul
10

Combat Role to Suddenly Civilian (part 1)

By | H.U.A. Blog

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I had the privilege of talking with Teresa Broadwell Grace, a former member of the Army’s 194th Military Police Company who, in 2003 was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V” for Valor in Iraq.

A female American soldier mans a machine gun on a vehicle during clashes in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in June 2003. The war in Iraq, which has killed or wounded more U.S. women in combat than any other conflict, has redefined their role in the military and triggered a rethink of their place on the front line. Women who serve in the Army are barred from engaging in combat under rules drawn up by the Pentagon. But the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, where fighting an insurgency and no front line exists as such, have been proving grounds for the women soldiers. Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense”

Combat, an outstanding story of survival, management of post traumatic stress and an unexpected transition back into the civilian world are part of Teresa Grace’s story. All this as she began her third decade of life. [Read more…]