October 31, 2025
Here, a rare opportunity to read a battlefield assessment with our troops in harm’s way. Our son-in-law is a decorated Marine Captain who has served two tours of duty…six months in Iraq and six in Afghanistan.
I did clear this piece for security and similar purposes.
Recently, we read a lot about changes being made at the Department of War. Most especially criticism about the new standards coming into effect, the emphasis on physical readiness and battlefield attitude.
Below, you will read the story of how, while under direct attack from missiles and drones (only a few dozen feet away), he and his team provided targeting and similar intelligence to US assets in the area as a counter measure.
I think it’s obvious but needs to be stated. Should he, or anyone on his team have been wounded, would the troops around him have been in good enough physical condition, and mental state, to pick him up and carry him to medical care and safety? And when we see the actual need for physical readiness, all the criticism and handwringing should stop.
If we are going to put our young people in harm’s way, they deserve the very best opportunity to survive what may come their way.
I am moved to remark that his story is not unique. Many of you have family members who have performed with great bravery and bring honor on themselves, and us all. And no doubt some of you as well.
Michael comes from a military family. On Memorial Day, her mother puts out one flag on the lawn for each family member who has served. It totals 27 flags in all. Two of her uncles are buried at Arlington. And something that startled me to learn: Her grandfather, a medic, served not only in World War One and World War Two but also served with Teddy Roosevelt in the Spanish American War. He was just a kid when he enlisted, and a man of advanced age when he left, although in a support role and not battlefield duty. Incredibly, he died at home in his sleep.
The next time we read armchair experts telling us about what needs to be done, it is worth remembering that the facts on the ground are often inconvenient to ill-advised and frankly, dumb commentary.
I’d also say the obvious. If we’re going to send our best into harm’s way, let’s be sure it should be done, if done at all.
From the US military, a battle assessment explaining why he was awarded his Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat “C” Device, and his Combat Action Ribbon:
“During the deployment the threat level … drastically increased due to hostilities within the area of operations directly targeting members of United States (U.S.) Special Operations Forces. These events depict the dedication of Violent Extremist Organizations (VEO) and malign state proxies to kill members of U.S. Special Operations.” The citation goes on to state that his unit “experienced 28 attacks consisting of 31 enemy one-way attack unmanned aerial systems carrying a variety of explosive payloads,” and on several specific occasions “impacted within 25m of the billeting and operations center.” During these events “[some] personnel took shelter, while leadership and select personnel would take control of close air support assets to identify points of origin.”
“During the deployment, [his unit] experienced an escalation in hostilities beginning October 2023 due to the conflict in neighboring countries and the threat from VEOs and malign state proxies.” Throughout his time in country “Multiple OWAUAS were successfully engaged with defensive countermeasures triggering explosions 40m overhead while [his unit] was seeking shelter in the bunkers.” Analysis from the ordnance concluded that they were “constructed of various means of delivery scatterable munitions and shape charges [having] the ability to penetrate through reinforced bunkers…The evolution of the [attacks] placed the Marines of [his unit] directly within the deadly blast effects range of these precision guided enemy high explosive airborne systems with scatterable munitions.” To cumulate his deployment, “Enemy forces launched six ballistic missiles which flew over [the] airspace. Although the targets were not focused on US/CF capabilities, the impacts were within seven kilometers of the base resulting in the death of six local nationals.”
My son in law was cited for “coordinating higher and adjacent units while manning the Operations center in order to provide the Commander with real time intelligence, while simultaneously supervising the direction of assets. Throughout this timeframe [he and his unit] experienced 28 separate attacks from OWAUAS. Multiple OWAUAS impacted in close proximity 35m to the TOC and sleeping quarters…He was directly responsible for manning the TOC while still under attack to prepare for possible counter attacks, gaining situational awareness, and relaying to the commander. He received direct exposure to multiple blasts from impacts and counter measures interdicting these OWAUAS.”
Thoughts, questions, or reflections? I’d love to hear them. You can reach me anytime at anthony@workingprofit.com
