523: Honor, Commitment, Sacrifice, and Faith. What It Takes to Get Through Hell. With U.S. Marine, Landon Longgrear

Landon's journey from a typical American suburban childhood to becoming a distinguished Marine is a tale of calling, dedication, and transformation.

Landon Enjoyed a Typical American Suburban Upbringing With Freedom and Outdoor Adventures

Growing up in Arlington, a suburb of Dallas-Fort Worth, North Texas, Landon experienced a 90s childhood absent of cell phones and with the nascent internet. His life was reminiscent of "The Sandlot," filled with neighborhood adventures and outdoor explorations. From around third grade, Landon had the freedom to ride bikes and engage in various activities with friends, often without his parents knowing his whereabouts.

Despite a family history with military service—both granddads served in WWII—military service wasn’t central to Landon's upbringing. Instead, Landon was brought up in a devout Christian community that emphasized service to others and living as benefactors of the freedoms provided by the sacrifices of previous generations.

Military Service Present but Not Pivotal in Landon's Family History

Landon's family didn’t often discuss their military service, even though it was present. His granddad on his mother's side was an army veteran with photo albums from Hiroshima or Nagasaki, and his other granddad served in the Army Air Corps as a radar technician in Europe during WWII.

Landon Felt Called to Serve In the Marine Corps Young

Landon's upbringing in a wholesome, community-oriented environment instilled in him an early call to serve. He remembers always feeling a desire to serve in the military and recalls how his youth group, imbued with a faith-filled culture, influenced his life choices. Moreover, the culture of the 1990s—with punk rock, extreme sports, and rebellious TV shows—also played a role in shaping his attitude.

Landon Enlisted In Marines Post-High School, Completing Boot Camp and Training

Landon's Boot Camp Leadership Ensures Success

After high school, Landon enlisted in the Marines, entered boot camp, and adjusted his mindset to fully embrace the discipline required to succeed. As the platoon guide and later the honor man out of 90 guys, Landon thrived on the close proximity to drill instructors, the high expectations, and the i ...

Landon Longgrear's journey to the battlefields of Sangin, Afghanistan unfolded through a series of shifting circumstances and strategic decisions. When Landon joined Alpha company 1/23 in Houston, the unit was initially slated for operations in Deh la Ram, Farah province, focusing on uprooting the Taliban and disrupting heroin operations. However, their mission quickly pivoted to the Sangin Valley in Helmand province, renowned for its strategic significance in both Taliban resurgence and the global heroin trade, as 70% of the world's supply reportedly originates there.

Unit Tasked With Dangerous Operations in Sangin Valley

The Intense and Dangerous Nature of Landon's Deployment

Upon arrival, Landon's unit, Alpha Company, was designated as a Mobile Quick Reaction Force. They faced torrential rains and muddy terrains that complicated their operations from the onset. Landon and his unit were eager to engage in combat like their peer units, but they found themselves as easy targets along patrol routes.

Their taskings were multifaceted: They bolstered the main effort by the 3/5 further south when not needed for QRF missions, ran their own combat patrols, and underwent intense pre-deployment training exercises that included exhaustive fire ranges, combat lifesaver training, and overnight patrols.

Landon spoke of the constant exposure to threats such as IED explosions, machine gun fire, and the apprehension of stepping on pressure plates. The Taliban's familiarity with the terrain allowed them to plan elaborate ambush setups, which further stressed the importance of maintaining route 611 to prevent IED installations.

Anticipation of Conflict and Realities of Danger

The unit operated under the stress of imminent engagement with the enemy whose intent was to repel intruders with lethal force. Landon vividly recounted the moments leading up to and following a massive IED detonation, which left a dust plume so extensive they feared the worst for all involved. The area's nickname, 'the tanks,' given by local enemy forces, signified the recognition of the unit's potential impact on Taliban objectives.

Leadership, such as Staff Sergeant Smith and possibly Huff, prepared the Marines for the brutality they would face by showing videos of insurgent violence. While the informational forewarning was explicit and grim, it set the stage for the kind of enemy they would encounter – one that employed brutality.

Encounters with IEDs and the Changing Face of Warfare

The Taliban used techniques such as surveillance and tactical patience to their advantage, creating psychological pressure on Landon's unit. Landon's narrative paints a stark reality of war – one of strategizing under fire, engaging with the enemy, and the overarching task of neutralizing IED threats. Notably, Landon describes his role as the point man, emphasizing the high-risk nature of the position.

Landon's experience was a testament to the hair-trigger brinksmanship prevalent in Sangin's conflict zones. From visibly tense engagements with military-age males on patrol to a U-shaped ambush poised to strike, each moment gripped with the tightrope balance be ...

Landon Struggled With Wartime Experiences

Landon Longgrear's traumatic war encounters deeply impacted his emotions and worldview.

War's Brutality Shaped Landon's Worldview

During combat, Landon witnessed the death and critical injuries of his fellow soldiers, which had a profound and immediate effect, as seen in his instinct to comfort his comrade Rast with words of faith amidst the chaos. Landon discusses the internal struggle with vengeance and bloodlust that he faced while remaining professional during war, alluding to the enemy's active pursuit and the reciprocation of that pursuit — with Landon and his Marines hunting in return.

However, the immense emotional toll became visible as the chaos settled, surfacing as anger, bitterness, and difficulty in expressing sorrow while he felt he should be grieving. Reflecting on an incident where a civilian bus hit an improvised explosive device (IED), Landon acknowledged the cruelty of war, marking a significant shift in his identity and feelings of crossing moral lines.

Landon's Faith and Purpose Challenged, yet Resilient

Despite the hardships, Landon maintained his faith, finding solace in reciting Psalm 27 before engagements and persevering through his determination to be a Christian beacon amid darkness. He aimed to lead by example, even in the face of ridicule, and remained committed to serving others in his platoon — a testament to his resilient faith and purpose.

Landon's Struggle Adapting To Civilian Life

As Landon transitioned back to civilian life, he encountered loneliness and a lack of direction, missing the clear mission of his day-to-day military life. Upon returning home, he felt alone and frantic, missing the presence of his weapon and his fellow Marines. The sudden shift to a pe ...

Landon's journey transitioning from military service to civilian life is marked by notable academic achievements and a meaningful career in construction and real estate development, ultimately finding fulfillment and making a positive impact.

Landon Pursued Education After Military, Initially Struggling to Adjust

Marine Corps Discipline Boosts Landon's Academic Performance

After returning from Afghanistan, Landon took a break before delving into academia. In undertaking his first semester, he decided to load up on courses, achieving straight A's and mostly A+'s, a reality that surprised him given his past educational performance. It was the discipline instilled in him during his time with the Marines—meticulous study and thorough task completion—that bolstered his academic success, a stark contrast from his previous high school attitude and performance. Determined to expedite his education to return to the Marines as an officer, Landon showed a marked improvement in focus and determination.

Landon's Wartime Experiences Inspired His Study of Philosophy and Theology

His time overseas spurred a significant swing in interests toward philosophy and theology. Engaging deeply with these profound subjects provided a source of healing. Eventually, Landon completed a graduate degree in economics-oriented subjects, achieving straight A's, which underscored his excellent academic performance despite its impracticality in securing conventional employment.

Landon Succeeded In Construction and Real Estate Development

Landon's Leadership, Management, and Adaptability Skills Translated Well To His New Career

The rigor and project management skills Landon acquired in the military translated smoothly into his chosen field of construction and real estate development. The Beck Group in Dallas extended him a job opportunity, recognizing his innate leadership and execution abilities. Here, he quickly learned the ropes in pre-construction and cost estimates, eventually stepping up to an assistant project manager role for a significant project, indicating a seamless transfer of his military skill set to civilian professional success.

Later, at Brookfield in New York, Landon harnessed his background in construction sciences and his passion for economics, financial market feasibility, and investment mental processes. His ascent continued at Clarion partners, where he took on t ...