508: The Mission Continues Beyond Ramadi. With Major Scott Huesing

Key Takeaways

Scott Huesing’s military career spanned 24 years, from enlisted Stinger missile operator to infantry officer.
Combat in Ramadi during 2006-2007 presented brutal realities, high casualties, and complex ethical dilemmas.
Effective leadership prioritizes troop safety and welfare, even when demanding aggressive action.
Returning veterans often face significant challenges like trauma, addiction, and adapting to civilian life.
Writing a book like 'Echo in Ramadi' serves as a mission to honor fallen Marines and preserve their legacy.
Solid Copy Media assists veterans in transforming their personal experiences into published, authentic narratives.
Authenticity and accuracy in storytelling are crucial, especially when recounting combat experiences for wider audiences.
Post-deployment reunions provide vital support for veterans and Gold Star families navigating shared trauma.

Marine Corps recruits are ranked into top, middle, and bottom thirds based on performance during training.
These rankings influence job selections, with higher-ranked individuals typically receiving priority.
Despite falling into the bottom third, guest Scott Huesing secured an infantry role, indicating the role of service needs.
Huesing later transitioned to an infantry officer, emphasizing his primary goal.

Guest Scott Huesing's unit, Echo and Fox companies, deployed to Ramadi in 2006 as part of the troop surge.
Pre-deployment intelligence indicated significant casualties from the 3-8 unit, highlighting Ramadi's high-risk environment.
Commanding over 250 personnel in Ramadi, Huesing's mission prioritized bringing his Marines home safely.
He delivered a pre-combat speech to 18-19 year old Marines, accepting responsibility for their actions, including engaging the enemy.

The guest discussed the inherent risk of casualties in combat, a known reality accepted by enlisting soldiers.
He acknowledged a high suicide rate among fellow veterans, including members of his company, after service.
Lance Corporal Jonathan Narris engaged insurgents and witnessed the death of his squad leader, Libby, during a specific combat engagement.
Libby's death profoundly impacted Huesing as the first battalion casualty under his direct command.

A large weapons cache hidden in a barn filled with hay north of Ramadi was destroyed using diesel fuel and a HEDP round.
In Western Ramadi, a Marine identified enemy combatants using a weapons cache in a ravine, which was subsequently soaked with fuel and ignited.
GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) was employed for immediate target suppression, with each rocket costing $100,000.
Colonel Ferry approved a high-risk GMLRS strike costing $100 million, affirming a commitment to avenge fallen Marines.

Veterans cope with trauma through various mechanisms, including suicide, alcohol, and overeating, with non-profit support available.
Writing 'Echo in Ramadi' took a year of interviews and writing, preceded by ten years of personal experience, with some needing a decade to share traumatic events.
The guest emphasized accurate book writing, acknowledging diverse perspectives even on the same event through extensive research.
He believes authenticity in writing requires revealing personal flaws and painful experiences, citing an editor's encouragement to include personal reflections.

Marines responding to a QRF call encountered an Iraqi family whose father was dying from a gunshot wound inflicted by insurgents demanding car keys.
A communication breakdown led to Marines opening fire on a sedan carrying a woman who miscarried and her sister, killing the occupants, whose family later received 'blood money'.
The guest emphasized understanding and respecting local culture in a war zone, contrasting it with American attempts to impose Western democracy.
He stressed that cultural change in Iraq requires generations, and security and freedom should precede democracy.

Insurgents in Iraq stored weapons in civilian homes and intimidated residents, then blended into the population after engaging patrols.
On January 21, 2007, Lance Corporal Sanchez was shot by a sniper during a sweep north, causing immediate adrenaline and distress.
Sergeant McKibben assisted Sanchez, who was unresponsive as he was evacuated by CH-53 helicopter.
Lance Corporal Andrew Mattis immediately volunteered to replace Sanchez on the roof post and was subsequently shot and fell unresponsive, less than 24 hours into the operation.

Colonel Boudreaux reassured the guest about his decision to raid mosques suspected of storing weapons, despite protocol, confirming they were safe havens.
Boudreaux later questioned the unit's discipline upon seeing Marines in casual attire at their forward operating base, leading to a discussion about unit readiness.
The guest defended his First Sergeant, Tom Foster, highlighting his effectiveness and dedication despite not being a typical infantryman.
Colonel Boudreaux granted the guest more autonomy after acknowledging the Marines' need to decompress from extensive combat patrols.

A memorial service for eight fallen Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, was held on June 15, 2007, at Camp San Mateo.
Families offered comfort and support to grieving Marines, highlighting a powerful display of affection and loyalty amidst their own pain.
The guest's book, 'Echo in Ramadi,' includes biographies for each individual mentioned, providing context and relatability for readers.
The transition home was described as challenging due to the 'absence of friction' and the difficulty of replacing the combat adrenaline rush.

The guest retired after 24 years of service due to combat injuries and a desire to stop when military service ceased being enjoyable.
After an unappealing private sector job, he began writing 'Echo in Ramadi,' sharing struggles with pain, medication, and alcohol.
A drunk driving incident led to a personal rock bottom, prompting him to stop drinking for a year and re-evaluate his perspective on alcohol.
He later helped Marine Raider Ivan Ingram transition to writing, developing a comprehensive syllabus covering story arcs, character development, and publishing.
Solid Copy Media LLC was created to formalize writing instruction, connecting aspiring writers with industry professionals.

The guest discussed 'Stolen Valor' within the context of 'The Rifle 2,' documenting instances of individuals falsely claiming military service.
He connected Fred Galvin, author of 'A Few Bad Men' (about the Marsox 7), with his editor to enhance the manuscript, praising the book's quality.
He helped promote 'Forged in Chaos' by Delta Force operator Tyler Gray, soliciting blurbs from authors like Jack Carr and Scott Mann.
His 'hybrid' role involves going beyond typical agent duties, offering genuine care and assistance to veteran authors in the publishing process.

The guest advises accuracy and conservatism in storytelling for media companies to maintain credibility and avoid embellishment.
He differentiates between emotional storytelling for small groups and the factual requirements for published books, cautioning against exaggerations.
Client acquisition relies on word-of-mouth, emphasizing his genuine care for clients and their stories, which sets him apart from typical agents.
He works with various clients, including co-writers and the CEO of Johnsonville Foods, Ralph Stayer, whose first book sold 450,000 copies.