Dan Sheehan
I'm currently working on my second book, "Continuing Action: Completing the Warrior's Journey." While this is a working title, it accurately reflects the book's premise that facing the challenges of coming home is an integral part of any warrior's journey.
Members of the United States military are extremely well prepared to go into combat but unprepared for what comes after. "Continuing Action" aims to fill that gap in preparation by explaining that warriors have always experienced challenges adjusting to life after combat, and that facing them is not a betrayal of one's warrior identity.
It goes on to identify misconceptions that cause modern veterans to remain stranded between war and peace, explains the devastating consequences of keeping difficult experiences compartmentalized, and examines how the modern warrior's journey ends abruptly--and artificially--upon leaving the war zone.
But it doesn't just identify the problem. "Continuing Action" also provides pragmatic suggestions that veterans can follow--either by themselves or with assistance--to navigate their own challenges. If viewed in their entirety, these challenges can appear overwhelming. But they don't have to be.
Based on my personal experiences readjusting to life after combat in Iraq, "Continuing Action" breaks the challenges down into manageable components and explain how to deal with them in sequence. It offers a means to separate these various challenges and keep them from reinforcing each other.
"Continuing Action" is currently out for test reads with mental health professionals, veterans, and leaders of non-profits that serve the veteran community. I've asked for their feedback by mid-January and, after incorporating it, will decide whether to pitch the book to agents or self-publish again. I've had a great experience self-publishing so far and am leaning that direction. But if an offer is forthcoming...
Members of the United States military are extremely well prepared to go into combat but unprepared for what comes after. "Continuing Action" aims to fill that gap in preparation by explaining that warriors have always experienced challenges adjusting to life after combat, and that facing them is not a betrayal of one's warrior identity.
It goes on to identify misconceptions that cause modern veterans to remain stranded between war and peace, explains the devastating consequences of keeping difficult experiences compartmentalized, and examines how the modern warrior's journey ends abruptly--and artificially--upon leaving the war zone.
But it doesn't just identify the problem. "Continuing Action" also provides pragmatic suggestions that veterans can follow--either by themselves or with assistance--to navigate their own challenges. If viewed in their entirety, these challenges can appear overwhelming. But they don't have to be.
Based on my personal experiences readjusting to life after combat in Iraq, "Continuing Action" breaks the challenges down into manageable components and explain how to deal with them in sequence. It offers a means to separate these various challenges and keep them from reinforcing each other.
"Continuing Action" is currently out for test reads with mental health professionals, veterans, and leaders of non-profits that serve the veteran community. I've asked for their feedback by mid-January and, after incorporating it, will decide whether to pitch the book to agents or self-publish again. I've had a great experience self-publishing so far and am leaning that direction. But if an offer is forthcoming...
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