I was in Afghanistan and was at a blackwater base for a mission. I wasnt impressed with their attitude. I was being nice and they were extremely rude and self-centered. They were just glorified mercs who at one time were investigated.
John Negropnte was an aide to Henry Kissinger during the Paris Peace Talks and uttered the phrase “We bombed the North Vietnamese into accepting our concessions.” Ironic that he was involved in the Vietnam debacle and the Iraq debacle. History repeats itself I guess.
Bought his book a couple years ago and finished it faster than i do most books, he wrote a cool authors note in it, on the first page. Definitely enjoying the episode so far!
For those curious, a bullet in a bonfire isn't a huge deal. The casing is usually lighter than the bullet, so the casing has more velocity coming out of the fire. It comes out already tumbling and it bleeds velocity pretty quick. It will break a window...maybe. If it's close and if it hits it at the correct angle. If it hits you, it might sting a bit. If you're nervous, just turn your back to the fire and wait for the rounds to cook off, so you won't take the hit to the face or eye.
Good to see someone is looking into suicides.... my dad did so while holding me at the age of three... I worked part time at BW for ten years... I new two vets there that took their own lives....so sad!!! I just ordered the book..tks for another great guest!! Semper Fi
I kind of understand why the local population hated us imagine just driving down a block and Hummers just smash your cars off the road and shoot at you….. tough environment. I can see it on both sides. That type of embodiment nobody’s ever gonna like each other.
A cousin Brother and a Sister Aunt. My wife was adopted by her Grandparents because her Teenage Mom, was not a stable home environment. It’s always weird at our family reunions. Yes we are from Louisiana lol.
Yeah, the narrative around this war is beyond fubar. You can think the war was a mistake and also not necessarily believe it was for "muh oil" or that there was never any reason to think there were chemical weapons. I've seen some arguments that there was some reason to think they didn't actually have chemical weapons, but obviously, it's hard to be sure. When people make the argument that we should have known there wasn't any, they often also leave out the point that was made here, that Saddam had in the past absolutely postered like he had them. From what I understand, Saddam finally got nervous, and he had the weapons and equipment to manufacture the weapons destroyed, but they didn't keep any records or evidence to prove they did it.
My dad worked for Blackwater in the early 2000’s . Being a contractor in Iraq during the invasion would have been wild . I’d rather be with an entire infantry batallion. This dude is really funny though .
i waited for the weather to pass before i started this one so now im 30 min in and a gd ninja june bug has started crashing into my tv... i love you, mike ritland, but i fight june bugs for no man. i think the universe is telling me to catch this one on spotify.
My question is Why Did we destroy Iraq, but give pallets of Cash to Iran?🤨 every war is sold as a Humanitarian mission! By the end of every war we have a hard time identifying what we have gained from participating! I want the real reasons I was sent over there!
Assange summed it up this way - "The goal is to use Afghanistan to wash money out of the tax bases of the US and Europe through Afghanistan and back into the hands of a transnational security elite. The goal is an endless war, not a successful war". You can replace Afghanistan with Iraq and the point remains the same.
SAVE THE WATCHES ! At 37:04 the bullshit is so deep I can't breathe. Giving him a bit more... something about, "You can bullshit the fans, but you can't bullshit the players" comes to mind. At 1:37:08.... "It's in the book if ya want the rest of it, you can get the book..." Mike has the patience of Job. Don Shipley would tear him up in seven minutes!
Is it me or is this the very first guest on Mike Drop that might be a tool...maybe I need to watch more than 10 mins but I'm heavily leaning that direction and I think Mike agrees.
Really? That's funny, because I was thinking he might be one of the more humble guests I've seen on here lol. I have listened to almost the whole thing though.
Opinion at the end? I think he's the most straight talking guy on here in a while. Totally different character to the norm and a welcome break. Mike seemed to totally enjoy this dude. Funny and articulate and talks total sense. 10 minute judgement? I've made my mind up about you in a couple of seconds reading your comment 😂
He forgot to say in the interview that most former BW guys have ostracized him for using “mercenary” in his book title in order to boost sales. A mercenary is “a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.” We were hired by our own country to protect US government personnel. We were not hired to fight and we fired our weapons in 1% of over 9000 missions. We were not mercenaries and this sell out forwarded the stigma that has plagued us. Even now, the only reason he is here is to plug his book sales. This guy was nothing special in the BW teams.
Seems like the brotherhood is having trouble accepting themselves for who they are. Just finished the episode and started audiobook. It’s hilarious and entertaining. You absolutely were/are mercenaries! Don’t blame you for going after $$$, but don’t gaslight the public. You could’ve gone over with the military
@@colinh6980 your personal definition doesn’t override that of every English dictionary. Especially that set forth by the UN. The one that also mandates that an individual meet all criteria in order to qualify. Your opinion doesn’t cancel truth, no matter how strong your bias. We were adjunct DSS agents filling a role the DSS couldn’t staff. For our own country, on our own country’s mission. Nothing you can say or attempt to label or shout into silence as is the method of so many these days, will change that truth. Sorry bro. Go sit down.
You must’ve missed Webbster’s definition then and what the general public thinks. SMH. Unfortunate this guys correct use of the term has you hating on him. He didn’t even put BW in a negative light. Hope he sells lots of books.
@@colinh6980 you mean this one from Websters? “one that serves only for wages. especially : a soldier hired by a foreign country to fight in its army. mercenary. 2 of 2 adjective.” Sorry broseph. That’s not applicable and you know it. Not soldiers. Not hired by foreign country. Not in an army. Not sent to fight. Keep trying. This is entertaining.
As a former contractor prior service military this was a very refreshing listen most people don’t understand the contractor life.
Thanks man. I call it like it was.
Stellar episode - appreciate how he didn’t try to sensationalize his experience. 🤙 Looking forward to finishing it tomorrow at work.
Dude lying about not carrying a piece was an immediate turn off. Still love your podcast, Mike.
I love these Blackwater stories. Keep em coming Mike!
I was in Afghanistan and was at a blackwater base for a mission. I wasnt impressed with their attitude. I was being nice and they were extremely rude and self-centered. They were just glorified mercs who at one time were investigated.
We were not the nicest. Sorry bro. Wasn’t me but I apologize for them.
I’ve met some some that were pretty cool , but there’s always assholes everywhere
John Negropnte was an aide to Henry Kissinger during the Paris Peace Talks and uttered the phrase “We bombed the North Vietnamese into accepting our concessions.” Ironic that he was involved in the Vietnam debacle and the Iraq debacle. History repeats itself I guess.
And he was a total butthole.
Ask Fauci how that works
Ngl I had to look that name up because there for a minute I thought maybe it was a play on words.
This one was great Mike , good job.
Thanks for another awesome show Mike!
“We thought J-Lo was dead” 😂everyone back then thought she died. I remember they included that in the show “Generation Kill” 😂
Life in Iraq before the internet was set up. So many rumors.
Bought his book a couple years ago and finished it faster than i do most books, he wrote a cool authors note in it, on the first page. Definitely enjoying the episode so far!
Thank you both, Gentlemen, for the great podcast! Getting Morgan's book.
Great interview with a guy with a great personality!!!
Great show!
Great ep!
"Book, book, in my book, the book, the rest in the book, book, get the whole story in the book "
Great episode! Solid perspective from his experience without the theatrics that I’ve seen on others.
Humor is the best coping mechanism. Never take anything to heart or you’ll never get over it. Plus, pee drinking is just funny
For those curious, a bullet in a bonfire isn't a huge deal. The casing is usually lighter than the bullet, so the casing has more velocity coming out of the fire. It comes out already tumbling and it bleeds velocity pretty quick. It will break a window...maybe. If it's close and if it hits it at the correct angle. If it hits you, it might sting a bit. If you're nervous, just turn your back to the fire and wait for the rounds to cook off, so you won't take the hit to the face or eye.
Good to see someone is looking into suicides.... my dad did so while holding me at the age of three... I worked part time at BW for ten years... I new two vets there that took their own lives....so sad!!! I just ordered the book..tks for another great guest!! Semper Fi
Government cheese definitely was spectacular 🤤
John 11:35 just FYI. Great show as always!
I kind of understand why the local population hated us imagine just driving down a block and Hummers just smash your cars off the road and shoot at you….. tough environment. I can see it on both sides. That type of embodiment nobody’s ever gonna like each other.
They were already having that done by Saddam before the US even invaded
A cousin Brother and a Sister Aunt. My wife was adopted by her Grandparents because her Teenage Mom, was not a stable home environment. It’s always weird at our family reunions. Yes we are from Louisiana lol.
At some point iraq did have chemical weapons as its well accepted that they used this on the kurds. Maybe that was the only stuff they had.
Yeah, the narrative around this war is beyond fubar. You can think the war was a mistake and also not necessarily believe it was for "muh oil" or that there was never any reason to think there were chemical weapons.
I've seen some arguments that there was some reason to think they didn't actually have chemical weapons, but obviously, it's hard to be sure. When people make the argument that we should have known there wasn't any, they often also leave out the point that was made here, that Saddam had in the past absolutely postered like he had them. From what I understand, Saddam finally got nervous, and he had the weapons and equipment to manufacture the weapons destroyed, but they didn't keep any records or evidence to prove they did it.
That was a great interview! Well done Mike!
My dad worked for Blackwater in the early 2000’s . Being a contractor in Iraq during the invasion would have been wild . I’d rather be with an entire infantry batallion. This dude is really funny though .
You left a lot out Morgan!!!
Can’t get it all in with 2 hours. That’s why there’s a book…that also can’t get everything in.
THE BOOOOOOK!
i waited for the weather to pass before i started this one so now im 30 min in and a gd ninja june bug has started crashing into my tv... i love you, mike ritland, but i fight june bugs for no man. i think the universe is telling me to catch this one on spotify.
85 grand as a Lieutenant?! I was happy to make 25 to 30 grand as an E4.😅
Have to add in the BAH and overseas pay. Maxed out O2E
I like Morgan's hat. Where can I get one ?
Nice.
What would you say about all the killings and torture he did towards his own people?
Excellent 👍🏻💯🇱🇷💪
This may be one of the funnier ones since Clark I.
My question is Why Did we destroy Iraq, but give pallets of Cash to Iran?🤨 every war is sold as a Humanitarian mission! By the end of every war we have a hard time identifying what we have gained from participating! I want the real reasons I was sent over there!
These are the questions no one wants to answer. We try to morally justify every stupid war decision.
Assange summed it up this way - "The goal is to use Afghanistan to wash money out of the tax bases of the US and Europe through Afghanistan and back into the hands of a transnational security elite. The goal is an endless war, not a successful war". You can replace Afghanistan with Iraq and the point remains the same.
That was such a great episode, I'm about to go drink me a big ol' glass of homemade Mountain Dew. 😜
Check twice and drink once my man.
Our dumbasses would cut open chem lights and throw them on guys. Lit them up. 😂
I think that it was either conveniently not explained or I wasn't listening to well; but what got him fired from BW?
This guy is funny af
Funny ass episode
What's up skid Marks
Never accept a handle.
@4:40 lmao
I started the j-lo death rumor in 2003
SAVE THE WATCHES ! At 37:04 the bullshit is so deep I can't breathe. Giving him a bit more... something about, "You can bullshit the fans, but you can't bullshit the players" comes to mind. At 1:37:08.... "It's in the book if ya want the rest of it, you can get the book..." Mike has the patience of Job. Don Shipley would tear him up in seven minutes!
Cowpoke!
500 dollars a day
250 dollars a day
550 dollars a day
That’s when he lost me
I felt like the whole episode was a crock of shit from a habitual liar. Not a likable or believable dude.
🔥🔥
Is it me or is this the very first guest on Mike Drop that might be a tool...maybe I need to watch more than 10 mins but I'm heavily leaning that direction and I think Mike agrees.
Really? That's funny, because I was thinking he might be one of the more humble guests I've seen on here lol. I have listened to almost the whole thing though.
Opinion at the end? I think he's the most straight talking guy on here in a while. Totally different character to the norm and a welcome break. Mike seemed to totally enjoy this dude. Funny and articulate and talks total sense. 10 minute judgement? I've made my mind up about you in a couple of seconds reading your comment 😂
I thought he was great
this was some funny ass shit
Have to keep it light. There are plenty of serious stories out there. Mine is a mix.
So you mean to tell me that a blackwater guy doesn't know what a EDC is? I don't think so
I was nervous my dude. Called down as it went. But I don’t have an EDC. I’ve got what I like and that chills in my safe.
@@morganlerette3209 So though you do not have a EDC, you don't know what a EDC is? That's my point.
Yo
So super gay interview. Thats all i took from it.
Guys like this are what ruined it for everyone……this guy is a joke.
😮b
He forgot to say in the interview that most former BW guys have ostracized him for using “mercenary” in his book title in order to boost sales. A mercenary is “a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.” We were hired by our own country to protect US government personnel. We were not hired to fight and we fired our weapons in 1% of over 9000 missions. We were not mercenaries and this sell out forwarded the stigma that has plagued us. Even now, the only reason he is here is to plug his book sales. This guy was nothing special in the BW teams.
Seems like the brotherhood is having trouble accepting themselves for who they are. Just finished the episode and started audiobook. It’s hilarious and entertaining. You absolutely were/are mercenaries! Don’t blame you for going after $$$, but don’t gaslight the public. You could’ve gone over with the military
@@colinh6980 your personal definition doesn’t override that of every English dictionary. Especially that set forth by the UN. The one that also mandates that an individual meet all criteria in order to qualify. Your opinion doesn’t cancel truth, no matter how strong your bias. We were adjunct DSS agents filling a role the DSS couldn’t staff. For our own country, on our own country’s mission. Nothing you can say or attempt to label or shout into silence as is the method of so many these days, will change that truth. Sorry bro. Go sit down.
You must’ve missed Webbster’s definition then and what the general public thinks. SMH. Unfortunate this guys correct use of the term has you hating on him. He didn’t even put BW in a negative light. Hope he sells lots of books.
@zeck8541 semantics. Contractor, mercenary, security, grunt, police. It's all a Gun job. No need to put one on a pedestal over another. Work is work
@@colinh6980 you mean this one from Websters? “one that serves only for wages. especially : a soldier hired by a foreign country to fight in its army. mercenary. 2 of 2 adjective.”
Sorry broseph. That’s not applicable and you know it. Not soldiers. Not hired by foreign country. Not in an army. Not sent to fight. Keep trying. This is entertaining.
sounds like an anti american book.
Not necessarily I don't think.
sure but ISIS apologising to the jews for attacking the IDF, and one of their commanders was US trained really makes you think otherwise