🪖 Today’s Combat Story dives deep into the career and combat experiences of former infantryman turned Cavalry officer turned Special Forces Green Beret, Dan Pace. Dan retired after over two decades of service in the military, seeing combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan on both the enlisted and officer sides of the house.

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📚 Dan recently wrote a book titled "It Was What It Was: A Tale of the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq (2006-2008)" where he details his experiences, particularly those with the 1st ID in Iraq during a pivotal moment in the war. In this episode, we dive into the transition from enlisted to officer and conventional to SF, some of the tougher moments in combat, and how perspective may change from that of a soldier to an officer.

🎖️ General Petreus on the book: "...the timeless tale of a young leader and his soldiers on the ground seeking to find meaning and purpose in the gritty, visceral reality of war at the small unit level.

🎧 Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with retired Special Forces officer, Dan Pace.

🔗 Guest Online Information:

📧 Contact Dan: contact@grey-zone-ethics.com

📘 It Was What It Was: A Tale of the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq (2006-2008) https://www.amazon.com/Was-What-Infantry-Division-2006-2008/dp/B0CW3MH7KT

📚 Grey Zone Ethics Courses https://danielvpace.com/courses.html

👨‍✈️ Join host Ryan Fugit in a gripping episode of Combat Story as he delves into the remarkable military career of Dan Pace, a former infantryman, cavalry officer, and special forces Green Beret. Dan shares his intense experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, from frontline battles to coordinating medevacs. Explore his journey from enlisted to officer roles, the evolution of military strategies, and the personal toll of long deployments. The episode also addresses innovative countermeasures against IED threats, fortified vehicles, and ethical dilemmas faced by troops and leaders. This raw and insightful look into Dan's life and the complexities of modern warfare sheds light on the creativity, resilience, and moral challenges within the military.

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

00:00 Intro
01:03 Meet Dan Pace: From Infantryman to Green Beret
02:35 The Story Behind the Book Title
03:36 Reflecting on the Surge and Its Impact
09:23 Joining the Military: A Whimsical Decision
15:16 First Deployment Experiences
20:11 Life in Afghanistan: Challenges and Reflections
33:37 The Decision to Become an Officer
34:18 Encouragement and Motivation
34:57 Transitioning to Officer for Better Opportunities
36:03 Financial Incentives and Career Moves
36:51 Branching and Trading Roles
37:47 Formation of Brigade Combat Teams
40:52 Deployment and Initial Challenges
47:00 Extended Deployment and Coping Mechanisms
01:03:00 Leadership Decisions and Ethical Dilemmas
01:09:34 A Life-or-Death Decision
01:10:11 Moral Dilemmas in Combat
01:12:14 Humor Amidst Chaos
01:14:03 Economic Stimulus in a War Zone
01:14:52 Transition to Special Forces
01:22:20 Ethical Challenges in Special Forces
01:32:45 Training Mishaps and Close Calls
01:38:25 Reflections and Farewell

80. A Hemsworth Double Feature