Outlaw Platoon

{{Short description|2012 war story memoir written by Sean Parnell and John R. Bruning}}

{{Infobox book

| name = Outlaw Platoon

| image = Outlaw Platoon.jpg

| caption = First edition

| author = Sean Parnell, John R. Bruning

| country = United States

| language = English

| subject = Military history

| publisher = Morrow/HarperCollins

| release_date = 2012

| pages = 405

| isbn = 978-0-06-206639-8

}}

Outlaw Platoon is a 2012 war story memoir written by Captain Sean Parnell and author John R. Bruning. The book details Parnell's 2006–2007 experiences as an infantry platoon leader during the War in Afghanistan.

After receiving his commission through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at Duquesne University, Parnell led 3rd Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.{{cite web|title=Outlaw: Former infantry officer shares experiences, pledges to help others|author=Michelle Kennedy|date=1 March 2012|access-date=11 January 2014|publisher=U.S. Army|url=https://www.army.mil/article/74841/}} The company was based near the Pakistani border in Barmal District of Paktika Province on an extended 16-month deployment. After the deployment, Parnell was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart.{{cite news|title='Outlaw Platoon': Murrysville native describes the Afghan war he fought|author=Torsten Ove|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/books/2012/02/26/Outlaw-Platoon-Murrysville-native-describes-the-Afghan-war-he-fought/stories/201202260527|date=26 February 2012|accessdate=11 January 2014|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} Parnell left duty as a lieutenant and retired as a captain. Before embarking on Outlaw Platoon. Parnell's coauthor, military historian John R. Bruning, embedded himself with a unit in Afghanistan in 2010 in preparation for writing the book for Parnell.{{cite web|title=Outlaw Platoon|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sean-parnell/outlaw-platoon/|publisher=Kirkus Reviews|date=16 January 2012|accessdate=8 January 2014}}

The book was discussed as part of the Commandant's Book Club at the United States Military Academy in 2013.{{cite web|title=Cadets discuss "Outlaw Platoon" with author|author=Brandon Long|date=18 December 2013|accessdate=8 January 2014|url=http://www.usma.edu/news/SitePages/Comm%27s%20Book%20Club.aspx|publisher=United States Military Academy}}

Parnell discussed writing the book for an episode of Pritzker Military Presents{{cite web|url=http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/pritzker-military-presents/sean-parnell-outlaw-platoon/|title=Sean Parnell: Outlaw Platoon|work=pritzkermilitary.org}} and for the Episode 192 of the Jocko Podcast.{{cite web|url=http://jockopodcast.com/2019/08/28/192-important-lessons-of-outlaw-platoons-long-and-horrific-road-w-sean-parnell/|title=Jocko Podcast - Episode 192: Important Lessons of Outlaw Platoon's Long and Horrific Road w/ Sean Parnell|work=jockopodcast.com}}