Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield

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The brutal legacy of the Battle of Iwo Jima—America’s bloodiest Marine Corps battle. Drawing from Marine Colonel Joseph H. Alexander’s powerful article Combat Leadership at Iwo Jima, they unpack the sheer scale, strategy, and human cost of the fight. Jocko highlights the critical role of combat experience, disciplined training, and small-unit leadership in surviving such savage conditions. The conversation also explores modern SEAL training, live fire exercises, and how simulated chaos prepares warriors for real-world battlefield mistakes—especially the deadly consequences of “blue-on-blue.” This is a sobering reflection on war, preparation, and the will to lead when it matters most.