Describes the author's childhood relocation from France to the U.S., where as a naturalized citizen he joined the military and served multiple tours in Afghanistan before he was wounded while protecting his patrol from a suicide bomber.

Toy soldiers -- Shut up and listen -- Piss and shit -- The wild west -- Honaker-miracle -- Finish strong -- The last sprint -- Freak on a leash -- A leg up -- A greater honor -- Epilogue: the next mission.