EXCLUSIVE - This episode was sponsored by Ten Thousand, a clothing brand for tough, durable gear for the outdoors, working out, and a more active lifestyle. I just took mine to Alaska and they held up like a champ. They also use former Special Operators to test and improve their clothing, which you know we love on Combat Story! Check out https://tenthousand.cc/combatstory and get 15% off and help Combat Story continue to grow! I got their long sleeve t-shirt and it was awesome.

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Today we hear the Combat Story of Scott Mann, a long time Green Beret in the pre- and post-9/11 era. Ten years after his army service, he gained notoriety for his role leading what is now known as Operation Pineapple Express in August 2021 when he and a large group of veterans and active duty service members helped evacuate 1,000 Afghans as the Taliban returned to power and what was sure to be brutal retribution.

Scott served in the jungle and mountainous terrain of South America and spent years in Afghanistan executing a combination of direct action and village stability operations. Like any Green Beret we’ve interviewed, Scott’s desire to work with, by, and through local forces shines through.

He’s gone on to write several books in addition to Operation Pineapple Express, a play called Last Out that the Gary Sinese Foundation is helping to turn into a larger production, and a leadership company called Rooftop Leadership, all of which leverage the experiences he had in combat.

I hope you enjoy this very real and raw Combat Story with someone who never gave up helping others as much as I did.

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• - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Find Scott Online:

• - Scott's Website: scottmann.com
• - Scott's Linktree https://linktr.ee/rooftop_leadership
• - Scott's Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ
• - Instagram @scottmannauthor https://www.instagram.com/scottmannauthor/
• - Facebook @Scott Mnn https://www.facebook.com/ScottMannAuthor
• - Twitter @RooftopLeader https://twitter.com/RooftopLeader
• - RooftopLeader Podcast https://linktr.ee/rooftoppodcast
• - Rooftop Leadership Website https://rooftopleadership.com/

Show Notes:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:08 - Guest Introduction (Scott Mann)
• 2:17 - Interview Begins
• 2:54 - Last Christmas I evacuated Afghans out of Afghanistan
• 7:18 - Scott's ability to thrive in uncomfortable enviornments
• 8:39 - Scott's whiteboard with the first Afghan Evacuation plans
• 10:20 - Scott's childhood and planting the seeds of a Leader
• 12:09 - Scott's first encounter with a Green Beret Soldier
• 15:07 - What influenced Scott to join the Military
• 15:45 - Scott's opinion on bullies and the Military
• 16:35 - Scott's trejectory to end up in Special Forces
• 18:46 - Scott's battle with alcoholism in the Quartermaster Branch
• 21:14 - The value Quartermaster service had on Scott's knowledge and career
• 24:57 - The reputation of 7th group
• 26:17 - First assignment with the 7th group in Peru/Ecuador conflict
• 34:33- Cliff Patterson and the affects of 9/11
• 42:42 - Scott's advice on loss and grief
• 46:49 - 1st time outside the wire in Afghanistan
• 51:07 - Scott's experience with the Afghan National Special Forces
• 58:16 - Afghan National Army's first encounter with the Taliban
• 01:07:51 - Operation Pineapple Express
• 01:26:52 - Last Out: Elegy of A Green Beret
• 01:30:00 - Is there any sentimental items you brought with you into combat?
• 01:33:00 - Would you do it all again?
• 01:34:39 -  Listener comments and shout outs