Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop
The world of private military contracting is wildly complicated. Take it from Morgan Lerette - he's a retired Blackwater Operator, Army Intelligence Officer, and the author of 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq', an irreverently honest memoir that shows both the good and the bad of injecting private armies into active combat zones in the name of diplomacy, spread out over the early days of the Iraq War.
With gut-wrenching tragedy, dark humor, and absolutely insane party stories that make 'Animal House' seem like a Disney film, Morgan's memoir offers a firsthand perspective of how men act and react in war, for better or worse. It's a story of national incompetence, international collapse, and the search for blood and treasure that either helped - or hindered - the American war effort in Iraq. Was all the carnage worth it? Let's ask Morgan.
----------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
10:44 - Eat the Frog
18:29 - Moved in with Grandpa
22:53 - Air Force Enlistment, December '99
38:06 - Blackwater Bound
51:17 - Chaos Outside Green Zone
56:02 - Hindsight Morality
01:13:17 - Diplomats at the QRF
01:24:34 - Epic Animal House QRF Parties
01:36:24 - I Called Myself a Mercenary
01:40:50 - Writing the Book - Guns, Girls, & Greed by Morgan Lerette
01:57:03 - A Mutual De-Coupling, as Gwyneth Paltrow Would Say
02:01:35 - Back to Iraq, with Intelligence
02:12:11 - Time For An Out
02:17:31 - PTSD and The Great Complexity (or: Circuit Breakers - A Working Title)
----------
Support Morgan Lerette -
Get Your Copy of Morgan's Book, 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq' at http://amazon.com/dp/B0C7P83DL6
IG - https://www.instagram.com/blackwaterdude1/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blackwaterdude1?lang=en
X - https://twitter.com/BlackwaterDude1
----------
Sponsors:
Beam
Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!
----------
Black Buffalo
If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more!
Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco.
----------
BUBS Naturals
The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived.
BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.
Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life.
Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order.
----------
Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet
ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:
SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet