"The Wolves of Helmand" War, Leadership, and the Cost of Showing Up

There’s something sacred about putting the uniform back on after life has moved on. There’s a weight to it. Not just the gear. Not just the rifle. But the responsibility. The choice to return. That’s what Frank Biggio did. He hung up a successful law career and went back to war. Why? Because the fight was not finished and neither was he.

Frank ("Gus") Biggio Director & Senior Managing Legal Counsel at Boston Consulting Gr…

The Wolves of Helmand is more than a memoir. It is a mirror for every leader who has ever wondered if they still have what it takes. It is a callout to those who talk about patriotism but stop short of action. It is also a lesson in what leadership really means when bullets are flying and allies are not always dependable.

There are books that entertain.

Books that educate.

Then there are books that matter.

The Wolves of Helmand is one of those books.

Frank “Gus” Biggio left the Marine Corps in the 90s, built a successful legal career, and lived the civilian dream. But when the towers fell, he felt the same call so many of us did. A calling not just to serve again, but to go where it counted. In 2009, he joined a Civil Affairs team and deployed with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines into the thick of the Helmand Province during the height of the surge.

This isn’t a sanitized, polished war story. It’s muddy boots and real talk. It’s walking into unknown terrain with a rifle in one hand and a translator at your side, not knowing if the man smiling at you during the day will be placing an IED at night. It’s about navigating local politics, rebuilding trust, and holding the line...often without backup, without clear guidance, and without thanks.

Biggio writes with precision. Every chapter tells a story. Sometimes tactical, sometimes emotional. Sometimes laugh-out-loud ridiculous in only the way war can be. He covers both phases of Operation Khanjar, details tragic losses, and dives deep into what leadership means when no one is clapping. Chapters 14 and 15, covering the deaths of Marines like Bill Cahir and Donald Hogan, hit especially hard. These are names that need to be remembered.

But the heart of this book lies in its Civil Affairs mission. He gives a voice to the Marines and sailors who build more than they destroy. The ones who talk, negotiate, plan, and problem-solve...under fire. He shows us that in the modern battlefield, winning hearts and minds is not a slogan. It’s life or death.

What makes this book stand out isn’t just the content. It’s the truth. Biggio doesn’t glamorize. He doesn’t preach. He just shows up on the page—like he showed up in Helmand.

If you are a veteran, this book will speak to you.

If you are active duty, this book will prepare you.

If you are a leader, this book will challenge you.

If you are a civilian, this book will teach you what we do and why we do it.

This is a must-read for anyone in the military profession, especially those in or supporting Civil Affairs, counterinsurgency, or small-unit leadership. It belongs on the Commandant’s Reading List, in PME libraries, and on the nightstand of anyone who still believes in doing hard things for the right reasons.

This one is for the wolves.