Gearing up to head out on a vital mission, clearing operation, or standard foot patrol to take down enemy forces comes with a lot of excitement and no shortage of anxiety.
You can’t exactly watch TV to take your mind off things, so music plays a key factor in lifting spirits and keeping Marines hungry for the fight.
Related: 4 times armies blasted music to intimidate and infuriate their enemies
My brothers in 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines and I faced many major obstacles while serving during our combat deployment in Sangin, Afghanistan.
So check out the music playlist that kept our morale high and our motivation pumping as we were “Bangin’ in Sangin.”
1. DMX – “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem”
Great while setting up a vehicle check point.
(DMXVEVO, Youtube)
2. Outkast – “Bombs over Baghdad”
An awesome song to play while dropping mortars on the bad guy’s position.
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(GeneralGibbs, Youtube)
3. Katy Perry – “California Gurls”
Best song for Hollywood Marines to listen to when they think about them California girls.
Don’t judge — you know she’s catchy as hell. (KatyPerryVEVO, YouTube)
4. Ludacris – “Roll Out”
When you’re “Oscar Mike” in two minutes and need that extra burst of motivation.
(LudacrisVEVO, YouTube)
5. AC/DC – “Thunderstuck”
Best to listen to after a productive enemy engagement. OO-RAH!
(acdcVEVO, YouTube)
6. E-40 – “Go Hard or Go Home”
Awesome to listen to at the gym or when you want to make a legit deployment dance video.
(Alex Burock, YouTube)
7. Survivor – “Eye of the Tiger”
A good song for all occasions.
(SurvivorVEVO, Youtube)
8. Trick Daddy – “Let’s Go!”
When you’re beggin’ the bad guys to shoot at you.
(HQmvideo, YouTube)
9. Seether – “Out of my way”
Perfect right before gearing up for a patrol or clearing operation.
(Randomgunz, YouTube)
10. Kanye West – “Stronger”
When you survived another day in the suck. (That beard though.)
(KanyeWestVEVO, YouTube)
Here’s the playlist in one convenient location. You’re welcome.
What music did you listen to while taking down the bad guys? Comment below.