Mar 12, 2022
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Today we hear a special Combat Story of one of the military’s
most revered leaders who many have never heard of (but should).
This is the experience of retired Colonel Bill Ostlund, a beloved
mentor and leader developer who served 35 years in the Army working
his way up from a private and growing into combat command in some
of the bloodiest fighting of any unit in the post-9/11 era.
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Bill’s command in Kunar Province, recounted countless times in
dozens of books including Sebastian Junger’s War and the
documentary Restrepo, resulted in over 400 awards for valor and
three Medals of Honor (all living honorees).
This episode is an embarrassment of riches for those who want to
know what real leadership looks like; what the Burden of Command
actually means; how you show up after losing a soldier six hours
into a 15 month deployment; or leading joint SpecOps task forces
with Delta, DEVGRU, 160th, and other Tier 1 elements over thousands
of operations.
Bill Ostlund will remind so many listeners of Todd Opalski in how
he cared for and treated his soldiers and explains why, so many
years later, his soldiers and officers still seek his advice as
they step into greater roles of responsibility in the military and
their personal lives.
I’m honored to have had a chance to spend this time with what so
many think of as the pinnacle of battlefield leadership and hope
you enjoy this Combat Story on leadership as much as I did.
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Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:40 - Guest introduction (Bill Ostlund)
1:31 - Interview begins
3:44 - The jump into Iraq in March 2003 with almost 1000
paratroopers
12:09 - Bill’s perspective on the current conflict in Ukraine
17:32 - Childhood and getting into the military
42:19 - Combat Story #1 - Lightning in the Storm Air Assault and
leadership lessons learned
1:06:49 - Instilling expectation in his soldiers and his love of
soldiers
1:26:57 - Combat Story #2 – Troops in Contact 6 hours into 15 month
mission after just taking command
1:37:08 - Awards process and how combat provides a unique
opportunity for leaning and growth
1:49:30 Combat Story #3 - Battle of Wanat
2:08:48 – Feeling about now having a son in the military
2:10:09 - What did you carry into combat/interrogations?
2:11:41 - Would you do it all again?
2:15:23 - Listener comments and shout outs