VALDOSTA —
Jesse Holder thought he would be out of the military prior to the publication of “Chutes, Beer & Bullets,” his raucous, often irreverent, account of his service in Afghanistan.
However, the book was published months prior to his honorable discharge in August.
“I got a little blowback,” Holder says, regarding the book’s publication while he was still in uniform. While the book didn’t make it too far up the chain of command, Holder says officers who did see it told him, “It’s a good thing you’re getting out.”
“Chutes, Beer & Bullets” is Holder’s first-hand account of his training and time spent stationed in Afghanistan.
A 2005 Lowndes High School graduate, Holder is the son of Ted and Sharon Holder. He graduated the U.S. Infantry and Airborne School in spring 2006. From June 2006 to July 2009, Holder served in the 173rd Airborne Command.
He served the first of his two combat tours for 15 months in Afghanistan. Training and that deployment are covered in his book. He was stationed with the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq, where he wrote the chapters of “Chutes, Beer & Bullets.”
Subtitled “Not Your Grandpa’s War Story,” Holder holds nothing back. He discusses drug use among soldiers, drinking, meeting women, partying in Europe. He shares sordid stories about he and his fellow soldiers’ misadventures in a tradition that is as old as Richard Hooker’s “M*A*S*H” and the Korean War, Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22” and World War II, and Sam R. Watkins’ “Company Aytch” and the Civil War.
Though Holder agrees his story may be a more revealing portrayal than those past works and far more irreverent than some stories told by past soldiers, he doesn’t think the 21st century soldier’s story is much different than soldier stories from past generations.
You take a young guy and remove him from his family, put him in the company of other 18- or 19-year-olds, train them, put a rifle in their hands and send them overseas, strange situations are going to arise no matter what era in history, Holder says.
This book isn’t necessarily every soldiers’ story, but it is Holder’s story.
For several chapters, “Chutes, Beer & Bullets” chronicles those types of escapades. Staying up all night partying then jumping out of perfectly good airplanes first thing in the morning during airborne training. Drinking on leave, meeting girls in Italy, all sprinkled with Holder’s mix of wry commentary and over-the-top humor.
This wild ride continues throughout the book, but eventually, the madcap antics come to jolting stops. The war strikes. Fellow soldiers are brutally injured. Fellow soldiers die. Holder was injured while serving in Afghanistan.
Anyone offended by the book’s irreverence may be more forgiving reading these later chapters of battle, pain, loss and sacrifice.
As Holder writes in the prologue, “... this book is about more than just nights out on the town. It gives an in-depth look at today’s war and how it affects all soldiers.”
“Chutes, Beer & Bullets” didn’t begin so much as a book but as a way for Holder to get some of his experiences down on paper. Page followed page. Chapter followed chapter.
Though he’d never really written anything since high school English classes, Holder was surprised how much he enjoyed the process. He found it therapeutic.
Upon completing the book, he checked with his buddies to ensure they had no problem with the contents of this frank narrative. With exception of a few who cited plans to become politicians, Holder laughs, everyone was fine with the book.
And luckily, he says, no one too high in command learned of its publication prior to his discharge.
Since its publication, “Chutes, Beer & Bullets” has enjoyed brisk sales and good reader reviews. Holder says he’s even had some early talks of adapting the book into a TV miniseries. He was scheduled to host a launch party for the book Friday evening in Remerton.
As for writing, like soldiering, Jesse Holder has no plans to pursue a next project. He’s weighing his options for a return to school to earn a degree and embark on a series of new adventures.
As Holder puts it, “I’ve been to three continents, in two wars, 19 countries, have one published book, six years in the military and I’m 25 years old.”
Jesse C. Holder’s “Chutes, Beer & Bullets” is available in bookstores, online, through Facebook and as an ebook.
Local News
Related Photos
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Jesse Holder poses while serving with the 173rd Airborne Combat Team in Afghanistan. The Lowndes County resident has written a book about his experiences there. Contributed photo
Discussion
Valdosta veteran writes a different kind of war story
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