Tom Kratman

Tom Kratman is an accomplished author of military science fiction novels, best known for his Desert Called Peace series. Prior to his career as a writer, Kratman served in the U.S. Army as an infantry colonel and later became a lawyer in Virginia. Now, he writes full-time and resides in Virginia with his wife, Yolanda, and has adult children and grandchildren.

Kratman was born in Boston and attended Boston Latin School, but left at the age of 17 to join the army. He has referred to himself as a "political defector and refugee from the Massachusetts People's Republic" after leaving school early, causing distress among his teachers who believed he had a promising future. Kratman enlisted in the army and served in the 193rd Infantry Brigade in Panama and the 101st Airborne while attending college in his free time. The army granted him a scholarship to Boston College, where he earned his degree in 1980.

After completing his education, Kratman returned to the military and served as an infantry officer. He was stationed in Panama for a three-year tour, attended more schooling at Fort Benning, and served nearly five years in Savannah, Georgia with the 24th Infantry Division. He also served in Recruiting Command and was the only officer called away from USAREC when the Gulf War broke out. Kratman was transferred to Special Operations Command and actively engaged in the war with the 5th Special Forces. He eventually grew tired of the army's nonviolent and non-militant tones against communism and decided to leave. During his military service, Kratman earned the Ranger Tab and a Combat Infantry Badge.