The warriors of the United States military use ink to symbolize their secret lives, lived on the edge. Coded symbols indicate membership in elite, highly trained units. Tattoos memorialize battles fought and friends lost. From the shores of France and the jungles of Vietnam, to the treacherous mountains of Afghanistan and dusty streets of Iraq, soldiers, sailors and marines have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In this episode of Marked, we explore the origins of military tattoos, from the ancient warriors of the Roman Empire to the Western sailors who brought ink to these shores. We hear from veterans and men currently serving, as they share their stories of combat and survival, and decode the ink that decorates their bodies.