Sheepdogs

Today’s guest is Elliot Ackerman—decorated Marine veteran, former CIA paramilitary officer, and New York Times bestselling author. A recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, and Purple Heart, Elliot served five combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the battle of Fallujah, before going on to serve as a White House Fellow. His acclaimed books - 2034, HALCYON, WAITING FOR EDEN, PLACES AND NAMES, and THE FIFTH ACT - blend authenticity with a sharp literary edge. His latest novel, SHEEPDOGS, follows an ex-CIA officer and an Afghan pilot caught in a high-stakes heist that spirals into a deadly web of betrayal. In this episode, Jack and Elliot dive into the inspiration behind SHEEPDOGS, Elliot’s path to the Marine Corps after 9/11, and his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also explore his transition from the battlefield to publishing, his time with the CIA and as a White House Fellow, and the craft of writing stories that confront the moral complexities of war. FOLLOW ELLIOT X: @elliotackerman Instagram: @Elliot.ackerman FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA X: @JackCarrUSA Facebook: @JackCarr YouTube: @JackCarrUSA SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/book... Bravo Company Manufacturing Sig Sauer Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – The Retro Book Cover 02:15 – Thriller, Commercial, or Literary 05:41 – Why I Chose the Marine Corps 09:02 – 9/11 Influence 12:12 – The Path to Becoming a Marine Raider 16:27 – Inside the Battle of Fallujah 32:45 – Najaf, Katrina, and the Culture of the Marine Corps 39:54 – Back to War: Serving in Afghanistan 44:18 – From Special Ops to the Agency 49:02 – White House Fellow 53:26 – The Road to Publishing My First Book 57:44 – How I Grew as an Author — And the Stories Behind My Books