By Sean ParnellI am a U.S. Army combat veteran. In 2006-2007, my infantry platoon in Afghanistan regularly exchanged fire with Taliban fighters. We had a high casualty rate: I saw my men wounded and killed in action, and I was medically discharged myself, diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.My combat service was difficult and … [Read more...]
When Lightning Strikes Twice
It is very highly unlikely to achieve the career pinnacle of serving as one of a small handful of coaches at what is arguably the world’s premier boxing gym. At the very least, it’s the boxing gym owned by the greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time, if a flawless professional record is any indication. The gym can afford to be selective; there’s no reason why it wouldn’t … [Read more...]
Common Sense Transition: An Excerpt
This is an excerpt from Karl Monger's book, Common Sense Transition: Chapter 10: Staying on AzimuthTransition is like night land navigation, old-school. For those of you who haven’t had the fun, here’s how it works: lie on the ground and cover yourself with a poncho or other cloth that blocks light and plot two points on the map: where you are now, and where you desire to … [Read more...]
The Death of A Civilian: The Day I Joined The Army
Note: The following is adapted from a chapter of Christopher Paul Meyer’s memoir, Icarus Falling: A True Story About the Broken Dreams, Broken Heart and Broken Bones of a Nightclub Bouncer in LA. _____ He was about 6’2 and 220 pounds. “When you step out of this bus, you will see two yellow lines.” He spoke quietly but each word out of his mouth was precise. “Regular Army, … [Read more...]
Semper Fight: A Former Marine And The Bar Fight Scene
Note: The following is adapted from a chapter of Christopher Paul Meyer’s memoir, Icarus Falling: A True Story About the Broken Dreams, Broken Heart and Broken Bones of a Nightclub Bouncer in LA. _____ The summer with its heat and partying and overtime was over. Now the days were cooler and the nights were cold. The Santa Ana winds wracked the city. And Sylvester hired … [Read more...]
“Warning Order:” An Excerpt
An excerpt from Warning Order: A Search and Destroy thriller by Joshua Hood, a former 82nd Airborne soldier and currently is a member of the SWAT team in Memphis, TN:Syria, 2014 Mason Kane stepped out of the shadows, which hung like skewed curtains over the tight alleyway, and moved silently towards the target house. Despite the “all clear” from the sniper providing … [Read more...]
The Soft Landing, Part I: Landing A Security Gig
Note: The following is adapted from a chapter of Christopher Paul Meyer’s memoir, Icarus Falling: A True Story About the Broken Dreams, Broken Heart and Broken Bones of a Nightclub Bouncer in LA. _____ I spent most days at the internet cafe on Sunset and La Brea where I’d try to find an unoccupied seat among the transients, the trannies and the Goths. It felt like a lot more … [Read more...]
The Top Military Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books Of All Time
When I was in the fifth grade, I checked ‘Starship Troopers’ out of my middle school library. I was floored by what I read. There was a lot that went over my head but it was the coolest book I had read up to that point. It also started a life-love with science fiction and fantasy novels.Like a lot of other genres, the military is a prominent part of a lot of … [Read more...]
Eating Leather: Bouncing And Brawling In Los Angeles
Note: The following is adapted from a chapter of Christopher Paul Meyer’s memoir, Icarus Falling: A True Story About the Broken Dreams, Broken Heart and Broken Bones of a Nightclub Bouncer in LA.“My name is Marcus.” He was a swarthy Brazilian. A fourth-degree black belt with a creased and worn face that looked like it was doused in neatsfoot oil to keep it from … [Read more...]
The Craft: The Importance of “Presence”
Note: The following is adapted from a chapter of Christopher Paul Meyer’s memoir, Icarus Falling: A True Story About the Broken Dreams, Broken Heart and Broken Bones of a Nightclub Bouncer in LA. _____ The longer I stayed in Hollywood, the more I understood what it meant to be a cowboy. I wouldn’t get (and didn’t deserve) the same respect as cops or soldiers. But there were … [Read more...]