A Grunt's Life

2nd Lieutenant Murphy’s platoon encounters resistance on a raid, but a sociopathic mishap lands them on the hunt for a mystery man who is quietly running Musa Qala. The brass play an infantile game of telephone centered around Afghanistan’s “bright future.”

2nd Lieutenant Murphy deals with the brass at the Battalion District Center and learns that his platoon will get an Afghan National Police squad attached to them. Meanwhile his platoon searches for snatch, computers, sat phones, and stuff to steal.

The Marines of 1st Platoon experience the absurdity of integrating with Afghan forces, when a squad of Afghan Police arrive at their patrol base. Negligent discharges and racism run rampant as the debauchery on base hits a high point.

While 3rd Squad is on a mission to detain a new HVT, a brawl breaks out on base between the Marines and Afghan police squad that leaves the platoon with a new pet.

A female mechanic arrives on base to fix the generator and has a mission to smash Lance Corporal Richards, while 2nd Lieutenant Murphy has to explain the death of their HVT to Battalion Command, and Superman comes back from the dead.

Second Lieutenant Murphy zeroes in on Buhtpaki.

Chaplain Kelly arrives on base to deliver some special guidance to the Marines and ANP.

The Marines get too enthusiastic confessing their sins and 2nd Lt Murphy gets kill or capture orders.

Marines recounting Azim’s death let their bloodlust erupt into mortal combat on the patrol base, and 2nd Lt Murphy gets the mission he’s been waiting for.

The platoon goes after Mohammed al-Buhtpaki, and get more than they expected.