518: Six Days in Hell, And Why That Was Just Normal. With Army Ranger Crazy Joe Claburn

Joe Claburn's childhood was marked by financial instability but also a profound fascination with military life, influenced heavily by his grandparents' service and 1980s war movies.

Claburn, one of Three Children of a Single Mother, Grew Up In Unstable Conditions

Claburn grew up in Maryland as one of three children raised by a single mother. Their financial challenges often resulted in mobility and temporary accommodations, with the family at times sleeping in the back of a car or staying on a cousin's couch. Despite these hardships, Claburn harbored a strong interest in the military from a young age, taking inspiration from war movies of the 1980s and the storied military history of his grandparents, both Marines during World War II.

Claburn Shaped His Identity By Leaving Home As a Teen to Live With an Uncle in Alabama

In a pursuit to craft his identity and find stability, Claburn, at the age of 13, moved away from home to live with his uncle, initially in Georgia, a period that he regards as formative in becoming the person he is today. By 17, Claburn’s urge to serve and carve out his own path led him to enlist in the Army. His decision was influenced not only by his personal desires and his uncle's guidance but also by the allure of college aid. The opportunity to partake in an education program and become an officer was a significant motivator for his enlistment.

Claburn, 17, Enlisted In Army For College Aid

Claburn's enlistment ...

Joe Claburn recounts his time as a Company Commander in Ramadi with the 4th Brigade, 101st Airborne Division during 2005-2006. His tour of duty included innovative tactics and a "porcupine" mentality to deter the enemy during relentless combat scenarios.

4th Brigade, 101st Airborne Deployment to Ramadi, 2005-2006

Claburn’s unit initially prepared for deployment to Sadr City, focusing on maps and demographics, only to be surprised by a change to Ramadi while in Kuwait. After his arrival at Camp Corregidor in Ramadi, the constant threat from IEDs, sniper fire, and enemy attacks required body armor and helmets to be worn 24/7 outside. Claburn mentioned how he took patrols to accustom his soldiers to the city, reflecting his transition from enlisting in the Army to becoming an officer and joining a unit with historical significance, like the 4th Alabama known for never surrendering in the Civil War.

He was named for the role of company commander before usually serving on staff, emphasizing his quick ascension. His unit experienced a series of KIAs and IED encounters early in their deployment, with around 50 to 75 raids conducted. His "Gunfighter six" truck was even blown up a couple of times, and he led company-wide efforts up until his last day of command, naming his unit "Gunfighters" after old war and Western films and instilling a sense of determination and historical pride.

"Claburn's 'Gunfighters' in Ramadi"

Claburn was inventive in his strategies, setting up operations to ambush the enemy, and maintaining secrecy until the moment of action. His regiment suffered always-present threats, with 20% eligible for the Purple Heart due to combat wounds. The battalion constantly needed to adapt while separated from their trained brigade, learning to deal with the insurgents who blended in and set IEDs in familiar locations. Claburn personally led movements, refused to stay back in the trucks, and created an operational chart to track potential threats.

Claburn and Soldiers Faced Relentless Combat With Constant Ieds, Sniper Fire, and Enemy Attacks

Claburn Used Innovative Tactics and a "Porcupine" Mentality to Deter the Enemy

To counter the enemy tactics, Claburn fostered a "porcupine" mentality, preparing his soldiers to appear ready to strike at any moment in anticipation of engagements. His desire was to turn his company into a force that would deter the enemy through readiness and vigility. In his operations, including Operation Great White, he aimed to bait the enemy into engagement and used stealth and surprise to counteract t ...

Joe Claburn recounts his combat experiences in Ramadi, Iraq, painting a harrowing picture of the challenges and intensity of urban warfare where distinguishing between civilians and enemy combatants was a constant struggle.

Claburn's Unit Faced Casualties: Sergeant Wounded, Soldiers Killed

Claburn's unit suffered significant losses throughout their deployment. Claburn recalls the injury of a first sergeant and best friend who was shot in the shoulder and required reconstructive surgery, as well as the death of Sergeant First Class Rogers and other soldiers injured by shrapnel from an enemy attack using a mounted dishka. The unit also lost five soldiers to IEDs on one of the roads they patrolled.

During the aftermath of an IED attack, Claburn assisted with the extraction of wounded soldiers, including Sergeant Lamberson, who had severe leg wounds and later succumbed to his injuries. Additionally, the sniper Marco Silva was killed immediately in an ambush, and other soldiers like Specialist Alvarez tried to protect Silva's body, with Sergeant Erby wounded in the leg.

Claburn's narrative includes the devastating effects of combat stress and fatigue, with soldiers no longer effective after extended periods without sleep. He shares the emotional struggles of a platoon sergeant coping with the return of soldiers dead or wounded, as well as the dread of making life-and-death decisions during operations like Great White.

The casualties extended beyond combat deaths to include severe injuries, with soldiers expressing a determination to remain with their units despite life-altering wounds. Max Ramsey, for example, lost his right leg to an IED, yet desired to continue serving.

Claburn's Men in Blue-On-blue Incident: Iraqi Soldier Killed

An incident of friendly fire, or blue-on-blue incident, saw an Iraqi soldier mistakenly killed due to miscommunication between units. The Iraqi soldier was misidentified as an enemy because of his silhouette armed with an AK-47. Citing the chaotic circumstances of the Iraqi soldier's death, Claburn highlights the complexities of urban combat and the accompanying heartbreak of accidentally targeting an ally. The misunderstanding led to his company being put on stand-down for an investigation.

Notably, despite the tragic incident, when given the choice, every man volunteered to continue with the missions, demonstrating the unit's dedication. The high operational tempo and consecutive missions underscore the relentless nature of their efforts in Ramadi.

Enemy's Ability to Blend Into Locals Made Fighting in Ramadi Challenging

The enemy's ability to seamlessly blend into the local population made distinguishing betwee ...

Joe Claburn's career in the military experienced a notable shift following his promotion and eventual transition from active service due to a health-affecting accident.

Claburn Promoted To Major, to Command Ranger Pathfinder Company

Claburn was a week away from changing over command when he found an IED on his last mission and was transferred after wishing to bring his company back home safely. He talks about leaving the "gunfighters" and moving to a second command, for which he had to interview with recommendations from Major Womack and Colonel Clark. Joe Claburn became the commanding officer of the Ranger Pathfinder company, a specialized unit half the size of a regular infantry company but highly trained. This unit included sniper school graduates and was capable of operating independently behind enemy lines. All non-commissioned officers were Ranger-qualified, with many cycling through stints as Ranger instructors.

His exemplary performance led to a recommendation for a below-the-zone promotion to major, which would be a year sooner than his peers. Claburn's battalion commander offered him another opportunity to interview for a company commander position at Ranger Training Brigade, which he received after the interview. However, an unexpected international officer exchange program issue diverted him to England to spend two years with the British parachute regiment.

Claburn's Jarring Transition From Intense Combat in Ramadi to Safety in Pathfinder Unit

Upon taking command of the Ranger Pathfinder Company, Claburn found it challenging to adapt to the relative safety and comfort of that environment. Coming from combat operations in Ramadi, where his unit went without TV for weeks and didn't have laundry services for three months, he experienced a significant shift in environment. The contrast between the high operational tempo in combat and the safe, a ...

The conversations surrounding Claburn and his soldiers reveal a deep and often haunting emotional and psychological toll that the combat experiences in Ramadi had on them.

Claburn's Soldiers, Including Combat Survivors, Later Succumbed To the Emotional and Psychological Toll of Service

Claburn Grappled With the Burden of Decisions and the Lives Lost Under His Leadership, Despite His Tactical and Operational Successes

Claburn’s reflection on the operational risks and their consequences hints at the profound internal conflict he faced, weighing his duty as a leader against the safety of his men. Jocko Willink reinforces the reality of the emotional and psychological toll by acknowledging the relentless operational tempo and the inevitable casualties. They discuss the grueling everyday combat with a looming possibility of events going sideways, situations that could lead to soldiers being wounded or killed.

Claburn acknowledges the high level of post-traumatic stress among his comrades, which comes as no surprise given the hostile environment they endured. He shares personal anecdotes, such as the emotional aftermath following the shooting of his first sergeant, which paints a harrowing picture of the mental toll these experiences have imposed.

Moreover, Claburn’s soldiers, even those who survived combat, succumbed to the psychological impact of war, engaging in high-risk behaviors such as mixing medicine with alcohol—a struggle to readjust to life beyond the battlefield. He recalls the anguish he felt in the wake of his best friend and first sergeant being shot, emphasizing not just the events themselves but the lingering considerations of command decisions affecting his unit's safety and effectiveness.

While discussing past combat operations with his fellows, Claburn expresses an enduring emotional connection to those times, subtly revealing the ongoing influence these events have on his and his soldiers’ well-being. He candidly points out the abnormality of their wartime experiences, directly correlating the lasting impact with the unfortunate loss of veterans to suicide and poor decisions following their return home.

In a specific mention ...