Outlaw Platoon is a 2012 war story memoir written by Captain Sean Parnell and author John R. Bruning. The book details Parnell's 2006–2007 experiences as an infantry platoon leader during the War in Afghanistan.

Outlaw Platoon
First edition
AuthorSean Parnell, John R. Bruning
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SubjectMilitary history
PublisherMorrow/HarperCollins
Publication date
2012
Pages405
ISBN978-0-06-206639-8

After receiving his commission through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Duquesne University, Parnell led 3rd Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.[1] The company was based near the Pakistani border in Barmal District of Paktika Province on an extended 16-month deployment. After the deployment, Parnell was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart.[2] Parnell left duty as a lieutenant and retired as a captain. Before embarking on Outlaw Platoon. Parnell's coauthor, military historian John R. Bruning, embedded himself with a unit in Afghanistan in 2010 in preparation for writing the book for Parnell.[3]

The book is popular in military circles, and was discussed as part of the Commandant's Book Club at the United States Military Academy in 2013.[4]

Parnell discussed writing the book for an episode of Pritzker Military Presents[5] and for the Episode 192 of the Jocko Podcast.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ Michelle Kennedy (1 March 2012). "Outlaw: Former infantry officer shares experiences, pledges to help others". U.S. Army. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  2. ^ Torsten Ove (26 February 2012). "'Outlaw Platoon': Murrysville native describes the Afghan war he fought". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Outlaw Platoon". Kirkus Reviews. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  4. ^ Brandon Long (18 December 2013). "Cadets discuss "Outlaw Platoon" with author". United States Military Academy. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Sean Parnell: Outlaw Platoon". pritzkermilitary.org.
  6. ^ "Jocko Podcast - Episode 192: Important Lessons of Outlaw Platoon's Long and Horrific Road w/ Sean Parnell". jockopodcast.com.