The Real "ICEMAN" from Generation Kill
Written by Chris Manthos

In one of the most insightful books on modern military history of our time, Evan Wright’s “Generation Kill” is a page-turning account of the incredible 2003 lightning blitz on Baghdad by the 1st Recon Battalion, United States Marines.

Wright skillfully and carefully captured the challenges of the often 24 hour a day combat tempo of some of the finest warriors our Nation has ever produced. When I first picked Gen’ Kill off the shelf at an airport Borders, I skeptically thumbed through it, seeing yet another anti-American diatribe written by yet another anti-military “journalist.”

Instead, I found it impossible to put down. Highly focused on a single platoon, and often on a single squad, I was moved by the incredible detail and highly intense relationships of the Marines who Wright ‘embedded’ with during the historic drive on the Iraqi metropolis.

So it was better than Christmas, when watching the last few episodes of my all time favorite TV show, producer David Simon’s “The Wire”, that I first saw Simon was finishing work on the “Generation Kill” mini-series for HBO. Simon’s seven part series does every credit possible to Wright’s book, and then some.

The key player in both the book and film is (then Sgt.) Brad Colbert, United States Marine Corps, or as enthusiastic fans of the book and series know him; the “Iceman.” When close friend Shawn Alladio casually asked me not long ago if I’d ever heard of him, I replied, “You mean the Iceman? Hell yeah I know who he is… why?” “He’s training with us in some personal watercraft classes” she replied.

читать дальшеThus, I had a chance to ask ten quick questions to both a remarkable professional and a recent convert to the PWC Nation.

Q:We’re you surprised at the success of Evan Wright’s book and David Simon’s mini-series?

A: I was surprised at just how many people identified with the characters and the dialogue. I have had numerous people approach me about the show and tell me how much our experiences mirror their own. Marines have a definite culture and the back and forth banter and joking is universal regardless of where they come from or what they do in the Corps. I knew this ahead of time, but wasn’t prepared for how many Marines approved of that facet being publicized. I mean, we talked about some pretty inflammatory and derogatory things! As far as the popularity of the book in civilian circles, I wasn’t as surprised as much since when it went to print there wasn’t another book like it, and in many respects, there still isn’t. The ground-eye view of Marines on the battlefield presented in “Generation Kill” was a unique insight for most people.

Q: How was it watching an actor play “you?”

A: It was very surreal. I liken it to hearing yourself on the answering machine: you sound like an idiot. It was strange watching someone act out the events that you were a part of. You don’t ever get the chance to see something like that normally. Alex did a fantastic job - especially considering we never talked or met until after the series was filmed. He took a lot of advice from people who knew me, but at the end of the day it was all his. I have nothing but praise for the job he did with my character.

Q: One of the key themes in the book is the incredible bonds and friendships between the men. For folks who’ve never served, it’s always a surprise for them to see the remarkably diverse mix, which is the military, work so well. Do you feel that civilian society would benefit from lessons learned from the military?

A: I feel that anytime people are dependent on one another for their survival you form a bond unlike anything experienced elsewhere. To put it another way, the bonds formed through shared hardships are the strongest. The Marines draw from every corner of our culture to form its ranks and by immediately thrusting challenges upon them, they learn to work as a team. The private sector tries to copy this through retreats and other team building exercises but it never yields the same results. There is no other way to learn the level of teamwork, dedication, fidelity, and leadership without wearing the uniform. The Marines that I have served with know me better than my own parents since they have seen me at my best and my worst.

Q: You have a passion for speed. You’re quoted as saying your bike was the only thing you missed. Do you still have the Yamaha r1?

A: I do have a love for speed. It’s not an adrenaline thing but more about control. When you are in combat you are at the mercy of so many factors: weather, terrain, enemy, time. When I ride I’m insulated from a lot of those factors. It’s also something I don’t have to share with anyone else. It is a personnel experience that I miss from much of my normal life. I still have the same r1, though it shares the garage with a few others these days. I still pour money into it to try to squeeze out as much horsepower as I can.

Q: Many motorcyclists are naturals when it comes to personal watercraft. Have you found it similar?

A: I found it very similar. Much of the subtle shifting of weight that takes place when you are on two wheels is the same for watercraft. of course there is much that isn’t similar but enough carries over to help me start higher up on the learning curve then those that don’t ride. It’s a whole new environment to explore and I am really enjoying it.

Q: What attribute(s) of personal watercraft are you most impressed with?

A: I wasn’t prepared for the acceleration. I assumed that because of the drag caused from the water that it would be slow on the pickup -- it wasn’t. I was also surprised how responsive they were, again because of the drag. You have to pay attention.

Q: You were going to purchase British surplus armored vehicle at one time. What was it?

A: Yeah that’s true. I guess in some ways I’m still twelve years old. I was going to buy a Scorpion light armored personnel carrier. The fact that I would have needed a fatbed semi-trailer to get it to where I could drive it stopped me from going through with it. I had a sum of money burning a hole in my pocket and thought it would make a nice statement at the drive-through.

Q: Personal watercraft serve in the armed forces today mostly in life saving and force protection roles. Coming from a recon background as you do, clearly there are endless mission profles for personal watercraft, would you agree?

A: There are to an extent. Keeping in mind the noise signature and the fact that you are exposed to the elements there are some constraints on its use as a method of insertion. There are a lot of very smart guys out there who have explored more on this topic and only time will tell what develops. of course if someone could make it armor plated and put some guns on it. I’m sure it would be a best seller!

Q: Personal watercraft serve in the armed forces today mostly in life saving and force protection roles. Coming from a recon background as you do, clearly there are endless mission profles for personal watercraft, would you agree?

A: There are to an extent. Keeping in mind the noise signature and the fact that you are exposed to the elements there are some constraints on its use as a method of insertion. There are a lot of very smart guys out there who have explored more on this topic and only time will tell what develops. of course if someone could make it armor plated and put some guns on it. I’m sure it would be a best seller!

Q: You are combat-diver qualified. I trust there are some pretty stunning things to stumble onto while diving at night offshore. What was the most disconcerting problem you ever encountered on a dive?

A: The biggest thing without getting into sensitive topics is figuring out your location. It takes skill and a lot of practice. We dive very differently than our civilian counterparts. Diving at night exposes you to some pretty strong sensory deprivation that is challenging. Since you become part of the food chain when you step into the water you get some close encounters with some curious marine life.

Q: You’re quoted in the book, as saying “I really thank God I was born American. I mean seriously, it’s something I lose sleep over.” I’m certain a great many of our members agree with that sentiment. occasionally, there’s the odd apple who blames America for everything. Would you like to see those folks pull 16 months in someplace like Iraq, and see how they feel afterwards?

A: I think the knee-**** reaction is to drop people like that into a hot spot and let them earn their 1st Amendment right the hard way. of course what makes our country great is the right to openly disagree and I think we have a richer culture because of it, though I am deeply concerned about the apathy our generation is showing for its freedoms. For some people, unless it causes longer lines at Starbucks, they don’t care. I suppose you could make an argument for compulsory service but that’s a whole other story. Ask me again after November 4th.

Q: What book are you currently reading?

A: “Of Arms and Men” by Robert L. O’Connell. It demonstrates how social and economic conditions determine the types of weapons and the tactics used in warfare and how, in turn, innovations in weapons technology often undercut social values. He describe for instance, how the invention of the gun required a redefinition of courage from aggressive ferocity to calmness under fire.