the rucksack we carry
for those who carry
the heaviest burdens
veterans & active military | police | fire | emergency medicine
Not everyone carries the weight the same. For some, it’s a few bad memories that fade with time. For others, it’s years of stress, trauma, loss, and responsibility packed into an invisible rucksack that never truly comes off. The Rucksack We Carry is a raw and honest look at the burden carried by veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, and others who operate in high-stress environments — and why no one should have to carry the weight alone.
no one should carry
the WEIGHT alone
PEER SUPPORT. LEADERSHIP. PROFESSIONALS.
BUY THE BOOK
Whether you have worn the uniform yourself, supported someone who has, or simply want to better understand the invisible weight carried by those in high-stress professions, The Rucksack We Carry offers an honest and relatable perspective on stress, trauma, resilience, and support. Order your copy today and join the conversation about why no one should have to carry the weight alone.
bulk orders
Looking to order copies for your department, agency, organization, or event? Bulk pricing is available for police, fire, EMS, military units, healthcare organizations, training programs, conferences, and community groups. Whether you are purchasing books for a peer support team, leadership training, or academy class, we would be honored to work with you. Use the contact form below for inquiries.
speaking events
Steve is available for speaking engagements, leadership presentations, wellness training, and panel discussions focused on cumulative stress, trauma, resilience, peer support, and mental health within military and first-responder cultures. Drawing on firsthand experience in combat, law enforcement, fire service leadership, and veteran advocacy, Steve delivers honest, practical conversations that connect with audiences in a real and relatable way.
Steve Littlefield is a combat veteran, former police officer, Veteran Service Officer, and mental health counseling graduate student whose career has been built around service to others. Over more than two decades in the military, he served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, spending years in leadership roles supporting soldiers and first responders in high-stress operational environments. He continues to support veterans and families navigating the challenges that often follow service.
Drawing from firsthand experience in the military, law enforcement, fire service culture, and mental health counseling, Steve wrote The Rucksack We Carry to open honest conversations about cumulative stress, trauma, resilience, and the invisible weight carried by those in demanding professions. His work focuses on breaking down stigma, encouraging peer support, and helping people understand that strength is not found in carrying everything alone.
About the Author
A Life of Service,
A Mission of Helping
What Others Are Saying
I absolutely love it! As a veteran, I wish I’d read something like this 30 years ago. It has given me a new way to see the “rocks” in my life and how to shift them in my rucksack or seek help carrying them.
BRENDAN M.
Gulf War Veteran
"This is a useful tool for all, not just veterans and first responders. Great tool for those of us with military, police, hospital staff and firefighters in our lives and how to support and try and understand them better. We all need support and help to walk through this life together. Asking for it isn’t weakness - it’s strength and I applaud his ability to lead by example."
Mary J.
Family of First Responders
"The book is easy to follow without all the clinical jargon. Steve puts it in a way that everyone can understand. I think this book will help break down the walls of mental health treatment that are still felt strongly in these professions."
lauren l.
Clinician & Military Spouse
upcoming events
GET IN TOUCH
Use this form to contact Steve about the book, bulk pricing for your department or organization, speaking engagements, media requests, or any other questions.