WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"Stories from the Front: Pain, Betrayal, and Resilience on the MST Battlefield"
“My advice to all who read this book: Read it, digest it, and become an advocate of immediate change for all our warriors so they can focus 100 percent on the grim, vital business of warfighting. Lisa Carrington Firmin’s book is a call to arms.”
Lieutenant Colonel R. B. Crosson, U.S. Army (Retired), UH-60, AH-1, OH-58, UH-1 Master Army Aviator, and recently retired Chief Operating Officer, deBoer Transportation
“Invaluable effort to capture the extreme personal side of military sexual trauma in all its forms, and a must-read for armed forces leaders at all levels…We should all be grateful for the courage of these service members in telling their stories, and for Colonel Firmin’s outstanding efforts to deliver them in a caring and compassionate way.”
Major General Tony Cucolo, U.S. Army (Retired)
“As a woman veteran, I must say that Stories from the Front was a difficult read, but it is a MUST READ…Stories from the Front does a remarkable job of showing how heroic women veterans are even after being propelled into a battlefield within the battlefield of military sexual assault!”
Ginger Miller, U.S. Navy veteran
President and CEO, Women Veterans Interactive
“Deftly weaving together heartbreaking stories of over a dozen survivors, including her own, Firmin’s book tells the decades-long struggle of service men and women seeking justice. One will have no doubt after reading these powerful vignettes that disbelief and retaliation are the two hallmarks of the military’s struggle to care for those serving this country. The book should be required reading for all generals and admirals tasked with leading the men and women who serve under them.”
Colonel Don Christensen, U.S. Air Force (Retired) President, Protect Our Defenders
“By telling these stories, La Coronela shows a great determination for survival, resilience, dedication, and commitment to the sacred oath she took. Stepping up now to help others, she captures the lived experiences of MST survivors, in hopes of helping many women and men who served, are serving, and will serve. Such cruelty and atrocities must no longer be ignored in our U.S. military!”
Lupita Colmenero, Chief Operating Officer, LATINA Style, Inc., Founder, Parents Step Ahead Inc., Publisher, El Hispano News
“Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin has opened a door with this anthology, providing much-needed space for veterans to describe their experiences of harassment, intimidation, and sexual assault… Col. Firmin puts an even more important question to her audience: what is the true cost of service to one’s country? That question will require all of us, men and women alike, to confront some unpleasant truths.”
Jeff Gatlin, MS, LPC-S, licensed professional counselor-supervisor, U.S. Air Force veteran
“This important book needs to be read widely to understand the impact and affect change in our armed forces. The systemic issues in the military that ignore accountability and justice for people serving, or who have served, who have experienced sexual assault and harassment must end. With courage and care, the stories expose the devastating impact of military sexual trauma to service members and veterans of different eras, branches, races, and intersecting identities.”
Dr. Vanessa Meade, U.S. Army Gulf War veteran, PsyD, LCSW
“My dominant emotion after reading these stories is admiration and respect for these veteran and military storytellers. I question how many other people would have the strength of heart and character, given the adversity and wounds they experienced, to forge ahead. By forging ahead, they succeeded; and by succeeding, they triumphed, each one of them. Ultimately this is an uplifting series of stories.”
Jeb Wyman, author of What They Signed Up For: True Stories by Ordinary Soldiers
“Colonel Firmin’s book should be read by every newly commissioned officer and the most senior officers in any branch of service. Unfortunately, each testimony exposed a weakness in the chain of command to understand the ramifications of MST. Our military leaders need to stand up to abusers and to mete out punishment no matter how senior the abuser.”
Nancy Panko (April 2023), Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)
“Lisa’s book is a true testament to her authentic voice and her ability to share her experiences in the military and assist others in sharing their own MST experiences.”
Jenny Pacanowski, U.S. Army veteranFounder and Director, Women Veterans Empowered and Thriving