SGT Vince Makela, U.S. Army Green Beret, Afghanistan 'Horse Soldiers'
About this episode
Vince Makela shares his journey from basic training to becoming a Green Beret and his experiences in Afghanistan as part of ODA 595.
Vince Makela enlisted in the U.S. Army while he was still in high school. After basic training, he specialized in communications and dreamed of flight school. When that dream didn't come true, Makela set his sights on another impressive goal - becoming a Green Beret. Several years later, he found himself in one of the first American units to set foot in Afghanistan after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595 not only achieved amazing results, but the men also became widely known as the "Horse Soldiers." In this edition of Veterans Chronicles , Makela takes us from basic training to a very meaningful early deployment to Korea. He also walks us through selection and qualifying for U.S. Army Special Forces and his vivid memories of 9/11. From there, Makela explains how ODA 595 was quickly ordered to prepare for deployment and draw up plans for its operation in Afghanistan. You'll also hear how no one in the unit was expecting to become a horse soldier and how they adapted rather quickly to the mission. Finally, Makela tells about the part of that mission that he still considers the highlight of his military career.
People in this episode
Guest: Vince Makela
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: U.S. Army, Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 595
Places: Afghanistan, Korea
More episodes of Veterans Chronicles
- LCDR Kaj Larsen, U.S. Navy, SEAL Training, War on Terrorism
- Col. Allison Black, U.S. Air Force, Afghanistan, 'The Angel of Death'
- SSgt. Rudy Meekins, USMC. Korea, Chosin Reservoir
- COL Michael Gilpin, U.S. Army, Vietnam
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