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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.

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 Ryan Rogers Online: - Ryan's book Lions of Marjah https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Marjah-Combat-As-Saw/dp/0578891220 - Twitter @RyanRog98054437 https://twitter.com/ryanrog98054437 - Choices Not Chances Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqcmxKqaR4dIFFpaJxhtrQ

Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  00:59 - Guest Introduction (Ryan Rogers) 02:25 - Interview begins 03:45 - Choices Not Chances Podcast 06:22 - Ryan's childhood and inspiration on joinging the military 11:27 - Ryan's family's reaction to him joining the Marines 13:02 - Why did Ryan choose to join the Marines 14:22 - Training for the Marines 22:38 - Americans Evacuated from Lebanon mission 27:40 - Does Hunting experience help in the Marines 30:20 - First time you found yourself downrange 32:45 - The yearning for combat 36:51 - The origins of the Lions of Marjah book 42:05 - Operation Moshtarak 49:03 - Relationship with the brand new squad in combat 51:53 - Dropping in the center of the fight 01:04:40 - The days that followed 01:18:20 - Any particullarly hard missions 01:25:41 - Building the bonds of combat Veterans  01:32:49 - The responsibilities of a USMC Squad Leader 01:38:19 - The transition out 01:42:33 - The emotional challenges of being a Marine 01:45:44 - Finding purpose 01:49:50 - Any sentimental items 01:51:00 - Would you do it all again 01:52:42 -  Listener comments and shout outs 01:54:33 - Sights Smells bring you back to combat 01:55:49 - Funniest memory of the time downrange  02:02:19 - Advice to 18-22 year olds 02:05:48 - Best piece of advice during your career