Bipolar General

My Forever War with Mental Illness

By: Maj. Gen Gregg F. Martin USA (Ret), Gen. Martin E. Dempsey USA (Ret) - foreword

Narrated by: George W. Sarris

Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin cut a striking figure in the Army: athletic, quick witted, devout, and studious, he was a natural leader. Thanks to his engineering and leadership knowhow, Martin was chosen to lead the thousands of combat engineers who paved the way for 100,000 Army troops to battle their way to Baghdad in 2003. Only years later would he learn how the pressure of organizing dozens of simultaneous life-or-death missions each day altered the biochemistry of his brain. The Iraq War triggered what military and Veterans Administration psychiatrists ultimately diagnosed as late-onset bipolar disorder, a chemical imbalance that sends sufferers whipsawing between grandiose imaginings and suicidal depressions. His increasing erratic behavior led to his forced resignation as president of the National Defense University and ended his military career.

Bipolar General offers a candid account of Martin's personal journey with undiagnosed mental illness as he rose through the ranks of the United States Army. He discusses why his condition went undiagnosed for so long and explores what can be done both within and outside the armed forces to diagnose and treat mental illness. Bipolar General should be of value to those with mental illness and to the communities of family, friends, and caregivers surrounding them.

©2023 the U.S. Naval Institute (P)2023 Tantor

An example of high functioning behavior with bipolar until the illness robes the individual from normal behavior

I liked the honesty and clarity of examples. I also thought it was refreshing to see General Martin’s thoughtful approach to how the military could better serve its people by monitoring mental health.

Excellent story telling and breakdown!

My husband is bipolar and was not diagnosed until the end of his Army career. The General's symptoms and behavior was scarily similar to my husband's and gave me, and my husband, a better understanding of what happened in the past and behaviors we both didn't understand. Thank you for sharing your story and more information on this heartbreaking disease!

Raw, Riveting, and Remarkable!

MG Gregg Martin pulls back the curtain and shows you what’s behind the bipolar mind and world - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Gregg highlights several paradoxes. The bright, creative, highly energetic and charismatic over-achiever and the paranoid, irritable, angry and rambling zealot who leaves people perplexed and worried.

The recurrent hypomanic and even manic episodes occurring over years and the medical and mental heath professionals who deemed him perfectly fit for duty. The concerns and questions people had about his behavior, yet the reluctance to bring this to the attention of his family and his superiors.

And eventually being fired from a job and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he opted to not undergo a medical board, nor did his providers push for him to receive inpatient treatment at that time. All so his retirement wouldn’t be delayed. Even though he was in crisis and by all rights would have benefited from inpatient therapy.

More than anything, Gregg’s story is one of hope, grace, and perseverance. He and his family have battled through “bipolar hell” and come through victorious. This book is a must read for anyone struggling with bipolar disorder and anyone who has a loved one struggling with this crafty disease.

Donald G. “Skip” Mondragon, MD, MPH
Colonel, U.S. Army Retired

An important biography about mental health

I rate this book 5 stars, I’ve read several accounts of individuals living with bipolar disorder and this is by far the best written (particularly in the later chapters). My only note is about the narrator’s performance- he has a way of pronouncing bipolar disorder (like BYEpolar DIS order) that was quite distracting.

Say it louder!

I spoke with you briefly at the Mental Health Symposium held aboard NAS Jacksonville in Florida and could tell that you're genuine with your words on mental health and military service members. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and for using your voice to help others who maybe reluctant to seek help. Furthermore, thank you for shining a light on the VIP treatment as it pertains to certain leaders. I think far too often this is overlooked and people stay in positions they shouldn't hold and make life harder for those they"lead." Your story is compelling and brought to my attention some things about bipolar disorder that I wasn't aware of. I will make it an effort to recommend your book to others as I feel that it will help many active duty service members seek help.

Great story. Not so great narration.

Raw testimony of an extremely important topic! Thank you sir for your honesty and vulnerability!

This book can help save lives

Great read/listen on Audible. This is a phenomenal contribution to better understanding bipolar disorder from a first-hand account. It provides great insights from family and colleagues who provide their own perspectives on Gregg's descent into the disorder and recovery. It provides clues on how to potentially detect signs in others and how to get help. Had this book been written three years ago, I might have been better able to see the signs in my son's West Point roommate and been able to intervene before he took his own life. I served with Gregg Martin as a subordinate in 2010 and was witness to his hypomania which enabled him to be extremely effective...until it didn't. I did not learn of his later struggles and path to recovery until 2018. It took courage to write this book and be so open but he did so in order to help save others. Read or listen!!

Great book about mental health

General Martin’s book is groundbreaking. To have a prominent Army general write such an honest and transparent book about his struggle with bi-polar disorder is profound and will shine a light on mental illness in a positive way. Many will read this book and recognize that either they or people they know may be suffering without a diagnosis. Hopefully, at a minimum, the US military system will take note and make improvements to mental health care for service members and their families. The threat of losing your security clearance is a definite deterrent in the military system for someone to seek mental health care they might need, as General Martin points out. The military health care and security systems must work better together to take care of our service members.

Anyone with mental health concerns for themselves or family members or friends should read this book. It might just change their life or the life of someone they love—perhaps even save a life.

I loved my soldiers

Gregg Martin takes us on an eye-opening ride with his book "Bipolar General," highlighting how being real, understanding, and seeing things from different angles are the real deal in leading others. It's a heartfelt reminder that leadership isn’t about being the toughest in the room; it's about being brave enough to show your true self, especially in places where guys are expected to always be strong. This book is a game-changer, showing that empathy and openness, especially when dealing with mental health issues, can actually make you a legend, not just during your career but even after you've hung up your boots. It’s a five-star must-read for anyone looking to lead with heart and make a real difference.

Important for leaders as well as those suffering from mental illness.

I met Gregg at a Christian conference we were both speaking at. We were both retired MGens talking to ROTC cadets. I had no idea that Gregg was suffering from bipolar disorder. When Gregg asked me to review his book the title shocked me. As I read it I realized just how important it is for both leaders and those suffering from one of the many mental illnesses. It was doubly important for me as I have close friends and people who worked for me suffering from bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD or some other mental challenge. This is a long book but its importance makes it worth the time it takes to read or listen to it.