In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War
Named a Notable Naval Book of 2012 by Proceedings Magazine Their stories needed to be told. And classmates working together, under a blanket of trust and friendship, was the only way to allow people to open up. It was a three year journey into the hearts and souls of America's youngest heroes to gather these important historical accounts, but it was worth every hour spent. Inside this book are the voices the first Annapolis graduates into a decade of war and they remind us that America is in good hands. They were walking to class on 9/11, wearing Naval Academy “summer working blues”, when the towers were struck. The campus went to general quarters, battle stations. They would be the first class after this attack to graduate into a nation at war and would be faced, like so many past graduates, of rising to the challenge to keeping America great. President Bush and Vice President Cheney articulated a world at the crossroads, and the U.S. would preemptively in seek enemies who threatened the national interest, America would not again be terrorized. In the Shadow of Greatness addresses issues that go beyond one USNA class, it explains the trials of most military veterans of this era. Understanding how a young person enlists to serve, deploys to the fight, and returns home is unknown to most Americans. Veterans pack up their uniforms, but never lose the call for service when the return to civilian society. The profiles in this book represent the “Next Great Generation” of American leaders. Men and women who lost their innocence in battle and their youths to a decade of deployments, throughout which they never gave up hope. In exchange for down range scars, they gained an unbreakable sense of purpose to America's ideals-freedom, equality, and democracy. The compilation is the most authentic and raw narrative to emerge from the Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. The reader enjoys a spectrum of stories, each patriotic and honorable. The narratives are meant to inspire, educate, and reveal a world many don't understand. Its contents are readable and easy to appreciate. The Class of 2002-and more broadly, the one million veterans of the Long War-are America's leaders of tomorrow. Read this book to learn what they endured and why they are prepared.
1111809163
In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War
Named a Notable Naval Book of 2012 by Proceedings Magazine Their stories needed to be told. And classmates working together, under a blanket of trust and friendship, was the only way to allow people to open up. It was a three year journey into the hearts and souls of America's youngest heroes to gather these important historical accounts, but it was worth every hour spent. Inside this book are the voices the first Annapolis graduates into a decade of war and they remind us that America is in good hands. They were walking to class on 9/11, wearing Naval Academy “summer working blues”, when the towers were struck. The campus went to general quarters, battle stations. They would be the first class after this attack to graduate into a nation at war and would be faced, like so many past graduates, of rising to the challenge to keeping America great. President Bush and Vice President Cheney articulated a world at the crossroads, and the U.S. would preemptively in seek enemies who threatened the national interest, America would not again be terrorized. In the Shadow of Greatness addresses issues that go beyond one USNA class, it explains the trials of most military veterans of this era. Understanding how a young person enlists to serve, deploys to the fight, and returns home is unknown to most Americans. Veterans pack up their uniforms, but never lose the call for service when the return to civilian society. The profiles in this book represent the “Next Great Generation” of American leaders. Men and women who lost their innocence in battle and their youths to a decade of deployments, throughout which they never gave up hope. In exchange for down range scars, they gained an unbreakable sense of purpose to America's ideals-freedom, equality, and democracy. The compilation is the most authentic and raw narrative to emerge from the Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. The reader enjoys a spectrum of stories, each patriotic and honorable. The narratives are meant to inspire, educate, and reveal a world many don't understand. Its contents are readable and easy to appreciate. The Class of 2002-and more broadly, the one million veterans of the Long War-are America's leaders of tomorrow. Read this book to learn what they endured and why they are prepared.
33.95 In Stock
In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War

In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War

In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War

In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War

Hardcover

$33.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    In stock. Ships in 1-2 days.
  • PICK UP IN STORE

    Your local store may have stock of this item.

Related collections and offers


Overview

Named a Notable Naval Book of 2012 by Proceedings Magazine Their stories needed to be told. And classmates working together, under a blanket of trust and friendship, was the only way to allow people to open up. It was a three year journey into the hearts and souls of America's youngest heroes to gather these important historical accounts, but it was worth every hour spent. Inside this book are the voices the first Annapolis graduates into a decade of war and they remind us that America is in good hands. They were walking to class on 9/11, wearing Naval Academy “summer working blues”, when the towers were struck. The campus went to general quarters, battle stations. They would be the first class after this attack to graduate into a nation at war and would be faced, like so many past graduates, of rising to the challenge to keeping America great. President Bush and Vice President Cheney articulated a world at the crossroads, and the U.S. would preemptively in seek enemies who threatened the national interest, America would not again be terrorized. In the Shadow of Greatness addresses issues that go beyond one USNA class, it explains the trials of most military veterans of this era. Understanding how a young person enlists to serve, deploys to the fight, and returns home is unknown to most Americans. Veterans pack up their uniforms, but never lose the call for service when the return to civilian society. The profiles in this book represent the “Next Great Generation” of American leaders. Men and women who lost their innocence in battle and their youths to a decade of deployments, throughout which they never gave up hope. In exchange for down range scars, they gained an unbreakable sense of purpose to America's ideals-freedom, equality, and democracy. The compilation is the most authentic and raw narrative to emerge from the Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. The reader enjoys a spectrum of stories, each patriotic and honorable. The narratives are meant to inspire, educate, and reveal a world many don't understand. Its contents are readable and easy to appreciate. The Class of 2002-and more broadly, the one million veterans of the Long War-are America's leaders of tomorrow. Read this book to learn what they endured and why they are prepared.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781612511382
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Publication date: 10/15/2012
Pages: 264
Product dimensions: 9.00(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

After receiving his commission, Joshua Welle became a Surface Warfare Officer. When not serving at sea, he earned two master’s degrees from the University of Maryland in politics and business administration. He was an instructor at the Naval Academy teaching International Relations and was the special assistant to Admiral William Crowe, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was an economic advisor for NATO in Afghanistan and conducted counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and frequently publishes on military and foreign affairs. A former Navy Lieutenant with service aboard two warships and a tour of duty as a Pentagon speech writer and special advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations, John Ennis left the Navy for work in Lockheed Martin’s International Business Development Group. He is currently an account manager for IBM’s Software Group, working with the U.S. Navy. After commissioning, Kate Kranz completed the Naval Flight Officer training pipeline in Pensacola, FL and received wings of gold as an E-2C Hawkeye NFO, serving with the VAW-113 Black Eagles, flying 3 deployments with Carrier Air Wing 14 and the USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group. Following orders as a special assistant to the commandant back at the Naval Academy, she served as a NATO Rule of Law Field Support Mission advisor and liaison officer for the commander in various locations in Afghanistan. In previous assignments, Graham Plaster served as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the USS Reuben James (FFG 57) out of Pearl Harbor, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to the Persian Gulf. Subsequently he joined the staff of Destroyer Squadron One in San Diego and deployed in support of Counter Drug Operations in South America. Following DESRON ONE, he assumed duties as Assistant Dean of Students at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Now a Naval Foreign Area Officer, he is currently a Liaison Officer supporting U.S. military deployed to UN Peacekeeping missions in Israel, Egypt and Iraq. He also serves as webmaster for the Foreign Area Officer Association (FAOA.org). He is currently writing a book on social media's influences on democratization in Iran. LT Plaster lives in Annapolis, MD with his wife and their four children.

Table of Contents

List of photographs xi

Foreword David Gergen xiii

Introduction: Non Sibi Sed Patriae 1

Part I Four Years by the Bay 3

Inside the Gates of Annapolis 5

Part II The Leadership Laboratory, Fleet Tested 21

Honor at Sea Will Carr 24

Selflessness from the ICU Anita Susan Brenner Rachel Torres 29

Ship, Shipmate, Self Mike Johnson 36

Fulfilling a Top Gun Dream Meagan Varely Flannigan 41

Find a Way, or Make One Meghan Elger Courtney 46

Part III Courage under Fire 51

A Lovely Afternoon over Baghdad Jay Consalvi 54

Bad Karma Wes Pass 61

We Serve Where We're Needed Johnathan Van Meter 69

The Real Hurt Locker Eric Jewell 76

Evacuating the Injured Rocky Checca 81

From the Cradle to the Grave Anonymous 88

Dhow in Distress Patrick McConnell 93

From Fallujah to Now Zad Benjamin Wagner 98

Part IV Beyond Battlefield Bullets 105

Military Diplomats Graham Plaster 109

Shaking the Hand of Fate Courtney Senini 113

Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure: Unsung Heroes Jason Jackson 119

Lending a Hand in Tsunami Relief John Cauthen 125

Training with the Enemy: Iraq and U.S. Naval Partnerships Travis Bode 131

UN Peacekeeping in Practice Dave Augustin 136

Casey vs. the Volcano Casey Bruce 141

Inland Sailor Joshua Welle 148

Part V Integrity, Teamwork, and Sacrifice 157

Sacrifices for Country Alex Katauskas 161

Sometimes Dreams Do Come True Carol A. Andersen 166

Forward Deployed to...Louisiana? Kevin Stepp 171

Working Where the Land Meets the Sky Katherine Kranz 175

On Building Submarines and Building Character Lucas Adin 179

Lost at Sea Glyndell Houston 185

Dual Military Couples: Twice the Challenge Brooke Waller 190

When No One's Watching Lisa Freeman 194

Part VI The Next Great Generation 201

One Wild and Precious Life Joshua Awad 204

Serving Beyond the Uniform Elizabeth Kreft 209

Rings of Courage and Love: Fighting for Gay Rights in the Military Gary Ross 217

Command, Citizenship, and Government Seth Lynn 224

Part VII Conclusion 231

Epilogue Adm. Mike Mullen 237

In Memory of the Fallen Naval Academy Graduates since September 11 241

Acknowledgments 245

Read More Online 247

What People are Saying About This

Craig Mullaney

Most may never wear a uniform in defense of our country's values. What we owe those who do is to listen and honor their stories. Captured so well within these pages are vivid and diverse accounts of courage, quiet competence, and integrity-values forged within the hearts of a new generation of leaders. All Americans can learn, and emulate, their credo: Not for self, but for country.
—CRAIG MULLANEY, U.S. Army combat veteran and author of The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education

Nate Fick

This powerful book captures the bravery and sacrifice of a decade of war, and its lessons apply to the boardroom as well as the battlefield. Read it and take heart in a new generation of proven leaders.
—NATE FICK, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and author of One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer

Adm. Mike Mullen

To the Class of 2002, I thank you for sharing your stories and opening America's eyes to the challenges faced by your generation, which in my view really is the next 'greatest generation.' . . . My advice to you is simple: Continue to listen, learn, and lead in the decades ahead. Your families and your fellow citizens are counting on you.
— ADM. MIKE MULLEN, USN (RET.), 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from the epilogue

Tom Brokaw

This is a must read for all Americans-an up close and personal account of duty and sacrifice by graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yoúll stand a little straighter when you mingle with these remarkable fellow citizens.
—TOM BROKAW, author of The Time of Our Lives and The Greatest Generation

Bill Murphy Jr.

The men and women of the U.S. Naval Academy class of 2002 now have a dual legacy of service: first, their leadership around the world during wartime, and now their well-told consideration of what it all meant. In the Shadow of Greatness is an inspiring book.
—BILL MURPHY JR., author of In a Time of War: The Proud & Perilous Journey of West Point's Class of 2002.

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews