Episode 55: Critical Incident Review with Medal of Honor Recipient, Earl Plumlee
Apr 12, 2023
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Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee, Medal of Honor recipient, shares his harrowing stories and tactical lessons learned. From joining the military as a high school junior to his time in the Marine Corps, Plumlee discusses his career arc. He also reveals his experience in the Special Forces deployment and program in Afghanistan, including intense firefights and close combat situations. Plumlee highlights the significance of the Medal of Honor and emphasizes the importance of humility and fostering accountability in the military community.
The importance of training and initiative in high-stress situations on the battlefield.
The value of accountability and objective standards within a unit for continuous growth.
The need for soldiers to have a strong support system at home and leaders' responsibility to create an environment where families are valued and supported.
The humility and gratitude felt by the Medal of Honor recipient in the presence of other exceptional individuals who have received the award.
Deep dives
Engaging with enemy fighters
In the midst of a Taliban attack on the AOB camp, the protagonist takes on the enemy fighters up close. Armed with a pistol and later his sniper rifle, he engages with them at a range of 7 to 15 meters. Despite facing heavy fire, he manages to neutralize several fighters, even detonating a suicide vest with a well-placed shot. The close-quarters combat continues as he moves down a lane, engaging multiple fighters along the way.
Navigating through intense gunfire
Upon realizing his rifle jammed, the protagonist transitions to his pistol. While under fire, he successfully reloads his rifle and continues firing at the enemy. The battle continues as he maneuvers, taking cover and returning fire whenever possible. Despite being exposed to enemy fire, he manages to hold his ground and neutralize threats, all while coordinating with his teammates and maintaining situational awareness.
Surviving an explosive encounter
In the midst of the intense firefight, the protagonist engages an enemy fighter who approaches him with a slung rifle. He manages to shoot the gunman, causing his suicide vest to detonate. This creates a devastating explosion, but the protagonist miraculously escapes serious injury. After the explosion, he continues to engage enemy fighters, navigating through the chaos of the battle and adapting his tactics as necessary.
Working with teammates and regrouping
Throughout the intense conflict, the protagonist coordinates with his teammates, providing mutual support and covering each other's movements. After being separated, the protagonist reunites with his wounded teammate and together they make a hasty retreat, reversing out of danger. Despite the challenges and injuries sustained, the protagonist and his teammates continue to fight and navigate through the hostile environment as they regroup and reassess the situation.
Reacting under Stress
In this podcast episode, the speaker recounts a high-stress situation on the battlefield where he had to rely on his training and skills to make split-second decisions and survive. He highlights the importance of automatic responses and stress inoculation in such scenarios, emphasizing that training builds a strong foundation for effective action. The speaker credits his success to the training he received, the camaraderie and support of his team, and the culture of constantly striving for excellence. He also mentions the significance of humility and recognizing that there is always room for improvement.
The Importance of Accountability and Objective Standards
The speaker underscores the value of accountability and objective standards within a unit. He mentions the culture of holding each other to high standards and not being afraid to address weaknesses and areas for improvement. He discusses the importance of objective measurement in training to assess performance and ensure continuous growth. The speaker also highlights the significance of receiving honest feedback from peers and leaders, as well as the humility required to accept and act upon it.
Balancing Personal and Professional Life
The speaker reflects on the importance of maintaining a balanced personal and professional life. He acknowledges the support of his family and discusses the challenge of juggling family commitments with the demands of military service. He stresses the need for soldiers to have a strong support system at home and the responsibility of leaders to create an environment where families are valued and supported. The speaker shares his own experiences of finding the right balance and the impact it had on his personal and professional growth.
The Medal of Honor and Humility
The speaker talks about receiving the Medal of Honor and the impact it had on him. He admits to being humbled by the recognition and emphasizes that he sees himself as just one among many exceptional individuals who have received the award. He highlights the honor of being in the presence of other Medal of Honor recipients and the humility he feels when surrounded by legends from different branches of the military. The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to meet and interact with these individuals and learn from their experiences.
Learn from the Best: Medal of Honor Recipient Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee
CATO joins forces with tactical expert and host of The Debrief, Jon Becker, as he sits down with Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee. This podcast features the most exciting excerpts from Brent and Jon's interviews with Master Sergeant Plumlee. Earl is an amazing storyteller and he shares the harrowing events of that fateful day in August, 2013 when he earned the Medal of Honor--with both humility and humor. These important conversations reveal a great deal about tactical lessons learned and highlight the importance of training and initiative.
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