• Aprill Brandon •
• Originally published July 12, 2008 at 12:03 a.m., updated July 12, 2008 at 12:03 a.m.

The HBO mini-series “Generation Kill,” which premieres Sunday, tells the true story of the Marines who led the drive into Baghdad in 2003. And one of Victoria’s own helped make it.

Former Cpl. Jeffrey Carisalez, a 1999 Stroman High School graduate, is not only depicted in the series as a member of the 1st Reconnaissance Marines that led the invasion into Iraq, but also acted as a military adviser on the set and landed a small role in the show.

The mini-series follows a group of Recon Marines on their way from Kuwait to Baghdad. Back in 2003, Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright was embedded with the unit and the series is based on his book of the same name.

“It’s not a documentary, but more like a non-fiction film,” Carisalez said. “Most of it is reality, what really happened. It’s quite accurate.”

Carisalez, 27, was studying at Texas A&M University when he got a call from a service buddy he had served with in Iraq. Former Staff Sgt. Eric Kocher was serving as head technical adviser on the series, which was being filmed in Africa, and asked Carisalez to help him.

“I was reluctant at first and turned him down a couple of times. I was hesitant to quit school,” he said. “But then I realized I may never get the chance to see Africa again and decided to take the job.”

Working as an adviser and as a set mechanic on the military vehicles, Carisalez also stepped up when the director needed an American to play a small role. Although he says he’s not an actor by any means, Carisalez also snagged a role in director Paul Greengrass’ upcoming movie “Green Zone” and may have gotten another role in a third film.

“I plan to go back to school and graduate and after that, I may have another film that will be shooting in Central America,” he said. “But if I don’t, it’s no big deal. I didn’t get into the industry to act.”

The seven-hour mini-series is being produced by Ed Burns and David Smith, the men behind HBO’s popular series “The Wire.”

According to HBO.com, the gritty drama focuses on the young Marines’ experience at the very beginning of the Iraq War as they deal with equipment shortages, incompetent commanding officers and an unclear strategy.

“Generation Kill” premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO.

Aprill Brandon is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6514 or abrandon@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.

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