Time Well Wasted
Bio of David S. Haines:
Author D. S. Haines was born and raised in a small South Jersey town. Shortly after
high school he enlisted in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer. His first
duty assignment on active duty was with the 10th MP Company, Ft. Drum, NY where
he participated in the Hurricane Andrew Relief Operation and Operation Restore
Hope in Somalia, Africa.
D. S. Haines served a total of ten years in the Army at various duty assignments to
include Honduras where he secured a Top Secret facility, Ft. Eustis, Virginia where he
was a member of the Special Reaction Team. He was also stationed in the Republic
Of Korea. He finished his military career back at Ft. Drum as an explosives detector
dog handler, where he performed security for the President, Vice President, First Lady
and various other heads of state. During his time in the Army he attended Central Texas
College and is still pursuing his degree in business.
He ended his tour of service in the year 2000 and currently resides in his hometown
with his family and manages a financial group.
David can be contacted at: www.myspace.com/
The Synopsis:
In the autumn of 1992, while away on a
training mission, the men of 1st Platoon, 10th MP
Company learned that they were first in line to be
deployed to Somalia, Africa as a part of Operation
Restore Hope. Before there ever was a Blackhawk
Down, there was Time Well Wasted: The Story of
1st Platoon, 10th MP Company in Somalia, a
nonfiction account of the lives of the men in 1st
Platoon, on the ground in Somalia.
Strung out and worn down from multiple
deployments, the men of 1st Platoon find
themselves shipping out for a real world mission.
Violently thrust into a theater of operations,
thousands of miles from home, after driving out of
the back of a low flying troop transport, the
platoon quickly discovers it is business as usual,
left to fend for themselves in a country without
hope, and on a mission without a purpose. They
are forced to adapt to substandard living
conditions, contending with disease, khat addicted
and heavily armed militiamen, stone throwing
children, African wildlife and in the end their own
chain of command.
The authors of this work have a combined total
of almost thirty years of service in the United
States Army to include tours of duty in Korea,
Egypt, Honduras and various other duty
assignments in the Continental United States.
Book Cove Reviews:
This is of 1st Platoon, 10th MP Co. that was deployed to Somalia, this
is an enticing story about a platoon that was sent to aid a poor country in
Africa. This was a very enjoyable story about brothers-in-
together until the end. An unforgettable chain of events that shines a
whole new light on our military men and women.
It also features the journal of Lt. James E. Worthington.
'An indescribable page turning experience you'd regret putting aside for
later.'
--
Time Well Wasted: The Story of 1st Platoon, 10th MP Co. in Somalia by D.S. Haines and Anthony Ciccone, Featuring the Journal of LT James E. Worthington
"...That could actually summarize the entire Somalia operation--just a little throw up in the back of your throat and a taste that wouldn't ever go away." - Tony Ciccone
Time Well Wasted is the story told from D.S. Haines and Anthony Ciccone's recollected memories of their four month tour in Somalia. There were 21 men in the 10th MP Co. and each man contributed something special to this book. Whether it be a memory, an act of bravery, or a hilarious prank; Haines and Ciccone make sure to include the "real life" of the men in their platoon. With the help of the LT's journal entries, vivid details, and honest raw truth, Time Well Wasted is the best military book to come across my reviewing desk.
While there are unbelievable pranks, games and actions all throughout this book that will make you laugh uncontrollably, it is very real. Getting shot at any time of the day, pummeled with rocks by Somalian kids, unhealthy eating and hygiene habits, and the very real possibility that each day could be your last. I can not forget to mention LT James E. Worthington's journal entries, they were most of the time short sweet and to the point, but brought a whole new outlook to the reality of this mission.
While Haines starts out joking as a young man, his transformation throughout this four month stay in Africa shows him progressing into a soldier, and at the end, an adult breaking speeding laws to make it home to have a couple of beers with his friends.
Haines and every man from the 1st Platoon, 10th MP Co. made it home alive with various stories to tell. I am beyond grateful that Mr. Haines, Mr. Ciccone, LT. James E. Worthington and every man mentioned or not, in Time Well Wasted, who served and put their lives on the line for their country. Soldiers, Marines and all other parts of the military do not get to always tell or show the realities of what is going on in war, but if each and every man or woman were to write a book such as these guys did, I guarantee they will be bought by those that truly do want to know the behind the scenes, and by those that have family in the Service, whatever branch it may be.
Time Well Wasted, is not a waste at all to read. It was enjoyable, graphic, laugh out loud hilarious and serious all at the same time. Everyone should read this book if they are at all interested in the Military. While the platoon had some down time and made the best out of it, they were all business when put in the line of duty. This is an explosive read, in more ways than one. Time Well Wasted will be shown on the big screen one day; of that I am sure. 5 Stars
Make sure to Check out
Time Well Wasted: The Story of 1st Platoon, 10th MP Co. in Somalia
ISBN (13 DIGIT) 978-0-
ISBN (10 DIGIT) 0-9818478-
Time Well Wasted can be found at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and other fine book stores.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
