2nd Reconnaissance Battalion represents the top 1% of the United States Marine Corps. As a special operations asset, the Recon Marines involved in this unit train extensively in airborne, dive, sniper and many other special schools in order to prepare for combat overseas. As a member of this elite unit, Jeremy Vandekar was deployed twice to Iraq as part of a deep reconnaissance sniper team. In this book, Vandekar recounts the training behind each Recon Marine and the history and traditions behind the Recon Community. He describes in vivid detail some of the stories from combat and the struggles many veterans face when returning home. "As a former Recon Marine, I know what it's like to go unrecognized in the SOF community more often than not. Finally there is a great book on the training, mission, and overall hardships we face as 0321's. This book provides a detailed and insightful view of what it takes to be the best the United States Marine Corps has to offer. To Sgt Vandekar, well done snake-eater." --Joseph Lacourse Former Reconnaissance Marine "Jeremy Vandekar provides a clear and personalized perspective of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of the most highly trained young men in our country today. Vandekar's experiences and outstanding ability to portray events genuinely makes this book informative, entertaining and inspiring." --Hunter Barnhill U.S. Air Force B-52H pilot "Few understand what it is to become a soldier or to fight in a strange land. Written by someone who survived the experience, this book is a must-read for young people contemplating military service and for the general public, most of whom have little idea of the reality of war." --Laura Tessier Environmental Consultant