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from one war to
the next-namely, working 24/7 in a hostile operational environment
where people are trying to kill you using tactics and weapons that in
many ways haven't changed through the years (ambushes, sniper fire,
mortars, roadside bombs, grenades, rockets, etc.); where you may well
find yourself helpless to respond because the enemy looks like noncombatants; and where you're hampered by whatever rules of engagement exist at the moment (and they change frequently), or whatever
other nonsensical orders may be raining down from higher up during
moments of chaos.
    Unique Challenges for Modern Warriors
    In recent years the military has considered the "resetting" of a warrior's
health after combat in much the same way that it considers the resetting or
refitting of equipment and vehicles. The protracted duration of the Iraq
and Afghanistan wars and the reality of multiple deployments have led to
the unrealistic expectation that warriors (and their family members) can
"reset" physically and mentally for another combat tour in less than twelve
months. Numerous Active Component Infantry Brigade and Regimental
Combat teams have deployed multiple times since the start of these wars,
with "dwell" times between deployments of not much more than the time
spent in-theater. Service members in some Reserve or National Guard
units have experienced more than one mobilization, each lasting up to
twenty months including training prior to deployment. Warriors have put life plans-such as college education, family, and civilian careers-on
hold for extended periods.

    Modern warriors have faced the cumulative emotional toll of not being
available to raise their children, missing numerous milestones in their
children's lives, missing funerals of close relatives or friends, or not being
able to assist in the care of an aging parent. Women have for the first time
been involved in direct-combat operations in substantial numbers. Single
parents have faced the challenge of having to arrange extended child care,
and there is evidence that parental absence as a result of deployment has
been associated with increased conduct and academic problems in military children, and in some cases child abuse. Dual military couples have
faced many of the same stresses.
    Warriors and their family members are often surprised at how difficult
the transition period is after coming back from a combat deployment.
Many expect that they'll just need a little time for things to go back to
"normal," but find that "normal" is elusive and time is relative.
    The government is awesome at getting men ready for war, but they
can't quite get them back to civilian life and a humble heart.
    -JUNIOR ENLISTED MARINE, POST-IRAQ
    After we came back, many of us were only back in body. Our souls
stayed over there.
    -ARMY COMBAT ENGINEER, POST-IRAQ
    Transition can mean the big picture of how a warrior has to try
to adjust back into society, but the short term is very critical, from
when a warrior leaves the battlefield to when they hit the streets
at home. If there's one thing I learned from my experiences, it was
that there was no transition at all.
    -VIETNAM VETERAN

    I want to express my gratitude for the many soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, and family members I've encountered during my years of
research and clinical work, and whose quotes and stories from their Iraq
and Afghanistan deployment experiences I drew from to bring this book
to life. (Names have been changed, and some of the stories have been
modified to protect the individuals involved.)
    I also want to thank my collaborator and friend, First Sergeant
Michael Schindler (Retired), who helped to bring alive the experience of
transitioning home by sharing his story, stemming from two tours in Vietnam (1970 and 1971) and a twenty-eight-year career in the Army Infantry
(Ranger-qualified, two combat infantryman badges), in both the Active
and Reserve Components. First Sergeant