Camp Jarhead

I'm definitely into Jarhead so far. I don't think that it drips machismo, or is the simple memoir of a marine meathead. I think Swofford does a pretty good job of giving us an honest look at his experiences, and also does a decent job of slowly drawing us in to a very private, guarded, jargoned, strange existence with some solid insights along the way. Sure there is a lot of talk about PI prostitutes, and unfaithful wives, but I wouldn't consider it random explicitness. There is usually a point or at least a logical reason that these things are mentioned.

So far, and I realize the war has not started yet, Swofford also makes the Marines sound kind of fun. I know that sounds crazy, even as I type it, but its true. Sure no one wants to stir burning shit or get their head slammed through a chalkboard, but the camaraderie, the personalities, the tomfoolery, if you will, really comes through on the page. I would love to hear even more about the weird idiosyncrosies, personality and even physical descriptions of the other guys in his platoon a la Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. Although we get a few random post war anecdotes about his buddies, Swofford hasn't really gotten so specific about his platoonmates during the war yet. He starts to do this a little when Siek brings the new guys to join STA, hopefully he gives us some more in the second half.

It sounds a little nuts, but for anyone that's ever been to sleepaway camp, gone through training camp for a sports team, been back-country hiking/camping, or driven across the country - creatively getting out of shit-burning detail, playing a footaball game in 140 degree weather, funny nicknames, running all night-long, lamenting over unfaithful girlfriends, hazing the rookies - these things are not so far/strange/different from some of my fondest memories of the previously mentioned activites. I'm not saying he's convinced me to enlist, but I can see why people do. I also must say sarcastic humor/beratement of the military superiors e.g. Siek yelling at Swofford after the failed wake-up call, absloutely cracks me up. And the whole field fuck scene was hilarious - reporters watching, seargeants trying to impress the higher ups, so great. It reminds me of being young and stupid and not caring about how mature you seemed, but just enjoying making the best out of bad situations, teachers, authorities...Let's all be kids again and join the Marines!...BS.