Nicholas Irving on Losing a Man to a Bombing and Not Being Able to Get Revenge (Part 8)

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Former Army Ranger sniper Nicholas Irving opened up about the psychological toll of combat, especially the helpless rage that follows losing a fellow soldier to an IED or bombing with no clear enemy to confront.

Speaking with Shawn Prez, Irving said one of the “worst feelings” in war is watching someone in your unit get hurt or killed by a remotely detonated explosive, then realizing there is “nobody to shoot.” He explained that the attackers are often long gone, hidden among civilians, or impossible to identify, leaving soldiers angry but unable to act.

Irving also described how changing rules of engagement made combat even more complicated, forcing troops to constantly adjust while facing life-or-death decisions. He said many soldiers still have to “lace up” and do their jobs, even when they question the mission, because refusing orders can mean punishment, court-martial, or jail.