Once a Warrior: Wired for Life

As a psychiatric nurse and an expert in combat PTSD, I can recommend this book without hesitation. I didn't think I could learn that much anymore, but my copy is thoroughly marked up, underlined, and highlighted.

My life partner spent 2 tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately our country did not treat any of those soldiers for PTSD at that time. So for 25 years or more my friend has had to deal with his PTSD on his own and as you can imagine; he did not deal very well. He is now in the VA system and receiving 100% disability for what he had to go through. He attends counseling sessions regularly that are provided by the VA and this book was recommended for both of us to read by his counselor. We both find this a very helpful tool to aid in his rehabilitation and for me to understand him better.

Once a Warrior: Wired for Life, is a must read for any soldier returning from combat, especially Iraq and Afghanistan . As a Military Chaplain I have used this book extensively making it available to both returning service men and women and their spouses. Bridget Cantrell and Chuck Dean have written a helpful book as a follow-up to their Down Range, Iraq and Back. The book is an easy read and is a must for chaplains, ministers, family members and friends of returning service members. It can literally be a life saver. Chaplain David J. Fair, PhD, Military Forces of Texas, TXSG ChaplainOnce a Warrior: Wired For Life

Both of these books are very well written. It is direct and to the point; a must for vets. The authors did an excellent job of explaining how a soldier's military duties translates to civilian life. Everything became crystal clear for me, even things I thought I understood. I gave my copies to a recently retired vet and I plan on purchasing additional copies for myself and my cousin, who is currently deployed.

I picked up this book last night and read it in full, in one sitting, cover to cover. I knew it would be a quality book and hoped it would give me additional insight for families that call the office with questions and concerns about their sons and daughters returning from combat and transitioning out of the Marine Corps. The book was beyond my expectations. I finally "get it". I finally understand that our sons and daughters will all have a tough time returning to civilian life--they don't have to have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or COS (Combat Operational Stress) to have concerns about returning home and adjusting back to a civilian lifestyle. And I understand why now. That knowledge and understanding will help me help other families, and most importantly, help me to help my son. The authors, Dr. Bridget Cantrell and Chuck Dean, (also of the critically acclaimed book on PTSD, Downrange to Iraq), have once again written a self-help guide that will assist the families of Warriors understand "why" the civilian world is tough for anyone who has been in combat (downrange). The book will guide the Warrior through different scenarious, validate the feelings and emotions and difficulties they face at homecoming, and provide them with practical, useful suggestions for living life as a civilian. The authors take this one step further by encouraging our Warriors to make good use of their military skills outside the military--yes, even infantrymen have skills and qualities that will be useful in civilian professions. Once a Warrior: Wired for Life should be required reading for military personnel from the privates to the commanding officers, for every family member, and for anyone in the healthcare profession treating or talking with military personnel and veterans from current conflicts and past conflicts. Buy the book, read it, pass it on, and encourage others to do the same. Share the knowledge you will learn from it. This is the best way I know to support our troops.