Pink Camouflage
One soldier's story from trauma and abuse to resilience and leadership
Published on 1. March 2024
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-80425-123-2 (ISBN)
Description
This is a fascinating insight into a macho, male-dominated world where reality is so grotesquely distorted from the public perception. Read it, believe it, because sometimes the truth is far more incredible than fiction.TERRY BUTCHER, Captain of England Football Team
Her husband found her by the roadside, delirious and choking on her own vomit. Gemma Morgan was 33, happily married with two
young children, an outstanding army service record and a first-class international sporting career. But underneath she was a wreck, surviving on a cocktail of vodka, Valium and sleeping pills.
Misogyny, sexual abuse and toxic masculinity had been the daily realities of her Army career long before being deployed unarmed and unsupported to the blood and mayhem of a war zone.
When Gemma gave birth to a baby girl, motherhood left her lost and alienated, a soldier who had deliberately suppressed her femininity with no idea how to cope.
Together, these experiences triggered a mental health crisis that led her to become suicidal, battling PTSD, betrayed and abandoned by the institution to which she had devoted seven years of her life.
With the support of her family Gemma has been on a long, hard and bumpy road to recovery. This is her story in her own words.
She has told it to inspire a fierce and urgent call for change.
Gemma speaks with powerful vulnerability - you could hear a pin drop. JODIE KIDD Model, Racing Driver and TV Personality
Her husband found her by the roadside, delirious and choking on her own vomit. Gemma Morgan was 33, happily married with two
young children, an outstanding army service record and a first-class international sporting career. But underneath she was a wreck, surviving on a cocktail of vodka, Valium and sleeping pills.
Misogyny, sexual abuse and toxic masculinity had been the daily realities of her Army career long before being deployed unarmed and unsupported to the blood and mayhem of a war zone.
When Gemma gave birth to a baby girl, motherhood left her lost and alienated, a soldier who had deliberately suppressed her femininity with no idea how to cope.
Together, these experiences triggered a mental health crisis that led her to become suicidal, battling PTSD, betrayed and abandoned by the institution to which she had devoted seven years of her life.
With the support of her family Gemma has been on a long, hard and bumpy road to recovery. This is her story in her own words.
She has told it to inspire a fierce and urgent call for change.
Gemma speaks with powerful vulnerability - you could hear a pin drop. JODIE KIDD Model, Racing Driver and TV Personality
Reviews / Votes
As featured on Lorraine.It's very raw, very honest as well... You on the front of the book it is one soldiers story from trauma and abuse to resilience and leadership and that's what you've done, you have managed to bounce back and I honestly think this will be so helpful. Anyway, it's a great read, it's not an easy read but that's okay because sometimes we do need that, but I do think it will also help so many people. LORRAINE KELLY
This is a fascinating insight into a macho, male-dominated world where reality is so grotesquely distorted from the public perception. Read it, believe it, because sometimes the truth is far more incredible than fiction. TERRY BUTCHER, Captain of the England Football Team
A shocking read. This is a wake-up call. PAULA EDWARDS, CEO, Salute Her UK
Brutal and difficult to stomach. Gemma demonstrates the very best of what it means to serve and protect the freedom of others. MANDY BOSTWICK, Trauma Pyschotherapist
Read this and talk to your loved ones. Perhaps Gemma's greatest service to her country will be in sharing her story. While the horrors of war will always create casualties, is the betrayal by her military leaders that stands out as the deeper wound. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DIANE ALLEN OBE, RET'D
Gemma inspires with powerful vulnerability. She challenges what is means to be a strong leader and has taught me a great deal about finding resilience even in the toughest of times. GARETH MALONE OBE, TV Presenter & Musician
A former Herefordshire soldier has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems, speaking out to describe a grim experience in the armed forces where she says "abuse was the norm". BRIDIE ADAMS, Hereford Times
It's such a remarkable story. SALMA EL-WARDANY, BBC Radio London
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 133 mm
Width: 205 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
272 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80425-123-2 (9781804251232)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
03/2024
Luath Press
€11.99
Available for download
Person
GEMMA MORGAN is an inspiring keynote speaker and leadership consultant with over 25 years' experience across the military, business and elite sport. The founder of Morgan Eight Ltd, she is called upon for expert opinions on a range of subjects including women in leadership, resilience, and what it takes to build a high-performing team.
Gemma began her career as an Army Officer and was the first woman to be awarded the Carmen Sword from HRH Princess Royal. She is a former International Athlete and Welsh Captain, gaining 85 Caps and ranked the 'Most Valuable player in Europe' at the 1997 Games. Gemma campaigns for mental health awareness and is an ambassador for the charity, Help for Heroes.
Gemma began her career as an Army Officer and was the first woman to be awarded the Carmen Sword from HRH Princess Royal. She is a former International Athlete and Welsh Captain, gaining 85 Caps and ranked the 'Most Valuable player in Europe' at the 1997 Games. Gemma campaigns for mental health awareness and is an ambassador for the charity, Help for Heroes.