I remember how it started, remember the time
I was watchin’ Rap City ‘bout a quarter to nine
Commercial said the military givin’ money for school
Caught the bus up to my campus - they was signin’ recruits
And met this dude named Diablo, was some kinda vet
He explained the situation, told me what to expect
He said, "We’ll help you pay for college - and train you for work"
Said I could take computer classes and could quit if I want
But best of all was the fact I’d - have my own shit
I’d have my own space and have my own place to kick it
On top of that I’d travel - and visit the world
Hell, Diablo said the women overseas was the pearl
Didn’t even call my girl - let’s get it on fo’ sho’
Signed my name, took some tests and I was outta the door
A true soldier for America - ready to go
On the road - a vacation’ll be good for the soul

Don’t mind what they sayin’, no
They lie in what they say fa’ sho
They don’t play when it come to war
Ya know they get down, they get down, they get down

I showed up at basic training, but what a mistake
‘Cause this motherfuckas yellin’ at me all in my face
In this dirty-ass latrine, fifty men in a room
Runnin’ laps up in the mud at 4 o clock in the mornin’
Was scrubbin’ toilets, doin’ laundry, and feelin’ the pain
If I didn’t know no better I’d think “Boy” was my name
Same bullshit line - so many bit ‘fore me
Got a nigga twisted up in this illusion of freedom
Fuck this shit - I’m out tomorrow, made up my mind
Everything Diablo said I’m findin’ out was a lie
That’s when my unit got the call, the Commander in Chief
Wanted ground troop assignments keepin’ peace in the East
What a relief, I’m thinkin’ finally something new
Shipped us off and twenty hours later we was en route
Touched down around eleven - the desert was brutal
Then the ground split and caught us by surprise from the shootin’

Don’t mind what they sayin’, no
They lie in what they say fa’ sho
They don’t play when it come to war
Ya know they get down, they get down, they get down

It was all surreal, seen ‘em blow the spine out his back
In a mine field, we was reelin’ from the attack
Seen the MO’s hand upon the receiver, still attached
With no arm in it - set off the beacon, then I mashed
To the first truck, blood and guts splashin'’ my face
Cuttin’ kids down, couldn’t have been no older than 8
What the fuck is goin’ on? Who we fightin’ and why?
Killin’ kids killin’ killers, who the fuck is supplyin’?
I’m cryin’ out for protection, but none of it came
So I dumped in all directions ‘til the heater was drained
But that night vision shit, wasn’t helpin’ us win
Caught a round of friendly fire but it wasn’t so friendly
We simply got lucky - headed back to the base
Seen a soldier rape a woman, shot her dead in the face
Guts stuck to my clothes, body parts galore
If this a peace-keepin’ mission, I ain’t ready for war
And now I’m back home bitter, and sick and contagious
And knowin’ we some bullies, that’s why everyone hates us
Still broke than a motherfucka, niggas is starvin’
And that job trainin’ shit is only good for the Army
I guess I shoulda been a C.O., and kept up a file
Shoulda listened when my homie said we murder for oil
Now I’m fuckin’ with this wheelchair, ain’t nothin’ the same
And I’m knowin’ confrontations more than video games
War is pain