This fascinating look at the life of a modern-day professional soldier gives the reader an inside view of the deadly global war on terror. Herd argues that conflicting political objectives have muddied the way forward for the on-the-ground commanders and thus threaten the prospect of any real victory in Afghanistan. He uses everyday stories to make his points: ""One of the local leaders pointed to his wrist and said to my interpreter, 'the Americans have all the watches but we have all the time.' That made a lasting impression on me."" Colonel Herd was one of the highest ranking officers on th.

Includes index.

Preface: Six generations of American patriots -- The making of an unconventional warrior -- Initial training -- First assignment -- Transfer to the Rangers -- Airborne! -- Jumpmaster -- A lesson in leadership -- Time to move on -- Understanding special operations structure -- Earning the Green Beret -- Special forces history and the "COIN" -- Special forces training -- Reporting to the regiment -- Training for unconventional war in Europe -- The first desert war -- Staff time -- Unconventional warfare as illustrated by Tom Sawyer -- The Lware campaign -- Firefight -- Fire support -- Returning fire -- UW thinking in a "joint" environment -- Czech Republic paratroopers -- The press -- Fallen comrades -- Quarters -- Winning in Afghanistan: understanding the culture -- The UW option -- The challenge to the UW option -- Bases, good order and discipline -- Holiday festivities -- Political correctness -- Afghan and Pakistan meetings -- Prisoner interrogation -- Special Forces soldiering -- Power in the modern era -- Provincial reconstruction teams -- Learning from history -- Final thoughts.

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