5 out of 5 stars
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Army Life by Darryl Jefferson is a true-life account of the author's days in the Army. As a young boy, he had always been obsessed with joining the Army and constantly dreamed of being deployed to fight in a war. Spurred on by the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, he did an ROTC program and later enlisted in the Army. He was deployed to Afghanistan, but did he become the hero he always dreamed about? What did life in the Army entail during the war? Army Life will carry readers through this exciting journey.
The author portrays an accurate rendition of what the Army entails. The constant use of profanities and the debaucherous lifestyle of many of the serving men, himself included, is a perfect example. The author does not shy away from painting this image and gives readers a reason in his statement: "This was simply to accurately portray the dialogue one will hear in the Army."
The book also portrays the Army's harsh, brutal, and grueling nature. From the continuous drills and grueling physical and mental training undergone through the "Basic Training Program" to junior officers being constantly "smoked" by senior officers and NCOs for any action deemed unfit, readers can understand how the Army runs.
The book also examines how war and violence in the military affect the mental health and stability of many serving men. Jon's PTSD suffered after his deployment to Afghanistan, Herdals PTSD after his Iraq and Afghanistan tours, and the suicide of Jake Crebessa after suffering PTSD from his deployment in Afghanistan are clear examples of the effect of violence and war on the mental health of many of the serving men in the Army. The author is courageous to share these uncomfortable outcomes.
Army Life was professionally edited, as only one error was noticed. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy stories about the Army. There was nothing I disliked in the book. Therefore, I'd rate it 5 out of 5 stars. As you would expect from a book about military life, there were heavy vulgar words and explicit sex scenes. I would advise sensitive readers to read with caution.
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Army Life
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