Hey everyone and welcome to our second episode of the What Really Happened Interview

series. What really happened is produced by Dwayne the Rock Johnson, Danny Garcia, Brian

Gowertz, Seven Bucks Productions, and Cadence 13. Today we're talking to someone that

former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said was, quote, perhaps the finest warrior and leader

of men in combat I've ever met. So general Stanley McCrystal. With the general, I'm

hoping you hear a conversation you wouldn't normally expect. During his 35 years in the army,

he was at one point in command of all US forces in Afghanistan. Despite newsweek once calling him

the most secretive force in the US military, I talked to him about a range of topics. Nightmares

he's been having, the value of being able to tell good jokes, the importance of storytelling,

and how to convince people on your perspective. While listening, just remember, in Iraq he

personally directed special operations where he was integral in the capture of Saddam Hussein.

His forces were responsible for the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

You may also recall general McCrystal was the subject of a controversial article by rolling

stone called the Runaway General. The article reported remarks by McCrystal's staff that were

critical and scornful of the White House staff and other civilian officials. President Obama

called him into his office and McCrystal resigned and then Brad Pitt played him in that Netflix movie.

Last year he came out with a book called Leaders Myth in Reality, which he wrote with Jeff Eggers

and Jay Mangone. And although not credited on the cover, there's actually three other people who

help them write the book, which I'll speak to him about. There are some other controversies and

highlights of his career, but those stories and many others have been told over and over again.

So I wanted to speak with the general about very human things, topics that sometimes are overlooked

when people interview general Stanley McCrystal. So that in mind here is our conversation.

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