Combat Story

?? Today's Combat Story Features Mark Greene, an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper! ??

Join us as we dive deep with Mark Greene, a courageous former Navy SEAL who has experienced the sharp edge of battle as both an officer and enlisted sniper. ??? Mark's extensive service spans the pivotal moments of our time, from the intense pre-9/11 missions to the high-stakes post-9/11 operations where his sniper skills were put to the ultimate test.

? Don't miss out! Check out our Combat Check-In for exclusive updates, fascinating historical snippets, and much more! Visit combatstory.com/newsletter.

In this gripping episode, Mark shares heart-wrenching stories of loss and thrilling near-misses that define the SEAL brotherhood. ?? Plus, get a sneak peek into his compelling book, "UNSEALED: A Navy SEAL's Guide to Mastering Life's Transitions", where he offers invaluable advice on navigating life's many challenges, whether in military or civilian life. ??? Grab your copy here!

????? From tackling college football to conquering the grueling BUD/S training, and from surviving close calls to engaging enemy targets as a lethal sniper, Mark's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

? Enjoy this expansive discussion and walk a mile in the boots of a true warrior with Mark Greene.

? Find Mark Online:

? Instagram: @TheMarkGreene ? Official Website: themarkgreene.com ? Check out Mark?s Book: Unsealed: A Navy Seal's Guide to Mastering Life's Transitions

?? Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

? Ryan?s Linktree: linktr.ee/combatstory ? Merch Store: bonfire.com/store/combatstory ? Instagram: @combatstory ? Facebook: @combatstoryofficial ? Learn more about Ryan: www.combatstory.com/aboutus

? Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Show Notes: 

00:00 - Intro 00:31 - Welcome to Combat Story 01:41 - Guest Introduction 02:10 A Grandfather's Influence: Baseball and Beyond 12:43 Transitioning to Military Life: The SEAL Path Begins 17:09 The Rigors of SEAL Training: Overcoming Challenges 27:46 Deployment Realities: Facing Combat and Brotherhood 34:36 Surviving the Unthinkable: A Near-Death Experience 46:28 The Loss of a Brother: The Reality of Training Risks 46:44 The Heartbreaking Loss of a Brother-in-Arms 48:05 A Solemn Duty: The Hardest Task of All 51:33 Reflections on Mortality and the Bonds Forged in Battle 54:40 The Sniper's Craft: Precision and Peril 01:09:03 Teaching the Next Generation: Lessons from the Field 01:19:13 Leadership in the Shadows: Commanding SEALs 01:26:25 The Journey to Authorship: Sharing a SEAL's Story 01:35:49 Final Thoughts: The Weight of Service and Sacrifice

? We value your thoughts! Drop a comment, like this video, and don't forget to subscribe for more unmissable stories from the front lines! ???

#NavySEALs #MilitaryStories #CombatStory #VeteranAdvice

Today we have a once in a lifetime Combat Story with one of the few living Medal of Honor recipients from the war in Afghanistan: Earl Plumlee. Earl was a Marine infantryman, Force Recon team leader, and Special Forces Weapons Sergeant in the pre- and post-9/11 era.

Earl would deploy multiple times with the Marine Corps and the Army, to include combat deployments with Force Recon and a historic deployment in 2013 with the his ODA where he would earn the Medal of Honor. 

In this episode, we touch on both of Earl?s Recon deployments but spend a considerable amount of time walking through the battle in which he earned the Medal of Honor and in which his fellow Green Berets earned other medals for valor. It?s an amazing story to hear firsthand that includes a coordinated and lethal attack of a US installation in Ghazni, Afghanistan; suicide bombers; injured Americans; and several Green Berets who had never fought together operating as one element to repel the attack. 

Earl?s work during this assault is amazing and almost impossible to imagine he didn?t get more gravely wounded. He had over 300 rounds of enemy fire directed at him from very close range, dozens of grenades lobbed his direction, and suicide vests detonating meters away.

He now speaks out about civic duty and service and provides motivational and public speaking for customers around the world. Please enjoy this selfless story of a rare and living Medal of Honor with Earl Plumlee.

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

For 25% off your order, head to MadRabbit.com/COMBATSTORY25 and use code COMBATSTORY25.

? Find Earl Online:
- Guest Speaker Website www.earlplumlee.com
- Instagram earl_plumlee_official https://www.instagram.com/earl_plumlee_official/
? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - Guest Profile: Earl Plumlee
02:25 - Start of Interview
02:33 - Life As Medal of Honor Recipient
07:02 - Childhood
12:38 - Military Family History
14:07 - Deciding to Serve
16:33 - Recruitment Story
22:26 - Basic
24:58 - Mad Rabbit Tattoo Ad
26:22 - Graduation from Marine Corps.
31:14 - First Time Down Range
39:14 - S.E.A.R. School
39:42 - New Guy In Recon Unit
43:04 - First Time Outside The Wire
45:08 - Give Legacy Ad
46:30 - Formative Moments
53:38 - Losing Teammates
55:35 - Hindsight Advice
59:49 - Second Deployment
01:0:52 - Second Deplyoment Difficult Moments
01:01:52 - Special Forces
01:07:21 - First Special Forces Deployment
01:12:36 - Having Kids At Home While Deployed
01:14:25 - Medal OF Honor Story
02:06:58 - Battle Afterthoughts
02:16:49 - Sentimental Items
02:17:35 - Would You Do It All Again
02:19:33  - Listener Feedback

Today we have a Combat Story where we bring two F-15E Strike Eagle aviators - a front seater and backseater - together to talk about what it was like flying at the same time and some of the adventures that come with that life. Both Tom ?Gunny? Moser and Mike ?Pako? Benitez are decorated aviators, both Fighter Weapons School qualified and both former Marines (Tom an 0311 and Mike a helicopter aircrew member and door gunner). We interviewed both Gunny and Pako individually if you?re curious about their other near misses and danger close shots (or the origins of their call signs?Pako shared his call sign origin story with us on air for the first time!).

Pako now distributes The Merge newsletter that provides an inside and more fun look at the defense industry with over 20K subscribers and hosts The Merge podcast. Gunny is now a commercial airline pilot flying domestic routes across the US. 

Special thanks to Ryan ?Stinger? Fishel for connecting us with these two vets and with that, please enjoy this rare opportunity to hear from two combat aviators together!
Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

This episode was sponsored by Give Legacy.
Listeners can use the code COMBATSTORY to get 10% off everything on the site
You can find out more by going to www.givelegacy.com. That?s givelegacy.com. 

? Find Mike Online:
- The Merge https://themerge.co/
- The Merge Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@TheMergeMedia

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Guest Profile: Mike Benitez
00:19 - Marines Becoming Friends
03:28 - Mike and Tom First Meeting
10:32 - Teachings in Fighter Weapons School
 22:25 - Mike's Close Calls
31:09:12 - Tom's Close Calls
41:44 - Flying Together Down Range
51:16 - Working With Foreign Forces
01:00:56 - Dropping Bombs
 01:28:09 - What Do You Miss Most
01:36:48 - Listener Feedback

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today I?m so excited to share this Combat Story with a legend from the CIA spanning the First Cold War battling the Soviet Union, to the fall of the Berlin Wall, to the Counterterrorism refocus, and then the second Cold War with Putin?s Russia: Glenn Corn. 

Glenn recently retired after 34 years of US government service that included time with the Army and State Department but, primarily, was with the CIA as Case Officer, Russia expert, and multiple time Chief of Station in some of the most important countries in the world for America?s security.

In this interview, we delve into Glenn?s experience at the Agency, to include close calls, lessons learned, his command of foreign languages (Glenn?s a fluent Russian speaker) and where the Agency is going today, but we spend the entire second half digging into everything Russia, to include Putin?s motivations, Navalny?s death, the experience of the Russian people from the late 1980s until today, and what it would take for Putin?s reign to finally stop and give the Russian people a just leader.

I?m good friends with Glenn?s brother, Gavin, who was sitting just off-screen during this interview, who also spent many years in government service with the Department of Justice. They come from a family that has given so much to this country and I?m so excited for you all to hear Glenn?s story for the first time.

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:56 - Guest Profile: 
02:13 - Start of Interview
2:43 - Getting Out of CIA
04:46 - Thoughts To Return To Russia
06:09 - Interest In Government Service
10:00 - Learning Languages
15:29 - Time in Soviet Union
19:55 - Challenging Moments
22:19 - Bolotor Ad
23:32 - Experience During 9/11
27:26 - Children Going Into the Military
29:00 - Mentorships
33:10 - Losing Teammates
40:37 - Planning and Executing
45:25 - Misunderstandings of the Agency
47:18 - First Time Outside the Wire
50:44 - Give Legacy Ad
52:05 - Aftermath of the First Mission
59:27 - Pre and Post 9/11 CIA
01:05:31 - Toughest Moments
01:08:34 - Thoughts on Russia/Soviet Union
01:23:47 - American/Russian Proxy Wars
01:29:50 - Second Cold War
01:34:11 - Russian Propaganda
01:41:50 - Putin's Motivations
01:45:29 - Theoretical Changes in Russia
01:56:04 - Glenn's Book 
02:01:54 - Sentimental Items
02:030:06 - Would You Do It All Again?
02:04:57 - Listener Feedback

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

In this second round interview with Mike ?Pako? Benitez, we dig deep into a series of combat experiences in the air that you won?t believe, including a low pass to danger close strafing run covering two troops-in-contact almost simultaneously to Pako?s description of the operation where he earned his Distinguished Flying Cross (you?ll feel like you were in the cockpit with him).

Mike now creates and distributes The Merge (themerge.co) newsletter - which has 20K subscribers - and podcast - which has 40 episodes as of this airing. The Merge brings defense and tech news and insights in a more lighthearted and interesting approach that I?m confident most listeners of Combat Story will appreciate!

We only found Pako thanks to former guest Ryan ?Stinger? Fishel who was a beneficiary of the tough love and tutelage of Pako (listen to the end to hear Pako?s commentary on Stinger - it will come as no surprise to those who listened to Stinger?s interview). Stay tuned for a follow-on episode next week with Pako and Tom ?Gunny? Moser interviewed together about their experiences in Afghanistan and Syria leading units.

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

This episode was sponsored by Give Legacy.
Listeners can use the code COMBATSTORY to get 10% off everything on the site
You can find out more by going to www.givelegacy.com. That?s givelegacy.com. 

? Find Mike Online:
- The Merge https://themerge.co/
- The Merge Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@TheMergeMedia
? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Guest Profile: Mike Benitez
01:52 - First Fatality During Deployment
13:20 - Tough on New Recruits
20:47 - Harrowing Flights
28:23 - Give Legacy Ad
29:45 - Earning The DFC
01:00:57 - Time in Syria
01:09:54 - The Merge Newsletter and Podcast
01:15:10 - Sentimental Items
01:16:32 - Would You Do It All Again?
01:16:55 - Story About Ryan Fishel
01:18:20 - Closing Thoughts
01:18:49 - Listener Feedback

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear Round 1 of a two part Combat Story with former F-15E Strike Eagle Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) Mike ?Pako? Benitez. In this episode, we follow Mike?s very unlikely path to the cockpit that begins with a career in the Marine Corps as a helicopter mechanic and aircrew member in the very first push into Afghanistan to fighting in Iraq during Fallujah II.

Mike?s path is anything but direct as he found his way to becoming an expert tactician and aviator in the F-15E. Since retiring, Mike has gone on to create The Merge (themerge.co) newsletter - which has 20K subscribers - and podcast - which has 40 episodes as of this airing. The Merge brings defense and tech news and insights in a more lighthearted and interesting approach that I?m confident most listeners of Combat Story will appreciate!

We only found Pako thanks to former guest Ryan ?Stinger? Fishel who was a beneficiary of the tough love and tutelage of Pako (Stinger mentions a crusty older Weapons Officer during his interview who made Stinger look info up as opposed to handing it to him - that was Pako). Stay tuned for a follow-on episode after Rounds 1 and 2 with Pako to hear both Pako and Tom ?Gunny? Moser be interviewed together about their experiences in Afghanistan and Syria leading units together.

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
This episode was sponsored by HelloFresh! Go to www.HelloFresh.com/combatstoryfree and use code combatstoryfree for FREE breakfast for life!
Thanks to our sponsor, Mint Mobile. To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to www.mintmobile.com/combatstory. Additional taxes, fees, & restrictions apply. 

? Find Mike Online:
- The Merge https://themerge.co/
- The Merge Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@TheMergeMedia

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Guest Profile: Mike Benitez
02:13 - Start of Interview
02:37 - PAKO Callsign
07:45 - Finding Aviation
10:03 - Family Military Background
11:17 - Recruitment
13:43 - Bootcamp
21:29 - Time in Marines
23:43 - 9/11
33:23 - Hello Fresh Ad
34:37 - Time As A Mechanic
40:15 - First Raid Outside the Wire
50:25 - Reenlistment to Weapons Officer
01:06:30 - Mint Mobile Ad
01:07:51 - Transition From Marines to Air Force
01:11:12 - Path to Strike Eagle
10:18:24 - Welcome to First Air Force Unit
01:20:00 - First Operational Squadrant
01:39:07 - First Danger Close
01:42:02 - First Fatality
01:42:03 - Listener Feedback

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we have an amazing Combat Story with someone from the very elite Special Missions Unit community who was part of an organization still referred to only as The Unit for operational security purposes: Adam Gomal. Not to be confused with Delta Force (which is also often referred to as The Unit), this SMU blended intel and special operations in combat and non-combat theaters and remains highly secretive and rightly so.

Adam recently wrote a fantastic book - the first about this organization - titled ?The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America?s Most Secretive Military Operatives? that details the experiences of someone operating in this shadowy, kinetic, and clandestine world so other fellow unit operators would have something they can point much the way DEVGRU and Delta can explain the great work they did by referencing other excellent books written about those experiences.

Since the work remains so secretive, however, you?ll notice we?ve implemented some controls to protect Adam?s identity, including not clearly showing his face on camera and distorting his voice. We are able to vouch for Adam?s experience thanks to previous guests who know him personally and worked with him directly. Additionally, Adam?s book went through the lengthy publication review process with DoD, indicating his story is, in fact, legitimate.

With that, please enjoy this amazing story from an epic and unlikely upbringing in Egypt to being ambushed downrange, shot in the stomach, surveilling HVTs, and delivering missile strikes that have a 90 minute time of flight, and more from one of the very, very few cleared to talk about their experiences.

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.
Thanks to our sponsor, Mint Mobile. To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to www.mintmobile.com/combatstory. Additional taxes, fees, & restrictions apply. 

? Find Adam Online:
- The Unit: My Life Fighting Terrorists as One of America's Most Secret Military Operatives
https://www.amazon.com/Unit-Inside-Americas-Secret-Military-ebook/dp/B09Y457JN5

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro
08:36 - Connecting with Foreign Fighter Through Interrogation
16:26 - The American Dream: Coming to America with $500 and no English
36:04 - Mint Mobile Ad
59:59 - First deployment
01:05:15 - Close calls in an Arms Market
01:09:50 - Getting shot downrange and fighting your way out
01:24:16 - Deciding to stay in or get out after being shot
01:26:22 - Hostile counterintelligence environment and Embassy attack
01:31:07 - Tracking down a high value target and delivering a TLAM
01:46:15 - The Operator Syndrome
01:54:42  - Listener Feedback

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear round two of our two-part Combat Story from seasoned F-15E Strike Eagle fighter pilot Tom ?Gunny? Moser. Moser would go on to be a Weapons Fighter School graduate (the Air Force?s Top Gun), in addition to a Squadron and Wing Weapons Officer, and Squadron Commander. 

In this episode, we dig into several combat experiences from the F-15?s front seat and what makes this aircraft so lethal. This includes the very first strikes into Syria in 2014 taking on ISIS where Gunny helped plan these missions and lead some of the first attacks into theater.  

If you didn?t hear round one with Gunny, he?s finally made it to his Squadron after three years as a Marine infantryman (hence the call sign!) and a stint as a Police Officer (something he loved). He?s got an incredibly supportive spouse who told him to not come home if he didn?t get F-15s because there are only winners in their house!!

Gunny is good friends with both former guest Ryan ?Stinger? Fishel and our next guest coming in one week - Mike ?Pako? Benitez - another F-15E Strike Eagle aviator. Stay tuned after our interviews with Pako to hear Gunny and Pako interviewed together about their time downrange as a front seater and back seater as standard bearer Weapons Officers!

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Guest Profile: Tom Moser
02:17 - Start of Interview
03:10 - After Mission Debrief
06:06 - '07 Deployment
20:25 - Providing Cover for Marines on the Ground
25:54 - Home Life
29:24 - '09 Deployment pt. 1
32:20 - Verstreppo Inspiration
37:00 - '09 Tough Missions
51:34 - Moral After Losing A Teammate
54:40 - The Officer's Club
56:20 - '14 Deployment
01:15:00 - After The Last Deployment
01:20:50 - Cutting Edge Technology
01:23:49 - Deciding to Retire
01:29:04 - New Career Path
01:31:28 - Miss Most About The Military
01:32:03 - Most Courageous Act
01:33:48 - Favorite Role
01:38:42 - Sentimental Items
01:40:38 - Would You Do It All Again?
01:41:23 - Listener Feedback

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear Round 1 of a two part Combat Story from seasoned fighter pilot Tom ?Gunny? Moser who flew the F-15E Strike Eagle, served as a Squadron and Wing Weapons Officer, was a Fighter Weapons School graduate (akin to the Navy?s Top Gun), commanded a Squadron, and more. 

In this episode, we follow Gunny?s circuitous route into the military first as a Marine 0311 (Infantryman), followed by a stint as a Police Officer, followed by a very decorated career in the Air Force. 

Since retirement, Gunny has gone on to a career flying for the commercial airlines which we should all be grateful to know that we?ve got this seasoned combat aviator at the controls on our regular domestic flights!

Special thanks to former guest Ryan ?Stinger? Fishel for helping us find Gunny!

And with that, please enjoy this first round discussion with someone who found his way to his dream job.

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Guest Profile: Tom Moser
01:57 - Start of Interview
02:26 - Callsign 'Gunny'
04:02 - Growing Up
04:55 - Path to Military
11:26 - Love of Flying
12:25 - Choosing Enlistment Route
16:46 - Exiting the Marines
20:40 - Law Enforcement Career
23:02 - Path to Aviation
28:52 - Law Enforcement to Pilot Experience
31:08 - Family Life
35:09 - Close Calls
39:00 - Mindset during Dangerous Jobs
41:29 - Flight School
47:25 - Getting Assigned Strike Eagle
51:52 - Responsibility as an Aviator
57:40 -  Strike Eagle Mission Set
01:02:05 - Weapon Loadout for F-15
01:08:53 - Hazing Stories
01:12:11 - Schedule for Pilots
01:14:24 - Weapons Officer
01:21:06 - Why Not Marine Corps.
01:22:17 - First Unit
01:26:58 - First Deployment
01:30:30 - First Flying Operation
01:38:49 - Listener Feedback

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

This is our first JOINT Combat Story where we bring two combat veterans on the show to talk about combat operations they were part of together. This time we?re fortunate to have Sam Mackey and Joel McGuire, both former SEALs, who speak about some of the toughest moments they had deployed to Afghanistan. 

I always wanted to have two guys who fought side by side to see what they remember, where they each have gaps and to watch the bond firsthand that was forged in those difficult moments downrange. 

For those who listened to the individual interviews with both Sam and Joel, you?ll recall that Sam was somewhat of a free agent SEAL being shipped to various teams to support operations for weeks or months at a time given his unique sniper skill set. Joel was leading a team at a smaller FOB that needed all the help they could get and welcomed Sam with open arms.

Please enjoy two seasoned vets get down to what actually happened on particular ops when they were downrange together.

This Combat Story was sponsored by Factor, America?s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Delivery Service. Use FACTORMEALS.com/combatstory50 and use code combatstory50 to get 50% off!

 

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- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

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? Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - Guest Profile: Sam Mackey and Joel McGuire
01:40 - Start of Interview
02:13 - Joel and Sam post deployment relationship
05:50 - How Joel and Sam met
21:28 - Factor Meals Ad
22:45 - Deploying A Sniper in Battle
31:40 - Sam and Joel Reminiss Same Gun Fight
42:12 - Hairy Engagements
47:29 - Deployment During Bin Laden Raid
49:54 - Favorite MRE
51:59 - Favorite Part About Teams
01:02:44 - Joel Grazed In The Range
01:10:31 - Advice to A Future SEAL
01:12:34 - Outsider Mugs
01:13:08 - Listener Feedback

We sit down with previous guest and former Ranger and Delta Force operator Brad Thomas as he sets the record straight about what happened back in Mogadishu and how his recollection of one event (as he shared back on Episode 58) was different than what another person remembered. 

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In the former interview, Brad describes a "jackass lieutenant" running around during the battle collecting fastropes because they were an accountable item. The individual in question listened to the interview and contacted Brad to explain what was actually going on.

Being the standup guy that he is, Brad immediately wanted to acknowledge this new information and share that we often don't recall things as they were.

Many will recall Brad gave up a promising musical career to serve, first with Ranger Battalion and then finding his way into Delta Force. His first combat experience was in Mogadishu in what we know as Black Hawk Down as part of 3rd Ranger Battalion in a true baptism by fire.

Since leaving the military, Brad returned to his passion: music. He gathered a group of veterans who now make up the band ?Silence and Light? and saw far more success than they expected on their debut album.

We sit down today to discuss misinterpretations on the battlefield and clarify a situation discussed in Brad's interview from two years ago (Ep58).

? Find Brad Online:
- Instagram @bradthomas_official
- Silence and Light Website https://www.silenceandlightmusic.com/
- Silence and Light Merch http://www.silenceandlightmusic.com/

? Find Ryan Online:
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- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join hundreds of others with our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan each week about the show, life, and the military.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we have our second round Combat Story with Sam Mackey, who overcame a challenging and rebellious youth to successfully earn his SEAL Trident, carrying him to SEAL Team Eight where we left off at the end of round one.

In this second round interview, Sam?s deployments continue as he faces defining moments, including the loss of a close friend in a helicopter crash and intense firefights in Afghanistan. This includes a brief morbid but hilarious story of Sam nearly breaking the longest sniper shot record.

Transitioning from the military, Sam partnered with former pro-football QB Jay Cutler to launch Outsider, focusing on high-quality outdoor lifestyle products. This venture reflects his entrepreneurial spirit, shaped by his time in the SEALs. Sam's story, from a troubled past to military excellence and business success, is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. It's an inspirational tale for those who admire the military, combat, and life's challenges.

For those who heard our recent Combat Story interview with Joel McGuire, you?ll recall Joel mention that he and Sam served together in Afghanistan. Stay tuned next week to hear Joel and Sam interviewed together talking about the same battles and what it takes to earn the trident (and recommendations to aspiring SEALs and Special Operators).

Many thanks to Ari for connecting us with Sam! 

And now, please enjoy this wide ranging discussion with retired Navy SEAL and entrepreneur, Sam Mackey.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
01:04 - Guest Profile: Sam Mackey
02:33 - Start of Interview
02:40 - First Hairy Operation
11:26 - Specialties Within Teams
13:13 - Sniper School
14:35 - Respect In Teams
18:33 - Challenging Moment 1
 20:31 - Mint Mobile Ad
21:38 - Challenging Moment 2
32:54 - After Op De-Brief
34:07 - Working With Lithuanians
39:03 - Lithuanian Operation
48:06 - Most Courageous Act
51:20 - Responsibility For The Team
52:09 - Marriage Throughout Teams
55:07 - Outsider Company
 01:08:25 - Entrepenurialship in Teams
01:21:58 - Sentimental Items
01:23:10 - Would You Do It All Again?
01:24:47 - Listener Feedback

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- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
? Find Sam Online:
- Outsider https://shop.outsider.com/

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Today we have our first of a two round Combat Story as we delve into Sam Mackey's extraordinary journey from a rebellious youth to a Navy SEAL and, after retiring with 20 years in the service, to a successful entrepreneur. His early years were marked by selling drugs and legal troubles, finding purpose in a love for boxing and eventually joining the military. This decision, fueled partly by a need to escape legal issues, led Sam on a transformative path of discipline and self-discovery.

Sam's time in the military was challenging yet formative. His first attempt at BUD/S training was unsuccessful, leading to a stint in Italy where misadventures and personal growth went hand in hand. However, Sam returned to BUD/S more mature and focused, eventually joining SEAL Team 8. His first combat experience comes in Iraq, where he first grappled with the harsh realities of warfare with an intense gunfight marking a significant shift from training to real-world operations, highlighting the need for quick, tactical decision-making and adaptability. 

Stay tuned for Round 2 where we cover even more of Sam?s time downrange and the entrepreneurial skills he develops in the teams that translate into his current work on Outsider, an outdoor lifestyle brand with high quality products, alongside former NFL QB Jay Cutler.

Many thanks to Ari for connecting us with Sam! And now, please enjoy this inspiring episode with retired Navy SEAL, Sam Mackey.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Guest Profile: Sam Mackey
01:48 - Start of Interview
05:32 - Fighting Growing Up
10:31 - Legal Troubles
14:17 - Joining the Military
16:50 - Mentors
21:46 - Hello Fresh Ad
23:09 - Taking Accountability
24:03 - Deciding Branch of Service
27:47 - Boot
33:26 - Path to Teams
41:00 - BUDS
49:47 - Time In Italy 
01:01:45 - 2nd BUDS
01:04:29 - West Coast Team
01:15:29 - First Call After Making Teams
01:23:12 - First Time Downrange
01:29:51 - Loadout Advancements
01:32:25 - Feeling Coming Back Home
01:33:08 - Listener Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:
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- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
? Find Sam Online:
- Outsider https://shop.outsider.com/

This episode was sponsored by HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/combatstoryfree and use code combatstoryfree for FREE breakfast for life!

To help us support our Veterans, Subscribe, Like, and Comment on this video. It helps us get more people to watch and bring more guests on!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we hear a Combat Story with former Navy SEAL Joel McGuire, who completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to deployments to Europe and South America over a 20 plus year career. We were introduced to Joel when scheduling an upcoming interview with Sam Mackey, another SEAL.

Sam was deployed with Joel and we?ll have a combat story with both individuals together talking about a few of their battles they fought in. In this episode, Joel goes into detail about his multiple attempts to finally get through BUD/S, his battlefield experiences, managing short-term memory loss, sleep deprivation, and emotional challenges of losing close-knit community members in action.

Joel also talks through the challenges of Maritime Interdiction Operations (or MIO), which many have likely seen in the news recently as an MIO tragically claimed the lives of two Navy SEALs in the past month, and it?s helpful to better understand what goes into these operations and what makes them so risky.

With that, please enjoy this conversation with Joel McGuire, a tough old frogman (stay tuned for a future episode for our joint interview with Joel and his fellow SEAL, Sam)!

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:43 - Guest Profile: Joel McGuire
01:51 - Start of Interview
02:22 - First Time In California
03:49 - Childhood
05:47 - Javolina
08:05 - Fighting As A Kid
17:29 - Path To Teams
26:37 - NordVPN Ad
28:14 - BUDS
32:39 - Teammates in Teams
35:32 - Team 2 Reputation
43:36 - Maritime Interdiction Operations
52:20 - Specialties Within Team
53:53 - Leadership and Platoon Relationships
59:18 - FIrst DA Op.
01:04:27 - Being A Parent While Deployed
01:11:33 - Team 10 Petty Officer
01:14:33 - Relationships With Squad
01:19:30 - A Memorable Op.
01:23:34 - 2011 Deployment
01:39:34 - Post Deployment
01:51:49 - Losing A Teammate
02:08:10 - Deciding To Get Out
02:13:05 - Sentimental Items
02:14:25 - Would You Do It All Again
02:15:42 - Listener Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:

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- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

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In this second round Combat Story with Jack Beaumont, we pickup with Jack being forced to walk away from flying jets after wrecking his back in a hard landing. His back was too injured to handle the Gs and an ejection from the aircraft, making him a liability to his fellow fighter pilots. 

He found his way over to fly planes in the French COS or Special Operations Command in some amazing circumstances, to include evading radar and landing to unimproved runways at night in bad weather (it?s really amazing piloting), followed by a transition into the very secretive world of the French External Security Service or DGSE, which is the French version of the CIA and a very capable service. 

In this episode, Jack shares some of the challenging experiences in the cockpit and in the shadowy world of the intelligence community, including the unthinkable moment of losing a human source and his family. This tragic story forms the basis of the book that Jack wrote - The Frenchman - which was picked up for TV by the people who delivered True Detective, The Night Manager, and A Most Wanted Man. His next book, Dark Arena, comes out in February 2024.

Please enjoy this very insightful Combat Story that goes deep into the experiences of a French special operator and intelligence professional!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Guest Profile: Jack Beaumont Round 2 
02:14 - Start of Interview
02:44 - SOCOM and Life After Plane Incident
12:46 - Serbian Mission
19:06 - Jack's Books
25:53 - Nord VPN Ad
24:33 - DGSE Reputation and Rainbow Wire
32:04 - Getting Accepted To DGSE 
46:40 - Factor Ad
48:05 - Spy Training
01:08:24 - Truth To The Frenchman Opening
01:18:50 - Toll of Intelligence Officers
01:26:25 - Sentimental Items
01:27:19 - Would You Do It Again?
01:28:24 - Making of The Frenchman
01:31:48 - Listener Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:

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- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Find Jack Beaumont Online:
- Website https://jackbeaumontofficial.com/
- Purchase The Frenchman or Dark Arena https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jack%20Beaumont/author/B0034O2UHA

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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we have round one of an incredible two part Combat Story and our first from a member of the French military and intelligence services, Jack Beaumont. Jack was an elite fighter pilot in the French Air Force flying single seat Mirage2000?s, designed for dog fighting, in combat operations. 

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He would go on to fly Special Forces aircraft in unbelievable conditions (blacked out, bad weather, to unimproved runways), and then found himself running covert intel operations across the globe with the French DGSE (the French version of CIA and an incredibly capable service as I know very well!). He went on to write a spy thriller called The Frenchman that was recently picked up for a TV show by the people who delivered True Detective, The Night Manager, and A Most Wanted Man!

In this first round interview, we hear about Jack?s storied family military history that goes back to Napoleon?s generals and a member of the French resistance in WWII. Jack would carry that lineage forward by competing with 3,600 other would-be fighters pilots and becoming just one of only three men who made it through that gauntlet.

We also hear one of the most challenging experiences for any recruit during training in terms of loss that really hits home, followed by an unprecedented hazing for someone arriving at a new unit that I?ve ever heard that will leave you crying with laughter. 

We end this episode when Jack wakes up in a hospital after a very hard landing with a surgeon telling him he?d never fly again. He was back in the cockpit three months later. 

Stay tuned for Round 2 where Jack has to change flying roles as he moves into the secretive French Special Operations aviation community doing things in the air you can?t imagine and eventually finding his way into the French DGSE.

With that, please enjoy this very interesting and unique Combat Story from our close partners across the pond!

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
01:05 - Guest Profile: 
02:48 - Start of Interview
04:26 - The Frenchman and Dark Arena
06:20 - Childhood
21:52 - Path to the Military
28:22 - HelloFresh Ad
29:35 - Flight School
43:18 - Tough Part of Flight Curriculum
52:11 - Induction Into First Unit
01:03:46 - Timeline of Career
01:04:29 - First Combat Flight
01:20:16 - The Crash
01:38:42 - Continuing To Fly
01:39:55 - Listener Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:

Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
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- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

??  ??
Today we hear the second round of our insightful two part Combat Story with former Green Beret and Delta Force operator Brent Tucker. In this episode, Brent runs through deployments with The Unit, including what it feels like breaching a door on an objective and earning a Purple Heart (the last one on his team to earn one), after being shot and hit with grenade shrapnel.

Since leaving the military, Brent founded First Responder?s Coffee Company, which uses the tagline ?Coffee with a purpose? because it supports the First Responder community. We dig into the intent behind it?s sister entity, First Responder?s Cigar Company, and Brent?s recollection of cigars and coffee in the military.

Please enjoy this deep dive and wide ranging discussion with a former Tier 1 operator and all the ups and downs that come with that career?and maybe listen to this with a cup his Bourbon flavored coffee from FRCC!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:54 - Guest Profile: 
02:02 - Start of Interview
02:09 - First Responders Coffee and Cigar Company
10:37 - Smoking Cigars in Uniform
21:21 - Celbrating After A Mission
25:41- Mint Mobile Ad
26:53 - First Near Death Experience
38:42 - Losing a Teammate and Grief
46:54 - Loss of Purpose After Service and First Responders
01:05:02 - Getting Shot Story
 02:02:02 - Existing Outside The Military
02:08:11 - First Responders Coffee Company Future
02:10:36 - Sentimental Items
02:15:01 - Would You Do It All Again?
02:17:47 - Listener Comments and Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:

- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Find Brent Online:
- First Responders Coffee Company https://frccoffee.com/

Thanks to our sponsor, Mint Mobile. To get the new customer offer and your new 3-month unlimited wireless plan for just $15 a month, go to www.mintmobile.com/combatstory. Additional taxes, fees, & restrictions apply. 

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we have round one of our two part Combat Story with an elite member of the Tier 1 community, Brent Tucker who completed over a dozen deployments with Special Forces and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (or more commonly referred to as Delta Force). Brent is now the founder of First Responder?s Coffee Company and First Responder?s Cigar Company, which uses the tag line ?Coffee with a purpose? because it directly supports the First Responder community. 

In our first round interview, we cover Brent?s unlikely path into the military, to include bringing along his brother and somehow going from Air Defense Artillery to Special Forces to Delta. In this episode, we also delve into Brent?s first deployments with 20th Group, which sounds very similar to a former guest who many will recall who went from 20th Group into Delta: Bob Keller.

Brent is what many of us expect when we think of the Delta Operator as his experiences downrange, book recommendations, friendships, and approach to life show. Please enjoy this wide ranging discussion with a former elite operator, Brent Tucker.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Guest Profile: 
01:55 - Start of Interview
03:45 - Childhood and Sibling Relationships
10:23 - Fear Bfore and During Enlistment
14:44 - Family Business and Raising Kids
24:08 - Factor Meals Ad
25:27 - Family Discussions on Enlisting
27:11 - Recruiter Experience
30:45 - Deciding To Go Special Forces
38:01 - 1st Deployment and Going to Selection
52:52 - Raising Kids and Missing Missions
01:01:25 - Time in 20th Group
01:10:08 - Thinking of Quitting
01:18:34 - First Time in Combat
01:32:10 - Recommended Literature
01:51:35 - Experiences with Apaches
01:53:56  - Listener Comments and Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:

- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Find Brent Online:
- First Responders Coffee Company https://frccoffee.com/

This Combat Story was sponsored by Factor, America?s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Delivery Service. Use FACTORMEALS.com/combatstory50 and use code combatstory50 to get 50% off!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we have the second round of our two part Combat Story with Mike Edwards, a former Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC) operator and longtime Ranger with 18 combat deployments.

Mike was one of the few to serve in the Omega Program, which the Washington Post described as ?units comprising CIA personnel and troops with JSOC?using co-mingled bases in Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen? and ?mostly designed against specific high-value targets.? Effectively, Omega was some of the best and most elite operators and intelligence officers paired up downrange to bring the full weight of both JSOC and the Agency. 

Mike served alongside former Combat Story guest Rodney Brown, a former Navy SEAL and member of the Navy?s Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU which is often referred to in the press as SEAL Team Six). In this episode, Mike describes an operation taking on an entire Taliban camp with Rodney that Rodney also described in his interview. Be sure to go back and listen to Rodney?s and Mike?s account of this same operation to get a more complete picture of the event from two vantage points!

If you missed round one I would highly recommend listening to hear about Mike?s start as an 11M and transition into Ranger Regiment, his combat jump into Iraq, and how he earned a Purple Heart and Silver Star. 
   
Once again, special thanks to our brothers Jack, Dave, and Dee at the Team House for introducing us to Mike! And with that, please enjoy this second interview with Mike Edwards.

For more information on the Omega program, check out the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/06/06/seal-team-6-the-cia-and-the-secret-history-of-u-s-kill-missions/) or Wired Magazine (https://www.wired.com/2011/09/cia-killing-machine/).

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - Guest Profile: Mike Edwards Round 2
02:33 - Start of Interview
02:41 - Route to Regimental Reconnaissance Company 
06:43 - Tough Ops. in Rangers
07:51 - Training and Selection for (RRC)
12:30 - Difficulties During Selection
20:14 - Skydiving and Freefalling
23:31 - Human Tracking
28:23 - Relationship with Rodney Brown
37:30 - Mike's MI-47 Helicopter Crash
41:54 - Interrogations
44:08 - Difference Deploying With A Child
46:39 - Mike's MP7 Op.
58:06 - Challenges With Mental Health and Religion
01:04:40 - A Tough Op.
01:12:15 - Battlefield Interogations
01:17:20 - Most Courageous Act
01:20:58 - Post Service Recovery
01:23:46 - Religious Community
01:26:54 - Exedous Relief
01:30:01 - Plans for the Future
01:34:18 - Sentimental Items
01:36:00 - Would You Do It All Again?
01:36:38 - Listener Comments and Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:

- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Find Mike Online:
Project Exodus Relief Afghanistan https://www.proexodusrelief.com/

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

This episode was sponsored by HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/combatstoryfree and use code combatstoryfree for FREE breakfast for life!

Today we have part one of a two part Combat Story with Mike Edwards, a former special operations soldier and leader with 18 combat deployments with the Ranger Regiment, Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC), and as part of the Omega Program where JSOC and CIA personnel were paired together to form lethal operational units downrange.

The Washington Post described the Omega Program as ?units comprising CIA personnel and troops with JSOC?using co-mingled bases in Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen? and ?mostly designed against specific high-value targets.?  

In this first interview, we dive into Mike?s entry into the military as an 11M and his first round of deployments with Ranger Regiment post-9/11, including earning what is often referred to as the mustard stain on his jump wings after a static line jump to seize an airfield at the outset of the Iraq war (he ends up very much like Shrek did on his first combat jump!). We dig into hunting the deck of cards, earning an EIB, then CIB, losing friends to a female suicide bomber, and then the intense operation in which Mike was awarded a Purple Heart and Silver Star. 

Stay tuned for part two with Mike where we dive into some of Mike?s more intense combat experiences, low vis tactical work, and fighting in Omega and RRC.

Special thanks to our brothers Jack, Dave, and Dee at the Team House for introducing us to Mike! And with that, please enjoy this first episode with Mike Edwards.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:48 - Guest Profile: Mike Edwards
02:06 - Start of Interview
02:38 - Childhood
05:15 - Serving with Family
09:53 - Path to the Military
10:55 - Decision to Enlist
14:50 - Start of Career and Korea
22:35 - HelloFresh Ad
23:50 - Switching to Ranger Battalion
 27:06 - Overlap of Special Forces and Regiment
30:35 - Welcome into the Ranger Community
36:40 - Welcome into the Unit
41:42 - First Deployment
47:57 - First Combat
52:30 - Coming Back After First Deployment
54:07 - Injury During Operation
01:08:25 - Realizing Invinciblity 
01:15:25 - Learning from Gunfights
01:17:25 - Strykers
01:18:30 - Snot Story
01:20:46 - Listener Comments and Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:

- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

This episode was sponsored by HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/combatstoryfree and use code combatstoryfree for FREE breakfast for life!

On today?s Combat Story we dive into stories of a handful of the brave men who were at Pearl Harbor during the tragic December 7th, 1941 attack that changed the course of history. These are stories of action, selflessness, and courage that few of us can imagine, but sound right at home with the stories we often hear on Combat Story and should not be forgotten.

[Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families.] 

This episode includes Joe George, who was locked in the brig of a ship when the attack started and was released to save himself and then became a hero when he disobeyed orders to save the lives of other sailors.

We also hear about a long term friendship between a US sailor (Richard Fiske) who was attacked and a Japanese service member on the other side. Then we hear about a family member of a longtime Combat Story listener who was there at Pearl Harbor during the attack.

In this episode, we start by setting the context for the events of Dec 7th and the lead up to the war so we can better appreciate the very unique stories of service members who step up when the attack starts.

To help bring these stories to life, we went to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii and sat down the National Park Service?s David Kilton, who is the Chief of Interpretation at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial (his job is to bring these stories to life).

Prior to the Pearl Harbor Memorial, David worked at Rocky Mountain National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Golden Spike National Historic Site, and Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (which memorializes the desegregation of that school).

Please enjoy these intimate stories of service and sacrifice in one of the most momentous days in American history.

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Learn More About Pearl Harbor Online:
- Joe George and Don Stratton https://www.nps.gov/perl/learn/historyculture/joe-george.htm
- Pearl Harbor Background https://www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:49 - Guest Introduction (David Kilton)
01:53 - Interview begins 
02:15 - WWII Political background
 05:22 - Japanese Preparation for Pearl Harbor attack
11:10 - Sunday morning on Oahu
16:00 - Pearl Harbor Geography
17:29 - Security before Pearl Harbor
21:26 - Pearl Harbor Attack
27:12 - The Joe George Story
31:41 - The Richard Fisk Story
43:14 - The Walter Sealock Story
49:50 - Closing Thoughts
51:23 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

?? Today's Combat Story: Navy SEAL, SDV Team One, and DEVGRU  ??

Today?s Combat Story focuses on both Navy SEAL, SDV Team One, and DEVGRU member Rodney Brown and his connection to an upcoming guest, Mike Edwards. I asked Mike, in preparation for a future interview, who I could talk to about Mike?s time downrange. Surprisingly, Mike, an Army Ranger, referred me to Rodney, a Navy SEAL. After talking to Rodney, however, it?s easy to see why and how this brotherhood was created.

Rodney spent years with SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One and then several years providing intel support and advanced special operations techniques with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU and what the press will often refer to as SEAL Team Six).

During his time downrange, Rodney fought side by side with Mike and a host of other international and national forces, and other government agencies (or OGAs). He would go on to handle sources and provide tactical HUMINT for coalition forces, at times rolling outside the wire with just an interpreter! 

Rodney was one of those who went to BUD/S multiple times, persevering to earn his Trident on the fourth attempt. He would support DEVGRU, work with the elite in the special operations community, create his own company, provide security for Tom Cruise and other celebrities, and give his personal time to help fight human trafficking. 

Be sure to stay tuned until the end for a few rapid fire questions and outtakes with Rodney and, of course, listen in for his stories about Mike Edwards ahead of our upcoming interviews with Mike where we?ll ask Mike about the same events to see how two operators remember these events.

? Visual Aids
Thumbnail is Navy Divers and Navy SEALs Conduct PRODEV Training [Image 19 of 19], by PO1 Trey Hutcheson.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Guest Profile: Rodney Brown
02:49 - Start of Interview
05:16 - Childhood
05:59 - First time with a weapon
12:10 - Time in Alaska
16:53 - Path to the SEAL Team 
29:16 - Responsibilities During SEAL Training
31:02 - Lessons learned in Training
32:55 - BUDS Reputations
40:10 - Meeting Mike Edwards
42:47 - SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1
48:25 - First Deployment With SDVT1
51:22 - Advanced Special Operations Techniques
56:12 - First Time Outside The Wire
01:02:18 - Time in Green Platoon Course
01:07:16 - A Challenging Operations
01:12:55 - Taking Life
01:17:57 - Experiences With Mike Edwards
01:19:49 - Clearing A Room With Mike Edwards
01:31:04 - Questions for Mike Edwards
 01:38:38 - Relationship to Mike Edwards
01:40:10 - Most Courageous Act
01:42:00 - 53-26 Consultants
01:44:30 - Security Tom Cruise
01:48:15 - Kingsman
01:51:26 - Retiring Young
01:53:25 - Sentimental Item
01:56:36 - Would You Do It All Again?
01:57:27 - Closing Thoughts
01:57:45- Listener Feedback
02:01:23 - Bonus Content

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Find Rodney Online:
- 5326 Consultants https://www.5326consultants.com/

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

?? Today's Combat Story: Training Dogs for SEAL Teams and Founding the Warrior Dog Foundation??

Today we have the second portion of a two-part crossover Combat Story with former Navy SEAL, NY Times Best-Selling Author, Trikos Founder, and founder of the Warrior Dog Foundation: Mike Ritland. Many will, of course, know Mike as the host of the long-running Mike Drop podcast. I traveled out to Texas to interview Mike in-person and then he returned the favor. 

For those who missed part one, Mike described growing up in Iowa and, while still undersized, was bullied at school and had to sit in the same class as his attackers. He vowed to never let that happen again and immersed himself in a Karate Kid-like experience in the martial arts studying under an old school sensei who helped send him on his path to the Teams. In the Teams, Mike would largest operation in the history of Naval Special Warfare when SEAL Team 3

Mike would contract an illness that would take him out of the door-kicking side of the teams but also allowed him to follow a passion training dogs for west coast SEAL teams. He followed this path to build a successful business in Trikos training working dogs for clients and creating the Warrior Dog Foundation, among other ventures.

Mike has done so much to find purpose and continue serving after hanging up the uniform in a way that will, undoubtedly, be motivating to people seeking their own purpose and next chapter. With that, please enjoy this episode with Mike Ritland.

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
01:04 - Guest Profile: Mike Ritland
02:09 - Interview Begins
02:14 - Background of Navy Seal Dogs book
3:55 - Aftermath of Oil Rig Operation
13:36 - New Mission Cycles
15:52 - Gulf War Veterans for Iraq War
20:36 - First Leave and Becoming a K-9 Trainer
25:54 - Contracting Fungal Lung Infection
 30:36 - Interest in K-9 Handling
32:51 - Mentors and Experience in K-9 Training
43:19 - Human and Dog Psycology
50:03 - Proudest Accomplishment
53:53 - Biases Against Former Warrior Dogs
57:16 - Sentimental Items
58:11 - Would You Do It All Again?
01:01:04 - Downtime
01:08:05 -  Listener comments and shout outs

? Find Ryan Online:

- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Find Mike Online:

- Warrior Dog Foundation https://warriordogfoundation.org/about-us/

- Navy SEAL Dogs: My Tale of Training Canines for Combat https://www.amazon.com/Navy-SEAL-Dogs-Training-Canines/dp/1250049695
- Mike Drop Podcast https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNZR15cy3w1fzGXgI5oy5aA

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

?? Today's Combat Story: Training Dogs for SEAL Teams and Founding the Warrior Dog Foundation??

Today we have a cross over Combat Story with former Navy SEAL, NY Times Best-Selling Author, and Trikos Founder Mike Ritland who many will also know as the host of the Mike Drop podcast. I traveled out to Texas to interview Mike and then he returned the favor. 

For those who don?t know Mike, he earned his Trident pre-9/11 and found himself on the largest operation in the history of Naval Special Warfare when SEAL Team 3 simultaneously took control of two oil terminals and a control facility on sea and land as the Iraq war kicked off.

Mike would contract an illness that would take him out of the door-kicking side of the teams but also allowed him to follow a passion training dogs for west coast SEAL teams. He followed this path to build a successful business in Trikos training working dogs for clients and founding the Warrior Dog Foundation, among other ventures.

Mike has done so much to find purpose and continue serving after hanging up the uniform in a way that will, undoubtedly, be motivating to people seeking their own purpose and next chapter. With that, please enjoy this episode with Mike Ritland.

 

? Show Notes:

00:00 - Introduction
01:04 - Guest Profile: Mike Ritland
02:05 - Start of Interview
03:05 - Settling in Texas
07:45 - Leaving the SEALs
11:20 - Transition to Dog Training
12:57 - Confidence and Success
23:25 - Siblings and Military Path
25:49 - Fighting During Youth
36:11 - Martial Arts Training
43:53 - Path to joining the Teams
47:00 - Ultra Competitive Nature
54:13 - Almost Quitting
59:26 - Largest Naval Special Warfare Op.
01:11:19 - Kicking off the Iraq War
01:19:37 - Listener Feedback

? Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

? Find Mike Online:
- Warrior Dog Foundation https://warriordogfoundation.org/about-us/

- Navy SEAL Dogs: My Tale of Training Canines for Combat https://www.amazon.com/Navy-SEAL-Dogs-Training-Canines/dp/1250049695

This episode is brought to you by Nutrisense. Visit nutrisense.com/combat and get $30 off your first month and one month of board certified nutritionist support.  When they ask how you learned about Nutrisense make sure to tell them it was the Combat Story podcast.

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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

This is the second round of our two part Combat Story with former Force Recon, Scout Sniper, and Marine Rifleman AJ Pasciuti who recently retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Gunner) and passed on more lucrative careers in the defense industry to keep a promise he and his fellow Marines made after losing some of their closest friends in combat to lead a purpose- and service-driven life as he runs for public office in his hometown of San Jose, California.

AJ was an unlikely candidate to be the Marine Corps sniper who, as part of a team, was responsible for killing the most lethal sniper in Iraq (known as Juba) who took the lives of, potentially, 140+ Americans using a US sniper rifle taken off the bodies of a fallen Marine Corps sniper team. AJ is credited with ultimately pulling the trigger on Juba but, in true Marine Corps fashion and very much in line with AJ?s character, he has forever eschewed the spotlight and attributed the work to the team of Marines that stopped Juba (who was personified in the movie American Sniper) from terrorizing other US forces.

In a very sad and emotional but inspiring turn of events, AJ would lose a coin flip in which his closest friend?s team would take the decisive position on a particular operation in Afghanistan while AJ?s team served a supporting role. During the fight, AJ would lose this Marine and confidant during a multi-hour gunfight.

When you hear his story of loss and sacrifice, it?s no surprise that AJ chose to continue serving in his post-military career, running for office in northern California. He?s a great reminder of the type of people we all want in office, even when these office?s tend to undervalue the integrity and dedication to others that he embodies.

With that, please enjoy a story that was made for the big screen from the son of an immigrant to one of the Marine Corps? most lethal shooters: AJ Pasciuti.

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find AJ Online:
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/posts/angelo-pasciuti_the-pathway-to-public-representation-continues-activity-7044775065183272960-wyMZ/
- Washington Post aricle on Juba https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/01/22/iraqi-sniper-the-legendary-insurgent-who-claimed-to-have-killed-scores-of-american-soldiers/

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Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
01:00 - Guest Introduction (AJ Pasciuti)
02:39 - Interview begins
02:55 - Nickname 
05:02 - Thespian
09:35 - What goes into a hunt
13:50 - The Juba Sniper hunt
35:06 - Nutrisense Ad
36:21 - The Juba Sniper hunt cont.
01:02:43 - Aftermath of Juba
01:06:30 - Matthew Ingham and Award Qualifications
02:05:40 - Sentimental items
02:09:22 - Would you do it all again?
02:09:42 - Closing thoughts
02:10:07 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Check out this week's sponsor AUSA's podcast Army Matters. Amplifying the voices of the Total Army: https://www.ausa.org/podcast
This episode is brought to you by Nutrisense. Visit nutrisense.com/combat and get $30 off your first month and one month of board certified nutritionist support.  When they ask how you learned about Nutrisense make sure to tell them it was the Combat Story podcast.
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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

This is part one of one of our best Combat Story?s with former Force Recon, Scout Sniper, and Marine Rifleman AJ Pasciuti. He recently retired from active duty and decided to pass on lucrative post-career defense contracting roles to, instead, continue serving in the name of several fallen Marines by running for public office in his hometown of San Jose, California.

AJ left northern California as an 18 year old in response to 9/11 with little military family background and an immigrant?s mentality having never touched a weapon and would go on to be a lethal sniper and Force Recon Marine, eventually instructing at the Scout Sniper school and helping to evolve the Marine Corps? fundamental education system when he retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Gunner).

He would go from city life to Iraq in OIF I crossing the berm with Third Battalion, Fifth Marines Regiment, of the First Marine Division; then, as a sniper in Fallujah, he would find himself in a building providing overwatch for Marines when a SEAL named Chris Kyle happened to occupy the same building as AJ and Chris? sniper teams competed to keep the Marines safe as they cleared the battlefield. He would later find himself fighting in Ramadi in 2005/2006 with another team of snipers. 

This is a two-part interview with AJ. Stay tuned for our part two with AJ and his story of hunting, trapping, and killing Iraq?s most lethal sniper: Juba (personified in the film American Sniper); and AJ?s story of losing his best friend in combat as a result of a coin toss.

AJ?s reputation speaks for itself and his perspective on service and overcoming odds is simply inspiring. His take on what ?Service? truly means will have you looking for ways to do more in your own community and lives. With that, please enjoy part one of one of our best Combat Story episodes with Force Recon Marine AJ Pasciuti. 

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find AJ Online:
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/posts/angelo-pasciuti_the-pathway-to-public-representation-continues-activity-7044775065183272960-wyMZ/
- 
- Washington Post article on Juba https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/01/22/iraqi-sniper-the-legendary-insurgent-who-claimed-to-have-killed-scores-of-american-soldiers/

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Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
01:03 - Guest Introduction (AJ Pasciuti)
02:56 - Interview begins
03:40 - Military connections and Childhood
10:25 - Boyscouts
14:45 - 9/11
18:20 - First Deployment and Choosing the Marine Corps.
21:15 - Life if not the Military
24:04 - AUSA Ad
25:59 - First time outside the wire
33:25 - First time in contact
41:57 - Calling home
44:48 - Second Deployment and Sniper Indoc
53:50 - Nutrisense Ad
55:05 - Ricky Jackson
01:00:00 - Fallujah Pt.1
01:14:50 - Sniper Instructor
01:17:32 - Fallujah Pt. 2
01:26:47 - 3rd deployment 
01:31:18 - A difficult situation
01:35:17 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure.
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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we have an inspiring and vulnerable Combat Story from Trevor Beaman, an active duty Special Forces 18Z (former 18E). He went from Army cook to long range surveillance to Green Beret while overcoming significant challenges along the way. In an interesting twist, he would even be an instructor at the Army?s dive school where he oversaw Nick Lavery?s successful completion of the course.

As a warning, there are moments in this episode in which we get into some difficult content about abuse from Trevor?s childhood that may be hard for people to hear. We also, however, discuss how Trevor overcame that abuse and adversity and would go on to lead fellow Green Berets in combat.

Trevor?s path is anything but straight as he dealt with recruiting slight of hand that brought him in as a cook but eventually found his tribe with 3rd Special Forces Group. After multiple deployments, he voluntarily sought out mental health support and, in a positive turn of events, was granted the time to get healthy again. 

He has 18 months of active duty service remaining, still supporting Special Operations and is writing a book about his experiences in a way that will help others help themselves. He has an inspiring Ted Talk about overcoming some of the traumatic experiences of his life that provides more context about him and his career and, with that, I hope you enjoy this important story from Trevor Beaman. 

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
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- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Trevor Online:
- Instagram @Trevor_a_Beaman https://www.instagram.com/trevor_a_beaman/
- Website https://trevorbeaman.com/
- Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQKfGw2SZ2wFv-DRv0DHGg?app=desktop
- Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9KsEMaT78E
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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:37 - Guest Introduction (Trevor Beaman)
01:54 - Interview begins
02:25- Breaking Rules
04:40 - Childhood and abuse
07:35 - Abuse and leadership
09:45 - Ted Talk
19:50 - Deciding on the Military
25:05 - DeleteMe Ad
26:32 - Time in the National Gaurd
32:28 - First encounter with the Green Berets
37:37 - Perspective on younger self
46:11 - Kevin Flick and Alive Day
48:00 - Dealing with loss of old teammates
56:34 - First shot at O.D.A.
01:07:19 - Performance after trauma
01:10:27 - Hardest deployment
01:21:46 - Deception training
01:25:40 - Mental Health while deployed
01:34:00 - Dive school
01:48:15 - Would you do it all again
01:51:42 - Sentimental Items
01:52:52 - The next 10 years
01:56:17 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by Nutrisense. Visit nutrisense.com/combat and get $30 off your first month and one month of board certified nutritionist support.  When they ask how you learned about Nutrisense make sure to tell them it was the Combat Story podcast.

=======

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

This is a fantastic Combat Story unlike those we?ve hosted before as we welcome Niloofar Rahmani, Afghanistan?s first female aviator and someone who has overcome tremendous adversity to simply serve her country. This episode is a great reminder about how great we have it in America, what our involvement in Afghanistan meant to so many people like her, and what perseverance and sacrifice really look like for an individual and a family.

We?ve hosted so many guests who had challenges growing up with homelessness and absent parents yet somehow, despite the odds, found their way to the military. This story is likely the most challenging we?ve heard in terms of getting into uniform from exile and defying societal norms and is absolutely the most challenging we?ve ever heard when it comes to how difficult and dangerous it was to just wear a uniform and serve every day.

Niloofar would be the first many times as one of the first women recruited into the Afghan military, in flight school, to graduate, and event fly the C-130. She was awarded the US? International Women of Courage of Award, met the first lady, flew with the Blue Angels and, eventually, was granted asylum in the United States.

She?s written a fantastic book about her experiences titled Open Skies: My Life as Afghanistan's First Female Pilot and she and her husband (an American veteran) opened a company called the Afghanistan Tribal Rug Trading Company where you can get rugs from Afghanistan while helping support the women who make them. 

Despite the tragic fall of Afghanistan in 2021, Niloofar?s story has a happy ending and, as she?ll be the first to point out, is not finished being written. Although she didn?t say it, I suspect we?ll see her flying one day in an American uniform. Many thanks to former guest Ryan ?Stinger? Fishel who got us in contact to make this interview happen and, with that, please enjoy this inspiring story from somebody who was truly a groundbreaker in her field.

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Niloofar Online:
- Open Skies My Life As Afghanistans First Female Pilot https://www.amazon.com/Open-Skies-Afghanistans-First-Female/dp/1641603348
- Afghanistan Tribal Rug Trading Co. https://www.afghanistantribalrugs.com/
- Learn more about Niloofar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niloofar_Rahmani

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:55 - Guest Introduction (Niloofar Rahmani )
02:56 - Interview begins
03:20 - Mutual friend Ryan 'Stinger' Fishel
05:43 - First time in a Fighter Jet
08:18 - Favorite Movie
09:25 - Childhood
16:24 - Parents and struggle with War
21:29 - First aspiration to become a Pilot
25:21 - Family Cultural background
27:08 - Challenges growing up around the Taliban
32:10 - Nutrisense Ad
33:26 - Girl's School and Education
35:57 - What Niloofar would have done not being a Pilot
37:10 - Path to Aviation
44:26 - Qualifying to be a Pilot
01:00:05 - Training to be a Pilot
01:07:20 - First time solo flying
01:11:49 - Discrimination for being a Woman
01:29:05 - A difficult mission
01:32:29 - Sgrt. Mohammad 
01:40:17 - International Woman of Courage Award
01:44:48 - Seeking asylum in the U.S.
02:08:30 - Sentimental items
02:09:48 - Afghanistan Tribal Rug Trading Co.
02:12:06 - Closing thoughts
02:13:00 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure.
This episode is brought to you by Nutrisense. Visit nutrisense.com/combat and get $30 off your first month and one month of board certified nutritionist support.  When they ask how you learned about Nutrisense make sure to tell them it was the Combat Story podcast.

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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we have an in-depth Combat Story with 20 year veteran and Green Beret Jay Dorleus. Jay spent the initial portion of his career in the regular Army as a Combat Engineer, including two rotations to Iraq where he conducted route clearing and base patrol operations that included losing some of his best friends to IEDs in a very reactive environment.

Jay would eventually transition to the Special Forces where he was in a more proactive posture, taking the fight to the enemy this time around. He fought in some of the more challenging areas of Afghanistan with 3rd Special Forces Group and nearly died on multiple occasions, including a bullet narrowly missing his head.

His childhood is anything but ordinary as he moved to the US from Haiti with his family and maintained that New York immigrant mindset to help him succeed in the military. He created a YouTube channel now that he?s retirement to teach aspiring special operators how to successfully pass selection and learn from his mistakes.

I hope you enjoy this very real and wide ranging interview with a long time Green Beret as much as I did.

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Jay Online:
- Instagram @Green_Beret_Chronicals: https://www.instagram.com/green_beret_chronicles/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GreenBeretChronicles
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-dorleus-93a568142/
- Website: https://green-beret-chronicles.webflow.io/

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Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro 
00:50 - Guest Introduction (Jay Dorleus)
01:55 - Interview begins
02:08 - Green Beret Chronicals
03:52 - Childhood
07:36 - Reaction to going into the Military
10:00 - American Oppurtunity
12:24 - Recruiter story
14:41 - 12 Bravo
15:21 - Reception at first Unit
17:40 - Initial missionset 
22:00 - Memorable Ops.
26:56 - Dealing with death
32:46 - Nutrisense Ad
34:02 - Seeking help
39:58 - Enjoying the work
41:45 - Being a leader with experience
44:18 - The Special Forces path
45:44 - Preparation for Special Forces
47:05 - Weaknesses of new recruits
49:22 - Language selection
50:07 - Path to 3rd Group
51:50 - First Unit with 3rd Group
53:15 - Big Army vs. Special Ops.
56:34 - Race effecting enlistment
59:13 - DeleteMe Ad
01:00:42 - Tough missiion as Special Ops.
01:06:30 - Priority as Charlie on F.O.B.
01:08:26 - Team stability
01:09:28 - Firefights
01:10:55 - Close call engagements
 01:12:15 - Joksters on the team
01:17:30 - A tougher mission
01:38:00 - Alive Day
01:46:38 - Green Beret Chronicals future
01:50:20 - Recommended literature
01:50:50 - Sentimental items
01:52:54 - Would you do it all again?
01:54:28 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by Nutrisense. Visit nutrisense.com/combat and get $30 off your first month and one month of board certified nutritionist support.  When they ask how you learned about Nutrisense make sure to tell them it was the Combat Story podcast. 

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Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we hear a Combat Story from both a veteran Cav soldier and active duty Green Beret, Kenny Stone and Ben Raymond. Kenny and Ben did not serve together but have found community, purpose, and challenge as part of Kenny?s non-profit, Soldiers on Singletrack, which brings veterans and active duty soldiers together through mountain bike and racing.

Kenny served as a Cav soldier with 1-5 Cav in Iraq across two tough deployments during the surge where, during an IED event, he ended up with TBI. He found a rekindled love for mountain biking and realized it helped address some of the cognitive issues he?d experienced after leaving the service and wanted other vets to experience the same.

Ben met Kenny at a Soldiers on Singletrack event where they struck up a friendship. Ben is still in service with 3rd Special Forces Group and started his SF career as an 18D medic but then transitioned to the 18C route. He found mountain biking to be the hobby he needed to disconnect and clear his head when he?s out of uniform.

I hope you enjoy this story about finding a new path after service to help deal with the challenges faced after years of a traumatic and trying job like those in the military, law enforcement, or first responders and please check out Soldiers on Singletrack if this is something that you feel could help you or someone you know. 

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Kenny and Ben Online:
- Website: https://soldiersonsingletrack.org/
- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/soldiersonsingletrackmtb/

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:37 - Guest Introduction (Kenny Stone & Ben Raymond)
01:54 - Interview begins
02:24 - Soliders On Singletrack
05:48 - Childhood and Mountain Biking
11:37 - Ben Joining the Army
15:47 - Kenny Joining the Army
18:37 - Recruiter experience
21:20 - Life in a CAV unit
26:02 - Nutrisense Ad
27:39 - Kenny's first time outside the wire
30:01 - Kenny's challenging moments
34:03 - Ben's path through the Army
44:20 - Kenny's deployment mid-rotation
46:51 - The right approach to loss in combat
49:22 - Coming back after combat deployments
55:33 - A mission that went wrong
01:00:05 - Shooting pistols and Mentors
01:04:49 - Marines and Army banter
01:05:47 - Most courageous action
01:10:28 - Commaderie while serving
01:12:50 - Transitioning out and S.O.S.
01:21:31  -  Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/50combatstory and use code 50combatstory for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!
=======

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we hear a second round Combat Story with long-time Night Stalker from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Steve Lapping. Steve spent 31 years in Army Aviation, including two decades in 160th at the tip of the spear flying the MH-6 and AH-6.

This second round interview is chalked full of combat scenarios that Steve found himself in across 15 combat deployments, this time focusing primarily on his time flying guns for 160th. We talk vehicle interdictions, weapon malfunctions, danger close shots near women and children, a Dukes of Hazard-like chase, weaponeering, and more! 

Steve also shares his experiences on the Saddam Hussein capture (including something I?d never heard before about the aftermath of that operation) and the somber experience covering ground forces as they recovered the remains of Americans who didn?t survive the Jessica Lynch capture.

Many will recall our first interview with Steve, which was a clear favorite for so many listeners and seen or heard by over 200K people, as we touched on Steve?s childhood, decision to join the military (that story?s a great one where the advice he receives comes from an unexpected role model), and his combat experiences in Objectives REINDEER and LEADVILLE, which included a DFC. 

One thing that impressed me so much about Steve beyond being a CW5 and the unbelievable number of years he spent ?rowing the boat? as he puts it (which is a reference to being at the very tip of the spear), is his humility and how he put his family as close to first as the mission will allow, wrapping up a storied career with the same wife and his children still by his side. 

With that, please enjoy this (second) wild ride from the cockpit of one of the baddest aircraft on the planet (no bias of course!) with Steve Lapping.

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Steve Lapping Online:
- Learn more about  Steve: https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/71550 
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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:53 - Guest Introduction (Steve Lapping)
02:39 - Interview begins
05:12 - Connection with Pete Blaber
08:55 - Training in calmness
10:21 - Good and bad leaders
13:42 - 9/11
17:10 - The Black Swarm
20:55 - Little Birds and A-10's
26:05 -  9 Lines
27:46 - Sadam Hussein Capture
36:20 - Sadam Hussein post-mission 
38:06 - Hello Fresh Ad
39:50 - Danger close shots
54:43 - First time pulling the trigger on a live target
01:02:12 - Training to take a life
01:12:48 - Layers of Management 
01:15:24 - Jessica Lynch
01:26:18 - Ground Force and SAS mission
01:38:28 - Ticket on the airfield
01:42:49 - Jumping into trees
01:48:50 - Sentimental Items and do it all again
01:50:00 - Family relations during deployments
01:54:01 - Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure.
=======

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

This is a unique Combat Story with a Gregg Martin, a retired Two Star Army General who has two Combat Stories: one about fighting in uniform that included engineering the US military?s push into Iraq in 2003 and another that involved battling bipolar disorder for years.

Gregg was one of the highest achievers you can imagine as he road a wave of hyperthymia (a near continual state of mild-mania with abnormally high levels of energy, enthusiasm, and positivity that helped him graduate West Point, complete Ranger School, get a Masters and PhD from MIT, successfully command at multiple levels in the Army, while being an active leader in his community. 

Eventually, during the euphoria of leading combined operations in Iraq in 2003, Gregg had what he describes as the onset of his bipolar disorder that manifested as times of mania followed by bouts of depression until, after attained the rank of two star general, he was relieved of command.

Gregg?s book has just come out and is aptly titled ?Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness? that goes into detail about his military experience and career alongside the mental health challenges he faced.

I hope you enjoy this insightful interview with a retired General who has successfully managed bipolar disorder for several years as much as I did.

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Ryan Rogers Online:
- Website: https://www.generalgreggmartin.com

- Book Bipolar General: https://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-General-Forever-Illness-Association/dp/1682473805 

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:49 - Guest Introduction (Gregg Martin)
02:03 - Interview begins
02:35 - Traits of a General
05:37 - Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder
18:04 - PTSD to Bipolar Disorder
21:02 - Family Military history
25:30 - Engineer Corps. 
27:02 - 5 year mark commitment
28:10 - Time at MIT
33:15 - Pre 9/11 Military experience
39:23 - Signs of Mania during enlistment
43:01 - DeleteMe Ad
44:06 - Time at Army War College
45:30 - Bipolar Disorder and Genetics
56:40 - Time in Germany during war time
49:24 - Mission set for Engineer Corps.
58:23 - Bridges to Baghdad 
01:06:26 - Average day in Iraq
01:16:10 - Onset of Bipolar disorder during Ops.
01:20:46 - Challenging moments
01:26:13 - Differences in character coming home
01:29:18 - Being Relieved
01:53:14 - Life with medication
01:54:29 - Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness
01:54:50 - Sentimental items
01:55:32 - Would you do it all again?
01:56:37 - Closing thoughts
01:57:33 - Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

?? Today's Combat Story: Unveiling the Truth Behind Pat Tillman's Tragic End in Afghanistan

?? In this episode, we delve deep into the life and tragic end of Pat Tillman, the former NFL star turned Army Ranger, through the meticulous research and firsthand accounts of Pete Blaber, a former Delta Force Commander with extensive experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond.

? Why Pete Blaber?

Pete served twice in the same Ranger Battalion as Pat Tillman, giving him unparalleled insights into the people, locations, and responsibilities involved in the battlefield. 

? The Quest for Truth

Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, sought Pete's help to uncover the truth about her son's death. Despite multiple military investigations, the true story remained elusive until Pete's involvement. 

? Common Sense Leadership Matters

Pete documents his findings and the toxic leadership climate in his book, "Common Sense Leadership Matters: Toxic Leadership Destroys, A Case Study." This book offers new perspectives on Pat Tillman's leadership, the state of special operations in 2004, and the daily life of a Ranger in combat. 

#CommonSenseLeadership #CommonSenseSuperpower #LeadershipTransformation #UnleashYourPotential #leadershipawareness #LanguageOfCommonSense

? Visual Aids

Follow along with images of the terrain at firefight.commonsenseway.com. 

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Find Pete Blaber Online:
- Common Sense Leadership Matters: Toxic Leadership Destroys, A Case Study
https://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Leadership-Matters-Destroys/dp/B0C87BVQZY 

- Follow along with the battlefield description at: https://firefight.commonsenseway.com/
The Common Sense Way: A New Way to Think About Leading and Organizing https://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Way-Organizing-Leadership-ebook/dp/B096N2KGJZ

- The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XQEVWQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Instagram @blaberpete https://www.instagram.com/blaberpete/

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:44 - Guest Introduction (Peter Blaber)
02:51 - Interview begins
03:35 - Peter's background
08:55 - Being an Author and case studies
20:52 - Hello Fresh Ad
22:18 - 3rd book synopsis
29:48 - Patrick Tillman's mother Mary
36:42 - Command structure leading to firefight 
41:18 - Toxic Management
45:17 -  Structure of the Rangers and terrain of the Spera District
54:23 - Command at Selarino
01:02:16 - Battle readiness in Afghanistan
01:10:41 - Oversought preventitive measures
01:24:00 - The mission and the firefight 
01:44:00 - Writing the firefight
01:46:50 - The firefight
02:03:04 - Kevin Tillman
02:09:54 - Patrick Tillman
02:29:57 - Mission Debreif
02:38:12 - Relationships after book publishing
02:41:48 - Toxic climates
002:45:56 - Closing thoughts
02:46:43 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/50combatstory and use code 50combatstory for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!

This episode is brought to you by RocketMoney. Go to www.RocketMoney.com/combatstory and get help finding and canceling your unwanted subscriptions, monitor your spending, and help lower your bills?all in one place. 
This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure.
=======

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

??Dive into the riveting life journey of Mike Bloch, a valorous Marine Corps Veteran and MARSOC Special Operator. Mike's story is a tapestry of courage, resilience, and sacrifice, woven through multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

?? #MarineCorps #MARSOC #VeteranStories #CombatStoryPodcast

? A Turning Point in Mike's Life ?

On February 15, 2022, Mike encountered a life-altering mental health crisis, spotlighting the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support for our veterans. This episode is not just an interview; it's a call to action.

 ? #MentalHealthAwareness #VeteranSupport #PTSD

? Why This Episode Matters ?

Our mission at Combat Story is to give a voice to the voiceless and bridge the gap between policymakers and the lived experiences of veterans. Mike's ongoing legal battle serves as a case study for how we treatment of veterans when they return from war.

?? #JusticeForVeterans #LegalReform #PolicyChange 

? Take Action ?

If Mike's story resonates with you, we urge you to support his case through the UAP organization and reach out to your elected officials. Your voice can make a difference. ? #UAP #VeteranRights #TakeAction

? Connect with Mike Bloch

Support Mike's Case via UAP - https://www.uap.org/case/michael-bloch-marine-raider/ Donate to UAP to support Mike?s case: https://www.uap.org/donate/ Mike's Non-Profit for Veterans https://www.projectvetwerx.org/ You can make an impact by contacting your state?s elected representatives, along with contacting North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, to request that they use their powers to help the transfer of Staff Sergeant Bloch?s case to the Veterans Court. You can also read Michael Bloch?s own letter to Governor Cooper here to aid with your effort to support: https://www.uap.org/post/michael-bloch-case-district-attorney-ernie-lee/bloch-letter-to-governor-cooper/

? Connect with Ryan 

Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Merch Store https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle ? Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

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This is an important Combat Story with former MARSOC Special Operator and Marine Rifleman Mike Bloch. Mike served multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with conventional and special operations forces, returned with PTSD and TBI (like so many) but preserved. He went on to serve in a contractor role with JSOC, created his own company (EBS, a Defense Contracting Company), and founded a non-profit to help other veterans.

On February 15, 2022, Mike was on his way to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, for a business meeting when he suffered a mental breakdown brought on by a combination of high-stress, lack of sleep, and a drug called ?Nuvigil? prescribed by the VA to Mike for over four years (when it should not be taken for more than 12 weeks).

Mike is now being treated as a violent criminal by the North Carolina court system and a District Attorney who has decided to target an honorable veteran who spent years in combat. The DA set Mike?s trial for September 11th in case you want to understand just how out of touch this is.

Part of the reason we created Combat Story was for politicians to understand what really happens to veterans when they?re sent down range, from the trauma and loss during combat to the experience when they return home and try to reintegrate. This interview does exactly that. Try to imagine where you were on Christmas day in 2004 and compare it to Mike?s experience. Listen to the number of brothers he lost along the way. Then try to understand what it?s like to lead a normal life afterwards.

Beyond an amazing set of combat stories, this is also an episode about how we treat our veterans when they come home. If Mike?s story moves you, as it did me, I?d ask you to check out the UAP site and donate what you can and write to your congressional representative and ask to move this case to a veteran court designed for such cases. You can find the necessary links in the episode description.

This is a special one and I hope you enjoy this humble combat story as much as I did.

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
01:00 - Guest Introduction (Mike Bolch)
02:57 - Interview begins
04:15 - Trial backstory
06:43 - Motivation to go into the Military
13:59 - what life without the Military would be
14:53 - Family reaction to joining the Military
16:02 - Youth Ranch compared to Basic
20:25 - Rocket Money Ad
21:48 - Post 9/11 Deployment
27:14 - Deployment in Babylon
29:48 - Integrating with the Platoon
34:30 - First combat experience
39:45 - First deployment from Iraq
41:48 - DeleteMe Ad
45:51 - Subsequent Deployments
44:50 - Transition back home
47:28 - Close encounters
01:01:10 - Traumatic events
01:07:20 - Jay and MARSOC
01:11:45 - Preparing mentally for Deployments
01:14:00 - Arrival and preparation for MARSOC
01:18:38 - Challenging Operation
01:34:38 - Transition to Contracting
01:48:35 - FOMO on the Job
01:51:20 - PTSD, V.A and New Vigil, Trial case
02:05:32 - Sentimental Items
02:06:30 - Would you do it all again
02:07:19 - Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/50combatstory and use code 50combatstory for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

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Today we have a unique Combat Story from a long time aviator Sean Borland. Sean flew Cobras, Apaches, MH-53 Pave Lows, and CV-22 Ospreys providing direct support to war fighters pre and post-9/11.

Notably, Sean was in the first set of aircraft to go into Afghanistan immediately after 9/11 as part of Air Force Special Operations flying the MH-53 in both combat search and rescue and multi-purpose infil and exfil operations for special ops units of varying flavors from white SOF to OGA.
This is a deep dive into some of the technical aspects of aviation, particularly rotary wing, and some of the differences between the Air Force Special Operations aviation elements and 160th. 

I hope you enjoy this wide ranging discussion and insight into the rotary wing side of operations as much as I did. 

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Sean Online:
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-borland-2b0b2045/

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:47 - Guest Introduction (Sean Borland)
01:37 - Interview begins
02:05 - Background in Aviation
07:07 - Media and influences
10:47 - Deciding to go Marines
17:10 - Flying guns
20:30 - HelloFresh
21:45 - Differences between Cobra and Apache
24:27 - Apache mentality in the 90's
30:32 - Going to FLERE??
32:38 - Path to the Air Force
40:33 - Mision set of MH53
47:35 - Crew Configuration of MH53
50:42 - 9/11 and deployment
01:05:00 - First time outside the wire
01:28:18 - Fighter weapons school
01:32:48 - Challenging Operations
01:52:24 - Change to Osprey
01:58:44 - Close call Operation
02:07:13 - Sentimental items
02:08:44 - Would you do it again
02:09:28 - Vietnam History Flight
02:11:59 - Closing thoughts
02:12:39 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we go for our second Combat Story with a member of the Air Force?s aerial special operations community: Mike LaFeve, an MC-130 Navigator in the Air Force?s 8th Special Operations Squadron (8th SOS).

Mike was deployed consistently from 2001 to 2006 with the 8th SOS as the most deployed Air Force special operations squadron at the time. This included trips to both Afghanistan and Iraq as both the aircraft technology improved and bases in theater become more fortified. 

In the MC-130, Mike was responsible for a variety of mission sets supporting, primarily, the special operations community, including DEVGRU as we hear in this episode. The MC-130 is designed to support the special operations community with airdrops, delivery and extraction of special operators, refueling, combat search and rescue and so much more. 

In this episode, we pick up where we left off as Mike goes from the first deployment post-9/11 into the next and more established operational tempo going from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan to Kuwait to Iraq and back again and I hope you enjoy this set of combat stories in the versatile MC-130 as much as I did.
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- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
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- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Mike LaFeve Online:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelafeve/
- Stronghold Freedom Foundation https://strongholdfreedomfoundation.org/
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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:53 - Guest Introduction (Mike LaFeve)
02:02 - Interview begins
02:45 - K-2
11:30 - Coming back from first deployment and OIF
26:18 - Night the war kicked off
30:00 - OIF stories
36:50 - GPS guided DZ drops
42:30 - Kuwait deployment
46:22 - Big mission
50:28 - What makes a good crew in the cockpit
59:37 - Funny story from '05
01:05:39 - Keeping it light during missions
01:12:58 - Last deployment to Bagram 
01:44:40 - Military persona into the civilian world
01:54:06 - Strong Hold Freedom Foundation
01:57:17 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by RocketMoney. Go to www.RocketMoney.com/combatstory and get help finding and canceling your unwanted subscriptions, monitor your spending, and help lower your bills?all in one place.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

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Today we hear the Combat Story of a long time Marine and Special Operator Andy Milburn who, after retiring from 31 years of service, decided to then go to Ukraine to support their fight against the Russians through what he aptly named the Mozart Group. 

Andy has a knack for getting close to the action that started long before he became a Marine. Growing up in the UK, Andy found himself detained momentarily in Iran before meeting a group of Marine Security Guards in Pakistan that changed his career path from lawyer to Marine. He was part of operations in Somalia, Iraq (from the invasion to counter-ISIS operations), Afghanistan, and Libya.

He commanded at multiple levels, including the first ever O-6 level Special Operations Task Force while battling ISIS in Iraq. He?s battled some of the darkest moments of the trauma and grief that come from combat and loss but continues to give back, to include the time he spent in Ukraine with the Mozart Group.

Andy?s written a book about his time in service, When The Tempest Gathers, that helps clearly explain how he might end up in Ukraine after retiring and has been published in multiple journals, including The Atlantic and Task and Purpose. He and his Mozart Group have been featured in the New York Times and countless other news outlets.

We need to say a special thanks to our brothers at the Team House for making this interview happen and  I hope you enjoy this story of sacrifice and selflessness from a lifelong Marine as much as I did.

 

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Andy Online:
- When The Tempest Gathers: https://www.amazon.com/When-Tempest-Gathers-Mogadishu-Operations/dp/1526750554
- Learn more about Andy https://www.mei.edu/profile/andy-milburn
- Twitter @andymilburn8 https://twitter.com/andymilburn8?lang=en
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmilburn2023/
- Instagram @milburnar https://www.instagram.com/milburnar/?hl=en
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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:47 - Guest Introduction (Andy Milburn)
02:15 - Interview begins
03:00 - Marine House in Islamabad
11:26 - From Islamabad to Australia
16:30 - Family's reaction to dangerous trip
20:15 - Rocket Money
24:54 - Isolation of command 
27:22 - Starting as a Private at Paris Island
32:23 - Hollywood Marines
34:23 - Path to Mogadishu
40:41 - First time in combat
52:41 - Being in Command
55:30 - Challenging battles
01:07:57 - Loss during Command
01:15:20 - Time in Libya
01:35:44 - Counter-ISIS
01:47:04 - Perseverance in traumatic times
01:56:05 - Similar role in the future
01:57:30 - Mental health experiences
02:02:12 - Sentimental Items
02:07:52 - Would you do it again
02:10:09 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Go to www.HelloFresh.com/combatstory50 and use code combatstory50 for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!

This episode is brought to you by RocketMoney. Go to www.RocketMoney.com/combatstory and get help finding and canceling your unwanted subscriptions, monitor your spending, and help lower your bills?all in one place. 

This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

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Today we have an amazing Combat Story from a 28 year F-16 fighter pilot, Jet Jernigan. Jet?s story is remarkable from how he stumbled into aviation to eventually lead the first 20 F-16s into Kuwait in the Gulf War to take out 10 Surface-to-Air (SAM) Missile sites and clear the way for Air Force bombers.

Jet and his 19 wingmen evaded over 40 SAM launches in just a 9 minute period in what can only be described as organized chaos. He would go head-to-head with SA-2s, SA-6s, and SA-9s in a span of just a few months.

As a member of the South Carolina Air National Guard, it seems unlikely that Jet?s unit was chosen ahead of other Active Duty Air Force squadrons to be the first F-16s into Kuwait. Fortunately, Jet and his team had just won Gunsmoke, the Air Force?s preeminent international aviation air-to-ground combat training exercise despite flying older F-16s against the Active Duty Air Force?s modernized variants, proving they were equally capable aviators.

Jet had many firsts in his career, including being the first Air National Guard pilot to attend the Air Force?s elite Fighter Weapons School where, with his high school degree and Air National Guard pedigree, finished as the honor graduate or Top Gun. Jet is an incredibly humble, accomplished, and god fearing veteran who continues to live out a Hollywood-like story. Stay tuned to the end of this episode to hear Colin Powell?s very own description of when Jet was interviewed by a reporter just after landing from his first mission in the Gulf War?it says it all. #f16 #fighterpilot #airforce #veteran =======

Find Ryan Online: - Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Find Jet Jernigan Online: - Instagram @Jetf16 https://www.instagram.com/jetf16/

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Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Guest Introduction (Jet Jernigan) 02:40 - Interview begins 22:14 - What?s an A-7D aircraft? 28:45 - What?s it like flying the F-16? 33:53 - What?s it like to hit a bird (bird strike) at 450mph? 39:11 - What is Fighter Weapons School? 50:40 - What is Gunsmoke? 52:11 - Greatest answer to a media question in history?what?s it like to fly an F-16? 01:01:53 - Why did we have Desert Storm? 01:15:16 - Preparing for the Gulf War 01:23:43 - Taking off for the first F-16 flight of the Gulf War 01:39:31 - How to evade a Surface to Air Missile (the science behind it from a fighter pilot) 01:41:08 - An intense mission in Basra meeting an SA-9 and sinking a ship! 01:46:59 - Sinking a Navy ship with an F-16 01:56:04 - When Colin Powell talks about Jet Jernigan after the Gulf War 02:00:15 - What Jet carried on combat missions 02:03:19 - Sentimental Items 02:04:19 - Would you do it again? 02:07:30 - Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we have a unique and very interesting Combat Story with former Green Beret and later Command Chaplain at Special Operations Command, George Youstra. Do not be fooled by the Chaplain title, George's stories are powerful and show a side of the military very few who have not served will ever see.

George accumulated over 400 flight hours, primarily in the F-16, at the urging of his boss at the time, General Breedlove, so he could better connect with and serve the pilots and airmen he was assigned to. After building his reputation as a Chaplain within the Air Force fighter community, he was given a call sign, ?Saul,? which is perfectly suited given his role and stature. 

In his career, George was a personal advisor to eight Four Star Generals and helped drive religious efforts at both tactical and strategic levels in multiple combat theaters, particularly within the Special Operations community. I had no idea how critical the Chaplain?s role would be for combatant commands at the strategic level, which is something we dive into in this episode, in addition to the tactical experience just being present for soldiers and airmen about to go into harm?s way, on the verge of taking their own lives, supporting brothers-in-arms who just lost a best friend, and wrestling with their spirituality in the heat of combat.

At SOCOM, George served as the principal and personal staff advisor to the Commander, Directors, and headquarters staff in areas related to morale, ethics and spirituality, to include advising on the role and impact of religion in the strategic environment. 

With that, I hope you enjoy this incredibly insightful and moving conversation with one of the few Chaplains to have seen combat himself as a Special Forces officer, as much as I did.

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find George Online:
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-youstra-92865746/
- Instagram @chaplainustra https://www.instagram.com/chaplainustra/?hl=en
Suicide Prevention Hotlines:
Call: 988
Text: 838255
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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:44 - Guest Introduction (George Youstra)
02:12 - Interview begins
02:45 - Childhood
04:45 - George's Marine Father
06:18 - Religion and the Military
08:48 - Path to the Chapalain Core
12:24 - Time in the Army
13:08 - Strom Thurmond
22:30 - Time in Special Forces
24:27 - Time in South America
29:30 - Challenging Operations as a Green Beret
34:30 - Going down the Chaplain path
37:16 - Training as a Chaplain
39:34 - Differences between Army and Air Force
42:21 - What makes a good Chaplain
50:04 - Day in the life of a Chaplain downrange
54:59 - Goals of a Chaplain
01:02:28 - Assistance with Mental Health
01:08:31 - "Saul" callsign
01:10:10 - Working with Fighter Pilots
01:18:47 - Perspective of leadership
01:22:40 - Leadership lessons
01:26:04 - Different religions in combat
01:37:58 - Most courageous act
01:41:37 - Sentimental items
01:43:03 - Do it all again
01:44:35 - Administering last rights
01:45:18 - Closing thoughts
01:46:19 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by DeleteMe. Go to www.joindeleteme.com/combat and use the code COMBAT to get 20% off your plan and keep your personal information online secure.
This episode is brought to you by RocketMoney. Go to www.RocketMoney.com/combatstory and get help finding and canceling your unwanted subscriptions, monitor your spending, and help lower your bills?all in one place. 
Go to www.HelloFresh.com/combatstory50 and use code combatstory50 for 50% off plus free shipping to get delicious and healthy meals that you can make at home with your family in no time and add some variety to what you serve! Our family has used Hello Fresh for years!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

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Today we hear the Combat Story of former Navy SEAL and Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU) operator Chris White. Chris spent two decades in the Teams pre-9/11 and was in the first wave of contractors fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq with Blackwater and similar companies early in the war.

Chris hasn?t shared his story previously and did so, in part, to set the record straight on the experience of contractors in the post-9/11 era who had often been painted in a particularly negative way by the media. 

Chris now operates Tier One Tactical where he delivers expert training to people, particularly those in law enforcement, in shooting and tactical engagements. 

I hope you enjoy this wide ranging and insightful look at Chris? experiences in both the elite levels of the Navy?s Special Operations community and his experience as a contractor in some incredibly challenging fighting, as much as I did.

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Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Chris White Online:
- Learn more about Chris https://aegisacademy.com/pages/instructors

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Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:52 - Guest Introduction (Chris White)
01:45 - Interview begins
02:14 - Learnings from battles
10:00 - Fight, Flight, or Freeze
15:37 - UDT days
18:13 - Childhood and path to the Military
21:24 - DeleteME
22:29 - Deliniation between  Navy and Teams
26:53 - Deciding to join the Military
29:43 - Being molded by the Military
32:03 - Friends at BUDS
36:29 - Route to DEVGRU
41:23 - Callsign White Boy
43:15 - Rocket Money
44:08 - Chris's strengths
47:43 - Chris's weaknesses
49:27 - Army Navy game
55:29 - Honor of the Fu-manchu
53:34 - Future after 20 years
01:03:53 - Hello Fresh
 01:05:11 - Being in Bahrain during 9/11
01:07:08 - First mission after 9/11
01:15:29 - A hairy situation
01:30:28 - Transition to Blackwater
01:45:08 - Upside of being a Contractor
02:24:13 - Sentimental Items
 02:25:33 - Do it all again
02:26:13 - Final comments
02:27:41 - Listeners comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Will a former Army Aviator and CIA officer pass out or throw-up for his first flight in a jet?! This episode is best viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/RbyWbRWXky4 because it's all flying and exploring the L-39 jet and Patriots Jet Team hangar.

Strap in for a high-octane adventure with the Patriots Jet Team, the ONLY civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the United States! 

Ryan is taking Combat Story on a thrilling journey in an L-39 Soviet Jet with the legendary pilot, Scott "Intake" Kartvedt. They're gearing up and rehearsing for a heart-pounding performance at the Sonoma NASCAR race, and you've got a front-row seat (well...it's a the backseat of the L-39 actually)! Before we take off, we get some insider tips from Ryan "Stinger" Fishel, Active Duty F-15 fighter pilot and former guest on the podcast (https://youtu.be/4jP3U2nHFUw - 400K views), on how to handle the intense G-forces during the flight and what to eat before getting in the cockpit.

Will Ryan keep his cool (and his lunch) as they pull 7-8 G's for 45 minutes? Fasten your seatbelts and find out!

We also hear from Kevin "K2" LaRosa Jr, a sought after Hollywood aerial coordinator and stunt pilot who was handpicked by Tom Cruise to choreograph Top Gun:Maverick (he was also behind the scenes and/or in the cockpit for Avengers, Iron Man, and over 100 other movies and TV shows)!

Next, we whisk you away on an exclusive tour of the Patriots Jet Team Hangar, a veritable Aladdin's cave of aviation wonders and also the world's greatest man cave! From sleek jets to Hollywood stunt aircraft, this hangar is a treasure trove. And the pièce de résistance? A bar made from a Russian Mig Wing or the "Help Me" sign used by Tom Cruise and James Corden when they go flying in Randy's aircraft (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1iZtBM23bY)?!

Enter Randy "Howler" Howell, the owner of the Patriots Jet Team. With decades of flying experience, Randy is more than a pilot; he's an aviation legend who taught his son to fly solo at the tender age of eight! When Tom Cruise need a stunt pilot for Top Gun:Maverick, he chose Randy Howell. Safety is paramount when you're flying with the Patriots Jet Team! We go through an awesome emergency procedure for a heart-stopping ejection process (I call it the turn and dump).

Then, it's time to take to the skies. Experience the adrenaline rush of formation flying, high-speed maneuvers, and the thrill of going inverted (many times!). Ryan even gets a chance to take the controls which is not unlike his days flying the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter!

Despite a bout of nausea (an occupational hazard!), Ryan revels in the exhilarating experience of getting back in the cockpit again. As we touch down from this wild ride, we invite you to become part of the Patriots Jet Team legacy through sponsorship opportunities. Plus, don't miss out on Combat Story's previous interviews with these legends (Randy, Kevin, Intake, and Stinger). So, are you ready to defy gravity with us? Tune in, hold tight, and enjoy the ride!

Special thanks to Joey Amtman for incredible editing and Four Winds Creative (filming). Find

Ryan Online:

Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatsory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

Find Scott "Intake" Kartvedt Online:

Scott's website https://scottkartvedt.com/ Full Throttle Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7F91JCB Instagram @scottkartvedt https://www.instagram.com/scottkartvedt/

Find Randy Howell Online:

Learn More about Randy https://www.patriotsjetteam.com/Media%20Package/Pilot%20Bios.pdf Patriots Jet Team Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patriotsjetteam/ @PatriotsJetTeam LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-howell-35347540/

Find Kevin LaRosa Online:

Kevin's website https://www.k2larosa.com/ Instagram @K2Larosa https://www.instagram.com/k2larosa LinkedIn: Kevin LaRosa II YouTube: TOP GUN: MAVERICK: Aerial Coordinator Kevin LaRosa Jr. Interview -

Patriots Jet Team Instagram:  @rhowlerhowell, @scottKartvedt, @deanwright15, @epic_flying, @patriotsjetuprt, @lovell.cory, @mtemby, @rings_patriotsjet, @mamainiero, @aviatrixemmy, @minijetmojoh2o, @stellantsystems, @dragonfly.films, @flygoodyear, @concordebatterycorp, @pjt_foundation

Timeline:

0:00 - Intro 1:25 - G-force management tips from Ryan "Stinger" Fishel, F-15 fighter pilot 2:25 - Exclusive tour of the Patriots Jet Team Hangar 3:24 - James Corden and Tom Cruise Help Me sign! 4:00 - Blue Angel Action Figure/Doll! 4:35 - Kevin LaRosa describes Cinejet and Top Gun and Devotion filming 6:50 - How to EJECT from an L-39!! 8:19 - Scott Intake Kartvedt going Full Throttle 9:35 - Taking Off!! 11:23 - 7Gs on a left break! 17:00 - RTB (Return to Base) and landing 18:38 - Get your name on the L-39! 19:15 - Outtake

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear a Combat Story detailing the almost start-up like creation and expansion of the CIA and military?s drone program that would go on to help find, fix, and finish high value targets across the globe with Army veteran and CIA officer, Alec Bierbauer.

Alec was an Army intelligence soldier and Warrant Officer before being hand picked to join DIA and then being hand picked again, this time by CIA legend Cofer Black, to join the CIA. Prior to 9/11, Alec was detailed from DIA to CIA?s virtual station, coincidentally named Alec Station, tracking Al-Qaida and Bin Laden. He would later have the opportunity to fire some of the first shots of the war against AQ through the predator program.

He went on to be a CIA Chief of Base in the early years of the Global War on Terror to track down targets in Afghanistan and continued serving in austere environments, including several stints more recently in an expeditionary capacity in locations he can?t name while in more senior roles at the Agency.

Alec and Mark Cooter wrote the book ?Never Mind, We'll Do It Ourselves: The Inside Story of How a Team of Renegades Broke Rules, Shattered Barriers, and Launched a Drone Warfare Revolution? which details never before seen experiences of how the drone program was stood up and leveraged post-9/11.

This interview was a blast and I hope you enjoy this detailed look at such a critical program to national security during such a pivotal time, as much as I did.

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Alec Bierbauer Online:
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alec-bierbauer-a6b3135/
- BlackRock Strategy https://www.blackrockstrategy.com/
- Never Mind, We'll Do It Ourselve - https://www.amazon.com/Books-Alec-Bierbauer/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AAlec+Bierbauer

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:49 - Guest Introduction (Alec Bierbauer)
02:24 - Interview begins
04:05 - Getting connected
04:56 -Living overseas 
07:00 - Giving a cover story
09:15 - Being in Moscow in the late 70's
11:20 - Moving around, growing up, and grades
12:53 - Path to the Army
15:48 - Impression of America growing up overseas
17:06 - Deciding what role to fill in the Army
20:03 - Joining the Seapower and Projection Forces Commitee
23:12 - Transition to the D.I.A.
27:47 - Drones during the late 90's
32:13 - Working with other Agencies
38:41 - Identifying terrorist threats
45:41 - Intelligence Operations in Afghanistan
57:05 -Alternate options to Drones to find Bin Laden
59:48 - 9/11 and Drone deployment
01:11:51 - Time in Afghanistan
01:23:13 - Leading a base at the front end of the war
01:31:13 - Mike Span's passing 
01:35:40 - Most couragous acts
 01:45:50 - Satisfaction of the Drone Program
01:49:45 - Unmaned aircrafts Vs. Manned aircrafts
01:51:11 - Keep going back to the fight
01:53:10 - Retirement
01:55:47 - Starting BlackRock Strategy
01:57:17 - Sentimental items
01:58:53 - Do it all again
01:59:43 - Closing thoughts
02:01:24 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear an aviation-focused Combat Story with three pioneers in the civilian, military, and filmmaking aviation communities who were the driving force behind the aerial scenes from Top Gun: Maverick.

Many will recall our interview with Scott ?Intake? Kartvedt as the Accountant turned Naval Aviator who went on to fly F/A-18s, command an F-35 Squadron, fly with the Blue Angels, and now flies the Number 5 airplane in the civilian aerobatic formation flight Patriots Jet Team. Scott?s fantastic book ?Full Throttle: From the Blue Angels to Hollywood Stunt Pilot? chronicles his experiences in- and outside the cockpit.

Our second guest is the owner of The Patriots Jet Team, Randy Howell, who flies the Number 6 aircraft, and who taught Tom Cruise to fly the L-39 jet for Maverick. To give you an idea of how long Randy has been flying, he has 7K more flight hours than expert aviator Sully Sullenberger, who famously landed his commercial airliner in the Hudson River after an inflight emergency. Randy and Intake made up the pair of stunt pilots for Maverick, including the intense flying in the last eight minutes of the movie, for which they were awarded the Screen Actors Guild award for action.

Our third guest is Kevin ?K2? LaRosa who grew up in Hollywood as an aviation stunt man, pilot, and aerial coordinator. You?ve seen him in the air in over 100 films and TV shows, including Iron Man, Avengers, Transformers, Devotion, and Maverick. He is the VP of Aerial Production for Helinet Aviation. This is a rare glimpse into flying with three experts and pioneers in the field.

We dig into so much in this episode about flying on the edge and I hope you enjoy these stories of pushing the limits of aerial cinematography with both aircraft and cameras, teaching Tom Cruise to fly jets, and the close calls and near misses that inevitably come with aviation, as much as I did.

We have a special edition of Combat Story coming up where I go flying with Intake and Randy in the L-39 in formation with the Patriots Jet Team and try not to pass out or throw up! Stay tuned!

Find Ryan Online:

Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Find Scott Kartvedt Online:

Scott's website https://scottkartvedt.com/ Full Throttle Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7F91JCB 

Find Randy Howell Online: 

Learn More about Randy https://www.patriotsjetteam.com/Media%20Package/Pilot%20Bios.pdf  Patriots Jet Team Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patriotsjetteam/   @PatriotsJetTeam  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-howell-35347540/ 

Find Kevin LaRosa Online:

Kevin's website https://www.k2larosa.com/ Instagram @K2Larosa https://www.instagram.com/k2larosa 

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:41 - Guest Introduction (Scott Kartvedt, Randy Howell, Kevin LaRosa)
02:40 - Interview begins
08:20 - Arial Coordinator responsibilities
10:27 - Arial Coordinator on Top Gun Maverick 
15:07 - Camera rigging on Jets
20:06 - Getting 'Intake' on board
22:51 Intake on Top Gun Maverick
24:56 - Safety and Planning Top Gun Maverick fight scene
35:06 - Team dynamics during training
39:58 - Stick Model Practice
42:33 - Almost hitting a breaching whale
43:31 - A few tough maneuvers
49:00 - Perfecting Combat Comms
52:19 - Reminiscing on Top Gun Maverick
55:55 - Recieving a SAG award
01:00:24 - Patriots Jet Team
01:07:30 - Maintaining orientation
01:08:55 - Full Throttle 
01:10:38 - Following the Arial Coordination path
01:15:31 - Close calls
01:25:04 - Sentimental Items
01:27:11 - Favorite aircraft
01:30:01 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve.
Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
=======
Today we have a fascinating Combat Story from Matt Stevens, a Troop and Squadron Commander in Naval Special Warfare Development Group or DEVGRU, the unit many know from the Bin Laden raid and the Captain Phillips rescue. 

After tours with SEAL Teams 4 and 8 and one rotation with a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) unit, Matt successfully assessed for and was accepted into DEVGRU. He and his Troop deployed to Afghanistan immediately following 9/11 and supported efforts in the south of the country, on the ?giving end? of things as Matt so aptly describes it. 

Matt was, unfortunately, intimately involved in the aftermath of Operation Red Wings in 2005 while serving as a DEVGRU Squadron Commander that included all the tactical and political challenges that come with that leadership role.

Today, Matt is the CEO of The Honor Foundation, a non-profit that helps elite warriors like himself successfully transition out of the military and into a civilian career. Part of the process for veterans in the program is how to manage your identity post-military, which so many of us struggle with, and Matt shares some of the tactics the Honor Foundation uses to help in this effort.

I hope you enjoy this front row seat to stories from a leader in one of the elite Tier 1 elements of our military as much as I did. 

 

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Matt Stevens Online:
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewpstevens/
- Learn more about Matt https://www.honor.org/people/matt-stevens/
- The Honor Foundation https://www.honor.org/
- Instagram @honorfoundation https://www.instagram.com/honorfoundation/

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:45 - Guest Introduction (Matt Stevens)
02:00 - Interview begins
02:07 - Missions after 9/11
09:20 - Lobbying to get mission sets
12:03 - The Honor Foundation
18:49 - 4Patriots
20:07 - Childhood
23:59 - Deciding to join the Military
29:12 - Playing the clarinet
31:30 - Deciding to go the SEALs route
34:29 - Working alongside older Veterans
36:09 - Welcoming as a Junior Officer to SEAL team
38:51 - Jump to DEVGRU
46:22 - Measuring up to the competition
47:39 - Family reaction to going DEVGRU
 48:44 - First mission set in Afghanistan 
55:07 - Difference between training and live Ops at night
58:30 - Operation Red Wings 
01:16:39 - Moral during Operation Red Wings 
01:25:44 - Leadership position complications
01:29:32 - Experience with high ranking officials
01:31:24 - Advice for identity after service
01:44:39 - Sentimental Items
01:45:21 - Would you do it all again
01:47:01 - Final thoughts
01:47:12 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by the OSS Society. Use the link below to register for the Tuesday, June 13 · 6 - 7pm EDT 'Oh So Social' Conversation between General Jim Mattis and Dr. Michael Vickers. They'll discuss Vickers upcoming book In By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operation and Strategy and his remarkable career.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mattis-vickers-an-oh-so-social-conversation-tickets-627293320207

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve.
Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
=======
Today we have a unique Combat Story from long time veteran, CIA officer, and policy maker: the Honorable Mike Vickers. Mike spent 10 years in the Green Berets with 10th Special Forces Group as both an enlisted Weapons Sergeant and Officer, including command of a counterterrorism element operating in Europe during the Cold War. 

He then transitioned to one of the most impactful jobs in Cold War history as the Program Officer overseeing the covert action program to fight and ultimately defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan. His first assignments in the Agency before going to training were in stark contrast to my own as Mike went directly to a war zone (a story we begin the podcast with because it?s so unique) with nothing but his polo, linen pants, loafers, operational cash and a firearm!

Mike would go on to very senior levels in the government, including the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflicts, and Interdependent Capabilities where he played an instrumental role in so many facets of our national security policy, to include pioneering drone capabilities to target Al-Qaida around the world and helping get the necessary support for the raid to kill Bin Laden.

I found this to be a fascinating piece of history and one that Mike details in his book, By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations and Strategy. I found Mike thanks to Frank Gargon, who - along with MIke- is helping to raise funds to support the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society in building a museum in honor of intelligence and special operations professionals. With that, please enjoy this front row seat to so many historical events over the past 40 years.

 

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Michael Vickers Online:
- Learn more about Michae: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_G._Vickers
- Purchase By All Means Available: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/537236/by-all-means-available-by-michael-g-vickers/
- OSS Society Conversation with Jim Mattis tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mattis-vickers-an-oh-so-social-conversation-tickets-627293320207
- OSS Society: https://www.osssociety.org/

 

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
01:01 - Guest Introduction (Ryan Rogers)
02:48 - Interview begins
04:00 - Unusual beginning at the CIA
09:40 - On the ground in Greneda
13:36 - Growing up and focus on the CIA
17:29 - Underachiever to Multitasker
19:20 - OSS Society Conversation Ad
20:22 - Time in the Army
23:48 - Serving along side Vietnam Soldiers
27:21 - Advantage of Special Forces training to CIA
29:03 - Chance encounter with Gina Haspel
30:34 - Homebased and the Covert Action Program
34:41 - Afghanistan Covert Action Program Officer
39:28 - 4Patriots
40:47 - Stalemate in Afghanistan
41:43 - Plan to infiltrate Afghanistan
45:00 - Secret partners
45:48 - Escalation against the Soviets
50:10 - Soviet withdrawl from Afghanistan
53:38 - A covert mission
56:17 - Afghanistan war post 9/11
01:01:13 - Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflicts, and Interdependent Capabilities 
01:07:30 - The Drone Program
01:12:02 - On the ground in Pakistan
01:13:53 - Secretary of Intel
01:17:52 - A challenging mission
01:21:42 - Building confidence in the Bin Laden raid
01:29:49 - Sentimental items
01:31:03 - Do it all again
01:31:53 - Plan B
01:33:02 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve.
Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off.

Also be sure to visit our Combat Story website where you can keep up to date with the latest Combat Story episodes, connect with us, or purchase Combat Story merch at; https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
=======
Today we hear the Combat Story of former Special Forces Green Beret Eric Neal. In fact, you?ll hear many combat stories in this episode as Eric recounts his four deployments to Afghanistan in just four years from 2010 to 2014 in very kinetic environments, losing many friends and brothers in arms along the way and learning so much about himself. 

Even Eric?s very first combat operation (which jump into in the first two minutes of this episode) was as chaotic as they get with multiple aircraft supporting his ODA going winchester (running out of ammo) trying to suppress the enemy. He would be involved in operations we?ve heard of previously - in one case carrying the bodies of the soldiers we lost in Extortion 17 - and many events we have not heard of, to include one of the largest VBIEDs in the post-9/11 era on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, that wounded over 70 soldiers and local nationals. 

Eric experienced so much of this combat and loss in his mid-20s and, as he mentions, some of these moments are still with him today. It?s hard to imagine one person could experience this much combat in one lifetime, let alone in just four years and I hope you enjoy this gauntlet of trial by fire, literally, and the combat operations and insights he shares, as much as I did. 

 

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Eric NealOnline:
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-d-neal/
- Gritr sports https://gritrsports.com/
- National Medal of Honor Museum https://mohmuseum.org/

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
01:01 - Guest Introduction (Eric Neal)
02:25 - Interview begins
02:48 - Background with Darrell Utt
04:24 - Medal of Honor recipients before award
06:17 - The importance of 3rd Group
07:55 - First mission outside the wire
21:27 - 4Patriots
24:29 - Childhood and joining the Army
30:00 - The Football Coach 
34:54 - Path to Special Forces
39:42 - Combat Story Merch
39:58 - Gaining confidence
43:38 - The Q-course
49:34 - The drive for combat
50:58 - Hazing 
56:13 - Loosing a team leader
59:01 - First deployment stories
01:03:14 - First deployment afterthoughts
01:04:49 - Second deployment  
01:13:31 - Being on Comms during missions
01:15:16 - First mission back after IED
01:18:33 - A tragic situation
01:33:05 - Second deployment afterthoughts
01:36:47 - Third deployment
01:40:56 - Dealing with losing teammates
01:42:20 - Fourth deployment
02:02:57 - Courageous acts
02:06:56 - Sentimental Items
02:08:17 - Would you do it all again
02:09:28 - Final remarks
02:10:54 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by the OSS Society. Use the link below to register for the Tuesday, June 13 · 6 - 7pm EDT 'Oh So Social' Conversation between General Jim Mattis and Dr. Michael Vickers. They'll discuss Vickers upcoming book In By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operation and Strategy and his remarkable career.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mattis-vickers-an-oh-so-social-conversation-tickets-627293320207

This episode is also brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits. The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve.
Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

=======
Today we hear our first Combat Story from a member of the Air Force?s aerial special operations community: Mike LaFeve. Mike was an MC-130 Navigator in the Air Force?s 8th Special Operations Squadron (8th SOS).

The MC-130 is an incredible airframe and we dig into it?s configuration, aircrews, and mission sets in this episode. The platform is specifically designed to support the special operations community with airdrops, delivery and extraction of special operators, refueling, combat search and rescue and so much more, including something called the Fulton Recovery which is straight out of a James Bond movie. 

In this episode we go through Mike?s first deployment immediately following 9/11 in what can only be described as the Wild West of Afghanistan. We?ll do a second round interview in which we delve into several more deployments and the varied mission set as the battlefield becomes more established.

I hope you enjoy this detailed behind the scenes look at a very cool airframe from someone inside the cockpit as much as I did.

 

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Mike LaFeve Online:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelafeve/

 

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
01:00 - Guest Introduction (Mike LaFeve)
02:00 - Interview begins
02:23 - Influential Media
04:29 - Desire to fly
05:57 - Childhood
08:15 - Family Military history
09:08 - Deciding on the Air Force
14:59 - Air Maintenance Officer
20:18 - OSS Society
21:24 - Difference between Navigator and Pilot
29:20 - Heavy instead of Fighter
32:35 - Path to MC-130 and Special Forces
36:28 - In depth look at the C-130s
40:35 - 4 Patriots
41:58 - Aircrew and Mission sets
46:57 - Flying at 250 feet at night
51:00 - Retired plane-escape system
53:46 - Special Ops during 9/11
01:05:42 - Time in Pakistan
01:19:57 - First operation of the War
01:28:26 - Time in the War
01:32:20 - Texas 12
01:42:23 - ODA teamleader
01:46:47 - Last mission on first deployment
01:50:58 - Sentimental item
01:52:33 - Would you do it all again
01:56:35 - Final thoughts
01:57:54 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve.
Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
=======
Today we hear a remarkable Combat Story from longtime Special Forces Green Beret and 18D medic, Ryan Neel, who spent close to 25 years in the Army, most of that in Special Operations, to include nine deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kosovo.

We spend a lot of time on Ryan?s combat experiences in this episode, starting right away with the story of how Ryan nearly died on his first Iraq deployment. I found Ryan through Darrell Utt (who many will recall from our interview #74 at https://youtu.be/Qzv6lISLnwA), who was a former Green Beret alongside Ryan. Oddly enough, both Darrell and Ryan share the same ?Alive Day? as they both nearly died on the same day in April 2005.

Darrell described the event in the following way: ?Ryan was 15 meters away when a tanker truck rammed through the gate and detonated 500 gallons of diesel fuel, 20 x 155mm HE Artillery shells, and ¼ metric tons of TNT?despite having multiple types of injuries and being trapped in his room while it was on fire for 2 minutes, his teammates kicked the door down and after a quick self-assessment ? he proceeded to provide medical treatment to four SF brothers, two interpreters, three Peshmerga guards, reset security, and directed Iraqi & US reinforcements?And, yes, he has the actual terrorist video footage of the attack!?

Ryan provides a very real and honest perspective of what 15 years of combat does to a person and family and I am sure so many people will connect with his feelings and perspective. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did! 

 

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Ryan Neel Online:
- Indeed https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-neel-mba-cpd/

 

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:58 - Guest Introduction (Ryan Neel)
02:42 - Interview begins
02:55 - Darrel Utt and sharing an Alive Day
19:10 - 4Patriots
20:30 -  Alive Day continued
28:05  - Being a Parent and Husband
37:04 - Recruitment and the path to the Army
41:12 - Family history and reception on joining
44:50 - Influences to joining
47:15 - Going Green Beret
51:23 - Time in Kosovo 
01:02:59 - Skirmish on the border
01:08:43 - First Deployment with Special Forces
01:22:14 - Missions leading up to the Alive Day attack
01:25:16 - A tough operation #1
01:33:35 - A tough operation #2
01:41:14 - Patching up a Soldier
02:07:32 - Impacts on Home life
02:25:44 - Sentimental items
02:29:43 - Would you do it again?
02:32:24 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve.
Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
=======
Today we hear our first Combat Story from an 82nd Airborne soldier and medic, Colin Sesek. Colin would go on to serve in Special Operations but started his career as a medic fighting in Iraq during the surge and we?ve had so many fans asking for a Combat Story from a conventional soldier in the 82nd Airborne and Colin does not disappoint.

While downrange, Colin participated in infantry operations and raids while also wearing his medic hat managing mass casualty events, significant trauma incidents, and even treated insurgents who were wounded on the battlefield. 

After leaving Iraq, Colin went on to write a play titled Bent Compass that is touring in the US and Canada about a soldier changing as a result of the war and conflict he?s experienced that I got a sneak peek of and I know our listeners will really appreciate. 

This was a really fun episode and I hope you enjoy Colin?s perspective from the conventional and SOF sides of the house as much as I did.

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Colin Online:
- Bent Compass https://neilbrookshire.com/bent-compass/
- @BentCompass https://www.instagram.com/bentcompass/?hl=en
- Learn more about Bent Compass https://www.kivitv.com/news/bent-compass-tells-the-story-of-a-combat-medic-from-boise

 

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:54 - Guest Introduction (Colin Sesek)
01:50 - Interview begins
02:43 - A conscientious objector
09:10 - Going the Medic route
12:19 - Black Hawk Down generation
15:09 - Bent Compass Play
19:03 - Recruiter Office stories
21:41 - 4Patriots
23:00 - Medic training
24:05 - 82nd Airborne Division
36:24 - Deployment
41:34 - First time outside the wire
42:57 - First contact
44:24 - Time in Iraq
46:10 - Combat medic
57:16 - Deciding to engage
1:01:08 - Memorials
01:06:09 - Most courageous thing
01:08:03 - Almost going outside the wire
01:20:28 - The VA
01:28:30 - Bird Flu
01:32:18 - Hardest thing to do downrange
01:37:59 - Conventional to Special Forces perspective
01:42:24 - Bent Compass
01:50:02 - Sentimental items
01:50:45 - Would you do it all again
01:52:45 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve.
Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off.

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
=======
Today we turn the tables as Ryan Rogers hosts Combat Story's Ryan Fugit on the Choices not Chances Podcast. Listeners will recall Ryan Rogers' Combat Story interview from Episode (please add episode number and link to YouTube interview) where they dove into the Battle of Marjah.

Ryan Rogers returned the favor and hosted Ryan Fugit on his program and we dive into some new ground that hasn't been explored previously. I wanted to give a shout out to Ryan Rogers and his program and felt this was a great way to do it.

 

Find Ryan Online:
- Ryan?s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats...
- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Find Ryan Rogers Online:
- Ryan's book Lions of Marjah https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Marjah-Combat-As-Saw/dp/0578891220
- Twitter @RyanRog98054437 https://twitter.com/ryanrog98054437
- Choices Not Chances Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqcmxKqaR4dIFFpaJxhtrQ

 

Show Notes:
00:00 - Intro 
00:20 - Guest Introduction (Choices Not Chances Podcast)
01:04 - Interview begins
03:20 - Childhood and Family life
10:11 - Coming back to the U.S.
12:32 - Living in Africa and Afghanistan
16:57 - Path to enlisting
19:43 - 4Patriots
23:05 - Deciding to become an Army Pilot
28:39 - Getting the Apache 
32:48 - Flight school
41:28 - Flying the Apache
48:20 - Additional duties for a Staff Pilot
51:49 - First time downrange
58:23 - Time in Afghanistan
01:08:00 - Classified footage
01:11:20 - A bad day in Afghanistan
01:21:03 - Losing Faith
01:26:44 - Leaving the Military
01:29:30 - Time at the CIA
01:28:10 - After the CIA and Combat Story