Sand, Grit and Dangerous Supply Missions: The Unsung Civilian Heroes of the Iraq War

Security Clearance Careers Podcast

In 2003, Keith Richard—an accomplished logistics expert with no military background—made a decision that would forever alter the course of his life. Tasked with leading a rapidly mobilized operation to deliver critical fuel and supplies to U.S. military forces in Iraq and Kuwait, Richard stepped into a war zone as a civilian leader, navigating a role typically reserved for seasoned military personnel.

Thrust into the chaos of war, Richard had to rely on sheer discipline, unshakable grit, and calm resolve to guide both his team and himself. The job was unrelenting—issuing orders that sent unarmed civilian truck drivers into hostile territory, often with no guarantee of return.

“Civilians are the unsung heroes of the Iraq War and should be recognized for their patriotism and commitment to support the military,” Richard reflects.

In his gripping new memoir, Sand, Grit and Dangerous Supply Missions: The Unsung Civilian Heroes of the Iraq War, Richard recounts his extraordinary journey with humility and raw honesty. From modest beginnings along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast to directing a multibillion-dollar logistics campaign in the Middle East, he shares the unseen sacrifices made by thousands of civilian contractors during wartime on this episode of the Security Clearance Careers podcast.

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