Silvana 's review
rating:
bookshelves:
military-political-espionage,
nonfiction,
own
recommended for: everyone
Welcome to the Suck.
Being a jarhead is frustrating. At least, that's what been described so vividly by Anthony Swofford.
Jarhead means a member of the United States Marine Corps. When used by civilians it could be considered derogatory, but it is used often among Marines. The term originates from the "high and tight" haircut that many Marines have, which makes their head look like a jar. It did NOT originate from their uniform or cover.
This book reminded me of another novel, Catch-22, although not as witty as that famous satire. Jarhead is non-fiction. The writer, a former Marine from the Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA, pronounced "stay") Scout/Sniper Platoon, deployed in Iraq during the First Gulf War.
Oh and this book also reminds me of Full Metal Jacket. Nasty boot camps, vicious "battlefield", and battlefield here includes the unfriendly desert weather, heavy, overloaded dysfunctional gears that have to be carried all the way during pat...more
Welcome to the Suck.
Being a jarhead is frustrating. At least, that's what been described so vividly by Anthony Swofford.
Jarhead means a member of the United States Marine Corps. When used by civilians it could be considered derogatory, but it is used often among Marines. The term originates from the "high and tight" haircut that many Marines have, which makes their head look like a jar. It did NOT originate from their uniform or cover.
This book reminded me of another novel, Catch-22, although not as witty as that famous satire. Jarhead is non-fiction. The writer, a former Marine from the Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA, pronounced "stay") Scout/Sniper Platoon, deployed in Iraq during the First Gulf War.
Oh and this book also reminds me of Full Metal Jacket. Nasty boot camps, vicious "battlefield", and battlefield here includes the unfriendly desert weather, heavy, overloaded dysfunctional gears that have to be carried all the way during patrols, stupid COs who wanted their own glory, and of course, inevitable loneliness.
Loneliness is an important issue here. Although by being a Marine - which means you got the chance of lots of foreign "encounters" with women all around the globe, depends where you'll be stationed at - there is still longing for true love for those macho grunts. They have this "Hall of Shame" board where they put the photos of unfaithful wives and girlfriends.
The frustration in war (even before any combat is started) makes the Marines prone to sudden outburst of emotion. Suicidal attempt is not uncommon. The author described his own experience which made me shiver. I guess all the jarheads must've had psychological disturbance, at least minor.
Like most of war memoirs, this book provides a number of stories on heroic acts. Such acts must not necessarily being performed in battle, mind you. There's this one time, that a fellow jarhead sniper offered a hug for anyone who wanted it, before they went on a dangerous combat patrol. Firstly, only a number of people accepted this offer, but eventually, all the platoon members ended up hugging each other. Why? They need such comfort and the soldier who started it made all his comrades felt better by just a simple act of hugging.
One thing that tickled me when reading this book is that the author, as a member of an "elite" platoon, NEVER fired his weapon to kill an enemy, just because he's not given the chance to do that. The Marines believes their own saying that the most dangerous thing is the world is a Marine and his rifle. STA platoon is probably the most skilled and equipped sniper unit in the whole theater. However, the author does not regret it. Good for him, since I don't think I'll be able to accept it (with all those training and you got to shoot camels? what a pity....)
Another interesting issue is unnecessary errors in war, such as friendly fire, are STILL occur despite all the technology development. Imagine if you're in your fighting hole (that's a marine term for the army's foxhole), then you're being blasted by M60A1 tanks. Your own goddamn tanks. The sad thing is, I still hear news about friendly fires until now. What a stupid way to die. However, to err is human, right?
Finally, I've come to understand the feeling of these jarheads, after the war is over, they who have fathers, uncles, grandpas that served in previous wars (WW II, Korea, Vietnam, etc), came up with these questions: Did we fight? Was that combat? Why I feel nothing happened?
Well, because the definition of war has changed. First Gulf War, as the first major war fought after the end of the Cold War, is an operation, not a war. I concur with that opinion.
All in all, this is a great book. Brutal. Honest. Ferocious. I had a blast reading it and will recommend it as one of the must-read war memoirs. Semper Fi!...less
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
flag
Jarhead