In the gray area

This is the memoir of the leader of a U.S. Marine advisor team embedded with an Iraqi army infantry battalion in 2008. He addresses the realities of the Marines' mission as he reflects on challenges they and their Iraqi counterparts faced in their struggle to gain control of al-Anbar province. He explores the bonds he formed with his men, the "Outlanders" and the tenuous relationships forged between the American and Iraqi soldiers whose cultures were so vastly different. Reflections on the difficulties are posed by a possibly premature American departure from Iraq and questions if the advisor mission is really the key to an American exit of Iraq are asked.