Each story is told in roughly chronological order over the course of his career as a soldier, and each chapter describes an experience that taught him a lesson. Early on, a “ballsy” platoon sergeant sent a company of soldiers back from a gunnery range to complete prerequisite training they hadn’t yet taken. Pinion sees the wisdom in this: you should never turn down the opportunity to train if a lack of it could prove fatal. Another story finds Pinion impersonating an officer to help his platoon sergeant get out of trouble, something he did willingly because the sergeant loved his men, while a wild incident in which a superior asked for help proving his wife’s infidelity taught Pinion to question illegal or immoral orders.
As a leader, Pinion emphasizes training and discipline so soldiers know their jobs—and strived to show his troops that he cares about them by being willing to get out in the field, unlike one commander in Iraq who never wanted to leave the base. Pinion is emotional in detailing the stories of one of his men who jumped on a grenade to save others and a beloved, enthusiastic soldier killed by a sniper. His unflinching discussion of PTSD, treatment that saved his life, and his deep concern for his soldiers all have real power.
Takeaway: Wit, lessons, and touching tributes from a career soldier.
Comparable Titles: J. Pepper Bryars’s American Warfighter, Tom Satterly and Steve Jackson’s All Secure.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
