The Team House

The Untold Story of Special Forces and the Iraqi Kurdish Resistance | Mark Grodvic | Ep. 371

Sep 25, 2025
Guest
Mark Grodvic
Mark Grodvic, a former 10th Special Forces officer and author, shares gripping insights about his role in the Iraq War alongside Kurdish forces. He recounts the establishment of crucial relationships with local leaders and the challenges of planning covert operations, including a tense border crossing into Iraqi Kurdistan. Mark highlights the significance of decentralized command, leveraging small-unit actions to build trust, and the complex dynamics with Iran. His firsthand stories illuminate the intricacies of unconventional warfare and the psychological operations that shaped the conflict.
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ANECDOTE

Unexpected Kurdish Volunteers Show Up

  • Two Kurdish men walked into 10th Group headquarters at Fort Carson and literally 'reported for duty' to return to Iraq. They later became essential interpreters and brokers on the ground with the Peshmerga.
ADVICE

Isolate Teams For Real Planning

  • Put teams into true isolation to force focused planning and dialogue before operations. Drive them far from HQ, give clear mission orders, and insist on two-way discussion so subordinates can execute decentralized command.
INSIGHT

Turn Ambiguous Orders Into Clear Intent

  • Higher headquarters often accept decentralized, ambiguous missions and expect subordinates to execute without detailed control. Success requires leaders to translate vague strategic intent into clear, achievable operational guidance.
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