The seeds for this book were planted when I started keeping a journal of my day to day actions while I was deployed to Iraq. They started to grow as I began writing for therapy. Throughout the pages of this book, I attempt to share with the reader my unforeseen experiences while in Iraq. I write about my deployment to Iraq to participate in the “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (OIF) campaign, in 2006 and 2007. To avoid conflict or cause harm to anyone, most of the character's names were changed. I did not use the official name of the Iraqi military training school for similar reasons.

In writing this book I was forced to reckon with the sacrifices of being deployed. I learned to cope with life, death, and chaos. I now have a better understanding; knowing that there are specific reasons for each.

To this very day, I am grateful to God, for my survival, and for enabling me to write this book. In doing so, I vow to never forget the men and women who were also deployed on the mission but did not return. 

-JR SLADE