Primary documents the life of Dolores Gallardo Luhm and her service with the United States Marine Corps. Luhm recalls her desire to leave El Paso, Texas, because she felt she was going nowhere and needed a challenge, and the guidance she received from her older brother, himself a marine, on what to expect from the U.S. Marine Corps. She also describes the disappointment she felt at never having a real opportunity to perform her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), but still feeling satisfied with the assignments she was given.