Jocko Podcast #514: Devastating Loss, and Everyday Combat in Ramadi

Guests: Adam Anderson (Army Combat Medic), Ryan Jackson (Team Dealer Squad Leader, returning guest)
Host: Jocko Willink
Date: November 12, 2025

Overview

In this gripping episode, Jocko Willink sits down with Adam Anderson, an Army combat medic who served with Team Dealer (Bravo Company, 2-6 Infantry, 1st Armored Division) during the brutal Battle of Ramadi in 2006, and returning guest Ryan Jackson. They recount the relentless cycle of combat, immense losses, acts of heroism, and the toll of war—both during and after deployment. Their conversation paints a raw and honest portrait of frontline life and the enduring bonds between soldiers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Backgrounds: Adam’s Early Life and Path to the Army

• Adam’s Upbringing in East LA:
  • Raised by his mother and stepdad (“he earned it” [05:21]).
  • “My mom was a courthouse clerk...my dad’s a tool and die maker. Both retired now.” [05:25]
• Troubled Teenage Years:
  • Kicked out of high school for having weed (1992) [07:05].
  • Skater and punk music fan; artistic talent develops.
  • Early jobs: Public works, then fire sprinkler fitter (loved the hands-on work) [10:44].
• Impact of 9/11:
  • Witnessed 9/11 while working construction; motivated to join military [11:47].
• Joining the Army at 28:
  • Chose combat medic after infantry slot required a waiting period.
  • "I was 28. I was old, man. But I was out running all these young kids." [12:57-13:07]
  • Boot camp and medic school: Found basic trauma training inadequate for realities ahead [14:33].

2. First Iraq Deployment and Steep Learning Curve

• Deployment with 2-6 Infantry:
  • Rushed to Germany, then quickly to Iraq; met up with Ryan Jackson and other Team Dealer soldiers [16:49].
• Early Days in Iraq (2004):
  • Arrived in time for ongoing conflict, mortars near BIAP.
  • "The first night...rockets go flying over our head and popped like 100 meters in front of us. I was like, God dang, we ain't in California anymore." [17:49]
• First Casualties Treated:
  • "[My] first time I saw somebody was...after our extension at Camp St. Michael's; kid got hit by a mortar—lost both legs. I just started working." [25:45]

3. Combat Trauma and Daily Reality

• Relentless Attacks:
  • Daily mortar and small arms attacks, under-equipped vehicles: “We put sandbags on the bottom...to try and protect us.” [24:30]
• Improvised Armor & Makeshift Solutions:
  • Lack of up-armored Humvees; welded steel, taped-on flashlights (“pretty redneck” setups). [24:44-25:14]
• Casualty Volume:
  • "We had 17 guys go down in a mortar attack"—multiple critically wounded, chaos, limited medics per platoon [27:03-27:24].
• Medical Advances—Role of TCCC:
  • Jocko and Adam discuss how trauma care (e.g., use of tourniquets, TCCC) improved over time; Adam taught his guys trauma basics before Ramadi [48:53].

4. Preparation for Ramadi & the Surge

• Transition to Ramadi:
  • Five months in Kuwait (boredom, physical training), awaiting orders [47:08-47:46].
  • Team begins ramp-up for Ramadi amidst dire warnings: “They told us...the city’s really crazy, expect to see a lot of casualties on both sides.” [48:04]
• Training and Readiness:
  • Adam intensifies combat medical training for his squad (Israeli bandages, CAT tourniquets, etc.) [49:14].

5. The Battle of Ramadi—Devastation and Heroism

• Hellish Handover & Early Losses:
  • During turnover, before official “transfer of authority,” 3 soldiers dead, 6 very seriously injured, 2 more wounded [50:22, 51:24].
  • “Imagine...the day you guys are supposed to take over, already had three soldiers dead.”
• ECP3 Attack (First Week):
  • Adam races into chaos: “I saw [an] explosion. Ran over, helped a wounded Iraqi, saw a lieutenant get shot through the calf, helped with ‘crispy critters.’” [51:29-52:46]
  • Multiple American and Iraqi casualties, including close friend Tribble, who was killed (“That was the most heartfelt one...just a good friend, camaraderie.” [54:09]).
  • Jocko reflects on the psychological burden of knowing more losses are inevitable [54:33].

Facing Mortality

• Adam’s Philosophy:
  • “As long as you give up to the fact you’re probably gonna die, you’re better off. Once you resign to that fact...you kind of kick ass.” [54:50]

A Typical Day in Ramadi

• Tempo of Operations:
  • 8 hrs on patrol, 8 hrs on QRF (guaranteed to get called out), 8 hrs to “rest” (actually prepping/re-fitting) [03:10].
  • “Couldn’t be in one spot for more than 13 minutes without getting attacked” [55:47].

July 2006: A Week of Heavy Losses

• Rescuing Staff Sergeant Michael Muir (July 18, 2006):
  • The act for which Adam Anderson would (much later) receive an Army Commendation Medal with “V” for Valor.
  • “[I] zig-zagged out to grab him under fire...pulled him into cover, threw on a tourniquet, and got him to Charlie Med.” [60:36-63:30]
  • Notable quote:

    “I said, man, I got bad news and good news. Bad news is you’re shot. Good news is both your twig and berries are still there.” –Adam Anderson [62:30]

• Adam Wounded (July 20, 2006):
  • Hit by RPG fragments: “Whole left side peppered...didn’t realize I was hit at first—kept fighting.” [64:50]
  • Refused evac; “Charlie Mike this. Strap me up, patch me up, went back out.” [70:09–71:04]
• Death of Squad Leader Christopher Swanson (July 22, 2006):
  • Adam describes the chaos—ambush, confusion, Swanson killed by a shot through the mouth [74:09–81:13].
  • Hauling Swanson’s body downstairs, utter exhaustion and emotional breakdown:

    “Started bawling. Sergeant Port came out of the darkness, hugged me, said, ‘You gotta get back out there, Doc.’ I said, ‘Just give me a minute.’” [81:13–83:35]

  • Recovery: “[I] got emotional, told my sergeant I need a break. He gave me all the time I needed—but I felt like I was betraying my guys, so I went back out.” [85:11]
• Loss and Relentless Contact:
  • Lost two squad leaders in one week.
  • “[It] was a wild goose chase. We’re all smoked, bounding and running—day just got worse.” [73:46-81:13]

6. Coping, Aggression & Turning the Tide

• Aggression as Survival:
  • “We started becoming more aggressive...taking the fight to the enemy, doing more direct action. That made us safer.” [95:48-96:33]
• Team Bonding and Dark Humor:
  • Camaraderie and jokes—even in chaos. “[Hot brass lands on his neck]—I’m laughing, bullets smacking, I’m sorry bro!” [65:54]

7. Returning Home & The Long Shadow of War

• Leaving Ramadi:
  • “Felt like I left my heart there. I wish we could go and travel back there one day, just to see how the town ended up.” [101:34]
• Struggles Upon Return:
  • Difficulty readjusting; fights with rear echelon troops who “sat in the rear with the gear” [103:00].
  • Assignments at Walter Reed working with wounded warriors, old friends, reunions with those he’d saved (notably Staff Sergeant Muir) [104:36-104:49]:

    “He just wanted to say thank you. He hugged right there and the whole place went silent. It was a heartfelt moment.” –Adam [104:50]

8. Continued Service in Afghanistan & Health Aftermath

• Afghanistan—Fourth Engineers:
  • Leadership role, flying to check on medics, fewer casualties but the ever-present threat [107:46-108:39].
• Cumulative Effects:
  • Repeated blasts (IEDs, rockets, breaching charges) – chronic back pain, numbness, traumatic brain injury (TBI), speech issues [111:47–124:56].
  • Medically retired after a decade, emotionally devastated at having to leave service [113:14].
  • Ongoing struggle with VA healthcare to address spinal/nerve issues [121:22].

9. Life After the Army: Tattooing, Music, and Brotherhood

• Tattoo Career:
  • Developed during time in Germany; became a respected artist, worked at top shops, featured in magazines, tattooed fellow soldiers [39:04–116:17].
  • “In my eyes, [other tattoo artists] are like rock stars…to get to tattoo them is cool, man.” [116:24]
• Art, Music, and Harley Riding:
  • Art as therapy and livelihood; open mics with guitar, keeps a motorcycle (though unable to ride much now) [41:30–127:51].
• Missing the Camaraderie:
  • “I miss the military every day. I miss the discipline, the camaraderie most of all.” [116:41]

10. Healing, Support, and K9s for Warriors

• Finding Purpose and Support Post-Service:
  • Reconnected with Ryan Jackson; requested support from K9s For Warriors after hearing Ryan’s story [116:57–117:49].
  • The value of service dogs in dealing with anxiety, mobility, and PTSD—personal stories of Caliber the service dog intervening during anxiety attacks [126:50].
  • “If you need help, it’s out there.” [129:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “As long as you give up to the fact you’re probably gonna die, you’re better off. Once you resign to that fact, you kind of kick ass.”
  —Adam Anderson (54:50)
• “Started bawling. Sergeant Port came out of the darkness, hugged me, said, ‘You gotta get back out there, Doc.’ I said, ‘Just give me a minute.’”
  —Adam Anderson (81:13)
• “I said, man, bad news and good news. Bad news is you’re shot. Good news is both your twig and berries are still there.”
  —Adam Anderson to Mike Muir (62:30)
• "I miss the military every day. I miss all the discipline. Miss the camaraderie most of all."
  —Adam Anderson (116:41)
• “You guys were on patrol every day. Eight hours on, eight hours on QRF... Eight hours to ‘rest.’ It was ridiculous.”
  —Jocko Willink (03:10)
• “You couldn't be in one spot for more than 13 minutes without getting attacked.”
  —Ryan Jackson (55:47)

Important Timestamps

• Adam’s Childhood & Upbringing – 04:55–09:18
• Joining the Army at 28 – 12:57–14:33
• First Combat Experiences – 16:27–27:03
• Major Mortar Attack (17 casualties) – 27:03
• Getting Ready for Ramadi – 47:08–51:24
• Early Losses in Ramadi Handover – 50:22–54:33
• Heroic Rescue of Mike Muir (July 18, 2006) – 60:36–63:30
• Adam Wounded (RPG Attack, July 20) – 64:50–71:04
• Loss of Swanson (July 22, 2006) – 74:09–83:35
• Heat of the Fight—Daily Ops – 56:09–96:33
• Returning Home, Re-Entry Challenges – 101:34–104:36
• Tattooing & Art Career – 39:04–116:24
• Seeking Support with K9s for Warriors – 116:57–119:05

Additional Highlights

• Mental Health and Loss:
  • The suicide of a fellow soldier before deployment and inadequate Army mental health checks [44:19].
  • Adam’s struggle with survivor’s guilt, TBI, and stuttering post-service [123:40–124:56].
• Military Recognition:
  • Adam’s heroic rescue of Muir finally recognized with an Army Commendation Medal with “V” for Valor, years later [130:16–133:52].
• Aggressive Tactics Lessons:
  • Jocko and Ryan highlight importance of aggression for survival and eventual success over the enemy [95:48–96:33].
• Enduring Brotherhood:
  • Adam and Ryan's ongoing efforts to help other vets, including facilitating K9s for Warriors placements.

Closing Thoughts

Jocko closes with a stirring reminder to "remember the regiment"—a call to honor the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought, died, and continued on in battles like Ramadi. Through Adam and Ryan's stories, listeners gain an unfiltered look at the cost of war and the indelible bonds of brotherhood forged in combat. The episode stands as a testament to the quiet heroism and ongoing struggles of American infantry soldiers.

Relevant Resources:

• K9s for Warriors
• Ramadi Reunion 20
• Adam Anderson Tattoo (Instagram)
• [Book: Ramadi Declassified by Col. Anthony Dean]

For more details, find marked timecodes throughout the transcript for deep dives into each story. Skip directly to the action, heartbreak, or wisdom as needed.