BLOG TOUR REVIEW: My Journey as a Combat Medic by Patrick Thibeault
ABOUT THE BOOK
My Journey as a Combat Medic is a no-holds-barred look at the modern medic in the US Army, allowing us a glimpse at the training as a soldier and as a specialist, as well as deployment and front line duties and the impact of service on civilian life, including an honest look at PTSD, from the author’s own personal experience. Rather than a technical manual, My Journey as a Combat Medic is a detailed first hand account, concluding with a letter to new medics, providing a career’s worth of advice and knowledge as they begin their journeys.
Patrick Thibeault has served in the US Army in various capacities since the 1990s, originally training as a Airborne soldier before specialising as a combat medic. My Journey as a Combat Medic covers his original training and deployment before providing a look at the roles he’s since played in the US Army’s forces, including his recent deployment to Afghanistan. It is a no-holds bar look at the modern medic in the US Army, allowing us a glimpse at the training as a soldier and as a specialist, as well as deployment and front line duties and the impact of service on civilian life, including an honest look at PTSD, from the author’s own personal experience.
REVIEWI'm not sure why I have such a fascination with the military but I do, so when the opportunity to read this book came along, I jumped on it. And I was not disappointed. While not a literary masterpiece by any means, I found the honest, plain style satisfying and refreshing. I think one of the things I liked the best was how seemingly ordinary Patrick sounded as he told his story. He didn't make a big deal out of things that were to me a really big deal. Like the back injury he suffered during one jump, which I'm sure has plagued him ever since. I could relate to the variety of different relationships he developed with his co-workers, something everyone experiences, both the good and bad. However, in his case, he went into combat with some of those he worked with, something that I'm sure cements bonds unlike anything else.
I also appreciated how he grouped his experiences by topic rather than chronologically. This allowed me to get an overall picture of his experiences in each area that he covered, such as paratrooper training, combat, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress), and juggling both a military and civilian career. I recommend this book if you enjoy open, honest and deceptively ordinary memoirs about life as a combat medic and the ups and downs that go with it.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow for an interview and e-book giveaway!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I found it refreshing as well.
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