An Incidental Veteran: Tales from a Cold War Sailor Hardcover – September 16, 2025

An Incidental Veteran is a poignant and often humorous collection of coming-of-age tales told by fictional sailor, Amos Jones. In quiet desperation, Amos joins the U.S. Navy during the Cold War, finding meaning and identity in a life he never expected to choose. Along the way, he encounters routine and danger through the gritty, chaotic, and often absurd world of military life. It is a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life at sea, and a tribute to the thousands who served not for glory, but because it was the right thing to do.About the Author - S. W. Martin served in the Navy and Naval Reserve from 1974 to 1996. He taught high school engineering technology for forty years, retiring in 2020, at which point he began writing short stories. Martin and his wife, Christine, live in central Indiana. An Incidental Veteran is Martin's first book, drawn from real-life experiences from basic training to serving on warships, and was written with honesty, hindsight, and humor. Read more