1st Edition
Surviving the International War Zone Security Lessons Learned and Stories from Police and Military Peacekeeping Forces
Few people are better able to describe how to survive in a war zone than those who have seen, experienced, and lived it first-hand. Comprised of a collection of original stories from international contributors, Surviving the International War Zone: Security Lessons Learned and Stories from Police and Military Peacekeeping Forces contains true accounts of unimaginable scenarios that could only occur in war-torn and conflict-ridden areas.
Presenting accounts written by military and police officers who lived in different dangerous regions across the world, the book offers an inside look at the lives of the officers and the local people living in the war zone environment. Covering many facets of daily life, the book helps readers understand how to survive in deadly terrain.
With contributions from soldiers and law enforcement personnel from 13 different countries who have lived and served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor, Cambodia, Haiti, and Liberia, the book includes practical tips for day-to-day life in a war zone. It examines topics such as:
- Surviving extreme temperatures and staying healthy
- Interacting with the indigenous population and cultural awareness
- Adjusting to the challenges of limited technology and resources
- Protecting oneself from the imminent threat of violence that is present in all war-torn regions
Enhanced with photographs from the war zone, the stories in this volume range from accounts of unspeakable torture, to descriptions of deplorable living conditions, to moments of humor. Some of the stories will make you laugh; others may make you cry. Ultimately, the book provides an unparalleled insight into the full range of deep-seated and sometimes conflicting emotions of the people who have lived and served in war zones and have come home to tell about it.
My Life’s Lessons
Go Fetch, Boy
Filling the Cup
Adapting to the War Zone Environment
War Zone Experiences
My First Mission; W. Schmitz, Germany
First Mission: Cambodia; P. Cuffaut, France
Merry Christmas, Peacekeepers! A. Gridchin, Russian Federation
My Experience in Liberia; J. L. Soerensen, Norway
A Peacekeeping Experience in Kosovo; J. Moyana, Zimbabwe
The Struggle Continues in East Timor; M. M. Quintana, Spain
International Colleagues; V. Laib, Germany
Tales from Cambodia; H. Youssef, Egypt
An Unexpected Turn of Luck; E. Omelchenko, Russian Federation
International Mission Rats; D. Chassignet, France
A Spouse’s View; J. Rail, United States
French Island Hot Sauce
Interrogation by Torture
The Bullet Gift
Insurrection and Conflict
Civil Unrest and Peacekeepers; L. Asan, Romania
How Riots Grow; B. Locke, United Kingdom
Kosovo Riots; G. Gronewold, United States
Eternal Hate
The Death Day Cake
The Little Boy and His Stick
Eternal Hope
The Scarf
A Life for His Family; S. Robatsch, Austria
A Family Lost; A. Dikici, Turkey
A Funny International Situation; Y. Penga, Cameroon, Africa
Chicken Hospital; F. Vigneron, France
War Zone Insanity
The Toilet BBQ
The Shattered Commode; G. Gronewold, United States
Demented "War Zone" Driving
Lasting Impressions
Man’s Betrayed Friend
Holiday Stew
A Matter of Perspective; J. Rail, United States
Children Lost
Little Girls at Play
Bloodstained Apples
Gypsy Children
Communicating
Introduction
Body Language
The Fish Patch
Day of the Bull
Less Becomes More
Red Wine in Eastern Europe
The World of Food
Introduction
Eggs and Bread
Burger of Doom
Drinking the Water
One Tough Chicken
Paris Fare
Handful of Hospitality
The Banya Experience
Goat Stew
Uncontrollable Cravings
M3 – Ex = G + B
Stress and Taste
Coffee around the World
The Pancake Quest
Pancake Creation
War Zone Cuisine; J. Rail, United States
Bug Out
Lifestyle of Survival
Respect
The Cargo Net
The Shared Loss
Two Promises of Death
"Courtesy"
Returning Back Home
Sweet Dreams; J. Rail, United States
International Sayings
Index
Biography
Dr. Robert R. Rail was an International Police Officer for the United Nations Police Task Force in Bosnia and Kosovo. As a war zone officer, Bob performed a wide variety of enforcement assignments including patrol, general peacekeeping activities and riot response. He has been a physical confrontation advisor and resource training provider to personnel for NATO and OSCE. Dr. Rail has been a resident instructor at the Specialized Advanced Training Unit of the High Institute of the Baghdad Police College and was awarded a second doctorate degree for his exceptional abilities as an international police instructor. He has received numerous other awards for his work in the international community. An internationally respected and acclaimed instructor, he is a frequent contributor to publications, television, and radio programs and conducts both training and consulting services for universities and corporations worldwide. He is the author of four other books, including: The Unspoken Dialogue; Defense Without Damage; Custodial Cuffing and Restraint; and Reactive Handcuffing Tactics, all available from Varro Press.
Having served as an International Police officer for the United Nations Police Task Force in Bosnia and Kosovo and as an instructor at the Specialized advanced Training Unit of the High Institute of the Baghdad Police College in Iraq, Rail here relates stories from his experiences and combines them with the personal stories of other soldiers and police who have served in such conflict zones as Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor, Cambodia, Haiti, and Liberia that are intended to provide lessons on surviving in a foreign war zone.
—In Research Book News, booknews.com, February 2011