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Chronicles of the Sober Few: The Unseen Side of Military Life
“It made me laugh so hard I cried.”— MWW in Mn, Amazon reviewer
“The best book I’ve ever read!”
— Soto
“I hope you do a second one. That was epic.”
— Some guy named Chris
“Meh, it was okay.”
— some dude on Facebook (Can’t win ’em all, I guess.)
This isn’t a war story. It’s an Army story.
It’s a year in the life of Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (173rd Airborne)—a stretch of relative peace during one of the strangest times in modern the COVID pandemic. And it’s told from the junior enlisted ranks, where you don’t get the polished version or the “big picture.” You just live whatever shows up on the training schedule… and whatever shows up instead.
Most of that year isn’t movie moments. It’s the boredom, sleep deprivation, dumb rules, make‑work, leadership decisions that make perfect sense in a briefing and zero sense at 2 a.m. But it’s also the best part—the friendships. The guys who become family because you’re stuck together, laughing through the same misery, turning bad days into good stories before the day is even over.
You get the traditions and chaos too—like the battalion’s annual “laser tag” war game in the German MILES gear, blank rounds, bruised egos, and the kind of inside jokes that turn into company mythology.
And then the tone changes.
One minute, you’re freezing your ass off in Germany, dealing with icy roads and watching trucks end up on their side like it’s just another Tuesday. The next, you’re preparing your own funeral. Again. And preparing to sweat your ass off in Somalia while you’re being handed malaria pills. Not because anyone’s chasing glory—because the calendar flipped, the tasking dropped, and now you’re going.
Chronicles of the Sober Few is darkly funny and brutally honest—no PR filter, no “hero” speeches, no made‑up drama. Just a ground‑truth view of modern infantry life during the absurdity, the boredom, the sudden seriousness, the surreal headlines in the background, and the brotherhood that makes you remember it with a grin.
You’ll
A year‑in‑the‑life of Chosen Company, 2–503 during COVID—told from the junior enlisted perspective
Friendship‑first the people who make it worth it, and the moments you’ll still be quoting years later
The day‑to‑day reality most books skip (the dumb parts, the funny parts, the human parts)
The annual war game, the travel, the training, and the chaos that becomes legend afterward
The whiplash of a short‑notice deployment—paperwork, packing, malaria pills, and that “we’re really doing this” moment
Humor that lands because it’s honest.Content Uncensored enlisted life—dark humor, strong language, and zero sanitizing.
If you’ve ever worn the uniform—or you’ve ever wondered what actually happens behind the curtain—start with the sample. You’ll know fast whether this is your kind of book.
“The best book I’ve ever read!”
— Soto
“I hope you do a second one. That was epic.”
— Some guy named Chris
“Meh, it was okay.”
— some dude on Facebook (Can’t win ’em all, I guess.)
This isn’t a war story. It’s an Army story.
It’s a year in the life of Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (173rd Airborne)—a stretch of relative peace during one of the strangest times in modern the COVID pandemic. And it’s told from the junior enlisted ranks, where you don’t get the polished version or the “big picture.” You just live whatever shows up on the training schedule… and whatever shows up instead.
Most of that year isn’t movie moments. It’s the boredom, sleep deprivation, dumb rules, make‑work, leadership decisions that make perfect sense in a briefing and zero sense at 2 a.m. But it’s also the best part—the friendships. The guys who become family because you’re stuck together, laughing through the same misery, turning bad days into good stories before the day is even over.
You get the traditions and chaos too—like the battalion’s annual “laser tag” war game in the German MILES gear, blank rounds, bruised egos, and the kind of inside jokes that turn into company mythology.
And then the tone changes.
One minute, you’re freezing your ass off in Germany, dealing with icy roads and watching trucks end up on their side like it’s just another Tuesday. The next, you’re preparing your own funeral. Again. And preparing to sweat your ass off in Somalia while you’re being handed malaria pills. Not because anyone’s chasing glory—because the calendar flipped, the tasking dropped, and now you’re going.
Chronicles of the Sober Few is darkly funny and brutally honest—no PR filter, no “hero” speeches, no made‑up drama. Just a ground‑truth view of modern infantry life during the absurdity, the boredom, the sudden seriousness, the surreal headlines in the background, and the brotherhood that makes you remember it with a grin.
You’ll
A year‑in‑the‑life of Chosen Company, 2–503 during COVID—told from the junior enlisted perspective
Friendship‑first the people who make it worth it, and the moments you’ll still be quoting years later
The day‑to‑day reality most books skip (the dumb parts, the funny parts, the human parts)
The annual war game, the travel, the training, and the chaos that becomes legend afterward
The whiplash of a short‑notice deployment—paperwork, packing, malaria pills, and that “we’re really doing this” moment
Humor that lands because it’s honest.Content Uncensored enlisted life—dark humor, strong language, and zero sanitizing.
If you’ve ever worn the uniform—or you’ve ever wondered what actually happens behind the curtain—start with the sample. You’ll know fast whether this is your kind of book.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2025
220 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 31, 2025
Hilarious look at Army life
It made me laugh so hard i cried. Not quite to pissing-pants funny but definitly entertaining. This book is one of the better comedic-sarcastic-flag waving looks at military life.
It made me laugh so hard i cried. Not quite to pissing-pants funny but definitly entertaining. This book is one of the better comedic-sarcastic-flag waving looks at military life.
June 7, 2025
All the Way😂
As a former 173rd trooper, 1965-1968, I loved reading about the troops in the 21st century . it was a fun read And highly recommend it to others of that era. Would love to hear more stories by Thweat. All the Way. 😃😊😊😊🤗
As a former 173rd trooper, 1965-1968, I loved reading about the troops in the 21st century . it was a fun read And highly recommend it to others of that era. Would love to hear more stories by Thweat. All the Way. 😃😊😊😊🤗
November 17, 2025
Fun read
This was fun despite the sometimes dark descriptions of Somalia/Ethiopia areas. I recommend this especially if you've served in some of the not-so-garden- of-eden places of the world
This was fun despite the sometimes dark descriptions of Somalia/Ethiopia areas. I recommend this especially if you've served in some of the not-so-garden- of-eden places of the world
December 12, 2025
Brought back good memories!
Army life would not be as special without the colorful men and women that are along on the journey with you. Enduring hard times (and fun times) makes for close bonds that will last a lifetime. Thanks for your service!
Army life would not be as special without the colorful men and women that are along on the journey with you. Enduring hard times (and fun times) makes for close bonds that will last a lifetime. Thanks for your service!
January 19, 2026
Can relate
Old Navy here, I can definitely relate to the high jinks, compared and mind numbing boredom as it regards to hurry up and wait. Fun book and entertaining as told by a grunt.
Old Navy here, I can definitely relate to the high jinks, compared and mind numbing boredom as it regards to hurry up and wait. Fun book and entertaining as told by a grunt.
April 19, 2025
I'm ex military but could not finish this. Just didn't do it for me.
November 20, 2025
great fun read
Thank you. Great read that was fun and interesting. I do hope there is a part two. Three more words to finish this review.
Thank you. Great read that was fun and interesting. I do hope there is a part two. Three more words to finish this review.
January 10, 2026
Honest
Great easy read on daily life in service without the usual gripes that could have been included but weren't. Simplistic and enjoyable.
Great easy read on daily life in service without the usual gripes that could have been included but weren't. Simplistic and enjoyable.
February 23, 2026
I spent all of my formative years in the military - from age 17 to 37. This is the funniest stuff I've read about what it's really like. Yes, we train for war, but yes, there are a ton of mundane activities that require a specific attitude if you want to live through them. My best memories are of the truly stupid and sometimes unsafe things we did to entertain ourselves. Great job by Thweatt (I can think of 10 ways to insult his name right off the top of my head!)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews