486: Warfare: The Missions, The Men, and The Movie. W/ Elliott Miller and Joe Hildebrand.

The upbringing of Elliot Miller and Joe Hildebrand reflects how their early experiences and interests shaped them for their careers as SEAL team members.

Elliot Miller's Upbringing and Early Military Experience

Born as the third of four children, Elliot Miller was raised on a small family farm in Southern Illinois, surrounded by cattle and agricultural land. It was here that Elliot found his love for the outdoors, along with an enthusiasm for shooting and hunting. His interest in firearms was deeply influenced by his grandfather, a Marine who fought in World War II and owned a shop selling guns among other items. Elliot continued to build on these rural roots, earning the rank of Eagle Scout, a distinction that would later fast-track his promotion to E2 immediately following boot camp.

Joe Hildebrand's Small-Town Arkansas Upbringing

Joe Hildebrand, originally from a small town in Arkansas, played baseball while growing up but soon found himself working to support his lifestyle and necessities after high school graduation. Seeking to escape the confines of his small-town life, he joined the Navy Seabees, where his background in construction facilitated a smooth transition. During his service, Hildebrand was stationed for two years at Camp David, responsible for meticulous tasks such as maintaining the President's golf course.

Passion For Fitness and Enduranc ...

Jocko Willink and Joe Hildebrand recount the experiences of Navy SEALs in Ramadi, Iraq, detailing the intense combat situations and the casualties that resulted from the operation.

Enemy Activity Intensifies in Ramadi Before Seal Team's Arrival

Jocko Willink describes the enemy’s advanced combined arms operations in Ramadi, including machine guns, RPGs, mortars, and IEDs. They could call for reinforcements and coordinated attacks to reposition and attack the SEALs. Task Unit Bruiser, involved in heavy fighting in this environment, suffered casualties. Members of Seal Team 5 from San Diego had been following the intense action and attended funerals of Task Unit Bruiser casualties.

Tackling Turnover and Training New Seal Team

Jocko Willink and members of Task Unit Bruiser desperately tried to pass on tactical knowledge to the incoming SEAL Team 5. With only two weeks to prepare for deployment to Ramadi and limited time to gain insights from deployed forces, the new team faced a steep learning curve. Joe Hildebrand remembers the sober pre-deployment events, including attending the funeral of Mikey Monsoor.

Willink emphasized the necessity of building relationships with the Army and Marine Corps for strategic success. The team transmitted specialized skills, like quiet house entry techniques, to their successors. Nonetheless, Joe reflects on the team's lack of combat experience and the intense turnover process that often plunged them straight into gunfights.

Fateful Mission: Attack on Seal Position

On November 19th, 2006, the SEAL team's position was violently attacked with grenades, small arms fire, and IEDs. During this engagement, Elliot and Joe were severely wounded, and two Iraqi soldiers were killed. Joe Hildebrand had been forewarned about a perilous area, Papa 10, where previous SEALs had been injured or killed, and tragically, the warning proved accurate.

The team grappled with defensive decisions, balancing the benefits of vis ...

Elliot's Severe Injuries and Long Road to Recovery

The account of Elliot's suffering after being wounded in combat is harrowing. He endured extensive injuries to both his brain and body, including burns and the loss of his leg. On the day Elliot was rushed to San Antonio's intensive care unit, it was uncertain if he would survive the night. He had experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain swelling, was in a coma, and had his stomach sliced open to look for internal damage. Elliot was covered in burns, and parts of his skin were cut open to relieve pressure from swelling.

Nearly nine months post-injury, Elliot chose to amputate his leg. His rehabilitation took him to Balboa where his physical therapist, who he would eventually marry, treated him. Two years after his injury, Elliot returned to San Diego to begin retirement. Despite the difficulty, Elliot wakes up each day feeling fortunate the injury happened to him, believing others may not have endured what he has.

Traumatic Brain Injury, Burns, Loss of His Leg

Elliot's TBI was so severe that he has no recollection of the mission or the day he was hurt. As he began to regain consciousness and cognitive presence, his brain swelling was a key medical concern. Elliott also underwent the delicate process of reconstructing his genital area after shrapnel wounds. The story of the day of injury has had to be repeated to him multiple times by Joe Hildebrand, highlighting the challenges TBI brings.

Extensive Surgeries, Rehab, and Psychological Challenges

Elliot’s journey towards recovery included numerous surgeries, extensive rehabilitation, and the emotional difficulty of being separated from his teammates. His struggles speaking and repeating things indicate the long-lasting impact of his TBI. Elliot's commitment to continuing life was highlighted through his work at the VA poly trauma center.

Joe's Injuries and Determination to Return

Joe Hildebrand, Elliot's teammate, sustained bilateral tibia and fibula fractures, as well as extensive soft tissue damage. It’s a miracle that his legs weren't amputated in Iraq given the severity of the injuries. Joe underwent a multitude of surgeries, with nails and rods used to reconstruct his legs. Despite the initial reluctance, the overwhelming desire to rejoin his team was a driving force in his recovery. Joe began physical therapy in a trailer behind SEAL Team Five, becoming a BUD/S instructor, which assisted his healing process. In a testament to his determination, Joe fully recovered and went on to be a demolition platoon chief at SEAL Team One.

Bilateral Tibia and Fibula Fractures, Soft Tissue Damage

The immediate after-effects of the blast left Joe's legs without function. His recovery involved harvesting his calf muscle to cover exposed bone and numerous operations where his extremities were reconstructed with a complex arrangement of hardware. Despite being told his left leg could have been simpler to amputate, Joe persevered through an intensive rehab.

Refused Amputation, Underwent Numerous Surgeries and Extensive Rehab

Joe's injuries required reconstructive efforts to save his legs. He chose to undergo the long and painful process of multiple surgeries, including a complete repair of his legs at a hospital in San ...