Battle Ready: Memoir of a Navy SEAL Warrior Medic

Mark L. Donald · Scott Mactavish

Mar 2013 · Macmillan + ORM

About this ebook

“Mark is a true American hero. [His memoir] is a well-written journey from training to combat to recovery.” —Howard Wasdin, New York Times–bestselling author of Seal Team Six

As A SEAL and combat medic, Mark Donald served his country with valorous distinction for almost twenty-five years and survived some of the most dangerous combat actions imaginable.

From the rigors of BUD/S training to the horrors of the battlefield, Battle Ready dramatically immerses the reader in the unique life of the elite warrior-medic who advances into combat with life-saving equipment in one hand and life-taking weapons in the other. It is also an uplifting human story that reveals how a young Hispanic American bootstrapped himself out of a life that promised a dead-end future by enlisting in the military. That new life begins with the Marines and includes his heroic achievements on the battlefield and the operating table, and finally, of his inspirational triumph over the demons caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that threatened to destroy him and his family.

“A compelling account of a remarkable American’s journey in the military.” —Wade Ishimoto, Former Senior Advisor to Assistant Secretary of Defense, Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict

“Straightforward reflections on what it takes to be the most elite sort of soldier and the hidden costs of that life.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A superb description of the infamously brutal weeding-out ordeal of SEAL training, the nuts-and-bolts duties of a medic, and the battle actions that won [Donald] the Navy Cross.” —Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

A candid, brave introspect of a Warrior - Healer that revealed his life journey examining challenges, ideals, influences, goals and trials, tribulations and travails. Remarkable self examination and insight ultimately uncovering and honestly sharing his war with confronting an incredibly wide range of battles that wage within the minds, bodies and hearts of patriot warriors and conversely the simpatico of healers. Incredible, dignity, humility and honesty. Thank you!

Man if you have ever been on the receiving end of enemy fire and seen or experienced the need of a medic this book will put you in the middle of that hell again. Best book ever for me. Dealing with all of the emotional issues of Combat was very difficult for author.

Life like naration of what war is like. E book editor should review and add in missing pages.

About the author

MARK L. DONALD, the son of a retired U.S. Army Warrant Officer and a Mexican mother, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps before transferring to the Navy to train as a Corpsman. He subsequently completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and served in SEALs until 1996 when he was selected for the Intra-service Physician Assistant Program. He graduated from the University of Nebraska and was commissioned a Medical Service Corps officer. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, he was assigned as operational medical support to special operations where he served in a number of capacities until his retirement. Donald was awarded the Navy Cross, the highest medal awarded by the Department of the Navy, for extraordinary heroism while engaged in enemy action against Al Qaeda fighters in southern Afghanistan. He lives in Chesapeake, Virginia.
SCOTT MACTAVISH is an author, filmmaker and veteran of the United States Navy. He does volunteer work for the Navy SEAL Foundation, and serves on the Advisory Team for the I:68 Foundation, a national non-profit organization that provides monetary relief to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.