War changes the men who fight it — but the lessons they carry home can change generations. When Gregory Clyde deployed with the U.S. Army Infantry, he expected the danger, the dust, and the uncertainty. What he didn’t expect were the Principles — the hard-earned truths forged in barracks discipline, road-march endurance, battlefield leadership, and the quiet aftermath of combat. When the Smoke Lifts is not a war story. It’s a field manual for life . Through fifty powerful Principles — brought to life with raw combat vignettes, hard-won wisdom, and deeply personal reflections — Clyde explores the values that endure long after uniforms fade: discipline, grit, service, loyalty, humility, resilience, and character. Some lessons were learned in training. Some were learned under fire. Some were paid for in blood. But every lesson was carried home — not for soldiers, but for the author’s six children. This book is his rucksack, packed tight with what he wants them (and all of us) to know: Discipline is freedom from chaos - Endurance comes when motivation dies - Leadership is earned, never granted - Character is the legacy no one can steal - Life will break you — but you decide whether you rise Blending gripping storytelling with timeless life guidance, When the Smoke Lifts is written for anyone fighting battles of their own — in work, family, faith, hardship, ambition, grief, or self-doubt. You don’t need to have worn a uniform to feel the weight of these pages. This book honors those who served — but speaks to those who simply refuse to quit. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay strong when life gets heavy, how to lead when others lean on you, or how to become someone worth following — this book belongs in your hands. A father’s legacy. A soldier’s lessons. A manual for anyone determined to live with strength, honor, and heart. Carry only what matters. Leave nothing behind that doesn’t.