Jarhead (book)

Infobox Book
name = Jarhead


image_caption = Jarhead cover
author = Anthony Swofford
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Gulf War
subject = Military
genre =
publisher = Scribner
release_date = March 4, 2003
media_type = Print (Hardcover)
pages = 272
isbn = ISBN 0743235355
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Jarhead" is a Gulf War memoir by author Anthony Swofford.

This book recounts Swofford's enlistment and service in the U.S. Marine Corps during the First Gulf War, in which he served as a Scout Sniper with the STA (Surveillance and Target Acquisition) Platoon of 2nd Battalion 7th Marines. After leaving military service, the author went on to college and earned a Masters Degree in Fine Arts at the University of Iowa.

Having seen very little actual combat during the war (like most of the half million troops stationed there), Swofford's narrative tends to focus on the emotional and psychological struggles of the young troops, especially sexual frustration and violence among themselves. Swofford also recounts the profound disappointment of having trained so long and so hard, only to never have the chance to engage the enemy, due to the brevity of the war. The book thus runs counter to most autobiographical military chronicles, sidestepping the stereotypes of a soldier's best friend dying in his arms.

It was adapted into a screenplay by William Broyles Jr.. The 2005 film "Jarhead", directed by Sam Mendes, stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx and Peter Sarsgaard. Reviews were generally positive.