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Mike Drop

Ret. Blackwater Operator Author Morgan Lerette | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 186

Mike Drop

Mike Ritland

Society & Culture, Documentary, Politics, News

4.96.3K Ratings

🗓️ 6 May 2024

⏱️ 150 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop The world of private military contracting is wildly complicated. Take it from Morgan Lerette - he's a retired Blackwater Operator, Army Intelligence Officer, and the author of 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq', an irreverently honest memoir that shows both the good and the bad of injecting private armies into active combat zones in the name of diplomacy, spread out over the early days of the Iraq War. With gut-wrenching tragedy, dark humor, and absolutely insane party stories that make 'Animal House' seem like a Disney film, Morgan's memoir offers a firsthand perspective of how men act and react in war, for better or worse. It's a story of national incompetence, international collapse, and the search for blood and treasure that either helped - or hindered - the American war effort in Iraq. Was all the carnage worth it? Let's ask Morgan. ---------- Support Morgan Lerette - Get Your Copy of Morgan's Book, 'Guns, Girls, & Greed: I Was A Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq' at http://amazon.com/dp/B0C7P83DL6 IG - https://www.instagram.com/blackwaterdude1/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blackwaterdude1?lang=en X - https://twitter.com/BlackwaterDude1 ---------- Sponsors: Beam Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout! ---------- Black Buffalo If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more! Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco. ---------- BUBS Naturals The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life. Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order. ---------- Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND: SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

I don't think any jury is going to look at me if I have to pull a pistol and it's on the internet and it goes that was Morgan

0:06.4

Lorette a former Blackwater guy he wrote this book probably be great for selling books

0:10.7

but I don't think a jury would look at me and say yeah that guy's probably at his right mind.

0:15.0

I got the quintessential like doing the military story right,

0:20.0

or kid, government cheese, which is spectacular.

0:23.7

So we went to Kuwait, the Ground Offensive started,

0:26.4

and then I'm in Iraq on like, you know, the third or fourth day of the Ground Offensive.

0:30.7

It's like, that's what Blackwater is.

0:32.3

Like, we'll be able to tell cool stories. I'm not a smart guy, but even I know that that's not even if it does stop something the plate's going to hit me in the face. I'm going to be rendered unconscious and then I'm going to be the guy on TV getting his head chopped off.

0:43.7

I mean I wish I was better at like just sitting down and relaxing to be honest with you.

0:48.5

I mean I noticed you're leaned pretty forward in the couch.

0:51.3

Well that's because I'm in love with you.

0:52.9

All right, well.

0:54.4

We're gonna stop for a few minutes,

0:55.6

we're gonna take a break. Ladies and gentlemen as always it's both an honor and a pleasure to welcome my

1:17.5

next guest to the podcast. Spent five years in the Air Force with SF that's

1:21.9

security forces don't get your panties in a twist.

1:24.6

Then a couple of years in August of 2004 to 2005 with Blackwater, which we're going to get heavy

1:30.5

into in terms of the book that he wrote regarding that.

1:34.3

From 07 to 2010 he was Army Intel with Fort Lewis.

1:37.3

Did a couple of deployments to Iraq.

1:39.2

Then he went to college and became an IT guy, which he can't get into and is probably even more secretive than all of the

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