Coming home from Iraq: A Local Marine's Story: Chad Russell at TEDxBend
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- Опубликовано: 19 май 2013
- Chad served 3 tours (a total of 2.5 years) in Iraq as a Marine in a variety of positions, including being a sniper. While with the sniper teams, he conducted surveillance for intelligence purposes and eliminated enemy forces that would try to harm coalition forces or local civilians. Chad was also a Team Leader, Assistant Team Leader, Radio Operator, and Forward Observer who called in air strikes. And he trained some of the first Iraqi Army units and Iraqi Police Departments.
Returning home from Iraq was not an easy transition. But Chad learned to gain valuable insight through the support of others, often including Vietnam Vets. Now married to his wife Taneal and a successful business person living in Portland, Chad realizes that the impact of his time in Iraq will always be part of him. And he knows that the returning Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen have a long road of recovery.
Chad grew up in Bend, graduating from Mountain View High School (Go Cougars). As a kid he had an array of interests: Chad loved soccer, tee-ball, and football. He was part of the Jazz Choir, participated in the Navy Junior ROTC program, and volunteered for the Deschutes County Search and Rescue.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
I remember playing football against Chad. Thanks for your service!!
Thanks, Steve. Much appreciated. You were a great competitor. Hope life is treating you well. Best, CR
Eattin Kittens You’re clearly not an enlightened individual. Take some time and reflect on your thoughts regarding the importance of our Military. Thank you for your service Chad.
Maria Mia you really are low in life aren’t you
@@macwales5026 why is she a lowlife , did she hurt inocent people ?
Eattin Kittens and why do you think the US has never been invaded??
If you lost someone in the war I am truly sorry for your loss. The loss of life by taking someone's life is a rough burden to bear, however is and was necessary for survival. We may never see eye to eye on this, but that's okay and is why I love America so much. Freedom of speech, and the freedom to vehemently disagree on issues that we both care about. These are rights that are worth dying for to protect. I can respect your passion, hopefully you use it to impact your community positively.
@@Mariamia-ev2qo well said , feel for his victims.....I lived through a war as a child in early 90s in Europe .
@@Mariamia-ev2qo Our soldiers did not start the war, invasion, whatever you choose to call it. Most of them were just kids, doing what they believed in. What they thought was right. Many died, were wounded, or developed serious PTSD/emotional issues. Take your anger out on those who sent them, that took their youth, and left them to fend for themselves after. Don't be hateful in your heart. The world has enough already.
Very strong words Chad, thank you for service and best of luck to you.
I lost my 3 brothers 05 Fallujah 06 Ramadi and 10 gangagal I'm leaving for the army in 3 months my brothers were marines semper fi
War in the 21st century means BUSINESS!! As always, the rich and powerful get richer while the poor peasant fools die or become seriously injured in their business operations.
Im so proud of these dudes man it takes alot to talk about it right on brotha
I love the military folks! Thanks for your service! You guys are awesome fighting for our freedoms!
Thank you for your service Never forgotten
Thank you for your service and your courage to help others tell their stories both fame and fear. Congrats on your marriage, god bless!!!
Chad, Awesome job man! Thanks for your service and for your passion to help other veterans in the challenging process of transitioning from war back to home!
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for us.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Peace, my brother.
Thank you for your service and sharing your story ( :
Thank you for your service, from the UK.
To Chad Russell,
Thank you for your service. My hat's off to you. I listened to every word you spoke, and I have a lot of respect for you and your Marine buddies. I feel certain you only touched the tip of the iceberg with what all you have said in this Ted Talk, and I respect you for that as well. Just thank you so much. I wish nothing but the best life for you.
Thank you for your service
Thank you for your service!
I served in Vietnam, thanks for reciprocating.
paul massing thank you for you service
Thank you for your service so proud of you
Thank you for the encouragement Ben. It is a difficult task to crunch so much about your own life in 8 minutes. My hope is that someone can find value in what I had to share. We need to get our brides together and do dinner soon, and you and I need to get back out on the river and catch some fish!
Chad Russell so what unit were you with chad?
Dude just take it one day at a time if you do that long enough before long you almost feel normal whatever that is.Just one jarhead to another 2/1
@@Jonathan1224jc 3/1
This is very valuable and I thank you for your service, difficult things must be done to keep others safe and thats just a fact of life. I think if more veterans felt not safer but i guess more comfortable confronting everything and seeking help when needed is what could help stop the 22 a day statistic. I believe veterans owe it to those who gave their life fughting to live their life to the fullest and enjoy every moment possible because they gave that up so you could move forward. Hooah and thank you for your service again!
Are you kidding me right now? There's not a day that goes by that I wish it wasn't me that had had my legs been blown off by that AP mine and died of internal bleeding, than a Sgt. on my deployment. He had two little girls and a wife and it turned out that his recall wasn't actually legal. NOW, you try to guilt trip me into believing that he lost his life to "allow me to live mine to the fullest..." Take mine instead. Let him be with his little girls again and take me instead. I'm ashamed of your comment and believe you should rethink your position on this.
I don't know what to tell you besides that your opinion is wrong. I hope you will think about this more.
+Mikeyb I believe you are experiencing survivors guilt, I am no doctor, but I fundamentally believe that yes American soldiers die so that WE may live free, not sulk in their wake.
+Mikeyb that is rough I hear you but I gurantee you your Sgt doesn't want his kids crying over him all day long, not being able to live the life he provided for her because of him, biggest disservice you could do.
Mark O'Donnell They die for the greedy bankers. Your "freedoms" have nothing to do with it. Typical American propaganda.
Vexilator who let the commies out, lol
Chad,
The conversation about mental health has come along way and needs to go further. I am sure veterans connected with what was said in the video. Their are a lot of lessons that can be learned from your video. I can see you did need legitimate help from passionate healthcare professionals that valued your service and sacrifice. Dedicated health professionals are starting to appear and are making differences in the lives of veterans at local VA hospitals. The commitment for helping veterans seems to be improving since VA programs with substance are starting to appear. A veterans is not a threat. They need help from people that know how to help. Thank you, for your service and courage.
Semper fi Marine!
I was in Fallujah, you were probably in Haditha in 05-06 as well.
What MOs
@@asmirk7883 1812, Marine Corps Tanker
Tow-Bar, I appreciate it. I miss the Lima company brotherhood. Be sure to connect with me moving forward. I want to hear about how life is going for you. S/F
Mad respect 🇺🇸
That's my old ATL right there! Good stuff, man. Glad to see your going good.
Semper Fi Brother
Godspeed
You did your duty . You made it home . No one else could ever ask more of you . I've learned every righteous cause has it's price. No one escapes this . God Bless you all of your days. Have no fear.
Captain
I met this dude a while back, (shout out from La Pine)
Ok I got the date you were there . I feel you marine so many stories I heard So much fear suppressed. I felt it but for me it was a different feeling I was depressed because people back home could not understand how lucky they are and I was pised off at the complaining and whining.
He’s a hero
Chad thank you for your service
I am a sufferer of PTSD and situational depression. I sought a lot of alternate treatements for my mental health but the two best were hypnosis for swimming and postural correction for mood regulation. I still have PTSD and flat mood but the simple pointing out that when I stood in front of a mirror my shoulders were rolled forward so much that the backs of my hands faced forward - to qoute my pain DR - no wonder you're depressed you are neanderthal - anyway we don't know if we smile because we are happy or if we are happy because we smile and the DR advised consciously correcting my posture shoulders back and down - which automatically turns your hands parrallel beside our bodies- it made a difference in my mood within 24 hours - Thanks for your talk and sorry if unsolicited tip causes offence - it helped me and always like to share what works
Anita Cole thank the Lord you are safe and sound. You and the rest of the troops deserve to have a calm and safe haven.
I did two combat tours with the Army along with a peace keeping tour. I helped clear buildings looking for weapons and insurgents. I been injured doing a patrol with IED. It's hard coming home I know. Good for you, I feel what your going through. I shot a person I have a hard time living with that. I takes a lot of guts doing what your doing talking about your problems. I have TBI/PTSB...
I also
Have TBI never severed in the military but I appreciate the folks who do and you as well bro I did how ever take care of and give service to the ones who did at a local va I enjoyed that but keep ur head up bro things will get easier
@@seanm7539 Thank you! I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. I wish you the best of luck.
May God bless you
Ex-Brit infantry-I was in Al-Amarah 2004 oh those were fun times
I like how I’m planing to go to the military but still watch these types of videos to see if they would scare me out of it
Same but not to scare me out of it just to show what could happen.
Its ok to not walk blindly into something just because you were told by others/society that it is good/noble/the right to do etc.
It is, but still you should always research your path forward, but don't let anyone talk you out of something you believe is right.
I did my time, and would do it again.... differently.
Stop being cringy just join or just dont man up dude
Imagine the time that you are unconscious while sleeping, not so bad right? You aren't feeling anything happen at all, but it's still nice feeling. If we're going to be logical, you will probably feel like that when you die. Not horrible right? Just trying to tell you that death probably isn't bad if that is what you are worried about.
Piccolo Petes at the Fourth of July had me diving for cover.
Chad I was in Habbaniyah just 10 clicks west of Fallujah contracting in 06 07 with KBR. Can I ask you what BAttalion you were with and what year
Semper fi oorah
I was expecting more shared experiences, it didn't seem to go anywhere for me.
Yup, I was expecting to hear a bit about what it was like coming home and trying to live a normal life.
It is slightly towards the end.
How do you make the Ptsd without the meds??? Its been 2 1/2 years……can barely get through the grocery store?
Get outside and get in nature. Force yourself to sweat and be challenged every day focusing on becoming 1% better version of yourself and ignore the outside negative noises. Your value does decrease based on someone's inability to see your worth. I mean I am not the same person I was when I gave this TEDx talk. Wish I was because I am so much more prepared now and have a skill set that I did not have then only because I have chosen to get better each day, and even still struggle and get frustrated, have bad days, but choose to get up and overcome. Try the Montana Veterans Program and do one of their trips. They were incredible for me. Hang in there. Hope your doing better, CR.
Miss you buddy! Stay in touch don't be a stranger. I am about due for some covert operations. You know what I am talking about ;)
These videos should have alot more views smh.
surf jujitsu Something is off about the views and numbers
Let’s just remember something, when you invade another mans country you’re the enemy not him!.. That out of the way, glad Chad came home safe to his family and friends.And lets hope America ends its endless wars & finds a peaceful way forward.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi:👍
you the man!
Semper fi
Semper Fi Marine! We were scarred, but with help can readjust and make civilian life work. Thank you for sharing teufel Hunden.
ITS BEEN 6-7 YRS I STILL FEEL THE SAME I THINK TBI /PTSD IT NOT GOING AWAY WHAT DO YALL DO DONT SAY THE VA THEY HAVE HAD ME OWN 24 PILLS A DAY THEY WONT HELP JUST LISTING WILL HELP BUT THATS ASKING 2 MUCH
See my response to Selma A, above brother. Hang in there. Choose to be 1% better each day. I recommend picking up the book "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson to help give you a visual on this principle.
@Chad Russell For me the transition wasn't all that. Everything mostly smooth, I was good to go. Until last year I heard... "Son before you went into the service you were a loving person. Since you got out and come home, you seem cold, withdrawn and you won't let anybody get close to you"
What a wake-up. I became a member of sta plt out of love. Apparently, I haven't made the transition that I thought I had.
x8541 thats the same thing i was told.
11b here US Army, combat vet, I was medically discharged in 09... I have several deployments under my belt I still don't feel like I belong here... Im still practicing situational awareness to a point of making my loved ones uncomfortable... Im fine with me but as far as adjusted to the civilian life... No... Never... There is no going back to being the you, Everyone remembers before deployment.. It's ok.. They can't comprehend the brotherhood that we forge in combat. There's nothing to compare it to in the civilian world...
I’m a vet, I did 2005 , 2007 and 2009 deployments to Iraq.. well said
You could say this man is a........Chad
Josh Krei it’s funny cause every Chad I know wants to be a badass like this guy but just can’t figure out how to.
Killing innocente people... and only talks about his OWN strugel What a HERO
in the mortar attack pic one of them got socks lol
If you were a sophomore when 9/11 happened, you'd have graduated in May 2004, which was only 6 months before Phantom Fury. You would have been in recruit training and SOI from May through November. So, how did you get there that quickly?
Robert Locke. Locke: Shut Up!
Robert Locke agreed, look at his attire in the pics. thats era 2006... also sniper creed isnt locate close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, thats infantryman squad tasks.
Maybe he didn't finish high school and joined when he was 17.
I was thinking the same thing. I was a freshman on 9/11. I graduated in 2005.
He could have dropped out and took his GED, then enlisted at 17.
This hits hard I worked as a contractor and I was a sniper and hearing a fellow marksman talk about it is hard the faces dont go away he doesnt go into details but the faces the one the haunts me is a guy maybe early 30s scraggly beard missing his front tooth gold watch on left hand holds nokia brick phone leaft ear head wrapped traditionally but sloppy and I had to watch his guy for 4 days he was spotting motars in the compound where my sides guys were training I do t think they know we were there as usually when white guys show up they get a little more aggressive or shy depening I guess on out impressions so this guys MO was stand around a group of kids so the base coulnt fire back so day one I just found him day two I watched the whole thing he would walk up look at that watch make a call and then we take incoming so day three in ready realzing these attack last all of 5 minutes so I'm there locked and loaded down behind my Schmidt and Bender scope (the scope is more important to me as I baught it with my first contractor check and moved it between the 5 or 6 percission rifles I used) and waited when he walked up that day not clean shot there was a little girl the the cutest blue eyes there (she would come to the base with her mother and trade stuff to the men) but she was sitti g on the steeps behind him so he lived another day this day a man lost a leg he was a new trainee so it had little impact on us contractors day 4 reckoning I was there gain this time when he put that phone to his head I sent one down range before the guy on the line could answer that ended the accurate mortar attacks but this mans face I will carry to my grave
We've got more private contractors now then we did when Obama was doing his first term, it's picking up and it's never easy combating the things going on in your own mind. Stay safe🤙🏼
You do the right thing my friend. You saved people for sure. Thank you for your service.
Why is this on Tedx?
In portuguese please. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Balls of the corps
My godfather was in the usmc in 2003 to 07 and saw his friend get shot in the arm
Ummm. Would that not have been self defense if the attacker with the knife were threatening the people in the room?
you never leave war
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️
Hide or OP - observation post 🏴
Both will do, but FFP is probably the right verbiage: Final Firing Position
I slept in my car for three weeks after being discharged......
Mr. Al-Hafeth, I feel it is unfortunate that I had to use deadly force on even one person during my time in the war. I also feel that you are asking the wrong question. The question I feel you should ask me is, "How many Iraqi's and Marines did you save by completing your missions?" Our forces were only ever used in the defense of civilians, Iraqi policeman, Iraqi Army Units, and fellow Marines. I am proud of the work we did to protect others. I do not feel bad for saving lives. Would you?
You didn't save anyone by inciting more violence.
@Chad Russell Nice way to twist it. "Saving lives"... give me a break. US government launched an illegal invasion on two countries based on lies. Military clowns like you romanticize war, so corny.
Jake 19 even if their were no weapons of mass destruction he was a terrible person and shouldn’t have been in power regardless
Hey, I did over 4 yrs in Iraq and Afghan. Seen plenty. Many have a great story and a story that is much worse than this on TED. I really hope he is not riding on his time over there and his "story". Most of you will understand what I am trying to say. I will say that I am not one who endorses platforms like this to "tell a story". Everyone who has been there has their own and should be told. Meaning not everyone is going to be on a platform to "glorify" / tell their story to a large audience. Hope you know what I'm saying.
And yet the military still puts their ads to look like a video game and fun. Shouldn't be right to do.
"Cachet" - the state of being respected or admired; prestige. I think he means "cache" (pr = kaʃ).
Big Neck
So sad what happened in Iraq America destroyed it !!!
Hahahahaha!
I was in second grade when 9/11 happened and people from my class have been shipped off to these shitholes how long are we going to be there?
Good question. And, one that is fair to ask. I am proud of what we did there, but I recognize that it has not been a net value to our country long term. That is my own personal opinion.
I'm sorry Yasser, but how can you take that tone with a soldier? You do understand that this man did not have any part in deciding which country to attack, right?! He had nothing to do with choosing his mission objectives. Every Country in the world has a military, in which young men/women sign up to represent and serve. Why don't you point your hostility towards the generals that made those decisions you are questioning, not the brave soldier who made it home and was just doing his job.
3/1 Balls of the corps kill!!
I do not understand your point on this. Oil has nothing to do with my Marines and I working to protect ourselves and others, because for us just to educate someone like yourself that perhaps has never been in combat once that first bullet goes past your head and snaps and cracks politics and all of that shit goes right out the window. At this point your human nature goes into fight or flight mode and I was trained to fight. Where I am attacked I will fight. The timing & parties are irrelevant.
@Marten Dekker Exactly.
@diepewpie YA despite all the currently available evidence to the contrary.
have you ever watched or heard of an excellent documentary called Generation Kill? it was actually made by Recon Marines with an embedded reporter who was there at the tip of the invasion. it very realistic and shows the story from a side that is very rarely represented EG the soldier. it's not acted up or dramatized and the language is completely accurate like using callsigns and radio shorthand. very interesting stuff. it also shows those marines and the Iraqis as human beings which is the side that gets distorted A LOT.
No offense to the military or those that served but all the Ted talks from veterans have no real insight to the feelings and perspectives of veterans living life after deployment. They just share a short anecdote but in that short anecdote they don't describe anything in depth and the talk served no purpose other than maybe helping the veteran therapeuticly by listening to their story. I don't mean to offend anyone, I want to listen and learn about life after deployment, but these talks are vague and provide little detail.
Hamza Mian
Civvies wouldn't exactly understand their viewpoint since they didn't experience it first-hand. It would be a lot to process.
What do you want to know?
Hamza Mian This man was fake... and I'll point it out if u want
Look at the ted talk of Sebastian Junger
what is fake about it?
This dude just talking about Fortnite season 5
😂
Lol, I don't even know what that is. Made me laugh though.
For Chesty
Wait a minute, this isn't a live teddy bear voiced by peter griffin. I've been scammed
It's strange to hear a soldier from an occupying force in an illegal war talking about the 'enemy'.
Not trying to start anything as this guy was just doing his job. Just doesn't seem right. If a foreign force invaded my country and I fought back I wouldn't be the enemy.
Ha Goodem.
USA USA
Fighting for Zionism.
Anyone else get the Burger King ad
This is 😄
One simple question : how many Iraqis did you killed ?
what is ur definition of Service?! invading countries and killing innocent people?! no wonder if most of soldiers go back home mentally sick, because u r fighting without a cause, spare democracy & safety of people and this nonsens. look at those countries u invading now. they r destroyed. everyone has the right to defend his country, u have the right to do so, but from who?! a poor shepherd in the mountains of Afghanistan?! thousands of miles far from u, or a young weak Iraqi working day and night to support his family ?! and do not take the excuse of those extremists suciders, etc to invade nations.
I just wish that the US youth realizes the pure facts and use their minds.
I don't hate Americans or America, but I hate the idea when people talk about these wars as something to be proud of.
06:15 not sure how obvious this is or isn't....meaning = how dumb my comment is or isn't.... but our consciousness doesn't include a ****lot*****. it don't matter that Chad knew there was a party with balloons going on. like all of us... our consciousness is not as in charge as we believe. an old question. certainly that is where our gut feelings come from... maybe all our feelings. and too obviously? it's where and how human language comes from... I don't know about you but I never spend anytime thinking much about what words I'm gonna say when I say them... they fly out and it ain't from memorizing what I was gonna say well ahead of time or did. so.... that other part of us may also be able to categorize and think about abstract things, not just smells and sights and sounds... and no other creature can do that.... but jump at sounds they do. so I don't believe it's at all magical or mystical... but something is unique to us and I wish we knew more than just that maybe it is a "snow flake" as Chomsky sometimes refers to it. but not "too much" more than a snow flake and as well not much more, or especially, quite a bit less, than about 100,000 years ago. as Chomsky still postulates (credit where it is due).
[ getting way way off the topic here.... I know... sorry.....]
but I also believe it's quite apropro... or I'm getting a bit nutty but.... take a dog for instance that has been separated at birth and is never around other dogs, and doesn't go to doggy school.... he or she will still do things only a dog does and I don't think it's just because he or she has paws and a big snout instead of thumbs.
there is something there. and please... not Buddhism. I prefer the Chomskian Snowflake thing.. obviously :-)