Robin is an eighteen-year-old soldier from Harlem, New York, who joins the army against his father's wishes following the events of 9/11. Seeking to make a meaningful difference, he is assigned to the Civil Affairs unit and attached to the First Squad. He frequently questions his ability to be a hero and attempts to reconcile his desire to help people with the terrifying realities of combat.

Jonesy is a blues-loving soldier in the Civil Affairs unit who often speaks in musical and religious metaphors. He views the conflict through the lens of the blues, comparing the terrifying experiences to the difficult core of a song. His primary motivation is gaining experience and saving enough money to open a blues joint when he returns home.

Marla is a sarcastic soldier in the First Squad who joined the military after aging out of the foster care system as an orphan in New York. She is highly perceptive and logical, spotting critical details during building searches that even Special Ops soldiers miss. Her rough exterior initially creates friction, but she proves to be an incredibly capable gunner.

Captain Coles is a twenty-two-year army veteran from Allenstown, Pennsylvania. He serves as the responsible officer for the First, Second, and Third Squads in the Civil Affairs unit. He genuinely cares about his soldiers and attempts to defend them against higher-ranking officers, even when it causes friction in the chain of command.

Major Sessions is a commanding officer assigned to the Civil Affairs unit. She maintains a tough exterior and exercises strict authority with subordinates, though the troops notice she remains safely removed from combat zones. Her position involves balancing military operations with public relations efforts, a dynamic that frustrates the foot soldiers.

Uncle Richie is Birdy's relative who served in the Vietnam War. Because of his combat experience, he serves as Birdy's primary confidant and emotional outlet through a series of letters sent from the Middle East.

Birdy's father is a civilian with a history of health issues, including high blood pressure. He holds clear expectations for his son's future, heavily favoring a college education over military service.

Birdy's mother writes letters to him while he is deployed in Iraq. She views her son as a brave hero and sends him requested items, such as toys to distribute to local Iraqi children.

Sergeant Harris is a non-commissioned officer in the Civil Affairs unit who holds firm beliefs about American military superiority. He is a pragmatic combatant who takes decisive action during chaotic firefights in urban zones.

Victor is a soldier in the Civil Affairs unit who takes intense pride in his military service. He actively contrasts his structured, purposeful life in the army with the criminal gang life his younger sibling has fallen into back home.

Pendleton is an American soldier assigned to the Civil Affairs unit. He is a devoted family man who carries photographs of his daughters with him while deployed, attempting to share his civilian identity with his peers.

Jamil is an Iraqi civilian who helps the American squads navigate local interactions and translation. Claiming to be a cousin of Saddam Hussein, he frequently offers the soldiers philosophical perspectives on the invasion and the true desires of the Iraqi people.

Captain Miller is an officer working to build bridges with the Iraqi civilian population. She advocates for treating the locals with compassion and actively listens to their stories, displaying a deep empathy for the human cost of the conflict.

Colonel Roberts is a Special Ops officer who operates by his own rules in the field. He orchestrates dangerous negotiations with tribal leaders, prioritizing raw military objectives over standard operational protocol.