Modern Warriors summary

Sergeant John Wayne Walding had a long career in the US Army. During his twelve years of service, Walding saw and experienced a lot. But there was one occasion that stands out from the rest.

On April 6, 2008, Walding took part in an operation in Nuristan Province, on Afghanistan's northeastern border with Pakistan, as the leader of Assault Team 1 in the 3rd Special Forces Group.

It was a hot day in Fallujah, a city in Iraq. Jeremiah Workman was serving as a squad leader with the US Marines’ 3rd Battalion. 

He remembers his platoon exchanging gunfire with the enemy for hours. It didn’t feel like it was going to stop any time soon.

Mat Best joined the army at the age of 17 – with the goal of becoming a Ranger.

At the time, Best had a romantic idea of what it was like to be in the army. He thought war, combat, and serving his country were cool.

In 2007, Eric Joseph Geressy was the first sergeant for Eagle Company, 2nd Squadron. The company was assigned to occupy and conduct operations out of Combat Outpost Blackfoot – or COP Blackfoot – in East Rasheed, southern Baghdad. 

This sector was al-Qaeda’s last stronghold in Baghdad, and was known as Al Qaeda’s castle. And it was extremely dangerous. Al-Qaeda controlled one side of the street, and a militia called Jaysh al-Mahdi controlled the other. COP Blackfoot sat right in the middle.

Caroline Johnson had her work cut out for her when she went to the Naval Academy. 

Of her class of 1,200 midshipmen, only 14 percent were women. And a lot of value was placed on masculinity. And despite being athletic and academic, Johnson was continuously undermined by male students and teachers. 

Nick Irving always wanted to join the Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams – otherwise known as Navy SEALS. 

As a kid, he’d watched the film Navy Seals, starring Charlie Sheen, on repeat, and dreamed of the day he could eventually become one.

2005 was a significant year for Sean Parnell.

He was In Afghanistan, serving as a combat infantryman in the 10th Mountain Division. He also led a platoon known as the “outlaws.”