Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
6:37 | Retired Green Beret Changiz Lahidji was working security at Lockheed-Martin when the 9/11 attacks shocked the nation. He immediately resigned and started working his contacts to get involved.
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Born in Iran, Changiz Lahidji served in the Shah's special forces before emigrating to the US in 1973. Feeling a need to prove himself in his new country, he enlisted in the military.
The recruiter asked if he really wanted to try for special forces. You're not big enough, he said. Changiz Lahidji, having already served in the Iranian special forces, assured him he was. At jump school, he broke an ankle and didn't let on, but his sergeant knew.
When Changiz Lahidji reported to Fort Bragg for Green Beret training, one of the team sergeants turned out to be someone he'd met in Iran during joint training with the Shah's Army. He was told he'd better make it through so he could join his team. He made it; the first Muslim to serve in US special forces.
After retiring from the Army, Green Beret Changiz Lahidji worked for the State Department. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, he continued to use his talents to counter terrorists. He was nearly killed when his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
On his first operation, Green Beret Changiz Lahidji went to Afghanistan to help the Mujahideen fight the Russian occupiers. The Iranian embassy takeover led to the second, a daring solo mission into Iran, where he surveilled the embassy. He had to make it out on his own after the aborted rescue attempt. (Caution: strong language.)
It's tough to be a Green Beret. Changiz has broken both legs and dislocated his shoulder, among other injuries. Even the extreme training is dangerous, like the high altitude parachute jumps for which he set a record. He spent time in Haiti and Grenada and was in Somalia when the Blackhawk Down incident occurred.
When Green Beret Changiz Lahidji was in the Philippines during the coup there, he encountered the men of SEAL Team 6. He did not appreciate their swagger.
Former Green Beret Changiz Lahidji reflects on his long career. Not only was he the first Muslim Green Beret, he was also the longest serving special forces soldier in history. They told him he had PTSD. It was news to him.
