Niceville author’s memoir on the terrifying, hilarious and often hidden, authentic side of the War in Afghanistan released

Most military memoirs start with a bang. Dan Pace’s new book, It’ll Buff Out, starts at Texas A&M.

I recently sat down with Dan—a Niceville local, retired Army veteran, and former Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel—to share his journey from college to combat, aiming to foster understanding and empathy among civilians and military enthusiasts alike.

What makes Dan’s story stand out isn’t just the combat; it’s the harrowing night watch rotations awash in the unknown beyond the concertina wire, and the reality of a 21-year-old making life-or-death decisions just months after graduation.

Check out our full conversation below, and read on for the highlights of why It’ll Buff Out is making waves.

The “Sobering” Transition

One of the most striking parts of Dan’s book is the focus on his life before the boots hit the ground. He captures the dichotomy of being a college student one minute and a machine-gunner in a war zone the next.

“Just a few months prior, this was just some kid… You’re making a split-second decision on whether or not to shoot a car approaching you, and just a year earlier, you were just an idiot who didn’t know anything.” — Dan Pace

Letters from the Front

Because we hadn’t fully transitioned into the digital age by the time we invaded Afghanistan,. Dan and his wife, Alycia’s, daily letters during his deployments in [2001 and 2003] reveal a rare, look into wartime relationships. Dan captured more than just the battles and the terror of combat. He was able to place them in the context of the bizarre reality of fighting a war thousands of miles from home in a world filled to the brim with angry locals, “moondust,” and Army bureaucracy. His war story shows a fuller picture, highlighting the family left behind at home and the other, often-forgotton realities of the front-line soldier.

Why This Book Matters for Civilians

Dan believes the military has many virtues – and a few faults. He hopes that his book can break up the ‘caste-system’ nature of the military as a ‘family business;’ by writing this book, he wants to invite more people from more walks of life to join the military and make it a career, while also warning against foreign adventures without a clear goal in sight.

In short, Pace:

Highlights realism over glamour: You won’t just find heroic Special Ops stories here. You’ll find stories about Humvees getting stuck in mud and the “stupidest nights ever” spent cutting wire out of axles under night vision.
The Philosophy of Force: Dan shares his evolving views on why having “skin in the game” matters and why the decision to send a nation’s youth to war should never be taken lightly.
Reminds his fellow citizens that ‘normal people’ are the ones doing the extraordinary work of the infantry, which can inspire admiration and respect in civilians and veterans alike.

Get Your Copy

If you’re looking for a military memoir that trades the ‘tough guy’ persona for authentic, witty, and often gritty truth, you’ll feel more connected and eager to read It’ll Buff Out.

Official Website: danielvpace.com (Support the author directly!)
Also Available At: Amazon, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble.

Support a local author and a veteran—grab your copy today and let us know what you think of the interview in the comments!

About the Author

Dan Pace served as an infantry grunt in the 10th Mountain Division during the initial invasion of Afghanistan. He later earned a commission and retired as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished career. He currently lives and writes in Niceville, Florida.