Black Hawk Down Ranger Keni Thomas | Leadership, Courage & the Untold Story of Mogadishu | MisFitNation

Black Hawk Down Ranger Keni Thomas | Leadership, Courage & the Untold Story of Mogadishu | MisFitNation

June 25, 2026 · 1h 38m · Season 6 · Episode 665

About this episode

Keni Thomas shares leadership lessons and the untold story of the Battle of Mogadishu in this episode of MisFitNation.

What does real leadership look like when everything is falling apart? In this unforgettable episode of MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica sits down with Keni Thomas, a former U.S. Army Ranger with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Bronze Star with Valor recipient, Ranger Hall of Fame inductee, bestselling author, country music artist, Emmy-winning producer, and survivor of the Battle of Mogadishu, made famous by Black Hawk Down. Keni shares the untold human side of one of the most iconic battles in modern military history, revealing what happened beyond the Hollywood version. He explains how young Rangers led under unimaginable pressure, why leadership has nothing to do with rank, and how servant leadership, accountability, trust, and teamwork continue to shape his life long after combat. The conversation explores the transition from military service to civilian leadership, overcoming trauma, sharing veterans' stories, building resilient teams, and why every leader—whether in business, public service, or at home—can learn from the battlefield. Keni also discusses: The true story behind Black Hawk Down Leadership lessons forged in combat The importance of serving those beside…

People in this episode

Host: Richard LaMonica

Guest: Keni Thomas

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. Army Ranger, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Ranger Hall of Fame

Books & works: Black Hawk Down

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