If that is truly the case then our country will be better for it. Unfortunately our military lacks a true cross section of society in that most of the more modern "elites"(and I use that term extremely loosely) look down upon or pity those in the military and don't want to do that kind of work. I though Ficks book a little pompous in the beginning, but if it acts as a calling for some then more power to it.

I need to write a book. I already have the first sentence, "Call me Starbuck..."

While it would be a good thing to have more people from elite colleges in the millitary, or at leats interested in it, you have to rember who your crowd was.

Students who take the time out of their way to go and hear you speak will be interested in a book like that. However as a college student I can assure you that the vast majority of my classmates know we are at war in 2 places, and I can n also assure you that:

A. Most, but not all know it is Iraq and Afghanistan
B. Some could actually find both on a map.
C Almost none know what counterinsurgency is.
D. Even fewer want to be involved in it

You couldn't be more spot-on correct about the inspiration of Nate Fick's One Bullet Away. When someone of his caliber went through the path of becoming a Marine Officer, it really makes you re-think the perception of the "dumb grunts" in the military.

After reading the book in the middle of last year, I became more and more intrigued about becoming a Marine Officer. And yes, I have had many great options in life, going to UCLA and then law school, later working in investment banking. However, similar to what Nate Fick's mentality, there has to be something bigger and better than that in life.

Since then, and from the inspiration from his experiences, I've signed a ground contract for the Marine OCS program, hoping to attend OCC-204. Hopefully one day we can all attain the character and standing of Nate Fick.

Nate Fick led two Marine Recon platoons at the very tip of the spear in Afghanistan and Iraq, and he never lost a Marine! And he had the trust and respect of every SNCO, NCO and Marine under his command. I'd go to battle with him anytime, anywhere! As I wrote in my review of One Bullet Away in the Marine Corps Gazette, Nate’s brilliant book should be mandatory reading for all Marine officer candidates and Navy Midshipmen!

...but there is another book that is sooooo much better and brings us to the same conclusion: Mullaney's *The Unforgiving Minute*. Ficke's story is about Ficke. Mullaney's book is about life, a *whole* person using intellect and a strong moral background to navigate less-than-perfect circumstances and mourning losses of all sorts. Ficke's focus on the military portion of his journey (reducing his pre-military life, his family and spiritual development, friends and application of his academic learning, to mere furniture), means that it's really Mullaney's book that has the power to engage the intellectual wanderer. Ficke is "an explainer" of Ficke. Mullaney is the explainer of why intellectual rigor matters in today's military, how he ended up there, and how you could, too, Mr. comparative lit major.

I really enjoyed reading Generation Kill, but I thought the treatment of the officers was a bit harsh, with the exception of Lt. Fick. I figured that would make sense as the enlisted guys would express the attitude of all officers are morons to him and the author would have more access to Lt Fick so he would treat him more fairly. I wanted to read Lt Fick's book to gain more insight on an officer's point of view and found he seemed to share the opinion many of his fellow officers were morons. I did gain even more respect for Gen Mattis after reading Fick's experiences in Afghanistan. I read an unforgiving minute as well and think I liked Fick's book better, though I really enjoyed to contrast of Mullaney's Oxford experience with his West Point experience. Mullaney's book left something to be desired in recounting the challenges of command. Both are truley impressive people and both left the service which is too bad, but seems to be a trend amongst those of their caliber. But more to the point now, since this book could be the new "On the Road" and it looks like overturning DADT is imminent how soon until the Ivy league schools and students demand that ROTC be returned to their campuses?

While I agree that One Bullet Away has the ability to change the perceptions and life courses of its readers, I would resist likening it to On The Road, as I find the comparison somewhat insulting to Captain Fick.

However, I will throw in my own experience with the matter -- when I took my MCAT in 2007, I was contacted by recruiters in the Army, Navy, and the Air Force. I thought the programs they offered seemed like a good idea, but allowed myself to be persuaded against seeking a commission by well-meaning family members and friends.

In May 2008, I read One Bullet Away, and reading it strengthened my resolve to become not only a physician, but a physician in the Navy. Much as Mr. Ricks own speech helped clinch the decision for Capt. Fick to join the Marine Corps, so has Fick's book helped this random medical student seek out military medicine.

... was my last read, still warm in my mind. It is (for me) a hugely compelling story of SF ops on Karzai's march to Kandahar in the winter of 2001. ©2010.

This long season of war started as, and is likely to return to a Green Beret type operation.

Of course, a certain blogger may make a cameo in the first ten pages of Fick's book...

I would say the first 100 pages of One Bullet Away are about as good as they get, but I think Fick loses Momentum (and total honesty) at some point after this. I think this book read in tandem generation kill are about as a good a resource as you'll find on the invasion and post-war struggles.