Sunday, June 17, 2012

A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military: A comprehensive reference to the customs, language and structure of the Armed Forces

Attention! Learn more about your military now! Does a corporal have to salute a lieutenant or is it the other way around? What are forward-deployed units? Is an "armored cow" a type of tank or something soldiers eat? Are Polaris missiles dropped from the air or launched from a submarine? If someone calls you a "Cat 4" should you be honored or offended? Do you feel lost when it comes to all things military? Sure, you hear things on the news and maybe you know someone who is in the military, but you probably have a hard time fully grasping the acronyms, equipment, and protocol they discuss. That's where A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military can help. Author Barbara Schading decodes all things military for you. She discusses each branch—Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Coast Guard—in simple terms you can understand. You'll get the background information, an easy-to-read chart showing rank and insignia, and an explanation of the organization of each branch. In addition, the book has extensive glossaries that cover terms, acronyms, slang, and equipment. You'll find an entire chapter that covers special operations forces like the Green Berets, Force Recons, Army Rangers, and more. You'll learn about their specific training, missions, and history. The book also covers other important aspects of the military like: flag and saluting etiquette military funerals the Tombs of the Unknownthe American Legion, USO, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other groups military law military academies medals and decorations official military music an explanation of the Geneva Convention and a list of resources to help you find more information So the next time you read the paper or talk with a new recruit, you don't have to feel lost. Become a knowledgeable civilian with the help of A Civilian's Guide to the U.S. Military.

Amazon Sales Rank: #42641 in Books Published on: 2006-12-22 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Dimensions: .1 pounds Binding: Paperback 400 pages

About the Author Dr. Barbara Schading is a research scientist with more than 15 years of technical writing experience. Her husband, Richard Schading, is a former Marine who served in Vietnam, and her sister, Virginia Holeman, is a retired Major in the Army.

Most helpful customer reviews 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. A Close Look at our Military By Maynard F. Allington A CIVILIAN'S GUIDE TO THE U.S. MILITARY is a misleading title. This outstanding book not only serves as a detailed reference for civilians seeking information about the armed services, but is of equal value to active duty military personnel, as well as those on the retired rolls who may have fallen out of touch with the ever changing force structure. In concise, easy to read prose, Dr. Schading addresses all aspects of the military establishment, from organization, mission and training to the everydays details of military life. The information is voluminous, yet never boring in the way it is presented. The reader will come away with a clear picture of the five major services, and a fresh insight into the complex world of Special Operations Forces. For any writer of fiction, A CIVILIAN'S GUIDE TO THE U.S. MILITARY is a "must have" reference book. It could also prove a valuable academic resource for the military academies and college campus ROTC programs. One might even suggest that media newscasters avail themselves of the section on proper forms of address, for they are constantly getting this wrong. For anyone contemplating a military career, or simply curious about the armed services, this book will be a comprehensive guide. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating read and a wonderful resource! By Eileen Mullin This book is a great resource for anyone interested in the military. It is carefully organized and detailed but also very concise and easily accessibly for us non-military types. It's a great read and I'll keep it on my shelf for a useful reference, too! 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive and Enjoyable By Justin If you're looking for a single text that will provide a solid knowledge of the military for those who want to learn, this is the book for you. Easily the best reference book I've found for everything an outsider could want to learn about the military. See all 10 customer reviews...

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