What do you think?
Rate this book
Hard Corps: From Gangster to Marine Hero
At the age of seventeen, Marco Martinez was a thug—a gun-toting, car-stealing gang member.
At the age of twenty-two, he was a hero—the recipient of the Navy Cross, the second-highest honor a U.S. Marine can receive, for extraordinary heroism under fire in the Iraq War. Hard Corps tells the story of his incredible transformation and of his experiences on the front lines of the War on Terror.
Writing with passion and candor, Martinez brings us back to his gang days, detailing experiences that make him “shudder in shame” to remember. And he recalls the moment that changed everything for him, when he spotted a barrel-chested U.S. Marine Corps recruiter at his high school. Immediately, he saw an opportunity to alter the course of his aimless life.
Martinez takes us with him through the grueling ordeal of Marine boot camp and the even-more-punishing training at the School of Infantry to show just how warriors are made. He reveals how he and his fellow grunts prepared tirelessly for battle, seeing combat not as a burden but as a privilege, the ultimate baptism by fire.
For Martinez, that baptism came in Iraq. In Hard Corps, he unfolds a warrior’s tale as riveting, harrowing, and immediate as any ever written. He takes us onto the narrow, treacherous streets of Baghdad, where enemy fire rains down from all directions; alongside his Marine squad as they patrol through the most dangerous war zone imaginable; and into a brutal terrorist ambush that calls upon reserves of ferocity and courage none of the Marines could ever be certain they possessed and that proves the value of every moment of their torturous training. Martinez also recounts stunning reminders of why we the Iraqi man he met whose tongue had been chopped off for speaking out against Saddam Hussein’s regime, the ghastly evidence of human experimentation that Martinez’s squad discovered at an abandoned Iraqi military barracks, and the horrifying mass graves the Marines unearthed in the Iraqi desert.
Hard Corps gives us a visceral sense of what it means to know that you are ready to die for your brother Marines and that they would do the same for you. It tells us how it feels when words like duty, honor, and country are not an empty slogan. And, ultimately, it captures the traditions and ooh-rah spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps and the valor of all the Marines, sailors, soldiers,
At the age of twenty-two, he was a hero—the recipient of the Navy Cross, the second-highest honor a U.S. Marine can receive, for extraordinary heroism under fire in the Iraq War. Hard Corps tells the story of his incredible transformation and of his experiences on the front lines of the War on Terror.
Writing with passion and candor, Martinez brings us back to his gang days, detailing experiences that make him “shudder in shame” to remember. And he recalls the moment that changed everything for him, when he spotted a barrel-chested U.S. Marine Corps recruiter at his high school. Immediately, he saw an opportunity to alter the course of his aimless life.
Martinez takes us with him through the grueling ordeal of Marine boot camp and the even-more-punishing training at the School of Infantry to show just how warriors are made. He reveals how he and his fellow grunts prepared tirelessly for battle, seeing combat not as a burden but as a privilege, the ultimate baptism by fire.
For Martinez, that baptism came in Iraq. In Hard Corps, he unfolds a warrior’s tale as riveting, harrowing, and immediate as any ever written. He takes us onto the narrow, treacherous streets of Baghdad, where enemy fire rains down from all directions; alongside his Marine squad as they patrol through the most dangerous war zone imaginable; and into a brutal terrorist ambush that calls upon reserves of ferocity and courage none of the Marines could ever be certain they possessed and that proves the value of every moment of their torturous training. Martinez also recounts stunning reminders of why we the Iraqi man he met whose tongue had been chopped off for speaking out against Saddam Hussein’s regime, the ghastly evidence of human experimentation that Martinez’s squad discovered at an abandoned Iraqi military barracks, and the horrifying mass graves the Marines unearthed in the Iraqi desert.
Hard Corps gives us a visceral sense of what it means to know that you are ready to die for your brother Marines and that they would do the same for you. It tells us how it feels when words like duty, honor, and country are not an empty slogan. And, ultimately, it captures the traditions and ooh-rah spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps and the valor of all the Marines, sailors, soldiers,
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
5 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 7, 2008
A well-titled book, it begins with a warning:”If profanity offends you, consider yourself warned. A Marine memoir without profanity is like a rifle without ammo. This book is locked and loaded.” Indeed. Written with a touch of humor and some graphic description, it is the honest, raw, story of a youth’s transition from gangsta style thug to authentic Marine Hero. And while I cannot relate at all to the profanity, the slang, the music, or the street life chosen by this young man, I am moved by the choice he ultimately made to reform his life in the discipline of the U.S. Marine Corps. Hard Corps has a touch of the same flavor (though from a Latino perspective) of Zell (Governor of Georgia) Miller’s excellent book “Corps Values” minus of course the gentle language and southern style. Both books are a vote for a mandatory National Service Program for all youth (in my opinion). Marco Martinez went from street hood to hero and is a recipient of the Navy Cross. He is currently on tour with the Vets for Freedom American Heroes, and this is why I read the book…out of gratitude for the sacrifices he made for himself, for his family, for his Marine brothers, for America.
http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/02_...
http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/
http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/02_...
August 15, 2014
You have to admire a guy who writes his life story and he's only 24. He certainly is a hero. I have to admire his courage not only on the battlefield but also in telling us about his life with all its blemishes. You see the good, bad, and the ugly in this young man's life. It's a heartfelt tale filled with wisdom, immaturity, and some ranting. The only aspect of this book that disturbed me was the hazing. Hazing is not good leadership. It's hard to believe the son of an Army Ranger could get off track and take the wrong path. But it happens. Thanks to a teacher who saw in him the good he was put back on the right path. But Marco also sensed he was destined for something else. He made the change. Ten years after writing this book Marco is now the Veterans Services Officer for Orange County California helping his former brothers and sisters in arms.
August 27, 2021
Very good unedited account of what a Marine's experience is. I do not agree with all the author's viewpoints, but I respect his background and why he sees things the way he does. This would be a great book for anyone considering entering the military.
February 16, 2009
This is one of the most accurate accounts of the USMC and the war that I've read. My husband is a former USMC tanker/OIF Vet so a lot of this really hit home for me and was relateable. If you don't like profanity then this isn't for you. There is no sugar-coating of anything in this book which makes it so great.
Martinez's story is really inspiring, but he's humble as hell like most of the Marine's I've ever met.
Martinez's story is really inspiring, but he's humble as hell like most of the Marine's I've ever met.
February 24, 2014
After being married to one 2/5 Marine who lost his battle with PTSD and am now in a relationship with another one, this book was very hard to read. The two men I have loved most in my life were in these same battles. It is a well written book about a man just doing his job and becoming a hero in the process. It shows the discipline of the Marine Corps and how it can change a person's life for the better.
May 22, 2008
A cool book that is much better than Jarhead (which, by the way, this author hates). While this book is a quick read, it makes you think about the life of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in a hole new light. I recommend this book to anyone who has not been in the military and/or does not understand why young men are signing up to go to war.
November 22, 2010
A real heart-warming story of a urban kid who went from a negative lifestyle to someone who turned himself around and made a positive difference for himself and those he served alongside. A story of courage and commitment that younger kids might be able to identify with and with luck emulate. A true hero.
February 3, 2013
(239 pages)
An inspiring book that shows the life of a modern day warrior. The book follows a young man who makes the transformation of a lifetime. There has been so much war in the world as of today and it would bring the outsider into the lives and psyche of Marines and Soldiers.. something not many know.
An inspiring book that shows the life of a modern day warrior. The book follows a young man who makes the transformation of a lifetime. There has been so much war in the world as of today and it would bring the outsider into the lives and psyche of Marines and Soldiers.. something not many know.
Want to read
September 5, 2012Read first 3 chapters. Was decent but definately a hard core Marine. Hes going to be 70 and still be a bulldog. I did not get a chance to read when he was in combat. Ill have to pick back up another time.
June 6, 2008
The most detailed look behind the Corps, and what this individual Marine did to become "one of the few!"
June 26, 2009
This book was very good and gave me a different insight in to what the troops are going through in Iraq.
February 14, 2013
Great book from start to finish about a young punk gangster making the decision to be a man and do something right with his life.
June 15, 2014
Love the book, highly recommend as long as you aren't easily offended by vulger language and violence
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews