Jarhead

[Ratamacue]

Anyone else read this book yet? It's a memoir by a Marine Scout/Sniper who was in the '91 Gulf War. It's a very good book, though it is often very critical of the Marine Corps and perhaps overly depressed at times.

There's not an awful lot of combat within the book, but it gives a very interesting look at life in the Marine Corps and the difficulties of life after being in the military. Highly suggested.

If anyone wants to look it up, the author's name is Anthony Swofford and the book's name is "Jarhead."

[Vance]

Yup, I read it about 4 months ago. I was definetly expecting more action and less depressiveness. Good book nonetheless.

[Maverick77]

He was honest about his experiences

and it was a damn good book.

[Duke]

...There's not an awful lot of combat within the book, but it gives a very interesting look at life in the Marine Corps and the difficulties of life after being in the military. Highly suggested....
Swofford's book is a full self-examination of a Marine prior to combat. And of course its depressing, SGT Swofford is in harm's way. The point he's trying to describe is "war is hell and I'm afraid".
I believe, not just because he's a Marine, he is an up and coming literary figure. Swofford will not confine himself to the military genre, but will continue as a fictional writer. Many of the passages where he needs to create a feeling of intense and tangible emotion are just too well written for the limits of a specific literature.

[Beloved Shiv]

Hilarious anecdote in the final chapters of how a squadmate reacted to the new Barretts and their limited optics.

No, it's not One Perfect Op or Inside Delta, but it's still a good read. 'Some limited overview of tactical patrol in Gulf 1 (VERY limited and ultimately unecessary, but authentic).

[molly747]

I read it the first week it came out. Though some criticize it for its negative portrayal of the modern military and war, I (as a writer) found it compelling. It was completely honest and well structured. You can't criticize a writer for being honest! He does give credit to the Corps for instilling in him a sense of discipline and duty, but he notices the changes the world has to face--and how to come to terms with it in "the modern military." Let's face it, our culture is changing--machismo and bull**** exists, especially in younger generations. A great read, definitely. I recommend it to anyone. I've started on Bowden's "Killing Pablo" and, after that, Durant's "In the Company of Heroes."

[Ratamacue]

I agree it was a very strong book and didn't have any problems with it at all, I just wanted to see what everyone else thought of it.

Vance - yeah, me too. In the summary of the book it basically said that he was a "well-decorated veteran" of the Gulf War.

I did find it funny how Johnny was awarded a Bronze Star for cursing out the tankers opening fire on them, though it definitely wasn't a funny situation.

Shiv - "Give me my f*cking 400 meters!"

[Fargin]

Schhh I'm just started, at page 49.

[digitalghost]

Whats with the term/name/word/phrase/nickname/alias "J A R H E A D" what does it mean and where it did it originate it sounds rather sickeningly somewhat offernding or i dont know if you call a marine a jarhead would it piss them off or what

[James]

I wouldn't be pissed off. It is a just a nickname, like Devil Dog, Gyrene, Leatherneck, etc.

Back in the days when Duke was a young Marine :P Marines wore uniforms that had high collars - think of the collar on the modern Marine Dress Blue Uniform, a "choker". It makes one look like one's head is screwed on, like the lid of a jar - hence "Jar Head".

[Beloved Shiv]

Whats with the term/name/word/phrase/nickname/alias "J A R H E A D" what does it mean and where it did it originate it sounds rather sickeningly somewhat offernding or i dont know if you call a marine a jarhead would it piss them off or what

Ahh, RTFM? The book explains it, Bub. 'What James said, plus partly the high 'n tight cut.

I don't know if it's worth buying, but definitely worth reading - grabbed a copy from my library. Do it, do it NOW!

[a. enders]

Sounds stupid but the only nick I never got was Gyrene....They have dental problems or something?(granted everyone back in the back days,which are a little younger than Duke,had dental problems,but still....)

[Duke]

In my early years in the Marines--late eighties, the salty dogs (old sailors or fleet Marines) used two obsolete salutes. Today, a salute is 45 degress with a hidden thumb. Back then they would either salute with a slightly bent hand at the knuckles and thumb exposed (actually this was service wide) or bring their hand up like a karate chop and bring it off real slow.
Just remember today its "bring it up like HONEY and snap it off like ****".