Combat Journal

"John is a prolific author of American History."

Jim Hill, CBS Los Angeles, Sports Central

After many months of pre-combat training and certification, we will finally see if the citizen soldiers of California's Army National Guard are ready for the task at hand: combat operations. This time, it is no drill; it is not training, and the bullets are real. The responsibility of commanding troops in combat weighs heavily upon the shoulders of our main character, the Battalion Executive Officer, Major Darby Hillcrest. See how he holds up in this Part 2 of COMBAT JOURNAL.

From the author of COMBAT ESSAYS and CHILDREN'S GOLF.

LT. Colonel McBrearty is a veteran with over 32 years of military service, a combat tour of duty, and numerous awards.

Here is a taste of COMBAT JOURNAL.

25 May 04

NOTE FROM AUTHOR: Sixty days ago, MAJ Hillcrest lost his mother. Today, he lost his father. This is how our story starts, and it doesn't get any better for our main character, MAJ Darby Hillcrest.

16 Mar 04

NOTE FROM AUTHOR: I cannot stress enough how vital faith comes into play for Soldiers going off to war, at least for me anyway.

Walking out of the Church, I looked up into a beautifully clear sky through a beautifully blooming tree. I looked up and asked my parents to look down on my soldiers and protect them however they could. It is quite a great way to leave the Church. I believe my parents are looking over my shoulder; I miss them terribly.

This, my friends, is the "calm before the storm"!