Reflections Behind the Retina is an account of actual events during the civil war in El Salvador. A series of short stories records the political restrictions and rules of engagement placed on the U.S. military, as well as the dangers faced from the Salvadoran left and right political camps. The official denial by the United States government of the combat role and deaths of U.S. military personnel is exposed throughout the text. A brief Salvadoran military history prepares the reader for what follows. Except for national leaders, the names of the characters in the text have been changed.