The Lieutenant don't know : one Marine's story of warfare and combat logistics in Afghanistan

"A unique insight into the war experience . . . a realistic picture of what it is like to serve in Afghanistan as a Marine combat logistician" (Small Wars Journal). When he joined the Marines, Jeff Clement was not a high-speed, top-secret recon guy. A logistician instead, he led combat convoys across treacherous terrain in southern Afghanistan through frequent enemy attacks in order to resupply US and British positions. As such, he and his vehicles were a constant target for the resistance, and each movement was a travail, often accompanied by thundering blasts as the insurgents paved their way with IEDs. Every step forward was fraught with danger, even as each objective had to be met. As a Marine Corps lieutenant, he deployed to Afghanistan twice and always found a learning curve, as men previously on the ground were more savvy, and the insurgents, there for the duration, were savvier still. The Lieutenant Don't Know provides a refreshing look at the nitty-gritty of what our troops have been dealing with in Afghanistan—from the perspective of a young officer who was perfectly willing to learn and take responsibility for his units in a confusing war where combat was not merely on the "front," but all around and looking over all their roads. "Finally, a readable, honest and gritty account of the dangerous, exhausting labor that keeps 'The Green Machine' going." —Bing West, New York Times–bestselling author of One Million Steps "One of the best war memoirs I've ever read . . . a moving, inspiring work, that's enjoyable as hell, as well." —Stan R. Mitchell, author of Gravel Road In our wars since 2001, the term "front line" has long since lost its meaning. Our opponents have not been able to stand against conventional forces in battle and instead have resorted largely to guerrilla tactics, engaging our forces with IEDs, snipers, and ambushes. Into the mix of behind-the-lines attacks, combat logistics have played a larger role than ever. In Afghanistan particularly, the long convoy routes have been vulnerable to the same kind of surprise attacks suffered by the Soviets in past decades, the British 150 years ago, and Alexander the Great 2,000 years ago. In that barren landlocked country, the means to supply a Western army has to be undertaken with blood and sweat, once the panacea of mainforce or airpower is overtaxed. When he joined the Marines, Jeff Clement was not a high-speed, top-secret recon guy. A logistician instead, just out of Georgia Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering, he led combat convoys across treacherous terrain in southern Afghanistan through frequent enemy attacks in order to resupply US and British positions. As such he and his vehicles were a constant target of the resistance, and each movement was a travail, often accompanied by thundering blasts as the insurgents paved the convoy's way with IEDs. Each movment was fraught with danger, even as each objective had to be met. This book also reveals the refreshingly candid perspective of a young officer suddenly thrust into a war zone, knowing good and well that the respect of the sergeants and more experienced veterans under his command needs to be earned by his own courage and decisiveness under pressure. The Lieutenant Don't Know provides a frank and engaging look at the nitty-gritty of what our troops have been dealing with in Afghanistan, from the perspective of a young officer who was willing to learn from the "old hands," and also take responsibility for his Marines in a confusing war where combat was not merely on the "front," but all around. -- Front jacket flap In our wars since 2001, the term "front line" has lost its meaning. Our opponents have not been able to stand against conventional forces in battle, and resort to guerrilla tactics, engaging our forces with IEDs and ambushes. Into this mix of behind-the-lines attacks, combat logistics have played a larger role than ever. In Afghanistan particularly, the long convoy routes have been vulnerable to the same kind of surprise attacks suffered by the Soviets in past decades, the British 150 years ago, and Alexander the Great 2,000 years ago. In that godforsaken landlocked land, the means to supply a Western army has to be undertaken with blood and sweat, once the quick panacea of airpower is overtaxed. When he joined the Marines, Jeff Clement was not a high-speed, top-secret recon guy. A logistician instead, he led combat convoys across treacherous terrain in southern Afghanistan through frequent enemy attacks in order to resupply US and British positions. As such he and his vehicles were a constant target of the resistance, and each movement was a travail, often accompanied by thundering blasts as the insurgents paved their way with IEDs. Each movement was fraught with danger, even as each objective had to be met. The Lieutenant Don't Know provides a refreshing look at the nitty-gritty of what our troops have been dealing with in Afghanistan, from the perspective of a young officer who was willing to learn, and also take responsibility for his Marines in a confusing war where combat was not merely on the "front," but all around. In our wars since 2001 the term ""front line"" has long since lost its meaning, and the true combats have waged throughout the countries we've invaded, especially along the supply routes. Our opponents have not been able to stand with conventional forces, but instead attack inside our lines, their presence everywhere, if not always discernible. Into this mix of behind-the-lines attacks, combat logistics have played a larger role than ever. In Afghanistan particularly, the long convoy routes have been vulnerable to the same kind of surprise attacks suffered by the Soviets in past decades, the Br