Return to Being - Paperback

by Rick Padilla (Author)

As military transition, PTSD, and veteran suicide remain at the forefront of the national conversation, the need for practical, emotionally honest guidance has never been greater. Return to Being meets that need with a powerful story of resilience, healing, and rediscovery. More than a resource for service members, it offers insight and hope for the spouses, families, and loved ones who walk the transition alongside them - illuminating a path toward connection, purpose, and life beyond military service.

Return To Being (RTB) is a deeply personal memoir grounded in my 2019 deployment to Afghanistan, the mental health crisis that followed, a medical retirement that blindsided me, and the journey my family and I walked through PTSD, seizures, and the loss of military identity. The book follows a structured format - each chapter includes a narrative section, a "Mission Debrief" with lessons learned, and reflective prompts - designed not only to tell my story but also to guide readers through their own healing and transitions. The memoir offers a raw and authentic perspective that aligns with bestselling works such as The Body Keeps the Score (van der Kolk) and The Long Walk (Castner), while introducing an accessible framework families can use to understand the internal experience of a veteran returning home.