WRITERS ON THE BEAT: Decorated Former US Army Ranger Officer and Acclaimed Author Ray McPadden

Highly decorated former US Army Ranger Officer and acclaimed author Ray McPadden steps into the Interrogation Room to try to get his story straight. Ray joined the Army in 2005 and soon earned his way into the Rangers and its elite 75th Ranger Regiment, which is considered to be the world's premier raiding force. Serving during the most combat-heavy period in this century, Ray spearheaded the first joint-strike force of Army Rangers and Navy SEALs and led his teams in a shadow war against foreign government agents. Lightning raids by helicopter, armored vehicle, and foot became his nightly routine. In 2009, he returned to the same corner of Afghanistan where he first cut his teeth in combat, only to face an unexpected enemy, one that would prove to be the greatest challenge of all. His latest release, "We March At Midnight: A War Memoir," is a textbook for authors of all genres striving to improve their reader's experience and the power of their writing. In this episode, Ray and host Gavin Reese discuss authenticity, candor, reader experience, and the underrated importance of family. Ray's site and works: raymcpadden.com Gavin's site and works: gavinreese.com #writersbeat #writerslife #writerscraft #craftofwriting #writingmentor #writingcoach #20books #20booksto50k #raymcpadden #army #ranger #rangersleadtheway #SEAL #75thrangerregiment #afghanistan #war #memoir #warstory #family #blackstone #mfa #creativewriting #nonfiction #autobiography #gwot #abad #jbad #outpost #weownthenight #gavinreese #gavinthecop