by Sean Parnell
Then Sean and I talked on the phone. It was easy to see that Sean was a man of great character, a human with compassion, unique insight, and a determination to serve his men even years after the platoon had come home from Afghanistan. He didn’t want to write a book for himself. This was not an ego trip. This wasn’t about money. He wanted the country to know what his men experienced and how selflessly they gave of themselves to one other.
I knew taking the project on would force me to face elements of my own grief and sense of loss over Taylor’s death. I wasn’t sure how I would handle it, but I knew there was value in Sean’s story. This was a special group of men who deserved to be immortalized on paper.
I also knew Sean and the rest of the platoon needed my absolute best. In the spring of 2010, I made the decision to go to Afghanistan to experience a little of what they experienced so that I could write with a deeper understanding of combat. I set to work dropping weight and lost a hundred pounds in seven months of training. Thanks to my friends in the Oregon National Guard, I was able to go out with B Co. 1-168 Aviation, a Chinook unit. Later, I embedded with TF Brawler and the 162 Engineers. Both units gave me the opportunity to go out on ground patrols with them, and I gained insight into the daily lives of our soldiers on the ground and in the air. It was a harrowing experience.
I came home late that fall to discover more about my home front than I ever expected to learn. My decision to go overseas created an upheaval in my life that destroyed almost all my relationships here at home.
Sean had already experienced that phenomenon, and as I struggled to get through it, he was a rock of support and friendship. We became far more than collaborating authors. Through the writing of Outlaw Platoon, we became brothers.
Writing the book did not come easily at first, but when we hit our stride in the spring of 2011, it bloomed. All of the experiences I gained in Afghanistan gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of what Sean’s platoon had endured. I witnessed the interpersonal dynamics fostered by combat. Thanks to Dan Lauer, Hunter Lescoe, and a Czech mechanized battalion, I fired most of the weapons described in the book including an RPG-7 and a Dragunov sniper rifle. When that experience meshed with Sean’s incredible memory and perspectives, I knew we had something truly special. The words that flowed between us and onto the page are the best of my career, and I will always be most proud of this book.
Writing Outlaw Platoon became the cornerstone of my new life back home after my brief time in Afghanistan. Without Sean and Baldwin, Pinholt and Greeson, and their examples, I never would have made it. Ultimately, Outlaw Platoon saved my life.
Sean, thank you for seeing this through and putting your faith in me. I know I tested that more than once, but I hope you know that I gave you and your men everything I had. It was the only thing I could do for you, and yet after all you have given me, it still seems inadequate. Your friendship, and our partnership, will always have a profoundly special place in my heart. I am honored to have been entrusted with your platoon’s story. I cannot wait to work with you again.
Our editors, David Highfill and Gabe Robinson, gave us the opportunity to write Outlaw Platoon. When we finished the first draft, your passion and enthusiasm took the book to a new level. It is rare in this business to find two editors so in sync with their authors. David and Gabe, it was a true joy to work with you. In a business that Stephen King once described as “the tiger pit,” working with you both has been energizing and rewarding. Whatever success the book has in the years to come will be largely the result of your unwavering support.
Ed and Renee, those months apart were difficult on all three of us. I missed you dearly. Coming home to your waiting arms, then feeling your love through the writing of Outlaw Platoon gave me the push I needed to sustain two and a half months of twenty-hour days.
Ed, I will never forget sitting at my desk at FOB Shank, reading the local paper’s article about your achievement on the track at school. Your embrace at McChord when I returned—nothing like that in the world.
Renee, over the years I have watched you grow from my little girl to a young woman of tremendous substance. Your sense of humor and your cheerful and wacky disposition leave me in stitches. You have been inspirational to me. This book could not have been written without you, Renee. This work is your achievement too.
Jenn, you weathered every possible storm while Sean and I wrote Outlaw Platoon. Running the household, taking care of Vol, supporting the children as their dad was on the other side of the planet—these were challenges enough. A myriad of other issues made things exponentially more difficult after I returned home. Through it all, you gave me the space and support to write, and never pushed when I struggled. Thank you for everything you did for me and the family. Whatever success we have with Outlaw Platoon will be our triumph over every possible curveball life could throw at us. If anything, I’ve learned that there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.
To Larry and Mary Ann Beggs, your support and love for my family has been pivotal. Outlaw Platoon would not have been finished without you, and I cannot express enough gratitude for your devotion and steadfast support.
To Lis Shapiro, my dear friend from Saratoga days, you carried your own burden as well. The packages you sent while I was in Afghanistan were manna from heaven, and I’ll never forget that first taste of your daughter’s homemade brownies. Thank you for all your help and love.
Brenda, Ox, and Julie, thank you for the mail, the notes, and the support. They were key for me while I was overseas. Thank you for keeping in touch and reminding me that I was cared for by good and devoted friends.
To everyone in TF Brawler and the 162 Engineers, I cannot thank y’all enough for allowing me to spend time with you and experience a little bit of the war from your perspectives. Rob Ault, Scott Tant, Eric West, Kyle Evarts, Craig Talarico, Anson Smith, Joe Speal, Kyle Stimson, Bob Bacca, Andrew Carlstrom, Bill Sickendick, Craig Marston, Bradley Stanley, Daryl Jones, Andrew Alvord, Felix G., Evan Mace, Joe Pruitt, and SFC Middleton were just a few of the great folks who made me feel so welcome and at home during such a disorienting time. This book is better for your trust in me and support of my writing projects while in Afghanistan. The Thomas Jefferson Award is as much yours as mine. That is especially true of Steve Bomar and Nick Choy. Your belief and faith in me made Outlaw Platoon so much better. I cannot express how grateful I am for the opportunity you gave me.
To Captain Cassie Moore, thank you for your friendship. It has made a tremendous difference in my life. You are a role model for Renee, and a great inspiration to me.
Through this entire project, I’ve had one constant source of support and strength. Allison Serventi Morgan, your faith in me at times surpasses the faith I have had in myself. When Taylor was killed, your warmth and passionate heart helped balm the guilt and grief. Your fitness training made my trip overseas possible. In Afghanistan, you made sure I always came home to find notes and messages waiting for me. When you found out I was getting cold on missions, you fired off a package full of the best winter gear available. As I embarked on Outlaw Platoon, you read every chapter, sometimes waiting up until ridiculously late hours to see the day’s effort and give me suggestions or comments. When I searched to find the words that would do Sean’s story justice, you helped me discover the path to them. You are an invaluable part of my life. Outlaw Platoon would not have been finished without you. You are a gift.
Finally, I would like to thank Jim H
ornfischer. Jim has been my agent since 2006, and we’ve been through some incredible projects together. We’ve also had some rugged moments in between. Jim, you constantly push me to be my best, to grow and develop as a writer. You challenge me in ways nobody else has. You’ve changed my life with your belief that I could play in this league, even when I was so full of doubt that I wasn’t sure I’d ever write again. Thank you for hanging in there with me. It says legions about your character and your loyalty. I am honored to be your client, and am deeply grateful for your loyalty.
And for Taylor: Your spirit of adventure will guide me down the road ahead. Live out loud. Always, for you.
Glossary
105mm Howitzer A large cannon that combines the velocity of a gun with the high-trajectory firing capability of a mortar.
107mm rocket An artillery shell used by the enemy in Afghanistan for attacks against U.S. bases and, on occasion, for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
122mm rocket A larger, more devastating shell than the 107mm.
A-10 Thunderbolt II An American single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft, nicknamed “the Warthog.” Its primary mission is to provide close air support for ground troops against tanks, armored vehicles, and enemy infantry.
ABP Afghan Border Police. Often underequipped and undermanned, they are responsible for Afghanistan’s border security.
ACU Army Combat Uniform.
AH-64 Apache A four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter armed with a 30mm chain gun, Hellfire missiles, and Hydra rockets.
AK-47 A Soviet-made, gas-operated 7.62mm assault rifle. Inexpensive and easily maintained, it’s the weapon of choice for most insurgents and foreign fighters in Afghanistan.
Allahu Akbar A common Arabic Islamic expression that universally translates to “God is great.”
ANA Afghan National Army.
AO Area of Operations.
AWOL Absent Without Leave.
B-1 Lancer A supersonic long-range bomber that when loaded to max capacity, is capable of dropping over 125,000 pounds of ordnance in one flight.
BFT Blue Force Tracker. A computer that mounts on the dash of a Humvee and tracks the location of all friendly forces in the area, displaying them on a digital map.
blue-on-blue Military terminology for friendly-fire mishaps.
breaking contact Military terminology that is synonymous with retreating on the battlefield.
call sign A nickname used over the radio to identify units and people in combat.
CCP Casualty Collection Point. The place where casualties are brought during battle.
chest rig Military slang referring to a soldier’s chest-mounted ammunition holder.
choke point A geographical feature that forces an armed group to narrow its front, reducing both its numbers that directly face the enemy and its combat power.
CIB Combat Infantryman’s Badge. An award given to U.S. Army Infantry soldiers for engaging in combat against an enemy of the United States.
Cipro Short for Ciprofloxacin. A strong antibiotic given to U.S. Army soldiers to protect them from the bacteria in local Afghan food.
double tap Military slang for shooting two quick, back-to-back shots at an enemy.
Dragunov A Soviet-developed 7.62mm sniper rifle used by foreign fighters and insurgents in Afghanistan.
exfil route Short for exfiltration route. Preplanned exit strategies used for a quick and easy escape.
fields of fire Military terminology that describes a weapon’s ability to cover a given area.
FOB Forward Operating Base.
gunnery pass Military slang for an aircraft’s gun run on the enemy.
hooch Military slang for personal living quarters.
IBA Interceptor Body Army. A protective vest worn by all U.S. Army soldiers.
indirect assets Any type of weapon system, such as a mortar or artillery, that does not rely on a direct line of sight between the gun and the target. Aiming is done by calculating an azimuth and elevation angles, and the soldier adjusts the weapon based on his observation of the rounds as they land.
intel Military slang for Intelligence.
JDAM Joint Direct-Attack Munition. A bolt-on guidance package that turns unguided bombs into precision weapons. JDAM-equipped bombs range from 500 pounds to 2,000 pounds.
jihad A Islamic term that comes from the Arabic word for “struggle.” The word describes three types of struggle: to maintain the faith, to improve Muslim society, or to defend Islam.
jungle penetrator A cable and stretcher lowered by a helicopter capable of medically evacuating wounded ground troops.
Kuchi A nomadic Afghan tribe that times its moves with the changing of the seasons.
M14 A U.S 7.62mm semiautomatic rifle typically issued to designated marksmen in light infantry platoons.
M18 Claymore Mines A command-detonated, antipersonnel mine used by the U.S. military, which is capable of throwing a shower of shrapnel at an enemy force.
M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun A heavy machine gun used extensively by the United States from the 1920s to the present. The M2 is often referred to as the “fifty” or the “Ma Deuce.”
M203 A single-shot 40mm grenade launcher designed to attach to the M4 Carbine.
M240B A gas-operated, open-bolt-firing 7.62mm general purpose machine gun that is highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability.
M249 SAW The Squad Automatic Weapon is a U.S. 5.56mm, belt-fed light machine gun. This weapon system was designed to give light infantry squads maximum fire power and accuracy.
M4 Carbine A gas-operated 5.56mm rifle used heavily by the U.S. Army. It’s a shorter, lighter version of the M16 and the weapon of choice for close-quarters combat.
M9 or 9mm pistol A semiautomatic pistol and the official sidearm of conventional U.S. Army troops.
M998 A pickup truck version of the standard military Humvee. Because the M998 was not manufactured with armor and is largely intended for logistical use, deployed soldiers are forced to attach makeshift armor to protect themselves in combat.
madrassas An Arabic word for “educational institution.” Usually it refers to a school, but on the Afghan border many were used as training grounds for new enemy fighters.
man jams Military slang for loose-fitting traditional Afghan clothes.
MK 19 The Mark 19 is a belt-fed, fully automatic 40mm grenade launcher capable of firing 325 to 375 rounds per minute.
MRE Meals Ready to Eat. The standard issue meal of choice for all U.S. military units in the field.
NCO Noncommissioned Officers. The enlisted leaders who directly supervise day-to-day operations. The NCO Corps is often referred to as the backbone of the U.S. military.
near beer Nonalcoholic beer available to U.S. soldiers while they are deployed in combat.
night letters Death threats from insurgents. Typically written on paper and stapled to the front doors of Afghan citizens who are being targeted by the enemy.
ordnance Military provisions of weapons, ammunitions, and explosives.
Pashto, Farsi, Dari, Waziri, Arabic Five of the local dialects that dominate the border region.
Predator drone An unmanned aerial vehicle used by the U.S. military or CIA, primarily for reconnaissance purposes. They can also fire Hellfire missiles if needed.
qalat An Afghan dwelling.
QRF Quick Reaction Force. A unit held in reserve whose primary mission is to respond as fast as possible to a call for help.
radio chatter A phrase used to describe both friendly and enemy groups communicating via radio.
ranger An elite infantry soldier recognized by the coveted Ranger Tab worn on the left shoulder.
redoubt A defensive perimeter, typically on the top of a hill.
rig Military slang for Humvee.
> RPG Rocket-Propelled Grenade. A shoulder-fired portable, anti-tank weapon system. Designed by the Soviets, this rugged and inexpensive weapon is a perfect fit for insurgents in Afghanistan.
RPK A Soviet-made, gas-operated 7.62mm light machine gun.
ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps. A Department of Defense program that offers college scholarships in exchange for a military commitment after graduation.
RTO Radio Telephone Operator.
scut work Unpopular but often essential premission or postmission dirty work.
SF Special Forces. An elite unit of highly specialized U.S. Army soldiers whose primary mission is to train indigenous forces in military tactics.
SITREP Situation Report.
sortie A synonym for the deployment of a military unit or units.
stacking air A term used to define the echeloning of air firepower.
UH-60 Blackhawk A U.S. helicopter designed for the tactical transportation of troops to and from battle.
wadi An Arabic term that refers to a dry riverbed used for vehicular traffic.
walk/troop the line A task that leaders of small units perform in order to check on their soldiers pulling guard duty.
Wiccan A nature-based religion, also known as pagan witchcraft.
the wire Military slang for the outer perimeter of a friendly base
About the Authors
SEAN PARNELL is a former U.S. Army airborne ranger who served in the legendary 10th Mountain Division for six years, retiring as a captain. He received two Bronze Stars (one for valor) and the Purple Heart. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Duquesne University. He lives with his wife and two children in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
JOHN R. BRUNING is the author or coauthor of fifteen nonfiction books, including the critically acclaimed Shadow of the Sword (with Jeremiah Workman) and House to House (with David Bellavia). To prepare for this book, he embedded with coalition forces in Afghanistan in 2010. He lives in Oregon with his wife and two children.