Operation Iraqi Freedom in large part depends on young hardbodies who once coped only with acne and adolescent angst.

One such newly minted warrior is Nick Jones, a family friend whose other previous challenges were video games, water polo and gaining Eagle Scout status.

Jones, a Marine Corps lance corporal, sent his most recent e-mail from Kuwait’s Camp Commando—just before the start of hostilities.

Boot camp first transformed Jones from a bulky teenager into a lean, mean fighting machine capable of eating nails.

Next came a year of mastering the intricacies of a portable satellite imaging system capable of exactly pinpointing bad guys on nearby battlefields.

Now that the war zone is relatively calm, Nick and his buddies soon may be sending and receiving e-mail once again.

If you’re inclined to communicate one-on-one with an American hero, e-mail Nick at chronick01@aol.com. (20 APRIL 2003)