Jocko Podcast 508: The Mission Continues Beyond Ramadi. With Major Scott Huesing

Major Scott Huesing, author of "Echo in Ramadi," recounts his 24-year Marine Corps career, focusing on the brutal combat in Ramadi, Iraq, emphasizing the critical role of leadership, human connection, and the emotional toll of war.

• Combat in Ramadi was relentless, testing leadership and forging profound bonds among Marines.

• Effective leadership required taking full responsibility for ordering Marines to kill, and showing compassion for their sacrifices.

• The book emphasizes the critical human elements of war: courage, tragedy, and the lasting impact on soldiers and their families.

Scott Huesing, a retired Marine Major, details his experiences leading Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, in Ramadi, Iraq, during the 2006 surge. His book, "Echo in Ramadi," highlights the relentless daily combat, the profound bond between Marines, and the ethical dilemmas faced by leaders, such as the burden of ordering men to kill and the impact of civilian casualties. Huesing underscores the importance of authentic leadership, compassion, and the lasting impact of war on individuals and families.

Joining the Marines

• 00:03:00 Scott Huesing describes joining the Marine Corps in 1988, not as an infantryman, but initially as a Hawk missile operator, motivated by a high-risk lifestyle as a teenager and the allure of Marine recruiters. His initial four years included service in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, which, though brief, significantly shaped his career trajectory and pushed him towards college.

Officer Commission & Leadership

• 00:07:02 Huesing discusses his path to becoming a commissioned infantry officer in 1998, highlighting the unique experience of being a 'Mustang' (prior enlisted). He emphasizes that his enlisted background instilled a deep appreciation for Marines' time, advocating for training over ancillary tasks. He acknowledges that prior enlisted officers can be both the best and the worst, stressing that genuine care for one's people is paramount for effective leadership.

9/11 and Anti-Terrorism Ops

• 00:16:47 On September 11th, Huesing was deployed in Okinawa, witnessing the attacks unfold on a small TV, which he recognized immediately as a terrorist act that would ignite a fuse for future conflicts. Later, he joined a Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST Company) in 2002-2003, conducting anti-terrorism operations in the Mediterranean and Baghdad, experiencing a very different type of war compared to traditional combat.

Deployment to Ramadi (2006)

• 00:28:41 After attending Expeditionary Warfare School, Huesing was abruptly ordered to take command of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, preparing for deployment. The unit was eventually sent to Ramadi, Iraq, as part of the 2006 surge, a pivotal moment designed to overwhelm insurgent activity. Huesing vividly recalls the announcement on the USS Boxer, noting the eager but naive excitement of new Marines unaware of Ramadi's brutal combat realities.

Leadership in Ramadi Combat

• 00:38:59 Upon entering Ramadi, Huesing delivered a powerful address to his Marines, emphasizing the inevitability of killing the enemy and assuming full responsibility for their actions. He stressed the importance of preventing hesitation in combat, understanding that taking a human life is unnatural. This leadership philosophy was crucial for the young Marines, mostly 18-19 years old, confronting the daily, intense fighting in the 'Malab' district.

Casualties and Aftermath

• 00:59:15 Huesing recounts the tragic loss of Lance Corporal Dustin Libby, the first casualty in his battalion, shot during a firefight. He describes the harrowing effort to extract Libby under heavy fire, confirming the constant danger in Ramadi. This personal loss solidified Huesing's commitment to supporting fallen Marines' families, recognizing their extraordinary strength and the enduring leadership responsibility to them.

Civilian Casualties and Moral Dilemmas

• 01:52:14 War involves uncontrollable variables, often resulting in innocent civilian deaths, which are not mere statistics but terrible realities for soldiers. Huesing shares two incidents: an Iraqi man murdered by insurgents in his home, and a blue-on-blue incident where a civilian woman and her sister, transporting a miscarrying woman, were tragically killed by Marines due to a communication breakdown. These events highlight the complex moral landscape and the military's process of investigation and 'blood money' payments.

Post-Ramadi Transition and Legacy

• 02:30:34 After the intense fighting in Ramadi, Echo Company transferred to Rutba, shifting to support and stability operations. Huesing navigated the challenge of transitioning his combat-hardened Marines to more restrictive rules of engagement. He reflects on the powerful impact of leadership, the lasting connections forged in combat, and the importance of sharing raw, authentic stories, including personal flaws, to help others process their experiences and prevent the lessons of war from fading into obscurity.