Once a Warrior: How One Veteran Found a New Mission Closer to Home

"The book that America needs right now." --Tom Brokaw, journalist and author of The Greatest Generation When Marine sniper Jake Wood arrived in the States after two bloody tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he wasn't leaving war behind him--far from it. Ten years after returning home, Jake's unit lost more men to suicide than to enemy hands overseas. He watched in horror as his best friend and fellow Marine, Clay Hunt, plunged into depression upon returning, stripped of his purpose, community, and sense of identity. Despite Jake's attempts to intervene, Clay died by suicide, alone. Reeling, Jake remembered how only one thing had given Clay a measure of hope: joining him in Haiti on a ragtag mission to save lives immediately following the 2010 earthquake. His military training had rendered him unusually effective in high-stakes situations. What if there was a way to help stricken communities while providing a new mission to veterans? In this inspiring memoir, Jake recounts how, over the past 10 years, he and his team have recruited over 130,000 volunteers to his disaster response organization Team Rubicon. Racing against the clock, these veterans battle hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, pandemics, and civil wars, while rediscovering their life's purpose along the way. Once a Warrior provides a gut-wrenching account of the true cost of our Forever Wars--and more importantly, a glimpse of what might become of America's next greatest generation.

The powerful story of one Marine who found healing and renewed purpose after returning from combat, for himself and tens of thousands of fellow veterans. When Marine sniper Jake Wood came home in 2009 from grueling tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, his country asked yet more of him- to compartmentalize his traumatic memories, put his elite military training on a shelf, and adjust to living outside high-stakes situations. Jake feared he would join the huge population of veterans struggling to reintegrate. Since 2001, more service members have died by suicide than have been killed in Afghanistan. One activity helped Jake and his friend and fellow Marine Clay Hunt find a measure of hope- helping communities after disasters, where their training rendered them unusually effective in high-stakes situations. But as their new organization struggled to get off the ground and the VA tied up Clay's meds in red tape, Clay committed suicide. Reeling, Jake resolved to help as many disaster-affected communities and provide a mission to as many veterans as possible. Over the past 10 years, with no money or experience, he and his team have recruited over 100,000 volunteers to his organization Team Rubicon. It's established a reputation for delivering desperately needed aid faster and better than other organizations hindered by bureaucracy. Racing against the clock, veteran volunteers utilize their military training to untangle complex problems quickly and keep calm under pressure in catastrophic scenarios. What's more, Team Rubicon gives meaningful direction to men and women who need the disaster response work as much as the work needs them. Having a continued purpose--a mission that matters--can be the key to a veteran's successful transition from war to peace. Once a Warrior provides a harrowing look at the true cost of military service as the Forever War drags on--and most important, the path to healing.

The essential handbook for anyone who has ever returned from a war zone, and their spouse, partner, or family members. Being back home can be as difficult, if not more so, than the time spent serving in a combat zone. It's with this truth that Colonel Charles W. Hoge, MD, a leading advocate for eliminating the stigma of mental health care, presents Once a Warrior—Always a Warrior, a groundbreaking resource with essential new insights for anyone who has ever returned home from a war zone. In clear practical language, Dr. Hoge explores the latest knowledge in combat stress, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), mTBI (mild traumatic brain injury), other physiological reactions to war, and their treatment options. Recognizing that warriors and family members both change during deployment, he helps them better understand each other's experience, especially living with enduring survival skills from the combat environment that are often viewed as “symptoms” back home. The heart of this book focuses on what's necessary to successfully navigate the transition—“LANDNAV” for the home front. Once a Warrior—Always a Warrior shows how a warrior's knowledge and skills are vital for living at peace in an insane world.

This is the true story of two decorated combat veterans linked by tragedy, who come home from the Middle East and find a new way to save their comrades and heal their country. In Charlie Mike, Joe Klein tells the dramatic story of Eric Greitens and Jake Wood, larger-than-life war heroes who come home and use their military discipline and values to help others. This is a story that hasn’t been told before, one of the most hopeful to emerge from Iraq and Afghanistan—a saga of lives saved, not wasted. Greitens, a Navy SEAL and Rhodes Scholar, spends years working in refugee camps before he joins the military. He enlists because he believes the innocent of the world need heavily armed, moral protection. Wounded in Iraq, Greitens returns home and finds that his fellow veterans at Bethesda Naval Hospital all want the same thing: they want to continue to serve their country in some way, no matter the extent of their injuries. He founds The Mission Continues to provide paid public service fellowships for wounded veterans. One of the first Mission Continues fellows is charismatic former Marine sergeant Jake Wood, a natural leader who began Team Rubicon, organizing 9/11 veterans for dangerous disaster relief projects around the world. “We do chaos,” he says. The chaos they face isn’t only in the streets of Haiti after the 2011 earthquake or in New York City after Hurricane Sandy—it’s also in the lives of their fellow veterans, who’ve come home from the wars traumatized and looking for a sense of purpose. Greitens and Wood believe that the military virtues of discipline and selflessness, of sacrifice for the greater good, can save lives—and not just the lives of their fellow veterans. They believe that invigorated veterans can lead, by personal example, to stronger communities—and they prove it in Charlie Mike. Their personal saga is compelling and inspirational: Greitens and Wood demonstrate how the skills of war can also provide a path to peace, personal satisfaction, and a more vigorous nation.

Among You is the gripping real-life story of a soldier serving on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan, and an unforgettable, unflinching account of the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Jake Wood lives parallel lives: encased in the glass tower of an international investment bank by day, he is also a dedicated TA soldier who serves on the front line during the invasion of Iraq, later returning to the war zone to conduct surveillance on insurgents. Disillusioned with the dullness and amorality of the banking world, he escapes back to the army for a third tour of duty. But in Afghanistan he discovers the savage, dehumanising effects that war has on both the body and the mind. Diagnosed with chronic PTSD on his return, he must now fight the last enemy – himself – in order to exorcise the ghosts of his past. Brutally honest and beautifully written, Among You brings home the harsh reality of front-line combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the courage of the troops who risk their lives for their country, as well as revealing the devastating after-effects of service.

A military psychologist's poignant account of tending to hidden wounds in Iraq---her patients', her colleagues', and finally her own. When Lieutenant Commander Heidi Kraft's twin son and daughter were fifteen months old, she was deployed to !--?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /--Iraq. A clinical psychologist in the US Navy, Kraft's job was to uncover the wounds of war that a surgeon would never see. She put away thoughts of her children back home, acclimated to the sound of incoming rockets, and learned how to listen to the most traumatic stories a war zone has to offer. One of the toughest lessons was perfectly articulated by the TV show M*A*S*H: "There are two rules of war. Rule number one is that young men die. Rule number two is that doctors can't change rule number one." Some Marines, Kraft realized, would be damaged by war in ways that she couldn't repair. And sometimes people were repaired in ways she never expected. Rule Number Two is a powerful firsthand account of providing comfort amid the chaos of war, and of what it takes to endure. !--?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /--

In this groundbreaking book on high-stakes leadership, Co-founder and CEO of Team Rubicon and former Marine Sniper Jake Wood, shows how to apply hard-learned lessons in leadership and teamwork from the battlefield and disaster zone to your professional life. What do elite members of the military, first responders in the disaster zone, and high-performing leaders in fast-paced, high-pressure, modern day organizations have in common? The ability to have clarity of mind and purpose when surrounded by chaos. To operate at peak performance under risk. To be able to see clearly when others are blinded by fear, and act when others are paralyzed. To craft plans even with incomplete information, then execute those plans decisively--while still being nimble and adaptable enough to iterate as the terrain changes. To deliver in the clutch. To build teams with high impact, and then inspire those teams to follow you into the fire. While most of our jobs don’t involve leading a tour of Marines through an ambush, or rushing into a relief zone just decimated by a hurricane, in today's fast-paced, hyper-competitive business environment, we are all on the front lines. And in an entrepreneurially-minded world where technology is constantly reinventing how we work, global competition is fierce, and industries are being disrupted overnight, success requires a new kind of leadership. This book is about how to become the kind of leader who gets results when the stakes are at their highest—how to Take Command.

This is the personal and deeply passionate story of a life devoted to reclaiming the timeless power of an ancient artistic tradition in order to comfort the afflicted. For years, theater director Bryan Doerries has led an innovative public health project that produces ancient tragedies for current and returned soldiers, addicts, tornado and hurricane survivors, and a wide range of other at-risk people in society. The Theater of War is a humane, knowledgeable, and accessible book that will both inspire and enlighten. Tracing a path that links the personal to the artistic to the social and back again, Doerries shows us how suffering and healing are part of a timeless process in which dialogue and empathy are inextricably linked.20

Once a Warrior: And Wired For Life illustrates how to turn negatives into positives and assists our highly trained military personnel in utilizing their tremendous potential in achieving success and happiness after their release from military service. This book highlights the path along the way to transitioning from warrior to civilian. The authors of Down Range: to Iraq and Back, Dr. Bridget Cantrell and Vietnam Veteran Chuck Dean address the process of coming home when your tour of duty is over.

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “[I've Been Thinking…] is beautiful...I felt your soul on these pages.” –Oprah Winfrey “If you are feeling stuck, lost, or you just need a pick-me-up, this is the book for you. Shriver’s wisdom will fill you up.” —Hoda Kotb, coanchor, The Today Show The ideal book for those seeking wisdom, guidance, encouragement, and inspiration on the road to a meaningful life. As a prominent woman juggling many roles, Maria Shriver knows just how surprising, unpredictable, and stressful everyday life can be. In this moving and powerful book, she shares inspiring quotes, prayers, and reflections designed to get readers thinking, get them feeling, get them laughing, and help them in their journey to what she calls The Open Field--a place of acceptance, purpose, and passion--a place of joy. I've Been Thinking . . . is ideal for anyone at any point in her life. Whether you feel like you've got it all together or like it's all falling apart--whether you're taking stock of your life or simply looking to recharge, this is the book you will turn to again and again. Spend the weekend reading it cover to cover, or keep it on your nightstand to flip to the chapter you need most. Like talking with a close friend, it's the perfect daily companion—an exceptional gift for someone looking to move forward in life with hope and grace.

Forget the dead; Lament for the Living. After the zombie apocalypse, the survivors have to decide how to rebuild their lives. Having watched society literally devour itself, those that are left struggle to continue along the path of humanity. In the three years since the Outbreak that caused society to devour itself, groups of survivors have struggled to rebuild their lives. While one group seeks to stay off the radar, another is sweeping across the country. However, even in the relative safety of The Sanctuary, not everything is as it seems. Follow the story of Sacks as she joins the ranks of the Rangers, only for her life to be turned upside for the second time.

WINNER -- Best Military Book -- 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards WINNER -- Gold Medal for Historical Fiction / War -- 2013 Stars & Flags Book Awards Finalist -- First Novel -- 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards "Centerline is a thrilling, high-action page-turner that captures a story many Americans fail to appreciate-the sacrifices of our armed forces, their families, and the medical teams who support them. The tactical flight operations, ground combat scenes, and medical emergencies are real-not Hollywood-and the stories of wounded warriors and those waiting at home are unforgettable." - General Bill Begert, USAF (Ret), Former Commander, Pacific Air Forces Centerline tells the arresting story of the last leg of an emotional journey through the eyes of wounded warriors, crew, and medical caregivers making the trip home from military hospitals just before Christmas at the height of the surge in Iraq. Air Evac 1492 is the collective Air Force call sign for the flight. But each person on board has an individual story of hopes, dreams, fears, and regrets as the aircraft wings its human cargo through bad weather, flashbacks, and in flight emergencies. "Everybody who goes to war gets shot," one soldier says. "Some in the body. Some in the head. Some in the heart." This inspiring debut novel by Dave McIntyre (Ret COL USA) combines compelling technical descriptions of flying, combat, and medical care in-flight to drive the story through a rollercoaster ride of emotions as thirty-one "souls on board" travel through pain, loss, a killer storm, and the demons of the past to make it home for Christmas. Some travelers will fall short of the runway. And some will find the beacon that leads them home-back to the centerline.

Marine Corporal Sean Nichols is wounded in a devastating ambush that takes the lives of his three friends and leaves him an amputee. If not for the heroism of his sergeant, Deke Tilman, who pulled him out of the road, Sean would have surely died with his fire team. With the help of Deke, Sean now embarks on his next mission-recuperate from his serious injuries, and visit the families of his fallen comrades as he tries to make peace with such profound loss. Battle Scars is a thought provoking drama with compelling characters that illustrates the resiliency and strength of the human spirit, the power of love and friendship, and the ability to overcome even our darkest moments. Gritty realism and original storytelling breathe life into Battle Scars as it inspires us with a surprising tale of heroism and the great sacrifice made by our modern war fighters. "Battle Scars is an incredible story of brothers in arms and the bonds formed in combat. The struggles that are faced by combat veterans returning from war are real and nothing I've read brings that story to life like Battle Scars. This is a must read!" LTCOL T. Kevin White "TK" 150th Special Operations Wing "This book is a gut check for those who have worn the cloth of the nation. For those who have not it is a testimonial for those who have served and sacrificed. As Americans we are blessed with freedom. It comes at a price." James E. Livingston Major General USMC (Ret) Medal of Honor Recipient "This book was a tough read, and at the same time I couldn't put it down. Salkin got this one right! Every now and again you come across a book that is as much cathartic as it is entertaining. At a time when we are losing way too many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, it struck a chord with this Old Soldier." COL William L. Peace, Sr. U.S. Army National Guard "David Salkin has fired at close range and with unerring accuracy with this tale! He takes a tough situation that is all-too-often neglected and gives it life. This story is for all veterans and their supporters. His first-person writing style makes the reader feel present throughout the story. It's a quick read that will leave you thinking long after completion. I most strongly recommend it to all who are interested in understanding better the true costs of America's conflicts-past, present, and future. " Major General GT Garrett, USA (Ret) 42nd Infantry Division "David Salkin's story is a must-read for all Veterans and supporters. This book not only entertains you, it educates you on the price paid by those who have the guts to walk the walk. His first-person writing takes you on a ride which seems to bring out all emotions and it also places you right on the battlefield. Maybe it's just my love of heroic deeds but it sure knocked me on my knees. The read is overall life-like and is very consistent with the actions taking place every day in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kudos to Dave for really knocking this one out of the park" Christian S. DiMeo (Ret) SFC. USMC / Embassy Marine Cairo/Beirut/Geneva - ARMY NG / Operation Enduring Freedom "Battle Scars" hits like an RPG! Camaraderie, adrenaline, fear, loss, hope and redemption all in one exhilarating and disturbingly beautiful tale. Hard to believe David hasn't been on the battlefield, because this tale rocked me back for days! A must read for everyone who is, has been, or supports our warriors!" Wayne Emery CPT, USA Military Assistance Command Vietnam, I Corps Team Leader, Advisory Team 1 and Advisory Team 3

There are never enough words to describe the trials that are endured as we travel through this life. As we sit within a moment of reflection, at times, our past stares back at us through eyes of regret. All too often we fail to realize that our strength is not destroyed by the wicked ways of the world, but rather, it is intensified, amplified, justified.One girl saw the world through the innocent eyes of a child until one day that innocence was savagely ripped from her hands. Refusing to succumb to the illusion that 'we are reflections of our past', she sought to discover a world unlike any she had ever known. Through the eyes of the horse, she became reborn into a life of purpose, and discovered that within her tiny hands, she held the spirit of a warrior.

The GalTech and Shadow Warriors series combines science fiction, business, humor, military special team tactics, symbionts, space fleet warfare, and an occasional splash of romance. Constant action and humor are the foundations this series is built on. Book Three of the series, The Radiant Mission, teams two highly capable GalTech execs, two rookie Shadows, and Eva, the let-me-spar-with-four-angry-gorillas-to-warm-up-for-my-work-out girlfriend of the Emperor. The fun starts when three of them turn out to be family members, and Eva makes the youngest the mission commander. The Radiant situation killed the prior Shadow team sent to tackle it. Oh, mirth and romance! We also meet Bob, and start the multi-book question, "Who or what exactly is Bob?"

This book will help you to remember who you truly are, and to be your true, authentic self, in its entirety, to unlock the beautiful spirit and essence of you. You have a soul mission: it's time to wake up to it and fulfill your destiny and be everything you ever dreamed of being, your soul and spirit self really are, unafraid to shine in a world that all too often might seem might seek to undermine or limit you...You are filled with infinite possibilities and great gifts. Many of us are waking up from the illusion of fear, lower consciousness and vibration that we have been trapped in. Though times may be dark, the light can prevail and by holding on to our dreams and visions, we will emerge with a higher consciousness. We will shed all the restrictions of the past, and break the chains of the judgmental and fear-based systems which have ruled and limited our lives in so many ways, to take a jump and leap of faith and really be the full expression of our unique and special souls. "I really love this book. As soon as I started reading it, it felt like it was talking directly to my soul.... I believe Sally is a gifted soul on a mission to genuinely help & empower people. It is a book I will treasure" "What a beautiful book; one that touches you and works on so many levels." "It doesn't matter where you are on your journey, in this book you will find something new, something to remind you of who and where you are, why you are following the path you have chosen and affirmation that you are not alone, the Universe is always supporting you. I found the book easy to read, to me the energy of the words just flow off the page, and hit the spot. Read it from cover to cover, dip in and out, the choice is yours and the book supports you in what ever way you wish to connect with it. Bursting with information and and workable ways to experiment and include in your spiritual practice. Sally has worked really hard to make this work appeal to as wider audience as possible and I feel she has pulled it off with a flourish. Well done Sally, when's the next one?" "I really love this book. As soon as I started reading it, it felt like it was talking directly to my soul and I felt curiously emotional. I believe Sally is a gifted soul on a mission to genuinely help & empower people. It is a book I will treasure & refer to when I am in need of uplifting"

"A rendition of Shakespeare in Harlem by Langston Hughes. A poetic novel of experiences of life through my eyes, of being born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas"--Dedication page.

Now that Shane Templar has stripped the armour from Matt Langer's heart, will either of them ever be safe again? Though two years past, Matthew Langer is still getting over the death of a loved one. He's steered clear of serious relationships, but when he meets the irascible, dirty mouthed and tempestuous Shane Templar that decision has never been harder. Shane is sexy, warm and funny, and Matthew finds himself trying like hell not to fall for him. Especially when Shane, with his quick wit and hacking skills, is quick to stand up for justice and avenge wrongs. Then Shane strikes at the wrong target, and Matthew realises just how far he's already fallen. At the threat of losing for good yet another man who has broken through his armour, Matthew finds his heart stripped bare. He must face the demons of his soul or a future without love.

Indistinct voices, strange visitations and unusual dreams have begun to plague Nineteen-year-old Khari days before her return from London to her Oregon home. As the occurrences have spawned haunting emotions she thought she had escaped, she realizes she can't ignore them any longer and begins to surrender to their pull. Feeling weary and a bit crazy, Khari struggles to cope with what is happening to her. She is forced to open up about herself, only to find out secrets were kept from her by those she trusts the most. She then begins a problematic journey toward self-discovery and uncovers more than she ever imagined possible. But, continuing toward understanding requires Khari to face a dangerous figure, risk of death and a fight for love. Kharishma explores the importance of family ties, both past and present, the consequences of love and hate, and the power of believing in ones self. It is a story of deception, humility, discovery and the strength of bonds to the seen and unseen. It is a story that will not be easily forgotten and will leave you wishing for more.

"The strength of Tarnish is Billy's coming-of-age narrative, his quest to develop his own, innate heroism, and his struggle to reconcile illustrious legends with harsher truths... [Its] high fantasy styling is tempered by comfortable, somewhat modern language, a relatable, every-man main character, and a universal theme that transcends the genre." -- Tales of the Talisman Magazine "What's amazing about this book is that it is its own story. It's not some spin off, take off, bull$#!% twisting of the same young adult themes. And I love that you get all these stories within stories... It's like, bookception." -- Rattle The Stars "That's why I like this book... [Billy's] going to be a hero one day. It's just going to take a couple more black eyes and a night in the Fellwater drunk tank to get there." -- Forever Young Adult * The son of a legend, born with his father's strength. A rogue of yesteryear whose sword was as quick as his wit. An invincible warrior with truly silver skin. What kind of hero would you be? When his village is attacked by creatures from Blood Marsh, Billy Cole volunteers to find help. But it'll take more than a sword and the inspiring tales of his legendary idols to survive the harsh world beyond Redfield. Taking the name Wil Thunderstrike, he sets off to save his home and begin his own heroic legacy. But on Fate's fickle course, sixteen-springs-old Wil Thunderstrike will become a storyteller, adventurer, and thief; discover romance, danger, and betrayal; and return home both a hero and a villain.