When the water was ready, he soaked a hot towel, and placed it on his head. It felt good, both the ritual and the nearly shocking heat before entering the cold of battle. His hair was already a short stubble, but it had grown out a week or two, and Turtle began to shave his head with a straight razor.

It felt good. With each slow, methodic slide of the blade, Turtle said another prayer to his Savior.

A minute later he dressed with thin body armor beneath, geared up, and went back outside to join his team, his family.