The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Willinik, Jocko. Way of the Warrior Kid III, Where There's a Will … . Di Angelo Publications, Houston, TX 77027. 2019. Kindle AZW file.

As the novel opens, Marc is just finishing seventh grade. Over the past couple of years, he has been following a lifestyle he calls Way of the Warrior Kid, which includes eight rules and an affirmation. The rules focus on being physically fit, doing what is right, and improving himself. The affirmation, which is point number nine on the list, is “I am the Warrior Kid and I am a leader” (202). The rules change as Marc learns and matures. Over the course of the summer in this novel, Marc learns about ego and judging others which prompts additions to two of the Warrior Kid points.

Marc has two close friends – Kenny and Nathan. He knows Kenny and Nathan look up to him as a friend and as a role model for their own lives. Since Marc has been training longer than his friends, he is more physically fit and is more advanced in jiu-jitsu. He has also spent a lot more time studying recently, meaning he is doing very well in his classes.

Marc is surprised when a new boy begins attending school with only three days left in seventh grade. A teacher asks Marc to show Danny Rhinehart around. Marc notes that he has wavy hair and is nice to everyone regardless of the situation. Marc almost immediately feels competitive toward Danny. When the class plays a trivia game with questions from the things they learned over the year, Marc expects Danny to falter immediately. Instead, the game comes down to Danny and Marc as the final two contestants. When Danny wins, he modestly dismisses it to luck.

The class then prepares to participate in the annual field day. This consists of a series of physical competitions. Marc expects to easily win some of the events that are part of his physical training routine, including pull-ups and sit-ups. However, Danny is better at everything. Since the fastest girl in their class has a broken ankle, Marc also expects to win the race. He pushes himself but not too hard, pulling back short of being exhausted. Danny pushes himself past that point and wins. Marc notes that Danny is on the ground, panting with exhaustion, while Marc is barely out of breath. Marc feels this makes him the real winner and hopes the others notice. Nathan and Kenny tell Danny that Marc is very good at jiu-jitsu and invite him to the Victory MMA where all three boys study. When Marc, Kenny, and Nathan arrive for their next session, Danny is there. Marc is dismayed to learn that Danny is more advanced than he. Marc is even more upset when Danny wins their first sparring match.

Meanwhile, Uncle Jake arrives for his summer break from college. He is a former SEAL who first led Marc to the Warrior Kid lifestyle. He and Marc's mother are siblings which is why Jake spends his summers with Marc's family. Jake pushes Marc to get faster at running, challenging him to push himself out of the comfortable pace he sets each time. Uncle Jake also challenges Marc to learn more about Danny before judging him. Marc soon discovers that Danny spends every day at home to play with his brother Anthony. Anthony has a developmental disability. Jake uses the situation to teach Marc the danger of judging others without knowing the full story and how to recognize when his ego is taking control. By the time the summer comes to an end, Marc has brought Danny into his close circle of friends, run a mile in under six minutes, and added a couple of points to his Warrior Kid Code.