Before we can start with the events surrounding my platoon betweenMay and December 2010 in the Nawa District of Helmand Province,Afghanistan, it is my platoon's duty to dispel all rumors and falsehoodsby explaining in our own thoughts and words exactly who and whatUnited States Marines are.

When people hear the word Marine, they immediately recall scenesor quotes from the famous movie Full Metal Jacket. Viewers can connectwith this movie because they get a sense of the rigors young civiliansface as they undergo the fundamental transformation process it takesto become a United States Marine. This movie is timeless in the sensethat although generations change, the brotherhood and camaraderie inthe Corps remain the same, if not grow stronger over time.

In this movie, viewers can look into the eyes of Gunnery SergeantR. Lee Ermey as he plays the role of the fearsome Senior Drill InstructorGunnery Sergeant Hartman and feel as if they are his recruits in bootcamp. Observers feel Hartman's ice-cold gaze mentally projected uponthem and hear his frightening yell. They can almost smell his rottenbreath that tastes of death as he motivates his Marines and chokesout Private "Gomer" Pyle, the platoon "fat body." Viewers feel theintensity and stress associated with boot camp and catch a glimpse ofthe harsh reality seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds go through as theyare voluntarily plucked from the civilian world and begin the transitionand evolution to become our nation's fiercest and most elite warriors—UnitedStates Marines.

People may hear the word Marine and remember another movietitled A Few Good Men. Jack Nicholson's portrayal of a Marine Officer inthe movie and his famous line, "You can't handle the truth," earned thismovie notoriety and fame. People see Nicholson's neat and clean uniformand steadfast bearing as Tom Cruise (a United States Naval Officer)questions him during a military trial. During the movie, the audiencecan physically see the divergence between the different branches of themilitary and can see the discipline, loyalty, and obedience portrayed bythe Marines in the movie. Although this movie depicts Hollywood'sinterpretation of the Corps, Marine Officers strive to be the antithesisof Nicholson's character and will give their lives to fight for the enlistedmen of whom they are in charge.

Much of what people visualize a Marine to embody stems from bothpersonal knowledge and Hollywood's depiction of us. Movies like TheSiege of Firebase Gloria; Ears, Open. Eyeballs, Click.; Heartbreak Ridge;Generation Kill; Jarhead; The Pacific; and The Marine all display a uniquecharisma and attitude in their depiction of Marines. An objective viewercan distinguish between reality and fiction; however, there is alwaysenjoyment in the depiction of Marines as Titans or Spartan-like warriorsdefeating the enemy in an intense battle.

There is a fraternity-like bond commonly shared between allMarines that is uncommon in the other branches of service. We takepride in our education, history, and those who came before us. Weremember the Marines who gave some, and we honor the Marines whogave all. No matter what generation of Marine we are, we will alwaysbe brothers to one another. The same determination, motivation, anddiscipline is ingrained in us through constant hardships and sacrifices.These commonalities set us apart from the rest and make us truly elitewarriors.

When people hear the word Marine, they may think of the holidaysor Christmas season and identify a United States Marine with theToys for Tots program, handing out gifts to our nation's unfortunatechildren who otherwise would not receive any. They may also think ofthe numerous volunteer projects and networks we as a Corps conductand recognize our determination to ease the pain and suffering of thenoble warriors who were injured or killed during the Global War onTerrorism and previous wars.

Other patriotic Americans may view us as the men and women whoguard the President of the United States of America, with our squaredjaws, bulldog-like faces, and sharp dress blue uniforms that perfectlycomplement our Spartan-warrior-shaped bodies. Everyone knows ofand recognizes all the prestige, glamour, and glitter that are bestowedupon us. Our roars of "Oorah" and the Latin catch phrase "SemperFidelis" are both feared and respected by everyone around the world.

Ninety-nine percent of the population in the United States has neverstood in the historic yellow footprints located at Parris Island, SouthCarolina, or at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.Those footprints ultimately mark the start of the transformation fromcivilian to Marine. There are even fewer who make the choice tobecome Commissioned Officers in the United States Marine Corps bycompleting Officer Candidate School located in Quantico, Virginia.

Even fewer individuals who make this life choice actually survivethe rigorously intense second-to-none physical, mental, and spiritualeducation and training it takes to transform into a United States Marine.However, the lucky few family and friends who see their sons or daughterson graduation day witness and feel the transformation their loved oneshave gone through to shed their societal images and civilian beliefs inorder to live, act, and breathe as and become a United States Marine.

Less than 1 percent of the country fights for the very same idealsand beliefs that 99 percent of the population feel they are entitled tohave. For this reason, there are disconnects in the understanding andinterest in the military by our civilian population, almost to the pointof indifference and sympathy. Many Americans have forgotten and failto appreciate that their God-given right of freedom is only God-givenbecause men and women have made the sacrifice and died for it.

Our inherent rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happinesswere words our Founding Fathers chose carefully. These specific rightsthat are endowed by our Creator are only apt when people can fightfor them to be in place. If we place the value of these rights ahead ofour inherent duty to fight for and maintain them, our great nation willeffectively cease to be. Thus, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "Thetree of liberty must be replenished from time to time with the bloodof patriots and tyrants." If it is not, failure to fight for our liberties andrights will result in their loss.

Of the less than 1 percent of the American population serving inthe Armed Forces, the total population of the United Marine Corpsis presently about two hundred thousand strong. By comparison, in acountry of more than 350 million legal Americans and illegal humanbeings, we as United States Marines are a very minute and elite branchof the Armed Services. This happens to be a unique point I...