The rules are drawn up by lawyers who are trying to protect the admirals and generals from the politicians; they’re not written by people who are worried about the guys on the ground getting shot.

I would love for people to be able to think of me as a guy who stood up for what he believed in and helped make a difference for the vets.

I don’t shoot people with Korans. I’d like to, but I don’t.

Other people are talking about writing books about my life, or about some of the things I've done. I find it strange, but I also feel it's my life and my story, and I guess I better be the one to get it on paper the way it actually happened.

MY REGRETS ARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE I COULDN’T SAVE—Marines, soldiers, my buddies. I still feel their loss. I still ache for my failure to protect them.

It's not a problem taking out someone who wants your people dead. That's not a problem at all.

I thought I should be stronger than was possible.