The first time I attended a National Guard family event, I felt like I had been abducted by aliens " recalls Mary Corbett, author of National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses. "I didn't understand anything I had never been in an armory before. I didn't know the difference between an officer and an enlisted soldier. I didn't even know how to address the commander or his wife " Corbett decided to "wing it," rationalizing that since her husband was "just" a Guardsman she wasn't a "real" military wife. After all, military spouses lived on bases, operated within a strict structure of rank, and dealt with long deployments. Thank goodness she didn't have to worry about those things On September 11, 2001, everything changed. Since that horrific act of war, virtually every unit of the National Guard--a force the size of the entire active Army--has served on active duty for one or more deployments at home or abroad. The last time the entire National Guard had been mobilized was during World War II. Corbett realized that she and others like her had been "real" military spouses all along. National Guard 101 is the only military lifestyle book written specifically for the National Guard audience. Corbett's unique book covers a broad range of topics, from practical knowledge about the history of the National Guard and understanding rank to softer subjects like social life in the Guard and family programs. Corbett also details the benefits and assistance resources available to Guard families and guides readers through the process of setting up a Personal Assistance League (PAL) to provide support during deployment. Written in a lively and informal style, National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses demystifies the Guard's unique hybrid civilian-military lifestyle. It is a must-read book for every National Guard family member. About the Author: Mary Corbett is a professional writer and National Guard wife. She has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News Channel, local television affiliates, and nationally syndicated radio. Her first book, The List, was published in 2006. Mary lives in Alpharetta, Georgia, with her husband Major Jon Roscoe, ARNG, their children Holly and William, and their dog Rumsfeld. Visit her website www.marycorbett.com.

Iron-Sharpened Leadership, Transforming Hard Fought Leadership Lessons into Action is a leadership book the reader will find valuable and inspiring. This leadership book is based on real-world operational experience including life and death decisions from the caldron of fierce combat. The book is peppered with inspirational stories along with actions one can take to become a more effective leader. Each chapter stands on its own and a leader will find valuable life-changing leadership lessons with the turn of every page.Gronski takes a values-based approach to leadership effectiveness and the book is oriented along the lines of his leadership philosophy which includes character, competence, and resilience.

"Private Soldiers chronicles the 2-127th's year-long deployment from the unique perspective of the soldiers themselves. Written and photographed by three battalion members, the book provides a rare first-hand account of war and life in Iraq. Fascinating soldier interviews reveal the effects of deployment on the troops and on their families back home, and interviews with Iraqi civilians describe the Iraqis' perceptions of life, war, and working alongside Wisconsin troops. Brilliant photography illuminates the 2-127th's year, from training to "boots on the ground" to their return home. And candid photos token by battalion members capture the soldiers' day-to-day lives and camaraderie."--BOOK JACKET.