Intense Urban Combat in Fallujah | Elliot Ackerman

Marine Captain Elliot Ackerman (Ret.) served five tours of duty in Iraq where he fought in the second battle of Fallujah and Afghanistan, where he received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor, and the Purple Heart. He later became a CIA paramilitary officer and operated along the border of Pakistan.

Ackerman is now an award-winning author and just released his seventh book on the conclusion of the war in Afghanistan, The Fifth Act. The Fifth Act is an astonishing human document that brings the weight of twenty years of war to bear on a single week, the week the war ended.

[americanveteranscenter]

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[ericevans]

I too was a Marine in Fallujah. I was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps. I was with 3/1. We were adjacent to 1/8 and we were the focus of the push. I remember losing my first friend. It was so fast, yet so slow. Time almost stood still. Now, almost 20 years later, I still feel that loss like a fresh cut. What he said about PTSD being heartbreak is spot on. I miss my friends. My heart is broken, and it will never be whole again.

[stylz]

Very articulate guy. Never heard Iraq /Afghanistan war stories told so well. Going to have to look into his books and pick one out to read.

[c.edwards]

“The opposite of fear is love.” Never heard a vet package it so well.

[mkingArt]

What an incredible interview. One of the more honest and unique post-combat interviews I've ever seen. Elliot seems like he would be an amazing leader to serve under.

[kiwi_comanche]

That was one hell of an honest interview. I worked with the USMC in Basra in 05/06 and they were superb warriors. Massive respect from a UK service member.

[GACKER]

Hello cousin Elliott! You served with honor! And you are are credit to the family name god bless! You served our nation the way the Ackerman family has since before we were a nation! MSgt. USAF Ret.

[Orcinus]

Never heard anyone describe the fraternal love within a group of soldiers, the esprit de corps, the building and destroying of the unit in the cause of the mission in such a way. A great analogy.

[mgunny]

This Marine gave one of the best and most thoughtful interview of his experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. He pulled no punches told us how it was and why “love” for your fellow Marine is a thing, doesn’t matter if it’s male or female but a MARINE. And his comments working a a CIA operator….it was eye opening and I would encourage folks to watch it. It is EXCELLENT! Semper Fi Marine.

[jasonhutter]

As a former enlisted infantryman I can tell you that, like Capt. Ackerman, the infantry officers that America produces are at the same time the finest young men that the country produces. Unlike the Rambo stereotype, America's combat officers are insanely smart, driven, self disciplined and goal driven. I don't know how the military keeps doing it but God bless them. In my short enlistment I encountered only one officer that I would not want to follow into combat. The others...I would follow them anywhere.

[calib]

One of the best, most articulate, and compelling interviews I’ve ever listened to

[simonacland]

I've never been in the military but I have to say the composure of this man is astounding and I would highly recommend him as a counsellor for vets, very good.

[leeadams]

Probably the best interview Ive seen in years, wish him all the best

[sumguyman]

"You're heart can't break if you weren't in love." on point there. Well said sir.

[volusian]

His last point was so good, I never thought of that before. A war is a completely different thing when it's all 'free' due to being paid for by building up debt, it can just go on forever and the public will be ambivalent.

[shoresy]

What an excellent interview and so well spoken. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. As a Marine that never got the opportunity to deploy these interviews give me a feeling of selfish jealousy and failure. I have nothing but love and respect for all who sacrificed so much.

[Smootus]

Amazing story of the fog of war, God bless Elliott…. And all the men he served with

[garylongden]

A hugely impressive and intelligent man with a shrewdly observed postscript on the price of war.

[TictacAddict]

The most excellent and articulate description of war and the men involved in it. Thank God for patriots!

[tommychew]

His story spoke to me in many ways! As a Marine it told why we fight for one another, no matter what. And so much more that I would have write multiple paragraphs that only a Marine in the same instance would really understand, not to bust on the basic Army guys who learned the same things and the Seals go without saying. This one was a gem, and I would love to read his book!