Life in the United States military is definitely different from civilian life, but it is also different for the spouses and for their children.  Combat Zone,  weaves a story about high school senior Justin who is the child of a military parent. Justin is the son of a Navy Seal, the elite of the elite. Every year before school begins, Justin takes part in the ritual mixed martial arts BBQ with the sons  and their Navy Seal fathers in one of their backyards. “This establishes who’s tough and who’s weak. Who rules but also who needs to be protected. At school, we stick together. The Seals are not just a branch of the military; we’re a family.” (4)

Justin and his father haven’t spent much time together as Justin was growing up. So now that Justin’s parents are divorced, Justin is enjoying their time together. Dad- Colonel Edwin Ladd, wants Justin to teach Col. Parker’s son Calvin , a freshman, how to fight. Justin doesn’t want to saying it’s Calvin’s dad’s job. Dad ends the discussion by inferring it’s Justin’s “Duty”.

After the football game Friday night, Justin and his Dad go for a motorcycle ride. On one of their stops, Dad suggests that Col. Parker and Calvin come on their next ride, too. On a later stop, Justin texts his friend Eric to see where the after game parties are happening. When Justin shows up at the party, his teammate Anton asks for a ride home because it’s against the “athlete code of honor” to be drinking. Justin eventually agrees to take Anton home. On the way home, Anton tells Justin, “I thought you’d be a good person to come out to first…” Justin can’t stand the implication of what Anton is trying to tell him. This is unmanly! Justin goes overboard and breaks Anton’s jaw.  At school, Justin makes up a story saying the fight with Anton was over Allison. The next weekend, Colonel Parker (Larry) and Calvin tag along on Justin’s and his father’s motorcycle ride. During a stop on the ride, Ed and Larry go off together to see something leaving Calvin and Justin to talk. Calvin mentions that he and his father will be stationed here for as long a Justin and his Dad are here. Why? ” ‘You know about our dads.’  ” (39) Justin is about to hit Calvin when the dads come back. All Justin can do is race out of there as fast as he can. Justin is so hurt and angry he smashes the windshield of his father’s car. He doesn’t come home that night. Colonel Ladd has Justin taken out of school in handcuffs by the MP, when Justin won’t talk to him, and put in the back seat of his car. At home, Justin pretends to teach Calvin how to fight, pins him, and tells Calvin he lied about his father. Justin is so confused. His father, his macho Navy Seal role model, is living a lie. Justin starts spreading rumors at school about boys he suspects of being gay. He even tells one of the boy’s girl friends, he’ll be taking her to the homecoming dance because her boyfriend is gay. Justin is out of control. Between the football game and the homecoming dance Justin and Jimmy get into a fight in their backyard. Justin won’t end the fight when Jimmy taps out, until Justin’s dad steps in. After the homecoming dance, Justin breaks Allison’s curfew and scares her by his actions. When Justin finally takes her home, both Allison’s and Justin’s parents are there. Justin goes over to Eric’s house to get away from his father. Eric’s mother doesn’t want Justin in their house, so they sit out on the curb and talk. Justin finally tells Eric what is going on with his father. Eric’s response , ”  ‘I’ve been so jealous of the two of you since my dad split. You know what to do. Man up.’  ” (73) Back at his home, Justin confronts his father. Dad say, ”  ‘ This changes nothing between us…’  … ‘I don’t want to be a disgusting freak.’.. SMACK.  Justin’s father hits him and he runs from the house. (77) Justin spends the night in the high school baseball dug out. Later at lunch, Justin and Mychal throw a bowl of fruit at Eric. Coach Young sees the whole thing and takes it upon himself to handle the situation. Coach Young takes them aside and then throws them off of the football team.  Coach “knows about Dad. He doesn’t care. Am I the only one who does?” (82) Coach Young arranges for  Colonels Ladd and Porter to have a talk with Justin in his school office. Dad tells Justin he’s always been this way.  He can ”  ‘accept it now. I hope you will. … How do you feel? ‘   ” … ”  ‘ Betrayed.’  ”     ”  ‘You’re my son. I’m still your father.’  “(85)  … ”  ‘First, you’ll apologize to Eric. Second, you’ll get a job so you can pay for replacing my windshield, and third, you’re going to get your act together going forward? ‘  ” (86) …  ”  ‘So we know where we stand. Are you going to keep acting like this or will you…’   ‘ Man up.’ I finished his sentence. For the first time in a long time, Dad and I both smile.” (87)

Short and quick paced.