Topic: The US Military
I live on a U.S. government compound right next to the official US chancery, which was formerly a Baathist residence. Although the hub of the State Department's activities in Iraq occur within Saddam's old palace, the chancery is the official seat of the U.S. presence in Iraq.

The chancery is protected by a U.S. Marine Security Guard Battalion. While Global Security guards have the primary responsibly for protecting my compound, the Marines are an added layer of security. Periodically during the course of the day, the Marines wander through my compound. (Keep in mind that I live inside the International Zone so there many more layers of security outside my compound.)

Unlike the Global Security guards who carry simple M-4s and pleasant smiles, the Marines generally have a harder, more serious image and frequently carry weapons that carry a larger punch in a close combat situation, such as a shotgun. The Marines also have much better training. The security guards have a few years of experience as police officers in third world countries and perhaps a few weeks of training. The Marines have been trained to be some of the best soldiers in the world.

A few nights ago, while the Marines were making their rounds, I was sitting on the porch of one of the hardened houses drinking a beer. Seeing my friends enjoying a jovial evening while the marines slowly walked through the compound wearing 20 pounds of body armor, I felt a little spoiled.

One of my friends felt the same way, so he called the soldiers over and offered him some soda and snacks. These two Marines were glad to talk to someone other than the other soldiers in their platoon. They also thanked us for offering a few cans of beer, but they couldn't even take a slip because they are prohibited from drinking any alcohol in country. (Though later in the evening one of them did drink a little bit of beer.)

Standing there with two young Marines, I realized that back in the States there probably won't be any real connection between us. I have only fired a gun once in my life and would never join military. All the same, in Iraq, a lot of differences melt away. We are all just simple Americans trying to get through our tours in Iraq.