First to Fight: The Story of the MARSOC 7

Please consider furthering the mission of The Bar X Project by donating at www.barxprojec...
In June 2019, the Bar X Project reunited the MARSOC 7 in Fort Smith, Montana. In 2007, these elite warriors were ambushed while on a key leader engagement in the Bati Kot district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. In the aftermath, they were falsely accused of negligent homicide, and the impact to their health, careers, and families was devastating.
Maj Fred Galvin, Retired Commanding Officer - Marine Special Operations Company - Foxtrot, and LtCol Steve Morgan, Retired Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff - Intelligence at Marine Forces Command, recount the powerful story of what these Marines faced, they talk about the impact that Bar X had on these men who were reunited after nearly 12 years, and they speak to why programs like the Bar X are so important.
Visit www.barxproject.org to learn more about our mission.
Produced by The Storied Future
Director: Chris Hare
Photographer: Mark Cornellison
Editor: Neal Barrenblat

[@jamesmoran9700]

Incredible story about 7 great Marines and the wars they fought overseas and then at home.

[@alexcuriel2950]

This is crazy stuff, as for me being a 7 year vet with the 101st Abn Inf can truly say that each engagement is totally different then the last and we each react to differently I can understand and relate to these Marines in how they conducted themselves in that situation, because in the end the Infantryman always get the short end of the stick....

[@theanc316ientone]

One day, true justice will be dealt, and it will be dealt accordingly. Hats off to you and your fellow Marines

[@castdoubtproductions9645]

God bless Fred Galvin and his Marines. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty. Semper Fi.

[@nathanhuskamp]

I served under Maj Fred Galvin back in 2009 at 3rd Recon BN in Okinawa. He was nothing but a stand up guy willing to do anything for his men! So sorry to hear what happen!

[@JamesonSharp]

Semper Fi MSOC FOXTROT! Sincerely Doc.

[@nicholashh]

THANK YOU to these brave men for serving this great country. What you must have gone through not only in combat, but upon being incorrectly accused must have been beyond difficult. You are TRUE HEROES.

[@Onix.556]

Thank you Bar X! As an Army veteran overseas when this event happened.....it made me physically ill when the "COL" apologized. I knew we were not getting the full story. Thank you for supporting them!

[@dandrew9109]

Bar X is to be saluted for supporting those Marines. Sadly, there are many more, similar cases out there where the chain of command bailed to cover their own asses rather than do what was right and back the men on the ground. Semper Fidelis!

[@TheSaltyGranny]

Thank you all very, very much for your service and your sacrifice. Too many sacrifices demanded out of all of y'all and I apologize for our country. I'm glad you have Tom Fitton on your side and hope he gets you all you are owed and so much more.

[@abar7178]

Regardless of the theater of operation you may have served in (69-73). Or the branch of service. The common denominator remains the same for all of us. When the job is done and the Warrior comes home. To all my Warrior Brothers in any branch of service. I honor you all, with the two words I honor the most. Semper Fidelis.

[@mikefox9240]

Semper Fi Warrior! Gunny (Ret)

[@sittingbull685]

Hail to the Bar X Project. The 31 that opened up probably saved Marines. War is war. Folks on both sides die, some more brutally than others. Semper Fi.

[@patrickmahoney4090]

WAR has 'Asymmetrically ' metastasisized . Peking has thrown the Glove down, and NO One Speaks, nor Acts post-haste,On It! BIO and CYBER Warfare. AMERICA was The Target; the other Nations collateral victims. Suprise 'Surgical' EventONPeking and Pyongyang; REMEDY; Simultaneously, and Slam the So China Sea is In Order; As the world gasps after... WE can discuss it at Our leisure-when 'WE' choose.The Chinese are graduating Engineers The"West" graduates LAWYERS.(spit) What sense being the big Guy on the Block if you act like a Pendeyjo.The Chinese are moving smoothly,swiftly &steadily- according to 'Their' PLAN. WE, are treating this Major strike like a bungled Accident. OSTRICHISM. SUN TSU said it All. ASIA ON THE RISE,Playing a goodPoker Game so far. INTERNATIONALISM- BRAZEN- AND FOCUSED.

[@mikearnspiger9715]

SEMPER FI BROTHERS. LOVE YOU.

[@russellwhite5261]

The people in the Marine Corps specifically leader ship who turned on their own men during a time of testing and trial should be outed from the Marine Corps and the ones pushing the hardest for life in prison should be given 20 years a piece!

[@usmcpatriot7546]

Good morning I am assuming you a devil dog like I am I feel horrible when things happen like that but as you know we have to take orders sometimes the commander and chief does not Lake Murray and therefore put Marines in an awkward position. We as Marines have to follow orders without questioning but we also have to have morals and we have to be compassionate because our enemies are not compassionate we are not the enemy we are United States Marines

[@usmcpatriot7546]

Sorry about the spelling I'm actually talking into my phone

[@nigelbase1196]

The same here in the UK....the powers that be send the troops to war and at the next turn are organising a witch hunt for "alleged" war crimes...it stinks...traitors to there own kind...😠

[@indyq6859]

Not good enough for what these *leaders* have done. Life in prison w/o possibility of parole. NO MERCY

[@Insinu8this]

@@usmcpatriot7546 Sorry, I deleted my post because I don't want these scrambled egg pricks to remember that I'm alive. The DD-214 I got is a clorox fairy tale that requires clearance from SECNAV to obtain any details beyond MOS, dates/locations of training/education, and awards/citations. Everything else on the DD-214 says "Fuck you very much for asking, but NO." I left the Corps as an O-3 and had my O-4 that was due and processed "forgotten." Lost paperwork.

[@Wofski]

Er-rah sir! Thank you for standing up for what you believe and for the truth and for your men!!! Honorable indeed!!! Semper Fi.

[@danielosheasy7818]

I'm so sorry that our country let you Hero Marine's down. There never should of been a trial. Instead you all should of been given medals

[@stnln2180]

Country?.... no... it's Leftists within who is understanding our Republic.... not Country...

[@joshtaylor4980]

GOD BLESS THEM ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE 👍🇺🇸

[@CG03USMC]

I’m just glad these boys have the opportunity to get together and do some fishing and slug a couple back. I’m sure they all look forward to this and it’s absolutely awesome!

[@jpturner171]

Semper Fi my brothers!🇺🇸

[@ryandavis775]

Semper fi. Amazing story

[@jefferymoran286]

Kudos to the bar x for acknowledging the hardships faced by men in combat. The bad guys have learned over time thanks to our woke society that by ambushing in a heavily populated area will create scenarios such as this. When your hands are tied by this type of pacifist thinking, it's a miracle anyone comes out of a close engagement such as these marines went through. War is a violent undertaking for which most armchair generals and liberal tree huggers will never understand. As a marine, (active 79/89) I have nothing but pride for these men. They did their job, and held together as all marines do, under unimaginable circumstance. In the end truth prevails. GOD BLESS THESE MEN AND GOD BLESS THE MARINE CORPS. SEMPER FI BROTHERS

[@elioselectric468]

This is pathetic that these marines and their families were put through this unimaginable BS. Thank you for serving.

[@alexandergrimme1644]

Semper fidelis to the brothers. Not always to the organization but the brothers. This made me cry for the first time in a long time. Thank you

[@tritondriver1]

I remember when the story broke- I was so HURT ! Great Ending- Semper Fi!

[@davidwilder7542]

Thank you for your Service. I feel ashamed for what you had to go through.

[@anthonycooper275]

David Wilder Cap? We call it a cover.

[@resistireland694]

These "Hero's" deserved better. Failed by their superior's. A fate much worse than dying or been injured in battle! God Bless u guy's. Respect from Eire ♥

[@kimpeter7934]

awesome project, thank u for serving those who served and gave or loss so much.

[@brianhays1797]

Semper Fi and god bless

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Great video

[@abefroman8202]

This is very sad but all too typical of politicians both with a small and large P. I have seen too many senior officers throw their men under a bus. As a retired officer with 30 years service I wish these Marines the very best. 🇬🇧

[@tonyharty3666]

Interesting story. I joined the Navy at 17, 7/71-7/75. Vietnam twice....4 years and the war.....and left. Saw too many men covet rank and medals and never trusted the UCMJ. I understand we need professionals, but I don’t think the military should be a job. You lose focus and forget why we collectively come together in times of war. We lost 58,000 and quit. Americans don’t quit.....and to do so destroys Morale. I come from the Kennedy Generation.....we never.....quit. Today it’s worse. The very Country and people you risk your lives for, betray you. My son was an Infantry Marine against my wishes, Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m just glad he lived..........GMG3 USN

[@jamesmoran9700]

Well said Tony. Always keep in mind there are 7 great Marines who were willing to die for their oath in this story. There are also several senior leaders in this story willing to cover their behinds by throwing those 7 Marines under the bus to protect their careers. I hope most Americans remember the 7 good guys.

[@machia0705]

Very well said. It’s not a job.

[@kelvin402]

Thanks for all your service!! Our military need leaders not politicians.

[@markdonna6574]

I just watched this podcast. so sad,glad everything turned out somewhat ok!.semper fi my brothers

[@dominicserafino6029]

Thank you to these brave Marines for their service in Afghanistan.

[@rise-amorph8178]

God bless gentleman who commit acts of violence in the defense of freedom🇺🇸🙏🇺🇸 If this offends you you may not understand life, pain, and combat!

[@discoverynorthcarolina9824]

The “MEDIA” isn’t worth a dam

[@julian590]

Was this what Nick Komoutlatsos was talking about? Fox Company?

[@JMOSORT]

Yes

[@timr3191]

JP yes ..

[@GySGTGerman]

Unfortunately

[@OscarNovember1776]

Yes unfortunately

[@Adam135777]

05:06 my favorite part ♥️

[@huckleberry5653]

Semper Fidelis!

[@Krishale357]

Semper Fi Brothers

[@jimmyward2848]

Semper Fi Marines!

[@snafugw]

Kudos to y'all for helping the healing for this dis-service to true patriots! Art truly imitates life in a quote from Apocalypse Now... "Charging a man with murder in this place was like handing out speeding tickets in the Indy 500." The irony and absurdity of this entire event was ridiculous and foremost, unnecessary! When will the people of this country learn?! SHAME on us all...

[@cafp74flores4]

Having a few drinks? How about having as many drinks as they want!

[@jncarrington01]

I'm curious. Does anyone know what happened to all of those senior personnel who railroaded them? I'm particularly interested in the officer seen in this video. He made public comment essentially bashing them. The only thing I can find was a 2015 article written on the incident that said, "Attempts to reach Nicholson, now a three-star general in charge of NATO Land Command in Turkey, were unsuccessful, though a spokesman for the command acknowledged receiving several detailed questions from Military Times." So he can comment before the process, but no comment later?

[@henrywilson5204]

Semper Fi Marines, I know what you went through. Vietnam Vet, S/Sgt 2/4 Hotel, 3rd Mardiv

[@dc76384]

Sounds like the Army Colonel had you already guilty before the trial.

[@johnrodriguez3870]

This is Bull Shit!! Those MARSOC Raiders did not murder anyone in Afghanistan, and, only proves that MSOC-F has had Enemies who tried to damn and doom them for illegal and immoral nonsense they did not commit. GOD Bless The United States Marine Corps and MARSOC Raider Regiment, from this Prior Service USMC and US Army Veteran. Semper Fi and Spiritus Invictus.

[@joeyacosta1871]

Thank you all for a great .and put a Great northern.

[@kevinmcleish6719]

That was f up to that to my fellow Marines!! What they did .

[@MrRambo50]

This is why i got out and my other buddies left we were all good Marines .We were proud to be Marines .But they fuck us over. So we left the corps

[@gagealton5918]

Even if it did happen unless you have a rifle and are over there fighting you have no right to judge them on how they do there job unless you are over there helping

[@maureencora1]

Recon-Raiders.

[@kyleguerriera2037]

The only crime i see is how these Marines were treated for doing gods work. That Army General should have shame for apologizing for the Actions of those operators. A sign of weakness.

[@davidwile1277]

There was actually two incidents

[@patrickmahoney4090]

"NO ENEMY Like an 'Inside' Enemy" Marcus Tullius Cicero. Incrementalism; against the American Warrior class.

[@faithhopelove7777777]

Lord please bless & heal our soldiers & veterans give them your grace & peace in Jesus's name! Amen

[@gypsymanjeff2184]

Sad they the real criminals aren't put on trial...nice to see all were proven ..not guilty ..& THANK ALL OF YOU WHO SERVE AND SERVED

[@philbeattie3940]

Brothers 💪💪😉❤️

[@DoWork316]

It was a goddam travesty what higher up did to these American Fighting Men. The rush to throw them away. The press drove the narrative and to appease them and the Afghan’s these Americans were not taken at their word. Thats the accepted trend- disbelieved until you prove we should believe you. The price these men paid is beyond comprehension. Thank the Lord they had at least this time together to heal as Comrades. 🇺🇸. God Bless these Marines. I am grateful for their actions then and now. 🇺🇸

[@indyq6859]

I'm trying to donate to your organization, but when I click on the donation link, it goes to a paypal page that states my session is invalid or expired. Is there another way I can donate? Thank you

[@jamesmoran9700]

We'll get the link fixed. In the meantime you can donate through our website at barxproject.org or mail at: The Bar X Project PO Box 193 Berlin, NJ 08009 Thank you for your support! Semper Fi, James Moran

[@kimmiranda5619]

😢💜🍻 Love you guys! Being around blood kin isn't always 'family'. Like minded people that understand what you're talking about. Peeps That don't judge you. Peeps that don't THINK you're batshit crazy, they KNOW you are! 😎 Because they've been there! They walked it. They felt the rain.Just like you! Find peace brothers in Yahushua.

[@martin2514]

Another example of weak leadership refusing to look after the men they lead. Lions lead by lambs.

[@recon1986]

I was part of 2nd marsoc raiders from 2012-2014

[@salauseuga9560]

When all else fail your government, your branch of service, it “sucks” all you have at the end of the day is your team mates, hopefully your family! (Orchestrated to be the escape goat those Marines)😓

[@USMC_LAterZ]

WTF is up with our society these days? We're all guilty until proven innocent now?

[@Dolphmajesty7997]

The Major looks like the military version of Mike O' hearn lol

[@armandomendez8319]

I thought i was the only one who notice it Lmaoo

[@gordonliddy9418]

I love our marines and its a shame all of this harm came to them.

[@stevendelcarlo3294]

Some have fallen off grid because of this and will never return.

[@ramonamaral5506]

funny how shady upper command can be and politicians are . all who served and did right are always at the bottom .

[@thesecatsarecrazy567]

Unfortunately this is common ,even in the other branches. I was in the army from 85 to 89 in Germany. They used the UCMJ like they were handing out m&m's except they were Article 15's and bad conduct discharges. I never understood the thinking of our commanders and I butted heads with them on more them one occasion. Good men lost rank and got booted over somethings that were so trivial when other forms of punishment were more appropriate, like extra KP or something a long those lines.The three and a half years I was there only two people that showed up to this unit an E1 left an E5 and I was one. Before I left the unit I had a sit down with the Battalion commander (who just took over the Battalion) and he actually let me speak frankly with him. So I told him what I had seen over the course of my tenure in the unit and what I thought was wrong (I was getting out so it didn't matter to me). I can only hope that it changed for the better after I left. I can't even imagine what they would have done if we were at war at that time. I truly believe that sometimes rank goes to their heads to say the least! I also think that some will throw their men to the wolves to save their own asses, when they should be sticking up for their men.

[@briantaylor594]

This is Bull Shit. I can’t believe the talking heads/government put our guys through this crap. This just rips me up.

[@ryudragonpunch9025]

The media is full of crap

[@bobsbill4615]

absolute horse shit that happened to you guys and a big reason why i got the fuck out. glad to hear everyone was cleared but man that pisses me off

[@usmcpatriot7546]

I replied privately to the comment that was made by a person I hope he is a United States Marine and I understand the passion that we have for the Corps. I listen to the Ronald Reagan Patriotic Speech on youtube. every day. Its only 3:32 mikes It has 2.2 million views but I'd like to add that we as Marines are trained to follow orders without questioning them unless they are unlawful.Sometimes the Commander in Chief does not understand Marines and doesn't know the history of the Marine Corps They may, deep down inside even despise the Military. That is why we as Marines have to set an example. That is what separates us from the other Branches of our Military with all due respect for their sacrafices as well. But the bottom line is we are The Few and you know the rest. We are fortunate that we have a Commander in Chief that loves the Military. I joined the Corps in 1988 fortunately for me i can say who I want to call my Commander in Chief. Right Now Donald J Trump is my Commander in Chief. I know ill be calling him Commander in Chief for 4 years and 7 more months. Semper Fi Do or Die Marines. That is a Man that has tested by 🔥 I mean look at his hair. Just kidding Chief Love the hell out of you. You can count on my families votes. I wont say how many votes that will be, someone might accuse me of interfering with the election. Just kidding lighten up. Also a Gunny told me before this 1984 that we are living now. " if you act like theres a camera watching you, youll always do the right thing" that was in 1989 really. If you do the right thing the truth shall set you free

[@fnhcat6714]

War is war... Legio Patria Nostra...

[@fightrrrrr]

I’m only one American, but you’re all cleared with me and I respect every single one of you and I humbly thank you all for your undeniable sacrifices! I’d gladly walk onto any battlefield with you side by side. MAGA 2020

[@dalco0258]

Facts before acts!!!!!!! Don't try and make yourself look good at the cost of others. Half assed investigation. SAD!!!!!

[@davisluong2060]

It was a Army General that hung them out to dry. Can't remember his name, but it was disgraceful what he did to these Marines.

[@JohnSmith-xi2oq]

Pathetic display of leadership. You stand with your Soldiers period.

[@demo3456]

If anyone actually thinks the US media is on the side of freedom you need ur head checked.

[@paulhetherington3854]

Funny, Foxes trot like horses.

[@waynecolburn8849]

It was political only. From maybe some jump the gun with your a true investigation. But some for a gain. You guys were heroes of the best kind.

[@chrismatthew8929]

ohh you know its a marine when he wears his cap that way xd

[@stnln2180]

"Leftists are the enemies within" Michael Savage

[@werddnommah7417]

This sounds like the Eddie Gallagher case.

[@radneymontalvo4939]

Shame that's our nation heros and they get shit on by some pencil pushers hiding behind a desk or a rank. Simper fi and good job. 👍👍

[@elc7795]

It’s sad that politics can beat a marine to his knees and make him subordinate. The marines who still have their oath and duty have to call them sir.

[@rockyrocamontes8972]

Semper Fidelis unless UCMJ is directed at you. The overzealous and sometimes unscrupulous people that work for them come down on you. It's a damn shame.

[@782gear5]

hey, hey, Devil Dogs ….

[@stephnlyons8304]

And what about the thousands of Americans that have been killed. What about the hundreds of thousands of civis that Taliban and Alquida have killed. These men are hero's and should be treated as hero's. The people who judge were not even there to witness. Our government have them the power to make decisions that most people could never make. Bottom line is , it's a war and people die in wars , good and bad people. Semper Fi

[@Charles-z1l]

MARSOC- Along with the U.S. Navy Seals need to lower their volume. We do not need to be reminded of someone who publicly crow. As US Marine Corps 0311 combat Vietnam veteran with 100% combat disabilities I am tired of in the in the face machismo. I honestly can say I have never met a Marine Combat vet with more than 2 PUC, or with multiple Purple Hearts portray himself as some sort of killer. I can also say I have never met a green beret who did not portray or present himself with some humility. MARSOC need to be reminded they are marines.

[@adamcaza879]

That's why I hate the media

[@chrismatthew8929]

the same politician who sent em to kill was the same politician who wore all the medals and got all the money and credit for work he didn't physically do. And to simply railroad them after they come home all messed up, to simply twist people and blackmail them to get these MARSOC operators down that is disgusting, its sickening to see how the people hacking down on the operators doesn't have any morals. Money and corruption rules.... its a sorry and failing state...

[@paulhetherington3854]

inter-- incher-- chair not there. or in a spechial case, in a chair-- drug bust etc... Or "No surgery, ever." Apsant.

[@danielserrano2736]

reserved

[@waynecolburn8849]

I meant without a true investigation.

[@slayer6936]

That was one worthless GEN

[@M4jeff]

What happened to these Marines is absolutely shameful.

[@MrClark-df9qn]

That’s our media and Democrats for you.

[@tracyhorrocks9003]

Very smar

[@kristangreen8548]

I love this country so that I was willing to stand on them yellow foot prints at MCRD San Diego. Watching all them freedom birds coming and going and me wondering why it is that I wanted this. The WW1 Vets in the 1930 endeavoring to get what they had been promised, ultimately receiving tear gas from the same government that they swore to serve. THE SUCK!!!!!

[@dwjunior]

❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙