Jocko Podcast

511: Between Firefights and Faith, Lessons From Ramadi to Recovery. With Ben Sledge.

Oct 22, 2025
Ben Sledge, a former U.S. Army civil affairs soldier and author, shares his gripping experiences from combat in Ramadi and the moral complexities he faced. He discusses the intense realities of deployment, including navigating minefields and the impact of bad leadership. Sledge reflects on personal struggles with trauma and addiction after returning home, emphasizing the healing power of faith and storytelling. He highlights the importance of community support among veterans, urging them to connect and care for one another.
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INSIGHT

Healing Through Faith And Storytelling

  • Ben Sledge found healing through faith and storytelling after combat and moral injury.
  • He turned trauma into purpose by writing and helping other veterans tell their stories.
ANECDOTE

Bootcamp Broke Then Built Him

  • Ben described bootcamp brutalities and being broken down to build team cohesion.
  • He credits the process for creating soldiers willing to do anything for their teammates.
ADVICE

Win Hearts By Restoring Services

  • Work with local leaders and restore basic services to reduce insurgent influence.
  • Invest reconstruction funds in locally vetted projects that use local contractors and give credit to sheikhs.
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