Overview

This fascinating look at the life of a modern-day professional soldier gives the reader an inside view of the deadly global war on terror. Herd argues that conflicting political objectives have muddied the way forward for the on-the-ground commanders and thus threaten the prospect of any real victory in Afghanistan. He uses everyday stories to make his points: ""One of the local leaders pointed to his wrist and said to my interpreter, 'the Americans have all the watches but we have all the time.' That made a lasting impression on me."" Colonel Herd was one of the highest ranking officers on the ground with a command of some 4,000 elite soldiers from all branches of the U.S. military and five other coalition nations. It was a mission he had trained for all of his life. A sixth-generation soldier, Herd became a master parachutist, a combat scuba diver, a Green Beret and an Army Ranger. He conducted combat missions against the Taliban by using the Special Forces mandate to work by, with and through the local population.

Full Product Details

Author:   Walter Morris Herd
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.10cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.313kg
ISBN:  

9780786469710

ISBN 10:   0786469714
Pages:   224
Publication Date:   03 July 2013
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Preface: Six Generations of American Patriots  1  1. The Making of an Unconventional Warrior  9  2. Initial Training  11  3. First Assignment  13  4. Transfer to the Rangers  15  5. Airborne!  18  6. Jumpmaster  21  7. A Lesson in Leadership  23  8. Time to Move On  26  9. Understanding Special Operations Structure  28 10. Earning the Green Beret  38 11. Special Forces History and the “Coin”  43 12. Special Forces Training  46 13. Reporting to the Regiment  56 14. Training for Unconventional War in Europe  61 15. The First Desert War  66 16. Staff Time  70 17. Unconventional Warfare as Illustrated by Tom Sawyer  75 18. The Lware Campaign  79 19. Firefight  88 20. Fire Support  106 21. Returning Fire  108 22. UW Thinking in a “Joint” Environment  116 23. Czech Republic Paratroopers  121 24. The Press  127 25. Fallen Comrades  131 26. Quarters  135 27. Winning in Afghanistan: Understanding the Culture  137 28. The UW Option  144 29. The Challenge to the UW Option  157 30. Bases, Good Order and Discipline  167 31. Holiday Festivities  174 32. Political Correctness  177 33. Afghan and Pakistan Meetings  180 34. Prisoner Interrogation  185 35. Special Forces Soldiering  187 36. Power in the Modern Era  193 37. Provincial Reconstruction Teams  198 38. Learning from History  201 39. Final Thoughts  205 Glossary  207 Index  210

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Author Information

Colonel Walter Morris Herd is retired from the U.S. Army, Special Forces. He lives in Kentucky.

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