Soldier Pulse

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Command in Adversity: Leadership Lessons from Iraq

Soldier Pulse
Rebecca Patterson, John Brode, and Shane Connolly
March 18, 2026

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Episode Notes:

Former command team John Brode and Shane Connolly join Rebecca to discuss their deployment to Iraq, the dynamics of an effective commander–first sergeant partnership, and leading their team through nine months of intense adversity. In this conversation, Brode and Connelly discuss how their leadership styles complemented each other and enabled them to navigate challenges together.

Image: Spc. Ryan Higgins via Wikimedia Commons