Episode 62: Morgan Lerette – Inside Blackwater: Guns, Girls, and Greed in Iraq

Episode 62 of Tuxes and Tomahawks is one of our most gripping conversations to date. This week, we welcome Morgan Lerette, a man whose life reads like a thriller novel—but every word is true. A former U.S. Air Force airman, Army intelligence officer, and Blackwater contractor, Morgan has seen war from every angle.

Now the author of Guns, Girls, and Greed: I Was a Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq, Morgan joins us to share the raw, unfiltered truth about his time as a private military contractor, his service in the armed forces, and what America needs to understand about the blurred lines between public service and private profit in modern warfare.

From Uniform to Contract: The Journey into Private Military Work

Morgan’s path began with a commission in the U.S. Air Force, but it was his transition to Blackwater that would change everything. After serving in traditional military roles, he joined the most notorious private military company on the planet—Blackwater.

At the height of the Iraq War, Blackwater operated in a legally complex and morally ambiguous space. Morgan was suddenly part of a privatized fighting force answering to contracts, not commanders. The missions were high-risk. The money was significant. And the rules? Often nonexistent.

Life on the Ground: A Mercenary’s Perspective

During his time with Blackwater, Morgan conducted hundreds of missions in one of the most dangerous environments on earth. He shares firsthand accounts of running convoys through combat zones, engaging in firefights, and escorting high-value personnel through areas riddled with roadside bombs and insurgent attacks.

But the story goes beyond the battlefield. Morgan describes the psychological toll of living in a constant state of hypervigilance, the culture of bravado and burnout among contractors, and the unique challenges of being a soldier of fortune in a foreign land where few laws applied.

The Power and Peril of Private Military Companies

One of the most revealing aspects of Morgan’s interview is his candid insight into the role and reach of private military companies. Blackwater, he explains, wasn’t just a supplement to the military—it was a business. One with shareholders, profit margins, and its own agenda.

He breaks down how these companies often operated without oversight, wielding immense power with limited accountability. Morgan’s account challenges listeners to consider what happens when war becomes a for-profit venture. Who benefits? Who pays the price? And what does it mean for democracy when corporations wage war?

Inside the Saddam Hussein Trial

Morgan’s time in Iraq wasn’t limited to combat. He also worked with the Regime Crimes Liaison Office, where he helped escort key witnesses and gather critical evidence used in the trial of Saddam Hussein.

His role in this historic event offered a different kind of mission—one rooted in justice and reconstruction rather than pure defense or offense. He shares stories of the evidence-gathering process, the tightrope walk between diplomacy and danger, and what it felt like to play a part in holding a dictator accountable.

Returning to Service: Army Intelligence and a New Purpose

After his time with Blackwater, Morgan returned to Iraq—this time in uniform as an Army intelligence officer. He led teams across the full spectrum of intelligence operations, including human intelligence (HUMINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), and counterintelligence (CI).

This chapter marked a shift in Morgan’s role—from direct action to strategic analysis and information gathering. It also gave him a broader view of the complexities behind every mission, alliance, and policy decision made on the ground.

Why He Wrote Guns, Girls, and Greed

Morgan’s book pulls no punches. It’s a raw and often uncomfortable look at a system that rewards violence, thrives on secrecy, and leaves little room for reflection. He wrote it, he says, because the American public deserves to know what’s being done in their name—and with their tax dollars.

In the podcast, Morgan talks about the personal and professional risks of telling his story. From the potential backlash to the emotional toll of revisiting trauma, publishing the book wasn’t an easy decision. But for Morgan, it was a necessary one.

A Close Call in Boston

In one of the most jaw-dropping moments of the episode, Morgan recounts running the Boston Marathon in 2013—finishing just 30 minutes before the bombs went off. It was a stark reminder that even after leaving the battlefield, the threats of violence and terrorism are never far away.

Lessons from a Life at War

Morgan’s journey—from enlisted service member to private contractor, from intelligence officer to author—is filled with hard-earned wisdom. He speaks about leadership, sacrifice, loyalty, and survival in a way that few can. His perspective is both sobering and inspiring.

He also opens up about what it means to come home after war. The mental health challenges, the struggle to find purpose, and the constant search for meaning in a world that rarely understands what you've seen. It’s a powerful reflection that will resonate with veterans, families, and anyone interested in the real cost of war.

Listen Now

This episode of Tuxes and Tomahawks is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand the true nature of modern warfare—and the human cost that often gets lost in the headlines. Morgan Lerette’s story is as important as it is intense, and it offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain of one of the most controversial chapters in American military history.

Stream Episode 62 now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you want the full story, pick up a copy of Guns, Girls, and Greed. It’s not just a war memoir—it’s a wake-up call.