An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps Essay Example for Free

An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps Essay The book â€Å"First to Fight: An Inside View of the U. S. Marine Corps† by Marine General Victor H. Krulack is about the life and journey of the marines. The author is a legend in the Marine Corps, and this book is his way of showing the world of the struggles and the fights that the Marines went through and still do today. The author begins by saying that the book contains some parts about history and legend and the other parts about his opinion on certain issues involving the Marines. This book is able to touch the lives of many because the author, using his personal experiences and that of his fellow Marines, conveys the very essence of being in the Marine Corps. The stories of his life serve as inspiration to those in the service. He was a former Lieutenant General and as such, everything that he has written in his book is very appealing to the readers because of its authenticity. People respect his opinion and they want to know his perspective on the controversies that have been around for quite some time. The book successfully shows how the Marines were able to deal with and get past their challenges, and it also explores the potential conflicts that may be encountered in the future. The author reviews intensely the very core foundation of the Marines by examining the war where they participated in. Examples would be the battle of Khe Sanh in Vietnam war and the 1950 Inchon landing that happened in Korea. Gen. Krulak illustrates in the book how the cooperation of both the Corps and the Navy paved the way for one of the most unforgettable operations in the history of battles (Krulak, 1999). He also provides an explanation of why and how the United States Military chain of command works the way it does today. This book is widely read mainly because the author is able to portray the relationship of the Marines with others engaged in the public service especially during trying times like the period of World War II. The author has successfully transferred into words the importance of being a Marine and how it feels like to be one, and he has succeeded in showing the world the reason behind the reputation of the marines, and the reason for their existence is not because of what they can contribute to the country but because the country believes in what they can do. â€Å"First to Fight† not only brings a new insight about marines in action, but it also provides political strategies and tactics because not all battles are won and fought in the field, and the Marine Corps has proven their worth and competence both in and out of the battle field. Gen. Krulak firmly states that what makes the U. S. Marine Corps great is their solidarity. They are more than just military machines; they are a brotherhood of people, and reading this book makes a person appreciate the past and the great men behind it (Krulak, 1999). History shows that the United States has been through a lot of war. Some of them are won and some are lost. In the conclusion of his book, the authors parting words are that the Marines should always be aware of what they stand for and meet the challenges uprightly without making any compromises. These very words are the reason why these noble men should be given utmost respect. The country will not be what it is today if not for their bravery. They fought hard for the country, and reading this book is one way of acknowledging and appreciating them and giving them the recognition that they deserve. Reference Krulak, V. H. (1999). First to Fight: An Inside View of the U. S. Marine Corps. New York: US Naval Institute Press.