On a recent embed in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province a Reuters team, comprising myself, a still photographer and a TV cameraman, spent almost two weeks living in what can conservatively be described as novel conditions for civilians. These included sleeping outdoors on the ground, living in a dusty, bat-infested room on a  fold-up cot, not showering for longer than I care to admit here and pooing in plastic bags.

But this was all actually ok and very tolerable. I was surrounded by reminders of how, for me, this was a tiny glimpse into the lives of Marines who have been living like this for the past six months.