Based upon a true story and a book by the same name, "Jarhead" refers to the high and tight haircut, and the self-proclaimed empty vessel thinking of being a Marine. That’s not to say Marines are non-thinking. It does however refer to the kill or be killed indoctrination of what being a soldier means. In war, the primary purpose is to kill, unless the opponent peacefully and quickly submits to your will. The sole purpose of a foot soldier is to follow orders.

Taking a detour from college and dead-end, minimum wage paying jobs, Anthony Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal) joins the Marines. During his basic training at Camp Pendleton, California, we get the raw drill sergeant treatment so that the recruits can make a quick transition from civilian to military life. Anthony is selected to be a sharpshooter because of his marksman skills. Fellow recruit Troy (Peter Sarsgaard) is assigned as his teammate and spotter.

Set on the eve of the 1^st Gulf War, Anthony and Troy are soon in the deserts of the Middle East, bored to distraction and waiting for the war to start. Under the leadership of Lt. Col Kazinski (Chris Cooper) and Sgt. Siek (Jamie Foxx), the recent graduates from boot camp pass away the time by further training, masturbation, dirty jokes and the not so slippery slope of wives and girlfriends telling them they have been replaced by new lovers.

The Marines have a solution for every problem one can think of other than going crazy. Boredom and the uncertainty in one’s personal life can slowly drive a lot of men in that direction.

The film does a fiercely realistic job of allowing us to feel what it’s like to be in a war time, Middle East situation¾ much more so than the fine TV drama "Over There." The acting is excellent and the sound effects carry you into the war zone. The high level of testosterone in the film becomes somewhat numbing after about 90 minutes with the constant cursing, military games, mooning and sexual bravado.

Saving the film is the arc that takes place when the young men are back home as civilians. While there is a lot of humor in the film, looking from afar it’s a sad story. The film also helps us understand the difference between supporting our troops as compared to the politicians that assign them their mission. Once you’ve pulled the trigger on a rifle in a war zone, the feeling you had at that time is something you never forget.