Discussion Question #2

Explain whether or not Robin has become more adapted to the lifestyle in Iraq.

Robin has become much more comfortable about being in Iraq, especially the combat. At this point in the book Robin has been in combat for a few weeks. This has all been a huge change for Robin. He has now seen death, sorrow, gunfire, open combat, and a lot more that he would have never experienced if he had not joined the military.

Robin went from being an average kid, to being a member of the United States Army on active duty in Iraq. "... dying becomes so casual you don't even notice it sitting next to you" (125). When Robin saw his first death he was devastated. He had never seen anything like it. He keeps growing stronger and stronger, and the things that may have been hard on him before may not be so hard anymore. Death is just one struggle of being in combat, but Robin is learning to cope with it, and adapt to his new life in Iraq.