

508: The Mission Continues Beyond Ramadi. With Major Scott Huesing
Oct 1, 2025
Major Scott Huesing, a retired U.S. Marine with 24 years of service and author of 'Echo in Ramadi,' shares gripping insights about combat leadership in Iraq's deadliest city. He discusses the moral weight of leading young Marines, the emotional toll of military service, and the urgent need to honor fallen comrades through storytelling. Scott reflects on the intense realities of Ramadi, the profound challenges veterans face upon returning home, and how writing became a vital mission to preserve these important narratives.
04:06:51
Why He Wrote Echo In Ramadi
- Scott Huesing wrote Echo in Ramadi to preserve his Marines' stories and honor the fallen.
- He read the prologue aloud and described his sole mission: bring his Marines home alive.
Prior-Enlisted Perspective Matters
- Prior-enlisted officers gain empathy for enlisted time and avoid wasting Marines' time.
- Huesing emphasizes leaders must preserve young Marines' training and life for combat priorities.
Echo Company Enters Ramadi Surge
- Echo Company arrived in Ramadi as part of the surge and faced near-daily heavy contact.
- Huesing framed his metric: kill more insurgents to reduce his casualties and bring Marines home alive.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
How Scott Joined the Marine Corps
02:55 • 2min
Transition from Enlisted to Officer
05:18 • 4min
Infantry Officer Training and Early Assignments
09:04 • 8min
Where Scott Was on 9/11 and FAST Company
16:44 • 12min
Preparing for Company Command
28:35 • 2min
Learning Echo Company Was Going to Ramadi
31:00 • 4min
Intelligence and Reality of Ramadi
35:12 • 4min
Preparing Marines to Kill and Survive
38:43 • 6min
Leadership: Care, Discipline, and Tough Decisions
44:23 • 4min
Assembling Enablers and Working with the Army
48:19 • 3min
First Days in Ramadi and Living Conditions
50:54 • 3min
Libby Casualty and Immediate Response
54:07 • 5min
Combat Intensity, Aftermath, and Suicide in Veterans
58:38 • 12min
Weapons Cache 'Mopeds' Story
01:10:24 • 7min
Calling in Gimlers and Fire Support Decisions
01:17:04 • 4min
Operation Sackett's Harbor and Measured Results
01:21:02 • 2min
Sustained Aggression and Logistical Support
01:23:27 • 19min
Detainee Handling and Investigations
01:42:56 • 9min
Civilian Casualties, Rules of Engagement, and Accountability
01:52:15 • 11min
Transition Out of Ramadi to Rupa
02:03:31 • 6min
Clearing Rupa: Night Operations and Weapons Removal
02:09:04 • 3min
Tactics: Burning Caches and Using Fuelers
02:12:08 • 1min
Sniper Wounds, Kasevac, and Marine Sacrifice
02:13:27 • 11min
Handling Moral Weight and Officer Vulnerability
02:24:07 • 16min
Heading Home: Redeployment and Navy Support
02:40:05 • 6min
Post-Deployment Life and Transition Challenges
02:46:24 • 2min
Memorial Service and Honoring the Fallen
02:48:16 • 4min
Scott's Later Roles and Writing Journey
02:52:12 • 10min
Personal Struggles: Panic Attacks, Addiction, and Recovery
03:02:16 • 5min
Why Writing Didn't Fully Heal but Gave Purpose
03:07:02 • 5min
Helping Others Write: Founding Solid Copy Media
03:11:56 • 6min
Books Scott Helped Publish
03:18:07 • 24min
Full-Circle Moments and Veteran Connections
03:41:52 • 10min
Ramadi Reunion Announcement
03:51:46 • 3min
Where to Find Scott and Solid Copy Media
03:54:23 • 3min
Outro
03:57:34 • 9min

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Retired Marine Major Scott Huesing, author of Echo in Ramadi, to walk through the brutal realities of combat in Iraq’s deadliest city, the cost of leadership, and the transition back home. Scott shares the powerful story of his Marines, the memorials for the fallen, his personal battles after service, and how writing became a new mission to honor and preserve these stories. From Gold Star families to fellow veterans finding their voice, this is a conversation about sacrifice, resilience, and keeping the legacy alive.
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