Book Review — Legion Rising by Jeff Morris

Surviving Combat and the Scars It Left Behind

The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Life’s obstacles never get easier, but together we rise.

Executive summary

Army Captain Jeff Morris’ journey from the Florida panhandle to becoming an accomplished corporate professional is unique; yet, the principles behind his success are quite relatable: perseverance. Transitioning from a Division 1 athlete to earning a commission in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer, his experiences are tragic, incomprehensible, extraordinary, and heartbreaking, yet they convey a message of hope for those affected by war’s darkest moments. Leading soldiers across vast oceans to war zones became the catalyst that shaped his life’s work, giving back through the story of the ‘Legion 8.’

The content

Born and raised in Seminole territory in the Florida panhandle along its Gulf Coast, a young Jeff Morris was fascinated by military history and dreamed of a day when he would serve his country in its most complex military operations. Growing up in a home where the value of basic necessities was high, his work ethic and talent led him to Samford University, where he became a star defensive back for the Bulldogs’ football team and attracted interest from NFL scouts. Yet his dream of military service prevailed, and in the months following his college career, he began an unorthodox training regimen that involved packing sand in his pants in preparation for life as a Navy SEAL.

No stranger to setbacks, Jeff was not selected for a position as a SEAL officer, and after regrouping, he launched a career in the auto industry in Dallas, Texas. Then, on September 11, 2001, like so many others, Jeff’s life changed forever; his childhood passion for military service once again became the focus of his daily thoughts. Despite a rapidly advancing career that showed tremendous promise, Jeff traded his comfortable business attire for the U.S. Army, and his life was never the same again.

Navigating a series of challenging Army training camps was just the first of many obstacles Jeff would encounter in the years ahead. Starting with Army boot camp at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he built friendships that would support him through the toughest times, and in Officer Candidate School, he met Soldiers who instilled confidence in him — silent confirmations that this was where he truly belonged. At jump school, he excelled and shared an intriguing story about what Soldiers do on the airfields right after landing, and in Infantry Officer Basic School, he created lifelong memories. However, not unfamiliar with setbacks, his effort to complete the Army’s infamous Ranger School fell short and led him to his first assignment in an infantry brigade in Texas — a place he would ultimately call home.

Jeff’s first military assignment, based out of Fort Hood, Texas, led to his initial deployment to Iraq, where he became familiar with the concept of nosediving and corkscrewing to the surface in an aircraft. Unaware of what the future held and newly married, with his deployed unit, he quickly learned that evil did not discriminate. Experiencing combat for the first time and tracking an enemy that presented itself daily, Jeff’s lessons in the face of reality sharpened his mind and shaped his demeanor. He became intimately familiar with places like “Purple Heart Lane” and “Grenade Alley.” He became intimately familiar with mortar attacks and defending himself and others from enemy fire, and he became intimately familiar with the fog of war. While his first deployment encompassed death and led him to witness unthinkable images, it was his second that would inspire Legion Rising.

In Jeff’s second deployment to Iraq, just a couple of years after his first, he served in a more senior capacity. Due to his work ethic and merits, he was ceremoniously promoted to lead Bravo 1–8 CAV as its Company Commander, a position that entailed a responsibility he cherished. Yet, during that second deployment, the familiar cries of casualty and trauma remained commonplace, and Jeff’s company, the Legion, experienced its share of horror. Facing an evolved enemy, he led his Soldiers in combat missions so often that the experiences typically seen in movies became a part of daily life. In one particularly horrific series of events, a junior Soldier was killed while sitting in the seat normally reserved for Jeff, and the weight of war began to feel heavy. Losing Soldiers and conducting memorial services for them abroad was tough; doing so frequently became unbearable. In one of the most traumatizing events of his life, after tending to one of his best Soldiers during a life-threatening situation, Jeff incurred a permanent reminder in the most unfortunate way — scarring his face with shards of human skull.

After returning to the States following the life-changing events of his second deployment, Jeff was reunited with his family and newborn son, Cole Adam Morris, named after a fallen comrade. Jeff eventually left the military, complete and fulfilled, eager to resume his career in corporate America. Hired into a competitive medical device sales program, Jeff embarked on a career that, through twists and turns, would introduce him to exceptional leaders who would look after him and help him in his darkest moments. Winning by day but suffering at night, Jeff’s personal life struggled as he faced daily reminders of the decisions and trauma he’d experienced with his soldiers in Iraq — decisions he grappled with mightily.

Through one open door after another, Jeff made his way back to Texas to be near his family and discovered CrossFit, where he eventually helped launch a workout series known as “Legion 8” to honor those who’d fallen during his second deployment. Through his work with CrossFit gyms across the nation, his workouts connected him with parents of fallen soldiers and gradually eased the internal burning he’d experienced for so many years. His work in the years that followed helped change lives and heal wounds, and today, it continues. 

Ten insightful quotes from the book

1. On work ethic: “I never wanted my performance in school to be one more thing my mom had to worry about, so I studied hard and made good grades.”

2. On insight: “The coach I hated with such a passion became the single most influential role model of my young adult years.”

3. On getting things done: “If you want to make something happen, you have to make it happen on your own. Don’t rely on other people.”

4. On decision-making: “If it doesn’t make sense, don’t do it.”

5. On servicemembers: “When people put on a uniform, they don’t cease to be who they are, in all their uniqueness and human oddity.”

6. On leadership: “Sometimes being in a position of leadership is a lonely thing.”

7. On locking in: “And so, just like that, I flipped the switch. I felt nothing. It was time to begin again.”

8. On facing fear: “I had to step into that looming shadow in order to step through it.”

9. On his life’s purpose: “I made the choice to dedicate my life to helping others learn to look in the mirror again.”

10. On inciting help: “Sometimes it just takes one person in a room who is willing to be the first to raise a hand, to reveal scars, to share a story.”

The wrap-up: why you should read Legion Rising

This book is unique and personal — historical, inspirational, filled with unfortunate trauma, and difficult to put down. To be clear, it’s a military book through and through, and while there’s no shortage of such books on every bookstore’s shelves, Jeff’s account stands apart from the rest. In fact, it may be the most detailed account of events I’ve ever read. At many moments, I found myself covering my mouth due to the graphic detail in how he tells the story, so readers should be aware. While the book is dedicated to all those Jeff served with, it’s especially and heartfully dedicated to the soldiers who fell as members of 1–8 CAV Bravo Company’s ‘Legion’ on an unforgettable deployment.

So, who is this book for? Well, first, it’s dedicated to fallen soldiers, and Jeff didn’t write it just for those he lost on his deployment. It’s for all service members who gave their lives for their country. But this work is more than a dedication — it’s a call to action. It’s for parents, spouses, children, siblings, family, friends, neighbors, and communities affected by loss in war. It’s for those interested in gaining perspective, and it’s for those who need to hear real-world accounts. In some respects, it also acknowledges the evil that exists in this world and highlights the circumstances under which our world’s most innocent suffer. But deep down, this book is for the soldier who can still read, the soldier affected by the experiences of war, the soldier struggling to cope with trauma, and the soldier who needs help now.

Jeff Morris’ journey resonates with many, and it’s meant to; it’s personal. For Jeff, for the reader, and, frankly, for me as I write this. Jeff is a mentor to me; I was hired into the same medical device sales leadership program after my military service, and while I knew of his background, the mentorship he provided as a member of the program’s senior class is something I’ll never forget. That’s why I can confidently say that if you’re struggling with life due to your service, consider giving this book a try. After you read it, reach out to him — he’ll be happy to take your call. In fact, I firmly believe that, aside from honoring the legacy of the ‘Legion 8,’ Jeff wrote this to save lives. He understands the struggle of the constant mental and physical reminders of war and death and has dedicated his life to combating it. In his words, “together, we will rise.”

With that, thanks for reading!

About the book’s author

Jeff Morris is an accomplished leader, author, and speaker who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. He is currently the Vice President of Sales at McKesson and the bestselling author of "Legion Rising: Surviving Combat" and "The Scars It Left Behind." Jeff has held various leadership positions across different industries and is a distinguished former United States Army Infantry Officer with an exemplary leadership record. He served in the United States Army as an Infantry Officer, completing two deployments to Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Platoon Leader and Company Commander. For his combat actions in Baghdad on September 12, 2004, he received the Bronze Star with Valor and earned the Bronze Star for Service during his second deployment. He founded a non-profit organization, Legion 8, to honor the eight men lost under his command. Jeff shares his story of adversity and leadership with various veteran groups, promoting the notion of overcoming challenges. He values transparency about his personal journey, believing it resonates with people from all walks of life. Jeff dedicates himself to using his story for good, spreading hope and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

Follow Jeff Morris on LinkedIn

Book details:

Publisher: WildBlue Press (July 22, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1948239353
ISBN-13: 978-1948239356

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Reading is one of my passions, and I hope you find this book review insightful! As a leader and educator, I love learning and sharing. With each book I read and summarize, I consider how its content can be applied to teams and organizations, searching for resonant elements such as impactful quotes while discerning who the ideal readers are. I seek opportunities to implement what I’ve learned from each book and share that knowledge to improve myself, my teams, colleagues, peers, and those pursuing personal and professional growth alongside me. I write these reviews partly because I love to read and write, but also to share leadership lessons. While I often either know the authors personally or have developed a relationship with them post-review, nothing about this process is sponsored or previewed. As the book reviewer, I am not paid to write reviews nor influenced in how I write them. The process requires hours of reading and reflection, making it a significant undertaking, so I truly appreciate everyone who takes the time to like my content and subscribe to follow it.