Once a Warrior - Always a Warrior

Navigating the Transition from Combat to Home - Including Combat Stress, PTSD, and mTBI

By: Charles W. Hoge

Narrated by: John Pruden

Being back home can be as difficult, if not more so, than the time spent serving in a combat zone. It's with this truth that Colonel Charles W. Hoge, M.D., a leading advocate for eliminating the stigma of mental-health care, presents Once a Warrior - Always a Warrior, a groundbreaking resource with essential new insights for anyone who has ever returned home from a war zone.

In clear, practical language, Dr. Hoge explores the latest knowledge in combat stress, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), mTBI (mild traumatic brain injury), and other physiological reactions to war, and their treatment options.

Recognizing that warriors and family members both change during deployment, he helps them better understand one another's experience, especially living with enduring survival skills from the combat environment that are often viewed as "symptoms" back home. The heart of this book focuses on what's necessary to successfully navigate the transition - "LANDNAV" for the home front.

Once a Warrior - Always a Warrior shows how a warrior's knowledge and skills are vital for living at peace in an insane world.

©2010 Charles W. Hoge, MD (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A workmanlike but user-friendly guide for returning combat vets experiencing a broad variety of adjustment problems." ( Library Journal)

Fantastic!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I highly recommend this book for any Veterans. I would also recommend this book for friends and family members of Veterans so you can get a better understanding about what PTSD is and how you can help your loved ones.

A must read for all returning combat vets

This book is the most important book on PTSD. It is a guide on how to deal with the VA and others when seeking help. It is hard to understand how the VA sponsored Vet Centers (combat vets providing exceptional counselling services) hand this book out to help vets transition but the VA still hasn't adapted the recommendations. Easy to understand and stays on point from start to finish.

Too Long, but worthwhile

My only complaint about this book is it was too long (which might be great for some people cuz it covers the subject well). It has a lot of great information and someone with a severe case of PTSD would get a lot out of going through it a second or third time. Narrator was great, just listening to him for a long time can get boring. I do recommend it

Simply Awesome

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is well organized and easy to understand. It has helped see things in my self.

What did you like best about this story?

I can relate and understand the material, it cuts to my soul.

Have you listened to any of John Pruden’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I believe he is the same voice in American Sniper.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too much material to ponder. Must be taken in measured doses.

Any additional comments?

If you want to begin to understand PTSD read this book.

Warrior Recommend

I've needed this book for a long time and I am happy to have found it by recommendation from my therapist. Definite recommend for any warriors out there.

Clearly the best for veterans, and family

Would you listen to Once a Warrior - Always a Warrior again? Why?

As a warrior readjustment counselor, I have listened to this audio book several times. The more I listen, the more I relax and allow myself to pick up a piece of information that I missed before.

What other book might you compare Once a Warrior - Always a Warrior to and why?

I have reviewed several books on military PTSD and reintergration, and many quote the Rand Corp research titled: Invisible Wounds. This study is often referred to as the "Hoge Study." Well, this is LTC Charles Hoge's book written using military mindset and culture. Warriors and thier families relate to this book very well. This book lets a warrior know why he/she does the things they do, and what the hell to do about. If you are a warrior or a family member, do not hesitate, get this book.

Must read/listen

If you could sum up Once a Warrior - Always a Warrior in three words, what would they be?

It is okay, to have PTSD.

What does John Pruden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have read the text as well, but something about having someone else tell you the story stick.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

PTSD is a normal warrior reaction.

Any additional comments?

If your or someone you know has combat PTSD, this is a must.

If you agree with the title you will be captivated

by the findings and professional advice. Well written and well performed. I will need to give it a second read for reinforcement.

Great place to start

Great book that gives insight and provides basic information to aid in understanding PTSD and how to support yourself or for loved ones, your warrior. Touches on accountability, boundaries, yet balances with empathy and understanding. Would have liked to have more situational examples, but overall good.

you suck

did not fully down load. I want my money back. you're a complete rip off.