Stop Screaming, I’m Scared Too

An Australian soldier’s story

By Rod Henderson

Published by Big Sky Publishing

RRP $32.99 in paperback | ISBN 9781923144330

 

In his post-Army life, Rod Henderson volunteers at the Australian War Memorial where, meeting military historians, he was encouraged to pen his story of his ADF service.

It is the story of an ordinary Australian soldier, the title coming from an unexpected source: from a helmet patch he used to wear on the back of his loadmaster’s helmet in a Chinook helicopter flying over southern Afghanistan.

In essence, it summed up Henderson’s 22 years of service as a soldier in the Australian Army.

During his career, he was deployed to East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Back in Australia, he was involved in counter terrorism operations and disaster recovery and later training at RMC.

The most revealing part of his story is his frankness surrounding his mental health battles.

From the persistent denials to the concern about being seen as a ‘weak minded person’, Henderson’s candour at his mental health struggles is to be applauded.

There were all the classic signs he ignored including being quick to anger and over-use of alcohol. It was not a quick journey back for him.

In essence, the military training model is effective at turning a civilian into a soldier, sailor or aviator yet not the other way round.

Henderson’s experience, and that of others who’ve written similar very personal stories, reveal the challenge the faces the men and women in their post-military life.

VERDICT: A revealing insight into the impact of a military career and the toll it takes on individuals. A personal journey that other readers with similar experiences will understand. 

CHECK OUT the reviews on the publisher’s website. This book has been widely praised for its candour and its insights. Click here.