Anthony Swofford (born August 12, 1970 in Fairfield, California) is a United States Marine and author of the book Jarhead, published in 2003, which is primarily based on his accounts of various situations encountered in the first Gulf War. This memoir was the basis of the 2005 movie of the same name, directed by Sam Mendes. The title is derived from the name of the traditional high and tight haircuts favored by the Marines.
In his own words Swoff...
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Anthony Swofford (born August 12, 1970 in Fairfield, California) is a United States Marine and author of the book Jarhead, published in 2003, which is primarily based on his accounts of various situations encountered in the first Gulf War. This memoir was the basis of the 2005 movie of the same name, directed by Sam Mendes. The title is derived from the name of the traditional high and tight haircuts favored by the Marines.
In his own words Swofford describes his younger self, before and during his time in the Marine Corps, as "a reader and a loner".
Born into a military family, Swofford was raised living on a military base. His father had served in Vietnam, and before that his grandfather had fought in World War II. In fact, he was conceived in Honolulu while his father was on a 24-hour break from fighting in Vietnam.
Terrified of being a failure in a 'normal' life, Swofford wanted to join the Marines from an early age, as he saw it as "an entry into manhood". However Swofford's...
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