Green Beret | Operation Pineapple Express | Evacuated Afghan Allies | Last Man Out | Scott Mann
About This Episode
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Today we hear the Combat Story of Scott Mann, a long time Green Beret in the pre- and post-9/11 era. Ten years after his army service, he gained notoriety for his role leading what is now known as Operation Pineapple Express in August 2021 when he and a large group of veterans and active duty service members helped evacuate 1,000 Afghans as the Taliban returned to power and what was sure to be brutal retribution.
Scott served in the jungle and mountainous terrain of South America and spent years in Afghanistan executing a combination of direct action and village stability operations. Like any Green Beret we’ve interviewed, Scott’s desire to work with, by, and through local forces shines through.
He’s gone on to write several books in addition to Operation Pineapple Express, a play called Last Out that the Gary Sinese Foundation is helping to turn into a larger production, and a leadership company called Rooftop Leadership, all of which leverage the experiences he had in combat.
I hope you enjoy this very real and raw Combat Story with someone who never gave up helping others as much as I did.
Show Notes:
Scott Mann
Chapters
- 0:00Intro
- 1:08Guest Introduction (Scott Mann)
- 2:17Interview Begins
- 2:54Last Christmas I evacuated Afghans out of Afghanistan
- 7:18Scott's ability to thrive in uncomfortable enviornments
- 8:39Scott's whiteboard with the first Afghan Evacuation plans
- 10:20Scott's childhood and planting the seeds of a Leader
- 12:09Scott's first encounter with a Green Beret Soldier
- 15:07What influenced Scott to join the Military
- 15:45Scott's opinion on bullies and the Military
- 16:35Scott's trejectory to end up in Special Forces
- 18:46Scott's battle with alcoholism in the Quartermaster Branch
- 21:14The value Quartermaster service had on Scott's knowledge and career
- 24:57The reputation of 7th group
- 26:17First assignment with the 7th group in Peru/Ecuador conflict
- 34:33Cliff Patterson and the affects of 9/11
- 42:42Scott's advice on loss and grief
- 46:491st time outside the wire in Afghanistan
- 51:07Scott's experience with the Afghan National Special Forces
- 58:16Afghan National Army's first encounter with the Taliban
- 01:07:51Operation Pineapple Express
- 01:26:52Last Out: Elegy of A Green Beret
- 01:30:00Is there any sentimental items you brought with you into combat?
- 01:33:00Would you do it all again?
- 01:34:39Listener comments and shout outs
