Brad Colbert

Brad Colbert (born July 25, 1974) is a former active duty United States Marine, whose platoon's role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq was featured in a series of articles in Rolling Stone by Evan Wright. Wright was an embedded reporter who rode in the backseat of Colbert's vehicle during this time until his departure on May 4, 2003. Wright later expanded these articles into the book Generation Kill which was turned into a HBO miniseries of the same name in which Colbert was portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård.

Brad Colbert
Colbert giving a speech in September 2012
Nickname(s)Iceman
Born (1974-07-25) July 25, 1974
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1995–2016[1]
Rank Master sergeant
Unit3rd Recon Company
1st Recon Company
1st Reconnaissance Battalion
British Royal Marine Commandos
1st Force Recon Company
Marine Detachment, Fort Benning GA
Marine Corps Systems Command
Battles/warsGlobal War on Terrorism
Awards Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal

Career

A U.S. Reconnaissance Marine, Colbert was nicknamed the "Iceman" by his colleagues, for his ability to stay calm in battle and his overall military competency. During the War in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for valor for his role in taking out an enemy missile battery.[2] In the Iraq War, his platoon, the 2nd Platoon of Bravo Company of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion led by Lieutenant Nathaniel Fick, was often at the spearhead of the initial invasion, with his team, of which he was team leader, often on point.

For his efforts during the Iraq War, Colbert received a combat meritorious promotion to Staff Sergeant and went on to serve two years with the Royal Marine Commandos as part of an exchange program.[3] He was later promoted again to Gunnery Sergeant and served as the Company Gunnery Sergeant of H&S Company of 1st Recon.[4] He served two additional tours in Iraq and left the Reconnaissance community in 2010.[5]

As of October 2012, Colbert was a special skills operations chief at the U.S. Army's airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia.[6] He is responsible for "making sure that Marines who attend the program receive the necessary skills and meet their requirements. He also regularly leaps from C-130s to reinforce proper jump techniques."

Military.com reported that in July 2016, Colbert was still on active duty as a project officer for Raids and Amphibious Reconnaissance at Marine Corps Systems Command. Colbert retired from the Marine Corps as a master sergeant on October 24 2016.[7]

Personal life

Colbert was adopted into a Jewish family. He is currently a speaker on post-combat stress issues for the Heroes and Healthy Families organization. [5][8][9]

References
  1. http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/12/22/13-years-iraq-marines-generation-kill-regret-nothing.html#.WFvlq0PqgHI.twitter
  2. Wright (2004), p.22
  3. Wright (2004), p. 351
  4. "Raider Report" (PDF). 1st Recon Bn Association. May 2008.
  5. "'Iceman' aids others with post-combat stress". Marine Corps Times. October 14, 2012. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  6. Hall, Kuande (July 9, 2012). "Airborne! Taking a leap for a more capable Corps". Marines Magazine. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  7. "13 Years After Iraq, the Marines of 'Generation Kill' Regret Nothing". military.com. 22 December 2016.
  8. Young, Joshua (November 2, 2012). "I MEF Marines attend leadership awareness conference". Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  9. "Hooked On Adrenaline - Part 1 - GySgt. Brad Colbert". YouTube.

Further reading
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