Marine Scout Sniper Alexander Lemons on Iraq, Hidden Wounds, and the Real Cost of War | Combat Story

About this episode

Alexander Lemons shares his experiences as a Marine Scout Sniper in Iraq and discusses the hidden costs of war.

Former U.S. Marine Scout Sniper Alexander Lemons joins AJ to talk about Iraq, the confusion and chaos of the initial invasion, and the hidden damage war leaves behind. A Bronze Star recipient and co-author of War Body: A Marine Sniper and the Hidden Violence of Modern Warfare , Alex brings a raw, thoughtful perspective to combat, leadership, toxic exposure, and life after service. In this episode of Combat Story , AJ and Alex unpack Alex's path into the Marines, what it felt like to enter war as a young infantryman, and how those early experiences shaped the questions that would later become War Body . This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation , focused on his early life, Iraq, and the foundation of his story. Part 2 goes deeper into his path as a sniper, the long-tail health fight, and what veterans, leaders, and civilians should understand about the unseen costs of modern war. A note for listeners: this episode was filmed in December 2025 and has a slightly different feel than the usual Combat Story format. It plays more like a true conversation between AJ and Alex than a traditional interview, which gives it a more personal and reflective tone. 🎙️ Guest Information — Alexander…

People in this episode

Host: AJ Pasciuti

Guest: Alexander Lemons

Topics covered

• Iraq War
• Marine Corps
• combat experience
• mental health
• leadership
• veteran issues

Keywords

• Marine Scout Sniper
• Iraq
• Bronze Star
• War Body
• combat
• veterans
• mental health
• leadership

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: War Body: A Marine Sniper and the Hidden Violence of Modern Warfare

Places: Iraq, Nasiriyah, Fallujah

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