US Marine Veteran Finds Purpose Fighting for Israel
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
A former U.S. Marine, C., now a lone soldier serving as a tank driver in the IDF's 401st Brigade, has fought in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. He was inspired to enlist after the October 7th attacks and feels a deep connection to fighting for Israel, though he misses his family in Los Angeles. C. will be discharged in December and plans to stay in Israel, having found a sense of purpose and brotherhood in his service.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former U.S. Marine C. now serves as a lone soldier and tank driver in the IDF's 401st Brigade.
- C. feels the IDF taught him what it means to fight for home, unlike his Marine service.
- He has participated in combat operations in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza.
- C. lost a close friend, Sgt. Liran Ben Zion, during combat in Lebanon in March 2024.
- He is scheduled for discharge in December and plans to remain in Israel.
- The IDF is currently observing Appreciation Week for Lone Soldiers.
A 24-year-old lone soldier from Los Angeles, who previously served in the U.S. Marines, is now a tank driver in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 401st Brigade, having participated in combat in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. Identified only as C., he served in the Marines from 2020 to 2022 before moving to Israel in January 2023 through the Taglit program. He decided to stay, fell in love with the country, and enrolled in an ulpan to learn Hebrew for five months. Inspired by his Kibbutz Naan community going to fight on October 7, 2023, he felt compelled to enlist, believing the army needed him. He joined the IDF in November 2024 at age 22, initially aiming for infantry but ending up in the Armored Corps as a tank driver.
C. currently operates in Gaza, performing defensive duties, after prior combat in Lebanon and Syria. He expressed a strong sense of contribution and belonging, viewing his tank crew and brigade commander as brothers and feeling they can rely on him. However, serving as a lone soldier in a combat unit presents challenges, particularly the pain of seeing soldiers reunited with families while his own parents are in Los Angeles. During combat in Lebanon in March 2024, he lost a close friend, Sergeant Liran Ben Zion, to a missile strike.
Comparing his experiences, C. stated, "The Marines taught me how to be a soldier, but the IDF taught me what it means to fight for home." He believes Israelis are more adept at fighting due to their history of conflict, though he noted the Marines have superior discipline. His parents initially tried to dissuade him from combat roles, but he insisted on experiencing the most meaningful service possible. C. is scheduled to be discharged in December after two years of service due to his age. He plans to remain in Israel, study Arabic, and visit his family in Los Angeles. He also expressed a desire to start a family in Israel but acknowledged cultural differences as a significant hurdle.
This week, the IDF is observing Appreciation Week for Lone Soldiers, culminating in an event organized with the Friends of the IDF (FIDF), Nefesh B'Nefesh, the IDF Lone Soldiers Center, and the Association for the Soldier.