Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 🎙️ Today's Combat Story: Unveiling the Truth Behind Pat Tillman's Tragic End in Afghanistan 🎙️ In this episode, we delve deep into the life and tragic end of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star turned Army Ranger, through the meticulous research and firsthand accounts of Pete Blaber, a former Delta Force Commander with extensive experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. 🔍 Why Pete Blaber? Pete served twice in the same Ranger Battalion as Pat Tillman, giving him unparalleled insights into the people, locations, and responsibilities involved in the battlefield. 📖 The Quest for Truth Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, sought Pete's help to uncover the truth about her son's death. Despite multiple military investigations, the true story remained elusive until Pete's involvement. 📘 Common Sense Leadership Matters Pete documents his findings and the toxic leadership climate in his book, "Common Sense Leadership Matters: Toxic Leadership Destroys, A Case Study." This book offers new perspectives on Pat Tillman's leadership, the state of special operations in 2004, and the daily life of a Ranger in combat. 📸 Visual Aids Follow along with images of the terrain at firefight.commonsenseway.com. 👇 Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction 00:44 - Guest Profile: Pete Blaber 02:51 - Start of Interview 03:35 - Pete's Military Background 08:55 - Pete as an Author 20:52 - Synopsis of Pete's 3rd Book 28:19 - Mary Tillman's Quest for Truth 35:15 - Leadership Leading to the Firefight 39:51 - Toxic Leadership 43:53 - Ranger Structure & Spera District Terrain 53:23 - Command at Selarino 01:00:50 - Hello Fresh Ad 01:02:28 - Combat Preparedness in Afghanistan 01:10:52 - Preventative Measures Overlooked 01:23:24 - The Mission & Firefight 01:44:00 - Documenting the Firefight 01:47:01 - The Firefight Details 02:03:15 - Kevin Tillman 02:10:05 - Remembering Pat Tillman 02:30:08 - Mission Debrief 02:38:23 - Post-Publication Relationships 02:41:59 - Toxic Leadership Climates 02:46:07 - Final Thoughts 02:46:54 - Listener Feedback 🔗 Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle #CommonSenseLeadership #CommonSenseSuperpower #LeadershipTransformation #UnleashYourPotential #leadershipawareness #LanguageOfCommonSense 🔗 Find Pete Blaber Online: Common Sense Leadership Matters: Toxic Leadership Destroys, A Case Study https://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Leadership-Matters-Destroys/dp/B0C87BVQZY The Common Sense Way: A New Way to Think About Leading and Organizing https://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Way-Organizing-Leadership-ebook/dp/B096N2KGJZ The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XQEVWQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 Instagram: @blaberpete Go to www.HelloFresh.com/50combatstory and use code 50combatstory for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!