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15 Years of War: How the Longest War in U.S. History Affected a Military Family in Love, Loss, and the Cost Of Service
Less than 1% of our nation will ever serve in our armed forces, leaving many to wonder what life is really like for military families.
He answers the call of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Pacific; she keeps the home fires burning. Worlds apart, and in the face of indescribable grief, their relationship is pushed to the limits.
15 Years of How the Longest War in U.S. History Affected a Military Family in Love, Loss, and the Cost Of Service provides a unique he said/she said perspective on coping with war in modern-day America. It reveals a true account of how a dedicated Marine and his equally committed spouse faced unfathomable challenges and achieved triumph, from the days just before 9/11 through 15 years of training workups, deployments, and other separations.
This story of faith, love, and resilience offers insight into how a decade and a half of war has redefined what it means to be a military family.
He answers the call of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Pacific; she keeps the home fires burning. Worlds apart, and in the face of indescribable grief, their relationship is pushed to the limits.
15 Years of How the Longest War in U.S. History Affected a Military Family in Love, Loss, and the Cost Of Service provides a unique he said/she said perspective on coping with war in modern-day America. It reveals a true account of how a dedicated Marine and his equally committed spouse faced unfathomable challenges and achieved triumph, from the days just before 9/11 through 15 years of training workups, deployments, and other separations.
This story of faith, love, and resilience offers insight into how a decade and a half of war has redefined what it means to be a military family.
- GenresNonfiction
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2016
About the author
Kristine Schellhaas
3 books15 followersKristine Schellhaas’s success as an entrepreneur and nationally known advocate for military families is the result of her unwavering passion, fearless commitment, and unique authenticity.
She founded USMC Life to inspire, connect and educate military families helping millions of readers each year, and has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours helping military families through five wartime deployments. Kristine’s memoir, 15 Years of War, was released June 1, 2016.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Kristine currently resides at Camp Pendleton in Southern California with her husband, two children, and dog. She is currently serving on the advisory board for two military non-profits. In her spare time, Kristine enjoys reading, as well as celebrating life and red wine with friends.
To book Kristine for speaking or discover more about the author, please visit KristineSpeaks.com, or connect with her on social media.
She founded USMC Life to inspire, connect and educate military families helping millions of readers each year, and has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours helping military families through five wartime deployments. Kristine’s memoir, 15 Years of War, was released June 1, 2016.
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Kristine currently resides at Camp Pendleton in Southern California with her husband, two children, and dog. She is currently serving on the advisory board for two military non-profits. In her spare time, Kristine enjoys reading, as well as celebrating life and red wine with friends.
To book Kristine for speaking or discover more about the author, please visit KristineSpeaks.com, or connect with her on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 24, 2016
I have had the pleasure of knowing Kristine for 14 years now... and am constantly impressed by her drive, determination and dedication. I could not wait to get my hands on this book, ordered it through the kickstarter fundraiser, and the day I received it, I did not put it down until I finished it. I lived through the beginning of this book with Kristine. I was that fiancee in 2002 that was not completely embraced and welcomed by the current spouses; we fought to be brought into the loop and recognized as being just as important to our Marine as those who had that piece of paper. I always thought of Kristine as brave, standing up and becoming the key volunteer for our entire unit while they deployed into harm's way. Little did I know about her personal struggles - and how she was able to keep everything together and present a strong presence in the face of such tragedy and adversity. I don't know another person who would have handled it with such grace and dignity. Thank you Kristine for documenting those years of war that I lived through with you.. gave me amazing insight into what was happening during the March Up and then Fallujah in 2004. Seems like an eternity ago...
It will be nice to share with my first born who joined us 3 weeks before the unit deployed to Fallujah for a harrowing 8 months- to explain where her daddy was and why. A Marine Corps spouse is a unique creature.. there is the long standing joke: if the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife they would issue one; but truly, certain women are just cut out to meet and exceed that challenge, and Kristine is one of the few, and I am so proud to call her my friend. If you are a fiancee, read this book. If you are a new spouse, read this book, if you lived through the events beginning in 2002-2005, read this book. If you have no military affiliation and would like amazing insight into war, life and love, read this book.
It will be nice to share with my first born who joined us 3 weeks before the unit deployed to Fallujah for a harrowing 8 months- to explain where her daddy was and why. A Marine Corps spouse is a unique creature.. there is the long standing joke: if the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife they would issue one; but truly, certain women are just cut out to meet and exceed that challenge, and Kristine is one of the few, and I am so proud to call her my friend. If you are a fiancee, read this book. If you are a new spouse, read this book, if you lived through the events beginning in 2002-2005, read this book. If you have no military affiliation and would like amazing insight into war, life and love, read this book.
August 30, 2016
Kristine gives an inside look into her family's personal life throughout her courtship and marriage to her Marine Officer. She includes personal emails written between her and her husband during his deployments, as well as her true personal feelings regarding their relationship and her struggles on the homefront. As a military spouse, I found it to be spot on as far as how the military lifestyle affects spousal relationships, as well as family relationships. She really lays it all out and holds nothing back!
I would recommend this to any reader who is unfamiliar with the military family lifestyle, or anyone considering the military family lifestyle; active duty, as well as significant others.
I would recommend this to any reader who is unfamiliar with the military family lifestyle, or anyone considering the military family lifestyle; active duty, as well as significant others.
December 12, 2018
Such an amazing book. I love that it’s written from both the husband’s and wife’s perspectives.
May 30, 2016
This book wasn't just good, it was truly amazing! The story of a couple going through the last 15 years of war. I think each military spouse has a story to tell about her time during deployments and dealing with military life in general. This is Kristine's story and one that I am so glad she shared with the world.
Kristine and her husband Ross met in 1996. He is in the US Marine Corps. The couple married in 2002 and started their married lives in Southern California.
The book takes you through so much of their lives during the last 15 years. From Ross' training to setting up in a new place and learning what it means to be a military spouse. From moving to San Diego to Georgia to Twenty-Nine Palms to Camp Pendleton to Virgina and back again.
Ross was deployed several times throughout the years and I am so thankful his stories were a part of the book. My husband was in Iraq and Afghanistan too and although they had different jobs and were in different branches and roles, hearing what he went through helped me understand more about what my own husband went through during those years.
The book brings us through Kristine's pregnancies, the births of her children and the loss of her son. Something that is so hard for so many of us to understand. This book was so real. Kristine and Ross were able to share with us their thoughts and feelings about everything that happened to them.
For anyone who has been through deployments, you will relate to so much in this book. For anyone that has gone through extra difficult situations in military life, you will relate to this book. For the general public that are not associated with the military, you should read this book too. It will give you a picture of what it is like for military families in the last 15 years of war.
* I was provided a free copy of this book for review!
Kristine and her husband Ross met in 1996. He is in the US Marine Corps. The couple married in 2002 and started their married lives in Southern California.
The book takes you through so much of their lives during the last 15 years. From Ross' training to setting up in a new place and learning what it means to be a military spouse. From moving to San Diego to Georgia to Twenty-Nine Palms to Camp Pendleton to Virgina and back again.
Ross was deployed several times throughout the years and I am so thankful his stories were a part of the book. My husband was in Iraq and Afghanistan too and although they had different jobs and were in different branches and roles, hearing what he went through helped me understand more about what my own husband went through during those years.
The book brings us through Kristine's pregnancies, the births of her children and the loss of her son. Something that is so hard for so many of us to understand. This book was so real. Kristine and Ross were able to share with us their thoughts and feelings about everything that happened to them.
For anyone who has been through deployments, you will relate to so much in this book. For anyone that has gone through extra difficult situations in military life, you will relate to this book. For the general public that are not associated with the military, you should read this book too. It will give you a picture of what it is like for military families in the last 15 years of war.
* I was provided a free copy of this book for review!
May 19, 2016
I looked forward to reading this autobiography of the life of a Marine Corps officer and his activist wife. They creatively tell the story of their marriage and his military service with back-and-forth sections and chapters from both of their perspectives. This is highlighted with the inclusion of their correspondence through the segments of time they were separated from each other due to his training and deployments.
The first part of the book is a love story between two starry-eyed lovers. It almost feels like you are reading a Captain America movie script with his girlfriend, Betsy Ross, who became the superheroine Golden Girl. But this isn’t a movie script and neither of these authors are superheroes. Tragedy enters their story, not as a plot point, but as a life-altering reality. How they walked through the threats to their lives, marriage, and military commitment is inspiring and challenging.
There is no sugar-coating in this book. Both Kristine and Ross Schellhaas pull no punches as they describe the realities of military life, deployments, loss of life, family drama, each other, and themselves. There are things for all readers to reflect on after reading this memoir - whether it be about personal relationships, family and military life, and the cost of war. I hope that many people will take the time to engage in this family’s story.
The Department of Defense conducted a security review of this book and approved it for release.
The first part of the book is a love story between two starry-eyed lovers. It almost feels like you are reading a Captain America movie script with his girlfriend, Betsy Ross, who became the superheroine Golden Girl. But this isn’t a movie script and neither of these authors are superheroes. Tragedy enters their story, not as a plot point, but as a life-altering reality. How they walked through the threats to their lives, marriage, and military commitment is inspiring and challenging.
There is no sugar-coating in this book. Both Kristine and Ross Schellhaas pull no punches as they describe the realities of military life, deployments, loss of life, family drama, each other, and themselves. There are things for all readers to reflect on after reading this memoir - whether it be about personal relationships, family and military life, and the cost of war. I hope that many people will take the time to engage in this family’s story.
The Department of Defense conducted a security review of this book and approved it for release.
May 21, 2016
I am a military wife who has also lived through these last 15 years of war. I absolutely loved this book and applaud the Kristine Schellhaas for her authenticity. I laughed and cried throughout the book because it was so easy to identify with Kristine. This memoir was spot on in it's descriptions of military family life, and brutally honest about all of the trials that go with it. Even though many of Kristine and Ross' losses, challenges, and triumphs were different from my own, it was eerily similar to my journey. Their story has become a catalyst for conversation between my Marine and myself, as he rarely, if ever, talked about what happened when he was deployed at war. It was eye opening to me, a Marine wife, to read Ross' war experiences and how he was feeling while deployed. I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand the military life, or someone who just wants to read an inspirational story of love, and overcoming an undescribable loss.
May 22, 2016
I am a military wife who has also lived through these last 15 years of war. I absolutely loved this book and applaud the Kristine Schellhaas for her authenticity. I laughed and cried throughout the book because it was so easy to identify with Kristine. This memoir was spot on in it's descriptions of military family life, and brutally honest about all of the trials that go with it. Even though many of Kristine and Ross' losses, challenges, and triumphs were different from my own, it was eerily similar to my journey. Their story has become a catalyst for conversation between my Marine and myself, as he rarely, if ever, talked about what happened when he was deployed at war. It was eye opening to me, a Marine wife, to read Ross' war experiences and how he was feeling while deployed. I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand the military life, or someone who just wants to read an inspirational story of love, and overcoming an undescribable loss.
June 14, 2016
15 Year of War is informative, inspiring and thought-provoking. I laughed, cried, and couldn't put it down. The story is well written and interesting, including the perspectives of both Kristine and her husband, as well as some of their email correspondence. This is a beautiful and honest love story that chronicles the challenges and sacrifices of military service for this generation. As a new Marine Corps spouse I found the book relatable and informative. It is rare to read stories of what life is like for the military spouses, and it is a life that most people don't understand. Kristine's activism also inspires me to be more involved and do more for my Marine Corps community. I want all my friends to read this book and get a glimpse of military life. I loved every page.
August 14, 2016
Because of the fact that only 1% of our population serves in our armed forces, the general public just does not understand the sacrifices our military members AND their families make and endure on a daily basis. This book gives the reader an up close and personal look at the daily lives of those who serve and those who keep the home fires burning, awaiting their return. It will be an eye opener for most readers and will give them a new appreciation of our service members and their families. I hope it will be read, discussed, and shared by many.
June 14, 2016
Never before has a book held such an accurate account of what life is really like for the modern military family in such an all-encompassing way! For my full review, go to http://www.servantmama.com/15-years-o....
January 28, 2018
Thank you to Goodreads for an honest review. 15 years of war is written by a military wife who writes about being married to someone who is serving. What a great insight about the cost of service. Every American should read this book.
July 7, 2016
This book was written very well. I read this very quickly, and found it greatly entertaining.
I hope more people get their hands on this book!
I hope more people get their hands on this book!
January 16, 2018
There are very few books that accurately capture the rawness of military life. 15 Years of War, though intense, does the job. As I reading I felt as if this book could have been about any military family, and that is an important piece of why this book is so good. Very rarely do I feel as though books capture how I feel, and what I've been through as a military spouse. Media in general often doesn't spend time on what the real life of a military family looks like. I would recommend this book to new spouses, family members who wish to truly understand their family member's life.
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March 25, 2018MWSA Review
When Kristine Schellhaas set out to record the private details of her marriage to a Marine officer, she knew she had a story that military families would appreciate and understand. Coming from the corporate world where both my husband and I had safe and lucrative jobs, I wasn’t sure I could relate. However when I read her book, the normality of Kristine’s story engaged me. I could understand why she supported her husband’s career—and why she dealt with family tensions alone while he had eight tours of duty and they moved eleven times in fifteen years.
Electronic communications have changed the way military couples deal with loneliness and family decision-making while one spouse is deployed. Skype is almost a tease when babies are being born, and it is totally useless when maternal exhaustion sets in. Yet video chats allow the distant parent to develop or maintain relationships with young children. And emails can provide loving reassurance to partners who must face stressful situations.
The Schellhaases share their lives in 15 Years of War, and it’s both refreshing and heartbreaking. The layout of this book supports the content and keeps the reader’s empathetic reactions for each partner fresh. When Kristine speaks, we feel her concern for Ross, her frustration at being pregnant and alone, her irritation with her mother-in-law, and her stress-filled struggle to care for her children. When Ross talks, he describes the horrors of war, his worries about his Marines, his aggravation with his mother and his deep love for Kristine and their children.
The tale winds through several deployments and two pregnancies before tragedy rips through the soul of a family already toughened by war. Their second baby, George, drowns in a swimming pool. As Kristine and Ross deal with their horrendous loss, Ross is sent back to war a few months after the accident and Kristine discovers that she is pregnant again. Will this be the test that tears them apart?
15 Years of War is reveals the fight for love like few nonfiction books I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it.
MWSA Reviewer: Joyce Faulkner
When Kristine Schellhaas set out to record the private details of her marriage to a Marine officer, she knew she had a story that military families would appreciate and understand. Coming from the corporate world where both my husband and I had safe and lucrative jobs, I wasn’t sure I could relate. However when I read her book, the normality of Kristine’s story engaged me. I could understand why she supported her husband’s career—and why she dealt with family tensions alone while he had eight tours of duty and they moved eleven times in fifteen years.
Electronic communications have changed the way military couples deal with loneliness and family decision-making while one spouse is deployed. Skype is almost a tease when babies are being born, and it is totally useless when maternal exhaustion sets in. Yet video chats allow the distant parent to develop or maintain relationships with young children. And emails can provide loving reassurance to partners who must face stressful situations.
The Schellhaases share their lives in 15 Years of War, and it’s both refreshing and heartbreaking. The layout of this book supports the content and keeps the reader’s empathetic reactions for each partner fresh. When Kristine speaks, we feel her concern for Ross, her frustration at being pregnant and alone, her irritation with her mother-in-law, and her stress-filled struggle to care for her children. When Ross talks, he describes the horrors of war, his worries about his Marines, his aggravation with his mother and his deep love for Kristine and their children.
The tale winds through several deployments and two pregnancies before tragedy rips through the soul of a family already toughened by war. Their second baby, George, drowns in a swimming pool. As Kristine and Ross deal with their horrendous loss, Ross is sent back to war a few months after the accident and Kristine discovers that she is pregnant again. Will this be the test that tears them apart?
15 Years of War is reveals the fight for love like few nonfiction books I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it.
MWSA Reviewer: Joyce Faulkner
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews