Outlaw Platoon: Heroes, Renegades, Infidels, and the Brotherhood of War in Afghanistan

by John R. Bruning, Sean Parnell

A riveting story of American fighting men, Outlaw Platoon is Lieutenant Sean Parnell’s stunning personal account of the legendary U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division’s heroic stand in the mountains of Afghanistan.

Acclaimed for its vivid, poignant, and honest recreation of sixteen brutal months of nearly continuous battle in the deadly Hindu Kesh, Outlaw Platoon is a Band of Brothers or We Were Soldiers Once and Young for the early 21st century—an action-packed, highly emotional true story of enormous sacrifice and bravery.

A magnificent account of heroes, renegades, infidels, and brothers, it stands with Sebastian Junger’s War as one of the most important books to yet emerge from the heat, smoke, and fire of America’s War in Afghanistan.

Genres: Military Fiction, Nonfiction, History, War, Military History, Memoir, Biography

416 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2012

About the author

John Bruning is the author or coauthor of twenty-two non-fiction books, including four New York Times best sellers, and seven national best sellers, including the critically acclaimed "Race of Aces," "Indestructible," "Outlaw Platoon" (with Sean Parnell) and "House to House" (with David Bellavia).

In 2011, he received a Thomas Jefferson Award for his photojournalism and reporting in Afghanistan during the surge in 2010.

He lives in Oregon with his family and writes with an office staff that includes three dogs and two cats, one of whom identifies as canine and enjoys swimming, hiking and urban exploration.

For further information on John, his office staff and his published words, please check out:

johnbruning.com

John R Bruning on Facebook

and Sylvie_the_canine_cat on Instagram

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special book. Once in a while I'd like to read/listen to a military memoir. It's hard to explain but these books lift my spirit - our brave men and women. Thank you for what you do.

[cEe beE · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a woman and a civilian, I am totally unfamiliar with the almost all masculine world of the military and the wars of their making. Outlaw Platoon gave me a peek into the mindset of a soldier, and the intense brotherhood that form among the men during war. It's both fascinating and incomprehensible to me, to live for your fellow soldiers, and be willing to die for them. Running on adrenalin, these young men go and kill, get shot at, and survive another day to fight again. And they do this for months on end in terrible living conditions. It's heroic, honorable, and utterly insane.

I read this to understand the war in Afghanistan a little better. While I believe we're stuck in a horrible quagmire, these men are just doing their jobs and subjecting themselves to terrible physical and mental trauma and a mounting casualty toll. Nevertheless, I am struck with a deep admiration and awe for Sean Parnell and soldiers like him whose dedication and duty in hellish situations, bound him and his men with a love that is thicker than blood. It's absolutely remarkable.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sure Outlaw Platoon will go down as one of the greatest books on Operation Enduring Freedom, among Black Hawk Down, Lone Survivor, and Robert's Ridge. Parnell is a truly gifted writer, this book shows it, and Bruning has done a stellar job as usual. You aren't so much reading the platoon's story as experiencing it.

As I've mentioned before, the writing is incredible and the battles are intense and gritty. Parnell handles the large cast very well, not once, a rare occasion for me, was I confused on who was doing what and when. Each of the men was well drawn and you cared about them, and what happened to them.

This should be required reading for ROTC, Officer Candidate School, and the service academies. And for every American, I think it will open a lot of eyes. It sure opened mine.


EDIT: Just finished rereading it for the second time. Just as powerful as the first time I picked it up. READ IT!

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing memoir, simply put, just read it if you are into modern combat history.

[Silvana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I tried reading this book two years ago but could not pass 1/3 of it because I felt it was a bit too soppy. Then a few weeks ago, I watched 12 Strong and had the urge to go back to this book since it's been too long since I last read something about the wars in Afghanistan (the last one I read was Roberts Ridge: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan). I reread the whole thing from the start, but again I felt the narrative style with the recurring insertion of flashbacks in the main story did not go well with the flow. It took me out of the story a few times and then I learned to skip the flashbacks altogether. Were the flashbacks woven to the (post-combat) reflection moments, I would enjoy it more.

Now, the good parts. This is actually a great combat memoir. The battle accounts were intense with detailed description on the terrain, troop maneuvers, weapons deployed etc, that is why I managed to finish the whole book in one day. One battle (the June 6th) was just so vivid, I was transfixed in my reading spot reading that chapter. Phew. I also appreciated the fact he reminded the readers on the other enemy the soldiers have to face, not just external, but also internal within the Army itself. The stories on how the politics in their FOB were frustrating even for me.

The platoon members of course were described in details, but not too much, just sufficient to know their personalities to make them memorable. The camaraderie is obviously one of the highlights in every war books, but I was actually more intrigued with the clashes among the platoons. I've read about this in some other books, and it just further my conviction that strong bonds - band of brothers stuff - could only be forged in smaller units.

I'd love to read more books on Afghan wars - not just from the US perspective, as we know that particular spot on earth has become the graveyard of empires for thousands of years.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good account of an actual group in combat. This is an attempt to give a objective account of the actual effect of war on actual people. In truth the account can't help but occasionally be subjective but mostly the attempt is successful.

Also there is an attempt not to use this to grind a political axe...a good idea as our people in uniform deserve better than that.

In other words, just read this one.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fic military stories have a special place in my heart and this one fits right in. There are no words (or review) that can do it justice coming from a civilian like myself except to say a word of thanks to all the brave soldiers who sacrificed so much. So thanks, and thanks to the author for sharing his story.

[Brad H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first became aware of this book through his interview on the Opie and Anthony show on XM radio. After listening to his candid interview and his self-deprecating attitude I was drawn to this book.

As a vetran of Desert Storm and desert Shield, I have a "slight" insight into how are men and women do their job. I can hold no candle to what I did versus what they have done and continue to do. I continus to support and cherish them in my heart and mind and hold them all with utmost respect and honor.

So to the book:
Mr. Parnell gives a fantastic insight to the "Brotherhood" of war and the bonding of men in war. He draws you into knowing the characters and who they are, how they came to be there and the families left behind.
At no time does Mr.Parnell glorify anything that he did. He lays all the blood, sweat, tears and honor souly upon the shoulders of his men.
He simply tells it like a good commander could. Learn from your men, respect your men, support your men....and they will follow you to and through the gates of hell.

Cpt. Parnell tells it like it is. There is one paticular Platoon in his area that was the worst that we could field. He pulls no punches when it comes to laying shame upon them and their utter distrust and faith in them.

His troops on the other hand exemplify the BEST that could field. Compassion for the locals that have endured horrific atrocities by the enemy. Disdain and hated for the enemy. But, respect for the enemy as well. They openly show that this is not some rag tag army of dirt farmers that many Americans have been led to believe.
Many times the enemy is well trained, well equipped and vetrans of many years of fighting.

It was refreshing to see a book also point fingers at those that help the enemy. Pakistan being the worst. Openly helping and aiding terrorists and murderers of the innocent. Cudo's for being so candid Mr. Parnell.

As with any book of this nature...there are moments of glory and honor. But, sadly to have glory and honor...there must also be moments of utter sadness and crushing loss.
You will find that here. There was a moment or 2 in this book that I had "small" tears in my eyes and "that tightness" of the throat.

Capt. Parnell Leads from the front and LOVES his men. he pushes them hard at times to make them the best that they can be. Pushes his own wounds aside to save his men and get them what they so rightly need and deserve.
From his: It Smells like bannana's to going home. He shows the UTMOST respect and HONOR to serve alongside his men.
I salute you Sir.
If we only had more of you to lead our men and women into and OUT of this war.

Brad

[Sweetwilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Sean Parnell’s Outlaw Platoon. What an education this book is. Sean Parnell is a young platoon leader who is assigned to a 10th Mountain division infantry platoon deployed in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Prior to his deployment, Lieutenant Parnell thinks he will be facing a rag-tag group of Taliban. Instead he is facing an experienced, elite group of insurgents whose leaders were fighting the Soviets when Parnell was in diapers. The Taliban are given sanctuary and direct support from our so-called Pakistan allies. They recruit willing jihadists from all over the Muslim world who can’t wait to make a suicide charge at that Americans. Taliban ambushes are a common everyday occurrence. The Outlaws are cut off and almost overrun on more than one occasion. Meanwhile the Outlaw’s are aided by an Afghanistan Police force whose corrupt leader sells their US supplied weapons on the black market for extra cash, an interpreter that is tipping off the enemy, and Afghan civilians that will accept American medical aid and food but will not tell the Outlaws that the insurgents planted road side bombs nearby. Meanwhile, their fellow Americans- safely inside the wire - play petty politics. The Outlaws receive poor medical attention. There is a Mail lady referred to as the mail bitch that has the Outlaw’s contraband pet dogs shot while the Outlaws are on patrol. There is also a fellow platoon that will not risk venturing too far outside the wire to help the Outlaws when they are engaged with the enemy.

I had no idea that Americans were involved in combat this intense anywhere in the world. I was in shock and total disbelief. I had no idea that things were that awful over there. Parnell talks about Afghan fathers that would demand their sons receive emergency medical treatment before their daughters. He tells how the Taliban would be so brutal to civilians including children and that Americans would be so politically correct that we would not return Taliban 107MM rocket fire into Pakistan. The Pakistanis were not only giving safe haven to the terrorists, in the final chapter, they were caught assisting them during an actual assault! I kept asking myself “can this really be happening?” To be fair, the ANA fought alongside their Marine cadre bravely and Abdul the interpreter gave his life for the cause. Also, there was an instance of a tribal elder who risked his life to give the Outlaws advance warning of a Taliban offensive. But still, it sounds a lot like Vietnam with less vegetation and Allah. Read Outlaw Platoon. I finished it in week. It was hard to put down.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excerpt from "Village of the Damned:"
The American platoon stopped its Humvees in the road.
Ahead, a small boy of about 6, dressed in rags, staggered in circles.
Army Ranger Sean Parnell and his men were wary. It was July 2006 and they'd been in combat on the remote Afghan-Pakistan border for five months.
When the soldiers moved close enough, they saw that someone had gouged out the boy's eyes and burned the sockets black with a heated instrument. His teeth had also been knocked out.

"Jesus Christ, what is this?" said a hard-bitten sergeant.

In the nearby village, the unit's interpreter, Yusef, talked to an elder and learned what happened. The insurgents had swept through this village and punished the inhabitants for cooperating with the coalition.
They kidnapped the oldest grandson of the elder and took him to the mountains, where they gouged out his eyes and raped him for weeks.
The platoon medic did what he could for the boy and other brutalized children in this place the men came to call the "Village of the Damned." The elder thanked them and they drove on, even the toughest among them stunned by what they'd seen.
"There's not a day goes by that I don't think about it," said Lt. Parnell, 30, a Murrysville native. "All I know is that moment taught me that there is definite good and evil in this world. We don't always realize it in America, but the rest of the world can be a barbaric place."

The "Village of the Damned" is just one short chapter in Lt. Parnell's book, "Outlaw Platoon,"

Yet it captures the dichotomy of Afghanistan -- the contrast between Americans and terrorists, between good Afghans and bad, between quiet heroism and treachery.
Yusef, it turns out, is a spy. He later reveals to an Iranian cell of bomb-makers that the platoon plans to set up an observation post on a certain hilltop, allowing insurgents to seed it with mines. When the platoon arrives, villagers come out to watch. One of the mines explodes and kills Cpl. Jeremiah Cole.
But the elder whose grandson was tortured is the opposite. Gratified by American kindness, he later risks death to walk 40 miles through the mountains to warn of an impending attack.

"That's Afghanistan," said Lt. Parnell. "That incident is a microcosm of the whole country."

[Larry Loftis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story. Real war, real heroes. This riveting, often chilling story is not for the faint of heart. War is hell, and Outlaw Platoon was in the hottest part on several occasions. Heartbreaking at times, this book gives you an up-close-and-personal look at combat from the center of the storm.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative look at U.S. infantry experiences in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border in 2006. This piece of narrative nonfiction reads more like a first person novel than a memoir, which is a good thing because the story has a definite arc that pulls the reader in. Sean Parnell paints a vivid portrait of his first combat tour as a lieutenant. He's candid about his initial doubts in himself and whether his leadership would measure up. His platoon encounters harrowing attacks by the enemy on their FOB, their patrols, and on Afghan villagers.

The book was published in 2012. I'm not sure when it was actually written. But even if it was written in 2007, Parnell remembers very exact details about things that happened early on in the deployment. I have to assume that he was a committed diarist or that he was jotting down notes while in country. Or maybe he went back and researched his unit's records and interviewed his soldiers.

I'm sure everybody remembers things a little differently, but even if only half of what Parnell wrote in this book was true, it's a really impressive platoon and he did a great job as their LT. He repeatedly demonstrated courage and initiative in the field. He received a brain injury that caused banana-smelling pink gunk to drip from his ears for months but continued to lead his platoon, several members of whom were also seriously wounded but kept fighting.

There's a lot of anger in these pages and it's hard to blame him. Anger against the Taliban. Anger against Pakistan for harboring fighters while they recovered from skirmishes. A mid-book rant against fobbits (soldiers who mostly peform duties within the wire) seems a little pettier, but he may have simply been expressing his frustrations as he felt them at the time.

There are a few weaknesses. There's some sanctimonious cliches especially in the introduction of the book, but I got over it. And obviously this is a platoon-sized element, so there are a lot of men, but maybe too many of them were featured/described. Often I couldn't remember who was who. There are also some gimmicky flashbacks that felt contrived, including one flashback scene that didn't make sense at all.

Reading this gives a better understanding and appreciation of the daily life of an infantry platoon in the early to mid part of the ongoing war on terror.

This is a sharply written memoir with crisp and jagged prose. I assume the co-writer John Bruning deserves a lot of credit for that.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ray Porter. The performance was good overall but oddly melodramatic and anguished even in some of the more casual, peaceful scenes.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiotape with the idea of figuring out some of the reasons why the war ended the way it did. It really was no surprise. I mean it was Afghanistan. Here are a few ideas.

Their first translator Abdul is tortured and killed. The second one Yusef turns out to be a spy. He was probably just released from jail by the Taliban. No wonder soldiers want to kill prisoners. And why wouldn't a translator be a spy? Who is going to protect him when he goes home? Who will bring him to America after the war? How many did we leave behind?

There is a "rat line" from Pakistan. Soldiers and supplies are sent in all the time. The Pakistani military even joined in the fighting against the allies. Rockets were fired from there. And no one was allowed to do anything about it.

Jihadis come from all over the world.

Villagers are left to defend themselves. Why are soldiers surprised when they help the Taliban?

Military weapons were being sold on the black market.

One advantage was air power. Before the end, Afghan pilots were being assassinated.

Countless examples of torture on the other side.

We train in rules of engagement. No such training for your opponents.

Most of what people saw as progress, even before any of these wars there, was in Kabul. Most of the country is rural and extremely poor.

The elephant in the room is religion. I won't get into that.

At some point we need to take a closer look at how we expect to make the world a better place if we consistently look at it through rose-colored glasses.

[Theri Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book about 10 minutes ago; I had to take a few deep breaths and pull myself together. Sean Parnell writes a gripping and detailed account of his thoughts, his men, his sadness and his joy while on deployment in Afghanistan in the Hindu Kush. This book is extremely well written and flows smoothly. I started and ended this book in less than two days. I have recently read several really good books about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from the writers first hand POV and this one though from a different perspective easily stands with them. This book exposes things about the war that on some level I am sure had heard about at one time or another but truly had no true understanding of. I cannot tell you how many times my heart broke and tears poured down my cheeks. I feel like I got to know Outlaw Platoon personally and with every battle I could feel my chest get tight in fear for all the guys that I felt like I knew intimately. I feel like I laughed with them, cried with them, was frustrated with them, was heart sick and injured with them, each time Sean would describe the scenes around him I felt actual fear or joy, or frustration or gut wrenching sadness. I was completely drawn in to the book and in to Sean's leadership. I am so glad these guys and many like them have each other in a time that was so horrific I doubt the average person (myself) could endure it. I cried so hard for the fallen men my family thought I had lost a dear friend.
I find myself wondering how everyone is doing now and pray that they are all healthy and living happy and full lives. To Sean and all of Outlaw Platoon Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for standing and fighting for a belief in freedom that many have taken for granted. You will always be in my heart and will be held in my utmost of gratitude.
If you have any desire to know what these brave men go through READ this book. Even if you don't have any desire to know, READ this book anyway. It is an eye and heart opener.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a Veterans History Project (VHP) Official Founding Partner and highly recommend this well-written, searingly vivid memoir. The VHP's mission is to capture, in their own words, and share the stories of America's military veterans (and of their families and civilian contributors to America's military and defense efforts). In Outlaw Platoon, Sean Parnell, with help from the excellent military writer John R. Bruning and Parnell's platoon brothers, did this in spades, aptly documenting the words, thoughts, sights, smells, sounds, and sensibilities they experienced leading up to, throughout, and even after their hellacious tour of duty in one of the most dangerous places on earth, where they faced opposition and hardships from within in addition to lethal attacks by enemies located in and hailing from multiple nations.

The writing and content are riveting. I could barely put the book down until I finished it but could not help but stop, at numerous points, to let what I'd read fully sink in and to say prayers for many souls described in the book. Of those I prayed for, some were American, others were from Afghanistan; some died, while others lived albeit indelibly scarred by sights they saw, physical injuries they sustained, or actions they were duty bound or honor bound to execute.

In addition to being awed by the courage many displayed in the worst of circumstances, I felt sorrow and sympathy for those whose fear or inability to function under fire ruined their reputations, military careers, and self-esteem. There, but for the grace of God, go you or I.

I also found it impossible to avoid loathing such characters as the "Mail Bitch", her egregious NCO lover, and other inconsiderate malingerers and slackers on base (such as the disrespectful and incompetent nurse practitioner and the interpreter-mole), and so many others who endangered or undermined the well-being of the fighting forces.

[Justin Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I won't be giving many more books 5 stars from now on, but this book actually deserved a full rating. Everything else that I like will reach a maximum of 4 stars, and only those books that really please me will get 5 stars. This book is truly a special pick, even among the many military related personal narratives I have read. I have to say that this really urged me to keep reading farther and farther instead of trying to finish it so I can read the next book, write a review, and win more books. It just doesn't work that way with this book.

I'm not even going to waste my time blabbering about the plot, because guess what the best way of finding out the plot is? Reading the book! Everything may sound lighthearted and informal, but get this: this is another one of those books where it helps to have a personal reference or else you just don't understand. One of my friends is at USMA Westpoint and is going to graduate a Second Lieutenant just like Mr. Parnell, the author of the book. The events described in this book not only gave me even more realization about what the world is like, but gave me an image of what my friend would be like after fighting like the troops in Outlaw Platoon. Sometimes feelings are too complicated to convey in words, much less this binary computer language.

But just for the average reader, beware there are some quite gruesome scenes in the book. That's counting out all of the fighting, gore, and other outcomes of a battle. Be ready to really feel in some parts of this book. You know the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words"? Well a feeling is worth 10000 pictures. So now what.

[Addy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think reading this book after The Cat from Hué only served to highlight Outlaw Platoon’s shortcomings.
For one thing, the writing here was rather uninspired. A quick look at the structure of an average chapter: “this happened, this is how I reacted”; interspersed with the occasional: “this is what happened, this is how I reacted, but THIS is what I really meant”. Riveting. I do understand that this book was not intended to be the next great American novel, but I would have appreciated less forced dialogue, and a slightly more pleasing organization of words.
I also was a little confused by the book’s purpose. It worked reasonably well as an examination of one man’s coming-of-age in a world of violence and unspeakable tragedy. But then why did Parnell and Bruning try so hard to work the other soldiers into the story? I thought that if this book was to be an exploration of brotherhood, it was handicapped by the fact that even Parnell admits he holds a higher rank than his men, which prevents him from getting too close. It would have functioned better, in my opinion, as a case study of a single officer, his trial by fire and how it changed him.
I cannot criticize the way this novel showed the bravery and extraordinary actions of the American infantry. Nor do I find fault with the depiction of veterans coming home to an uncertain future they don’t feel they fit into. But even next to other novels on the American military exploits in the 21st century (like Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell), this book barely holds its own.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books from the Afghanistan war. Outlaw Platoon is about the 10 Mountain Division that was created during World War Two. Now most of the men that join and want to be apart of them have some history to the unit themselves. A father, grandfather, uncle or some relative that was part of the unit in the past.
The book opens with a brief history of the unit's past and its history in Italy against the Germans and what they accomplished. Then going into the training, they go through the different men and their lives. The battles are intense and show you just what these men were up against. Thinking that their enemy was just a ragtag put together force. They are soon shown that they are up against a hard-core fighting force that had fought against the soviets. You are shown first-hand accounts of their battles and how they almost were overrun at one time. I found this to be a very powerful book and really shows the strength and courage of our young men especially in battle. A true look at what they experienced with times of laughter and times of tears. A fabulous book.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to books about how it is in a combat zone Outlaw Platoon is up there with the best. Sean Parnell and John R. Bruning has written one of the best books I have read about war in Afghanistan and how it is for a young green platoon leader. I keep wondering when I read the book how he managed not to be censored for his depiction of how the military machine works and sometimes not works. I have known about remfs and fobbits for a long time but seldom seen them revealed like this. I know I'm late in reading this book, it's been on my list for a long time and I actually read the swedish translation and it was great. I knew since before that Parnell could tell a story and his coauuthor went through a lot to help him get a true feeling to the book. I can really recommend this book to anyone interesting in the military and history.

[Roger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a nonfiction account of war in Afghanistan. This tome reads more like a novel and the dialogue is like that of a B movie. The book is filled with inaccuracies, especially regarding medical treatment of combat wounds and returning wounded men to combat. Men with cerebral spinal fluid leaking out of their ears, migraine headaches and blurred vision are not returned to combat.

I served in the US Army as a combat medic from 1963 - 1968.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

He casts more stones against men who wear the same uniform than any book I've ever read. Mind you, he does this while continuing to remind everyone how great of a leader he is. Great leaders breed greatness. You fail to recognize this. Avoid this book if you truly love the Army.

[Keith Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start with the good, of which there is much to talk about. A few notes: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Parnell's recollection and story-telling is outstanding. I felt as though I was fighting alongside those brave men, immersed in Parnell's world. Letting us inside his head is a rare thing, and I appreciated that. This book is so much better written than the more widely known Seal Team Six and conveys more emotion and understanding.

Now, on to the negative. Certain metaphors were amateurish. I'm paraphrasing, I can't remember the exact passage: "the mountain sagged like the face of an old man" But these were few and far between. He did seem a bit sexist "the mail bitch", did any woman feel that way while they were reading "Outlaw Platoon"? But I do suppose he was just being honest and this is how real people talk.

I hate it when my personal feelings get in the way of reviewing a book, but alas, they will here. Now, I do know there is a disconnect between the soldiers and marines who go outside the wire and the "fucking fobbits," but I don't believe it is always so negative as how Parnell described it. I myself was a fobbit and dealt with the Army and Marine infantry on a daily basis. I admired those men and always treated them with respect. Parnell made it seem as though all fobbits are a waste of space. Not true. I never had any desire to be in the infantry. Without the "support" arm of the Army, Parnell and his men would not have been able to eat, obtain supplies, and receive intelligence from people like me who gave them information on where to patrol and who to target. I hope since he's written this book he has somewhat calmed down and accepted the "support" side of the Army that is invaluable.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent account of one man's experience leading a platoon of soldiers in Afghanistan. Better written than some accounts, though there is a lot of personal reflection on his own life as opposed to a more straightforward story. I wonder sometimes what reactions some of these memorists receive, especially when they criticize or harshly assess the actions of others, or even when they reveal personal information about fellow soldiers. In his defense, he is critical of himself as well. I was just a tad leaning toward thinking he is a bit of a misogynist (might be unfair, but it was just a feeling). Overall, a quick, interesting read.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on edge, an awesome read

[Jibralta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read numerous biographies & autobiographies written by veterans who've survived deployments in the bowels of Afghanistan, OUTLAW PLATOON is the best I've read. While a heart pounding, firsthand account of a different battle in a different FOB (forward operating base) was well-written in THE LIONS OF KANDAHAR, OUTLAW PLATOON got so intense I actually had to put the book down for a few hours.

This is the story of Lt. (now retired Captain) Sean Parnell who's deployed to FOB Bermel; a base that's surrounded by sheer cliffs that are full of caves and a seemingly endless supply of terrorists (Taliban, al-Qaeda, PakMil), most of whom are highly skilled warriors who've been slaughtering "invaders" since they defeated the Soviet Union 30 years ago.

FOB Bermel is literally across the border from Pakistan (America's 'ally'), the ROE (rules of engagement) forbid American troupes to fire upon the enemy once they cross the border. The PakMil actually trains the terrorists and supplies them with topnotch weapons to kill Americans.

FOB Bermel is in such a ridiculous place (similar to the FOB in Lions of Kandahar) because the US military brass repeatedly decides to build FOBs at the BOTTOM of ravines that are surround by 12,000' mountains, thereby giving the terrorists an eagle-eye view to attack. This is also why I refer to the FOB as being in the "bowels of Afghanistan" because it's way down below and as close to hell while still being on planet earth.

The Outlaws are attacked daily by rockets while at the FOB Bermel, the platoon is not even safe at the FOB.

Their daily suicidal mission is to patrol to engage the enemy. In other words, the platoons are used as 'bait' to draw out the enemy. The platoon are all Army Rangers. There's no respite from attack 24/7/365. Their patrols are hair-raising because the landscape is a series of steep, sheer mountains with winding dirt roads, wadis (river beds) and goat paths at their base; no matter where the Outlaws patrol, they're at a tactical disadvantage because the terrorists are ALWAYS on high ground and they know they can avoid death by scurrying back across the border like vipers.

Parnell is able to develop the characters of everyone in his platoon (they're more than just names), his purpose, as a platoon leader, and in his book, is to convey the deep bonds of brotherly love amongst men who fight and survive battles together. Parnell also shares his thought processes of a platoon leader; his role to inspire his men by example, never let his men see any doubt or fear in him. Parnell makes a point of getting to know his men personally (the names of their wives, kids, girlfriends, parents). He writes of his profound love for his men, the intimacy that rivals relationships with families, but he keeps some of himself in reserve, because as an officer, he cannot be seen as a buddy. It's like walking a tightrope in battle.

Outlaw Platoon is not for the faint of heart or the squeamish; the descriptions of the vast array of weapons, how they work and just what they do to human bodies is GRAPHIC. Parnell's descriptions of the injuries of his platoon are graphic, as are the attempts to render aid, all the while we're experiencing the battle as if we are there because Parnell is also telling us how it feels to see a brother in arms bleeding out from having his arm nearly torn off from the enemy's AK-47.

There's a whole other level to this book because Parnell is an educated officer BEFORE he's deployed to Afghanistan... in 2006. We read about what HARM W. Bush's senseless Iraq War does to allied troops in Afghanistan, because they're short-staffed for their ENTIRE deployment. There's also not enough air support because most of the helicopters, fighter jets and bombers have been switched to Iraq (where there aren't any terrorists, nor al-Qaeda or WMDs).

I don't know what Parnell's politics are, I assume he's a Republican and he voted for W. Bush, because he watches Fox News (when he's on leave visiting his parents), but the story he writes makes it very clear that W. Bush's Iraq War for Oil caused DEATHS of AMERICAN SOLDIERS because they didn't have enough man power nor air support and because of the ABSURD ROE that forbids them from chasing the terrorists over the border into Pakistan.

When Outlaw Platoon finds the Taliban's weapons caches, they also find prescription medicine ALL from Pakistan because the Pak/Mil is supplying the Taliban and treating wounded Taliban in Pakistani hospitals.

Now that the Afghanistan War is over, many of us have seen veterans talk about their need to make sure that their Afghani interpreters are evacuated from the Islamic State of Afghanistan. Outlaw Platoon depicts the amazing relationship that Parnell has with his "terp" Abdul who risks his life to help the Americans in the platoon. It's due to Abdul's honesty that Parnell learns that ALL the weapons that the US military supplies to the ANA (Afghan National Army) are SOLD by the corrupt leader (warlords) directly to the Taliban who uses the weapons to kill allied troops! Lying and corruption are a way of life for the warlords. After they shoot up their own Toyota SUV (to get a new one) and sell off the uniforms and weapons, the corrupt warlord lies to Parnell and tells him that they need new everything.

Parnell had a dedicated "terp" so he refuses to resupply the ANA who spend the entire book avoiding fighting for their own country. One wonders how many billions of taxpayer's money were spent resupplying corrupt warlords who were selling their US made equipment to al-Qaeda?

The US war in Afghanistan was so understaffed due to W. Bush sending our troops to overthrow the Iraqi gov't, so the US could take Iraqi oil, that after the Outlaw Platoon survives their year's deployment and they all leave for home, the military RECALLS the entire platoon & informs them they'll be going out on patrols for another 4 MONTHS! These re-deployments are then extended over & over and that's how veterans end up doing 3 & 4 tours of duty in Afghanistan, that's why the PTSD and suicide rates are so high.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

[Gregg Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great insight into the experiences of infantry forces in Afghanistan. While only a piece of the full picture of the US involvement in Afghanistan, it behold paint a picture of what the situation was like on the ground…things many of us are lucky to never have to experience in person. I found the personal insights and the way the author conveyed emotion the most moving. While one may never understand the bonds forged under fire, this is a good window into that world. Engaging and thoughtful, I would recommend this to people interested less in geopolitics of Afghanistan and more to those interested in the human experience of Soldiers.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the greatest wartime memoir, can be classed with such greats as “With the Old Breed,” “Helmet for my Pillow,” and “Chickenhawk” to name a few.

A no holds barred first person account that puts you inside the head of a young leader and shows the fears, compassion and decision making that goes into making decisions in combat

[starspangledman withaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gut- and heart-wrenching, both. 🇺🇸

[Henrik Haapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Nathan]

I served with this unit for three months at FOB Bermel. I had the chance to meet many of the folks in this book and they deserve the recognition for their sacrifices.