Episode 36 - LtCol Tom Schueman – Author, Marine, and Founder of Patrol Base Abbate
LtCol Tom Schueman – Author, U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, founder of Patrol Base Abbate
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with LtCol Tom Schueman - U.S. Marine Corps infantry officer, founder of Patrol Base Abbate, and author of “Always Faithful: A Story of the War in Afghanistan, the Fall of Kabul, and the Unshakable Bond Between a Marine and an Interpreter”.
LtCol Schueman shares a personal reflection on two decades of war, the enduring bonds of service, and the responsibility we carry toward our Afghan allies. From the intense battles of Sangin to the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul, he offers an unflinching look at leadership, moral injury, and the hard truths of service and sacrifice.
We also discuss veteran suicide prevention, the importance of purpose after service, and what inspired him to create Patrol Base Abbate - a community where veterans can “rest and refit inside friendly lines.” Additionally, we discuss his book and the events that inspired this publication.
Guest Bio:
LtCol Schueman graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2008 and was commissioned through the NROTC program. After The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, he reported to 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in Camp Pendleton, CA, where he served as a Platoon Commander with Company K, including a deployment to Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
LtCol Schueman’s other operational assignments include: Adviser and JTAC, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, from 2011-2013, including a deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Commanding Officer, Lima Company, 3d Battalion 4th Marines, from 2015-2017, including a deployment in support of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin; Operations Officer, 3d Battalion 5th Marines, from 2022-2024, including the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan.
His service outside the operating forces includes duty as the Director, Combat Instructor School, School of Infantry-West from 2013-2015. From 2018-2021, he served as an English Instructor at the United States Naval Academy. From 2024-2025, he served as the Future Operations Branch Head at Training Command and is currently the Commanding Officer of Advanced Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Lejune.
LtCol Schueman is a graduate of the Expeditionary Warfare School (BSP), Naval War College (Masters - National Security Studies), Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JPME-II), and Georgetown University (Masters - English). He is a Stanford University Fellow, and an honorary graduate of the United States Naval Academy Class of ’21.
LtCol Schueman’s personal decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with “V,” Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with four gold stars in lieu of fifth award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Ribbon.
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