Today on the RealClearDefense podcast "Hot Wash", host John Sorensen and RCD contributor John Waters talk to Retired Marine Major Fred Galvin about his new book, “A Few Bad Men: The True Story of US Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America.”

Galvin enlisted in the Marine Corps as a 17-year-old and quickly deployed to combat in the Persian Gulf. A few years later, he commissioned as a Marine officer and served with elite infantry, reconnaissance, and force reconnaissance units. In early 2007, Maj. Galvin deployed to eastern Afghanistan to lead the first Marine Special Operations (MARSOC) task force in combat. Shortly after deploying, Galvin and his men found themselves in an ambush along Highway 1 in Bati Kot. Before they had even returned to their base, accusations of killing civilians rocketed through the media. Galvin was removed from command and faced a Court of Inquiry, the first for the Marines in 65 years. Ultimately cleared of all accusations, Galvin’s story touches on the complicated and sometimes adversarial relationship between the Marine Corps and its special operations units. 

Read John Waters' article in RealClearDefense Bullets Flying', Soldiers Lyin'

Subscribe to the RealClearDefense Podcast "Hot Wash"

Subscribe to the Morning Recon newsletterfor a daily roundup of news and opinion on the issues that matter for military, defense, veteran affairs, and national security.