The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander

Finally a warrior writes about what really happened and the key life lessons we can all take away: `Always listen to the guy on the ground', `When in doubt, develop the situation', and my favorite, `It's not reality unless it's shared' are all embedded in these amazing real-world mission story's. His underlying premise is that the key to understanding the complex world around us is our ability to recognize, understand, and adapt to the underlying patterns that drive the behavior of everything around us, which I wholeheartedly agree with. But what really amazed about this book about patterns, is how many patterns there are in the book itself. Just about everything he writes about--from his childhood 'bombing cars' to his walk across the Gettysburg battlefield is linked to some other event, mission, or lesson somewhere else in the book. I read this book over the weekend, and I wrote so many notes in the margins on the patterns that I discovered, that I'm now going back through for the third time. He says things like `don't charge the machine-gun nest, go around it', and 'treat life like a movie, not a snapshot', that I have always believed in myself, but had never been able to put in words or phrases before. Pete writes about Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and yes, Montana, with a fresh narrative that makes each mission come to life in a unique never before heard way, while also making what actually happened much easier to understand. The chapter on Gorrilla (not a spelling error) Warfare in Bosnia is magnificent, as was his short story on what we should really have learned from John Walker Lindh--why wasn't this ever covered in the press? The chapter on Ali Mohamed (the wayward terrorist) should be read by our new President, so he doesn't get burned like his predecessors did. Finally, I want to point out that the maps in this book set a whole new standard for battlefield maps. Google earth technology was used to create maps that make you feel like you are flying over the battlefield with a birds-eye view of everything going on below. This may be the best book I've ever read.

What I expected was a good book about really cool missions, what I got was a great book about really cool missions and a new way of thinking about the world, which has radically altered the way I understand and think about problems and opportunities, as well as the way leaders can lead and manage organizations and other human social systems to solve those problems.
After the first two chapters I realized that I wasn't just reading some amazing never-berore-heard stories from the front lines, but I was learning life lessons that I could directly translate to my personal and professional life.
My brother and my best friend also read the book and all of us have our own personal Pete Blaber take-aways--here are mine:

1) Make and take time to think, our minds work in three elementary phases, saturate, incubate, and illuminate. It's ok to not know what to do when first exposed to something, we need to immerse ourselves in the situation, we need to 'Develop the Situation'.
2) To succeed in our personal and professional lives we must consider the impossible, the improbable, and the unlikely as a matter of course. We must Imagine! But to make sure we set ourselves up for success, we have to create an environment where our imaginative juices can flow full throttle. Humor and outrageousness are the fertile fields where the seeds of imagination are planted grown and harvested. Never again will I tell my team 'let's get serious", or 'knock off the joking'. As Pete Blaber so adeptly conveys in his chapter on Gorilla warfare, if you want to come up with truely innovative ideas, you have to laugh!

This book is outstanding, everyone should read it!

This book is fast moving and immediately draws the reader in with great anecdotes and chronicles of the enigmatic world of the "Unit", its members, and life "behind the fence" at Fort Bragg. Pete's principles about leadership and management are universal, transcendent, and are just pure commonsense. Moreover,they are eminently practical and stay with you long after you put the book down. He schools us in the Die Gestalt of leadership -- learn well.

Blaber's book should be on the "must read" list at the SOF University, Command and General Staff College and the War College. Make it essential reading for every officer basic course on the Nine Principles of War, in particular, in a study on "Mission". On second thought, the principles Blaber lays out here cover the eight remaining axioms with equal aplomb. Even Wharton's Business School and Havard's Kennedy School of Government would likewise, do well to make this book mandatory reading - it is that good!

When the dust has finally settled from our involvement in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, one of the engagements that I believe will occupy the time of many prognosticators for generations to come will be "Operation Anaconda" that took place in the Shahi Khot Valley of Afghanistan in the winter of 2002.

Several fine books have already been written describing what happened during those fateful hours in the frigid February and March air high in the mountains near the Pakistan border. Sean Naylor gives a gripping account of his part of the story in "Not a Good Day to Die." (See below for the link to my review from February, 2007.)

Nate Self's recent book, "Two Wars" (to be reviewed here soon) adds another important perspective on what happened in Afghanistan and beyond.

Pete Blaber, the Delta Force commander who was in charge of the AFO (Advanced Force Operations) involved in Operation Anaconda, has written a compelling book that is a welcome addition to the ongoing dialogue about what we can all learn from the events of those days. Adding valuable insight into this engagement, Blaber's book also takes a broad look at lessons he has learned along the way that are practical and applicable not just to military operations but to any situations that presents leadership challenges.

The title of the book, "Mission, the Men, and Me - Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander ," refers to the three priorities and three questions that Blaber set for himself in making decisions in the heat of battle: "What is best for the Mission; what is best for my men; what is best for me?" Any leader would be well served to adapt these priorities at decisive moments in responding to challenges and opportunities.

Let me share just a few of the nuggets that I found in reading with rapt attention Blaber's thoughts and conclusions. For a more thorough understanding of the depth of his insights, I recommend that you read the book - even if you have no military background or proclivities. This is - above all else - a book about leadership.

"The 3Ms is a guiding principle that I learned early in my career, which had provided direction and context for me ever since. In 1985, when I was a brand-new second lieutenant reporting for duty in Korea, my battalion commander, a soft-spoken Vietnam veteran and Marlboro Man lookalike, called me into his office and asked me if I had ever heard of the 3Ms.

'No-sir,' I replied sheepishly (I was sure it was something I was supposed to have learned during basic officer training). He sauntered over to the chalkboard and drew three capital Ms, one on top of the other in a column. Then he turned to me and explained.

'The 3Ms are the keys to being successful in life. The stand for the mission, the men, and me.' He then drew a line from the top M through the middle M, down to the bottom M. 'They're all connected,' he continued. 'So if you neglect one, you'll screw up the others. The first M stands for the mission; it's the purpose for which you're doing what you're doing. Whether in your personal or professional life, make sure you understand it, and that it makes legal, moral, and ethical sense, then use it to guide all your decisions. The second M stands for the men. Joshua Chamberlain, a Medal of Honor-receiving schoolteacher in the Civil War, once said that "there are two things an officer must do to lead men; he must be careful for his men's welfare, and he must show courage." Welfare of the troops and courage are inextricably linked. When it comes to your men you can't be good at one without being good at the other. Take care of your men's welfare by listening and leading them with sound tactics and techniques that accomplish your mission, and by always having the courage to do the right thing by them. The final M stands for me. Me comes last for a reason. You have to take care of yourself, but you should only do so after you have taken care of the mission, and the men. Never put your own personal well-being, or advancement, ahead of the accomplishment of your mission and taking care of your men . . .'" (Pages 10-11)

Blaber shares his recollection of an incident early in his career within Delta force that tested his commitment to the 3Ms. He chose to countermand the radio order of a commanding general in order to save the lives of his men:

"That simple handshake and the barely audible words of gratitude from a man I completely respected , along with the knowledge that all my men had successfully returned from a dangerous mission, was a defining moment for me that I am proud of as any event in my entire life. Ironically, I didn't do anything other than what I was supposed to do. I didn't lead a charge against an enemy machine-gun nest, nor did I execute some Napoleonic cutting-edge operational maneuver; I simply did the right thing. It was the right thing for the mission, it was the right thing for the men, and it was the right thing for me." (Pages 12-13)

Blaber succinctly summarizes the reason why he labored to write this book and bring it to publication:

"The ultimate goal of this book is to share what I consider to be life-saving and life-changing lessons that I was fortunate enough to learn as a key participant in many of recent history's most impactful events. The single most important lesson I learned, and the plain but powerful foundation that supports the entire book, is that the most effective weapon on any battlefield - whether it be combat, business, or life - is our mind's ability to recognize life's underlying patterns." (Page 14)

One example of recognizing patterns is found in the author's recounting a pivotal conversation with a Delta Force consulting psychologist. Blaber was having trouble sleeping, and was looking for some help:

"You need to understand how the human mind works. The mind has three elementary phases it goes through when it's thinking: saturate, incubate, and illuminate. Although they generally occur in order, all three are continuous processes, so your mind is constantly cycling through all three phases. The saturation phase occurs when the mind if first exposed to something. When you're planning a new mission, you're saturating your mind with facts, assumptions, insights and/or sensory cues - ergo, the saturation phase. the next phase is incubation. This is a critical phase if you ever want to come up with something innovative. The mind needs time to incubate. During this phase the mind subconsciously sorts through all of the inputs and begins to recognize patterns and snap those patterns together to come up with concepts and ideas. This is why you may have heard people say, 'I need to sleep on it' before making a major decision. It's not the sleep per se that they need: it's the time to allow their mind to sort through information and search for patterns. The recognition of patterns that occurs during the incubation phase produces the illumination phase, also known as 'eureka' moments, when your mind begins to translate those patterns and form the into actionable ideas. Saturate, incubate, illuminate - it's how the mind works, and it's probably the main reason why you have last so much sleep over the years. The best thing you can do is to keep a pen and paper by your bed. Writing down your thoughts while you're incubating and illuminating should help to temporarily get the off your mind and back to sleep." (Page 70)

As Blaber continues with his account of the things that happened in the Shahi Khot Valley, one over-arching principle emerges that resonated with me, because I have heard it articulated in many different ways by leaders that I respect: "Always listen to the guy on the ground who is closest to the action." Leaps forward in communication technologies have allowed commanders in the rear echelon to have a false sense of being present in the battle, and making false assumptions that the view that they are seeing "through a straw" has given them enough battlefield awareness to countermand the recommendations of the leaders on the front lines. The last chapters of the book bear strong and impassioned witness to the tragic results of not listening to those on the ground.

I plan to share copies of this book with friends who are leaders in a variety of fields. I strongly recommend that you read it and pass it along.

Al

This excellent book is really about how to thrive out on the edge of a high-risk, high-profile career. It's not a book for armchair experts or backseat drivers of whatever stripe, because one of Blaber's key teachings is how to circumvent the kibbutzers and second-guessers in positions of authority, ignore their distractions and overcome their interference, and accomplish the mission.

In fact, while it's a great title, the equation of the "mission", his "men" and himself "me" gives the misleading impression that Blaber may be a bit of a prima donna. In fact, the "Mission, Men and Me" framework is applied whenever Blaber is being pressured by a senior commander to take an action that Blaber is convinced will result in damage to the mission or needless harm to his men. When forced into these dilemmas, if the only consideration is his personal or career interests, than Blaber always puts "Me" at risk to assure the best outcome for the Mission and his Men.

The realism of the book can be conveyed by observing that Blaber needs to apply the Mission, Men and Me framework fairly frequently!

The book, which is officially divided into Parts One - Four, is thematically structured into three sections:

(1) The first section is a series of very helpful lessons and mental frameworks for handling intense, stressful and complex situations. Blaber has benefited from the kind of resources the US Government can afford to pour into its best and brightest, and an unbelievable amount of cutting edge cognitive, psychological, sociological, and other areas of research have been reduced to practical learnings and made available to the operators of Delta Force, and Blaber makes them available to readers of this book. Just the insight into chronic insomnia provided by a Delta psychologist (page 70) from which I and many people I know who work in high stress professions suffer, is worth many times the price of the book. This section comprises Parts One and Two of the book;

(2) The second section is a realistic, clear-eyed critique of the organisational pathologies that are running rampant in the US Government, and which clog the arteries of any large institution. This is a very alarming section. This is where Blaber's Mission-Men-Me framework, while nominally one of the key tools he explains in Section 1, is used again and again. Blaber has very insightful comments to make about risk aversion, the tactical foolishness of the helicopter assault concept, and the counter-productive stupidities that have been institutionalised through high bandwidth modern telecommunications technology. Two examples of this are (a) the way deeply rear echelon senior commanders, at one end of a data feed 10,000 kilometers away, over-ride combat participants because of the communications capabilities that give the Generals access to two-dimensional video imagery and real time voice contact--and therefore the illusion that they are across all the information required to make tactical decisions during combat, and (b) the second example is the pervasive abuse of the VTC (Video Teleconference), a subject all its own, and how the VTC has allowed the Staff Planning function to engulf and just about devour actual war-fighting, at least in Blaber's account--which is persuasive. This second section is Part Three of the book.

(3) The third section is a live example of Blaber's experiences in combat in the conquest of Afghanistan and the sudden collapse of the Taliban. This is exciting material on its own, but Blaber includes it with a view to illustrating the frameworks he explains in the first section and the kinds of organisational irrationalities he critiques in the second section. This third section is compelling at all levels, but I must say my blood boiled from time to time at the account of the self-serving careerist officers and senior authorities driven by their own egos who repeatedly interfered with the mission and the best interests of the brave men in harm's way.

While this book could be considered an unusually useful management resource there is a broader vista that opens up in its pages, and that is a vision of horizon-to-horizon mismanagement and incompetence in the US Government. I really hope plenty of people in a position to push through much needed reforms are reading this book . . . we need to embark on root to branch institutional reform across the US Government before it's too late . . . 9/11 and the operations described by Blaber were one symptom, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was another, and the Global Financial Crisis (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the SEC, etc.) was yet another . . .

How many of these shocks can we sustain? I hope many people read Blaber's book--and then do something!

This is an extremely worthwhile book, especially if you are of a more cerebral type. All too many special operator memoirs suffer from an excess of rah-rah me-tough-guy braggadocio. Blaber's book is very different. Here is a professional warrior who can both fight and think, and then produce intelligent writing about it. His book is not just descriptive, but reflective. Now don't misunderstand: this is not some philosophical treatise. There are plenty of good, well told recountings of adventures and operations from his decades-long career in special ops, many of which, especially his perspectives on the battle of Sha-hi-Kot, I found very illuminating, having read the other books about it. But what sets this book apart from other memoirs is the fact that his stories always serve to illustrate a point, a broader principle that can be applied not just to military life, but life in general. Other reviewers have detailed those lessons, so I won't go into details, but I highly recommend this book. I guarantee that you will finish it with a feeling of not just having read an interesting story, but having learned some lessons that you will remember.

The real life stories, and specifically the detailed and at time intense examples, helped to crystalize the key management and leadership lessons in this book. I believe it is quite rare to have someone whose creative, broadranging mind could thrive in the necesary constraints of the military world - making this a particularly valuable perspective on high stakes and global management. The author has made this accessible for all while remaining riveting and farsighted. Well worth it.

This is a wonderful book. In it, Pete Blaber shows clearly what true leadership is and gives you a road map to follow to be a true leader: if you dare.

In his time in the US Army, Blaber was handed a simple but powerful tool for cutting through the clutter as a leader in stressful and confusing situations, "The mission, the men, and me." The idea being that when it becomes unclear what path t take, when conditions are frantic, when orders and ideas conflict, you return to these fundamental precepts to determine the proper course of action. First, think clearly about what the mission at hand is and how it can best be accomplished. From there, think about the well-being of the men in your command and how it can best be supported, preserved or improved. Last, and often least, think about your own well-being.

Blaber gives examples throughout his book of this type of leadership being applied. He also peppers it with other important concepts about planning, preparedness and leadership that fit in perfectly with the basic concept. You come to see the power of leading in the way that Blaber espouses. Unfortunately, you also come to see how rare that type of leadership is and how tough it can be to execute in a large, bureaucratic organization.

Blaber's book is filled with examples of officers in the Army who think first of themselves and then of the mission and the men, or with people who simply go with formulaic, but flawed, ideas rather than risk trying something potentially better, but personally more risky because of its novelty. I've worked in a large company, and tried to lead the way Blaber does and can tell you that the leadership style yields great results. However, the organizational pitfalls Blaber encountered in the Army are in no way limited to the military alone. I ran into identical problems in the private sector, and I'm sure any large charitable group would contain the same issues.

None of this diminishes the power of Blaber's principles, it just serves to prepare you for the challenges you will face if you choose to lead the way Blaber proposes. I highly recommend this book, we can use all the people we can get leading the the way Blaber describes so adeptly in this book.

This is a truly phenomenal book if you want leadership insight in a very fast-paced read. As an Air Force officer, I frequently read autobiographical books by military leaders in an effort to improve my own leadership skills. While I often find books that are far too focused on specific skill sets, the lessons in The Mission, The Men, and Me should be universal to any career field--military or civilian. It is very easy for one to instantly apply the insights he provides because they are all based on common sense!

I also recommend reading Not a Good Day to Die by Sean Naylor to give you a good context as to the role Lt. Col. Blaber played in Operation Anaconda that he comments on in this book. But even by itself, this book is still amazing. I have already strongly recommended the book to quite a few of my colleagues.

This compelling, historic and courageous rendition of Pete's military missions should be required reading for everyone in all levels of personal and professional growth!
I will say that I took to heart all of the guiding principles and brought them to life as I thought of examples in my personal and professional life that reflected each one of them.
"When in doubt, develop the situation" is a guiding principle that is evident in every day of our lives.
As the story unfolds, I was purely amazed at Pete's commanding general's reluctance to break away from the rigid plan, despite its misinformation. The principle was at work when Pete decided to stick to his plan, develop the situation and always listen to the guy on the ground.
The principle that also struck me was "it's not reality unless it's shared". Put so perfectly in such few words, this should be an addendum to the "golden rule". The concept is global and yet elementary at the same time. From family to friend, local to multinational business, government, peace and wartime - it's true! If you can't get others to buy in/agree/share your feelings, concept, plan, mission then you clearly will not be successful in achieving your goals!
I can also relate to the "humor your imagination" principle as I believe that humor is essential to the ebb and flow of life's situations, business and personal. If you can't laugh about things you're sure to sink yourself in the process of living and understanding why things happen as they do.
"Don't get treed by a Chihuahua" - this guiding principle is a great reality check, as you proved in the book in several situations that forced you and your team to look at the big picture, alas, The Mission, The Men and Me!

"Developing the situation is the common-sense approach to dealing with complexity. Both a method and a mind-set, it uses time and our minds to actively build context, so that we can recognize patterns, discover options, and master the future as it unfolds in front of us." These are the words of Pete Blaber that come off the pages of this amazing book and shares with the reader the lessons he learned. Get out your highlighter.

Excellent book showing the frustrations faced by the men on the ground when trying to accomplish their mission but are frequently overruled by commanders who are thousands of miles away and have no situational awareness of what's going on on the ground. Excellent life lesson, "Always listen to the man on the ground".

Whether you are military or not you will gain a lot from reading this book. Excellent insight and woven well into interesting stories. Stop reading this review and buy the book NOW!!

I encourage anyone who enjoys reading military genres to read this book. The author's first hand experience makes it feel like you are present for each adventure. This is also a great read for the person who wants to understand the way real leadership works.

I can attest to being part of the snow ball brigade. The rest was a wonderfully insightful first hand account of news stories I have followed over the years. I admire the determination and courage of these Delta team members. My dad was a 17 year old Marine at the Chosin Reservoir fighting in another time in another place caught in similar "group think". Hopefully future decision makers will read this book. I recommended it to all my friends.

I was really impressed with this book. Equal parts memoir, history, and management. Mr. Blaber very thoughtfully presents the many different organizational and situational challenges he has encountered in his career; and his time-tested concepts on how to mitigate them. The recurring themes of collaboration, open-mindedness, and free-thinking are in stark contrast to the autocratic, command and control culture I often associate with the military.

Sounds silly to say - but the Forward really stood out in my mind. It kind of set the table for the rest of the book - and sets the author apart from some of the other different but similar books like 'Kill Bin Laden', and 'Jawbreaker' where the authors motivations were sometimes called into question by members of the military. I don't necessarily agree with those critics; but i think addressing those potential criticisms preemptively was a responsible thing to do, considering the subject matter.

I picked up this book as the War on Terrorism interests me, only to find a book offering values and concise messages that test all we believe.
Col. Blaber has the lead the greatest warriors in the world, tells their real life stories, and relates the thought process involved in dealing with the complex and ever changing world of America's Special Forces and those who choose to fight with them.
Well done Colonel... you, your men, and your decision make all of us proud!
Clearly one of the best books I've ever read!
JJ

I have no connection to the military whatsoever but the take-away messages can be applied to so many other facets of life. I teach in a school and I really think the "listen to the guy on the ground" applies on a daily basis. I can use this philosophy with the administration, my co-workers, and parents. In addition, the whole concept of sharing information is useful in personal relationships and in the workplace. Think of what could be accomplished if there were more brainstorming sessions! This is a quick, informative read.

Mr. Blaber exposes Self-induced fog of war
Mr. Blaber's treatise on command and control is simply brilliant. Most of us who have served in the military understand quite well what Mr. Blaber alludes to throughout this well crafted book. His axioms of successful command and control are common sense, yet in most major military and non-military operations this same common sense is usually the first casualty of action. Commanders and leaders listen but do not hear and look but do not see especially as the action intensifies. All of us who have been in military (or corporate) combat understand the fog of war, but what is even more insidious is the self-induced fog of life. Mr. Blaber explains this brilliantly. The "lessons" Mr. Blaber refers to are important in all aspects of life. Some are obvious, some are not so obvious, but all are required to be truly successful whether in combat or the daily grind of life.
Mr. Blaber's book is more than just a how to book. It is a great read on the complexities of the military today and how those complexities can lead to failure if not understood in the context of reality. So much of what is done today is done without understanding or knowing the true context in which "things" are happening. Mr. Blaber explains why success in any endeavor is really an understanding of total reality and the context in which it exists. Sounds simple, but in actuality is usually misunderstood or confused by human emotion and desire.
I liked Mr. Blaber's book for many reasons but one of the foremost was his NOT pointing fingers at particular people by name. Rather he praised by recognition and condemned by obscurity. Those that demonstrated their incompetency know who they are and must live with their mistakes. Will this book solve the problems inherent in any large organization like the military or major corporation? Probably not, for it is incumbent on the individuals to know and understand what leadership is and what brings about success. This book is an excellent guide, but the realities of life and the innate conflict within the human political condition will always be an impediment to success and all that word means.
Must read. We who have been there, done that, know and understand what Mr. Blaber is saying. Excellently written and very well presented. A must for leaders to fully understand the self-induced fog of life.

This is a book about life
I read Clausewitz, Sun Tzu, and the business bible `Good to Great'. I've been to battlefield staff rides and I've undergone Team Building exercises until me and my team were blue in the face. Then I read the book that has more to say about the essential qualities of a real leader than any text written by any self-proclaimed war or management guru--'The Mission, the Men, and Me'.
Pete `Panther' Blaber has tapped into a simple truth. That what makes leaders successful is how they think, how they make decisions, and how they operationalize those decisions. This book will make you think about the way you think. The real-life examples he provides are embedded in the stories about the amazing missions he took part in during his career as a Delta Force Commander. But these aren't just great never before heard story's about some of the most sensitive missions our country has conducted, they're stories of how real leaders lead.
Like most true military hero's, Pete Blaber's self-effacing narrative reveals a man just like the rest of us: assailed with doubts, uncertainty, and insecurities that can sometimes lead us to cave in to emotion and expediency under extreme pressure. But true leadership consists of recognizing our mistakes, swallowing hard, and stepping back up to the plate again to do the right thing.
This book belongs at the top of every top ten list for leadership and out of the box thinking, it's also a wonderful read. Thanks Panther!!!!!

The world needs more men like Pete Blaber! His book is a must read for all agency heads and line supervisors in Law Enforcement. His teachings on leadership and decision-making should be taught in the police academy. The simple teaching of COMMON SENSE and having CONTEXT in situations are valuable tools in today's world.

In the law enforcement world it appears that too many agencies get treed by Chihuahuas and have no common sense in carrying out their duties. As a SWAT Commander I find the book very insightful and helpful in conducting my duties. It is required reading for all my operators as we strive to apply the lessons of the book.

If you are looking for a book on TRUE Leadership and Decision making look no further because this is the best one out there! A must have for anyone that is required to LEAD. Sgt. Chris Zeigler (E.C.S.O.)

Col. Blaber has written a book on an old subject, Complexity, with an unusaual but effective answer; COMMON SENSE. Through out the book Col.blaber has many complex real world issues to deal with. When presented with a complex issue wether at home, work, or dealing with kids, first your mind goes through three phases saturate, incubation and Illumination. First you brain is satuated with the problem then the brain needs time think (incubate) then your Eureka moment (illumination). After this you come up with ideas to deal with the situation, ther are no dumb ideas. Usually the simplest idea or common sense is the best answer. Most people like to take complex issue and make it worse with a complex answer. Col. Blaber suggest to keep it simple. The more complex the answer or mission the higher failure is certain. The simplest answer works best and has a higher success rate!
This is one of the most enjoyable, easy to read, common sense book I've read in a long time. What makes it enjoyable is the format of the book. Col. Blaber tells a story then has a Guiding Principle Lesson explaining the lesson in the story and how you can use the infomation no matter who you are or what you do(CEO, White collar, Blue collar, Students, Moms or Dads, etc...) There is graet advice (listen to the guy on the ground) to no matter how much you think you know about something someone may have information you don't have or a different view in which you did not see. Last but not least The 3 M's. Mission, Men and me. Mission- make sure you know what it is in your professional or personal life, make sure it is legal, moral, ethical. Men- take care of your mens welfare show courage, lead with sound tactics and by always having the courage of your convictions to do the right thing by them. Me- "You have to care of your self butonly after you have taken care of the mission and the men, never put your personel well being or advancement ahead of the accomplishment of your mission and taking care of your men" (pg10-11) Col. Blaber has followed this through out his professional and personal life which has made him well respected by all who know and have worked and served with him. Thank you for sacrificing your freedoms so that so many others have had an privilege of learning from you and the honor of serving with you!!! Sir, thank you for sharing your life lessons and Illuminating us with Common Sense in very Complex times with Seriuos Complex issues!!!

There should be a way to make this "5 star" book stand out above all the other 5 stars. Like other reviewers, I could not put it down - especially the deeper I got into the book. The honesty about the situations and the rich lessons drawn from them make this book unique. It is not just a journalistic retelling of events and it's not a "here's where I've been and what I've done" memoir either. The author has combined the very best aspects of a book giving an insider view of military special operations and a book with sensational business & personal wisdom that the reader can start using today.

Even when the truth hurts, he does not shy away from it or water it down. I only wish that Col. Blaber did not have to so often wrestle his own military to do what was best for the mission and the men. You must buy and read this book!

I have read many books on leadership and decision-making and "The Mission, The Men, and Me" is absolutely one of the most outstanding books on the subject. I simply could not put it down. What struck me the most was the simplicity of the principles. Don't let the simplicity fool you. These principles are truly profound. They are life lessons that everyone can use. It has really opened my eyes and I look forward to applying these principles. To Pete Blaber, excellent work and I sincerely thank you sir for your service.

A brilliant book on applied practical leadership. A must read for today and tomorrow's military leaders as well as a fascinating read on the author's unconventional military experiences. One of the best books I've read in 2008.

pete blaber is one of the most clear thinking human beings that ever existed on this planet, the fact that he chose US special forces as a career is testament to our country's ability to attract the finest and bravest that risk their lives, often un-reported, in defense of our great nation......pete blaber could have been the ceo of a global conglomerate company or the best 4th grade elementary teacher in any town we all live in....be glad such a person exists and is on our side....god bless america, god bless pete blaber and his military brethren protecting us all!

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As others have noted the content was somewhat of a surprise. Rather than 300 pages of adrenalin filled action, Pete Blaber has offers critical, big picture lessons in thinking and managing which are priceless.

Blaber does an outstanding job of weaving the lesson into a first hand story of the battles at Takur Ghar and events leading up to the battle. For openers it's interesting to note that he arrived in the area in January 02, only four months after 9-11 and that the primary action took place several months later. It was a classic use of Lesson 1 - When in doubt, develop the situation and Lesson 2 Always listen to the guy on the ground. Most of the last third of the book (approximately 100 pages) focus on the events leading up to the battle, the opportunities lost and the losses that need not have occurred.

Blaber describes the development of the situation as a process that began long before his arrival in Afghanistan.
Understanding operations in high, snow covered mountains
Interviewing terrorists who had knowledge of the area and bin Laden's operations
Reading both Afghan and Russian accounts of the earlier war with the Soviets

Listening to the guy on the ground is remarkably similar to Colin Powell's advice that in the absence of concrete evidence to the contrary, headquarters should assume the people in the field are correct. Blaber takes it one step further in seeking out sheepherders, taxi drivers and other sources while avoiding the more traditional government officials who may be working for the other side.

One of Blaber's great contributions, and something that Washington should heed, is that the lack of a complete plan should not inhibit the development of the situation in a way that you are prepared to act upon opportunity. The use of the Lewis and Clark expedition as a classic example is enlightening.

The lessons continue......

Although Blaber does not make direct accusations it's clear that he believes the mission was compromised and a too many US and Afghanistan troops died because several people up the chain of command made bad (perhaps ego driven) decisions from distant command posts. The decisions were based on a lack of awareness of what was on the ground and ignored the advise of those who had been on the ground for several months carefully developing the situation. In addition to our losses, too many of the Arabs escaped. We had one opportunity to corner and exterminate them and we lost it.

One of the reasons the US was able to accomplish the unexpectedly rapid removal of the Taliban from control of most of the country was that in the early days we focused on sending a very limited number of people to work with the existing forces and provided them with support not supervision. While the mainstream press pronounced the US incapable of acting before the spring of 02, the Taliban were forced from government by Christmas 01, only a few months after the 9-11 attacks.

Back in the beginning of the book there is a partial account of an audacious operation which airlifted less than a dozen lightly armed vehicles far behind Saddam's lines to create the impression that there was another US army loose in the country. In a supreme act courage they took the remaining 5 vehicles into Tikrit and engaged in a firefight with the best of Saddam's forces who had believed there were no American ground forces within hundreds of miles.

There's no doubt that the flood of information available to field commanders, from internet searches, sat photos, Predator and Global Hawk sensors, AC-130 sensors and personnel and the troops engaged give our side a great advantage. However, the flood of information flowing from the battlefield to distant commands gives rise to an almost irresistible temptation on the part of both military and civilian leaders to inject themselves into tactical decisions while looking through a keyhole, without context. This is not a new problem but one that has multiplied with the flow of information. The withdrawal of the AC-130 from the battle at a very critical point was just one of the examples.

I thought we had learned one of the key decisions of the Vietnam war, that the micromanagement of the air war over N Vietnam by high DOD and WH officials who wanted to play god in the dark of the night. These decisions often resulted in orders to fly missions that were not the optimal missions for the weather, opportunities or targets. Hundreds of fliers directly paid the ultimate price for their arrogance and thousands more died on the ground.

The book is a light read and 300 pages pass quickly. The lessons should last a lifetime. Highly recommended along with First In and Not A Good Day To Die.

As an amateur military history buff, this book was a page turner. As an entrepreneur, I found it fascinating and very applicable for small rapidly growing companies.

I highly recommend this book. I read it in "chunks" over about two month's time... I use the principals brought forward in the book nearly every day on the job. This book will enhance the way you live your life, plus it's just a darn good read.

Blaber writes an easy to read, often humourous book on military leadership. Here is a guy who is more concerned with getting the mission done than micro-managing or following painfully slow institutions. I liked the lessons (listen to the guy on the ground) and the ability to adapt that Blaber writes about. I also like the humility of being able to accept advice from outside of one's expertise. (Like wearing snow shoes in snow country.) A refreshing leadership book that out classes the boorish volumes from people who have never been and done.

Doug Setter, author of Stomach Flattening and One Less Victim: A Prevention Guide

COL Blaber is a sage or a mystic. He embodies everything that makes Delta the best. This book is not for someone thinking that they are going to read an action novel or a "Blackhawk Down"-ish book. No this book is a leadership bible of sorts. COL Blaber is an excellent writer. His wisdom is portrayed in the story he weaves around each lesson. His writing is vivid, to the point you feel you are along side of him as he relives the scenes. Most of all, you learn about leading men. My pulse raced as I read it and several times nodded and said that's it as another nugget of truth was unfolded. Many times I felt as if I was reading a text book on leadership, not that it was dry or boring but that COL Blaber writes so well and is so darn smart that I felt I was learning from a college professor! If you are a leader or hope to be read it!!
WARNING- if you are a group-thinking, follow the masses, insecure person in charge and you think it is all about you...you probably should not read this book!

The story's are captivating, the lessons are enlightening, and the book itself is a master-piece. I read the book twice and my wife and kids kept asking me what was so special about 'the delta book'. Next thing I knew my two sons (ages 13 & 15) were reading it, they loved it and we have spent hours discussing the lessons with each other. I'm so proud of both of them because they tell me things like they will 'always listen to the guy on the ground', and that they'll never 'get treed by a chihuahua'. So my wife picked it up next, she loved it too and is now constantly quoting Pete Blaber, 'the only failure is a failure to try', and 'it's not reality unless it's shared'. I don't know of any other book that everyone in my family read, enjoyed, and got so much out of. To me, that's what makes it a master-piece.

Imagine a Leadership book written by a highly successful individual with years of experience gained from all over the world. In this book, the writer provides key principles and highlights them through the use of stories from his own career. I just closed such a book. Now, what if I tell you the writer is Pete Blaber, a former Commander of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) a.k.a Combat Applications Group, or, as most know it, Delta Force.
Blaber's guiding principles come from real life experience, and the stories he provides to help you gain an understanding of these principles are from his own career. The Mission, the Men, and Me, needs to be required reading at the Military's and the Business worlds most important leadership schools: all the Service Academies, Officer Candidate School, Sergeant Major's Academy, as well as every MBA program across the country. Business execs, small business owners, and anyone looking for an edge should get a copy, study it, and put it into action fast. Its that good!

Awesome Book!!

It grossly understates the value of this book to call it a military read. Blaber taps into the thinking mind and helps with decision making on many levels. It is great story telling. I couldn't put it down. It is insightful in its psychology. It is applicable across the spectrum of life. And a resource I will use from now on to help come to strong, well thought out conclusions and decisions.

A must Read!

The mission, the men, me. In that order. Peter Blaber was a Commmander the United States Army's most Elite Counter-Terrorist Unit. The Special FOrces Operation Detachment-Delta. More commonly known as Delta Force but to men like Blaber, only known as The Unit. 'The Mission, The Men, and Me' translates what he learned during his career into lessons to take back into your own life. Warrior or civilian, this book has something for you to learn.

Pete provides a unique perspective on Special Operations that is refreshingly light on personal bravado and heavy on salient insight that can be applied across the entire spectrum of life's most daunting challenges. The lessons he shares are replete with muddy boots relevance that will appeal to fellow warriors and business executives alike who strive to avoid the myriad pitfalls that permeate any competitive environment with combat intensity. Its deadly serious backdrop punctuated by humorous flashbacks guarantee that this book will inevitably find its way onto mandatory reading lists throughout the world's military and beyond.

Anyone that knows Pete from The Unit will tell you that he is one of the brightest minds to ever walk the halls. With my bias upfront, you don't have to take my word for it though, simply read this book. I read it in the last twenty hours in between giving thanks with my family on Thanksgiving Day for what we all are so fortunate to have - freedom, a choice, and opportunity. Guys like Pete are a commodity as difficult to locate as the proverbial needle in a haystack...and even more so frustratingly tough to harness. Pete is one of America's unique leaders - truly "bold and fresh" - a pleasant resurrection of the 1980's E.F. Hutton boss. When Panther speaks and leads, warriors listen and follow. This is a treatise with few peers that illuminates the risky decisions, innovative breakthroughs, and gutsy leadership that history often obscures under the veil of operational security. I know Pete and none of this surprises me...but it still amazes me. For those that have yet to have that honor, readers of this book will be left astonished with how - and should - a few simple guidelines can fundamentally, logically, and consistently steer your leadership craft through life - whether or not you are on the battlefield or in the boardroom. If you enjoyed Marcus Luttrell's Lone Survivor, or Jerry Boykin's recent book Never Surrender, Pete's book - The Mission, The Men, and Me - will thrill and inspire you exponentially.

Fascinating Book, thoroughly enjoyed it and found so many thing relevant to what is happening today. Words mean something and these words were rich. The humor was an added bonus. I bought a few and gave out to people I thought would appreciate it. Sent some to the Special Forces in Afghanistan and they told me this book has a place on thier shelf right next to thier Bible. haha

Blaber repeats some advice he received early in his career, "If you want to understand why we lost in Vietnam, review the 'Battle of Gettysburg". Then, he gives examples..the battle of Kirkut and Operation Anaconda. Stars on the shoulders do not a genius make. He also details the problems of micro-management by staffs, the Joint Chiefs and politicians. It helps if one has read books such as "Not a Good Day To Die", "Bush At War", "Cobra II", and "The Other Side of The Mountain". "The Bear Went Over The Mountain" helps one's understanding, but used copies are a bit expensive. He also points out the problems of relying on technology, such as Air Force "pilots flying" unmanned craft from 12,000 miles away and firing Hellfire missiles. Mistakes will always happen if you do not really know what's going on down below. All in all, a good critique of the military problems in Iraq, Afghanistan and Washington, D.C.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read. I will always remember the lessons he explained and lived throughout the book. I only wish the leaders of our military and country would read this book. Everyone would benfit from the prospective of the "guy on the ground". God Bless our Troops!

I absolutley loved this book. I have read many many Spec Ops books that have the typical "I was there and I am a elite soldier" books. This one is by far the greatest read I have encountered. Pete Blaber gves you simple principles that apply to everyday life. I have adopted a few of them in my Army career and it has opened my eyes so much. Highly recommend this book!

Pete Blaber really gives a great inside look at how the military works in the new world. He relates management issues he dealt with to real world business settings. I really liked the book and recommend it to everyone.

It's difficult to add anything original to the many reviews already written. But as a female, I am probably a minority when it comes to this book's reader demographics. So I'll state that this is not a book for men only. It's really a fantastic, can't put it down page turner! 3M is written in all seriousness but with wonderful bits of humor, irony and an amazing ability to paint a picture with words. The 'behind the scenes' view of operations in Afghanistan, in intelligence gathering and in preparation for battle were fascinating. The incredible characters in military and intelligence operations were both colorful and inspirational. And finally the story of John Walker Lindh exposed how self limiting thinking paralyzes critical missions. As the writer comments, if a dopey teenager can infiltrate UBL's terrorist network and gain audience with the big guy himself, why has the most professional and best equipped intelligence service been stymied in their attempts? These and other answers await the reader.

This book has a deceptively simple construction. Unlike most business books, the author does not attempt to detail how the life lessons apply to someone else's situation, never straying from the military experience. He uses compelling tales of his own adventures to frame the life lessons he has learned. He uses the stories to arrive at the lesson, rather than pronouncing wisdom and supporting that pronouncement with stories. This allows you to understand the thought process that led him to his conclusions.

The Delta Force is arguably one of the most professional and disciplined, yet nimble and creative organizations in the world. So when one of their top commanders speaks, let me assure you, what he says is relevant to more than just those with an interest in the military.

In "The Mission, The Men, and Me", which traces his career within the Delta Force, Pete Blaber has authored an exceptional book on leadership and management with lessons particularly applicable to today's highly matrixed, fast-paced business environment. Using consistently direct and simple language, Pete has steered clear of the convoluted, garbled tone of most business / management books, making this a fast-paced and powerful read.

Pete is skilled at distilling penetrating insights from each of his experiences. The reader will not only virtually feel the heat and dust of the battles described, but will definitely come away thinking about how the lessons Pete teaches apply to his or her own work environment.

This is a fantastic book. A definite "Must Read"!

This book has some amazing lessons in life skills that will help anyone. Its not just about the military life but for anyone looking to improve their outlook on life. It was hard to put down once started as his true life missions in some of the worlds hardest environments gave tremendous vivid experiences to allow the lessons to be learnt.

Definitely one of the best books I have ever read. It instills alot of confidence in the capabilities of our military leadership. If you have any interest in Special Operations, you must read this book!

After being recommended Sean Naylor's Not a Good Day to Die by some of Pete Blaber's prior co-workers I became interested in his story. I contacted a few people I knew that had worked with Pete in the same organization. They told me about his upcoming book which I went and picked up.

Pete gives an incredible account of his life, the decisions he has made, and more importantly the lessons he has learned. As you begin to read Pete's book it becomes immediately clear why this man had such an incredible career and why his men to this day stick by him 100%. The 3M's provide a guide for everyone to use not just those in the military. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, I could not put it down.

Not only is this, by far, the most useful and informative book I've ever seen on leadership, Pete's amazing life story manages to keep you on the edge of your seat, from start to finish. I feel like taking all the books by "management gurus" and "consultants", that I have collected over the years, and just tossing them all away. There is more wisdom contained in the pages of "The Mission, The Men, and Me", than in any other book I've ever read.

Full disclosure here: I got to know Pete several years ago when our kids played on the same hockey team. He is, without question, the most impressive person I have ever met. We live in a culture where the latest celebrities or athletes are routinely held up as heroes. It's gotten to where we are almost desensitized to the word hero. In my opinion, the manner in which Pete has chosen to lead his life, and the sacrifices he has made for all of us, define him as a true American hero. He is the real deal, and his unwaivering principles are a blueprint for success in business as well as in life.

This book is such an accomplishment; Blaber provides so much information regarding situations cloaked in secrecy.
The cultural descriptions he provides of the people and places he has experienced are priceless. He and his unit went into areas completely foreign to most Americans; they had respect for the inhabitants and what they could learn from them. The way he describes the geography, the people, and the current political environments featured in the book is enlightening. After reading this book the reader is well-equipped to understand the ongoing events occurring in these regions.
He gives great perspective into the machinations of the military and what goes on behind the scenes.
Finally, the most impressive aspect of the book is the dedication and passion of all of the individuals involved in these missions; their training, their intelligence, and their sacrifice. To me, the middle of the 3Ms is the most affecting. Blaber gives great character descriptions of the men (and some women) and what incredible patriots they all are.

This book is a testament to our amazing military.