Welcome to Combat Story. For the first time, I’m joined by my new co-host AJ Pasciuti as we sit down with Will Bardenwerper—former 1-36 Infantry and Civil Affairs Officer, Princeton grad, and acclaimed author.

Will shares his journey from a finance career in Manhattan, inspired to serve after 9/11 and the example set by Pat Tillman, to boots on the ground in the Sunni Triangle during a 13-month deployment in 2006. He opens up about the realities of war, the loss of close friends, and the challenges of Civil Affairs in Iraq.

After the Army, Will became a journalist and two-time author. His first book, The Prisoner in His Palace, offers a unique perspective on the American soldiers tasked with guarding Saddam Hussein. His latest, Homestand, explores the heart of small-town America through the loss of a minor league baseball team.

Will’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Harper’s, and more. I first met Will through Pat Fagan, a close friend from ROTC, and we touch on that connection in our conversation.

I’m also excited to welcome AJ as co-host—many of you will remember him from his standout guest episodes, where his firsthand experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hotspots brought unique insight and energy to our conversations. Having AJ alongside me as a regular presence will add even more depth and connection to the stories we share on Combat Story.

Let’s dive in—here’s our conversation with Will Bardenwerpe

 

Connect with Will Bardenwerper :
Website: https://www.willbardenwerper.com/

The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid (https://www.amazon.com/Prisoner-His-P...)

Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America
(https://www.amazon.com/Homestand-Smal...)

Will is a graduate of Princeton University, where he majored in English. His book The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid was published by Scribner in 2017. He has had Op Eds and feature articles published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Harper's, Outside, Newsweek, The Spectator, The Hill, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Denver Post, Huffington Post, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Task & Purpose.

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

📸 Instagram: @combatstory / combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Find AJ Online:

🔗 Official website: ajpasciuti.com

📸 Instagram: @ajpasciuti

📕Pre-Order AJ’s Book Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harn

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
00:43 Meet the Guest: Will Barden Warper
04:13 Will's Early Life and Education
08:34 The Impact of 9/11 and Decision to Serve
21:01 Joining the Military: Challenges and Training
28:54 The Mental Challenge of Military Training
29:40 Different Standards Across Military Branches
30:44 The Pressure of Military Exams
31:23 AJ Pesi's Story and New Book
32:44 Returning to Ranger School
35:03 Changes in Ranger School Over the Years
42:45 Deployment to Iraq: Initial Impressions
48:35 Challenges in Civil-Military Operations
52:45 The Reality of Combat and Civil Affairs
59:51 The Importance of Non-Kinetic Approaches
01:02:43 Sponsor Message: Protect Your Privacy with Delete Me
01:04:10 Honoring Fallen Comrades: Jason West and Travis Petr
01:08:47 The Impact of Tribal Relationships in Iraq
01:13:20 Writing and Reflecting on Military Experiences
01:16:31 The Story of Guarding Saddam Hussein
01:19:43 Exploring Americana Through Baseball
01:24:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections