Pat Tillman was killed in a friendly-fire incident 17 years ago.

The field-grade officer who ordered the platoon split (from many miles away) was Major David Hodne. Hodne is now Major General Hodne, Chief of Infantry.

I've heard many good things about Hodne from men who've served under him over the years. Still, as a non-Ranger, it's always bothered me that he ended up commanding 2/75 only a few years after Tillman's death. The very same battalion. There's something ... insular about that.

Full disclosure, I served in the 25th ID with Tillman's lieutenant, who was the highest-ranking person held responsible. (Despite desperately pushing back on the order to split up.) Guy was a professional's professional. Is still in, last I heard. Better man than I'd have been.

A lot of men saw their careers and lives turned upside-down that day, Pat and Kevin Tillman only two of many. That it was so tightly contained to that one platoon - well, that's the Army, for you.

Anyhow, it's not all doom & gloom, thanks to the good folks at the Pat Tillman Foundation. Here's an essay I wrote a couple years back about them and how their good work is an enduring legacy to Tillman the man https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a23652508/pat-tillman-legacy/