Marines in The Battle of Marjah | USMC NCO | Author | Choices Not Chances Podcast | Ryan Rogers
About This Episode
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Today we hear the Combat Story of Ryan Rogers, a Marine Corps NCO who led Marines during the Battle of Marjah aka Operation Moshtarak which was a huge and intense International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) offensive in Helmand Province, Afghanistan involving 15,000 Afghan, American, British, Canadian, Danish, and Estonian troops, and the largest joint operation of the War in Afghanistan up to that point in 2010.
The purpose of the operation was to remove the Taliban from Marja, thus eliminating the last Taliban stronghold in central Helmand Province. This was Ryan’s first experience of intense combat and we spend significant time on the fighting which began literally after stepping off the Chinook on the LZ. Many don’t know this about me but the Battle of Marjah had a profound impact on me personally in 2010 and was a primary reason I found my way to the CIA (which we touch on in this podcast).
After his intense combat experience, Ryan turned to drinking but then found his path and purpose, writing the book “The Lions of Marjah” about his experiences during this battle and co-hosting the Choices Not Chances podcast.
This is a great one ya’ll. I don’t usually tear up during an interview but this one had me and Ryan in tears at one point talking about the relationships created down range. I know ya’ll are going to enjoy this one.
Show Notes:
Ryan Rogers
Chapters
- 00:00Intro
- 00:59Guest Introduction (Ryan Rogers)
- 02:25Interview begins
- 03:45Choices Not Chances Podcast
- 06:22Ryan's childhood and inspiration on joinging the military
- 11:27Ryan's family's reaction to him joining the Marines
- 13:02Why did Ryan choose to join the Marines
- 14:22Training for the Marines
- 22:38Americans Evacuated from Lebanon mission
- 27:40Does Hunting experience help in the Marines
- 30:20First time you found yourself downrange
- 32:45The yearning for combat
- 36:51The origins of the Lions of Marjah book
- 42:05Operation Moshtarak
- 49:03Relationship with the brand new squad in combat
- 51:53Dropping in the center of the fight
- 01:04:40The days that followed
- 01:18:20Any particullarly hard missions
- 01:25:41Building the bonds of combat Veterans
- 01:32:49The responsibilities of a USMC Squad Leader
- 01:38:19The transition out
- 01:42:33The emotional challenges of being a Marine
- 01:45:44Finding purpose
- 01:49:50Any sentimental items
- 01:51:00Would you do it all again
- 01:52:42Listener comments and shout outs
- 01:54:33Sights Smells bring you back to combat
- 01:55:49Funniest memory of the time downrange
- 02:02:19Advice to 18-22 year olds
- 02:05:48Best piece of advice during your career
