Green Beret | Operation Pineapple Express | Evacuated Afghan Allies from Kabul | Last Man Out Writer | Scott Mann

EXCLUSIVE - This episode was sponsored by Ten Thousand, a clothing brand for tough, durable gear for the outdoors, working out, and a more active lifestyle. I just took mine to Alaska and they held up like a champ. They also use former Special Operators to test and improve their clothing, which you know we love on Combat Story! Check out https://tenthousand.cc/combatstory and get 15% off and help Combat Story continue to grow! I got their long sleeve t-shirt and it was awesome. Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 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. Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Scott Online: - Scott's Website: scottmann.com - Scott's Linktree https://linktr.ee/rooftop_leadership - Scott's Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ - Instagram @scottmannauthor https://www.instagram.com/scottmannauthor/ - Facebook @Scott Mnn https://www.facebook.com/ScottMannAuthor - Twitter @RooftopLeader https://twitter.com/RooftopLeader - RooftopLeader Podcast https://linktr.ee/rooftoppodcast - Rooftop Leadership Website https://rooftopleadership.com/ Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  1:08 - Guest Introduction (Scott Mann) 2:17 - Interview Begins  2:54 - Last Christmas I evacuated Afghans out of Afghanistan 7:18 - Scott's ability to thrive in uncomfortable enviornments 8:39 - Scott's whiteboard with the first Afghan Evacuation plans 10:20 - Scott's childhood and planting the seeds of a Leader 12:09 - Scott's first encounter with a Green Beret Soldier 15:07 - What influenced Scott to join the Military 15:45 - Scott's opinion on bullies and the Military 16:35 - Scott's trejectory to end up in Special Forces 18:46 - Scott's battle with alcoholism in the Quartermaster Branch 21:14 - The value Quartermaster service had on Scott's knowledge and career 24:57 - The reputation of 7th group 26:17 - First assignment with the 7th group in Peru/Ecuador conflict 34:33- Cliff Patterson and the affects of 9/11 42:42 - Scott's advice on loss and grief 46:49 - 1st time outside the wire in Afghanistan 51:07 - Scott's experience with the Afghan National Special Forces 58:16 - Afghan National Army's first encounter with the Taliban 01:07:51 - Operation Pineapple Express 01:26:52 - Last Out: Elegy of A Green Beret 01:30:00 - Is there any sentimental items you brought with you into combat? 01:33:00 - Would you do it all again? 01:34:39 -  Listener comments and shout outs