Once a Warrior

How One Veteran Found a New Mission Closer to Home

By: Jake Wood

Narrated by: Jake Wood

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

"The book that America needs right now." (Tom Brokaw, journalist and author of The Greatest Generation)

"Jake Wood offers one of the most soaring definitions of service I've ever seen." (Maria Shriver, award-winning journalist and author of I've Been Thinking)

From Marine sniper Jake Wood, a riveting memoir of leading over 100,000 veterans to a life of renewed service, volunteering to battle, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, pandemics, and civil wars, and inspiring onlookers as their unique military training saved lives and rebuilt our country. 

When Jake Wood arrived in the States after two grueling tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he watched his unit lose more men to suicide than to enemy hands overseas. Reeling, Jake looked for a way to direct their restlessness towards a new mission - and put their formidable skills to good use. When an earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, Jake had his answer. He convinced several fellow veterans to join him on a ragtag mission to provide desperately needed aid. Despite the high stakes, they were able to untangle complex problems quickly and keep calm under pressure.

In this raw, adrenaline-filled narrative, Jake recounts, how, over the past 10 years, he's built the disaster response organization Team Rubicon, and seen the work provide a lifeline back to purpose for the heroes among us. Not only do these intrepid volunteers race against the clock to aid communities after Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Harvey, COVID-19, and hundreds of other disasters they also fight for something just as important - each other. 

Once a Warrior provides a soaring look at what our veterans are capable of - and what might become of America's next greatest generation.

©2020 Jake Wood (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Once a Warrior

An amazing story of discovery, discovery of one's self. It wasn't easy, it wasn't straight forward and it wasn't done in isolation. An inspirational example making a difference. Loved it.

Exceptional book!

This book immerses you into the struggles of so many vets and how one organization has transformed veterans lives, giving them a sense of purpose. Jake and Team Rubicon are amazing!

A great story!!

Absolutely loved hearing Jake telling us his story in his own words and even better hearing it in his own voice. Great book!! I am a greyshirt and love what Jake and TR stands for.

Powerful, Reality

Author and Narrator Jake Wood took time to share his story of finding meaning and a calling after experiencing military hell as a U.S. Marine. Undoubtedly, he needs to be thanked and appreciated for his service to the country and fellow military teammates.

Listening to this story in Mr. Wood's strong voice filled with conviction, one gets the sense of his experiences. Everyone has them, but not everyone feels them in the same way. No person can go to war, see the outcomes and brutality without being scared in some way. Servicemen and women sacrifice a great deal as a part of their commitment or sense of duty. One significant point Mr. Wood makes is the investment in trained military assets should transfer to skills at home.

What makes this story so powerful is Mr. Wood's vision of how people with this training might pull together and form something that continues to support communities anywhere in the world. The founding of Team Rubicon speaks to his sense of duty gained from an early age and his leadership skills. Often great leaders will run to the fire as opposed to running away. Without everything needed but experience Mr. Wood and the people he trusted started creating the vision after a horrific earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Many stepped in to help support the people fighting for survival, but Mr. Wood and his team then committed to continuing their efforts to help people anywhere.

The core value of this team is to optimize the purpose and sense of direction as when they were in the Marines or other branches of service. In the first decade of Team Rubicon's existence, they have stepped in and helped with many different community situations. Donations and volunteers support many of the efforts of these committed veterans.

I highly recommend this book for those who want a genuine perspective and one man's soul-searching insight into himself with the desire to fulfill his purpose. The recount of his experiences is not sugar-coated nor for the faint of heart. This book, Once a Warrior, is a suitable listen for adults who have a military background, a give-back nature, or those who desire a different perspective. You will never forget this once you listen.

The quality of the audible is outstanding. Jake Wood has a compelling voice with consistent tempo throughout the book. I look forward to other books from Jack Wood and volunteering to support Team Rubicon.

Must read book for us all!

Very well written and compelling book around the military and service mindset. I am a civilian and learned so much, while enjoying the stories and authenticity of the author. Wow. Just wow! My military friends have also said this was the best book they have read in a long time - or ever!!! I got copies to share with friends and family and all have not wanted to put it down/didn’t want it to end.

Thank you Jake for sharing your story and to the greyshirts of Team Rubicon for serving our most vulnerable communities.

OMG. A Must Read and Call to Action

Effective true story about the heros of our country who continue to serve their neighbors in the way God intended. Dont miss this story of military service, courage, commitment, and the realization that there is more to do at home. Thank you, Jake Wood, for following your heart and giving hope to thousands. Best book I've listened to this year and I will be taking action.

Riveting

This is probably one of the best books I have ever read. Intensity and empathy through out. I absolutely loved it. Highly recommend.

Step into the Arena

I finally got to finish this book and wow. I'm even more proud to be part of TR and work for such an amazing organization and leadership team.
I'm inspired and swelled with joy as I continue to step into the arena to build out impactful programs and improve the Greyshirt experience.
Working alongside veterans and first responders has been one of the most enriching and memorable experiences of my life. Thank you for sharing your story and imparting such an amazing culture.
I've been forever changed by this organization and by you Jake. Greyshirts Always! -Jess Green

great book

As a person who has helped vets this book really helped me understand them better. And made me think why with our hugh military budget aren't we funding this organization.

Poignant, inspirational and daring. What America needs right now.

I am the daughter of the United States Marine who was awarded the Purple Heart in Vietnam. We lost him to Covid a year ago. I read this book as a way to try to understand what war was like for him at the time and what it was like in the aftermath. I found that and a purely inspirational memoir – one that perhaps could only be written by a Marine.