J.D. Vance enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, right after graduating high school, beginning a four-year journey that would profoundly shape his worldview. He served as a combat correspondent, a role that took him to Iraq in 2005 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. As a combat correspondent, he was tasked with accompanying the civilian press, gathering information, and crafting articles for military news services. In his poignant memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” J.D. Vance reflects on his military service, describing it as a crucial period of growth. He credits the Marines with teaching him valuable life lessons and instilling a strong work ethic. He details how the Marines forced him to confront his own self-doubt and embrace challenges. The Marines’ emphasis on pushing limits, both physically and mentally, resonated with Vance. He describes the experience as a transformation. In “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance recalls a pivotal moment during his deployment to Iraq in 2005. He was assigned to a civil affairs unit conducting community outreach and interacting with local school children.