0330 ZULU
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT PARRIS ISLAND
BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
It is evening, with a quiltwork of stars visible in the sky. Most of the people at the United States Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island, near Beafort, South Carolina, are asleep in their bunks. This includes the hundreds of recruits who had been training for two weeks, learning how to become Marines, hoping to earn the globe-and-anchor.
Among this awake are a squad of Marine MP's near the base housing area for singles. All of them are equipped with Beretta M92 semiautomatic pistols loaded with nine millemeter rounds, and one of them carries a Heckler and Koch MP5.
"No lights in there, Gunny," says one of the MP's, looking at a bungalow.
Gunnery Sergeant George Vasquez nods. Corporal Vaukel, who had served under him for seven months, had just stated the obvious. Then again, the military police battalion commander expects detailed reports.
"We're going in," Vasquez says into his radio.
The MP's run to the front door of the bungalow. Two of them smash a steel battering ram into the door.
They then go inside, with their pistols drawn.
Once again, all is quiet around the base.
Until it is interrupted by gunfire.
The gunfire comes not from the rifle rangles where the Marine recruits practice shooting Colt M16A2 rifles, but inside the bungalow.
"Suspect's down!" yells Gunnery Sergeant Vasquez. "Get a medic here now!"