Peter Nealen > Quotes

“I wasn’t getting bent out of shape about it. I’d seen enough combat to know that that was the way it went. Plans look nice on paper, but rarely play out that way in real life, simply because no one can possibly predict all the potential obstacles. Human error, enemy movements, terrain that has changed or isn’t quite what it looks like on the imagery, weather, mechanical failures…the list of things that could render a plan as written invalid was a long one. As an old mentor of mine once said, “A plan is just a list of shit that ain’t gonna happen.”
― Peter Nealen, Escalation

“We squeezed into the back of the van; it had been a tight fit even before we were lugging a couple of duffel bags of ammo and explosives.  But, like a clown car belonging to a particularly violent circus, we packed in.  The door slammed and Yusuf was flooring the pedal, dragging the van away from the curb and trundling down the street, before more ISIS fighters could show up.
I’d call it a good night’s work”
― Peter Nealen, Alone and Unafraid

“He has watched every dream he has ever had of Iraq becoming a peaceful, prosperous country dashed, both by the hatred of the Islamists and by the West’s neglect.”  He took another drag on the cigarette.  “But he still believes that a man’s honor must be tied to his word.  That is a uniquely Western viewpoint, you know?  Here, a man’s honor is tied to how much esteem he is held in, in the perception of his wealth and his family.”  He blew the smoke skyward.  The sun was dipping toward the perpetual haze that stole its strength about an hour before it actually set.  “I don’t know where he got the idea; he has never traveled to England or America that I know.  He has been to several foreign military academies, back before the embargo after the war in the ‘90s.”  He turned to look at me, his face serious.  “He has given his word that he wants to be a Praetorian.  He means it.  He will honor it.  Which means these men, his tribesmen, will honor it as well.”
― Peter Nealen, Alone and Unafraid