Lessons from the Blackhearts: Leadership Burdens Following War Crimes and Moral Failures
By March of 2006, violence in Iraq had reached unprecedented levels: The country was experiencing a civil war between competing factions and struggling against the United States' occupation. Such complexities challenged not only the Coalition's strategy to stabilize the country but also the resolve, determination, and restraint of all Servicemembers and their leadership skills.
A war crime was committed by five US Soldiers in the town of al-Mahmudiyah. Following this event and the subsequent investigation and trial – this incident revealed systemic issues with leadership, organizational culture, and command climate. As discussed in the book, "Blackhearts: One Platoon's Descent into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death," author Jim Frederick offers a candid view and account of multiple factors contributing to moral failure while engaging in combat.
This lecture of opportunity is a panel of participants that shouldered the burden of leadership following the discovery of this war crime – and how to rebuild trust in leadership, faith in the institution and navigating combat operations despite significant setbacks at all levels of leadership.
The keynote panelist is First Sergeant (Retired) Rick Skidis, USA. 1SG Skidis served as a Senior Enlisted Leader within the unit that had to confront the outcomes of the war crime. His personal testimony and leadership in combat highlight the challenges with individual and organizational burdens in handling complex leadership and moral dilemmas. 1SG Skidis' leadership was a key component of holding a unit together while navigating the aftermath of atrocities – and in preparing for an upcoming combat deployment.
After these events, Colonel (Retired) Matt Tackett, USA served as a Battalion Operations Officer and prepared the unit for an additional combat deployment to Iraq from 2007-2009 in support of the "Surge". His perspective on training for combat operations and re-establishing trust and confidence in leadership provide perspectives on command climate and instilling confidence within an organization following moral failures.
Colonel Patrick McCarthy, USA deployed to the "Triangle of Death" a year after the war crimes. During his deployment, he had to navigate the repercussions and violence that echoed from the atrocities – namely the recovery of three kidnapped US Soldiers by al-Qaeda in May of 2007. His insights on navigating the uncertainty of recovery operations, the morale impact on the unit, and simultaneously continuing combat operations shed perspectives on how atrocities can span organizational boundaries and add complexity to volatile environments.
About this Lecture
Lectures of Opportunity offers U.S. Naval War College (NWC) students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to learn more about national and international socio-political subjects that may be of relevance to the NWC community.
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