Editor’s Note: This is the first installment in a series on Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. They are preparing for war by training in the California desert. Miserable heat, grueling training and the absence of home’s amenities here make their work exhausting and their down time precious. They labor with little and appreciate the simple. This is the grunt grind, the life of the Marine infantryman.