Black Hawk Down: We Killed THOUSANDS – The Real Body Count Was Much Higher

About this video

Ritland interviews a guest who recounts receiving the Silver Star for his role in the Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down). The guest describes the intense 18-hour firefight, the casualty estimates, his frustration with the abrupt mission termination, and the misunderstood public reception for five years until Mark Bowden’s book changed opinions. He also explains his transition from Army Ranger to chaplain, covering the extensive theological education required and offering his perspective on the history of Christian denominational splits.

Key takeaways

• The guest felt the Black Hawk Down movie underplayed the contributions of SEALs, Air Force CCT, and PJs who fought alongside Rangers during the Battle of Mogadishu
• According to the guest, the International Red Cross estimated at least 300 enemy killed and 800-1,100 wounded, though he and others believed they faced 10,000-20,000 adversaries rather than a few hundred
• The guest describes carrying bitterness about the abrupt withdrawal order after heavy casualties, feeling it dishonored those who died, and explains that public opinion only shifted five years later when Bowden’s book was published
• Becoming an Army chaplain required approximately 9-10 years of preparation including a 4-year undergraduate degree, 3-year master’s of divinity, and 2 years of church work before applying

Episode details: published January 22, 2026 · 104K views · 25:06 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. Stories told by Mike Ritland’s podcast guests are the guests’ own accounts, attributed to them — not independently verified. Commentary is Ritland’s, presented as his analysis.

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