Joys of War: From the Foreign Legion, the SAS and into Hell with PTSD

by John-Paul Jordan

Overview

Irishman John-Paul Jordan, still only in his thirties, has led an extraordinary life, from the Foreign Legion and private security in Iraq, to serving multiple tours in Afghanistan (for which he was awarded for his leadership and bravery), and on to guiding journalists on the front line and behind enemy lines in Libya, or even hunting for gold in Afghanistan.

However, once back in Civvy Street, the camaraderie was gone; he found himself a prisoner of war to PTSD. Dehumanised by those professionals whom he had turned to for help, this Special Forces veteran and former Legionnaire was brought to his knees. His marriage was over; his home was lost. In isolation, his world unraveled and the seeds of destruction had been well and truly sewn. Knowing he would never see military action again, and faced with the realization of the war raging within him in the spiral of PTSD, John-Paul felt condemned as a man. But, on 1 April, he surrendered – life, too, it would seem, has a sense of humor. He asked for help and found the answers within.

In war, John-Paul was the first through the door or leading assaults taking out enemy positions; whether he was facing bullets or bombs. His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit: to get back up and to lead from the front. He didn’t go through ‘all that’ just to go through ‘all that’. This is his story of his return to freedom and joy.

Buckle up, because this man doesn’t do anything by halves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526743145
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	04/19/2019
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

John-Paul Jordan is a former Legionnaire with the French Foreign Legion, after which he joined the British armed forces, serving in operations in Afghanistan where he awarded for his actions in combat. Following his military service, John-Paul worked for international media organisations in warzones, clandestinely moving journalists in and out of some of the world's most dangerous hot-spots, before heading up logistics for a mining company in Afghanistan and training local forces.

His personal injuries from war took their toll with the effects of physical injury and non-visible injuries, PTSD. As part of his own recovery, he wrote about his experience to share his story with others and liberate himself from the stigma of PTSD and mental health issues – or what he terms non-visible injuries…because that’s what they are: an injury to be treated like any other.

John-Paul’s mission is to help veterans and non-veterans alike to find their way to freedom. To start the conversation. Remove the stigma and live in the solution not the problem. More recently he has been working closely with the charity Mind, including advising on the set of a national television programme, sharing his experiences of injuries from war.130330

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii

Preface ix

Chapter 1 The Wild West 1

Chapter 2 Kepi Blanc 3

Chapter 3 There is Gold in Them There Hills 15

Chapter 4 Welcome to Afghanistan 25

Chapter 5 For the Craic 43

Chapter 6 Welcome Back, We Missed You! 55

Chapter 7 Cutbacks Cut 75

Chapter 8 King of Kings 81

Chapter 9 A Dark Night in Benghazi 93

Chapter 10 Combat-Stressed 101

Chapter 11 Prisoner of War 111

Chapter 12 Surrender 121

Afterword 129

Index 131

Editorial Reviews

"A striking reminder that all the warrior’s kills, destruction, battle, wars, and narrow escapes from death have an end result on the body as well as the mind. This book narrows the vision to focus on the isolation and helplessness a warrior experiences near the end of their road."

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