A Retrospective on War and Peace with Rob Ostenberg

With the pastor as his breastplate, Second Lieutenant Rob Ostenberg, led his troops to safety, losing only one soldier during two tours in Vietnam. “It gives me pause just thinking about it now,” reflects Ostenberg.

He asserts he never faced fear or hate during his 38 years of service — a remarkable testimony to his spiritual-minded approach to his service. This young man was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era after receiving a draft notice while vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard. Initially sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey — referred to as “the armpit of the army” — he completed basic training and then pursued engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, followed by Infantry Officer Candidate School, becoming Second Lieutenant in about six months. He served two tours in Vietnam as a platoon leader in the infantry, leading 43 soldiers during his first tour and completing 52 combat helicopter assaults. “I remember once leading the troops when I felt an inner prompting to go left into the jungle,” he explains, which led to the discovery of a major enemy cache containing 20,000 pounds of rice and significant North Vietnamese weapons.

Combat experience and tactics

Unlike many officers who followed predictable paths, he avoided trails and chose unconventional routes to minimize risk. He describes a critical incident in which his platoon intercepted a North Vietnamese attack on another unit by approaching along a tree line rather than crossing an open area, preventing what could have been a massacre. Staying off the main paths provided perfect protection for his troops. On missions, he flew in first and exited last during every mission, ensuring his presence throughout operations.

Thanking Ostenberg for his service which included deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait, commanding up to 14,000 personnel, I acknowledge that his dedication to defending his men and women continues even though he lost about 26 in Iraq and Afghanistan, mostly due to non-combat causes. I am impressed with the qualities of this honorable soldier, as described by his wife during our interview; she attributes his success in the army to his strong moral compass, integrity, and reliance on God.

When asked if lasting peace is a worthwhile goal, he simply responds that our view of others is key: “We need compassion for our fellow man.” This love for everyone is supported by his quick recitation of Mary Baker Eddy’s view of man: “All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality — Infinite Life, Truth, and Love.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 518:21)

Sent by God

This outlook undoubtedly supported his mission. “I did not stop and read my lesson every day,” he explains. “But I had these mini books with markers.” He references the pastor — the thick, Science & Health shielding his heart and the mini-Bible shielding the other side of his chest, which he describes as filled with highlighted passages like Psalms 91 and 23, and the one above. One could see this commander, often called upon by his country to serve in war, was sent by God. His record of success, with little loss of human life, inspires a desire to follow his God-centered life, which blesses one and all. “Weapons of war were turned into tools of peace,” he states, proudly, citing the humanitarian accomplishments won with such an approach, leading to such efforts to rebuild infrastructures, including roads and schools, and drilled water wells to support communities. He also oversaw the secure removal and later return of artifacts from an Iraq Museum during the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime mirroring events depicted in the Monuments Men.

Greatest weapon yet

His unselfish love for his men and women is emphasized repeatedly, as he states over and over that he would do whatever it takes to defend the men and women in his Division. It was this unselfish approach that was perhaps his secret, most powerful weapon, emphasizing that his military career was defined by the responsibility for his troops’ lives, relying on God’s guidance and protection throughout his tours of duty.

Ostenberg believes war is sometimes necessary for defense but advocates for peace through understanding, love and spiritual awareness. “Recognizing all people as children of God is essential to achieving lasting peace,” he concludes, expressing concern over prolonged wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran, calling them economically devastating and morally troubling. He supports humanitarian engagement over military escalation and believes spiritual awareness must guide national decisions. He thought the purpose of war was clear in the beginning but is increasingly unclear. “What is clear,” he pauses, dramatically arresting my attention, “is the need to care for one another, the people of every nation!” — the commander’s goto and key for lasting peace!