Katy Perry Joins the Marines in 'Part of Me' Music Video

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Shedding her sugary sweet image, Katy Perry opts for a pixie cut and camouflage in her music video for “Part of Me.”

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The singer pairs her infectious radio hit with a military theme, promoting female empowerment in the wake of a messy breakup.

The video opens with a confrontation as Perry leaves her straying boyfriend behind. In the scenes that follow, the raven-haired singer decides to join the marines — chopping off her lengthy locks and enlisting in basic training.

The Ben More-directed video was shot in February at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base in Oceanside, Calif. “Part of Me” debuted on Wednesday, March 21, during an MTV Special, MTV First: Katy Perry.

"It's an affirmation of strength, so I wanted to go the strongest route I ever could," Perry said during the show. "Literally, I was like, 'I'm gonna join the service. I'm gonna join the Marines.' We used only Marines. ... For three days, I was a wannabe Marine, which was so difficult."

Perry’s latest single will be featured on her forthcoming Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection, due out March 26.