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Part 9: Delta Force Soldier Dale Comstock on Afghanistan Ambush That Made Quit Going to War
Part 1: Delta Force's Dale Comstock: I Hypnotized Myself at 15 Years Old to Be Better, and It Works
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Dale Comstock sits down with Vlad to reflect on the realities of warfare, lethal force, and the mindset required in combat. The former Special Forces operator discusses why he never kept a body count, recalling a conversation with Chris Kyle of *American Sniper* after meeting him on *Stars and Stripes*. Comstock explains how mortar teams, return fire, and crew-served weapons can blur individual responsibility, connecting it to “group absolution” in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, gangs, and bar fights.
He also revisits his first confirmed shooting near Modelo Prison, describing the split-second decisions involved when civilians were dangerously close. In a candid moment, Comstock explains why engaging from distance feels less personal than close-range combat, where a soldier sees a face, fear, and humanity. The conversation also touches on David Grossman’s *On Killing*, sniper psychology, aggression, hesitation, and the emotional separation many combat veterans rely on to survive.
