1st Edition

Surviving the International War Zone Security Lessons Learned and Stories from Police and Military Peacekeeping Forces

By Robert R. Rail Copyright 2010
    352 Pages 88 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    350 Pages 88 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    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