Anthony Swofford
| Anthony Swofford | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Swoff" |
| Born |
August 12, 1970 Fairfield, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1988–1991 |
| Rank |
 Corporal
|
| Unit | STA platoon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines |
| Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War |
| Other work | Jarhead (2003), professor, writer |
Anthony Swofford (born August 12, 1970) is an American writer and former U.S. Marine, best known for his 2003 book Jarhead, based heavily on his accounts of various situations encountered in the Persian Gulf War. This memoir was the basis of the 2005 film of the same name, directed by Sam Mendes. The title refers to a nickname for the Marines, which itself is derived from the traditional high and tight haircuts favored by the Marines, giving them a "jar-like" appearance.
Swofford was born on August 12, 1970 in Fairfield, California, into a military family. He grew up living on a military base. His father had served in the Vietnam War, and before that his grandfather had fought in World War II. In fact, he was conceived in Honolulu while his father was on a five-day break from fighting in the Vietnam War.
In his own words, Swofford describes his younger self, before and during his tenure in the U.S. Marine Corps, as "a reader and a loner".
Terrified of being a failure in a 'normal' life, Swofford wanted to join the Marines from an early age, as he saw it as "an entry into manhood". However, Swofford's father was against his joining, and the first of two recruiters to visit were escorted from the house. Swofford's father had said, "I know some things about the military that they don't show you in the brochures."
Swofford joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 18, and shortly after he turned 20 he was deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, awaiting the start of the Persian Gulf War.
He was a Lance Corporal while serving as a Scout Sniper with the Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Platoon of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, however during his deployment in the Gulf he never fired a shot in anger, despite being fired upon both by the enemy and his own side.
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