Dual Military — From Combat Boots to Courts & Fields
Two Army Sergeants Major raise athletes while leading troops. Real stories. Real AARs. Practical lessons for family, sport, and life.
About the Book
From Kosovo to kids’ courts and fields, this memoir blends military leadership with family playbooks. Each chapter ends with an After Action Review (AAR) you can apply the same day.
- Authentic deployments-to-dad life stories
- Clear, repeatable AARs at the end of each chapter
- Frameworks for resilience, team culture, and calm under pressure
Who It’s For
- Parents & coaches building confident, resilient kids
- Leaders who want calm procedures under pressure
- Military & first-responder families raising athletes
Throwback — From Service to Small Business
A look back at our first family venture after the Army — turning service and grit into a local business.
Chapters
Every chapter ends with an AAR — a short debrief with actions you can use tonight.
- CHAPTER ONETHE DECISION2
- CHAPTER TWOTHE CALL TO SERVE11
- CHAPTER THREEBALANCING THE MISSION AND THE HOMEFRONT19
- CHAPTER FOURTHE TEMPO NEVER SLOWS28
- CHAPTER FIVEA NEW KIND OF TEAMWORK35
- CHAPTER SIXSETTLING IN TEXAS43
- CHAPTER SEVENBELGIUM BOUND49
- CHAPTER EIGHTBACK TO GEORGIA57
- CHAPTER NINECOVID CURVEBALL63
- CHAPTER TENLESSONS FROM THE GRIND68
- CHAPTER ELEVENFROM COURT TO CLASSROOM75
- CHAPTER TWELVEDEVELOPING OUR OWN81
Sample AAR — “Game-Day Calm”
- What happened? Pre-game chaos, rushed gear check, short warmup.
- What went well? Quick pivot to a shortened routine; kid stayed positive.
- What can improve? Gear checklist posted by the door; earlier time hack.
- Actions (tonight): Make a 6-item checklist; set a 15-min “rollout” alarm; prep water/gear before dinner.
Keep it short. Write it down. Make it normal.
Why AAR Works at Home
- Everyone gets a voice (briefly!)
- We celebrate wins before fixing misses
- We pick one action — not ten
- We follow up next time, then move on
Reviews & Social Proof
Early feedback helps new readers jump in. If you’ve read the book, a short review goes a long way.
“A field manual for family culture. The AAR pages alone are worth it.” — HS Coach
“Direct, humble, and useful. We used an AAR the same night.” — Parent of two
“Leadership without the fluff — stories that stick, lessons that land.” — Veteran
FAQ
What is an AAR and how do we use it at home?
An After Action Review is a short debrief: what happened, what went well, what can improve, and one action for next time. It builds calm game-day routines, clear roles, and a stronger family culture.
Who should read Dual Military?
Parents, coaches, and leaders who want practical procedures for communication, resilience, and teamwork—especially military and first-responder families raising athletes.
Where can I buy the book?
Amazon (paperback + Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Lulu (paperback), and Kobo (eBook). For a one-stop list of global retailers, use the Books2Read link found in the buttons above.
Buy the Book
Paperback · eBook · (Audiobook when ready)
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Contact Joe & Lisa Birkhead
Speaking, media, bulk orders, ARC inquiries, or just to say hello.