MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Riding down the street in a humvee convoy in Al Khalidiyah, Iraq, Staff Sgt. Michael F. Barrett and the rest of the military policemen in his unit were heading back to base after a long day of patrolling.

Just minutes from their base in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, an improvised explosive device struck Barrett's humvee Sept. 29, 2004.  Not knowing he would soon face the very real possibility of a medical discharge from the Marine Corps, he was hastily evacuated back to the United States.

Now Barrett, military policeman, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 373, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is fighting on two fronts: the painful battle to regain physical ability and the emotional struggle to stay in the Corps.

"I'm on a limited duty board and if I'm not on full duty in six months, I'll be discharged from the Marine Corps," said the 30-year-old Purple Heart recipient. "I don't care what it takes though.  Getting out is not an option for me."

Barrett, a former drill instructor, received second-degree burns to his hand and face, damage to his right eardrum and severe damage to his leg in the explosion.

First Lieutenant John C. Destry, officer-in-charge, military police, MWSS-373, was riding in a humvee behind Barrett when Barrett's vehicle was rocked by the explosion.

"There were five Marines in Staff Sergeant Barrett's humvee and he had by far, the worst injury," said Destry, a Harwood, Md., native. "The whole vehicle was engulfed in flames, and when we found him, we put him on the hood of the humvee and sped back to (Al Taqaddum).

"As soon as we got him back, the corpsman woke the surgeon and he came running out in his (physical training) gear to operate," Destry continued. "He lost four and a half pints of blood and if we would have waited five or ten more minutes, his situation would have been a lot more critical."

Barrett remembers getting out of the humvee and hearing his right leg pop as he fell to the ground.

"I just thought I broke my leg," the Beaufort, S.C., native said. "I wasn't in pain and I didn't even know I was bleeding, but I didn't care about me. I just wanted my Marines to be fine. I just felt so helpless and frustrated that I couldn't help."

After Barrett was treated at Al Taqaddum, he was sent to hospitals in Baghdad, Germany and finally to Naval Medical Center San Diego, Calif., for further treatment.

"I felt so guilty that I had to leave," said Barrett. "It wasn't fair that I was stuck in a hospital, and they were over there fighting."

To cope, Barrett watched the news everyday, in hopes of spotting a familiar sight or one of his Marines on the screen.

"I remember telling my wife not to watch the news when I was over there, but I couldn't help it when I was in the hospital," said Barrett. "I just wanted to see if any of my guys were on TV, hoping to catch just one glimpse of them to make sure they were okay."

Barrett's Marines kept in touch with the big-hearted staff sergeant through emails and phone calls, updating him on their progress. He has also had his family's undying support throughout his recovery.

"Having this support system definitely helps," said Barrett. "Just knowing somebody cares helps. A lot of Marines in that hospital don't have a wife or parents and have to face the adversity alone. It's a hard thing to deal with."

Barrett had an easy time relating to his dad, a retired sergeant major in the Marine Corps, who served two tours in Vietnam and received two Purple Hearts.

"He understands what I'm going through because it happened to him," said Barrett. "His support, just like the rest of my family's, makes everything that much easier," he said, as his wife, mom and grandfather were also Marines.

Though Barrett got through the toughest part of his recovery, he still has a long road ahead of him.

Barrett now has a metal rod in his right leg and attends physical therapy three times a week. He also returns to NMCSD every few months for follow-up treatment. He wears a bone growth stimulator a few hours each day, a device that directs blood to his leg and sends electric pulses to his leg, helping the muscles and bones heal and regenerate.

"I was in a wheelchair, then crutches and just a few weeks ago I stopped using my cane," he said. "I'm walking now, but I still have nerve damage, muscle atrophy and a decreased range of motion, but I'm getting better as time goes by."

According to Petty Officer 2nd Class Judith Grimes, physical therapist technician, Branch Medical Clinic, MCAS Miramar, Barrett is doing very well.

"He's very gung-ho, and he wants to get better," the Long Island, N.Y., native said. "He doesn't whine when I tell him to do an exercise. He'll give me a look, but then he'll do it. He really will do everything he can to get better."

Barrett's outlook on his injury is optimistic.

"No matter what type of injury you have, combat-related or not, you have to have a positive attitude," said Barrett. "You have to be willing to accept help, listen to your body and know your limits. It takes time to get better. If you do too much too soon, you might be out of commission, and I'm not going to let that happen to me. I want to physically perform as every Marine should, and get back in the fight and take care of business."