Certainly, when I'd left Iraq back in 2008, I'd been proud of my service, but whether we'd been successful or not was still an open question. Phil Klay backiraqleave Change image and share on social
Less than 1 percent of American have served in 12 years of war, and serious public conversation about military policy is sorely lacking. Phil Klay americanconversationlack Change image and share on social
I always wrote - not about war, necessarily, but I always wrote stories. I tried to write while I was in Iraq. It's not really - I didn't do a very good job, and not about war. Phil Klay goodiraqjob Change image and share on social
Fiction is the best way I know how to think something through. Phil Klay fiction Change image and share on social
I saw so many radically different versions of Iraq. It would have been difficult for me to come back and think, 'This is the Iraq experience.' Phil Klay backdifficultexperience Change image and share on social
Though I continue to tell stories about Iraq, I sometimes fear this makes me a fraud. I feel guilty about the sorrow I feel because I know it is manufactured, and I feel guilty about the sorrow I do not feel because it is owed, it is the barest beginnings of what is owed to the fallen. Phil Klay barebeginningcontinue share on social
A lot of the great pieces of journalism from Iraq showed how important command influence was in violent, aggressive environments, where Marines and soldiers had a constrained set of choices to make in sudden moments. Phil Klay aggressivechoicecommand share on social
You're not supposed to risk your life just for the physical safety of American citizens - you're supposed to risk your life for American ideals as well. Phil Klay americancitizenideal Change image and share on social
I like the ethos of the military and the idea of joining an institution in which, at the very least, everyone who signs up believes in something. Phil Klay believeethosidea Change image and share on social
In the Marine Corps, you meet this really broad segment of the country; you're working with people from all kinds of backgrounds. And it exposes you to the American military, particularly the American military at war. Phil Klay americanbackgroundbroad share on social
