I hope you are enjoying your barbecues and discount shopping this weekend America. Crack open a cold one and turn your music up, it’s a three day weekend! Never mind the reason for your day off; don’t let the somber nature of this holiday cast a shadow over your merriment. Go about your lives in the blissful ignorance that is so characteristic of our nation. I … [Read more...]
Broadsword Six Sends: 14 Leadership Lessons from a Recon Marine
Broadsword Six Sends: 14 Leadership Lessons from a Recon Marine Mission Accomplishment comes before everything and everyone. We are a Marine Corps at war and our nation requires sacrifice on our part to protect our freedoms and liberties. This may mean long hours of monotonous work in austere conditions, or it may mean that we pay for these liberties with blood. Casualties … [Read more...]
Wasting the Warrior Culture: The Story of a Marine Named “Frank”
In 2008 my Force Reconnaissance Platoon conducted a deliberate clear of a city called Shewan in the Farah Province of Afghanistan. The city of Shewan was a Taliban safe haven used to plan and stage attacks on Coalition Forces and was home to several of the major insurgent leaders who commanded approximately 250 full time fighters. My platoon was tasked with supporting a … [Read more...]
Marine Force Recon, IEDs to Indoc: Remembering Caleb Medley
I was in a Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) platoon during the surge into Baghdad back in 2006. My platoon served as the quick reaction force for the 10th Mountain Division and we drove laps through western Baghdad along the infamous Main Supply Routes (MSR) Mobile, Tampa, Irish and Michigan waiting for someone in the area to call for assistance on the convoy frequency. It … [Read more...]
Understanding the Mattis Controversy: A Combat Marine Explains
Understanding the Mattis Controversy: A Combat Marine Explains by Baz Khan Editor's Note: In light of the recent controversy surrounding some of then-General Mattis's combat decisions, a Marine Silver Star recipient who personally served with Mattis took a moment to offer an explanation of the now-SecDef nominee's decisions in the early days of the war in Afghanistan. Much … [Read more...]
Recon, Always With You: Tragedy Strikes Aboard The USNS Pecos
The wardroom rocked gently back and forth as the Bonhomme Richard steamed towards San Clemente Island off the coast of southern California. Captain Eric Kapitulik and Captain James Lukehart finished their VBSS (Visit Board Search and Seizure) brief and waited patiently for the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) commander to speak. Col Richard Zilmer looked down at his notes. VBSS … [Read more...]
