Smiling When It Sucks

July 19, 2023 00:48:35
Smiling When It Sucks
The Spear
Smiling When It Sucks

Jul 19 2023 | 00:48:35

/

Show Notes

In 2003, Dan Stuewe was a platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division preparing to cross into Iraq. With only a few weeks with his platoon, Stuewe deployed forward, convinced he’d never see his new wife again. On the day the unit deployed, a soldier handed him some chewing tobacco and a valuable lesson: smiling changes everything. After air assault missions as the unit moved toward Baghdad, Stuewe's soldiers provided him the valuable reminder to smile when times got tough. Combat in Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad, and Mosul all proved the wisdom of smiling when it sucks.

Other Episodes

Episode

July 06, 2022 00:37:25
Episode Cover

Platoon Leader in Vietnam

Few books have had the impact on generations of young soldiers as Jim McDonough’s Platoon Leader: A Memoir of Command in Combat. First published...

Listen

Episode 0

September 22, 2021 00:54:28
Episode Cover

The Decision-Making Crucible of Combat

In 2005, Major General Pat Roberson was the ground force commander for a combined special forces task force in Iraq given the task of...

Listen

Episode 0

March 25, 2021 00:38:26
Episode Cover

The First Living Medal of Honor Recipient Since Vietnam

In this episode, Maj. Jake Miraldi is joined by retired Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta. In 2010, he became the first living recipient of the...

Listen