Citizens of Israel must serve three years in the Israel Defense Force (IDF), a mandatory requirement upon completion of high school. Mark Terris served his time in the 1970s as a paratrooper and a combat medic.
In the months following his discharge and journey to the United States, Terris began chronicling his medical training, combat education and friendships he forged while serving. He provides readers with a rare look at the grit, guts, gore and brotherhood of Israeli military duty in “Bullets to Bandages: Life Inside the Israel Defense Forces.”
“Bullets to Bandages” shares the true experiences of four Israeli soldiers—including Terris and his three comrades—from 1977 to 1980. With a mixture of humor and respect, Terris recounts basic training and combat medical training. At the heart of “Bullets of Bandages,” is a story of friends simply trying to survive.
“There is a national dialogue focused on Israel in the news, but few have a genuine understanding of the lives of people who served in the area,” Terris said. “Bullets to Bandages is a book about people. It provides a real and honest account of what daily life looks like for soldiers in the IDF.”
About the Author
Dr. Mark Terris is a native of Washington D.C. His family immigrated to Israel when he was 11 years old. His time in the Middle East included three years of service with the Israel Defense Forces. Upon discharge, he returned to the United States to attend college, medical school and postgraduate medical training. He is a head and neck surgeon with Kaiser Permanente and resides in Alexandria, Virginia.
