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Polina Marinova Pompliano
Exclusive: Former Acting Secretary of Defense Chris C. Miller On Invading Afghanistan, His Time in the White House, and His Next Act
1 hour 20 minutes Posted Mar 30, 2021 at 11:00 am.
September 11, 2001
The military's reaction
The invasion of Afghanistan
Mental training for times of uncertainty
What makes a great team
Coming home from the Afghanistan mission
Conventional tactics versus unconventional warfare
Planning his military career
Transition from a tactical position into a strategic one
Becoming the Acting Secretary of Defense
Miller's response to the storming of the Capitol
How to develop independent thought
Balancing his personal relationships with his professional aspirations
The mental toll of going to war
Miller's next act
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Show notes
Chris C. Miller, a company commander with the 5th Special Forces Group, helped direct the first, covert invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. A number of Green Berets from the 5th Group were sent to invade Afghanistan and defeat the Taliban — some of them on horseback — in a secret and dangerous mission, which was portrayed in the film '12 Strong.'
In this conversation, Miller explains what training for the Afghanistan mission entailed, how he used his experiences in the field to transition from a tactical position into a strategic one, the challenges of his role as the acting secretary of defense, and the leadership lessons he's learned along the way.
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