Not on My Watch: The 21st Century Combat Medic

By Joshua Peters and Josh R. Fansler

Book Overview

Our story takes you on a journey from our lives before the war to the mountainous terrains of Afghanistan and the barren deserts of Iraq. It is our desire to bring to life what it is like for the American Soldier fighting in the war on terror overseas. Not just from a Soldier's perspective, but from the Combat Medic's perspective. We want you to learn about the heartaches, the fear, the excitement and the terror of combat today. These stories are not intended to bring glory upon ourselves. They are written to show the courage and bravery of every American Soldier with whom we served. While this book is written from our first person view, the "I" and "we" are inclusive of all the Medics that have served Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Every medic deployed in support of these operations have similar stories to tell. The title, Not On My Watch, The 21st Century Combat Medic expresses the fervor with which we serve. First, our motto: Not On My Watch. This speaks not only of the personal pride and sacrifice that we, as Combat Medics have in our assignment, but also of our willingness to sacrifice in order to save a fellow Soldier's life. We are saying, "As long as I am there, I am going to sacrifice everything I have to give the wounded Soldier a second chance at life". The latter part of the title stresses how combat and combat medicine has evolved to our generation from the generation of the heroes who served from the very first shot of the Revolutionary War until now. We have met the men and women of past wars at welcome home ceremonies, the local VFW's, and through everyday interactions. Every story is different, yet every story is exactly the same: The same courage, bravery, honor, and dedication to fellow Soldiers on the battlefield. We remember the look of pride in the eyes of every Vietnam, Korean, and WWII veteran as they shook our hands at the airport upon our arrival back to the United States. It is that look that lets us know that although we never stormed a beach on that Day in June of 1944, or never took that hill in the jungle with certain death on the ascent to the top, we did serve a cause that blankets our great country with Freedom. We are Americans fighting and defending the rights of every American. We are Americans dedicated to bringing peace and democracy to every citizen of the globe. Our cause is just and this is our story.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1420811460
• ISBN13: 9781420811469
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

It was OK for a couple of medics!

Let me first begin by explaining that I am a corpsman and that my title was meant as a good ribbing. This is a great book and I too had a hard time putting it down. The chapters are very quick reads and extremely insightful. I hope to meet the authors some day, as I think that I could put their experience to good use in the private sector. BZ boys!

Combat Medics in Action Iraq and Afghanistan

The book "Not On My Watch: The 21st Century Combat Medic" is by real life combat medics Joshua Peters and Josh Fansler. It takes the reader on an insider's sometimes emotional accounting of what is behind today's headline news. The ongoing war on terrorism has taken a terrible toll on the men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and our medics have been there doing what they have been doing for centuries--trying to save lives. This book chronicles very well what their job, duty and life experiences have been like; it makes for fascinating reading. This book is about sacrifice and about people. The authors do not try to portray themselves as some sort heroes or victims of war but just as flesh and blood men devoted to taking care of their fellow soldiers--doing what they have been trained to. They say that they only represent the many others who are doing the same kind of thing there now. The book is very readable and flows in a first person narrative that brings the reader right into the action. Both authors did a creative job of blending their own stories into the book. The book is more than current history--it is a story of human beings dealing with adversity. It also deals with life and death and their fight to save lives. The book should be read anyone seeking a more serious understanding of the war on terrorism from those on the front lines. This book receives "The Military Writer's Society of American's" highest book rating of FIVE STARS! It also gets my personal recommendation. This should be on your list of books to read! One of the best personal memoirs out about this war.

Not On My Watch

These two veteran service medics have provided one of the most complete and readable books on the dedication and the demands of the medics who are the first responders for the wounded men and women going into harm's way. At times they question if they did all they could when a buddy "didn't make it". Over and over they reviewed their attempts while providing medical procedures. The stress they underwent while dealing with maiming and death was intense and personal. Their efforts made the difference when the hospital personnel received the injured.

Life events from two great American Soldiers

Impressive life events from two heros from the two fronts, Afghanistan and Iraq, during the war against terrorism. This book was extremely difficult to put down. I wanted to know what happened next. I have the honor of serving with these great Americans during OIF III. They are as true to heart everyday as they captured themselves in this book.