Lieutenant Jack Porter

Jack is the main character and narrator of the story. The novel begins 5 months into Jack’s tour of duty in Iraq in the town of Ashuriyah, where Jack acts as platoon leader of Hotspur. Jack is a college graduate and a senior member of the staff at the outpost, answering only to Captain Vrettos. Jack’s call sign is Hotspur 6.

Jack is intelligent and well-read, frequently making reference to T.E. Lawrence, Tennyson, Yeats, and Caesar. He is also idealistic in the beginning of the novel, believing in the good of the mission in Iraq and that following protocol is the most efficient way to operate. However, as the novel progresses, Jack acquires many of the traits that Chambers possesses, such a disregard to regulations and a focus on survival over the mission.

Jack has a contentious relationship with Sergeant Chambers, who he believes is...