Book Review: My Journey as a Combat Veteran by Patrick Thibeault

There is a duality of man. This duality is best explained by looking at a medic or a chaplain in the military. The chaplain’s job is to save souls and the medic’s job is to save lives. Both hate to see the destruction of humanity, yet both belong to an organization that excels at destroying humanity. -- from My Journey as a Combat Medic

While I've never had a special interest in the military, I appreciate the chance to read and review well crafted memoirs by soldiers who have served in war. For me, a book like this is an important piece of living history. It's also a chance to vicariously experience a soldier's life in a way that is neither romanticized nor reconfigured to deliver a heavy "war is hell" message. It's simply an honest story of wartime experiences, conveying the horrors of war along with myriad acts of courage and compassion and other achievements.

Raised as an "army brat," Patrick Thibeault enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school and became a paratrooper and combat medic. In 1990, he was deployed to Operation Desert Shield, and he served in Iraq through Desert Storm. Later he served as a soldier and medic in Afghanistan. My Journey as a Combat Medic: From Desert Storm to Operation Enduring Freedom is his memoir about his experiences. Please see my interview with the author, which conveys the spirit of this book better than I could.

Author Interview: Patrick Thibeault Author of My Journey as a Combat Veteran

 

I am happy to welcome Patrick Thibeault, who recently published a memoir titled My Journey as a Combat Medic: From Desert Storm to Operation Enduring Freedom. I will post my review of this book tomorrow. Patrick has served in the army for over 20 years. He was part of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, as a Paratrooper and Flight Medic, during Operation Desert Storm. He also served in Afghanistan in his Army National Guard unit, the 76th Infantry Brigade.