Fairly Smooth Operator
My Life Occasionally at the Tip of the Spear

DISCLAIMER: Like the author, I too enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard as a Seaman Recruit (E-1), the lowest enlisted grade in the service. Unlike the author, I progressed up the promotional ladder by “striking” for Yeoman in the field in lieu of being assigned to a Class A Service School. Over time I......more

The first military comedy read I ever recommended was "Catch-22." This is now my second. It is a series of thematic autobiographical sketches which I highly recommend for women veterans, and those seeking to understand us. The stories also detail bad and good leadership lessons balanced by dark comed......more

What words could you give to rate a persons life? Doesn't seem there'd be any that could do it justice. What I will say is, I started this book this afternoon, with very little expectation of finishing it. (I've been on a kind of book-block lately. I start a book and get distracted by the next one.)......more

Fairly Smooth Operator is serious fun. Walsh brings us into her life doing what comedy should do: she makes us laugh while shining a light on the bizarre, the ridiculous, the mundane, the unexpected, and the serious. The stories she shares make us think about our own lives and those of the people ar......more

Couldn’t put this book down. Author is candid, honest, funny, & profound. As I reflect on her story I’m mostly disappointed at the leadership she had to endure in the Coast Guard. I’ve served in the Coast Guard - we have absolutely got to do better! Thanks for a wonderful book.......more