Behind Friendly Lines: Memoirs of a US Marine in Chile

by Mark McGraw

Behind Friendly Lines is the story of a US Marine officer serving as the only foreigner in the Chilean Marine Corps’ most important combat unit. Lieutenant Colonel Mark McGraw arrives with his young family to Chile full of optimism and certainty about his ability to navigate the obstacles of language, customs, and security, but quickly runs headlong into difficulties presented by a tragedy in the home, a commander initially hostile to Americans, and the isolation of his family’s inability to speak and understand Spanish. The author takes the reader far off the tourist’s beaten path on dangerous missions from the far-flung arid northern deserts to the frigid Straits of Magellan where he lived, trained, and suffered alongside the Chilean Marines. Behind Friendly Lines explores the challenge of recalibrating nearly every facet of a family’s existence while forging lifelong friendships and learning irreplaceable lessons. What does it mean to serve your country while learning to love another one on the other side of the world? How does a family adjust to life in a new place and then find that they must adjust again to the place they always considered home? This memoir raises questions about the nature of nation, service, and belonging, while providing an honest view of American foreign policy decisions from a retired military officer.

Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2019

About the author

Mark (David) McGraw

Reviews

[Jamison Shuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an American who recently returned to the States after eight years in Chile so this book obviously appealed to me. This was a nice, quick read and it is written in a casual and engaging way. The author writes about about general Chilean culture, language learning, the idiosyncrasies of Chilean slang, being away from home, and the inside workings of the military. I identified with most of the author’s experiences and the military matters were also interesting to learn about.

I would recommend this book to anybody people interested in Chile, language learners, and military veterans.

I found this book via a random Amazon search and I was not disappointed.

[Truly Trendy PR]

Behind Friendly Lines is a captivating read that us full of unknowns. A story that pulls you in and holds your attention until the very end.  Behind Friendly Lines shares what it is like to live on foreign soil and try to blend in. *I received a complimentary copy from RABT Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*

[Gina Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike anything I’ve read recently, and I read A LOT. I really enjoyed Mark McGraw’s journey and words. I liked the vulnerability he showed and how he really laid it all out there. There is so much in this that I wasn’t expecting. So many ups and downs, highs and lows throughout. I liked the way he laid it all out. It was very well put together.

[Ever Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think most of us are in some way curious about military life in general. This is a great inside look by Mark McGraw. Even better, this is a unique journey and situation. Something you don't really think of when you think about the military. Serving in another countries military has to be something unique I would think.

It's a very well put together account of his journey. I liked the way he laid it out for the reader. It was just enough along the way to keep us interesting. We had parts that slowed a bit, but nothing that was too slow as to leave us wanting.

It's a fantastic account and piece of writing in general. A great testament to faith underlies the entire thing as well.

[Friedrich Von der weth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Chilean Marine and I have to say that this book is terrific. Nothing can be defined by itself, things organizations or people are define by others. So this book is very helpful in order to obtain a picture of ourself.

It is also a well written book, which describes not only the Chilean Marine, but country culture, society geography and of course the meaning of being deploy in a far (friendly) land.

Thank you sir (Mark McGraw) for your time and dedication during your stay , never met you but your story is well know in the Corps.

[Anne Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this glimpse into the culture of the Chilean Marine Corps. Personal anecdotes were woven seamlessly throughout the memoir and provided an anchor for the journey. The story resonated with my own experience living as an American on foreign soil - the challenge of immersion in another language and culture while trying to remain a good ambassador of the United States. The author’s ability to win hearts and minds despite challenging circumstances is inspirational.

[Ramon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a Marine's experience

Great book. I too was stationed in Chile and this book reminded me of the fond memories I have of my time there.

[andrew mcgraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, full disclosure, the author is my brother, but that fact notwithstanding, an awesome book! Mark has a real talent for explaining the challenges of learning a language (as an adult with no formal language training), the vicissitudes of life as an infantryman, the complexities of navigating the cultural obstacles and pitfalls that await those with the temerity to move one's family to another country, and giving the reader a glimpse into what it's like to successfully embed oneself into another culture. Often uproariously funny, deeply introspective, and keenly insightful. Thanks for undertaking the herculean task of writing this book and sharing your experiences, Mark.