Living for 20 years with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, P.T.S.D. caused by military sexual trauma, M.S.T. and Gulf War Illness, G.W.I. has not made life an easy path for Sergeant Stephanie J. Shannon. In this, first book, Battling the Storm Within, Stephanie shares how her time of military service, and the resulting trauma she experienced, continues to affect her daily life, even 20 plus years later, a common story among military veterans. A brave and deeply personal memoir that details Stephanie's military experiences, and especially her struggles when transitioning back to civilian life, this book is a bold step on the path for recovery for all veterans. This book serves not only as a lesson of how to reclaim your life after PTSD, GWI, and MST, but also a call for change in legislation, government policies, the VA system, and military practices and procedures that impact the veteran population and their families. Stephanie's story is a story of struggle, survival, and healing; that empowers others to address their own personal traumas and overcome them, bring awareness to the public the many issues the veteran population face, and provide resources and solutions to veterans and others in need. Her mission is to empower others to face their own personal traumas, be healed, restored and live again.