33: Steven Elliott | A War Story, PTSD

Steven and I chat about being a "good kid", becoming an Army Ranger, his role in the death of Pat Tillman, PTSD, and how the grace of God literally changed his heart. 

4:15 Steven begins sharing his faith experience as a child and how he was a "good kid"

"The lens I would describe a lot of my faith journey, I suppose, is through the lens of the prodigal son....In retrospect, as I grew up, I am a good rule follower.  I can't stand it if people aren't approving of me.  I viscerally need that...."

Steven talks about pride and how the idea of do X and get Y was very appealing to him.  

"Going into the military in 2003, I was very much the older son in that story [prodigal son]."

7:55 Steven shares about joining the army in the wake of 9/11 and becoming a Ranger

He describes how one becomes a Ranger in the Army.

11:32: Steven became a Ranger in the 2nd Ranger Battalion based at Ft. Lewis where he was assigned to his platoon.  In his platoon were two brothers, Pat and Kevin Tillman.

April 2004: Platoon sent to Afghan/Pakistan border to conduct combat operations (raids and patrols)

12:47: Steven explains what a raid and/or patrol looks like for a Ranger Unit. 

15:22-27:40 Steven shares the details of April 22, 2004

"Once the smoke cleared our platoon had sustained 2 casualties (2 dead and 2 wounded). One of those that were killed was an Afghan military soldier....the other who was killed that day was Pat Tillman." 

28:00Steven shares how the narrative surrounding Pat Tillman death varied greatly between the American media and what actually happened on the ground

SHOW NOTES continued 

Steven Elliott's book: WAR STORY

Elliott Fund

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