"A retired military lifer and non-commissioned officer, Pinion reflects on his experience with a book that's partly a compendium of funny stories and leadership lessons, but also a sort of memorial and expression of grief for soldiers lost along the way. The book is funny, as the title suggests, but also resonant thanks to Pinion's willingness to be vulnerable and expose issues regarding mental illness in the military. Pinion is emotional in detailing the stories of one of his men who jumped on a grenade to save others and a beloved, enthusiastic soldier killed by a sniper. His unflinching discussion of PTSD, treatment that saved his life, and his deep concern for his soldiers all have real power."

-Publisher's Weekly

"Chop That Sh*t Up!, by CSM Daniel L. Pinion, is an enthralling autobiography that offers an insider's look into the life of a U.S. Army soldier. Spanning an impressive 28-year career, Pinion's narrative is both raw and insightful.

Despite touching on heavier themes, Pinion's memoir offers more than just a glimpse into the military psyche. His honest confrontation with personal challenges such as traumatic brain injury and PTSD is revealing and serves as a testament to the very real struggles faced by many service members.

There is a rhythmic balance of light and dark within these pages. Pinion possesses a remarkable ability to convey the unique camaraderie among soldiers, eliciting laughter with one anecdote and drawing tears with the next. Particularly moving is the book's conclusion, which pays homage to fallen comrades in a manner that commands respect and reflection from the reader.

Chop That Sh*t Up!, by CSM Daniel L. Pinion, is an exceptional addition to military biographies and narratives, providing a voice to experiences often shrouded in silence. It is an essential read not only for prospective soldiers but for anyone looking to understand the profound sacrifices and bonds forged in the line of duty. This book, authentic and heartfelt, deserves a place on the shelf of every reader who values the depth and complexity of real-life heroism."

-Literary Titan

"If you read just one book this year of a soldier's true story, from enlisting as a private on the eve of Desert Storm to multiple combat deployments in Iraq and ascending to the pinnacle of the US Army's noncommissioned officer ranks in twenty-eight years of Army service, make it this book. US Army command sergeant major (retired) Daniel Pinion unflinchingly and with full transparency leads the reader through initial soldier lessons learned, leadership challenges and growth, monumental hardships, fear, courage, heartbreaking loss in combat, and family sacrifices."

-COL Ralph R. "Rick" Steinke, USA (Ret.), former US Deputy Civil-Military Coordinator and Liaison to the Commanding General, ISAF Joint Warfighting Command, Afghanistan, Author of the Jake Fortina Series

Publisher: Koehler Books

Pub date: 2023-11-11

Length: 182 pages