A young man from the Bronx, becoming board with school and life in the city, begins thinking of entering the military. He ends up in a famous battle, but not before facing many growing pains and experiences. An adventurer at heart, he planned to join the Navy’s elite Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) , then is challenged by a friend saying that the Marines is more of an elite military organization.

Finding that the Marine Corps is an elite branch of the Navy, and also had Reconnaissance Units that did all and more than the Navy’s UDT, he decides to join the Marines and get into a Recon Unit. However, it was not as easy as he thought. He drops out of high school, and attempts to enlist in the Marine Corps, just after his 17th birthday. He then finds out doing that created a problem from the start. His arrogant nature clashes with an interviewing officer and his plans to enter the Corps are delayed. However, encouraged by his recruiting officer, some months later he tries again, and is accepted in the Marine Corps, in March of 1963.

This book describes in detail his journey through Marine Corps boot camp in Parris Island SC, and summarizes a few weeks of Guard Duty, and the month of the basic Infantry Training all Marines must go through before going to their first permanent duty station. After the training, his plan to become part of a Recon Unit does not come as expected, and he finds himself in a regular rifle company.