Blood, Money, & Military Contractors: What They Don't Tell You About Gray Zone Warfare

Former Blackwater contractor Morgan Lerette pulls back the curtain on the secretive world of private military contractors (PMCs) and the shadow economy that fuels modern warfare. From Iraq’s combat zones to backroom military contracts, we dig into the true cost of war — not just in lives, but in billions of dollars, broken systems, and blurred moral lines. Morgan shares wild stories from his time on the ground, the reality behind the infamous Blackwater incident, and why PMCs remain both a political tool and a legal gray area. We also explore the failures of USAID, the business of human trafficking, and how U.S. taxpayer dollars get funneled through complex, often corrupt global networks. If you’ve ever wondered who profits from endless war — and how — this episode tells you what no one else will.

Morgan Lerette is the author of Guns, Girls, and Greed: I Was a Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq. Find it anywhere books are sold.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Light Banter

02:59 Military Experiences and Parenthood

05:59 Health and Medication During Deployments

08:57 COVID-19 Experiences and Quarantine Stories

11:53 Introduction of Guests and Their Backgrounds

15:01 Humorous Tales from Iraq

16:01 The Reality of Combat Gear and Conditions

18:15 Transitioning from Security Forces to Blackwater

24:22 Understanding Blackwater's Mission in Iraq

27:45 Breaking the Rules: The Nature of Contractor Operations

35:21 The Mercenary Identity and Its Implications

37:58 The Role of Private Military Contractors

44:03 The Future of Private Military Contractors

49:36 Political Implications of PMCs

01:10:21 Corruption and Funding in Military Contracts

01:11:07 The Misguided Priorities of Aid

01:14:54 The Flaws in USAID and Military Contracts

01:19:49 The Ineffectiveness of Changing Strategies

01:25:18 The Legal Gray Areas of PMCs

01:31:12 The Complexities of International Law and PMCs

01:34:52 The Role of PMCs in Global Conflicts

01:36:01 Raucous Tales from the Field

01:40:28 Reflections on Military Service and PMC Life

01:46:45 The Dark Side of Human Trafficking

01:54:15 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors

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