41 years in the Marines
I didn’t know it was possible, but Col. Wayne Steele has served in the Marine Corps for 41 years. Now 61 years old, he is deployed to Afghanistan. He’s been a gunnery sergeant and a CWO5 and, for the last 30 years, an officer. One of his sons will retire from the Army before he ...
I didn't know it was possible, but Col. Wayne Steele has served in the Marine Corps for 41 years. Now 61 years old, he is deployed to Afghanistan. He's been a gunnery sergeant and a CWO5 and, for the last 30 years, an officer. One of his sons will retire from the Army before he retires from the Marines.
It reminds me of the time I saw an old soldier wearing an Americal combat patch in Baghdad. But he had broken time.
I didn’t know it was possible, but Col. Wayne Steele has served in the Marine Corps for 41 years. Now 61 years old, he is deployed to Afghanistan. He’s been a gunnery sergeant and a CWO5 and, for the last 30 years, an officer. One of his sons will retire from the Army before he retires from the Marines.
It reminds me of the time I saw an old soldier wearing an Americal combat patch in Baghdad. But he had broken time.
More from Foreign Policy

Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.

It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.

Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.

Congrats, You’re a Member of Congress. Now Listen Up.
Some brief foreign-policy advice for the newest members of the U.S. legislature.