Marjah Marine Infantry Squad Leader Ryan Rogers Part One

The Battle of Marjah. A knock-down, drag-out, world class brawl. Featuring over 15,000 soldiers from all over the world, it was the largest joint operation in Afghanistan up to that point. And Ryan Rogers knows it better than most - he was a Marine Infantry Squad Leader for the whole damn thing. He was on the ground for the first day, and the next, and the day after, making the sort of decisions most wouldn't dare face. He's also the host of the Choices Not Chances podcast, and he's the author of 'Lions of Marjah', where he retells the events of the entire engagement from his perspective on the ground.
Believe it or not, there's more to this story than meets the eye - a fleet anti-terrorism security team, a surprising turn in the boxing ring, and a unique appreciation of just how powerful the men and women of the armed forces really are all play a part in Ryan's tale. Let's meet the man.
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
06:59 - Ukraine & Israel
12:12 - Family Man
20:36 - 9/11 Switched Me
26:25 - Playing the Boot Camp Game
35:06 - 18 Months with FAST Platoon
41:48 - Into the Infantry Sandbox
53:49 - Then I Boxed for the Marines for Nine Months
01:01:41 - Leading Three Two at Camp Leatherneck
01:09:52 - A Hot Landing in Marjah
01:22:46 - We Own the Night
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Get Your Copy of Ryan's New Book, 'Lions of Marjah', on Amazon - ibit.ly/AYKJ_
Subscribe to Ryan's Podcast, 'Choices Not Chances' - choicesnotchancespodcast.com
Support Ryan Rogers -
Website: choicesnotchancespodcast.com
KZbin: / @choicesnotchancespodcast
Facebook: / choicesnotchances
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[@pete7699]

Ryan has described battle and action better than anyone I have ever heard. He is so confident in his recollection, and its strange to understand it so clearly only with audio(I listen while I drive). GREAT interview!

[@carknower]

“I died a thousand times since then to be who I am now” Holy shit, that hit home 🎯

[@jamesgunnyreed3792]

I have been watching podcasts from several different guys for years. This is the first time I have heard a Marine mention F.A.S.T. Company (Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team). FINALLY! I retired in 2012 and thought that it might have gone away. "Back in my day" Marine Corps Security Forces, F.A.S.T. Co, Recon and Force Recon were the hot shit things to do. Small Boat Platoon was cool too. Just good to hear a Marine talk about F.A.S.T. again! Back in 2006 they stood up Marine Raider's which was long overdue, I kinda assumed they took over that role.

[@PointerPapa]

Don't forget us ANGLICO boys 😅😅😅

[@williamholden7760]

I was with F A S T 88 to 93 formed the first platoon Marine Barracks N O B Norfolk .

[@slowpoke96Z28]

​@@PointerPapait was good that ANGLICO came back during my time. Awesome to work with yall. Good times.

[@chadsammarco7269]

I was in fast from 2010-12 and went to Yemen when Benghazi was over ran … we were on the plane 2 days prior but got stood down then the day of the attack we shifted to Yemen to think we could of done something

[@chastings3550]

this show is so underated! keep up the good work mike!!

[@georgecoull1883]

Dude I know! He should be bringing in much better numbers it doesn't make sense

[@D2023bm]

I was in Regimental S2 shop at 6th Marines briefing the Lion of Al Qaim (6th Marines CO) about this battle. Marjah was built by USAID in the 1950s and 60s. 2/6 ripped with 1/6 and 3/6 summer 2010. 3/9 ripped with 2/6 December 2010. I was S-2A at 3-9. We held Marjah until 7/2011. Glad a straight leg guy got some mic time.

[@choicesnotchancespodcast]

Yassss!!!

[@theskyizblue2day431]

Rah. We went back to Marjah in 2012. Rip Denier

[@MrMarine0331]

I was part of 2/6 G CO. as a combat replacement. I was with 3/25 Lima. I spent the last part of the deployment with 3/9. Best/worst times of my life!

[@cl4998]

I'd like to see more marines that served in Iraq, and took part in the countless famous battles in Fallujah, Sadr City, Nasiriyah etc.

[@JJH0326]

You know why you don't see many? They don't talk about Fallujah, and ramadi, nasirya either

[@user-ec8ns2lb1k]

Cody Alford talked about Fallujah on this podcast

[@user-ec8ns2lb1k]

Cody Alford talked about Fallujah on this podcast

[@Robert-ky4vx]

I would like to see more 11Bs come forward they don't talk about it much

[@jonlatham5632]

Great conversation! Mike, you’re doing an amazing job!

[@TheIronInfidel1]

Pretty sure he’s from my hometown, in Miamisburg. If not, he’s certainly close to there. Salute to this man for sure!

[@tonyshetter7545]

You guys are built different thank you for everything you all sacrificed God bless you all

[@claytonsharrard1900]

I started having these seizures in my sleep to when they first started. I had to get a sleep study done. I served between 06-012 I am here at HBOT in Boca Raton. Thanks to the 22 project they have helped me with so much. I found I have toxic exposure, severe TBI on the left and right side. I recommend ANY VETERAN who has a TBI look them up they are doing great work.

[@ritabrueland6151]

Wow! Ryan, sounds like you have been through and seen so much. I teared up a few times. Fantastic podcast! Will be getting your book. Thank you for sharing you story.

[@williamthacker2357]

0311 vietman 1968 1969 , l still think about it every day,

[@2ndamendment176]

Welcome home. Thank you for your service.

[@garybellish9586]

You all are heros to me

[@seNor916x4]

This is a sharp dude, good leader.

[@98Z28LS1]

Another great show! Big fan from Kentucky.

[@williamedwards8493]

I’m from laurel county and bleed blue through and though. Go big blue !!!

[@crawl4201]

Keep it up Mike. Always excellent content.

[@henryclay8424]

Another great one! Can't wait for part 2 👊

[@Horner181]

Talking about 9/11 got me a little emotional because I too was sitting in our school library 6th grade when I watched those towers fell and I had that same gut wrenching response of this is it my country needs me now at such a young age I knew it was my calling.I cried in front of all my classmates that day and that’s a hard thing for a young man to do but it just tore me apart.When I was 16 I begged our county judge to emancipate me to take my GED because I knew my path already so he did.the day I turned 17 on my birthday I was headed for reception and two weeks later ft sill Oklahoma.Looking at our country now I feel like that passion and desire is lost with our youth and for good reason.I love my country and would give my life for any of you but I would not ask my kids to do it for a government that won’t protect them.

[@traviolimarinaro5196]

i was in 5th and remember the same feelings. thank you for your sacrifice. people like you and these other men are heroes even if we were there for unwarranted reasons.

[@jbills7292]

This is one of the realest, very direct, down to earth and relatable men you’ve had on. In my personal opinion, and that is by no means any disrespect whatsoever to all the previous BA, pipe hittin mfrs, that have been on this show. Mike and Shawn are the best in the game. Keep it up fellas. 🫡

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

The mindset you gotta know ur gonna get smoked every task so do what you can but infantry basic training was easy still a challenge but they pushed alot of guys that shouldnt be able to graduate that graduated.

[@georgecoull1883]

Self sustaining adaptation to constantly being kicked in the nuts at every turn

[@larryapl]

Great podcast.

[@Allyourbase1990]

I was in Marjah back in 2010, it’s was pretty rough over there that deployment. Semper Fi

[@yusufraheem7586]

Another BANGER 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤it's a good night🎉🎉

[@sybau578]

As usual awesome podcast

[@lorenzonajarro2183]

I enjoyed, great episode!

[@ejd7881]

good stuff.

[@70stunes71]

👍🏻🇱🇷💯 Excellent brothers

[@patricklynch-yx1jr]

I’m pretty sure he was one of my SOI instructors, badass dude for sure!!

[@choicesnotchancespodcast]

Yasssss

[@user-rt8ik1ow4i]

Golden gloves is a league, a non professional possibly. It could be semi-pro though I'm not sure. Look up Shane Kimber Burlington Vermont bad boy golden gloves champion. I believe at one time

[@indy500tabasco8]

🤯🤯🤯🤯good🙉🙉🙉🙉

[@georgecoull1883]

Those Marines are a whole other savage's and the youngest badass MF the military has to throw at you. Cody Alford and this guy give you a perfect glimpse of Fallujah and Ramatti that day's modern day shit sandwich and the consequences and repercussions of that brutal combat have ended too many servicemen early here at home and over there! Thank you for your service brother Semper Fidelis 🇺🇸

[@choicesnotchancespodcast]

Semper Fidelis

[@LaCosa973]

Your a badddddd mama jamma brotha🪬🇺🇸🥂🥂

[@busbey61]

I thought that was Dan in the thumbnail. Regardless, I am going to watch this one and wouldnt mind to see Dan on here.

[@maxwellsvader2573]

That’s exactly what apobs is. Their awesome combat engineer here. Lol

[@COBBADAMS]

1st Patriots

[@thomasboston1887]

Ey Troop though i was not Deployed i Did 12 years 6 in signal Corps and Military Police Corps the Last 6 SRT QRF Train Train Train and then Train some more but Harder

[@dogloversrule8476]

10:26 I 100% agree with your points on both Israel & Ukraine.

[@jakemcknight468]

I feel bad for this guy. But only because he's from Ohio.

[@eugenethestoner]

😂 got’em

[@mikewilson7622]

I LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE IS AN AMERICAN WARRIOR SPECIFICALY A DEVIL DOG SEMPER FI

[@modestogonzalez182]

Bahahahaha!!!

[@jakemcknight468]

@@daveaver2804 I'm from Kentucky so it ain't much better lol

[@buckeyebias6605]

Stop the hate 😂😂😂

[@ClintonCaraway]

Love this show when interviews are complete. Cutting them in two parts really makes it no sense.

[@georgecoull1883]

It's hard to get some of these guys time, traveling, lodging,food it's completely understandable and if Mike made it into 1 or 2 I'm going to support the channel!

[@ryandavis2928]

i know his dad my family is a sponsor for whitetails unlimited in ohio

[@makidiaz3894]

We could have made a huge dent in the Fentanyl Crisis with all the resources going to Ukraine and Israel. 😢

[@guccimane623]

And homeless/vets

[@natrone23]

How does a Bradley IFV or a M777 howitzer sitting in storage help the fentanyl crisis?

[@manhalen7046]

​@@natrone23yeah im not seeing the connection here

[@georgecoull1883]

​@@natrone23psychological warfare lining them along the border so they understand how serious it really is. Florida troop's deployed to Texas with Biden threatening to make them leave. Are you not paying attention? There's some nefarious shit happening from this border crisis. Already Muslims, Syrians, Iranian not just cartel's/Mexican oh yeah CCP official's and soldiers busted down there as well! Start digging and reading or head on down to see for yourself? It's bad

[@ObamaFromKenya]

@@natrone23it doesn’t, even if the argument “sending artillery stops border crossings” which it doesn’t

[@wildbill60]

0300, what's a 0300? 0300 basic inf. 0300 is the Marine Corps!!!!!

[@theskyizblue2day431]

0300 is open infantry contract. Def not the whole corps and if you think it is…..

[@bradalan7188]

⛩

[@Robert-ky4vx]

🐺

[@MikeNova-yc7ju]

Mike over Sean 9 outta 10

[@4jopattix]

Oil-not mentioned as a reason "to be there"in "the sandbox".. Knowledge of history especially in Afghanistan is important before making statements or following a "narrative" that people, especially females didn't ever "know freedom". In fact, look up the Afghan society in the 1960s up until 1973. (before the rise of the Taliban). see this clip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r522lKiGm7mVlaM, The US govt. supported many of the most radical Islamic groups in the 1970s, and the Taliban/Haqqani grew strong. Ignorance of a culture, history and language is very dangerous when deciding on foreign policy decisions which impact millions. Ryan's book should be interesting and the conversation is important. Thank you both.

[@jakjjhonsn7338]

if you are talking about Afghanistan there is very little oil to be had. in total Afghanistan has about 1.5 billion barrels. which may sound like a lot, until you find out the US uses 7.8 billion barrels a year.

[@hair4alluk]

@@jakjjhonsn7338 Its a country full of minerals - One of them is needed in Tesla - re the 60'70's unbelievable change - terrible changes.

[@LateNightRewrites]

​@hair4allUK at the end of the day you have the institution of Islam to thank for the fall of their society

[@hair4alluk]

@@LateNightRewritesSadly, that is true :-(...