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EPISODE · Sep 12, 2018 · 35 MIN

A Platoon Leader's First Combat Missions

from The Spear · host Modern War Institute at West Point

In 2003, Maj. (ret) John Spencer was a platoon leader in the 173rd Airborne. In this episode, he talks about the very first mission after his unit jumped in northern Iraq. He also described a complex ambush in which enemy forces targeted his platoon. Listen as he reflects on the experiences and what lessons he took from these experiences about combat, training, and fear.

What this episode covers

In 2003, Maj. (ret) John Spencer was a platoon leader in the 173rd Airborne. In this episode, he talks about the very first mission after his unit jumped in northern Iraq. He also described a complex ambush in which enemy forces targeted his platoon. Listen as he reflects on the experiences and what lessons he took from these experiences about combat, training, and fear.

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A Platoon Leader's First Combat Missions

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How long is this episode of The Spear?

This episode is 35 minutes long.

When was this The Spear episode published?

This episode was published on September 12, 2018.

What is this episode about?

In 2003, Maj. (ret) John Spencer was a platoon leader in the 173rd Airborne. In this episode, he talks about the very first mission after his unit jumped in northern Iraq. He also described a complex ambush in which enemy forces targeted his...

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