What does the idea of family mean to Ishmael Beah?

Over the course of the novel, we see Ishmael's definition of family adjust and change with circumstances. After losing his family, he clings onto his comrades.

My squad was my family, my gun was my provider and protector, and my rule was to kill or be killed. The extent of my thoughts didn't go much beyond that. We had been fighting for over two years, and killing had become a daily activity. I felt no pity for anyone.