A Platoon Leader's First Combat Missions

September 12, 2018 00:35:06
A Platoon Leader's First Combat Missions
The Spear
A Platoon Leader's First Combat Missions

Sep 12 2018 | 00:35:06

/

Show Notes

In 2003, Maj. (ret) John Spencer was a platoon leader in the 173rd Airborne. In this episode, he talks about the very first mission after his unit jumped in northern Iraq. He also described a complex ambush in which enemy forces targeted his platoon. Listen as he reflects on the experiences and what lessons he took from these experiences about combat, training, and fear.

Other Episodes

Episode 0

February 16, 2022 00:41:19
Episode Cover

The Fighting XO

As an executive officer of an infantry company at Forward Operating Base Fenty in Afghanistan, Michael Houghton was heavily involved in one of his...

Listen

Episode 0

July 19, 2021 00:29:48
Episode Cover

The Three-Block War in Sadr City

For then-Major Bill “Fenway” Wyman, Sadr City in 2004 was a strange mix of combat and humanitarian missions. Fenway was a civil affairs team...

Listen

Episode

July 17, 2019 00:41:00
Episode Cover

A Taliban Ambush in Helmand

In 2008, British Army officer Will Meddings was part of a team deployed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, tasked with partnering with, mentoring, and training...

Listen