The Spear

Modern War Institute at West Point 288 - The Crucible of Innovation in the Indo-Pacific

The Spear is a podcast from the Modern War Institute at West Point. It sets out to explore the combat experience, with each episode featuring a guest who tells a detailed and personal story, describing the events and exploring topics like decision-making under stress and what it feels like to be in combat.

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Episodes

16 Jul 2026

02 Jul 2026

18 Jun 2026

20 Apr 2026

06 Apr 2026

24 Mar 2026

10 Mar 2026

10 Feb 2026

16 Jan 2026

19 Nov 2025

10 Sep 2025

29 Aug 2025

08 Aug 2025

31 Jul 2025

19 Jun 2025

05 Jun 2025

22 May 2025

07 May 2025

25 Apr 2025

10 Apr 2025

28 Mar 2025

12 Mar 2025

13 Feb 2025

29 Jan 2025

07 Jan 2025

02 Jan 2025

12 Dec 2024

05 Dec 2024

22 Nov 2024

06 Nov 2024

18 Oct 2024

11 Oct 2024

10 Sep 2024

27 Aug 2024

15 Aug 2024

02 Aug 2024

17 Jul 2024

03 Jul 2024

20 Jun 2024

05 Jun 2024

23 May 2024

08 May 2024

25 Apr 2024

11 Apr 2024

27 Mar 2024

13 Mar 2024

28 Feb 2024

14 Feb 2024

31 Jan 2024

17 Jan 2024

The Spear

Episodes

The Crucible of Innovation in the Indo-Pacific

Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center

Commanding a Multi-Domain Effects Battalion in the Indo-Pacific

Long-Range Precision Fires and the Fight for the First Island Chain

The Ranger Regiment's Fighting Platoon Sergeant

Staying Alive in Iraq and Afghanistan

Ranger Missions in Iraq and Afghanistan

Combat Interpreter in Iraq

Route Clearance and Counterbattery in Iraq

Combat Surgery in Afghanistan

Recovering a Downed Marine in Afghanistan

Ranger Regiment J1 in Afghanistan

Danger in Mosul

The Battle of Barawala Kalay

A Marine Platoon in Anbar Province

Escort Mission Over Anbar

Forward Air Controller in Ramadi

Air Force PJs at War

Easter Offensive, 1972

Surprise on the Kunar River

Rescue Mission in Kunar

Navy Cross in Iraq

The MQ-9 Reaper in Combat

Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Power of "Yet"

Green Beret, Silver Star

Last Soldier in Afghanistan

Valor in Sadr City

The A-10 At War

A Fight Inside the Wire

Leadership in the Ranger Regiment and 4ID

Military Cross in Afghanistan

Emergency Deployment with the Ranger Regiment

Combat in a Technological War

A Helicopter and an IED

Sniper Fire in Baghdad

One Day in Panjwai District

No-Fly Zone

Sadr City's Three-Block War

Five Days in Paktia

Apaches in Action

Rescue in an Afghan Valley

A Black Hawk in a Firefight

Kiowas in Action

Spectre in the Sky

Ambush in Uruzgan

A Lieutenant's Dilemma in Kosovo

The Bridge on the Saddam Canal

Three Missions in Panjwai District

A Lieutenant's Dilemma

Moral Courage