The Early Life & Military Career of Clint Lorance
Clint Allen Lorance was born December 13, 1984, in Hobart, Oklahoma. His father, Tracy, was a welder; his mother, Anna, a homemaker. He later moved with his family to Greenville, Texas. Hachette Book Group+3United American Patriots+3Wikipedia+3
After high school and some community college, Lorance enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday, December 13, 2002. United American Patriots+2Military.com+2 He served in Korea, then in Iraq (including guard duty over detainees), eventually finishing a BA at the University of North Texas, going through ROTC, and being commissioned as a second lieutenant. Wikipedia+2United American Patriots+2
In 2012, while in the 82nd Airborne Division, Lorance took command of 1st Platoon, C Troop, 4th Brigade Combat Team. He became the platoon leader after the previous lieutenant was wounded. Military.com+4Wikipedia+4The Washington Post+4
The Incident & Court-Martial
On July 2, 2012, just a few days into his command, Lorance ordered his soldiers to open fire on three Afghan men on a motorcycle in Kandahar Province. Two of the men were killed, one wounded. According to prosecution and portions of testimony, the men were unarmed civilians; according to Lorance and his supporters, there was intelligence or reason to believe a threat was imminent (e.g. insurgent activity, possible bomb-makers). California Sunday Magazine+5Wikipedia+5University of Chicago Law School+5
Nine members of his platoon testified against him at the court-martial. They alleged that he gave the order despite there being no hostile act or immediate threat. Plenty of the case hinged on what the rules of engagement allowed, whether Lorance had enough information, visibility, etc. The Washington Post+3Wikipedia+3University of Chicago Law School+3
In August 2013, Lorance was found guilty of two counts of unpremeditated murder, obstruction of justice, solicitation of false statements, etc. He was sentenced to 20 years (later reduced to 19) by the reviewing commander. He was confined in the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth for six years. United American Patriots+3Wikipedia+3Military.com+3
Leavenworth (TV / Docuseries)
The Starz (and associated) documentary Leavenworth (2019) tells Lorance’s story: his early life, military service, the incident, trial, and aftermath. It includes interviews with Lorance, members of his platoon, legal analysts, journalists, and others. It explores conflicting perspectives: Lorance’s claim he acted to protect his men; critics’ claim he overstepped, panicked, misread the situation. Apple TV+2IMDb+2
It also focuses heavily on how the platoon was affected — not only by that single incident, but by what came after: legal battles, public opinions, media attention, and the personal costs of trauma. The Washington Post+1
Pardon, Education & Current Life
After serving six years in prison, Lorance was pardoned by President Donald Trump on November 15, 2019. Wikipedia+2Military.com+2
Since his release:
He wrote Stolen Honor: Falsely Accused, Imprisoned, and My Long Road to Freedom (2020). Hachette Book Group+1
He also published Conservative Millennial Playbook in 2021. Wikipedia+1
He enrolled in Appalachian School of Law; he graduated in May 2023. Wikipedia+1
In mid-2023, he applied to take the Oklahoma Bar Exam. There is controversy: some former members of his platoon and others oppose his admission, arguing his actions and conduct show he may lack the moral fitness expected of a lawyer. Army Times+2ABA Journal+2
There remain legal and reputational battles: efforts to regain veteran benefits, challenges over whether the pardon clears all legal consequences, etc. Military.com+1
The Life of His Former Platoon Members & Aftermath
The impact on 1st Platoon has been significant. Some key themes & examples:
Many veterans from that platoon report deep trauma: PTSD, struggles with mental health, substance abuse. The Washington Post+1
There have been several deaths among the platoon’s former members since returning home. Five of the roughly three dozen soldiers from 1st Platoon have died by 2019. The Washington Post+1
One of the more public examples is James O. Twist, a member of the platoon, who died by suicide shortly before Lorance’s pardon. The Washington Post+1
Others have expressed feeling betrayed or disillusioned: believing that despite their testimony, despite what they saw, the outcome (including the pardon) minimized their experiences, or re-traumatized them. The Washington Post
Some other platoon members have spoken out publicly, writing opinion pieces, being interviewed, or expressing that Lorance’s attempts to join the Bar or practice law are troubling given how they remember what happened. Army Times
Ethical, Legal, and Moral Questions Raised
Lorance’s story raises many difficult questions:
When is it justifiable for a commanding officer to use deadly force under uncertain threat? How should rules of engagement be interpreted, especially in chaotic combat settings?
What obligations do military justice systems have to fully disclose evidence, especially regarding intelligence, biometrics, or battlefield context?
What are the long-term consequences for soldiers who are under command decisions they believe to be wrong (morale, mental health)? How should political or media interventions affect military justice?
What does a presidential pardon accomplish? Does it erase all stigma? Legal impediments (like character fitness for professions)? How do former comrades perceive it?
Reflections
Clint Lorance’s life and the Leavenworth series present a complex, messy intersection of combat, law, politics, gays in the military and human cost. On one side, there are those who view him as someone who made a split-second decision under duress, possibly mis-informed, punished severely, and later wrongfully kept from full fairness. On the other side are those who believe he bore responsibility for tragedy, that his orders were legally/doctrinally wrong, that accountability is necessary for both victims abroad and for soldiers under his command.
The emotional toll on his platoon—many of whom feel their voices weren’t fully heard or respected—is profound. Indeed, as The Washington Post described in “The Cursed Platoon,”💚 the platoon feels that the pardon re-arranged the narrative in ways that undermined what they lived through. The Washington Post
Possible Incomplete / Contested Points & Why They Matter
Whether Lorance’s pardon legally restores all his rights (veterans benefits, GI Bill, ability to practice law, etc.) is still subject to debate. Military.com+2Army Times+2
Whether he has officially been admitted to a state Bar (Oklahoma, Missouri, etc.) is murky. Some reports say he applied; others report public objections. Facebook+1
How much of the purported evidence of “bomb-makers” among the Afghans killed was available to the defense at trial is controversial—and whether some of it was withheld, or if it would have been admissible. Here's the video on the Cursed Platoon
💚 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo0Te327cvw
Meanwhile, here’s a list of winners from the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards (2025). ABC7 Los Angeles+4WNWO+4ABC News+4Major Categories & Acting / Writing / Directing
Category Winner Outstanding Drama Series The Pitt WNWO+2ABC7 Los Angeles+2 Outstanding Comedy Series The Studio WNWO+2The National Desk+2 Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Adolescence WNWO+2ABC7 Los Angeles+2 Lead Actress, Drama Series Britt Lower, Severance WNWO+1 Lead Actor, Drama Series Noah Wyle, The Pitt WNWO+1 Lead Actress, Comedy Series Jean Smart, Hacks WNWO+1 Lead Actor, Comedy Series Seth Rogen, The Studio WNWO+1 Lead Actress, Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Cristin Milioti, The Penguin WNWO+1 Lead Actor, Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Stephen Graham, Adolescence WNWO+1 Supporting Actress, Drama Series Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt WNWO+1 Supporting Actor, Drama Series Tramell Tillman, Severance WNWO+1 Supporting Actress, Comedy Series Hannah Einbinder WNWO+1 Supporting Actor, Comedy Series Jeff Hiller WNWO+1 Supporting Actress, Limited/Anthology Erin Doherty, Adolescence WNWO Supporting Actor, Limited/Anthology Owen Cooper, Adolescence WNWO Directing, Drama Series Adam Randall, Slow Horses WNWO+1 Directing, Comedy Series Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, The Studio WNWO Directing, Limited/Anthology Series or Movie Philip Barantini, Adolescence WNWO Writing, Drama Series Dan Gilroy, Andor WNWO+1 Writing, Comedy Series Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory & Frida Perez, The Studio WNWO+1 Writing, Limited/Anthology Series Or Movie Jack Thorne & Stephen Graham, Adolescence WNWO Scripted Variety Series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver WNWO+1 Live Variety Special SNL50: The Anniversary Special WNWO+1 Reality Competition Program The Traitors WNWO+1
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