Reddit reviews My War: Killing Time in Iraq

Pretty good answer. 25U here (Commo). Spent time in Iraq in '05 when 60% of the Army was nothing but Reserves and National Guard. Since I was a Reservist on the East Coast attached to the ol'e 99th...I was reclassified into mobile postal.

To this day, I'm thankful that I haven't lost my mind despite all the crazy shit I've seen and done. From my perspective, one of the most depressing things I saw on a constant basis...were people getting 'Dear John' type letters and coming into my office to register divorce papers. I don't care who you are, it fucking tears at your soul to see a normal person who is normally cherry and good-spirited...goto shit in about 10 seconds. Also, that book by Colby Buzzell will spell it out for you what a combat-arms MOS is like. He was there part of time I was and he tells it very descriptively and bluntly [http://www.amazon.com/My-War-Killing-Time-Iraq/dp/0425211363].

My advice to anyone in the service...do your time and then use the Montgomery GI Bill and put your ass through college. I did and at least I'm doing okay working for another Department in the government. I did 8 years in the Reserves...and after my 1 long-ass tour...I just wanted to go home. Because I was a Reservist...I was gone within a week once our unit returned Stateside. My full-time Army brothers...got to stay holed up in the barracks for at least 2 months before they could go off-post.

Second piece of advice...if you're under 25...DON'T GET MARRIED...seriously...take the time to just learn about life and responsibilities. Getting married to someone who just touched your dick a couple times...that you've known for less than a year is fucking stupid. I can't count how many times I'd have to tell such-and-such's buddy to put someone on 'suicide watch'. Unless you want to hear constant stories of people being destroyed financially...don't get married...and if you're dumb enough to get married...Prenuptial agreement.

Third piece of advice... DON'T utilize those payday loan things either...I remember seeing a shit-ton of those around Basic at Fort Benning, GA. John Oliver just did a whole segment on that on his HBO show "Last Week Tonight". Unless you think paying back a loan over 100% is a good idea...seriously just save your money and wait.

http://www.amazon.com/My-War-Killing-Time-Iraq/dp/0425211363/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1459316107&sr=1-1&keywords=my+war+killing+time+in+iraq

My War: Killing Time In Iraq by Colby Buzzell

I don't like non fiction but this is one of my favorite books of all time. A really excellent book. I read it because my boyfriend has PTSD from being in Iraq and I wanted an inside view to what he had gone through and what he experienced without having to ask such personal questions. It really shows you what war is like through the eyes of the soldier, and it also has some really funny areas too.