JUNGLE GRUNT SMOKER, by Matt Hevezi

Slowly working their way up the hill, the platoon received the
orders that filtered back for another security halt. This time
it would be an extended period. The Marines were told they were
in range of the enemy unit and this was the last opportunity to
rest, eat, have a smoke, or check gear and weapons.

At this halt, I shot photos of Marines sharing a single cigarette.
Nearly all these grunts were out of money and cigs. The smell of
the first one lit attracted keen attention from the smokers who had
none. The sound of brush crackling under their migrating boots caught
my attention as they moved in on the sweet aroma of a freshly lit
Marlboro Light. Three Marines shared the popular smoke like family.
It appeared they enjoyed each drag as if were as good as, or perhaps
better, than sex.



2002, Jungle Warfare Center in Okinawa. It is one of the last looks at
U.S. Marine infantrymen with no "real" combat experience. Now, about 85%
of all Marine Corps infantrymen with more than a year in have seen combat.
photo by Matt Hevezi

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