The Beaten Zone

Today we shift gears.  This episode is our first in a series focused on helping service members and Veterans transition to new roles in civilian life.   Charles Clevenger built a highly successful career as a US Army medic. With multiple tours of combat under his belt,  he retired as a Master Sergeant and had one of the best transitions to civilian life I’ve seen.  Charles offers great advice on r...

Mike Hastings is a retired Infantry Officer and US Army Paratrooper. He served in Sinai, Kosovo, and Iraq. Notably, Mike was the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Plans Officer who played a central role in its jump into Iraq during the 2003 invasion. Mike gives us an insider's perspective into the planning and execution of that operation, a rare look into a misunderstood event of the war. Mike also talks a...

We are joined by Benjamin Sledge, author of the book Where Cowards Go to Die . Ben's personal account of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq is as real as it gets. If you think this is a "shoot 'em up bang 'em up" account of combat, you're wrong. It's a deeply personal account of a young leader trying to make sense of everything. Ben also gives readers a raw and uncompromising look at his life after co...

Part 2 of my discussion with retired LtCol Asad "Genghis" Khan, USMC. Genghis was one of the first Americans on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11. He played a pivotal role in setting the theater and played an unknown but important role in shaping the early days of the campaign. He also reflects on the fall of Kabul and how it inspired him to enter the public space to call for reforms and accoun...

We are honored to host LtCol (Ret) Asad Khan, USMC, to The Beaten Zone. "Genghis" commanded 1st Battalion 6th Marines and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team (BLT) in Afghanistan in 2004. His YouTube Channel, Sentinel, is a powerful platform for thoughtful debate on the profession of arms and I fully endorse his work. Genghis is a warrior and a Marine's Marine. He talks abo...

As part of our ongoing series focusing on Blackhawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment's deployment to Northern Iraq 2003-2004, we welcome Joe Troutman. Joe was a Platoon Sergeant who led his troops through some sharp combat actions. Joe is more than a Veteran. He is also the author of "Gods of War", a detailed account of the Company's deployment. Joe covers a lot of ground in this cha...

For episode 3 we welcome Matt Lillibridge who talked about his extensive time in Iraq advising the Iraq Civil Defense Corps and Iraqi Ground Forces in Mosul and Baghdad respectively. Matt spent a lot of time on the ground with our ISF partners and shares a load of nuanced insights about them and and the challenges of building a capable force while engaged in combat. Matt also talks about life afte...

The first episode in a multipart series focusing on the combat experience of Blackhawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. Rob Robinson provides the commander's perspective of his company's experience fighting insurgents in Samarra and Mosul, Iraq from late 2003 - late 2004. Rob reflects on lessons he learned and how he gives back to current service members and Veterans as a friend and...

John Mark rolls out The Beaten Zone