Once a Jarhead, always a Jarhead by Anthony Swofford

     Variety, Honesty, and thought-provoking are three words/phrases that come to mind to describe Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of The Gulf War and Other Battles by Anthony Swofford.  Swofford kept me engaged from page 1 with his storytelling that changes topics from chapter to chapter. Because the chapters are not necessarily tied together, he is able to move between people, events, and time, and he does not get bogged-down in details, as is the case in other books on the "experience of war." This variety keeps the pages turning and the stories "easy" to read; I was curious what the next chapter would bring.    

     I thought I would learn about the experience of a Marine, which I did; however, there was so much more than the work of the scout/sniper.  It's the humanity versus politics of war; the waiting, needing, and wanting out of war; the front lines, enemy, and death of war.  The insight and honesty commands understanding and respect.

     Swofford shares some of his experiences in boot camp, and when leadership can take one's power too far; the discipline developed through the Marines, yet the unexpected habits developed in order to handle the job; the personal conflict between knowing one's job is to serve and potentially die, yet when in war, really not wanting nor ready to die; how the Marines distinguish themselves from the other branches of the military, yet the politics that exist means that not everyone is cut for the job; the psychological war towards the enemy, leadership, and oneself.

     Now, if only Swofford could answer all the questions I have written in the margins!