Unconventional

Unknown. Unorthodox. Unconventional. Unconventional is a gripping and candid account of John Hallett's journey from Alberta's construction industry to the war in Afghanistan as a Combat Engineer Troop Commander. Trading a stable civilian career for the unpredictable demands of the Canadian Armed Forces as a direct entry officer, Hallett steps into a world where rigid military doctrine can collide with the chaotic realities of war. Forged through relentless military training, field experience, and the ingenuity of his fellow sappers, Hallett quickly learns that success on the battlefield depends not only on precision and discipline, but on adaptability in the face of chaos. In an environment where every inch matters and every decision carries weight, he confronts the hard truth that while armies train to standards, combat often defies them. Against an agile and adaptive Taliban adversary, he discovers that resourcefulness and the courage to improvise is what often tips the balance between failure and mission success. With sharp insight and dry humour, Hallett captures the resolve, resilience, and quiet courage that defines life on the front lines from an engineering perspective. Unconventional is a powerful reminder that in the crucible of war - and in life - sometimes, the unconventional approach is the standard.