The Battle for Roberts Ridge: A Ranger's Harrowing Account | SME 011 episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 11, 2025 · 2H 23M

The Battle for Roberts Ridge: A Ranger's Harrowing Account | SME 011

from Subject Matter Expert · host Marty Skovlund Jr.

Eric Stebner is a retired U.S. Army Ranger who received a Silver Star for his actions during the Battle of Takur Ghar, also known as “Roberts Ridge.”In a Veterans Day special, Stebner joins Subject Matter Expert for a candid conversation about courage, loss, leadership, and life after war. He gives a ground-level account of the fight on that 10,000-foot Afghan peak, remembers his best friend Bradley Crose, and reflects on the men who didn’t come home. We also talk about the culture of the 75th Ranger Regiment before and during the Global War on Terror, what keeps soldiers alive in combat, and what it means to come home and keep leading. Master Sergeant (Ret.) Eric Stebner  is a decorated Army Ranger with a Silver Star for his actions on Takur Ghar and a long career in the 75th Ranger Regiment. He served across the Global War on Terror and later mentored the next generation of Rangers—he was my platoon sergeant when I arrived at 1st Ranger Battalion in 2006. He’s known for calm leadership under fire, a relentless focus on team over self, and for honoring fallen servicemembers like Bradley Crose through his efforts with 4VR RIP.In this episodeA firsthand account of Takur Ghar/Roberts RidgeRemembering Bradley Crose and the Rangers who fellRanger culture, training, and the habits that matter in combatLeadership lessons from the Ranger RegimentVeterans Day reflections and life after serviceSupport VeteransLearn more about 4VR RIPFollow 4VR RIP on InstagramNew here? Welcome to Subject Matter Expert, hosted by Marty Skovlund Jr., featuring top experts across diverse and relevant fields without regard to political bias. If you're looking for an echo chamber, this isn't it! In each episode, Marty dives deep into high-impact topics with guests who have been there, done that, offering nuanced insights and practical takeaways, while highlighting their unique stories, knowledge, and experiences.Subscribe & FollowSubscribe to ⁠Subject Matter Expert on YouTube⁠Subscribe to ⁠Subject Matter Expert Clips on YouTube⁠Follow ⁠Subject Matter Expert on Instagram⁠Follow ⁠Marty on Instagram⁠Buy Marty's Books⁠Send Me: The True Story of a Mother at War⁠⁠Violence of Action: The True Stories of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the War on Terror

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The Battle for Roberts Ridge: A Ranger's Harrowing Account | SME 011

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This episode was published on November 11, 2025.

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