The Men, the Mission, and Me...Pete Blaber
Reading recommendation...
I'm sure I didn't expect a Delta Force soldier to have anything in common with me, a corporate attorney comfortably seated in my Midtown office building, waging battles from the ergonomically designed chair, free Starbucks coffee down the hall, and with a lovely view westward to watch the sunset over New Jersey as I brainstorm my litigation strategy...
A chapter in, however, I was taken aback that I was not reading just an accurate account of Special Forces operations and preparations for the Afghanistan and Iraq endeavors our military undertook, but I was reading a series of "Life Lessons" that I could directly relate to my professional and personal life...
Pete Blaber served at the epicenter of American special forces operations during the post 9/11 military engagements. His candid explanations, providing as much context as possible (allowing for protection of classified information), and his honest critique of the decisionmakers responsible for the (mis)use of force is mesmerizing, engaging, and at times shocking and appalling...
With an ongoing analogy to "Lewis & Clark's" expedition westward, Blaber's lessons discuss how to develop awareness, how to trust those with knowledge (not necessarily rank), to be prepared, and to brainstorm - and always remain open to accepting the nontraditional options... In many ways, they seem obvious. In many ways, as a reader, you would hope and expect that people think in this dynamic way on a regular basis without needing to be prompted. Yet, the reality is, they don't. They fall back on routines, and rely on meeting expectations of superiors, and often fear speaking unpopular opinions. This doesn't work. Not in the military, and not in the legal arena... and frankly, not in life.
The book is outstanding, and one of the best military accounts I've read of the Middle-East military saga we are wrapped up in... Blaber is no longer in the military - sadly. That men like him, and Nate Sassaman, and John Nagl...those dynamic thinkers who have received praise and achieved success in their respective roles are no longer with the Army is a loss to the organization and a loss to the nation.
Blaber's jacket cover says he now works for "the largest biotechnology company in the world" - which according to my Googling, is one of any number of companies who consider themselves to be the "largest in the world." And, I'm honestly curious why he is there. And what kind of work he could possibly be doing there that could inspire him, as Blaber's obvious raison d'etre is to be a Delta Force Commander in the US Army.
I'm sure I didn't expect a Delta Force soldier to have anything in common with me, a corporate attorney comfortably seated in my Midtown office building, waging battles from the ergonomically designed chair, free Starbucks coffee down the hall, and with a lovely view westward to watch the sunset over New Jersey as I brainstorm my litigation strategy... A chapter in, however, I was taken aback that I was not reading just an accurate account of Special Forces operations and preparations for the Afghanistan and Iraq endeavors our military undertook, but I was reading a series of "Life Lessons" that I could directly relate to my professional and personal life...
Pete Blaber served at the epicenter of American special forces operations during the post 9/11 military engagements. His candid explanations, providing as much context as possible (allowing for protection of classified information), and his honest critique of the decisionmakers responsible for the (mis)use of force is mesmerizing, engaging, and at times shocking and appalling...
With an ongoing analogy to "Lewis & Clark's" expedition westward, Blaber's lessons discuss how to develop awareness, how to trust those with knowledge (not necessarily rank), to be prepared, and to brainstorm - and always remain open to accepting the nontraditional options... In many ways, they seem obvious. In many ways, as a reader, you would hope and expect that people think in this dynamic way on a regular basis without needing to be prompted. Yet, the reality is, they don't. They fall back on routines, and rely on meeting expectations of superiors, and often fear speaking unpopular opinions. This doesn't work. Not in the military, and not in the legal arena... and frankly, not in life.
The book is outstanding, and one of the best military accounts I've read of the Middle-East military saga we are wrapped up in... Blaber is no longer in the military - sadly. That men like him, and Nate Sassaman, and John Nagl...those dynamic thinkers who have received praise and achieved success in their respective roles are no longer with the Army is a loss to the organization and a loss to the nation.
Blaber's jacket cover says he now works for "the largest biotechnology company in the world" - which according to my Googling, is one of any number of companies who consider themselves to be the "largest in the world." And, I'm honestly curious why he is there. And what kind of work he could possibly be doing there that could inspire him, as Blaber's obvious raison d'etre is to be a Delta Force Commander in the US Army.
13 Comments:
Katie
Great review, I read it too, was stunned, have been walking around thinking about the book and lessons for the last three days. The chapter on Developing the Situation was my favorite--that's how I want to live my life. As for where he works, I followed his advice on pattern recognition, book says he lives in Santa Monica, jacket endorser is Kevin Sharer, CEO of Amgen.
Thanks. Appreciate the sentiment. And, nice sleuthing...having not used the jacket-cover info, I hadn't confirmed the Amgen connection, though that seemed most likely. I'm recommending it to everyone I know, and will be gifting it to numerous friends for Christmas.
Gosh, I wish I could share your adulation. Sadly, I can’t.
To suggest Pete’s lessons are any more cogent than the lessons of the average grunt is predictable, but wrong. It is easier for the gentrified class to see themselves as ‘special.’ Just look at what you get to look at ‘…a lovely view westward to watch the sunset over New Jersey…’
By now, I am sure Pete (and his ‘largest biotechnology company in the world’) have seen that view…in fact, I am sure thats what the book was written to ensure…but, has the ‘Joe,’ you know, the folks you think you think about but know you will never know…have they, or will they ever, see the views you have seen?
Of course not. So, you blog! And, spew blather anytime you hear something that tingles your “left-leaning, fiscally conservative, moderately apathetic” privates…
This war stuff is way more complicated than being the first in and the first out. Who knows? Maybe the lessons Pete shared would have more resonance if they weren’t so ’03 and were more ’06. But, what do I know? I certainly haven’t found myself in an uptown office building and I am no veteran of the little bird.
2nd Anonymous:
1st. you don't know me. you don't know where i come from. you don't my family history, my background, or how i got to where i am today. But i assure you, my view has not always been so pleasant...
2nd. you must not read much of my blog, because if you did, you would realize I have friends and family in various military branches and positions, both officers and NCOs, and in fact - one of my closest friends is a grunt AND he wrote a book about it! You can find it here
3rd. I never suggest Blaber's lessons were "better" than anyones. I suggested that he articulated them well, and he had overarching "life lessons" which I hadn't expected to be applicable in corporate litigation. But, they are. I was impressed by his knowledge, and his experience -- but mostly, his ability to communicate those messages to someone like me. Hence, the picture i was trying to paint of the contrast in our environments.
4th. I find it really comical that you are criticizing me for my commentary, without knowing anything more than what you've read on my blog, yet you cannot even bring yourself to leave an email address to which i could respond to you directly.
But hey, I hope your negative commentary made you feel better... Thanks for reading.
From the moment that I read "Not a Good Day to Die", where Mr. Blaber was first introduced, I have waited patiently for him to place his experieinces down on paper.
Absolutely incredible book. I'm reading it over again for the second time. His chapter on listening to the guys on the ground was fantastic. He spoke briefling of it in Naylor's book but really opened up about the whole adventure. It was great!
Highly recommend to everyone who has an interest of knowing what the "guys on the ground" truly think, plan, act and execute to keep us free.
Thanks for your service!
The Biotech company is Amgen.
Well, i guess my point is - it doesn't really matter what the company is anyway - i can't imagine it could possibly be as fulfilling...but, that's just me.
This book is VERY interesting. I know there are many sides to why certain decisions are made but his perspective on the breakdown in communication made me sick. I have served and know first hand that some officers feel the need to make calls without having all the info on the ground. Makes ya think. Great read for any new 2nd Lt!
Managed to get in contact with COL Blaber after the book came out.
Very decent officer and bloke!
Directed to 6:19 PM Anonymous:
How did you get in contact with COL Blaber? I'm about to be commissioned as a 2LT and although I'm sure he is busy, I would like to ask him some questions if at all possible.
Katie...although I believe most attorneys are as worthless as most of the equipment I have used in-country your assessment of Pete's book is pretty good. But as an attorney I would hope you either would answer comments without the "you don't know me" answer. The poser who commented on your blog has as much knowledge as you do after reading Pete's book. And even that cannot convey the feeling of "pissed off" you get when you get orders from above to stand down. The only thing I hope is that with all your friends in the military that maybe you would see the error in your left-leaning ways. If not, carry on. Due to OPSEC I will not reveal myself.
I think I did answer his comments -- in points 3 and 4. But, you'll understand that when all I'm trying to do is share my perspective i brought into reading this book, I really don't take kindly to criticisms of where my life as taken me. I worked very hard for many years to take me where i am today...and, I'm proud of my work.
Also, while I appreciate you disagree - There is no error in my political opinion, i'm proud of my voting record and the many candidates I have supported in my lifetime...including Congressman Patrick Murphy, and Senator Jim Webb. Incidentally, my friends and family in the military have varying political opinions, though more lean left than right, actually... I'm proud of all of them, and happy to know and learn from them.
Left Leaning Ways? It strikes me that the current Commander-In-Chief is slightly left leaning...and he just fired a conventional General in favor of one of the most talented and unconventional thinkers in the military(General McChrystal). He embraces unconventional thinking and asymmetric warfare in a way that the previous right leaning administration did not. In fact the majority of right leaning folk tend to believe that we are at war with a religion or a conventional enemy that can be defeated militarily. Forget these left right labels my friend and understand that problem solving, not ideology is the way forward.
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