hmTv at HMTC Podcasts Ep 274: The Fog of War and Humanity with Richard Acritelli and guest James C. Brennan P2 on hmTv
Ep. 274 – The Fog of War and Humanity: Col. James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.), Part 2
Hosted by Richard Acritelli | Presented on hmTv
In this compelling continuation of The Fog of War and Humanity, host Richard Acritelli sits down with Colonel James C. Brennan, USMC (Ret.) to trace his early military career and his firsthand experiences during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
From his first deployment with the 10th Marines to the chaotic landscapes of northern Iraq and Kurdistan, Brennan reflects on the end of the Cold War, the evolution of America’s military identity, and the moral complexities of post-war stability operations. He describes the haunting aftermath of Saddam Hussein’s atrocities, the mined wheat fields left to starve civilians, and the delicate balance of diplomacy and discipline that defined U.S. presence in the region.
The conversation also moves into Brennan’s later years—his time in Washington, D.C., his role shaping manpower and reserve policy, and his reflections on leadership, service, and the human cost of global conflict.
It’s a vivid, thoughtful journey through the corridors of power and the deserts of war—an episode that underscores both the price of freedom and the resilience of humanity.
🎧 Listen to learn how history, honor, and humility intersect in the fog of war—and what it means to lead with conscience.