Among the People: U.S. Marines in Iraq - Marine Corps Civil Affairs Group (CAG), Fallujah, Advisory Support Teams (ASTs), Military Training Teams (MTTs)

Since Vietnam, we have come to realize that today's conflicts involve more than victory in battle to succeed. We need to win the hearts and minds of the people as well as the firelights in order to prevail. Ironically, Marines get this. Their legendary courage and tenacity on the battlefield is equally matched by their compassion and engagement with the traumatized civilian population. Marine General Jim Mattis summed it up best when he said, "We can be your worst enemy or your best friend."

In the al Anbar Province in Iraq there is an astonishing turnaround taking place. The people in this Marine area of responsibility are rejecting violence and radicalism. No doubt we will study this positive change in years to come to better understand why this province went from the most violent and troubled area of Iraq to a hailed success story. In no small measure, the commitment, patience, and determination of the Marines to connect to the people, to address their needs, and to gain their trust contributed to this success.

This book captures, in moving photographs, the day-to-day efforts of our Marines' civil affairs work with the Iraqi people. These photos will touch your hearts as the actions they depict touched the hearts of those Iraqis who lived through the turmoil in al Anbar. Our American pride in the fighting prowess of our Marines is equally felt for their demonstrated compassion.

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