Primarily documents the life of Earlene Denise Green English and her service with the United States Army and United States Army Reserve. English recalls the exceptional discipline and the survival and defensive skills she learned while in basic training. She also describes how her deployment to Germany affected her worldview once she became aware of different cultures. Personal topics include English having to face the challenges of sexual harassment, the difficulty of being away from her mother, and the honor she felt representing the United States.