Memoirs of a Navy Mustang

De: C. M. Brawner

Narrado por: Charles Michael Brawner

Memoirs of a Navy Mustang is filled with personal events and jovial stories of a young man from humble beginnings in East Texas who enlisted in the U.S. Navy for submarine service and who later earned a commission as a surface warfare officer then acceptance into the intelligence community. Consumed by anxiety and the strain on his personal life throughout his military career, he slowly sank into depression. Rather than seeking professional help, he joined a veteran motorcycle club to distract him from confronting his past and rehabilitating his mental health. Drowning his pain with daily alcohol abuse, his life spiraled out of control, sinking him deeper into depression. Counseling and newfound love and support in a strong woman, diverse in culture, who had also served in the Navy, rejuvenated his spirit to live again.

The book further raises awareness of suicidal attempts, ideations, and thoughts by military service men and women. Supported by statistical data the book emphasizes that both depression and anxiety exceed the more widely discussed PTSD as contributing disorders to military suicide and calls for needed change in the nation’s approach to service members’ awareness, especially when returning from deployments.

©2024 Charles Michael Brawner (P)2024 Charles Michael Brawner

I laughed, I cried, and I loved it.

While I am a soldier and not a sailor, I was able to relate nearly every story to my own personal experiences. It was funny, captivating, emotional, and telling. A must listen for any other military retiree or veteran.

An inspirational story with a powerful message!

As a Retired Navy Chief of 21 years, a disabled veteran, and a person who has faced my own challenges in life before, during, and after the Navy... I can truly say that this is a must-listen. For me, it was inspirational. I met C. M. Brawner almost 27 years ago in Nuclear Power School in Orlando, but have only recently reconnected with him, through listening to this book. In this memoir, you will be presented with a naive, kind, caring person of high integrity, moral character, and tremendous work ethic whose life and experiences provide common too-relatable themes to anyone who has served and dealt with the frustrations, worry, and even guilt of leaving family behind for duty to country. From first-hand experience, I can tell you that Brawner is the man portrayed in this book. It is an honest, open, and vulnerable depiction of his life in the Navy and what comes after. Narrated by Brawner himself, the memoir gives one the true sense of depth and feeling behind some of the most painful and joyous times of his life. Without giving anything away, I will also say that this book culminates in a powerful message (masterfully woven throughout the book) that has the potential to educate the population at large and possibly even save the lives of some of our most damaged and brave souls. Read or listen (my vote is listen) to this book, and you won't be disappointed.

Amazing storytelling

The author’s life and emotions out on paper. What an amazing story. As a veteran myself, many of the experiences hit home. Especially the difficulty transitioning out of the Navy and contemplating suicide myself. I am forever thankful for a partner who recognized that I was not doing well and made me seek outlets. Well done Mike.