Braving the Fear
Braving the Fear
The True Story of Rowdy US Marines in the Gulf War
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Desert Storm was the beginning of the changing of the world, and America's direct involement in the Middle East. Military action in the Middle East came again when we received an invitation to war on September 11, 2001. This book takes you to the beginning of Desert Shield and the story of a very special team of Marines who learned that even in war, humor had its place.
“Marines, we are going to war!” the Captain shouted, and the boots left the blacktop in a joyous celebration. Life changed in the Corps that day for ever so many, and members of 7th Motors Transport Battalion of Camp Pendleton, Ca were part of that inspiration and celebration. On
Led by Marine Corps attitudes, and carrying one troop that still needed to be broken in, Fosterman’s team banded together and made sure they would stay together for the impending war. Their first test against the enemy came within days of arriving as a gas attack and SCUDS came rolling onto the port in the middle of the night. This unfortunate nightmare came to be the vehicle for everyone's sense of humor.
Together, Fosterman's team and vehicles arrived at a camp south of the Kuwaiti and
Working out of CSSD-111, the troops used their time wisely for training against chemical attacks, taking prisoners, hazing Gunny to near insanity, and the intense battle with the overwhelming lack of society. Many of the troops, including Foster, showed signs of cracking up when he began seeing invisible camels, and the all out truth that waiting for war was both boring and dangerous, so they searched for other way to keep life interesting. Chemical and gas attacks seemed to come daily and nightly as the men taunted each other for entertainment like children in the back seat. Even faking a few chemical attacks can have it’s advantages on friends. Men trained to kill with their bare hands as well as their rifles, began to badger each other to break up the downtime and frustration of waiting to take on the enemy, and it became their primary tool for holding onto their sanity. Young Gunny became the center of antagonistic chemistry as part of his breaking-in phase, as he inched forward to become a true "Lance Corporal Nobody." There would come a day in which he would have to break someone in and needed to live in hell to learn to give hell.
As the weeks turned into months, the book follows the young men into their training and often chaotic struggle of getting lost in the desert. Including 22.5 ton Dragon Wagons chasing each other in the desert, and clashing up and down highways. When just before the air war, Fosterman turned on his Sergeant and got canned as squad leader, and the team faces separation. Stripped of his weapons and dignity, Fosterman got sent off for attitude maintenance in the rear.
Before crossing the Saddam Line against the fourth largest Army in the world, the team got recruited into a special unit to serve as transportation for weapons, ammo, food, water, and bodies at the front line of the battle. They would become members of Task Force Ripper whose mission would be to spear head the invasion and capture an airbase inside
Just days before the ground invasion, Fosterman’s unit secretly moved up near the border to hide and wait for the invasion. Hide they did, as an unexpected rain came for three days, and the naked Marines dashed into the desert to find a puddle…any puddle without a land mine...to dive into. As their tents flooded, the troops ran amuck naked encouraging the enemy to bring it on. (That's what happens when you don't see rain for six months) Within nights, the ground war began and the team of newly named CSSD 17 crossed the border with Task Force Ripper to take on their enemy and secure their objective. Taking the fleeing Iraqi Army in a fight and surrounding the airfield under tank attacks and gas attacks, the Marines found out that even in the face of battle, humor had its place.
Braving the Fear-The True Story of Rowdy US Marines in the Gulf War
It is the story of our drive, our craziness, and our courage to become brothers in arms.
"We are not a perfect nation, nor has there been one in history, but it is this journey in which we are traveling today, that create the result of a better government, a better people, and a better nation."
Douglas Foster
ISBN 1-4137-9902-7
Available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com
Reviews
"Truly one of the best military stories I have ever read. It makes me want to run out and join the Corps all over again. It was fun, adventurous, full of life, drama, and very accurate. I recommend it to everyone." Kevin Poling, USMC
"Braving the Fear makes you feel like you're standing there with the Marines, who are ready to kick the hell out of their enemy" John Reed, Los Angeles
"This book was really great. The emotional mix of humor obviously stirred by fear is what makes these brave young men so great in this book. Kudos to Foster. The book keeps you entertained while demonstrating the reality of fear young men face in battle and the long fearful wait to face an enemy and maybe death. I hope they make this one a movie." Terrence, very satisfied with this novel
"A book full of sarcasm...and I LOVED IT! Sarcasm and real friendships are what makes it so great!" Susan Ranten, Oklahoma
"It captures the bold personality that defines Marines in their actions and reputations. Excellent book! Great job!" Kenny Taylor, USMC Iraq
"I bought it and put it off until the weekend to start reading. Within two days I finished it. Very funny and written with a great attitude. I recommend it. Great Book." Stacey, a fun reader
"Finally, a military book for the average person. It was easily read and easily understood, and full of life, laughter, and friendships. A classic to come." Julie Holton, MBA, Columbus, Ohio
"I enjoyed most of the book and the endless developing frienships that carry the story along. There are those tear jerking moments that sneak up on ya...even with the tough guys. I could have done without all the foul language the troops use, but I just read over it. An excellent read if you pay attention to what is happening between the lines. I recommend it for certain to anyone over 17. Support our Troops!" Ruth, A reviewer
"If you need a book that makes you laugh out loud and, makes you proud at the same time, you found it. I loved the true grit humor in Marine Corps tone." Thomas Taylor, Amarillo, Texas
"Great Job. I loved it. The story was certainly a different approach to looking at the truth of friendships and war, as well as the truth that going to war is about heroism, but about the man next to you." GregRanger, a Veteran
"Braving the Fear is a comedic thriller of the sort. Its real life tales lured me into reading this book non-stop. It would detailed and understanding of the modern day chemicals of war and the tragedies inside them. I recommend this book to any one who is interested in the military or in joining the military." Ben S., A reviewer
"I enthusastically enjoyed this book. I was hesitant to buy it at first because of the price and took a chance. It was worth the read for sure. I love the military humor and the real stories of our troops under pressure and dealing with the real side of humanity within themselves. I loved the sarcasm the author brings to the book, and as you read, you will get the true feeling of the necessity for their 'different' senses of humor. Great job...Great Story Mr. Foster. Two thumbs up." TinaBen, a lover of true stories
"I do not support the war at all being brought to us by the republicans. I was impressed with the insight the book gave me to those who train to DEFEND our nation. I felt as if I was there, and that each step into the war was being told to me like a story happening at that moment. This book reflects the attitude of those who want war (because of brainwashing) and you can sense the youth...uh...the ignorance of our children who are being sent off to die in a war that makes Bush richer. The book was a good book, I only wish it had been about another nation's troops. I think this book might be part of a conspiracy to help mothers who refuse to let their children fight in this unjust war. In the book, they don't even take war seriously until people start dying. Their humor seemed like a defence mechanism to help them deal with being sent to die so a bad president could get him and his buddies richer. If you want to know what your children will face in war, how they deal with it as it happens, and the brain washing the Marines do then read this book." Bush Hater-Go Democrats., and always will be a democrat.
"Super story. The book was outstanding and a must read for every American. Go get it today." Paul Zensky, Texas
Create a free website at Webs.com