October 08, 2019   army life , how I joined the army , iraq service , iraq war book , stow away to war

I doubt people will believe that I stowed away to war.

I doubt people will believe that I stowed away to war.   Recently retired from the Army, I finally went to the local VA Hospital to ...

I doubt people will believe that I stowed away to war. 

Recently retired from the Army, I finally went to the local VA Hospital to annotate my heart condition.  Maybe if you were fleeing oppression in your mother country you may sneak onboard a plane or a boat.  But to go to war?  It sounds too stupid to be true.  If you knew my ex-wife you’d understand.  Iraq was a lot more peaceful.

Some Soldiers with bad teeth, bad backs, Jerry Springer-ish family problems, bad attitudes or bad hearts often exacerbated their issues to get out of deploying overseas with the Army Reserve.  That wasn’t me.  Imagine having many warrants out for your arrest or a sense of pride.  I knew this was to be the greatest test of my lifetime.  After 17 years of service I wanted to help topple Saddam Hussein, not end my career on the sidelines.

My book, Scoundrels in Iraq, will launch on the anniversary of his capture, December 13^th.  The war changed me.  Given terrible circumstances, people will do things that they’d never imagine they would.  Sometimes even criminal things.