As the host of The Decision Hour, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing countless individuals with unique perspectives on leadership, military service, and the challenges faced by veterans. But few conversations have left me as intrigued and unsettled as my recent discussion with Eric Hommel, author of “The Losing Game: How to Lose a War and Fail Veterans.”
Eric’s journey from Navy submariner to Air Force officer, and his subsequent experiences in Afghanistan, offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of military operations and the often-overlooked complexities of warfare. His insights challenge our assumptions about how wars are fought, won, and lost – and more importantly, how we support the men and women who fight them.
Setting the Stage: A Unique Perspective on War
Eric’s diverse military background provides a foundation for his unique insights. From his early days as a Navy yeoman on a fast-attack submarine to his later role as an Air Force officer, he’s seen the military from multiple angles. This variety of experiences allowed him to observe firsthand the impact of leadership on mission success and troop morale.
One of the most striking aspects of Eric’s story is his transition from the Navy to the Air Force. As he puts it, “It took me nine years to figure out my mistake. At least I figured it out, right?” This self-deprecating humor belies a deeper truth: sometimes, the path to understanding and improvement isn’t straightforward. It requires us to challenge our assumptions and be willing to change course when necessary.
The Afghanistan Conundrum: Winning Hearts and Minds
Eric’s experiences in Afghanistan highlight the complexities of modern warfare, particularly in the realm of counterinsurgency and nation-building. His role as a Provincial Reconstruction Team commander put him at the forefront of efforts to win hearts and minds – a task that often proved more challenging than traditional combat operations.
One particularly poignant anecdote involves the construction of a road through Panjshir province. What seemed like a straightforward infrastructure project quickly became a lesson in the importance of understanding local customs, laws, and the potential unintended consequences of well-meaning actions.
“We are violating the Afghan constitution by not paying these people,” Eric realized, referring to the lack of compensation for property taken during road construction.
This situation exemplifies the challenges faced by military personnel trying to navigate complex cultural and legal landscapes while also meeting mission objectives. It’s a stark reminder that winning a war involves much more than military might – it requires a deep understanding of the people and cultures involved.
The Leadership Dilemma: Career vs. Mission
Throughout our conversation, Eric repeatedly emphasized the critical role of leadership in military success. He drew a clear distinction between leaders who prioritize their careers and those who focus on the mission and the welfare of their troops.
“The first captain actually cared about the crew. The second captain cared about his career.”
This observation from his submarine days set the tone for Eric’s understanding of effective leadership throughout his military career. It’s a lesson that extends far beyond the military, applicable to any organization where leaders must balance personal ambition with the greater good.
Rethinking Veteran Support: The Power of Understanding
Perhaps the most profound insight from our discussion came when Eric shared his experiences training government officials and veterans for deployment to Afghanistan. Through immersive, realistic scenarios, he discovered that many veterans were able to find healing and purpose by finally understanding the broader context of their missions.
The story of Captain Tyler Kurth, a veteran who had been nominated for the Medal of Honor, is particularly moving. After years of struggling with PTSD, Tyler found relief through Eric’s training program:
“For the past seven years, I’ve had nightmares every night,” Tyler told Eric. “Out here, I no longer have nightmares… I now understand the mission.”
This revelation highlights a critical gap in how we support veterans: often, we focus on treating symptoms without addressing the underlying need for meaning and context. By helping veterans understand the “why” behind their missions, we may be able to provide a more holistic form of healing and support.
What We Can Learn from “The Losing Game”
Eric Hommel’s experiences and insights offer valuable lessons for military leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of modern warfare and veteran support:
1. The importance of cultural understanding: Successful military operations, especially in counterinsurgency and nation-building contexts, require a deep appreciation for local cultures, laws, and customs.
2. Leadership matters: The difference between effective and ineffective leadership can have profound impacts on mission success and troop morale.
3. The power of context: Helping veterans understand the broader context and purpose of their missions can be a powerful tool for healing and support.
4. The need for strategic patience: Winning hearts and minds and building stable institutions takes time – often more time than political cycles allow for.
5. The value of diverse perspectives: Eric’s unique career path allowed him to see military operations from multiple angles, highlighting the importance of diverse viewpoints in problem-solving.
As we grapple with the challenges of an ever-changing global landscape, the lessons from “The Losing Game” serve as a crucial reminder of the complexities involved in warfare and veteran support. They challenge us to think more deeply about how we engage in conflicts, how we support our troops, and how we can better serve those who have served us.
I encourage you to listen to the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of Eric’s experiences and insights. His book, “The Losing Game: How to Lose a War and Fail Veterans,” is available on Amazon and offers an even more comprehensive look at these critical issues.
Let’s use these lessons to spark meaningful conversations about how we can better support our military personnel, both during and after their service. After all, understanding the game is the first step towards changing its outcome.
This is Episode 353 of The Decision Hour, Listen here: TheDecisionHour.com
