About the Author
Angie Papple Johnston joined the U.S. Army in 2006 as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist, ready to tackle chemical weapons in a Level-A HAZMAT suit. During her second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Angie became her battalion’s public affairs representative, writing press releases and photographing historic moments from Tikrit to Kirkuk.
Angie also served as the Lead Cadre for the Texas Army National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program (RSP), teaching brand-new privates how to survive Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, and the Army.
She’s currently the CBRN noncommissioned officer-in-charge of an aviation battalion in Washington, D.C., where her favorite things are teaching her soldiers combatives (the Army’s version of hand-to-hand combat), doing the occasional ruck march around the airfield, and setting a positive example for the next generation of leaders. She firmly believes that you can learn something from every leader in the military, even if it’s how not to lead, and that there’s nothing more important than leading soldiers from the front through training and mentoring.
Angie is the proud wife of another noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army and the mom of a tiny hurricane who keeps her on her toes (no, seriously — he’s a climber).
Dedication
This book is for my Davids. You are my favorite people in the whole world, and I love you like crazy!
And Mom. Thanks for teaching me to read and win spelling bees (even if you can’t pronounce ersatz). Thanks, Mama!
Author’s Acknowledgments
To our current, former, and prospective military service members: You have my most sincere gratitude.
I’m exceptionally grateful to Vicki Adang and Lindsay Lefevere for moving me from the back of the book to the front of the book. I cannot imagine a better editor than Vicki, and I’m incredibly lucky to be on the same team as she is.
This book is immeasurably better because of the numerous contributions of Danielle Voirol, Suzanne Langebartels, Devin Hyde, and Caleb Leggett.
Col. Chris Stenman, there’s nobody I’d rather follow around Iraq with a camera and a notepad! Thank you for everything.
Lt. Col. Michael Adelberg, thank you for putting me on this path when we were in Kirkuk.
Master Sgt. Tim Gray (Ret.), thank you for trusting me to lead your brand-new recruits.
CW4 Frederick Hall, thank you for recognizing purpose and always putting the mission first.
Publisher’s Acknowledgments
Executive Editor: Lindsay Sandman Lefevere
Project Manager: Victoria M. Adang
Copy Editor: Danielle Voirol
Technical Editors: Suzanne Langebartels, Devin Hyde, and Caleb Leggett
Production Editor: Antony Sami
Cover Photos: © Steve Cukrov/Shutterstock