In this episode, Amir Bormand introduces two guests, Ajax Trueblood and Chris Ieva, who discuss the book "Bastards and Brothers" written by Ajax. The book focuses on the Marines and their fight for al-Qaim in Iraq. Ajax, a retired Air Force intel officer, shares his motivations for writing the book, while Chris, a Marine who served in Iraq, provides his unique perspective. The conversation delves into the book's significance and connections to everyday experiences, including agile practices.  Highlights [00:03:53] Dark times in Iraq. [00:07:36] Marine battalion's fascinating story. [00:14:48] John Boyd and the OODA Loop [00:16:27] The OODA Loop concept. [00:20:23] Thinking in cycles [00:25:51] Rules for winning firefights. [00:29:19] The courage it takes. [00:34:26] Coordinated strike on enemy. [00:36:14] Marines rushing headlong into combat. [00:39:10] Tying explosives on a rope. [00:47:20] Communication techniques and gratitude. [00:50:27] Building trust through honest communication. [00:54:18] Risk and decision-making. [00:59:02] Fighting with a small footprint. [01:02:32] Outreach to local tribes. [01:07:46] The ripple of wartime experience. --- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek, and we would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player. Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.com Have questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests? Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)