Squaddie: A Soldier's Story

by Steven McLaughlin

From the harsh realities of basic training to post-war chaos in Iraq and knife-edge tension in Northern Ireland, Squaddie takes us to a place not advertised in army recruitment brochures. It exposes the grim reality of everyday soldiering for the 'grunts on the ground'. After the tragic death of his brother, and in the dark days following 9/11, McLaughlin felt compelled to fulfil his lifelong ambition to serve in the army. He followed his late brother into the elite Royal Green Jackets and passed the arduous Combat Infantryman's Course at the age of 31. Thereafter, McLaughlin found himself submerged in a world of casual violence. Squaddie is a snapshot of infantry soldiering in the twenty-first century. It takes us into the heart of an ancient institution that is struggling to retain its tough traditions in a rapidly changing world. All of the fears and anxieties that the modern soldier carries as his burden are laid bare, as well as the occasional joys and triumphs that can make him feel like he is doing the best job in the world. This is an account of army life by someone who has been there and done it.

Genres: Nonfiction, War, Research

318 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Aleksandr Voinov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite engaging story of a guy who joins the army at 30 - and gets a special permit as he is four years too old. What comes through is his relative maturity compared to the guys in their early twenties, and he writes thoughtfully about a tour in Iraq (second gulf war) and a tour in Northern Ireland. Above all, he did not believe in either cause and there is a strong sense of disillusionment with the political side of it. An interesting look into "ordinary" squaddie-ness. The publisher, however, let the author down - way, way too many proofing mistakes.

[Stephen R Mayfield and Karen P Mayfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disapointed with this book written by an individual with only 3 years service. As an ex RSM and LE Officer I found the author's time with the RGJ boring and uneventful. This book may be appealing to a civilian but it is not a true reflection of Army life. It's the views of 30 year old with a blinkered mentality who has no idea what happens beyond the rank of private soldier. If you are still serving or a veteran - give it a miss or you'll end up swearing and getting annoyed as you're reading it.

[David Wilkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Captures the large amounts of boredom and mind numbing duty many modern soldiers experience for 95% of their time, well! The account of the training was interesting, but the lengthy exposition on stag at Basra airport ... yawn. I ended up skipping substantial amounts of this book.

[jason moreby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed read

A Well detailed, lengthy and thorough account of this man journey as a squaddie, enjoyed it, well worth a read.

[garry cuckson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest account of being a squaddie

An easy read by a down to earth soldier. Subject matter easy to understand. Recommended read for anyone outside the military to understand

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and an eye-opener.

The older brother of the author was a Royal Green Jacket (army type) and had died in service. McLaughlin wanted to follow his brother's career footsteps. He had difficulty enlisting but finally became an infantry at the old age of 31. This is his story of the British Army as seen from one of the grunts. It's the reality of army life.

He was assigned duty in Northern Ireland in the heart of IRA country. Life was hard and often dangerous. It seems that army life in Northern Ireland is very much like prison life because they lived in a fortress, they would go on patrols for a certain period of time, and supplies were airlifted in. Not a plush life.

Not a pleasant story but one that had to be told.