Comments on: ROK Drop Review: Warrior King By Nathan Sassaman

By: Glans

Glans — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 06:29:43 +0000

GI Koreas says, "Sassaman also takes a shot at Madeline Albright as being in the same vain as Rumsfeld as civilian leaders that didn’t serve and did not fully appreciate the responsibilities they were entrusted with in regards to using the military." I think that's the same vein, but be that as it may, Wikipedia says: "Rumsfeld served in the United States Navy during peacetime, from 1954 to 1957, as a naval aviator and flight instructor. His initial training was in the North American SNJ Texan basic trainer after which he transitioned to flying the Grumman F9F Panther fighter. In 1957, he transferred to the Naval Reserve and continued his naval service in flying and administrative assignments as a drilling reservist. On 1 July 1958, he was assigned to Anti-submarine Squadron 662 at Naval Air Station Anacostia, District of Columbia, as a selective reservist. Rumsfeld was designated aircraft commander of Anti-submarine Squadron 731 on 1 October 1960, at Naval Air Station Grosse Ile, Michigan, where he flew the S2F Tracker. He transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve when he became Secretary of Defense in 1975 and retired with the rank of captain in 1989."

By: Robert Sullivan

Robert Sullivan — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:19:47 +0000

I served with LTC Sassaman back in the day, when he was a fresh lieutenant. we were stationed at the elite, Fort Ord, California. I also competed against him on the football field on the base. (great player)! He led his team to the post championship. That was back in 1986. You could see his great leadership qualities way back then. Not only was he a leader, but he led by example. That was a long time ago, but I will never forget those pivotal years of my life, nor did I forget the name of Nate Sassaman. FOLLOW ME LIGHTFIGHTER!!!!!!

By: Fmr. Sgt. Vigue

Fmr. Sgt. Vigue — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:46:32 +0000

I was attached to all three brigades of 4th ID during OIF 1 in Iraq. I can tell you that the safest that I felt was during my last 5 months attached the 1/8th. They were easiest the best trained and highest morale of all 4th Id units (without any disrespect to the soldiers of the other units). Even though, Colonel Sassaman was critical of some Civil Affairs Officers (and to some degree rightly so) in his book. He treated our team very good. I admired his determination in snuffing our the insurgents in his AO. I was felt safe on FOB Poliwada (Cap. Poliwada was a great man, by the way…loved and respected by Col. Sassaman, when everyone on the FOB paid their respects at a makeshift memorial one night). Sassaman wasn’t a politically correct officer. He took care of his men. I think Col. Rudesheim had it out for him. So sad that he was hung to dry.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:51:38 +0000

I have just finished reading the article "Fall of the Warrior King" for the second time. I served in Iraq from 2004-2005 and although do not condone the decision made to cover up the incident, I do recognize the nature and mentality of leaders in Iraq during that time. My time there was at a Combat Support Hospital where I saw daily the number of wounded warriors being brought in and the frustration on the faces of their comrades and leaders. Although my unit was not fighting in the streets as these warriors were, the counterinsurgency nature does not discriminate. So, even units on forward operating bases were frequently attacked. Six of our own Soldiers were injured due to indirect fire and I know how frustrating it was for our leadership. I would like to believe that given more stress as in LTC Sassaman's case, I would as a leader set a command climate where lethality does not turn in to criminality.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:45:32 +0000

I was Platoon Leader running operations in Balad when LTC Sassaman first arrived. He was one of the most arrogant people I had ever met and bumped heads with him multiple times as he was not in my chain of command. As there are many great Americans that served with the 1/8 I do not want to discredit their service but, I can tell you that under the 1/8th was there were several allegations of theft from the locals, use of prostitutes, killings of old men and young girls for the crime of being out past curfew. I saw evidence of all of these. I and my chain of command informed LTC Sassaman and Matthew Cunningham. These officers wanted to protect their Soldiers and did very little to insure they were held to a moral standard. If you look at the TTPs used by the 1/8th they are the exact opposite of what we teach in COIN today. Yes I strongly dislike LTC Sassaman and Matthew Cunningham but, the fact of the matter is that they would great employed in a conventional fight but, were not properly trained for the COIN fight where they were employed. As one individual comment above, war is hell but we all have to account for our action and what is right and what is wrong. Please remember that there are reasons why the individuals are no longer serving and they all are going to tell their story in their own light as I just did here.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:07:48 +0000

Great article; I also served under Col Sassaman, He was is a great Soldier, an outstanding Officer, and a true Leader. He cared about each an everyone of his Soldiers. I was a Squad Leader under his command. He inspired me.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:34:50 +0000

I served unde LTC Sassaman in Iraq. He was an excellent soldier, and a Superb Leader. He didn't give an order he didn't wouldn't have followed himself. He personally led the way into battle. I would go to war with again.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:38:23 +0000

I also served under LTC Sassaman. My first impression was an outstanding commander, but then I had my doubts. He was arrogant, so much so that I think he believed himself 'untouchable'. And then BIG ARMY reached out and touched him. I am not saying he didn't do a good job as a Commander, but he was less restrained than he needed to be for his responsibility.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:23:22 +0000

I served under LTC. Sassaman in Iraq. He is hands down the best commander I ever had in my 8 years of service. He did what was needed to complete the mission, and to bring us all home. When we start changing how we fight because of what the public thinks, and what the media will show on the news, more good soldiers will be jailed and careers ended for doing the jobs! War is Hell and we are there fighting and living the nightmare so the people back home don't have to. The news needs stories that sell, soldiers being accused of crimes, civilians being killed, u don't see the solider that gave medical aid to saved an Iraqi insurgent life after a fire fight that killed his buddy, or the soldiers playing soccer with a group of children while on a patrol. The Media need to be limited on their roll in combat, till then can show the whole truth, not just was sells at the expense of out troops!

By: Shinseki Nominated for Veteran’s Affairs Position

Shinseki Nominated for Veteran’s Affairs Position — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:14:34 +0000

[...] there as well. It is widely known how much the Pentagon brass did not get along Rumsfeld. I mentioned before here on the ROK Drop how Rumsfeld treated prior USFK Commanding General Leon LaPorte: Among the many lessons I learned [...]