Corporal Cannon

A Female Marine in Afghanistan

By: Savannah Cannon

Narrated by: Savannah Cannon

Not even old enough to drink, Corporal Savannah Cannon is a young enlisted United States Marine deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2010. As a tactical data networking specialist, she is sent away from everyone she knows and attached to a Regimental Combat Team where women are not allowed to repair communications. Her experiences over the next few months shed light on the unique and difficult positions women are placed in when supporting combat roles, while offering a raw look at the painful choices women must sometimes make.

Cannon finds herself in a combat zone, ostracized from family, friends, and even her fellow Marines as the men are told to avoid her. The connections she makes are born from trauma and desperation and the choices she makes will echo throughout many lives.

Corporal Cannon is not the story of a heroine; it is the hard-hitting account of just one of the flawed individuals who make up the United States' fighting forces. Mistakes in the battlefield can have dire consequences, personally and professionally. Reflecting on her time in service, the author weaves a story of past and present, and the healing that can come with admitting our mistakes and moving past them.

©2022 Savanah Cannon (P)2022 Tantor

amazing story

deeply moving with a strong message. Beautifully written and griping. Made even stronger by hearing it read by the author. Highly recommend

Compelling and complex story

The author who also has a presence while narratoring her own story of being a young female marine in Afghanistan tells a cathartic story. She is stright forward from the very start and does not expect all readers to be on her side. I hope this book finds peace for at least one person when they think they are alone, unfortunately that is far from the case. I really love the short chapters.

Candid

So well written about her own trauma. Sadly it feels like advocacy, protection, and prevention are still sickeningly lacking.

Narrated by the Author! Need I say more? I will.

A must-read, and a powerful reminder of the strength and courage deep within us all to trudge through tribulations and find recovery from the pains of trauma. #TheBodyKeepsTheScore

Cannon takes the reader through a vulnerable, personal account of events she endured during her deployment to Afghanistan. Through use of monologues, and the detailing of a broad range of events, it becomes apparent that Cannon's experience of "war" is in many ways one of internal-conflicts and the undeniable disadvantages of a warzone. She shows herself to be a strong, determined, and dedicated Marine who has to navigate through a statistically, male-dominated environment, a war zone, and several mental (and potentially legal) quagmires.

Cannon depicts the internal struggles she faces as events (and lack of sleep) increasingly cause her to question her future and invariable her continued existence. She takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, allowing us to empathize with the conflicting emotions that war within. As she grapples with fear, guilt, and uncertainty, we witness the raw human experience of trying to reconcile one's dreams with responsibilities and the consequences that follow

As a veteran, and a father of a young girl, this memoir is a difficult journey which filled me a wide range of emotions: comradery, empathy, sadness, fear, anger, worry, hope, love, and compassion.

This is not just a book about war, but a testimony of the human spirit and the capacity to find purpose and meaning beyond the darkest of times. I pray this book finds the attention of many, both male and female alike, and that it may positively impact the lives of others and perhaps. May it be a source of inspiration so that others may not have to suffer in silence and make decisions from a place of fear, but rather from hope.

I praise Savannah for her being vulnerable enough to share this story. May it be an act of catharsis, and bring about continued awareness, peace, and positive purpose.

Healing 1 minute at a time

Shannon, was a female combat Marine in Afghanistan and presents the hardships of being the outsider in our military forces. As a fellow combat vet, I definitely identify with the struggles she describes with PTSD and the lack of formal medical assistance. As she says struggle is a day occurance often faced alone.