SOFREP Radio

Mark Valentine is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a combat veteran F-16 pilot who served for over 25 years. Today, he is the President of Global Government at Skydio, a leading U.S. drone manufacturer. Despite his vast experience flying combat jets, Valentine admits that in today’s battlefield, drones impact results in ways that new jets or missiles cannot.

 

As autonomous drones become more sophisticated, they now make far fewer errors compared to their human operators. However, in actual combat where lives are on the line, the humans behind the drones must face a deeper question about the desensitization that happens when a soldier uses a drone thousands of miles away, like a video game, to take another life.

 

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Dave Brown is an outstanding former Navy SEAL known for his small stature but immense determination. Standing at just 5'3", he was always underestimated, both by high school bullies and Navy recruiters, yet he remained undeterred and locked in on his goal to serve.

 

Despite being initially dismissed due to his size, Brown's persistence and resilience led him to pass the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, even running with two stress fractures during "Hell Week." He graduated with BUD/S Class 115 and served with Underwater Demolition Team 21 and SEAL Team 4. His deployments took him across Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

 

His memoir, "And Goliath," tackles the human side of being a Navy SEAL. Especially in Brown's case, where his physical limitations seemed to doom his dreams, "And Goliath" chronicles the willpower he needed to tap into his potential for success, overcome perceived limitations, and come out at the end as an inspiration to all current, former, and aspiring special operators​.

 

Get a copy of "And Goliath": https://andgoliathbook.com/

 

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Sean Hagerty is a 25-year veteran of the US Army, serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment before being selected and assigned to a special operations unit at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Among his accolades over his decorated career are 3 Bronze Stars. Hagerty is also the author of 'Jones Point'.

 

'Jones Point' is a military-informed thriller about Dane Cooper, a special operations soldier who goes on a quest for revenge when his daughter gets abducted. His life would gain purpose again when a mysterious cabal offers him a path to redemption. The story intertwines his personal struggle with his efforts to investigate other cases of grieving parents, all while avoiding detection by an FBI agent and a dedicated team from the Virginia Bureau of Investigation. 

 

Get a copy of 'Jones Point': https://amzn.to/3xzWCpC 

 

Learn more about Sean Hagerty: https://authorseanhagerty.com/

 

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Jesse Fink is the author of 6 books, including 'The Youngs,' 'Pure Narco,' 'Bon,' and his latest book, 'The Eagle in the Mirror'. Fink shares his incredible literary journey that saw him spend a decade chronicling AC/DC, delving deep into Pablo Escobar's cocaine empire, and most recently, uncovering the secrets of Dick Ellis, the top spy of MI6 during World War 2.

 

Ellis is a controversial figure, accused of being a triple agent—allegedly working for the Allies, the Nazis, and the Soviets. Fink discusses how the Americans recognized Ellis's contributions, yet his reputation suffered in the aftermath of the war. Nonetheless, Ellis played a pivotal role in the formation of the CIA, the premier agency in global intelligence and counterintelligence today. 

 

Get a copy of 'The Eagle in the Mirror': https://amzn.to/3XF0Neg

 

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Jared Shepard is the Founder of Warriors Ethos, a nonprofit that helps veterans transition from military to civilian life, and the CEO of Hypori, the creator of a solution for secure communication in contested environments using cellphones bought off host nation markets.

 

Shepard reflects on his time in the military and how mentorship guided him towards IT instead of following the path of an infantryman. This life-changing choice led him to where he is today. He emphasizes the importance of seeking mentorship and helping others, especially when it is inconvenient, as that is when it truly matters.

 

Learn more about Warriors Ethos and Hypori:

 

- https://www.warriorsethos.org/

 

- https://www.hypori.com/

 

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Sgt Maj (Ret.) Randall Surles, U.S. Army, is a former Green Beret with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He served almost 30 years, deploying over twenty times to South America, the Middle East, and Africa, with notable service in Panama. After retiring from the military, Surles transitioned his expertise and leadership skills to the literary world, becoming a freelance military editor and ghostwriter.

 

Surles shares his journey of how to self-publish books (and e-books) and the many landmines you may encounter. From profit sharing with Amazon, overcoming negative comments on social media, and having your intellectual property stolen, Surles dives into what aspiring writers can expect to encounter in the pursuit of making writing a career and what they can do about it. 

 

Learn more about Sgt Maj (Ret.) Randall Surles:

 

Website: https://militaryeditor.com/

 

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Chief Master Sergeant Jason David, USAF (Retired), is a 22-year veteran who first joined the Air Force as a radio and television broadcaster. His unique position within the military, interfacing with a wide variety of personalities, provided him with a wealth of experience that he now intends to share with the world.

 

Veterans often find purpose in the military and lose it upon coming home. David advocates for greater awareness of veteran suicide and shares the many resources available to veterans, both within and outside of the VA. He also recounts the story of how he earned his Purple Heart—a tragic event that has since shaped his life and galvanized his decision to fight for veterans' rights to live normal lives in the US.

 

If you are a veteran contemplating self-harm, seek help from these resources: 

 

• https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or text 838255
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-david-72791966/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

 

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Col. Keith Nightingale, USA (Ret.) served for 25 years with notable roles in commanding airborne units and especially in operating with special operations forces. He was involved in some of the most significant military operations of his time, including actions during the Vietnam War, the Iran Hostage Rescue Mission (Operation Eagle Claw), and the invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury).

 

Colonel Nightingale shares behind-the-scenes insights into his operations in Latin America, from having the host nation join the AWACS to target illegal drug labs to battling drug cartels in countries like Nicaragua, Colombia, and Panama. He also talks about snippets of his book 'Phoenix Rising' and how the US failure in Iran led to the continuation and development of special forces into what it is today.

 

Get a copy of Keith's latest book 'Phoenix Rising': https://amzn.to/3ysAsp6

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

 

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Corey Feldman is a former IDF special forces combatant and active reservist who answered the call to fight Hamas. As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, propaganda and lies drive a wedge between both sides of the conflict. Corey addresses some of the most controversial accusations against the IDF, with the most grave being genocide and encroachment.

 

While mainstream media vilifies IDF actions in Gaza, Corey sets the record straight on the actual measures taken on the ground to reduce civilian casualties, a reality completely absent in other warzones. Feldman also takes a look at historical precedence, like the Hamas charter to erase Israel from the map, and the fact that the only language the Middle East has ever known is violence.

 

Learn Krav Maga to defend against anti-semitism: https://www.legionalpha.com/

 

Get your copy of 'A Line in the Sand': https://amzn.to/3UAj8pO

 

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Susan Tate Ankeny is a nonfiction World War 2 history book author whose works include 'The Girl and the Bombardier' and her newest book, 'American Flygirl'. 'American Flygirl' recounts the inspiring story of Hazel Ying Lee, the first Asian American woman to earn a pilot’s license and fly with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) despite the widespread anti-Asian sentiment back then.

 

Hazel refused to be deterred by discrimination due to her gender and her status as the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Just one year after sitting in on a friend's flight lesson, she earned her pilot's license and was on the way to the front against the Japanese. She would posthumously receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for her extraordinary service and patriotism.

 

Learn more about Susan: https://susantateankeny.com/

 

Get a copy of 'American Flygirl': https://amzn.to/3UuX67N

 

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Don Mann is a decorated former Navy SEAL Special Operations Technician and the author of 22 books including the New York Times Best Selling autobiography Inside SEAL Team SIX. As a former Training Officer, Mann was directly responsible for shaping the bodies and minds of the SEALs who assassinated Osama bin Laden.

 

He talks about the genesis of the name of SEAL Team SIX and how it was a tactic to throw off the Russians since there were only 3 SEAL teams then. He shares the mission of SEAL Team SIX in operating anywhere around the world, making them the President's foremost "break glass in case of emergency" solution. 

 

Learn more about Don: https://www.usfrogmann.com/

 

Get a copy of Inside SEAL Team SIX: https://amzn.to/3xRuVs7

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Kevin Wilson is the author of Sully's Squad, a coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of World War II. The book follows fifteen-year-old Arty, who lies about his age to enlist, as he gets thrown into the horrors of the Sicilian campaign. Amidst the madness, he meets Angelina, a young nun-in-training, and forges a deep brotherhood with his squadmates.

 

Wilson also draws inspiration from real life for his characters, such as Sully the sergeant, who is based on his uncle killed in action during the Great War. The story sensitively portrays the realities of battlefield deaths, shellshock, and the emotional journey of veterans returning home.

 

Get a copy of Sully's Squad: https://amzn.to/49NDx01

 

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Stayton Bonner is a former Rolling Stone and GQ Magazine editor and the author of Bare Knuckle: Inside the World of Underground Boxing. This gripping narrative talks about the rise of Bobby Gunn in the lucrative blood sport, as well as intimate details into the gritty criminal underworld that drew in immigrants and mobsters in search of fame and fortune.

 

Bobby was a skinny but tough kid born into the world of boxing. At a young age, his father taught him dirty street fighting and bare-knuckle boxing. While lesser known, Bobby’s Marine Corps background further honed his toughness and resilience, forging him into a lethal weapon whose name would eventually be etched in bare-knuckle boxing history. 

 

Get a copy of Bare Knuckle: https://amzn.to/3vNlLfx

 

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John Dailey is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant and author of Tough, Rugged Bastards. In 2003, Dailey was handpicked to become the team leader of Detachment One, the first Marine Corps unit assigned to the US Special Operations Command. Their battlefield success became the proof-of-concept for the formation of the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC).

 

Dailey shares how the title of his book came about. As team leader, he was free to choose the members of his team but was instructed to select "tough, rugged bastards with strong backs and hard feet" as the sole stipulation. The book covers the creation, training, and deployment of Detachment One, ultimately leading to the creation of MARSOC.

 

Learn more about John Dailey: https://www.jadailey.com/

 

Get a copy of Tough, Rugged Bastards: https://amzn.to/49lvWWk

 

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Adam Lazarus, renowned for his notable works such as Super Bowl Monday and his latest book, The Wingmen, delves into the heroic narratives of two American icons and lifelong friends: space explorer John Glenn and Ted Williams, widely regarded as the greatest hitter in baseball history. 

 

Before the onset of the Korean War, Glenn had completed 59 combat missions during World War II, while Williams was a highly decorated WWII Marine pilot and a two-time American League Triple Crown winner at the pinnacle of his baseball career.

 

During the Korean War, the paths of these extraordinary men intersected as they were both called to serve again. The Wingmen explores how the duo bravely flew into North Korea with Glenn in the lead and Williams at his side. Lazarus unravels the profound friendship between these larger-than-life men and the unbreakable mutual respect they shared.

 

Learn more about Adam Lazarus: https://www.adamlazarusbooks.com/

 

Get a copy of The Wingmen: https://amzn.to/3xbJl64

 

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Eric Blehm is an award-winning author known for his New York Times bestsellers Fearless and The Only Thing Worth Dying For. In the early 1990s, he served as editor-in-chief of TransWorld SNOWboarding magazine and, by 1999, had transitioned to freelance writing.

 

Blehm gained significant insight into the world of special operations shortly after the September 11 attacks when he found himself embedded with Green Berets. This immersion ultimately led to his acclaimed book The Only Thing Worth Dying For. His subsequent book, Fearless, chronicles the remarkable journey of Adam Brown, a Navy SEAL whose unrelenting spirit allowed him to triumph over severe injuries.

 

Blehm's latest work, The Darkest White, marks a return to his snowboarding roots. The book narrates the life of Craig Kelly, often hailed as snowboarding's first superstar, and explores how his legacy continues to inspire professional snowboarding, a discipline that he was instrumental in creating.

 

Learn more about Eric Blehm: https://www.ericblehm.com/

 

Get a copy of The Darkest White: https://amzn.to/3IDRu5p

 

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Dwayne Epstein is an accomplished author and biographer, renowned for his insightful explorations into the intricacies of his subjects' lives. His most notable works include Lee Marvin: Point Blank and Killin' Generals: The Making of The Dirty Dozen.

 

He delves into some of Lee Marvin's thoughts on The Dirty Dozen and how his favorite aspect of the movie was how it reflected the thoughts and feelings of the greatest generation—the ordinary people who lived through it.

 

Dwayne also shares that Lee Marvin was a US marine serving in the Pacific theater before he became an actor. He talks about how Marvin suffered from PTSD his entire life upon returning due to his harrowing experiences and his realization of how horrific war really was.

 

Get your copy of Lee Marvin: Point Blank: https://amzn.to/3v5NnMp

and Killin’ Generals: https://amzn.to/3T1OVPm

 

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Barry Cohen, Founder of ProTek Watches, and SOFREP Managing Editor Guy D. McCardle join today’s episode of SOFREP Radio. Wristwatches trace their origins back to World War I, serving as essential tools for soldiers in the trenches.

 

Over the decades, wristwatches have evolved in both materials and technology, yet their fundamental purpose remains unchanged—to provide a quick and convenient means of telling time.

 

Barry shares insights into the innovative technology featured in ProTek watches, such as tritium illumination for hands and hour markers—the same material used in gun sights. Unlike conventional lume, tritium requires no external light source and provides 100x brighter illumination.

 

ProTek is the designated official watch of the USMC, proudly showcasing the United States Marine Corps logo embossed on the caseback.

 

Explore the ProTek collection here: https://protekwatch.com/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

 

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Mikael was on the ground during the catastrophic US evacuation from Afghanistan in August 2021. He made it his mission to save as many Aghan allies as possible and is personally responsible for the safe exit of 20 allies. While some made it out, Mikael talks about the deep moral injury this abandonment has caused.

 

When it became apparent that it was impossible to evacuate everyone in Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), Digital Dunkirk was born—an ad hoc, public-private, digital-based effort involving thousands of people around the world that came together to save as many people from the carnage of the Taliban.

 

Get your copy of Life and Death at Abbey Gate: https://amzn.to/42Sehnx

 

Learn more about Mikael Cook and Digital Dunkirk:

Website - https://www.mikaelcook.com/

 

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Rick is a Silver Star recipient for his leadership during the Battle of Mogadishu, popularized in the Hollywood hit Black Hawk Down, and was a prominent member of SEAL Team TWO and SEAL Team Six. He continues to serve the SEALs as Chief Operating Officer of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.

 

Frogman Stories is a collection of events in and around SEAL Teams over the course of 45 years. It shows an authentic portrayal of how things get done in SEAL Teams and the silent trials that forge these extraordinary men into fearsome warriors. Rick captures the memorable lessons on life and leadership that only a true SEAL who has seen it all can share. 

 

Get your copy of Frogman Stories: https://amzn.to/49jquUL

 

Learn more about Navy Seal Museum:

Website - https://www.navysealmuseum.org/

 

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Initially enlisted in 1969 to play football for the army, Col. Tiso ended up on a bus to the Virginia Military Institute to ultimately get commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1973. He served decades as a soldier and, after mandatory retirement, still chose to serve 11 more years as an intelligence planner and analyst for a defense contractor.

 

He deployed five more times to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. Col. Tiso explains that the Iraqi army was envisioned to be a bulwark against Iran. But its failures in the Battle of Najaf, as well as a pivot in strategy, ended up costing American lives in a war that could have been over by 2005. 

 

Get your copy of In Strange Company: https://amzn.to/3uwbiVa

 

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Joe Muccia is a former US Marine and co-author of Cry Havoc! He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 where he was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, the Combat Action Ribbon, and a Presidential Unit Citation.

 

He shares his friendship with the late Thomas Greer, a former special operations commander who wrote under the pen name "Dalton Fury," and how he finished Greer's manuscript after his fight with cancer. Muccia is proud to share the fighting spirit of the individual rangers who parachuted into Grenada in ‘83 and how they lived up to the legacy of their brothers who served in WWII and the Korean War.

 

Get your copy of Cry Havoc!: https://amzn.to/3SK7glm

 

Learn more about Joe and his books:

Website - https://ssgtmooch.wixsite.com/joe-muccia

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Abbi D. is the US Tradecraft Advisor of Fivecast, a global provider of open-source intelligence solutions, provides intelligence, investigative, and collections teams access and analysis of unprecedented amounts of digital data. Rad and Abbigail talk about the advancements in AI and how catching illicit activities and weapons capabilities are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to OSINT’s effectiveness.

 

In this episode, Abbigail explains how Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) utilizes publicly available knowledge and how the current conflicts in Ukraine and Israel have spotlighted its importance. For instance, getting the order of battle in these warzones can be gleaned from real-time data, leading to better decision-making and other lifesaving intelligence.

Learn more about Fivecast:

Website - https://www.fivecast.com/

 

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Curtis Fox is a former Green Beret and 10th Special Forces Group member. Fox is also a Russian speaker and the author of Hybrid Warfare, which delves deep into the Russian approach to strategic competition and conventional military conflict. He gives insight into the Russian perspective on security and their basis for wanting back the former Soviet states.

  

Fox talks about the naval capabilities of Russia, how their submarine fleet is a force to be reckoned with while their sole aircraft carrier is useless and only maintained as a point of national pride. In Ukraine today, Russia's goal is to attack the populace, power grids, and water supply as Ukraine is the fifth largest exporter of grain while Russia is the first, thereby creating demand for Russian grain and subduing Ukraine's capacity to fight back. 

 

Learn more about Curtis and his work:

Website - https://www.hybridwarfare.info/

 

Get a copy of Hybrid Warfare: https://amzn.to/4aI6JHn

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This episode's guests are Ret. Col. Greg Gadson and Terese Schlachter, authors of Finding Waypoints. Col. Gadson's story is both humbling and inspiring as a hero from one of our nation's military families. During his service in Iraq, he lost both of his legs and has since embarked on a spiritual journey, becoming an assistant coach to the NY Giants that helped propel them from last place to NFC East champions in ‘08.

 

Terese Schlachter, a three-time Emmy Award-winning television producer and writer, quickly became friends with Col. Gadson during his painful recovery and rehabilitation. By interviewing Col. Gadson's doctors and squad, she pieced together the events that led to his fateful injury, forever immortalizing Col. Gadson's journey of finding peace and purpose in Finding Waypoints.

 

Get your copy of Finding Waypoints: https://amzn.to/3vlkkUX

 

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Ben Williams is a former US Navy Surface Warfare Officer and current CEO of Exyn Technologies. Drones serve a vital function in search and rescue missions, like in Acapulco recently, providing valuable information to rescuers on the best routes and plans that mean the difference between life and death.

 

Williams shares dicey situations back in the Navy when he led small boat boarding teams and encountered a caricature of the quintessential Russian captain—a half-finished bottle of vodka in one hand and pistol in the other. He also talks about how he transitioned from the military to civilian life and how combat-specific duties comprise just 10% of a serviceman or woman's skill set.  

 

Learn more about Ben:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentropy/

Website - https://www.exyn.com/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Cyrus Norcross is an acclaimed journalist from the Navajo Nation recognized for his coverage of cases involving missing and murdered indigenous people. He served as an Army Ranger in units like the 4th Infantry Division and 75th Ranger Regiment, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

He shares stories of his actions in the field, from preventing miscommunications through his lifesaving Arabic training and picking up sketchy individuals with gold bars in their homes. His entry into journalism started when he left the Army. Norcross talks about coming face to face with the real dangers of covering cartels and the mafia and the alleged abuses happening in the Navajo Nation. 

 

Learn more about Cyrus and his work as an investigative journalist:

Website - https://norcrosscyrus.journoportfolio.com/#/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/navajo_ronin/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrus-norcross-0b1064264/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Dr. Melvin Stith is a transformative leader in and out of the military. He joined the Army as a commissioned officer after earning his bachelor's degree in sociology at Norfolk State in 1968, serving with the Military Intelligence Corps. He served in Vietnam until 1972 and retired as a Captain. 

 

After returning from the war, Dr. Stith pursued further education, obtaining his MBA and PhD from Syracuse University. He would dedicate the following decades in the academe, holding prestigious positions as the chairman of the marketing department at Florida State University, dean of Florida State’s business school, and Jim Moran Professor of Business Administration, among others.

 

Dr. Stith is also notable as a founding member of the PhD Project, a national program that advocates for diversity in the business world. Dr. Stith talks about the importance of improving recruitment in the military and highlighting the benefits of making a career from serving the country.

 

Learn more about the PhD Project: https://phdproject.org/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Whaley is a former US Army Aviation Officer and CEO of Mission Roll Call. This nonprofit provides veterans with a unified voice to the nation’s leaders and communities. The American public supports the military but there is a chasm between what people know and what veterans have to live through everyday.

 

There are 18.5 million veterans and over 1 million are homeless. Suicide and food insecurity remain rampant. The military today is falling short of recruitment targets and there is a gap between what the military needs to do and the available people actually to do it. Get your voice heard and support vets with Mission Roll Call. 

 

Learn more about the Mission Roll Call: https://www.missionrollcall.org/

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Bruce Wright is a US Navy Veteran who served in the Vietnam War and has since become a patient and advocate for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), helping increase awareness of the long-term complications of Agent Orange exposure. He shares his difficulties going through the VA and dedicates himself to helping other vets maximize their benefits for themselves and their families.

 

Wright recalls his time serving on a Navy destroyer and carriers. He explains what a "polliwog" is, the Navy tradition of not washing cups, and the failure of the F-14 that killed Goose because the Navy did not perform spin tests on it. For vets who served in Vietnam from the 1960s to 1971, get in touch with the CLL Society and see what the VA can do for you.

 

Learn more about CLL Society: https://cllsociety.org/

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Remi Adeleke is a former Navy SEAL, filmmaker, memoirist, and #1 New York Times bestselling author. During his service as a SEAL, Remi specialized as a medic and in Human Intelligence (HUMINT). He sheds light on how he uncovered "rat lines," on-the-ground routes used to move people and equipment in challenging environments. Adeleke also recounts harrowing stories from jump school, sharing how guys had parachute malfunctions and pulled their reserve parachutes first.

 

Transitioning to the entertainment industry, Adeleke discusses how his military background seamlessly aligned with the needs of Michael Bay's Transformers: The Last Knight. He has taken on acting roles in Ambulance (2022), Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (2023), and Plane (2023). Lately, he has delved into new roles behind the camera as both a writer and director. His most recent literary endeavor, Chameleon, marks the first installment in his Black Box Thriller series.

 

Check out the Down Range Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/down-range/id1713364300

 

Get your copy of Chameleon: https://amzn.to/3ucwOhb

 

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Miles Lagoze is a Combat Camera Marine veteran and the critically acclaimed director of Combat Obscura, a 2019 documentary that utilizes footage he captured during his unit's historic mission to secure ground in the northern Sangin and Kajaki districts of Afghanistan. His debut book is titled Whistles from the Graveyard. 

 

Lagoze recounts his enlistment at the age of 18 and the controversy he faced while using a government-issued camera for his film. The documentary presents a raw and graphic portrayal of the Afghan War, often evoking polarized reactions from audiences. Meanwhile, Whistles from the Graveyard uncovers the grim reality faced by the men and women deployed to fight America's longest war.  

 

Watch Combat Obscura: https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Obscura-Miles-Lagoze/dp/B07N8JZG1C

 

Get your copy of Whistles from the Graveyard: https://amzn.to/3s34Eoa

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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This episode's guests are Charles and Sean Sasser, a father and son duo with deep roots in the military. Charles is a 30-year veteran of both the Army and the Navy, where he spent 13 years as a Green Beret and a journalist respectively. Sean is also an Army veteran, volunteering for the Ranger regiment as a HUMINT collector and also serving in the STB.

 

They share their career stories, from Charles' journey through Airborne School before joining the 82nd, just one of 7 divisions he eventually served with, and Sean's experience in RIP (now known as RASP) and going through the good and bad of a medboard. Rad, Charles, and Sean also talk about the new names of bases and how the military, for its faults, is still a place of belonging for its members.

 

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John Antal is a 30-year Army veteran who retired as a colonel. He is a former Operations Officer; Commander of the 16th Cavalry Regiment; and Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Antal is a prolific author who has published 14 books and hundreds of magazine articles on military history, technology, and leadership.

 

The surprise attack of Hamas is a failure in imagination. It unmasks the vulnerability of the US and its allies to first strikes and serves as a sobering wake-up call to the failure of deterrence. There is a need to be serious about sending bullies a clear and lasting message and mobilizing society to the specter of a very real war.

 

Get your copies of John Antal’s books: 

 

• Next War: https://amzn.to/48TXXoP

 

• Leadership Rising: https://amzn.to/48MHzqh

 

• 7 Seconds to Die: https://amzn.to/3M0xCvq

 

Check out Next War on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSKRH_UqSko

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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James Hasson is a former US Army captain, Bronze Star recipient, and author of Kabul. He narrates important yet lesser-known facts about the US war in Afghanistan like the flawed Doha Agreement and the unwise decision to give up Baghra. James shares how mistakes were made, from the abandonment of US citizens to the unkept promises to the Afghan people. 

 

James spoke with soldiers on the ground during the withdrawal. There was utter chaos at the gates, planes were landing and taking off ad hoc, and crowds of people were literally dying trying to escape the Taliban. He talks about how the ranks of the Afghan army melted away and how tragic it was that President Biden ordered them to leave their allies to fend for themselves. 

 

Follow James on social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesHasson20

 

Get your copy of Kabul here: https://amzn.to/3ZEGTz7

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kervin Aucoin is a 15-year Army veteran, owner of Aucoin Analytics, and host of the geopolitical podcast This Week Explained. He begins by talking about the most important conflict today, the Russia-Ukraine War, and how it really began in 2014 with the invasion of Crimea. 

 

He explores the relationship between former president Trump and Russia, as well as the danger of larger countries like Finland and Sweden getting invaded as Russia continues its expansionism. Kervin then discusses the role of drones in ISR today and the very real opportunities and weaknesses that AI has in intelligence-gathering. 

 

Rad and Kervin also talk about how people should be accepting and using AI moving forward, especially with the writers’ strike happening today in Hollywood, and why good and accurate information is the key to averting crises like WW3. 

 

Follow Kervin on social media:

 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-explained/id1584681500

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaucoin83/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dwain Worrell is a filmmaker, traveler, and novelist. His writing credits include Marvel’s Iron Fist, CBS’s Fire Country, the Disney+ series National Treasure, and his latest book Androne. The book explores a near future where bipedal androids are omnipresent, even on battlefields.

 

The action-packed book explores life and death as soldiers now control the killing power of andrones from great distances. The book hinges on an empathetic decision made by a pilot, putting into question the strange and dangerous truths of this new invisible war. 

 

Rad and Dwain also discuss the Hollywood writers' strike, its causes and effects, and their insider takes on it as members of the ecosystem. They also talk about the invasion of Ukraine and the ideological importance of this fight being won against the Russians. 

 

Follow Dwain on social media:

Website: https://www.dwainworrell.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worrell_dwain/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DwainAWorrell

  

Get your copy of Androne here: https://amzn.to/48nVzX7

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Shockey is a Canadian wilderness outfitter, worldwide adventurer, television producer and host, and outdoor writer. He is the author of Call Me Hunter, a fast-paced thriller that also talks about fully experiencing the one life you have. Shockey then discusses the Hand of Man Museum and his aspiration for it to remain open and accessible to the public through donations.

 

He also speaks about harboring a deep and spiritual respect for animals. This might seem ironic coming from a hunter, but he believes that finding a balance in nature is our duty as members of the natural world. Shockey talks about tolerance and how it is the number one thing the world needs today, as well as staying focused on the goals you want to achieve. 

 

Follow Jim and the Hand of Man Museum on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimshockeyofficial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JimShockey_

Hand of Man Museum: http://handofmanmuseum.com/

 

Get your copy of Call Me Hunter here: https://amzn.to/45aIopX

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Buckett is a 20-year Navy SEAL veteran and author of the book Leadership Is Overrated. He advises younger people not to lie to themselves about wanting to join the SEALs because if they are unwilling to do what it takes to succeed, they will simply become another statistic. 

 

He shares his experience as a trainer for Hell Week, the brutally difficult defining event of BUD/S training, and his realizations of changing team culture on his first deployment to Afghanistan. Kyle learned that leadership is about empowering others and trusting them to go out and crush their goals. 

 

Follow Kyle on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buckett/

Website: http://leadershipisoverrated.com/

 

Get your copy of Leadership Is Overrated here: https://amzn.to/44NgVua

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dean Stott is a former special forces soldier with the Special Boat Service where he served for 16 years. He shares how he transitioned to private security after a parachuting accident ended his military career and tells the story of how he singlehandedly evacuated the Canadian embassy in Benghazi.

 

Realizing that he was chasing the adrenaline of his SOF days, Dean decided to take care of himself while still keeping his mind and body engaged. He settled on breaking the world record for the fastest person to cycle the 14,000-mile Pan-American Highway, smashing the previous record by a whopping 17 days.

 

Follow Dean on social media and get his book Relentless:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deanstott/

Website: https://www.deanstott.com/

Get a copy of Relentless: https://amzn.to/45R7z1q

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Damian Porter is a former New Zealand SAS Commando in D Squadron. Also known as the How Not to Die Guy, he pulls from his vast knowledge and experience in the field and pays it forward to help others keep safe. He talks about upgrading and downgrading responses depending on the situation and how this boils down to proper training. 

 

Since bad guys don't play by the rules, Damian stresses the need to either walk away from a fight or protect yourself immediately and eliminate the threat. The key is situational awareness and it is this skill that he passes on to others. He shares more practical advice like how to lose weight through movement and how it all begins with a choice.

 

Follow Damian on social media:

Straight Talk - Mind and Muscle Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/straight-talk-mind-and-muscle-podcast/id1315986446

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyDI0IBtcYblCWpiIOalL7w

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hownottodieguy/

Website: https://www.hownottodieguy.com/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Robert Spangle is a Marine-turned-fashion-photographer who joined the Corps at 17 years old and, after training, joined the 2nd Force Recon Co. He shares the importance of camouflage during his deployments and how observing local style opened him up to his future career as a photographer and bespoke tailor.

 

He sees style as a cultural aspect of conflict. There is an emotional story behind uniforms like Robert's chance encounter with a gentleman who recognized his Rhodesian camo, reminding him of his time in the bush 40 years ago, and the Ukrainians fielding their DPM shorts today as they liberate their country. 

 

Follow Robert and get his book Afghan Style:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thousandyardstyle/

Book: https://www.observercollection.com/collection/afghan-style/

Website: https://www.thousandyardstyle.com/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Feaver is the former special advisor for strategic planning and institutional reform on the National Security Council and the author of Thanks for Your Service. He observes dropping public confidence in the military, resulting in a decline in recruitment. 

 

Peter sees significant challenges, especially how civilians drag down the military in partisan culture wars. He discusses the role of Hollywood in public perception and using the military for functions it is not designed for, further reducing public perception. 

 

He recommends that former generals depoliticize themselves and refrain from endorsing their candidates for president unless they are running themselves, and for military leaders to refuse to carry out immoral, unethical, and unwise orders to maintain their integrity.

 

Get your copy of Thanks for Your Service: https://amzn.to/47r713R

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel Wright is a former Green Beret and Cameron Fath is a former US Army Ranger. They are the hosts of the Pop Culture Field Manual Podcast. Israel shares his bad jumps and close calls with death, while Cameron goes over his choice for the best Army Ranger unit—his very own 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. 

 

Israel and Cameron then talk about pop culture and how this unites people regardless of their differing viewpoints on politics, religion, or anything else. They started the Pop Culture Field Manual Podcast to engage listeners based on this principle. Today, out of uniform, they continue to take the spirit of their experiences and celebrate them with their growing community.    

 

Check out the Pop Culture Field Manual Podcast: 

Website: https://pcfm.buzzsprout.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PopCultureFieldManual

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcfmpodcast/?hl=en

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

 

    

 

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Brad Thor's latest book Dead Fall follows Rising Tiger, the next in the Scot Harvath series, as it covers a Russian unit in Ukraine gone rogue. Brad talks about how history echoes itself with how the now-infamous Wagner group's recruitment of prisoners reminds him of some of the worst Nazi SS battalions in WW2.

 

Brad also comments on the larger war happening today in Ukraine and how Ukraine is likely a central part of Putin's legacy plan, both in a symbolic and practical sense. He talks about how action-packed Dead Fall is, the exhaustive writing process for each new book he writes, and the prospects of a TV show soon. 

 

Get your copy of Dead Fall: https://amzn.to/43DD9OH

Website: https://bradthor.com/

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

 

    

 

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Michael Peyton is a former Navy SEAL and he talks about what it means to be a lead breacher, the authority on all mechanical and explosive entry issues. However, Michael was battling addiction, PTSD, and injuries, ultimately leading him down the road to recovery. 

 

Joshua Reddoch is a 23-year veteran of the US Army, with roots as a medic up until he got his commission to command a medical unit, before switching to civil affairs. He talks about how he and Michael met through SOFREP Radio to form Tribe, Task, & Purpose (TTP), a Christ-centered and holistic lifeline for commandos and first responders to climb out of the pits of addiction.

 

The programs of Tribe, Task, & Purpose are tailored for individuals based on scientifically-proven technology in conjunction with nature’s healing properties. Their mission is to serve those who have served us, striving to significantly reduce relapse rates within these communities. 

 

Find out more about Tribe, Task, & Purpose:

 

Website: https://tribetaskpurpose.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tribetaskpurpose/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tribe-task-purpose-inc/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

   

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Robin Bartlett chose ROTC as the Vietnam War escalated and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He volunteered for Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger training and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division as a Combat Platoon Leader. He got everything he asked for, and much much more. 

 

During the height of the war, from 1968 to 1969, he led 28 soldiers on helicopter combat assaults and search and destroy missions with the famed 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Robin recalls his experiences there, from mastering artillery with reconnaissance by fire to processing the fallen for repatriation, all of which he tells in his book Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History.

 

Robin is the President of the NY/NJ Chapter of the 1st Cavalry Division Association and lives with his wife in Norwood, New Jersey. They have three sons, none of whom have pursued military careers.

 

Get your copy of Vietnam Combat: https://amzn.to/3pF2Znn

Website: https://robinbartlettauthor.com/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Charles Barber is the author of In the Blood, the story of how Bart Gullong and his partner Frank Hursey discovered how a crushed rock called zeolite had blood‑clotting properties. It took years to overcome the legal hurdles initially brought forth by the Army but the product won in the end, giving rise to QuikClot, now a basic lifesaving miracle for every military first aid kit.

 

At age 50, Bart Gullong met his future business partner Frank Hursey. Frank actually experimented with kitty litter to discover QuikClot but eventually lost the patent to it. Bart's role was helping in the business side of things and the small company that Gullong and Hursey created in 2002 out of a workshop recently sold for more than half a billion dollars. 

 

Get your copy of In the Blood:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3plIBYh

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Aaron Hale is an EOD veteran, a real estate investor, business owner, and a podcaster. He shares how he started as a Navy cook and then transitioned into Army EOD tech. It was during his third deployment and his first time as a team leader when a tragic injury took his eyesight and hearing.

 

He hit rock bottom, but he did not allow his circumstances to dictate his path in life. Since the injury, he has made it his mission to inspire others. He wants people who hear his story to make positive habit shifts that help them realize that success is closer than they ever imagined.

 

Learn more about Aaron and support his advocacy:

 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-of-impact-with-aaron-hale/id1681213789

Building Homes for Heroes: https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chief Michael R. Carmichael, CW4 Special Forces (Retired), is the President, CEO, and Founder of Check A Vet. He recalls his service as a warrant officer which is judge, jury, and executioner on targets, as well as his team's medic. After 11 combat tours, Michael retired in 2016 and he shares his struggle to provide, take care of himself, and have a purpose. 

 

He started Check A Vet with a mission to raise awareness on the realities of veteran suicide and to change antiquated ways of thinking on the issue. With the COVID pandemic, he expects the suicide numbers to go even higher. Their model is about veterans helping veterans and leveraging the love and support of friends and family and mobilizing the energy of an engaged community.  

 

Learn more about Michael and Check A Vet:

Website: https://www.checkavet.org/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fran Racioppi is a former Green Beret and currently the Host and Creator of The Jedburgh Podcast and the Founder of FRsix. He was deployed to Iraq 3 times and spent several years operating across Africa. He is a lifelong sailor and volunteers as the Race Director of Sailahead, an organization dedicated to reducing suicide among vets.

 

As a leader inside the military and out, Fran shares how leaders and team members must be aligned on their roles in their organizations. He talks about teamwork and accountability and how soldiers and individual contributors must not be simply taught how to follow and instead be developed as future leaders themselves. 

 

Fran and Rad talk about the emerging AI technology, its dangers, and the need for people to not get reliant on it and develop their own critical thinking with real education.   

 

Learn more about Fran:

Website: https://frsix.com/

Podcast: https://talentwargroup.com/the-jedburgh-podcast/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cole Lyle is a former Marine who is now the Executive Director of Mission Roll Call, an advocacy group with the goal of changing policy using the direct voice of veterans. He shares his service as a diesel mechanic and his time in Southern Afghanistan where he learned to be a wrecker operator.

 

Upon his return, PTSD caused Cole's life to spiral out of control, leading to a close call with suicide. Surviving this ordeal, Cole leaned into his therapy through a service dog. He shares how transformative this experience was and today, with Mission Roll Call, he talks about the debt ceiling and how this catches veterans in the middle. Rad and Cole discuss the VA and what can be done to improve their service to veterans. 

 

Learn more about Cole and Mission Roll Call:

Website: https://www.missionrollcall.org/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jim Lorraine is the President and CEO of America’s Warrior Partnership. He served for 22 years as an Air Force Officer and Flight Nurse. As a staff officer, he served as a Fellow to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and lastly as the Deputy Command Surgeon for USSOCOM. Jim is also the founding Director of the United States Special Operations Command Care Coalition, a wounded warrior advocacy organization.

 

Jim shares about his wife's medical retirement which cut short her otherwise promising career in the military. Their experience finding care and the layers of challenges to this sparked Jim's advocacy for all wounded, ill, or injured SOF warriors. He talks about the continuity of care and how care should be available to all vets without all the unnecessary restrictions and red tape. 

 

Learn more about Jim and America’s Warrior Partnership:

Website: https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/

 

Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club

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Dr. Richard Stone is a retired Army Major General who served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the Army. He had also previously served as the Executive in Charge of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) with authority to perform the duties of the Under Secretary for Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

In this role, Dr. Stone became the first official in this position in 30 years to have actual combat experience. He tells us how he needed to become a “calm pillar” during the chaos of COVID and how 70% of veterans have had combat experience, making them a unique group that must be advocated for.

 

There are a number of challenges in the VHA, including aging facilities that need to be redesigned for modern healthcare. Dr. Stone emphasizes the benefits of recreational therapy as an alternative to pharmaceutical treatment and he shares how much it alleviates the pain of vets when he helps them learn how to surf.   

 

Get your copy of Save Every Life You Can: https://amzn.to/3Bnnnfe

 

 

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Alden Mills is a three-time Navy SEAL platoon commander, author of Unstoppable Teams and Be Unstoppable, and was the CEO of Perfect Fitness, one of the fastest-growing companies in America. He learned that even in an elite team like the SEALs, leadership is not a given and respect must be earned. 

 

Alden shares about his transition to civilian life. It involved him adapting to a new set of values and culture, but his training in the military helped him set new goals and a mission plan to achieve them. 

 

He talks about having 2 oars: passion and purpose. Without one, he would go around in circles, but with both, he has his north star. To be unstoppable, use your progress forward as the fuel that keeps you going with the next action, and then the next, and so on, until you reach your goals. 

 

Learn more about Alden and the GoalBud App:

• Website: https://www.alden-mills.com/about
• GoalBud App: https://goalbud.org/

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Brigadier General Anthony Tata (US Army, Retired) performed the duties of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy under the Trump administration and is the author of Total Empire. He gives a fascinating insider's account of the possible motivations of President Putin on Ukraine in the wake of the disastrous US pullout in Afghanistan.

 

He talks about the great political divide in the US today, as well as his book Total Empire. The book is a Garrett Sinclair novel that tells the story of answering an unanswerable threat from China, but it also speaks to the human cost of combat and the stakes at hand when one pays the ultimate price. 

 

Learn more about Tony and get Total Empire: https://amzn.to/3oVK4nu

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Dale Buckner is a 24-year Army yeteran who retired as a colonel, a former Green Beret and is now the CEO of international security firm Global Guardian. Recently, his team evacuated thousands of people during the COVID border crisis and the violent conflicts in Ukraine, Russia, and Afghanistan. 

 

In this episode, Dale talks about the highly specialized yet dysfunctional nature of special forces teams. However, the training always pays off as there is a high degree of success whenever these teams are deployed. Dale also talks about reinventing yourself after life in the military, and his route was to create and become an entrepreneur.

 

The skills taught in the military cannot be replicated by corporate America, so Dale finds that veterans are highly suited for a range of careers once they retire. Dale also talks about the inevitability of politics when you are a general officer and how heartening it is to see his cohort, who are warriors first before politicians, get promoted to these ranks.  

 

Work with Dale and Global Guardian:

https://globalguardian.com/

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Ben Williams is a former Surface Warfare Officer who is now the COO of Exyn Technologies, an autonomous drone technology stack leading the industry in unstructured environment and GPS-denied navigation. He shares his first tour which was aboard the cruiser Bunker Hill and running with small boat teams for visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) missions. 

 

Ben talks about the exciting tech they are developing today which aims to remove people from the most dangerous parts of their jobs to obtain the data they need. Aside from humanitarian applications, Ben's tech can help the military obtain quick and reliable data on environments to make decisions that minimize risk for soldiers. 

 

Mentorship is another focus of Ben as he helps veterans utilize their unique skills for civilian life. Even riflemen, their skills are not limited to just carrying and shooting rifles. They do everything from maintenance to leadership and it is these skills that are valuable in civilian jobs.   

 

Ben is an award-winning entrepreneur and technologist who led the commercialization of Exyn’s core technologies. In 2017, he was selected for Wharton’s 40 under 40. 

 

Find out more about Ben and the open positions at Exyn:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentropy/
• https://www.exyn.com/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Taylor is a former US Air Force Major who flew 11 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm as a B-52 navigator. He developed PTSD and has since written From Service to Success, a book that encourages vets to seek community, forgive themselves, and ultimately achieve their greatest potential.

 

In this episode, Bob shares the stresses of combat, from hostile AAA to a close friendly fire incident to the sheer exhaustion of flying extended missions. Even away from the horrors on the ground, Bob endured hellish nightmares that affected all aspects of his life. Bob then turned to alcohol as self-help for 16 long years. When he finally went to the VA to get professional help, he was then prescribed SSRIs for 13 years. Recently, Bob discovered experimental treatments that utilize MDMA and psilocybin for the treatment of PTSD. Bob shares how the ritual cleansing washed away the anxiety that had gripped him on a spiritual, emotional, and psychological level for decades. 

 

Of the 22 million veterans, approximately 11 million are struggling, and a great majority feel that their struggle is theirs and theirs alone. Bob's message is that the tools of gratitude and compassion are what vets need to see the good in the world again and live fulfilled lives.  

 

Find out more about Patriot Promise Foundation and get Bob's book:

 

• https://patriotpromise.org/
• https://www.facebook.com/servicetosuccess

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Paquin served as a US Marine Corps F/A-18 pilot and attended the prestigious Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun). After 21 years of service, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring from the reserves. Throughout his military career, Tom participated in several combat operations around the world and received numerous awards and honors, including the Air Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal.

 

Justin Allen served for 10 years in the US Army and achieved the rank of Captain, serving both as an Infantry Officer and a Green Beret. He held various command positions, including serving as a Detachment Commander through two combat deployments to Afghanistan. He was a highly accomplished Green Beret, successfully graduating from Ranger School, Military Freefall School, and Combat Diver School. 

 

Today, Tom and Justin work together at VictoryBase Corporation as CEO and Vice President of Development respectively. They share their business model of collective investing in a network of quality homes where investors live in high-quality new homes and gain equity each month without the hassle of traditional home ownership. 

 

Tom also looks back on his close calls as a rookie pilot on a carrier and the good times he had with his backseater, while Justin shares the privilege he had in participating in the counter-ISIS operations in 2018. 

 

Find out more about Tom, Justin, and VictoryBase:

 

Tom - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-paquin-a8172a10

Justin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jga1215

Website - https://www.victorybase.com/

 

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Douglas Lute is a former Army Lieutenant General and US ambassador to NATO. He is also featured in Hand-Off: The Foreign Policy George W. Bush Passed to Barack Obama on February 15th. As a young soldier, Douglas never imagined that he would be involved with international affairs. 

 

He would eventually work under Gen. Hugh Shelton, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and experience firsthand the duties of flag-rank officers during 9/11. Douglas comments on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and emphasizes that beating Russia's blatant imperialist ambitions is simply the right thing to do. 

 

Douglas recounts his time as an officer in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and gives an overview of his book. The transition between Presidents Bush and Obama was critical in setting the foundation for the incoming administration, tackling all sorts of societal issues like foreign policy, AIDS, and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. 

 

Douglas currently serves as the CEO of Cambridge Global Advisors, LLC, a certified Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business.

Get a copy of Hand-Off: https://amzn.to/3FPDdS9

Website: https://www.cambridgeglobal.com/

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Derek Leebaert is the author of Unlikely Heroes, an account of Pres. Roosevelt and his 4 closest associates: Harry Hopkins, Harold Ickes, Frances Perkins, and Henry Wallace, and how they would forever change the world. In many ways, history tends to repeat itself, and recognizing patterns of the past gives us the opportunity to shape a better future.

 

FDR was a titan. He was elected president for 4 terms and to this day remains the longest-serving president of the US. He was known for his fairness and desire for equality for all, an essential factor that got him the Republicans' vote every single time.

 

A look into his 4 lieutenants reveals much more about the myths that have plagued FDR’s presidencies since then. Derek talks about FDR's New Deal, the secret military build-up that happened in the 1930s, and how each lieutenant played a critical role in getting America through the mayhem of the time. 

 

Derek Leebaert won the biennial 2020 Truman Book Award for Grand Improvisation. His previous books include Magic and Mayhem and To Dare and to Conquer, both Washington Post Best Books of the Year. He was a founding editor of the Harvard/MIT journal International Security and is a co-founder of the National Museum of the United States Army. He holds a D.Phil from Oxford.

 

Get a copy of Unlikely Heroes: https://amzn.to/3J6NlXz

Find out more about the National Museum of the US Army: https://www.thenmusa.org/

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Mike Lahiff is a former Seal Team 4 operator and the Co-Founder and CEO of ZeroEyes, the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform with US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation. He shares how he was not the best student as he dropped out to enlist, but that becoming a SEAL was the realization of his childhood dream. 

 

Mike talks about his deployments to Afghanistan and how his FoB was the most attacked FoB in country. He also recounts one time when the NATO forces he was working with ignored intel and ended up getting ambushed. Post-SEALs, Mike started ZeroEyes to monitor guns in the open rather than recognize faces and make the best use of cameras that are already in place to get people to safety.

 

Find out more about Mike and ZeroEyes in the link below:

 

Website: https://zeroeyes.com/

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Stephen Hunter is the film critic of the Washington Post, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and the author behind Shooter. He talks about his latest book The Bullet Garden which features Earl Swagger undertaking a top-secret secret mission in the deadly German sniper-controlled hills of Normandy. 

 

From creating a symphony of action, mystery, and intrigue, Stephen takes us through the creative process of his book and how Carlos Hathcock, an American sniper credited with 93 kills in WW2, is the inspiration behind Earl's character. 

 

He gives an inside look into working with publishers and newsrooms and how getting historical details accurately is a constant effort in effective storytelling. Rad and Stephen also talk about their shared passion for airsoft and how these guns provide an accessible experience with otherwise exotic and expensive weapons. 

 

Get a copy of Bullet Garden here: https://amzn.to/3DHBBJf

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff is a former Green Beret who served for 28 years and is the co-author of the
Black Autumn series of books. He talks about his books as a way to get people
emergency preparedness-minded and how reality and fiction collide in the recent
cartel violence seen in Mexico.

Jeff shares how specialized nurse practitioners can be and the effectiveness of
tourniquets in saving lives. He discusses one of his registered patents, the RATS
tourniquet, and how being in emergency services is all about helping your fellow
man or woman in need.

Also, with the crackdown on firearms-related content especially on YouTube, Jeff
shares one of his projects called Juxxi, a video platform that he launched that
focuses on guns and shooting clips. He also talks about the latest in Black Autumn
and what avid fans can expect next.

Get a copy of Jeff’s book: https://amzn.to/3GZqyMs

Check out Juxxi: https://juxxi.com/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff is an Army special operations veteran, business leader, jiu-jitsu black belter, and author of All the War They Want. He is a highly decorated soldier having received two Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, among many others.

 

He shares a war story during his first deployment about surviving an IED ambush and how sometimes breaking the rules is the only way to make it out alive. He also gives his point of view about eliminating anything unnecessary in an operation, a key lesson that he has carried over even to entrepreneurship, following your passion to really experience living, and being safe with your cyber and social media health.

 

Get a copy of All the War They Want:  https://amzn.to/3QDMbpM

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy was a former USMC officer whose platoon served as the tip of the spear during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He recalls the intense training they had leading up to the invasion and the hurdles he had to get past like fighting at night instead of day. Jeremy also shares how his life after 10 years in the Marines was a total wreck.

He decided to dedicate his life to working in ministry full-time. A decade after leaving the Marines, he reconnected with some of the guys he served with. Jeremy saw how lost they were and realized that his time serving with them did not end when he hung up his uniform for the last time. 

He felt it his duty to equip his fellow soldiers with the tools to move forward. This became the catalyst for The Mighty Oaks Foundation, a faith-based nonprofit that works with veterans, active duty service members, and first responders to help them find their true north, deal with PTSD, and adjust to civilian life.   

 

Find out more about Jeremy and the Mighty Oaks Foundation in the links below:

 

• https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org
• https://www.jeremystalnecker.com/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, Rad features JJ Wilson and James Boyd, both former Green Berets who have now transitioned to civilian life as entrepreneurs. After 911, both felt compelled to serve and decided to enlist. JJ Wilson joined the Army because everyone in his hometown ended up in jail or dead. 

He met James Boyd, who gave up his British citizenship to join the Special Forces, at basic training in 2005. Fast forward, they co-founded Adyton, a startup bringing mobile technology to the Department of Defense. Every branch in the military uses their product Mustr which allows service members to use their phones as we all do in our everyday lives. 

Mustr enables all service members or every rank to save countless hours of administrative work to identify service members in distress and make real-time, data-driven decisions to enhance operational readiness. Their app also helps thousands of trainees get coordinated during their Holiday Block Leave. 

Connect with JJ and James and find out how veterans can contribute to their amazing technology in the links below:

 

• https://www.adyton.io/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-alexander-boyd/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jj-wilson/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s episode, Rad features John Winn Miller, award-winning investigative reporter, editor, publisher, screenwriter, indie movie producer, and novelist who wrote The Hunt for the Peggy C. He shares how a dream served as the inspiration for the book and the in-depth research he needed to do to get even the smallest details of U-boat operation correctly. 

 

The book follows the story of Captain Jake Rogers of the tramp steamer Peggy C as he makes his way through U-boat infested waters to transport vital supplies and contraband to the highest bidder. When he witnesses the Jewish oppression in Amsterdam, he decides to take on his most dangerous cargo yet: a Jewish family fleeing Nazi persecution.

 

Get a copy of The Hunt for the Peggy C: https://amzn.to/3hQQi4E

Find out more at: https://www.johnwinnmiller.com/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s special feature for Veteran's Day, Rad features David Bellavia, the sole Medal of Honor recipient for the Iraq war. He is recognized for his legendary heroism in Fallujah. Now living the war for the rest of his life, he felt it his duty to tell the story of brotherhood between him and his comrades in his book Remember the Ramrods.

 

He speaks about supporting veterans and the community's responsibility to exercise empathy. He is passionate about giving the rest of the Ramrods credit for their service and uses his award to raise veteran support awareness. He advocates for the mental health of veterans, including reigniting a sense of purpose in them. 

 

Get your copy of Remember the Ramrods here: https://amzn.to/3UxOhsq

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Vincent "Rocco" Vargas, a former Army Ranger who served 3 combat deployments with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Now in Hollywood, Rocco is known for Range 15, Mayans M.C., the MBest11x YouTube channel, and the Vinny Roc podcast. 

 

He digs into the parallels between the military and acting and shares how he navigates his acting, writing, and producing career today. Rocco gets vulnerable and shares how he overcame his own personal obstacles with the determination to win. 

 

Rocco also talks about the projects he's working on today like Beteran HQ and the nonprofit Heroes Sports which gives veterans another channel to find community and camaraderie. 

 

Reach out to Rocco and support his initiatives for veterans in the links below:

 

• Instagram (personal): https://www.instagram.com/vincent.rocco.vargas/
• Instagram (Heroes Sports): https://www.instagram.com/heroes_sports/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Darril Fannin, a former US Army medic who left after 9 years to pursue a career in film. He recalls his hyper-conservative roots in the United Pentecostal Church which taught him about love for neighbor, a lesson that he has brought with him throughout the years. 

 

Darril digs into writing, producing, and acting in the Netflix series Green Beret's Guide to Surviving the Apocalypse and working with Matt Damon. He also comments on society's lack of support for veterans and introduces how blockchain technology can be used to protect artists' rights in perpetuity.

 

Find out more about Darril and work with him here https://www.kinoapp.xyz/.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Jack Goodwin, a 25-year veteran of the British Army where he served as a physical trainer and is now a highly sought-after boxing referee. He shares his journey which started when he joined the Army at 16 years old and his growth in the Army Physical Training Corps.

 

His passion for training carried over well after his time in the Army. Jack worked with the police for 8 years as a civilian trainer before zeroing in on his current career as a boxing referee. 

 

Jack shares some of the exciting if bizarre projects he's refereeing today, such as influencer matches, which really fill up major stadiums. While the nature of boxing events is certainly changing, Jack remains committed to keeping matches professional and safe for the fighters in the ring.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Peter Shinkle, author of Uniting America. The years preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor saw the unification of Democrats and Republicans under the administration of FDR. 

This potentially catastrophic political move was embraced by the general public who felt that now was the time to prepare for inevitable war. The success of this unification was based on the mutual respect for constitutional democracy that both sides shared. 

Rad and Peter then dig into the fundamental differences between WW2 and the Vietnam War to understand why people support or resist conscription. They also comment on the possible lack of democratic values in America today.

Get your copy of Uniting America: https://amzn.to/3VcRbnb

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Jeff Depatie, a former sniper/assaulter with Joint Task Force 2, the tier 1 solution of the Canadian Armed Forces comparable to SEAL Team 6 and Delta Force. JTF2 famously holds the record for the longest confirmed kill at 3,540 meters.

 

Jeff is the founder of The Special Forces Experience (SFE), a collective committed to building communities that facilitate post-traumatic growth (PTG). He shares how they induce stress to jumpstart growth and the physiological and psychological foundations of their therapy that ultimately heal veterans. 

 

Rad and Jeff dig into the psychedelic renaissance happening today and the need to set guidelines on plant-based therapy. Their own experiences with the healing properties of cannabis help inform the kind of groundbreaking work that Jeff and his community are doing.

 

Find out more on The Special Forces Experience in the links below:

 

• Website: https://thespecialforcesexperience.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialforcesexperience/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Ethan Chorin, a former diplomat posted to Libya during the 2012 Benghazi attack. This single catastrophe continues to have far-reaching effects on the domestic and foreign policy of the US and Ethan shares his account of the events prior to the attack and its aftermath. 

He gives an insider's perspective on Ambassador Chris Stevens' thoughts leading up to this fateful day and the tremendous amount of risk he volunteered to take on entering Benghazi. 

Ethan also comments on the rather unfair portrayal of Ambassador Stevens in the Hollywood dramatization. He points to the fact that what people want is a scapegoat for why this tragic event even took place and not an understanding of its implications to policy-making, risk aversion, and partisanship.

Grab a copy of Ethan's book Benghazi! : https://amzn.to/3RPSZRh

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On this week’s podcast, Rad features James Rife and Craig Reed, both military historians and published authors. James discusses the tense geopolitical history between Ukraine and Russia going back a thousand years that laid the foundations for the invasion happening today. 

 

Meanwhile, Craig analyzes the backbreaking mistakes that Russia has made thus far which has dragged on what was supposed to be a 3-day invasion into a protracted war now on its 6th month. 

 

They look at the sweeping changes Ukraine enforced after the ease with which Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. After getting a taste of Western democracy and freedom, Ukraine’s now battle-hardened veterans, armed with cutting-edge weapons and tactics, have put up stiff resistance against their country's greatest existential crisis.

 

Grab a copy of James and Craig's book The Russia Ukraine War Factbook in the link below:

 

https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/the-russia-ukraine-war-factbook/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Anthony Stephen Malone, a former Paratrooper in the British Army and former CIA operator in Afghanistan. He is the host of The Patriot Show, as well as the author of 4 books, including the Honour Bound series and his latest release called Hostage/Evacuation which details his capture by the Taliban.

He shares the critical and apolitical role of the veteran community in helping move up to 400 families out of Afghanistan during the chaotic evacuation in 2021. He also sheds light on the brain drain happening there right now where educated young people simply do not want to be in a country governed by extremist Taliban. 

There are many elements within Afghanistan that actually want the country to progress. More of the world needs to realize that leaving Afghanistan to devolve back into civil war and getting Western boots on the ground again is simply not in anyone’s interest.

Connect with Anthony, learn about his advocacy to help fellow veterans by visiting his website: http://www.anthonymalone.me.uk/

Get a copy of Honour Bound Part 1: https://amzn.to/3CVEsi6

Get a copy of Honour Bound Part 2: https://amzn.to/3cHRZiK

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this podcast, Rad features Master Sergeant John "Mad Dog" B. Melson, who served 3 years in the USMC and almost 17 years in the Army National Guard. After his service in the Marines and in the wake of 9/11, John tried to enlist again but found out that he had a tumor in his neck which was cutting off his blood flow. 

 

He was in extreme danger and was faced with a difficult decision: undergo surgery that could kill him or do nothing and have less than 5 years to live. He chose to have a fighting chance and went under the knife. Against the odds, he survived and was given the chance to serve again in the National Guard to fight in Afghanistan.

 

He shares crazy stories of his 9 combat deployments, from popping smoke to signal the A-10 not to fire upon them in the middle of a firefight, to being left to fend for themselves during a Taliban assault. He is the recipient of 5 Bronze Star Medals, 2 Purple Hearts, and 4 Army Commendation Medals for Valor.

 

Check out John’s podcast Guts and Grit:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guts-grit-great-business/id1516815054

 

Get a copy of Jessica Ainsworth’s latest book titled At What Cost on Amazon which features John’s foreword and an entire chapter on his story and the personal cost of war: https://amzn.to/3T0FSNQ

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this podcast, Rad features Gary Weaving, Founder and CEO of Forgotten Veterans United Kingdom (FVUK). A former Royal Engineer who served in Afghanistan, he started the charity in 2016 following his medical discharge from the British Army. Failure to get a correct diagnosis of his physical injuries led him to spiral down, abuse substances, and lose the will to live.

He began posting details about his troubles on social media and was amazed by the response from fellow veterans going through similar difficulties. He started FVUK with his own personal funds to provide immediate and much-needed support for fellow veterans. To this day Gary does not take any payment or money from the charity for himself. 

The mantra of their organization is "selfless commitment to others" and their goal is to give back purpose and hope to veterans forgotten by the system.

 

Connect with Gary and FVUK by checking out the links below:

Website: https://www.forgottenveteransuk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelflessCommitmentToOthers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alone_Soldiers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Paul R. Bruno who has spent twenty years studying and writing about the early history of Jeep. He discusses the genesis of this iconic vehicle and its legendary ability to perform in basically any environment. 

Paul tells the story of a little-known car manufacturer called Bantam and how, in their bid to avoid bankruptcy, aggressively developed the Jeep to the specified needs of the Army. With Bantam’s mechanical genius, they developed the first Jeep in just 49 days and it withstood the toughest tests the Army could throw at it. 

Paul is the author of three award-winning books called Project Management in History: The First Jeep, The Original Jeeps, and The Original Jeeps in Pictures.

Grab a copy of THE ORIGINAL JEEPS here: https://amzn.to/3zZNj0j

Visit Paul's Website: https://originaljeeps.com/

Dispatcher Magazine: https://www.dispatchermagazine.com/books

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rad welcomes Master Sergeant (MSG, Ret) Howard “Mad Max” Mullen Jr., a 2013 Ranger Hall of Fame inductee among a long list of other achievements in the Army. A 26-year veteran, he was one of the most dynamic Ranger instructors to serve during the 1980s and early 1990s. 

Max recalls his legendary mentors, how they set him up for success, and the physical and mental rigors of Ranger School. He shares his tours of duty overseas, especially in South Korea where he served in the DMZ, as well as the airborne invasion of Grenada when he dropped in to help secure the airport and save American students.

Find out more about Max in the links below: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-max-mullen-87023a10

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_mullenn/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rad welcomes back Charles Cunningham, a former military policeman in the Air Force, a local police officer, PA State Trooper, and a retired FBI Agent. He continues to story of David James Lindsey's trial and how one warrant officer systematically discredits every single one of Lindsey's war medal claims. 

 

David was found guilty on 21 counts and was sentenced to 60 years in jail. He later died in prison and is buried with no honors in White Hall. Charles also shares stories of his career in the FBI where he became the special agent in charge of Richmond, Virginia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes Charles Cunningham who is a former military policeman in the Air Force, a local police officer, PA State Trooper, and a retired FBI Agent. He shares the amazing case of David James Lindsey, a bemedalled former Marine, Army NCO, and war hero, who ends up becoming a cocaine dealer in upstate New York. 

 

Charles got hold of a ledger for David's crimes and this led him down a rabbit hole of racketeering, murders, possession of firearms and silencers, and drug trafficking. They go to trial. David takes a PTSD defense and had one of the most qualified psychiatrists declare that David has one of the worst PTSD cases he has ever seen.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this podcast, Rad welcomes Maj. Fred Galvin who served as commanding officer of the first unit that MARSOC deployed to combat in Afghanistan. He is the author of A Few Bad Men and he shares the chilling story of being ambushed by a car bomb and being framed for war crimes they did not commit.

He recounts how they were unwanted guests to their command and the underlying selfish philosophies of his commanders. The media storm that followed the attack got them booted out of Afghanistan and even back home, despite being exonerated by the court of inquiry, they were publicly shamed for supposedly getting away with murder. Fred is fighting back and letting the people know how the military is abusing its power and letting others take the fall for their mistakes.

 

Get a copy of A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America: https://amzn.to/3amnmOv

Connect with Fred via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-galvin-27270116/

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes Mark Nutsch and Jim DeFelice. Mark served as a Green Beret and led one of the first Special Forces teams into Afghanistan after 9/11. Mark was trained in unconventional warfare, from using foreign weapons to adapting to riding on horseback. He recalls an amazing scene of their local allies on horseback charging against columns of Taliban tanks and leading his team through the harshest conditions just to survive.

Jim is the author or co-author of sixteen New York Times bestselling books, including American Sniper, Everyman a Hero, and Swords of Lightning which he co-wrote with Mark. He shares some of the tales he learned from Mark, notably the fascinating mix of civil war-era and high-tech warfare that transpired during Mark's mission. He is a winner of the Army Historical Foundation Award for his writing and lives in the Hudson Valley.

The story of Mark and the 12 horsemen of ODA 595 is dramatized in the Hollywood movie 12 Strong.

 

Get your copy of Swords of Lightning: https://amzn.to/3bJpxMv

 

Check out Horse Soldier Bourbon in the links below:

Book website: http://swordsoflightning.com/

Horse Soldier Bourbon website: https://horsesoldierbourbon.com/

Horse Soldier Bourbon YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HorseSoldierBourbon

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes back Brad Thor, former member of the Department of Homeland Security's Analytic Red Cell Unit and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 21 books, including his latest thriller called Rising Tiger. Brad discusses how in-depth he went to get every detail right, from getting the military ranks of the Indian armed forces accurately to depicting the horrific medieval skirmish between the Indians and Chinese in 2020 which served as the opening to the book. Brad explores the geopolitical tension between the two nations and also shares interesting tidbits on cross-referencing characters from other authors' books, learning how to fashion an IED out of garbage, and why a 9mm is the preferred gun in an actual gunfight.

Get a copy of Rising Tiger: https://amzn.to/3OD6WzJ

Reach out to Brad Thor:

Website: https://bradthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradThorOfficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradThor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realbradthor/ 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special episode, SOFREP's Editor-in-Chief Sean Spoonts features Brad Thor, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, former member of the Department of Homeland Security's Analytic Red Cell Unit, and sought-after keynote speaker on future terrorist threats. They are joined by Brandon Webb, SOFREP's publisher, former Navy SEAL sniper, and himself an author of a dozen books, as well as John David Mann, co-author of over 30 books including Brandon's memoirs. 

Brad shares his creative process, from experiencing as many of his settings as he can to never using an outline to keep the magic of storytelling alive. John then updates on Finn's saga that started in Steel Fear and how the mystery around him will take readers to Iceland next. They comment on the geopolitics of the US, China, Russia, and India and share funny anecdotes on Cold Fear's cover photo. Finally, they give tips to aspiring writers about reading what you love and writing as an intentional decision. 

Visit Brad Thor's website: https://bradthor.com/

Get a copy of Rising Tiger: https://amzn.to/3xFoKDL

Get copies of books by Brandon Webb and John David Mann:

Cold Fear: https://amzn.to/3mZh0aw

Steel Fear: https://amzn.to/3N4dOFk

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this podcast, Rad features Cameron Hanes, endurance athlete, backcountry bowhunter, owner of Keep Hammering, and author of the bestselling book Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering.

Cameron shares his passion for bowhunting and the hard work and intentionality needed to become the ultimate predator. He discusses the deep respect he has for the animals and reminds us that the food we eat comes at the sacrifice of another living being. He comments on the food wastage issue that in the U.S. and how this goes against the values of true hunters who live aligned with nature. Cameron also gives his insights on the almost beautiful death by a perfect arrow shot versus the violence of a gunshot.

 

Get a copy of Endure: https://amzn.to/3aXMoDt

Cameron's Website: https://www.cameronhanes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronrhanes/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Connor "The Controller" Matthews, former Air Force combat controller and current MMA featherweight holding a 5-0 professional record. He shares the high-risk job of combat controllers, including performing HALO and HAHO jumps, and the need to be a strong runner and swimmer to survive this role. 

Connor talks about the highly technical role of air traffic controllers and how to secure airfields. Being a lifelong athlete, Connor made a natural transition into MMA after life in the military. He shares his background in martial arts and his confidence in making it big in the UFC.   

 

Reach out to Connor through the following links:

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-matthews-b3440b152/

Website: https://www.controllermma.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontrollermma/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Mike Lamonica, Chief Master Sergeant who retired as Chief Enlisted Manager for the 720th Special Tactics Group at the Air Force and current Vice President of Architecture and Engineering for Optiv. 

 

Mike recalls his missions as a combat controller and the extreme danger of his job and talks about the significance of the rock in building character and teamwork during the pipeline. Mike and Rad go through the jargon of combat controllers as they have a unique language.

 

Mike shares some advice for aspiring combat controllers. He also tells the story of his Bronze Medal and how the Combat Control Association takes care of their specific needs as veterans. 

 

Reach out to Mike and the Combat Control Association through the following links:

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lamonica-27273315/

Combat Control Association: https://combatcontrol.team/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Jesse Gould, founder of the Heroic Hearts Project, Army Ranger veteran, and psychedelic therapy advocate. Jesse talks about the modalities of psychedelic treatment, its benefits for neurogenesis, and how it can bring controlled chaos to your mind to reset it. 

 

Jesse talks about his deployments to Afghanistan and his realization that he was drinking way too much. And, more than that, he started observing his mental state take a turn for the worse.

 

He shares his discovery of ayahuasca as an alternative treatment. Seeing how none of his efforts as of yet were worth preserving, he decided to go down to Peru to seek a shaman. Jesse details the ceremony, how entering into a psychedelic state brings forth repressed traumas, and the unique way ayahuasca reframes trauma to break the cycle of PTSD.

 

However, not anyone should just jump in and try ayahuasca. There is preparation needed, both mentally and emotionally, as ayahuasca heightens your senses but your brain interprets the stimuli differently. Therefore, Jesse stresses that being in a safe space is paramount for psychedelic treatment.

 

Reach out to Jesse and the Heroic Hearts Project through the following links:

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-gould/

Website: https://www.heroicheartsproject.org/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews The Mission Within Founder Dr. Martin Polanco and Director of Operations Michael Higgs, who was also Command Master Chief of a SEAL team and a 30-year veteran. Cognitive damage is the reality for many veterans and psychedelic treatment is a stigmatized solution to regaining what had been lost in battle. 

 

Dr. Polanco discusses how psychedelic treatment heals post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and mild traumatic brain injury, while Michael talks about life before and after a single treatment session. They share how ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT are used alongside music and the guidance of a coach and other medical professionals.

 

Psychedelic treatment is holistic and emphasizes the therapeutic effects of exercise, meditation, eating healthily, and proper sleep. They also talk about the benefits of microdosing and the need to change the narrative on the true healing potential of psychedelics.

 

Reach out to Dr. Polanco, Michael, The Mission Within through the following links:

 

The Mission Within website: https://www.missionwithin.org/

LinkedIn (Martin Polanco): https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin7polanco/

LinkedIn (Michael Higgs) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmhiggs/

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Ricardo Perez, former US Army sniper, author of Born To Fail: Embrace Hardship To Forge Your Warrior Spirit, and current research scientist at the University of Washington Department of Virology. He shares his deployment in Kandahar, from carrying around a 50-cal sniper rifle to documenting everything he could through writing.

 

This became the basis for his book as well as his story of growing up and his journey to become a scientist after life in the army. Ricardo shares that he struggled with depression after his deployment. He recalls the difficulty of finding jobs even as a college graduate and how a strong mindset overcame it. 

 

For Ricardo, his family remains his primary motivation to achieve his dreams. The proceeds of his book go into the production of his audiobook which features controversial conversations during the Afghanistan war.

 

Visit Ricardo's Website: https://ricardopperez.com/

Get a copy of Born to Fail: https://amzn.to/3kKAEpw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Kevin Maurer and Lucky Luckadoo. Kevin is an award-winning journalist and author of critically-acclaimed books, including No Easy Day, the inside story of the Bin Laden raid. John "Lucky" Luckadoo also joins today's show to share his experiences during WW2 and how he collaborated with Kevin to tell his story.

He shares how he was stationed in England and the virtually unheard-of feat of surviving 25 bombing runs in broad daylight without fighter escort. Lucky shares that they didn’t talk about the war, they just lived it. 

He comments on the nature of war and how there is nothing to be learned in it. There are no victors, only victims. He says that finding the will to get in the cockpit again and again was a horrific responsibility, but he did it as it was his duty.

 

 Get a copy of Damn Lucky: https://amzn.to/3vplVqb

Follow Kevin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScribblerSix

Visit Kevin's Website: https://kevinmaurer.net/ 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida's 6th congressional district. He is a current Green Beret who also serves as a Colonel in the National Guard. He is the author of a couple of books including Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret's Battles from Washington to Afghanistan.

Rep. Waltz shares that one time he jumped out of a plane only to realize his reserve chutes were undone. He also talks about his upcoming children's book Dawn of the Brave. He comments on the waning sense of duty of Americans and taking the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan.

On immigration, Rep. Waltz also stresses the need for a managed system. There is a humanitarian crisis at the southern border and cartels make hundreds of millions per week due to smuggling and human trafficking. Lastly, Rep. Waltz also warns against the CCP and how they are undermining the US.

 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-waltz-0557964/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelgwaltz
• Brave Books website: https://bravebooks.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Lee Stuckey, a former major in the Marines, and Founder and President of AHERO and Operation Phoenix. Lee tells the story of his three combat deployments to Iraq, the trauma that he kept under wraps, and his brush with death.  

Now focused on healing, Lee shares how his farm has grown and the evolving programs AHERO has for its veteran community. He talks about AHERO's events which connect veterans to the experts who can help them heal, whether it's for anger management or addiction.

Music for a Hero has been particularly healing and Kevin Adair also comes on the show to perform and bring awareness to their advocacy. Lee further shares the work they do with Operation Phoenix and advises veterans that healing is possible and it’s best done with a community.

 

Lee's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-stuckey-8216697b/

Lee's email: [email protected]

AHERO website: https://aherousa.org/

Kevin Adair's Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kevinadairmusic

 

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On this podcast, Rad interviews Zachary Armstrong, a Navy officer turned motivational speaker and advocate for military members suffering from substance abuse disorder, and Michael Peyton, a former Navy SEAL who is now a leader of top-performing teams, developer, and trainer of elite human performance, and change agent solving complex challenges. Both guests had a long battle with addiction and today share how they overcame this challenge with the help of the community and healthy alternatives.

Zach is a coach for The Phoenix—a community focused on providing support to those recovering from substance abuse through sober activities and events. He gets vulnerable with his struggle with alcohol and, as a high-functioning alcoholic, was able to hide his substance abuse struggle for years. Based on his experiences in both military and civilian rehab communities, he is driven to ensure the military re-thinks how their substance abuse programs are run. 

Zach and Mike hope to create an effective rehab program catered to the needs of the military community that focuses on providing alternative methods to recovery.

Check out the National Sober Active Community | The Phoenix: https://thephoenix.org/

Zach's email: [email protected]

Mike's email: [email protected]

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On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Dan Benamor and Lila Holley. Dan is the Head of Podcasts at Voyage Media, and has shepherded 7 podcast series to release, including the hit true crime podcast Borderline and the military podcast True War Stories: Mission Report. Lila is an Army veteran, author of 9 books, and founder of Camouflaged Sisters.

Dan shares stories of people he featured in his podcast, from survival after getting shot down in Vietnam to blocking war memories. Lila also talks about the amazing work of healing through storytelling that she does with Camouflaged Sisters, as well as her work as an intelligence officer in the Army.

Finally, they discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, Putin's aggression and ambition, and the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians and soldiers on both sides. 

 

Dan's links:

 

• Voyage Media website: https://www.voyagemedia.fm/
• True War Stories: Mission Report Podcast: https://www.voyagemedia.fm/show/true-war-stories-mission-report-1/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-benamor-59547930/

 

Lila's links:

 

• Website: https://camouflagedsisters.org/
• Get a copy of Lila's book: https://amzn.to/3LuzVnW
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamouflagedSistersLLC
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camouflagedsisters/
• Lila's Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Lila-Holley/e/B014Q6YCY8
• LinkedIn (personal) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/lila-holley-20574071
• LinkedIn (Camouflaged Sisters): https://www.linkedin.com/company/camouflaged-sisters/

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On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Dino Garner, former Army Ranger, biophysicist, and self-taught military aviation photographer who learned how to shoot on film while riding an F-4, F-14, A-4, F-15, F-16, and FA-18. His 500-page coffee-table book, TOPGUN: The Otherworldly Dreams of a Lifelong Ten Year Old, is due to be published in September 2022, with Kickstarter, IndieGoGo and GoFundMe campaigns beginning in May 2022.

 

In the episode, Dino shares how he was invited to shoot while riding Air Force planes and how the Pentagon learned of it, leading to many many more opportunities to shoot in the air. He talks about one time when he almost ejected himself out of an F-16!

 

Dino also talks about his time in the African savannah protecting wildlife against poachers and then joining the Army Rangers afterward. He also discusses the process of creating his coffee table book, the out-of-this-world shots he took, and the many amazing contributors who helped put it all together.

 

Visit Dino's website in progress: http://topgun.photography/

Follow Dino on Twitter @RealDinoGarner 

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On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Jason Van Camp, a West Point graduate who later on became a coveted Green Beret. He has earned Bronze Stars and, after his service, became the author of Deliberate Discomfort and founded Mission Six Zero and Warrior Rising.

Today he shares a crazy story during his time with the Airborne when his chute got tangled and he almost plunged to certain death. Jason also looks back during his time in West Point and gives aspiring seniors some tips on how to mentally prepare for the difficult road ahead.

Jason also tells the story of how he got into Ranger School, supposedly with his buddy, and how he made it in while his friend just slept in. He has a similar story of becoming a Green Beret where he ended up qualifying alone instead of with his classmate.

He shares how it felt to finally get his Green Beret and the overwhelming sense of purpose that came with it. Jason also talks about Mission Six Zero, his for-profit leadership development company for corporate clients, and Warrior Rising, a nonprofit veteran service organization.

Check out Jason's book, Deliberate Discomfort

Check out Mission Six Zero: https://missionsixzero.com/

Visit Warrior Rising: https://www.warriorrising.org/

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On this week’s podcast, Steve Balestrieri interviews Toby Harnden who served in the Royal Navy and retired as a Lieutenant. Though he served in the Navy for almost a decade, Steve is famously known as a journalist and author of 3 books including Bandit Country: The IRA & South Armagh and Dead Men Risen: The Welsh Guards and the Defining Story of Britain's War in Afghanistan.

Toby talks about how he entered into journalism which seemed like a natural progression from his time in the Navy. While serving, he got to witness the action in Ireland with the IRA. These events led up to his first book which unraveled the murders of senior RUC officers with Garda (Irish police) collusion in 1989.

His next book Dead Men Risen reached number 4 on The Sunday Times bestseller list and earned him the Orwell Prize for books in 2012. Toby details in today's show the background of this book that started with the events of 9/11 and the heroic men he interviewed to create the story.

In Toby's latest book First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA's Secret Mission to Avenge 9/11, he looks back on the 8 men of Team Alpha who led the charge behind enemy lines on October 17, 2001, especially the heroism of David Tyson and martyrdom of Mike Spann.

Toby discusses gritty details that set the stage for the tragedy in the Fort of War and the great cooperation between CIA, Green Berets, SPS, Navy SEALs which, during the early stages of the war, were unheard of. 

Toby also shares radical details about the operation taken from firsthand sources, including a hilarious account of psychological warfare where a lady Navy pilot's singing was used to intimidate the notoriously misogynistic Taliban, an on-the-fly idea of their bloodthirsty warlord companion.

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On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Dr. Bob Adams who served fourteen years in the Navy and eighteen years in the Army. He is the author of 3 books, including Six Days of Impossible which details his experiences during SEAL training class and the 11 of 70 men who achieved the impossible.

After his time as a Commander in the Navy, he changed services to attend medical school where he applied his analytical skills to look back at the men that he shivered and struggled with through Hell Week together. 

As a Colonel in the US Army Medical Corps, Bob managed 5 large full-service family practice clinics, was a command surgeon with the US Army Delta Force, was a department chief for the Department of Deployment Health, and was a recipient of the Lifetime Medical Achievement Award (Order of Military Medical Merit).

Today, Dr. Bob gives his very timely opinion on the recent deaths during Hell Week and how it is very unlikely that Hell Week itself is to blame for it. He zeroes in on one common denominator between the two deaths and that is the mandatory COVID shots that these men got.

He also shares some of the most memorable moments during his time with the Airborne, including the three occasions that his main chute failed and he had to pull his reserve parachute during freefall and a particularly heroic middle-of-the-night ambulance transfer in enemy territory.

Dr. Bob answers some viewer questions, including his tips on combat shooting, running more because endurance is everything on the field, improvising tools to save people's lives, and flyfishing to keep his mental health on point.   

You can get your copy of Six Days of Impossible: Navy SEAL Hell Week - A Doctor Looks Back on Amazon by clicking this link.

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On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes back Jake Zweig on the show. Jake is a former US Navy SEAL, football coach, host of reality survival show Dude, You're Screwed, and currently, a leadership development coach working with C-suite executives. 

Jake is a life-long athlete and team leader. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995 as a commissioned officer and served as a surface warfare officer for two years onboard the U.S.S. Merrimack. 

He then entered Navy SEAL training at Basic Underwater Demolition School where he excelled. In addition to that, Jake mentored his fellow trainees and was named SEAL class leader. After his training, Jake served with SEAL Team 8 in Little Creek, VA where he attained the rank of Lieutenant.

Jake shares how he got on TV, how rigged everything really is, and interesting stories of calling out others for their BS while filming. He also talks about leadership in business and recognizing talent for what it is without bias to race, gender, and appearance.

Rad then asks Jake questions from the audience which he answers with wild anecdotes. Jake shares stories of never losing a fight since 7th grade, choking out opponents in Fight Club, and never being truly prepared for some situations where your leadership is called forth. 

Jake also talks about Troops Direct, a nonprofit which helps source out top-of-the-line gear for soldiers that the military won't provide them. 

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On this week’s podcast, SOFREP editor-in-chief Sean Spoonts interviews Ryan Zinke at SHOT Show 2022 in Las Vegas.

Ryan Zinke served as a Navy SEAL in command positions in SEAL Team One and SEAL Team Six. He served with Naval Special Warfare Unit Two and the Naval Special Warfare Center, and at one time was the acting command of the Special Operations Forces in Iraq. 

Ryan served as a senator in Montana from 2009 to 2013 then won a seat in the House in 2014. He served as Secretary of the Interior from 2017 to 2019. He is running again for Montana's 1st congressional district in November.

They talk about the energy use and production in Montana and Ryan's stance that the US must never be held hostage for its energy. 

Ryan explores the different environmental impacts of various methods of energy production and how important it is to implement sustainable practices. Ryan comments on the distrust with the government in Washington and the need to protect free speech. 

On the issue of Ukraine, Ryan is hopeful that war can be avoided but stresses the need for the US to have a united front with its allies, an important element because if Russia enters Ukraine, it will likely not go in alone. Russia is likely looking at how far China will go with Taiwan and, if China moves, Russia may move in concert too. 

Finally, Ryan also shares his thoughts on vaccines, the objections of Navy SEALS in taking the vaccine, and fighting for what is right in the House. 

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In this week's podcast episode, SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Dr. David Eagleman a neuroscientist and serial entrepreneur who tries to help people suffering from tinnitus.

It is estimated that one billion people around the world suffer from tinnitus. The condition is especially widespread in the military and veteran community. As Steve says, be it from a gunshot or an artillery barrage tinnitus is a reality in the military. The condition can be excruciating for some and even lead to suicide.

Dr. Eagleman wants to combat this, so he created Neosensory with technology that he spun out of his lab.

Neosensory addresses tinnitus and hearing loss with the help of a bracelet. The bracelet stimulates your sound and touch in order to retrain your brain to listen to the damaged and lost sound frequencies. You wear the bracelet for a period of two months. The results it provides are long-lasting and it reduces tinnitus by 30 percent.

Dr. Eagleman says that what made him undertake his research was the question of whether information can be fed into our brains via unusual channels, i.e. sensory substitution. After all, as Dr. Eagleman explains tinnitus is ultimately a condition of the brain, not the ear.

You can find more about the technology at Neosensory.com.

Neosensory has kindly provided a one-week-long discount for veterans on its Neosensory Duo for Tinnitus. You can claim it just by applying the coupon code "HONOR."

Join us for another SOFREP Radio episode in which we discuss a very important issue for the military community.

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On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri interviews Mike Durant.

Mike was famously in Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu. During the operation, his Black Hawk helicopter was shot down by Somali militias. The event was featured in the Black Hawk Down book and movie.

Mike spent 22 years in the military, the majority of them as a Night Stalker of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. He is now running for the U.S. Senate in Alabama.

Mike Durant talks about what led him to join the military, and his first experience flying in a helicopter. After going to flight school, Mike managed to get the only Black Hawk slot. At first, flying the new and iconic bird with all its gadgets and gizmos was as if flying a space shuttle.

Mike also talks about Somalia and recounts the events of that fateful day and the heroic actions of Delta Force members Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart. Yet, he highlights that Operation Gothic Serpent was a tactical success but a political failure.

Steve and Mike then switch to politics. Mike tells us why he decided to run for office: and from Afghanistan to vaccine mandates and career politicians who have no real-life experience there are plenty of reasons to do so.

As Mike says, the only way to know if you can make a difference is by getting in the fight.

You can find out more about Mike Duran's candidacy at https://mikedurant.com/.

Join us for another episode of SOFREP Radio with Steve Balestrieri!

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In this week's podcast SOFREP Editor-in-Chief Sean Spoonts talks with Taylor Grieten a former Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) swimmer and creator of Hell or High Seas. 

Hell or High Seas is a documentary that depicts the journey of Taylor Grieten and writer Stephen O'Shea as they sail around Cape Horn, which, as Sean points out, is the most perilous sea route in the world. But at the same time, Hell or High Seas is also a journey of recovery and healing from PTSD.

Sean was also a Navy SAR swimmer, so he and Taylor recount stories from SAR selection and the hardships candidates have to endure to graduate.

The SAR community is a very small one. Whenever a SAR swimmer is lost his loss affects the whole community. This isn't easy as Sean and Taylor highlight.

PTSD is a plague. Taylor, through Hell or High Seas, shows that PTSD can be beaten.

But the journey, literally and figuratively, was a hard one. Taylor and Stephen endured a multitude of dangers from pirates to storms. Yet, their perseverance and courage allowed them to overcome. Now, Taylor wants to inspire other veterans and military members to do so.

Taylor also serves the veteran community through his American Odysseus Sailing Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit organization that provides relief to veterans through sailing training and expeditions.

You can find out more about the documentary as well as rent or buy it at https://www.hellorhighseas.com/.

Tune in for another memorable and touching SOFREP Radio episode.

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In this week's episode SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with John Pomfret and Fred Hart about how Polish spies saved Operation Desert Storm.

John is an award-winning journalist and author. Among other publications, he has worked for the Associated Press and Washington Post eventually becoming the editor of the Post's weekend opinion section. He has written and worked extensively on China. His latest book is the upcoming From Warsaw with Love: Polish Spies, the CIA, and the Forging of an Unlikely Alliance. The book tells the unlikely story of how Poland saved Operation Desert Storm and the first Gulf War. 

As the U.S. was planning Operation Desert Storm, six American officers became trapped in Iraq. If the intelligence they carried were captured by the Iraqis the upcoming operation could be doomed. To rescue the officers the CIA turned to Poland, famous for its excellent spies.

Fred Hart was one of the six trapped U.S. officers and he recounts to Steve the exciting events that led to their escape.

 

Join us for a gripping episode of SOFREP Radio with John Pomfret and Fred Hart and discover the unknown story that determined Operation Desert Storm.

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On this week's podcast episode SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri along with SOFREP Editor-in-Chief Sean Spoonts talk with Jay Collins. Jay is a Special Forces combat medic veteran and Republican candidate for Congress with Florida's 14th Congressional District.

Jay Collins spent two decades as a Green Beret and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. In the fight, he lost his leg. Nevertheless, he recovered, returned to active duty, and tremendously served in the Green Berets for nearly six more years.

Jay's Special Forces Selection was unique. He was part of the infamous Ice Storm Class of November 2002, one of the very rare occasions when SERE school had to be shut down.

The experience of Selection imparted Jay with the valuable lesson of leaving things better than how you found them.

In sharing tales of Special Forces classes with Jay, Steve recounts a hilarious story of Green Berets pretending to be NASA candidates. After all, everything can happen in Selection.

Jay also shares the awesome story of how he performed surgery on his own arm during deployment.

Since Jay is running for Congress, the conversation also turns to politics. Jay usefully reminds the audience that what unites us is less than what separates us. America will only be strong and healthy through unity. That is, after all, the American way.

As Jay says, it's not about the red nor the blue; it's about the red, white, and blue.

You can find more about Jay Collins's campaign at https://www.jaycollinsforcongress.com/.

 

Join us for another exciting episode of SOFREP Radio with Steve Balestrieri and Sean Spoonts!

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On this week's special podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with George Hand IV, better known as "Geo" among his many readers and fans.

Geo was a member of 1st and 7th Special Forces Groups before joining the tip of the American military's spear, the Delta Force. Geo stayed in the Unit until his retirement from the Army.

His civilian career has taken him to many places from working for the Department of Energy in the Nevada Desert to tracking down human traffickers to writing for such sites as SOFREP, WE ARE THE MIGHTY, Sandboxx, and contributing expert commentary to Business Insider.

From traversing Morocco on camelback to visiting Auschwitz to training SEALs on breaching techniques the interview is filled with exciting details of Geo's military and civilian life.

Steve and Geo also talk about Geo's book Brothers of the Cloth. The book is a collection of short stories from Geo's days in the Unit. The stories focus on and memorialize Geo's brothers in Delta Force making Brothers of the Cloth perhaps the definitive account of life in Delta Force. The book is elevated by Geo's inimitable writing style, which accentuates both the lighthearted and the more poignant moments of the stories.

You can visit Geo's website at https://georgehand.org/.

Join us for a very special episode with a dear friend. Thank you, Geo!

 

Editor's Note: We would like to apologize to our listeners as, due to a production issue, small sections of the interview have an echo. But don't worry! You'll be able to hear Geo loud and clear throughout!

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On this week's podcast episode SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Chris Wallace the host of Fox News Sunday and the author of the recently released book Countdown Bin Laden, the Untold Story of the 247-day Hunt to Bring the Mastermind of 9/11 to Justice.

Chris Wallace's book details the 247-day hunt for the head of al-Qaeda after the CIA located the courier that he was using to communicate with his operatives around the world. 

Talking to Steve, Chris Wallace highlights the contrast between the bungled handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the events at Kabul Airport with the series of successes that led to tracking down, positively identifying, and eliminating Osama bin Laden. In recounting these, Chris's book is a celebration of American capabilities. As Steve says, the hunt for bin Laden is a case study of everything going right.

Chris relates how Rob O'Neill, the veteran SEAL Team Six who took out bin Laden, told him that it was a "one-way mission;" the uncertainties were just that many.

As Steve points out, the book can be considered a historical thriller. Although we know the ending, this doesn't detract from the tension that the participants in the events felt. And through Chris Wallace's expert writing the reader feels the same tension.

Chris also emphasizes how tracking down bin Laden became a top priority for President Obama, despite common perception.

Nevertheless, the book isn't only about the operational aspects of the mission. It also portrays the emotional impact it had on the families of 9/11 victims. This is done by telling the story of New York police officer Jessica Ferenczy, whose fiancee was a NY City police officer killed during 9/11.

 

Join us for another episode of SOFREP Radio with Steve Balestrieri and Chris Wallace and find out the process that led to this highly recommended book.

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On this week's podcast episode SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with author and helicopter pilot veteran Colin P. Cahoon.

Before becoming an author, Colin was an Army officer and pilot of UH-1 and OH-58 helicopters in which he accumulated more than 1,000 flight hours.

Steve talks with Colin Cahoon about his latest book Mended Wings: The Vietnam War Experience Through the Eyes of Ten American Purple Heart Helicopter Pilots. 

Colin talks about his inspiration behind Mended Wings and his wish to honor the Vietnam War era helicopter pilots and all that they gave to the next generation of helicopter pilots.

This was Colin's first non-fiction book, nevertheless, the jump from fiction to non-fiction was made easier through the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Association (VHPA). Through VHPA, Colin was able to locate Vietnam-era Purple Heart pilots and tell their stories for posterity.

Colin also talks about the strong cohesion of the aviation units and the particular experience of Vietnam veterans that set them apart from others.

Mended Wings is an incredible page-turner about a group of heroic aviators and their accomplishments. You can order the book here.

Join us for another episode of SOFREP Radio!

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On this week's podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri speaks with his former Green Beret commander in Panama and Special Forces Colonel (Ret.) Kevin Higgins.

Colonel Higgins is a subject-matter expert on Latin America, so the two talk about Special Forces operations and involvement in Latin American from 1962 to the present day.

Colonel Kevin Higgins recounts his professional history and deployments in Latin America while interconnecting his narrative with the development of American foreign policy in the region.

Join us for another enthralling and informative SOFREP Radio episode.

 

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On this week's special podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Tom Spooner former Delta Force member and Co-founder of Warriors Heart.

Warriors Heart is an organization, which provides healing from a variety of issues, including PTSD and drug problems, for veterans, law enforcement agents, and first responders. Yet, its approach is unique. At Warriors Heart healing is achieved communally and holistically; and not in a clinic, but at an idyllic ranch in Hill Country, Texas.

In 2006 Tom suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) which went undiagnosed. His condition deteriorated eventually forcing him to retire from the military.

He talks with Steve about his journey to overcome his TBI and how his commitment to the welfare of the troops led him to eventually create Warriors Heart in 2016. Since the organization's creation Warriors Heart has treated 2,000 men and women.

Tune in to another informative episode of SOFREP Radio. You can find more about Warriors Heart, including how to attend or donate at their website at https://www.warriorsheart.com/about-us/.

 

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On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri speaks with Pete Blaber, Former Delta Force officer, author, and leadership expert.

During his career as an officer in special mission units, Pete Blaber would keep notes and write in order to learn and improve. Nevertheless, as he explains, during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. did not appear to be learning anything on a foundational level. So, after retiring from the Army in 2006, Pete decided to use his writing skills and try to fill the gap.

The results were his two books: The Mission, The Men, and Me, and the latest, The Common Sense Way.

In The Common Sense Way, Pete talks about what common sense really is and how it is linked to good leadership. As Steve says, we all recognize what common sense is but each of us would give a different definition of it.

After all, good leadership transcends field and sector. From engaging our neo-cortex to the contagiousness of survival instincts and the benefits of speaking calmly, the lessons found in The Common Sense Way are not only applicable to leaders in both the military and corporate world but to everyone.

Finally, Pete underlines how former Delta Force member George Hand (better known to his fans as Geo) with whom Pete served, epitomizes common sense. And he also shares some valuable and entertaining stories to illustrate that.

If you are interested you can purchase Pete Blaber's The Common Sense Way here and you can connect with Pete through his website.

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On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri speaks with General (Ret.) Don Bolduc.

General Bolduc served as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force commander and in 2012-2013 as Commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Component in Afghanistan where he logged 10 deployments and started the Village Stability Operations program. He was then the commander of Special Operations Command Africa.

Steve and General Bolduc discuss the state of affairs in Afghanistan and how we've come to this point. They also talk about PTSD and the silent toil it has enacted on our troops.

Further, General Bolduc bewails the current politicization of the military, and especially its top leaders, and the deeply divisive political environment plaguing the United States.

The general also talks about his decision to become a police officer in light of the shortage of officers in New Hampshire.

General Don Bolduc is now running for New Hampshire State Senate. To learn more about his campaign you can visit the general's website here.

Join us for another episode of SOFREP Radio.

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On this week's podcast episode SOFREP Managing Editor Sean Spoonts sits down and talks with best-selling writer and Steel Fear co-author John David Mann.

John Mann is a very prolific writer having penned 28 books on business and leadership. He is also a close collaborator of SOFREP founder Brandon Webb. Starting in 2012 with Red Circle, John and Brandon have worked together on six books.

John talks about their latest book, Steel Fear. The book was inspired by a series of molestation incidents, which took place on board the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, during the early days of female sailors being allowed to serve on board U.S. Navy ships. The serial molester was never caught. This gave the idea to Brandon of creating a book about a serial killer on board an aircraft carrier.

To accurately represent and convey the image and feel of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the average reader, John, with the help of Sean, had to extensively research aircraft carriers for a number of years. And thanks to Sean's help he also got to visit the USS Lincoln where he received a great welcome.

Further, John talks about the creative challenge of giving enough information to the reader while not giving away too much. Fans of mysteries and thrillers will know that this is a difficult balance to strike.

Join us for another entertaining episode of SOFREP Radio as we delve into the backstage of a military thriller's creation.

If you are interested you can purchase Steel Fear here.

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On this week's episode, SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri catches up with Marine Corps veteran and founder of American Veterans Homefront Initiative Ramon Castro in his journey along the southern U.S. border.

Ramon is walking the length of the U.S.-Mexico border to raise attention to the very important issue of foreign-born American military veterans being deported after their service comes to an end.

Many of these veterans suffer from PTSD or combat-related injuries. Nevertheless, they have no access to Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare services. As a result, their suffering intensifies.

American Veterans Homefront Initiative calculates that thousands of foreign-born veterans have been deported since 1996 when legislation changed. The issue hasn't been addressed by any of the administrations since.

As Ramon specifies, this isn't a political issue but an American one.

By some estimates, the number of green card holders in the U.S. military could be as high as 90,000-100,000. These men and women face the prospect of deportation after their green card expires.

President Biden has said that the issue is a priority for him. His administration has issued a statement saying that they will look into the problem, yet, so far, nothing has happened and the deportations continue.

You can find more about the cause and ways to contribute by visiting American Veterans Homefront Initiative's website at https://www.americanveteranshomefrontinitiative.com/. SOFREP will continue to be in touch with Ramon as he brings awareness to this very important issue.

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On this week's special podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Mindy Kotler Smith of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society.

Steve and Mindy talk about the Prisoner of War (POW) experience and the ordeals POWs underwent in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.

Perhaps the most well-known is the Bataan Death March. The Death March has gone down infamously in history for the cruelty of the Japanese captors and the resilience of the American and Filipino captives. Nevertheless, there were many other lesser-known similar events such as Corregidor and Palawan Massacre.

As Mindy Kotler Smith says, death marches and cruelty by the Japanese in the Pacific were systemic, and contrary to later Japanese claims, they were not isolated incidents. 

The American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society was founded in 1946 by Sam Moody.

Moody was a POW who had survived the Bataan Death March and then had to endure slave labor in mainland Japan. Moody understood that the only ones who could really connect to other POWs were POWs themselves as they had undergone the same hardships.

 

Tune in to a somber and revelatory SOFREP episode.

  

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On this week's special podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Marine Corps veteran and founder of American Veterans Homefront Initiative Ramon Castro.

Ramon is walking the length of the U.S.-Mexico border to raise attention to the very important issue of foreign-born American military veterans being deported after their service comes to an end.

American Veterans Homefront Initiative calculates that thousands of foreign-born veterans have been deported since 1996 when legislation changed. The issue hasn't been addressed by any of the administrations since.

Ramon Castro also discusses his motivation for tackling this problem, which, for too long, has not received the attention it should have. Fortunately, Ramon's walk has drawn the attention of politicians at the local level.

President Biden has said that the issue is a priority for him. His administration has issued a statement saying that they will look into the problem, yet, so far, nothing has happened.

Join us for another episode of SOFREP Radio and help bring to light an issue that casts shame on America. The veterans who have served the United States should be naturalized and not brushed under the carpet.

You can find more about the cause and ways to contribute by visiting American Veterans Homefront Initiative's website at https://www.americanveteranshomefrontinitiative.com/.

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On this week's special podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri is joined by SOFREP Managing Editor Sean Spoonts and they bring you a plethora of goodies.

July 4 is upon us. Steve and Sean recount memorable July 4 celebrations they've had around the world and how their British friends treat the day. 

But we want to make this July 4 especially memorable for our veteran and active-duty friends. So, in celebration of July 4, SOFREP has partnered with Fox Nation bringing you one year of Fox Nation for free! 

Fox Nation has a very strong patriotic programming that will appeal to anyone from the history buff to the wilderness enthusiast. Scroll to the end to find more information and sign up.

But there is more. 

Join SOFREP between July 1 and September 30 and get the chance to win fantastic prizes including an iPhone 12 Pro, a Galaxy S21 Ultra, and two must-have everyday carry items, the Emerson Commander knife, and Surefire's E2D Defender Ultra flashlight. You can find more information here and here. 

Tune in to a celebratory episode of SOFREP Radio.

 

This July 4, SOFREP has partnered with Fox Nation. From July 1 to July 4, if you are a veteran or on active duty, you can get an entire year of Fox Nation for free! Yes, you heard that right. One year. For free.

Just click on the link below to sign up.

Sign Up

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On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Spencer Coursen author of the Safety Trap and professional security expert.

The two discuss personal security and safety and how we can achieve them in our everyday lives. After all, an informed society is a safe society.

Spencer highlights the important difference between safety and security and how a wrong perception of the former may lead to a compromise of the latter. He points out that probably the most dangerous time during a security event is not at its beginning but at its end. This is because as an event unfolds the window of opportunity to escape gets smaller while the confidence of the attacker increases.

Further, Spencer explains how regardless of circumstances, the number-one factor of target selection by a perpetrator is the likelihood of success. Perpetrators will go after the weakest. Therefore, the more you're promoting your protective posture the least likely you'll be made a target.

The pair talks about the five Ds of home security: Deter, Detect, Deny, Delay, Defend

Importantly, Spencer explains why "sheltering in place" and "run-hide-fight" approaches in many cases don't make sense.

Nevertheless, his message isn't that we should live in constant fear, but that we should be vigilant and aware.

SOFREP recently reviewed The Safety Trap and highly recommends it to our audience. You can purchase the book here or at your favorite bookstore.

Tune in to a very informative and eye-opening episode of SOFREP Radio.

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On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Dan Schilling Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) veteran, author, and holder of the Guinness World Record for the most base jumps in 24 hours with 201 jumps.

Dan talks about his unlikely path from an Infantry grunt to becoming an Air Force Combat Controller and about his unit's unique characteristics. In his words, Combat Controllers don't only kill bad guys but also save good ones. A prime example of this took place following the devastating Haiti earthquake of 2010 when Air Force Combat Controllers increased the capacity of Haiti International Airport by 1,400 percent thus allowing for a tremendous increase in incoming aid. Dan highlights the traits of social adaptability and malleability that characterize the unit.

The two also talk about Steve's work with CTT in Latin America and the famous jumping incident involving a pair of cowboy boots and a gold motorcycle helmet.

Dan also talks about his new book The Power of Awareness. The book aims at helping people with no military background avoid dangerous situations and protect themselves. It teaches what situational awareness is and how people can get back in touch with their intuition — which can save their life in a hairy situation. For the book, Dan interviewed CIA officers, police detectives, and operators and incorporated their knowledge.

Click here to learn more about The Power of Awareness and download Dan's situational awareness exercises. You can purchase the book here or at your favorite bookstore.

Don't miss another informative episode of SOFREP Radio.

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On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Green Beret and Retired U.S. Army Colonel Mark Rosengard. Among other commanding roles, Colonel Rosengard served as the director of Task Force Dagger, the Special Forces unit and first American element in Afghanistan after 9/11. Colonel Rosengard was also the group deputy commander for 10th SFG and served in a number of countries. He finished his military career as chief of staff of SOCCENT. 

Colonel Rosengard talks about the first days in Afghanistan post-9/11 and how, despite a multitude of challenges, Task Force Dagger succeeded in its mission. 

He discusses the efforts to gain the trust of local warlords against the Taliban and how the American Special Forces had to negotiate and tread the differing and shifting allegiances of local and regional groups. All the while Task Force Dagger was hampered by a lack of intelligence and the technological limitations of the era, but received the support of a number of Afghans.

Finally, Colonel Rosengard explains the difference between federal security and local autonomy and how the U.S. failed in understanding the importance of the latter for the Afghans. A better understanding of local autonomy could possibly have led to a stabler and safer Afghanistan both for the locals and the U.S.

Tune in to another episode of SOFREP Radio and discover what America's finest faced to protect our way of life immediately after 9/11.

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On this week's podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host, Steve Balestrieri is joined by Fox & Friends co-host, author, and veteran Pete Hegseth.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Pete talks about his path to journalism and his subsequent interactions with his former teammates. They also discuss Pete's political plans, his books In the Arena and American Crusade, and his adventurous swim across the Hudson River with 30 Navy SEALs.

The two also touch upon America's foreign policy and the need to counter an ever-assertive China.

In discussing the current state of American society, education, and the divisive ideas permeating large sections of the country Pete offers his views on how America can move forward and overcome its current state.

Steve is then joined by SOFREP Managing Editor Sean Spoonts. The duo discusses their favorite Fox Nation programs and offers recommendations to our listeners.

Tune in to another episode of SOFREP Radio and remember from May 24 to May 31 Fox Nation, in partnership with SOFREP, offers a free one-year membership to active-duty servicemembers and military veterans. 

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On this week's podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host, Steve Balestrieri talks with Jonathan Hancock a Marine veteran from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment – The Magnificent Bastards – who walked 5,800 miles across the United States to visit fellow Marines and Gold Star families in a journey of healing.

Jon's trek across the country and his interactions with the veterans, Marines, and Gold Star families was filmed, at first by himself and then by filmmaker Brian Morrison who joined him on the road. The footage became the critically-acclaimed documentary Bastards' Road.

Steve and Jon talk about Jon's career in the Marines, his service with the 2/4 during the bloody Battle of Ramadi in 2004, his amazing journey across the United States, and the positive impact it had on those around him.

Tune in to a sincere and entertaining episode of SOFREP Radio.

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On this week's podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host, Steve Balestrieri sits down with Michelle Black the author of Sacrifice, A Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth.

Michelle Black's husband, Bryan, was a Green Beret and one of four American soldiers killed in an ambush in Niger in October 2017 by ISIS terrorists.

Steve and Michelle talk about her husband's life, the events leading up to the ambush, its aftermath, and the investigation surrounding it.

Michelle and the families of the other team members were offered inaccurate and, in some cases, untrue accounts of the events that transpired on that day and leading up to the ambush. Her desire for truth led her to interview Bryan's team members and piece out the true story. And in the process, reveal the Army's ugly underbelly. 

Tune in to an intimate, honest, and revealing episode of SOFREP Radio.

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In this special episode of SOFREP Radio, SOFREP Senior Editor Host Steve Balestrieri speaks with Clifford Chanin the Executive Vice President and Deputy Director for Museum Programs of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. They talk about the museum's collaboration with Discovery Channel on the upcoming documentary Revealed, The Hunt For Bin Laden.

The show follows the 10-year effort to find Osama bin Laden. In cooperation with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s access to American intelligence and military personnel, the documentary reveals how President Barack Obama ordered the SEAL raid on Bin Laden's compound in Pakistan without being certain that was even there. The filmmakers interviewed President Obama, CIA Director Leon Panetta, mission commander Admiral William McRaven, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and, perhaps for the first time, the clandestine military planners, intelligence analysts, and members of the assault force, that pulled off one of the most stunning missions of the Global War on Terror.

Revealed, The Hunt For Bin Laden debuts on the Discovery Channel Sunday, on May 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central time.

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In this week's episode of SOFREP Radio, Senior Editor Steve Balestrieri talks with Rick Lamb.  

The word "Legend" gets thrown around a lot but in Mr. Lamb's case, it is entirely apt. He joined the Army in 1978 under contract to become an Airborne Ranger directly and over the next 26 years, Rick served in both the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions, the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Group, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major.

He also seemed to be a part of every significant combat operation of the late 20th century the Army was involved in including: Operation Eagle Claw (Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission); Operation Just Cause (Invasion of Panama); Operation Gothic Serpent (Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu); Operations Restore, Uphold and Maintain Democracy (Invasion of Haiti); Operations Joint Forge and Joint Guardian (Bosnia and Kosovo); Operation Enduring Freedom (Horn of Africa); Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After retirement spend another 12 years working for U.S. Special Operations Command as a civilian culminating in a position as Operations Officer in the Center for Special Operations.

Rick is a Member of the SOCOM Commando Hall of Honor, the Ranger Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the SOCOM “Bull” Simmons Award.

He is the present Director of Military Relations for the Global SOF Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit works to build and grow an international network of military, government, commercial, and educational partners to advance SOF capabilities in confronting global and networked threats.

If that is not the definition of a "Legend" then no definition for it can exist.

Don't miss this episode of SOFREP Radio with Steve Balestrieri.

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In this episode, Senior Editor Steve Balestrieri joins our resident expert on the Chinese Army, Mr. Dennis J. Blasko.

Dennis served 23 years in military intelligence and as a Foreign Area Officer He served in infantry units in Germany, Italy, and Korea and in Washington at the Defense Intelligence Agency, From 1992 to 1996 he was an Army Attaché in Beijing and Hong Kong. Mr. Blasko is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School. He is the author of numerous articles and chapters on the Chinese military, along with the book "The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century", second edition.  

Join us as we discuss emerging trends in the People's Liberation Army of the Chinese Communists on this episode of SOFREP Radio with Steve Balestrieri.

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Brad was with the Ranger Battalion at the Battle of Mogadishu in October 1993 and went on to spend 12 years with Delta Force. Now retired, he's killing it music with a band of veteran musicians made up of veterans, "Silence & Light." Brad is an accomplished guitar player and composer. These guys are putting out albums and donating the proceeds to veteran's charities too.

Brad and his brother veterans are still serving and now SOFREP Radio has the pleasure of serving Brad and his story up to you.

Don't miss this podcast.

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This week on SOFREP Radio, we welcome Dr. Chloe Carmichael, author of Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety.

All of us are familiar with the feeling of anxiety, but we typically see it as something bad, something to be avoided. But not Dr. Chloe. She believes that the first zing of anxiety is actually a biological gift passed to us from our early ancestors. The jolt of anxiety is actually energy, kind of like the kick from a turbo charger. By harnessing that energy, we can push past the stagnation of anxiety and perform beyond our limits.

Don't miss Dr. Carmichael's ingenious take on anxiety, her methods for how to turn it into a part of your everyday arsenal, and a breakdown of her new book.

About the Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety

Many people reach success by deliberately being their own worst critic and obsessively double-checking their work; or by pushing their feelings aside. This strategy is seductive because it does work, at least up to a certain point. The problems arise once you advance beyond school and early career stages. The higher you climb, the more complex projects and issues in your life become. Meanwhile, you may have become so good at putting your emotions aside in certain situations that it’s hard to reconnect with them. This is when the old tools no longer suffice.

The "somewhat OCD" tendencies we pride ourselves on, or rather, the “Nervous Energy” we possess, can become mismanaged, and lead us down a rabbit hole of excessive self-criticism, anxiety, and pessimism. In Nervous Energy, Dr. Chloe Carmichael outlines nine tools with step-by-step instructions that can help you harness your Nervous Energy in order to live a more productive and fulfilling life. If managed correctly, the nervous energy that some people label as anxiety can actually be a source of stimulation, productivity, and fulfillment―and Dr. Chloe Carmichael has tried and tested methods for making this happen.

If you've ever felt a sense of excess energy that you didn't quite know how to direct, or felt that your creativity and motivation was being drained by constant analysis paralysis, Nervous Energy is for you.

 “Anxiety and stress are the number one epidemic of modern civilization. Frequently, stressed people find themselves at the pinnacle of success at the cost of unhappy lives, fractured relationships, and unhealthy bodies. Their energy is wasted even though they may have an excess of it. If 'high energy' people learnt to harness their energy to go beyond reactive responses to modes of intuition, creativity, and emotional resilience, they would achieve even more by doing less and be happier and healthier. This book offers the tools they need." - Dr. Deepak Chopra, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of SuccessAbout Dr. Chloe Carmichael

Dr. Chloe Carmichael graduated with honors from Columbia University and holds a doctorate from Long Island University. Her private practice focuses on stress management, relationship issues, self-esteem, and coaching. She is also a former adjunct college professor, yoga instructor, psychologist for the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, and co-chair of a committee for the New York Junior League. She has been published in various academic journals, and has been featured on VH1, Inside Edition, ABC Nightline, and other media. She lives in New York City.

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This week on SOFREP Radio we welcome former Air Force interrogator and prolific author James Rosone.

Rosone served six years in the Wisconsin Army National Guard as a member of the 1/126th Field Artillery Battalion. He left the National Guard in 2002 to pursue a career in the Air Force. It was during his time in the Air Force that I deployed to Iraq for the first time. Rosone served nearly three and a half years in Iraq both as a military member and then as Department of Defense and Department of State armed contractor.

During his ten years in the military and eight years as a Department of Defense and Department of State contractor, he fought and hunted down Islamic extremists throughout the Middle East, Eurasia, and Europe.

James has served in the J2 and J3 commands for US Central Command, US European Command, and US Special Operations Command in Florida and Germany, advising commanders on a variety of identity intelligence and biometric issues. He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Oxford as well as an MBA. He's written technical articles for European journals and advised numerous European leaders in the fields of identity intelligence and biometrics.

But like so many veterans, Rosone came away from his service with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In this unique episode, we discuss Rosone's own battles with PTSD and hear about how writing has become a tool for healing.

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This week on SOFREP Radio, we are pleased to welcome Gary Powers Jr.

Gary Powers is the son of Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Spy Plane pilot who was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960 during a reconnaissance mission. Growing up, Gary never really knew the historical importance of the U-2 Incident or what his father really did. It wasn't until his death in 1977 that Gary started to untangle the myths from the truth and learn about his father's military history.

In this scintillating episode, Gary Powers Jr. unpacks his father's legacy, the Cold War and his book Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy.

More About Gary Powers

Born June 5, 1965, Gary holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, and a Master’s Degree in US History. Gary is the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of The Cold War Museum located at Vint Hill, VA.

He is the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Cold War Theme Study which assists the National Park Service to identify historic Cold War sites for preservation. In 2015, he consulted for a Steven Spielberg thriller, Bridge of Spies, about the 1962 spy exchange between KGB spy Rudolph Abel and CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, Sr.

Gary is the author of Letters from a Soviet Prison and Spy Pilot. He lectures internationally, appears regularly on news broadcasts, and is married with one son.

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This week, we are excited to welcome Jack Devine back to SOFREP Radio.

With a career in the CIA that spanned more than three decades, Devine knows more about the American intelligence apparatus than most today. From the Iran-Contra affair and undermining the Russians in Afghanistan to serving as CIA’S acting director of operations and associate director of operations in the mid-1990s, Devine is a spy’s spy.

Since his first appearance on SOFREP Radio in 2017, Devine has been hard at work. He brings to this week’s episode a deep dive into the history of U.S.-Russian espionage, which has shown remarkable strategic consistency on the part of the Russians even as the tools of spycraft (especially cyber) have evolved since the Cold War.

With this issue very much on the minds of our national security and policy professionals, our media, and informed members of the public, Devine’s new book, Spymasters Prism: The Fight Against Russian Aggression is a timely and informative look at the ongoing spy-vs-spy struggle through the eyes of someone who was intimately involved.

Read the full review of Spymasters Prism on SOFREP here.

Based on personal experience and exhaustive research, Jack Devine builds a vivid and complex mosaic that illustrates how Russia’s intelligence activities have continued uninterrupted throughout modern history, using fundamentally identical policies and techniques to undermine our democracy as recently as the 2016 Presidential Elections.

Don’t miss this important episode that will change how you think about espionage, our enemies and the future of America. 

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This week on SOFREP Radio we welcome former Special Forces Green Beret Sean "Buck" Rogers.

Sean Rogers join the military at the age of twenty-one. After a serious injury during Ranger selection, he changed course and went on to Special Forces. As a Green Beret he served two combat deployments to Afghanistan. When his military service was complete, he returned to serve his community as a member of the Denver Police Department. Always challenging himself, Sean earned a master's degree and committed himself to running ultramarathons.

Today, he uses his experience to help the next generation of Special Forces hopefuls through his podcast, The FNG Podcast, and his YouTube channel, FNG Academy

This week, Sean also tells us about his new book, Rising Above: A Green Beret's Story of Childhood Trauma and Ultimate Healing, which was just released.

About Rising Above:

A simple car accident changed the path of six-year-old Sean Rogers’s life forever. His single mother checked into the hospital as a vibrant young woman and checked out as a full-blown opioid addict. From that day forward, Sean’s life became a silent nightmare of abuse, neglect, chronic hunger, and slow, helpless withdrawal from everything and everyone he loved.

In Rising Above, Green Beret Sean Rogers chronicles the toughest battle of his life: the long, painful fight to confront his darkest fears and reclaim his life. After struggling as a young man to accept the raw trauma of his past, he eventually learned to understand and embrace it, ultimately using it to become an elite Special Forces operator.

Through this profoundly honest and inspiring memoir, Rogers explores what it means to make the pain of your past work for you, showing you how to harness the truth of your own reality and take control of your destiny.

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This week on SOFREP Radio we are thrilled to welcome Jessica Donati.

Donati covers foreign affairs for The Wall Street Journal in Washington DC, and has reported from over a dozen countries in the role. She joined the paper as the bureau chief in Kabul in 2015, and lived in Afghanistan for over four years.

Previously, she worked for Reuters in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, covering both the conflicts in Libya and Afghanistan. Her work on a series on the war in Libya was chosen as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2012.

In this exclusive interview with Jessica Donati, we dive into her new book, Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War, and hear first hand accounts from the Special Forces battlespace in Afghanistan.

In her new book, Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War, Jessica Donati takes readers into the lives of U.S. Special Forces on the front lines against the Taliban and Islamic State, where a new and covert war is keeping Afghanistan from collapse.

In 2015, the White House claimed triumphantly that “the longest war in American history” was over. But for some, it was just the beginning of a new war, fought by Special Operations Forces, with limited resources, little governmental oversight, and contradictory orders.

Through successive policy directives under the Obama and Trump administrations, America has come to rely almost entirely on US Special Forces, and without a long-term plan, is failing to stabilize Afghanistan, undermining US interests both at home and abroad.

Eagle Down is a riveting account of the heroism, sacrifice, and tragedy experienced by those that continue to fight America’s longest war.

Don't miss this poignant, timely episode of SOFREP Radio.

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This week on SOFREP Radio, we're proud to host Mike Hayes, former Navy SEAL and commander of SEAL Team Two.

Mike Hayes has lived a lifetime of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. He has been held at gunpoint and threatened with execution. He’s jumped out of a building rigged to explode, helped amputate a teammate’s leg, and made countless split-second life-and-death decisions. He’s written countless emails to his family, telling them how much he loves them, just in case those were the last words of his they’d ever read. Outside of the Navy SEALs, he’s run meetings in the White House Situation Room, negotiated international arms treaties, and developed high-impact corporate strategies.

Over his many years of leadership, he has always strived to be better, to contribute more, and to put others first. That’s what makes him an effective leader, and it’s the quality that he’s identified in all of the great leaders he’s encountered. That continual striving to lift those around him has filled Mike’s life with meaning and purpose, has made him secure in the knowledge that he brings his best to everything he does, and has made him someone others can rely on.

In his new book, Never Enough, Mike Hayes recounts dramatic stories and offers battle- and boardroom-tested advice that will motivate listeners to do work of value, live lives of purpose, and stretch themselves to reach their highest potential.

You won't want to miss this straight talk with Hayes, exclusive glimpses into the book, and a handful of stories from his time in the Navy SEALs and beyond.

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This week on SOFREP Radio we're excited to welcome our guest, Col. Michael Leonard (ret.), US Air Force pilot and author of the new book An American Combat Bird Dog Pilot: From the Battlefield of Vietnam and Beyond.

In this exclusive interview with Leonard, we get a first hand account of his adventures, from his days before the military right on through to his years as an executive working for companies like the Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation and Lockheed-Martin.

Of note is Leonard's recounting of close calls as a O-1 Bird Dog pilot in Vietnam. As a Forward Air Control, or FAC, Leonard was often the only link between ground forces and friendly artillery fire. In his little fixed-wing plane, Leonard had to circle over hot battlezones, dodging enemy anti-air and small arms fire while calling in coordinates on enemy locations.

Don't miss this glimpse into the world of the Bird Dog pilots of Vietnam; a job that consisted of “long hours of sheer boredom, interspersed by moments of stark terror.”

About Col. Michael Leonard (Ret.)

Leonard is a retired Air Force officer and highly experienced global business executive. He was a USAF Command Pilot with a military career spanning 20 years, including 2 combat tours to Vietnam in 1965-1966, and 1969-1970. Mike spent 4 years flying the VC-140B Special Air Mission aircraft during his time with the 89th Military Airlift Wing, the “Home of Air Force One”. His combat decorations include 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 9 Air Medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.  

About the Book

An American Combat Bird Dog Pilot is a compelling look at the life and times of a member of the Silent Generation. In it, Michael Leonard recounts flying a small, unarmed USAF spotter plane — called an O-1 Bird dog — near ground level risking life and limb just feet above the jungle canopy. Leonard and his Bird dog were the turkey in the proverbial turkey shoot.

The recollection of the life and death struggle on Thanksgiving Day in 1969 with North Vietnamese forces hell bent on capturing or killing the crew of a downed chopper near the Cambodian border is about as hairy as it gets. Then the final straw — and the catalyst for the book — which took place more than 40 years later; Leonard made contact with one of the crewmembers from that chopper.

Surviving combat instilled a chameleon-like sense of innovation in Leonard and a kind of ‘challenge accepted’ attitude you might expect from someone used to taking risks and operating on a wing and a prayer.

An American Combat Bird Dog Pilot is now available in ebook and paperback versions. Don't miss this thrilling tale of an untold side of the war in Vietnam and hair-raising stories from a life just feet above the treetops.

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In this exclusive interview, Alec and Mark — alongside Michael Marks, who captured their story — pull back the cloak on the origins of the operation to build, test and field the first Predator drone and recall what it was like to view, for the first time, a live feed of a target area through the eyes of a UAV.

Not only did the pair lead the clandestine mission, they actually put eyes on Usama bin Laden in Afghanistan — through the Predator — before the 9/11 attacks. After 39 months of back and forth with the CIA and DoD Publication Review Boards, their manuscript has finally been fully cleared for release.

Their tale is chronicled in their new book, Never Mind, We'll Do it Ourselves.

With commentary from Charlie Allen former Assistant Director of Central Intelligence, Lieutenant General John Campbell, USAF (Ret) and USAF Lieutenant Colonel Gabe Brown, survivor of the Battle of Robert’s Ridge, this book will introduce you to the unlikely team of patriots, innovators and rule-breakers who defied the odds to relentlessly prosecute America’s most pivotal mission. A testament to the accuracy of this book is that the CIA fought for almost four years to prevent it from ever being published.

Don't miss this first hand account of the early days of the CIA's mission to track Usama bin Laden, the start of the War in Afghanistan and the legacy of the Predator Drone in modern warfare.

Want to get SOFREP on your phone? Download our free mobile app for Apple and Android devices. Subscribe to get access to our podcast, SOFREP Radio, our library of veteran-authored books, and our exclusive Team Room Forum. 

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This week on SOFREP it is our esteemed honor to host Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grinston.

For the uninitiated, the sergeant major of the Army is the most senior enlisted member in the United States Army and reports directly to the Army Chief of Staff.

As the sergeant major of the Army, Grinston is the Army chief of staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. He devotes the majority of his time traveling throughout the Army to observe training and interact with Soldiers and their Families. He sits on a variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their Families and routinely invited to testify before Congress. SMA Grinston is the public face of the U.S. Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, representing the NCO Corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements.

While SMA Grinston holds a lofty office, he is no stranger to life as a grunt; Grinston has held every enlisted leadership position in artillery, ranging from cannon crewmember to command sergeant major.

In this episode of SOFREP Radio, SMA Grinston pulls back the veil on the modern army, lending his decades of insight to everything from army-wide readiness to preparing the force for the future of war.

But make no mistake, this is no discussion of policy or theory. SMA Grinston answers questions about the deaths at Fort Hood, military suicide and mental health, and even the controversial basic training 'Shark Attack' technique.

Don't miss this exclusive interview with the U.S. Army's most senior enlisted member, SMA Michael Grinston.

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Jacob is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Afghanistan in the early 2000's as part of a Civil Affairs team. After his service, which included a stint at the Presidio of Monterey Defense Language Institute where he studied Arabic, Jacob relocated to New York City. In New York he worked for the New York Times and several other companies before joining forces with SOFREP as Editor in Chief.

In this sit down with Jacob, we hear some stories from OEF and how he came to lead the team at SOFREP. Moreover, we get a glimpse at where SOFREP is headed and how the publication will refresh itself in the new year.

Be sure to tune in as we put Jacob on the hot seat!

Editor's Note: This episode was recorded the morning of January 6th. 

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This week on SOFREP Radio we decided to shake things up a bit. While we had a standard-issue podcast lined up for you, we thought we would take a moment to discuss the events that unfolded in Washington D.C. on January 6th — and the aftermath — in a segment we're calling Editor's Round Table.

SOFREP contributor Sean Spoonts, Senior Editor Steve Balestrieri and Editor in Chief Jacob Sotak dive into the protest-turned-insurrection and try to answer some of the questions banging around the internal channels at SOFREP. What actually happened?Is what we witnessed sedition, or the impassioned outcry of American patriots? Who is responsible for the actions of the mob that entered the Capitol building? And what does this moment mean for our national security? 

Like so many Americans who are struggling to wrap their heads around the events that unfolded, our editorial team has more questions than answers. But, despite our differences in opinion, we believe the only way to approach clarity is through discussion and the sharing of differing perspectives.

We hope this first foray into the Editor's Round Table helps start a conversation among our listeners and, if we're lucky, sheds a little light on what we believe hangs in the balance.

And, in the name of discussion, we extend to you an invitation: Send us your thoughts at [email protected]. What did we miss? What do you think about the events of January 6th?

Editor's Note: This conversation was recorded on January 7th. At the time of recording, President Trump had not released his video statement acknowledging the event and committing to a peaceful transfer of power on January 20th.

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We are honored to host Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Tom Satterly and his wife Jen in this very special episode of SOFREP Radio, and the first of the new year.

Tom served in the United States Army for twenty five years. Not long after joining the Army in 1986, he passed the Special Forces Q Course and became a Green Beret. By 1991, Tom had moved to Delta Force where he served for the next 20 years deploying on countless missions across the globe.

Most notably, Tom served in Somalia and fought in the Battle of Mogadishu — the longest sustained firefight in military history since the Vietnam War — which was depicted in the oscar-winning 2001 film Black Hawk Down.

But for all Satterly's combat missions, his struggle with depression, pain and PTSD was the battle that nearly broke him. It was Jen who spotted something wrong and saved Tom from a suicide attempt. Tom's battle with PTSD took on a new light, and together, Tom and Jen started the All Secure Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to support struggling servicemembers and families and equip them with the tools and skills to emerge from their individual battles stronger and more resilient.

In this episode, Tom and Jen discuss his deployments, his struggle with PTSD and their ongoing mission to end veteran suicide.

This episode is not only the story of the Satterlys, but also a reminder to the families and friends of servicemembers and veterans; our fighting men and women need our support and resources like the All Secure Foundation — among many others — are out there to help, as Tom and Jen so poignantly remind us.

We at SOFREP hope this episode encourages you to reach out to veteran or servicemember in your life and remind them they are not alone.

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It's Christmas Day and we are honored and humbled to bring you an exclusive interview with veteran Joe Kent. Kent is a former Army Ranger who went on to join Special Forces Fifth Group where he logged eleven combat tours in Iraq and elsewhere. Kent rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer before leaving the SOF community.

In addition to his decades of service in U.S. Army Special Operations, Kent is also a Gold Star husband. His wife, Shannon Kent, was a U.S. Navy intelligence operative who was killed while serving in Syria in 2019.

In this very special episode of SOFREP Radio, we talk with Kent about his service in Iraq and Yemen, hear his thoughts on the missteps the U.S. has taken in the wars in the Middle East, and share in remembering the heroic service of his wife.

Here is a recent video about Kent's experience and his stance on the 'Endless Wars.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfCHddpPEyU

We're honored to have Joe Kent on this special Christmas episode; his story and his service is emblematic of the kind of selfless service carried out by so many in our armed forces and Special Operations units.

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This week on SOFREP Radio we were joined by Bing West, Marine Force Recon veteran, former Assistant Secretary of Defense to the Reagan administration and prolific author. In this episode, West walks us through his latest book, The Last Platoon, and talks about the Corps, the war in Afghanistan and much much more.

Read our full review of West's latest book on SOFREP.

About Bing West

During the Vietnam War, he was a platoon leader in Force Recon leading over 100 combat patrols. When his tour (66-68) was completed, the Corps asked him to write a guide for Marines coming into the country. The guide was titled Small Unit Action in Vietnam and the military published over 100,000 copies of it.

Bing West spent time in Afghanistan with Marines on the ground when he was 70 years old.

Afterward, Bing served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs in the Reagan administration. His son, Owen West, was also a Marine officer in Force Recon. Owen later became the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict under General Jim Mattis with whom Bing has co-authored a book.

Bing has authored 10 books centering on the Marine Corps. Many of them are about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan where he made about 40 trips and spend time on the battlefields and with Marines in the field.

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This week on SOFREP Radio we welcome Jeff Nyce, an over 30-year veteran of SWAT — 1981 to 2014 — who held the roles of operator, team leader and commander. Nyce completed over 4500 raids barricades with Montgomery Country SWAT during his time in uniform.  

Nyce participated in some of the most highly publicized events in law enforcement history, which generated national and even international attention, including the takedown of the DC snipers. He also involved in a hostage rescue incident by a lone-wolf domestic terrorist who the FBI determined was “the first suicide bomber with hostages in the United States” at the Discovery Headquarters Building in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the capture of a violent group of serial bank robbers featured on John Walsh’s America’s Most Wanted.

At the height of his career as a SWAT commander, Nyce was struck down by two diseases that at the time were deemed terminal with no available cure: multiple myeloma cancer and cardiac amyloidosis. Doctors told him that he had less than two years to live—at best.

Nyce prepared for what would be the greatest fight of his life. He overcame many obstacles, including “coding” in 2013 during a stem- cell transplant that required chest compressions and saline to bring him back to life and then a stroke precipitated in 2015 by the chemotherapy he was undergoing to forestall the myeloma and amyloidosis.

To get through, Nyce applied lessons learned from his years in SWAT: “Never complain, never quit, and the mission comes first. Failure’s not an option as it relates to the mission.” Nyce's mission was simple: survive.

Eight years have passed since his initial diagnosis, and Nyce is still alive and in remission. By all medical accounts, Nyce has defied the odds.

Nyce's memoir, Failure is Not an Option consists of three elements: high-profile SWAT operations; his medical journey; and lessons on fitness, diet, and drug routines that have helped Nyce manage these medical obstacles and improve his quality of life.

Don't miss this great episode of SOFREP Radio. 

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Mike Sarraille is the CEO of EF Overwatch, an executive search firm and talent advisory, and senior leadership consultant with Echelon Front. He is a former Recon Marine, Scout-sniper, and retired US Navy SEAL officer with twenty years of experience in Special Operations, including the elite Joint Special Operations Command.

Sarraille is also the author of The Talent War, a mandate for harnessing talent in business to achieve growth and hit targets:

"In this hypercompetitive business environment, the war for talent has never been more important, nor more complex than ever. Of 800 CEOs and 600 other C-suite executives polled in 2019, the overwhelming majority cited the ability to attract and retain top talent as their number one concern.

"You need to attract and retain the best talent for your organization to win, but without the right strategy or mindset, you won’t be able to compete. After all, your PEOPLE— not your product or service—are your strongest competitive advantage.

"The Talent War explores how U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) assess, select, and develop their world-class talent. You’ll learn how to adopt a talent mindset, the single greatest weapon you can possess in the war for talent. When your organization reflects this mindset, you will hire, train, and develop the right people, and put them in the best positions to make decisions that allow you to retake the advantage and win the war."

Don't miss this episode of SOFREP Radio.

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This week, SOFREP Radio Host Steve Balestrieri sits down with Sam Culper, CEO of Forward Observer.

Forward Observer is an Intelligence services company specializing in threat intelligence, trend analysis, conflict monitoring, and applied intelligence training. Culper started Forward Observer in 2012 when he transitioned out of the military intelligence community. He began looking at unrest in the United States and started to see indicators of low-intensity conflict — from both the left and the right — and began to track those indicators much like a military intelligence cell would.

Culper and his team at Forward Observer use evidenced-based reasoning and structured analytic techniques to think clearly about the future of American conflict.

They work to challenge status quo thinking about instability, collapse, systems disruption, and conflict through weekly analysis and intelligence reporting. They have a proven track record of offering high level, accurate insights and perspectives.

Listen in this week to increase your situational understanding, make better decisions, and reduce your uncertainty about the future.

Don't forget to check out Forward Observer, here.

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This week we rolled back the clock with journalist and author Kevin Maurer as we talk about his most recent book Rock Force: The American Paratroopers Who Took Back Corregidor and Exacted MacArthur’s Revenge on Japan.

Corregidor, as known as “The Rock” or the “Gibraltar of the East” was the scene of one of the worst defeats in American military history. Corregidor was the largest of four fortified islands protecting the mouth of Manila Bay. It had been fortified prior to World War I with powerful coastal artillery. It was relatively small, just 3.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide at its head, and only two miles from Bataan. Its widest elevated area, known as Topside, held most of the fort’s 56 coastal artillery pieces and installations. A labyrinth of tunnels connected the gun emplacements that housed 1,000 troops and a hospital.

After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and invaded the Philippines, Corregidor came under siege from December 29, 1941, through April 1942. After the fall of Bataan, the Japanese landed troops on Corregidor. The bloody fighting continued until May when General Jonathan Wainwright, who commanded the American and Filipino forces after General MacArthur’s evacuation, surrendered.

By late 1944, the war had turned and MacArthur was leading a monumental, but unnecessary, campaign to retake the Philippines. Thus, retaking “The Rock” was of huge symbolical importance to the Americans.

Rock Force has been called a "genuine, compelling and utterly riveting" account of the harrowing fight for Corregidor in a way that "captures the language and trappings of World War II." It's truly a must-read for any history buff.

Maurer is a very experienced author. He spent time embedded with Special Forces operators in Afghanistan and with the 82nd Airborne. He also co-wrote the book No Easy Day with Navy SEAL Mark Owen that recounts the raid that took out Osama bin Laden. So, he knows how to tell a military story.

Don't miss our full review of Kevin's book Rock Force on SOFREP.

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This week we're honored to host Lt. Colonel David "Bull" Gurfein, CEO of United American Patriots.

For the uninitiated, United American Patriots is military advocacy group that works to defend service members accused of crimes while in service.

UAP works with professional fundraising organizations to generate contributions for each service member, and uses those funds for attorneys’ fees, court costs, for family members to travel to the penitentiary and/or court hearings, and, for those released from confinement, UAP funds reintegration efforts like vocational training, psychological counseling, and offers stipends for housing and necessities.  

Over the past thirteen years, UAP’s sponsorship has helped dozens of combat Service members defend themselves at trial, upon appeal, and before military boards to upgrade discharges, thereby positioning these warriors for successes in civilian life.

Most recently, UAP has helped raise awareness about the MARSOC 3, and assisted in the parole and release of 1SG John Hatley.

Lear more about UAP's mission, HERE.

About Lt Colonel Gurfein

Lt Colonel Gurfein enlisted in the Marines at 17, completed Boot Camp at Parris Island and went on to become the Honor Graduate from Officer Candidate School, Meritoriously Augmented as a 2nd Lieutenant out of The Basic School, and served as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer.

With 25 years of service, he retired as a Lt Colonel after leading Marines operationally and in combat around the world - From a Rifle Platoon in the jungles of Panama; to a Mortar Platoon across the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait; to a Rifle Security Company on the fence-line at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; to a team of Future Operations Planners in the mountains of Afghanistan; to a Special Operations Task Force during the initial assault into the cities of Iraq; and as a Congressional Liaison on Capitol Hill for both the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and the Marine Special Operations Command.

LtCol. Gurfein also has extensive business executive management experience in diverse highly-competitive industries. To include as the CEO for ArmorSmith, defense technology; SVP and Partner with Holden International, business development consultants; VP for The Venetian and The Palazzo, five-diamond resorts in Las Vegas; National Sales Manager for MV Sport/Weatherproof, emblazoned sports apparel; COO for TeleVend, e-commerce start-up; and Associate with Goldman, Sachs & Co, Wall Street investment bank.

In 2016, LtCol. Gurfein ran for U.S. Congress in NY’s 4th District and was endorsed by 5 parties (Republican, Conservative, Independence, Tax Revolt, and Reform). Although he lost, with over 40% of the vote (120k votes) he did far better than most expected he would as a first-time candidate in a predominantly Liberal Democratic district.

LtCol. Gurfein received his MBA from Harvard Business School and BS in Speech Communication and Political Science from Syracuse University.

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Today we sit down with Gretchen Smith, founder of Code of Vets. With Veterans Day right around the corner, we thought it was high time we talked about Code of Vets, a non-profit organization which works to raise money through small personal donations and deliver it directly to veterans in need.

Code of Vets is a 501c3 that exclusively uses social media to raise donations and awareness for veterans in crisis and/or in need. With more than 340,000 followers just on Twitter (they have a following on Facebook as well), Code of Vets has raised over $2MILLION in two years to help thousands of veterans with suicide prevention, housing, food, clothing, medical and transportation just to name a few — with only 2% operating costs — nearly every penny that came in went right back out to veterans.

Veterans receive near immediate care/assistance upon request because of their unique platform. Code of Vets has caught the attention of celebrities and public figures alike including Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Sidney Powell, Larry The Cable Guy, Oak Ridge Boys, Scott Baio, Herschell Walker and Charlie Daniels.

The inspiration for Code of Vets came from Sgt. Danny E. Smiley, Gretchen's dad and Airborne Angel. He was a Bronze Star Medal recipient, a 100 percent disabled Vietnam Veteran - exposed to agent orange. He lost his battle with PTSD at age 57.

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This week, we welcome back to the show SOFREP friend and SOFREP Books author Eric Davis.

Eric Davis is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and decorated veteran of the War on Terror. Eric has been recognized as one of the premier sniper instructors in the U.S. military and has served as a Master Training Specialist at the SEAL sniper school.

Eric spent years developing, writing and executing curriculum for the SEAL Teams. By leveraging his expertise in the development of systems, structures, processes and practices Eric was instrumental in significantly reducing the failure rate, of Naval Special Warfare’s internationally recognized Sniper course. Since departing from the SEAL teams, Eric has worked in corporate performance, sales and leadership training bringing an unprecedented amount of innovation, efficiency and structure to the domain of business and personal performance.

In his new webinar course, Eric shares his experience as a Navy SEAL instructor and help you apply three core lessons to life and breathing through to the next level. Tune in to learn about the webinar and Eric's 'Tribe 215.' 

Learn more here.

Eric is the author of "Raising Men: Lessons Navy SEALs Learned from Their Training and Taught to Their Sons" and "Habits of Heroes: Being the Hero in Your Own Life"

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For many, Donnie Edwards is known as a gridiron grinder. A fourth round draft pick out of UCLA who played for thirteen seasons on the NFL — eight with the Kansas City Chiefs and six with the San Diego Chargers — Donnie earned a reputation for doling out hit and having hands. During his time in the NFL he logged 23.5 sacks and 28 interceptions, just nine short of the NFL record for most interceptions by a linebacker.

But for all his football fame, Edwards has come to be known in veteran and military circles for his veterans organization, The Best Defense Foundation.

The Best Defense Foundation's main focus is brining closure to WWII veterans by returning them to the battlefields where they once fought. Edwards and his foundation have helped hundreds of veterans return to battlefields from Normandy to Iwo Jima, some of whom had not set foot in those places since the war.

The Best Defense Foundation has also added to its mantle a mission for Special Forces soldiers. Dubbed simply the Transition Program, Edwards and BDF reintegrate SOF soldiers by "combining concepts from the battlefield with ideas forged on the gridiron" through "unique retreats that preserve bonds of brotherhood while providing tools and services that equip and empower our veterans to move forward."

Tune in to this week's episode to learn more about the Best Defense Foundation and hear tales from the ground from gridiron great Donnie Edwards.

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This week we welcome historian and author Paul Bruno to the show.

Paul is an early Jeep historian who has just released a new book with MFM Publishing called The Original Jeeps, the true story of how the US Army created the Jeep some 80 years ago.

He has spent more than 20 years researching, writing and studying early Jeep history. He visited key sites in this story, including the United States National Archives, and combined his knowledge of project management and history in his first book, Project Management in History: The First Jeep, published in 2014. The Original Jeeps further tells the story of early Jeep history and continues his journey into the depths of this important inspirational work of human ingenuity.

Any historian, automotive buff, Jeep fan, or World War II enthusiast will love what he has to say.

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In this week's episode we rolled up our sleeves with Jay Dobyns, a tough-as-nails undercover federal agent who served for twenty-seven years before retiring in 2014.

He achieved worldwide notoriety as one of history's most daring undercover operators during high-octane missions targeting America's violent crime. Often playing the role of a shrewdly-calculating hitman or mob debt collector infiltrating scores of deadly criminal enterprises while living among street and prison gangs, anti-government extremists, gunrunning groups, drug traffickers and organized crime members, bomb builders, home invasion robbery crews and "murder-for-hire" suspects.

A defense attorney once described Jay as: "...a government-trained ‘Predator’ repeatedly sent on seek and destroy missions in search of drugs, guns and violence, with instructions to succeed at any cost and without regard for the agent himself or those he crosses paths with.”

Jay is perhaps best known for his landmark effort against the notorious Hells Angels. He was the first-ever lawman to defeat the gang’s multilayered security measures getting inside to become a member of their legendary Skull Valley charter.

Jay's book about that investigation - No Angel, My Harrowing Undercover Journey to the Inner Circle of the Hells Angels - is a New York Times and international bestseller.

His follow-up book - Catching Hell, A True Story of Abandonment and Betrayal - is a bestselling memoir that details the events of his life and career.

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During his heyday, Pablo Escobar and the Medellin cartel were pushing an estimated 70-80 tons of cocaine into the U.S. every month. DEA agents Javier Peña and Steve Murphy were stationed in Colombia and were assigned to take down Escobar and the Medellin cartel.

Many Americans had no idea who Murphy and Pena were until the Netflix series “Narcos” was released. And although the series, like all Hollywood films, took some liberties with the true story, it finally brought Murphy and Pena to the forefront.

The DEA agents worked in Medellin out of the police force base and were part of the Search Bloc (Bloque de Búsqueda), the CNP’s Special Operations unit in charge of the search for Escobar. The task force also included members of Delta Force, Navy SEALs, NSA, and CIA. It was the CIA that both Murphy and Peña remember as being as much at odds with the DEA as it was with the cartel.

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Kristofer Goldsmith is the chief investigator and associate director for policy and government affairs at Vietnam Veterans of America, a congressionally-chartered veterans service organization. There he has been leading efforts to study the targeting of troops and veterans online for the purposes of fraud and disinformation campaigns by foreign entities. Kris's policy portfolio at VVA centers around "New Veterans," covering a broad range of issues from healthcare to education, and military personnel policy to post-service employment opportunities for veterans.

He is the founder of High Ground Veterans Advocacy, a small nonprofit organization which trains veterans to engage successfully with government on policy changes meant to improve the lives of servicemembers, veterans and their families.

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Moe Davis is a retired Air Force Colonel, Director of the Air Force Judiciary and former Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay. Col. Davis has been a law professor, judge, speaker, writer, and national security expert for Congress.

He graduated from Appalachian State and North Carolina Central School of Law. Shortly after he passed the bar exam, his father died of a heart attack. In part to honor his father, Davis decided to join the Air Force, the start of a 25-year career of service in the military.

In 2007, while serving as Chief Prosecutor for Terrorism Trials at Guantanamo Bay, Col. Davis dared to publicly take on the Bush Administration. He refused an order to use evidence obtained through torture, believing it was both immoral and illegal and the evidence unreliable. That decision came at a price; to uphold his principles and maintain his oath, Col. Davis had no choice but to resign his prestigious position as Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay.

For his stand against torture and the political pressure placed on prosecutors at Guantanamo, the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) honored Col. Davis by including him in, “Those Who Dared: 30 Officials Who Stood Up For Our Country.”

That was not the last time Col. Davis stood up for what he believed was right. In 2009, after retiring from the Air Force, he was working as an assistant director and senior specialist in national security for the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. But when he wrote an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal that was critical of the Obama Administration’s handling of prosecutions at Guantanamo Bay, Col. Davis was fired.

Col. Davis is currently running for election to the U.S. House to represent North Carolina's 11th Congressional District.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

Editor's note: This episode was recorded on September 4th, 2020. Due to technological issues, the quality of some portions of this podcast is low.

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General Don Bolduc served as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force commander and from 2012-2013 as Commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Component in Afghanistan where he logged ten deployments. Today, General Bolduc is running for New Hampshire State Senate.

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Our guest Dan Hampton is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 2006. He flew 151 combat missions in the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and logged 726 career combat hours. Lt. Col (Ret.) Hampton is best known as a "Wild Weasel", or Surface-to-Air (SAM) site killer, recording 21 hard kills on SAM sites. Dan is also the author of Operation Vengeance: The Astonishing Aerial Ambush That Changed World War II. Pick up your copy on Amazon today!

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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In this episode, host Steve Balestrieri speaks with Clint Lorance, a former Army officer who was wrongly accused of killing Afghan civilians. The military system, the unit chain of command, and the Army committed a grave injustice and put Clint in prison for killing enemy combatants who were getting ready to attack his soldiers.

Thanks to being pardoned by President Trump, Clint is now a free man and is beginning law school so that he can help to fight injustice within the system. Clint is also the author of a book called Stolen Honor: Falsely Accused, Imprisoned, and My Long Road to Freedom that will be released on September 22, 2020. You can preorder your copy today!

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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In this episode, host Steve Balestrieri speaks with Marc Goldberg, an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) paratrooper and author of the book Beyond the Green Line.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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Our guest is Ingrid Centurion, an Iraq war veteran and a small business owner who is running for office as a State Representative in Massachusetts. She began flying airplanes at 17 years old before moving to flying as a commercial pilot at 20 years old, and then moved on to an honorable twenty year plus military career where she operated in mission-critical environments from the cockpit of multiple aircraft platforms such as the UH-1H (Huey), UH-60 (Blackhawk), and RC-12P (Guardrail).

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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On this show we have two incredible guests. Host Steve Balestrieri discusses national security and childhood obesity nutrition with Rear Admiral Bob Besal (U.S. Navy Retired) followed by Brigadier General Gary Pappas (Massachusetts Army National Guard Retired).

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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Born on July 4th and named after the great John Wayne, you could say that our guest John Wayne Walding was destined to be an American hero. He spent 12 years in the US Army and seven in the Special Forces Group serving his country. While serving, John suffered a devastating injury during the Battle of Shok Valley after being shot in the leg. After losing his leg during the battle, John continued to fight on alongside the other soldiers, which ultimately earned him the Silver Star, Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his bravery.

Following his recovery, John’s determination and selflessness drove him to do what no one else had done before – enroll in the Special Forces Sniper School to become the first ever amputee to re-enlist as a Green Beret Sniper. As always, John was looking for another way to give back to the country he loves so much.

To continue on his mission of giving back and serving his country, John is now co-founder of Live to Give, a company built on the premise of giving back and one that donates 50% of its net profits to charities supporting military, first responders and their families. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, John’s company has donated hundreds of cases of water to first responders and schools, partnered with likeminded organizations to help employ those who have lost work, and continued to give back in however possible.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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Our guest Jake Lockett was born and raised in central Texas, went to Texas A&M, studied Aerospace Engineering, and ended up studying German Language as well. He moved to LA in 2011 and has been acting ever since. His resume includes roles in the CBS SEAL Team series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Community, Hawaii Five-O, and many others. Jake is a great guy who also teases out a Special Forces project he's involved with.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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Host Steve Balestrieri (retired Green Beret and current SOFREP writer) interviews Jason Lewis, former Army Captain, veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, and a man who is now helping veterans suffering from tinnitus and hearing loss.

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Stuart "Stu" Bradin is the President and CEO of the Global SOF Foundation. He retired as a U.S. Army Special Forces colonel in May 2014 after over 32 years of service. Stu’s Special Forces assignments include service with elements of Joint Special Operations Command, as Deputy Director of Operations at Special Operations Command Europe, and extensive service with the 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups (Airborne). He commanded several SFODAs (“A-Teams”) and served as a battalion Operations Officer as well as the Company Commander of the counter terrorist unit designated as the CINC’s In Extremist Force. He participated in Operation Just Cause, served tours as an adviser in El Salvador and Peru, and is a veteran of multiple unconventional and other special operations with 10th SFG(A) in the Balkans and numerous locations in northern and central Africa.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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We had such a good time interviewing Bob Adams last week that host Brandon Webb had him back on for more.

Bob Adams began his military career at the U.S. Naval Academy as a 5th generation career officer. After serving as Navigator and First Lieutenant on the USS Hamner (DD-718) he followed his dream to Navy SEAL training where he graduated as class leader. He served 14 years in the Navy – 12 in the SEAL Teams, active and reserve, and was a Navy Commander when he changed services to attend medical school on an Army scholarship to Wake Forest University Medical School.

As an Army physician, he commanded various clinics providing full-service inpatient and outpatient obstetric, pediatric, medical, surgical and gynecologic services to a diverse population, with ages from birth to elderly geriatric patients, for both military and civilian institutions. He was honored to serve four years as the Command Surgeon for the US Army DELTA Force providing rapid deployment special forces combat medical services worldwide.

He is the author of Six Days of Impossible Navy SEAL Hell Week, a Doctor Looks Back.

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Bob Adams began his military career at the U.S. Naval Academy as a 5th generation career officer. After serving as Navigator and First Lieutenant on the USS Hamner (DD-718) he followed his dream to Navy SEAL training where he graduated as class leader. He served 14 years in the Navy – 12 in the SEAL Teams, active and reserve, and was a Navy Commander when he changed services to attend medical school on an Army scholarship to Wake Forest University Medical School.

As an Army physician, he commanded various clinics providing full-service inpatient and outpatient obstetric, pediatric, medical, surgical and gynecologic services to a diverse population, with ages from birth to elderly geriatric patients, for both military and civilian institutions. He was honored to serve four years as the Command Surgeon for the US Army DELTA Force providing rapid deployment special forces combat medical services worldwide.

He is the author of Six Days of Impossible Navy SEAL Hell Week, a Doctor Looks Back.

This episode was hosted by SOFREP Media CEO and former Navy SEAL, Brandon Webb.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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In this episode, Geo and Stavros sit down with Brandon A., a former Air Force AC-130 Spooky gunner and now a detective in a law enforcement department. We talk about his time in the Air Force, what goes inside a Spooky gunship, deployments, danger-close fire support missions in Afghanistan, and his transition from the military to law enforcement. You don’t want to miss this one!

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Our guest, Senator Martha McSally, proudly represents the people of Arizona in the U.S. Senate and spent four years in the U.S. House of Representatives. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, McSally served 26 years in the Air Force, retiring as full colonel. She is the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat and first to command a fighter squadron in combat in United States history. McSally deployed six times to the Middle East and Afghanistan and flew 325 combat hours in the A-10 Warthog, earning the Bronze Star and six air medals. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Her new book Dare to Fly: Simple Lessons in Never Giving Up shows you how to clear the runway of your life: embrace fear, transform doubt, succeed when you are expected to fail, and soar to great heights in this motivational life guide.

This episode was hosted by SOFREP Media CEO and former Navy SEAL, Brandon Webb.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Support our veteran team and be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave us a review!

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Our guest is Cee Freeman, Vice President of the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association.

In 2010, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm was becoming just a side note in history. Its founder was moved to act and initiated the effort to construct a memorial in Washington, D.C. to both memorialize those who lost their lives and educate visitors from America and around the world.

Since 2011, the National Desert Storm War Memorial (NDSWM) has worked to achieve its singular mission, construction of the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial. NDSWM is on track to complete and dedicate the memorial on Veterans Day 2021.

This episode was hosted by SOFREP writer and Green Beret, Steve Balestrieri.

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Host Steve Balestrieri speaks with Mike Broihier, a veteran running in a Senate campaign in Kentucky. Mike is on the show to discuss his personal story and perspective on life post-service (he has been a teacher, farmer, and local newspaper editor) as well as how his time in service has shaped his Senate run.

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Will Chesney is the author of No Ordinary Dog, the powerful true story of a SEAL Team Operator and military dog handler, and the dog that saved his life.

Two dozen Navy SEALs descended on Osama bin Laden’s compound in May 2011. After the mission, only one name was made public: Cairo, a Belgian Malinois and military working dog. This is Cairo's story, and that of his handler, Will Chesney, a SEAL Team Operator whose life would be irrevocably tied to Cairo's.

Starting in 2008, when Will was introduced to the SEAL canine program, he and Cairo worked side by side, depending on each other for survival on hundreds of critical operations in the war on terrorism. But their bond transcended their service. Then, in 2011, the call came: Pick up your dog and get back to Virginia. Now.

What followed were several weeks of training for a secret mission. It soon became clear that this was no ordinary operation. Cairo was among the first members of the U.S. military on the ground in Pakistan as part of Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the successful elimination of bin Laden.

As Cairo settled into a role as a reliable “spare dog,” Will went back to his job as a DEVGRU operator, until a grenade blast in 2013 left him with a brain injury and PTSD. Unable to participate in further missions, he suffered from crippling migraines, chronic pain, memory issues, and depression. Modern medicine provided only modest relief. Instead, it was up to Cairo to save Will's life once more—and then up to Will to be there when Cairo needed him the most.

This episode was hosted by SOFREP writer and Green Beret, Steve Balestrieri.

If you haven’t already, be sure to join our community at SOFREP and find the best tactical equipment and apparel in our store, The Loadout Room. Be sure to subscribe to SOFREP Radio and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!

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In this episode, we sit down with our very dear friend Alex Hollings. A former SOFREP senior staff writer, Alex is now the Editor of Sandboxx. We discuss the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it affects military training and readiness and China’s information operations. We also touch upon how the pandemic might affect the journalism business.

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Duane Miller, age 95, lived through hell fighting against the Germans in WWII. Miller joined the U.S. Army as an infantryman in October 1943. He was only 18 years old. This American hero has had an incredible life and you'll get some insight in this interview conducted by Navy SEAL and New York Times best-selling author Brandon Webb.

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In this episode, Big Phil Campion (British SAS) tells us about his recent experiences being locked down in Spain as well as a rought trip to Togo. This guy is always up to something interesting! If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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In this episode, we sit down with “Headshot” Don Bradley. Don is a former Special Forces operator and CIA paramilitary contractor with over 25 combat deployments. His life, however, was forever changed when he was shot in the head during a road rage incident back in 2018. Having barely escaped with his life, Don is now fighting to clear his name. Please consider supporting Don and his family by donating on their GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/head-shot-don-could-use-a-hand/ If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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In this episode, SOFREP Managing Editor Stavros Atlamazoglou and former Delta Operator and SOFREP writer Geo sit down with Sensei James Williams. Sensei Williams trains the most elite Special Operations units of the country in combatives and knife-fighting. During their discussion, they talk about knife-making, combatives, and the right mental state for combat, among other things. They also go over some amazing stories from downrange and how Sensei’s combatives teaching has saved the lives of America’s best. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Our special host this episode is SOFREP writer and former Special Forces operator, Steve Balestrieri. He interviews Stephen "Butch" Whitehead, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) national commander. Whitehead is a combat-disabled veteran of the Iraq War, was elected national commander for the more than 1 million-member DAV at the organization’s 2019 national convention in Orlando, Florida. A native of Trimont, Minnesota, Whitehead is a retired command sergeant major for 84th Troop Command Brigade in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Whitehead joined the Army in 1991 and completed two overseas deployments, receiving the Bronze Star in 2007 for combat service in Iraq. In 2012, he was awarded the Veterans Voices Award by then-Gov. Mark Dayton of Minnesota. Other military awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, five Army Achievement Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Currently, Whitehead serves as executive director of the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota Foundation. He has served as adjutant for the DAV Department of Minnesota and is chair for multiple department-level committees. He was also recently appointed to the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Consumer Advisory Board, where he will serve for three years. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Host Phil Campion is on time and on target from the British Ministry of Defence main building -- also called the Whitehall. He interviews a special guest, Johnny Mercer. In July 2019, Johnny was appointed the Minister for Defence People and Veterans in the Ministry of Defence and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in the Cabinet Office. He is responsible for armed forces, veterans and civilian people policy. In short, he takes care of veterans and makes sure they are supported at the national level. This is a special interview that you don't want to miss. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Navy SEAL and New York Times best-selling author Brandon Webb is back to discuss the ongoing Coronavirus situation and his thoughts on getting our troops out of Afghanistan. Remember to send in your questions to [email protected] for a chance to have them read on our show. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Host Phil Campion is on time and on target from Spain this week! Phil interviews a special guest, his partner of fifteen years, Wendy. Find out if Phil gets himself into trouble on this one. He also covers some Coronavirus updates, right wing terror, and Prince Harry. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Host Phil Campion and guest Gary Weaving discuss Forgotten Veterans UK and more. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Host Phil Campion and guest Alastair Weir discuss veteran charities, military music, Rudyard Kipling, and more. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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What a better way to celebrate the 500th episode of SOFREP Radio than by sitting down with Delta Force pipehitter and SOFREP writer George Hand IV, aka Geo? We talk about how he tackled Delta’s grueling selection, his time as an instructor at the Army Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course, deploying to Mogadishu the next day after the Black Hawk Down battle, low-visibility operations in the Balkans, and why he didn’t reenlist after 9/11. You don’t want to miss this one. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Back on the show is our friend Kamal Ravikant, a U.S. Army veteran turned venture capitalist whose newest project is a rewrite of his book Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It. The book came out on January 7th, 2020 so be sure to pick up a copy now! Kamal and Brandon Webb get into some candid stories about business ventures and shared experiences. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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In this episode we’re discussing a very serious and unfortunate event that took place on New Year’s Day 2019 in Iraq. Then, three Marine Raiders, Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Negron, Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Draher and Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet, were involved in an altercation with Mr Rick Rodriguez, a former Green Beret turned contractor, outside a nightclub. The altercation, unfortunately, resulted in the death of Mr Rodriguez. Now, the three Raiders face a court-martial for involuntary manslaughter, among other charges. We are joined by Fred Galvin, a retired Marine Raider officer of MARSOC FOX Company fame, Phillip Stackhouse, the attorney for Gunnery Sgt. Draher, and Bull Gurfein, CEO of United American Patriots, a legal defense fund for military personnel accused of war crimes. We request listeners to call and visit their representatives' office and urge their elected officials to join Congressman Louie Gohmert's efforts in the Justice For Warriors Caucus in defending the three MARSOC warriors: Gunnery Sergeant Draher, Gunnery Sergeant Negron and Chief Petty Officer Hospital Corpsman Gilmet from 3rd Marine Raider Battalion. You can support United American Patriots by visiting https://www.uap.org. And as always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Host and SOFREP Managing Editor, Stavros Atlamazoglou, leads an incredible discussion with CWO4 (ret) Greg Coker (Task Force 160, Special Operations Aviation Regiment aka “The Night Stalkers”) and Master Sergeant (ret) George Edward Hand IV (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta aka “The Delta Force"). You don't want to miss out on this one. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Host Phil Campion discusses a timeline of events regarding Iran, why Doberman Pinschers are so badass, and Atlantic rowing. If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs and gear available in our store. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Happy New Year! As we roll into 2020, take a look at one of our favorite episodes from the last year. This show is originally from Episode 413. If you read Brandon Webb's book "Mastering Fear," you may recall an awesome story from Ramones bass player and Marine, CJ Ramone. This is the interview that inspired that story. CJ joined us back on Episode 273, and we split that interview into two. The first half for SOFREP, second half for Brandon Webb's Power of Thought Podcast. Here is that great interview in it's entirety. CJ was fresh off of a tour with The Aquabats as we recorded this and was ramping up to go off to the UK for another tour. The guys talk their mutual love of travel and some of the great sites they've seen around the world. CJ's music is what allows him to travel so much, and he has a true appreciation for it. You'll hear about the trial by fire when he was asked to replace the legendary Dee Dee Ramone for rambunctious crowds not exactly thrilled to see a new member of The Ramones. His biggest fear? Running out of time, and you'll hear why. Remember to send in your questions to [email protected] for a chance to have them read on our show. If you haven’t already noticed, the new SOFREP website has been launched! We also have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs available in our store. All of our content – including an additional article catalog of more than 12,000 gear reviews, SOF history pieces, and military aviation articles – have been consolidated into one completely redesigned site and mobile app, to include featured categories such as News, Gear, Media (video & podcasts), Team Room & member forums, Store, and the #1 Gear Club in America – Crate Club. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Navy SEAL and New York Times best-selling author Brandon Webb is back to discuss the Colin Kaepernick situation in light of his most recent tryout, the fashion industry profiting from the American war machine, and the "State of the 'REP" updates on what is on the horizon for SOFREP. Remember to send in your questions to [email protected] for a chance to have them read on our show. If you haven’t already noticed, the new SOFREP website has been launched! We also have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs available in our store. All of our content – including an additional article catalog of more than 12,000 gear reviews, SOF history pieces, and military aviation articles – have been consolidated into one completely redesigned site and mobile app, to include featured categories such as News, Gear, Media (video & podcasts), Team Room & member forums, Store, and the #1 Gear Club in America – Crate Club. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, and all that good stuff! On this show, Big Phil Campion covers some British Special Forces EDC (everyday carry) tips, acid attacks, badass dogs, and some special topics that you have to listen to find out about. This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon. Their mission is simple: to make sure all your basics (and beyond) are smartly designed and that shopping is easy and convenient. Mack Weldon was founded because they wanted more out of the basics and always questioned how something so essential could be such a pain in the ass to buy? The frustration was real and their “eureka moment” happened in a department store aisle full of brands that dominated their top drawer. Surrounded by a mind-numbing assortment of underwear and socks, they realized consistent fit and quality became a game of roulette… so they decided to take matters into their own hands. They started from scratch and engineered their own fabric. They made sure the design process was meticulous, so you can count on the fit being the same each time. They built a world class customer experience. The difference is in the details, so they obsessed over every stitch and seam until they’d reached their definition of perfect. For 20% off your first order, visit mackweldon.com AND ENTER PROMO CODE: SOFREP If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs available in our store. We even brought back from SOFREP Radio designs for you guys! So check them out. All of our content – including an additional article catalog of more than 12,000 gear reviews, SOF history pieces, and military aviation articles – have been consolidated into one completely redesigned site and mobile app, to include featured categories such as News, Gear, Media (video & podcasts), Team Room & member forums, Store, and the #1 Gear Club in America – Crate Club. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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On this show, Big Phil Campion records from London to discuss his favorite hunting dog (which will surprise you), the UK election mess, and stories about "Operation Banner" in Northern Ireland. This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon. Their mission is simple: to make sure all your basics (and beyond) are smartly designed and that shopping is easy and convenient. Mack Weldon was founded because they wanted more out of the basics and always questioned how something so essential could be such a pain in the ass to buy? The frustration was real and their “eureka moment” happened in a department store aisle full of brands that dominated their top drawer. Surrounded by a mind-numbing assortment of underwear and socks, they realized consistent fit and quality became a game of roulette… so they decided to take matters into their own hands. They started from scratch and engineered their own fabric. They made sure the design process was meticulous, so you can count on the fit being the same each time. They built a world class customer experience. The difference is in the details, so they obsessed over every stitch and seam until they’d reached their definition of perfect. For 20% off your first order, visit mackweldon.com AND ENTER PROMO CODE: SOFREP If you haven’t already noticed, we have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs available in our store. We even brought back from SOFREP Radio designs for you guys! So check them out. All of our content – including an additional article catalog of more than 12,000 gear reviews, SOF history pieces, and military aviation articles – have been consolidated into one completely redesigned site and mobile app, to include featured categories such as News, Gear, Media (video & podcasts), Team Room & member forums, Store, and the #1 Gear Club in America – Crate Club. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Navy SEAL and New York Times best-selling author Brandon Webb is back to discuss toxic cultural issues within the SEAL community, Trump's intervention with Eddie Gallagher's trial, and a reminder to send in your questions to [email protected] for a chance to have them read on our show. This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon. Their mission is simple: to make sure all your basics (and beyond) are smartly designed and that shopping is easy and convenient. Mack Weldon was founded because they wanted more out of the basics and always questioned how something so essential could be such a pain in the ass to buy? The frustration was real and their “eureka moment” happened in a department store aisle full of brands that dominated their top drawer. Surrounded by a mind-numbing assortment of underwear and socks, they realized consistent fit and quality became a game of roulette… so they decided to take matters into their own hands. They started from scratch and engineered their own fabric. They made sure the design process was meticulous, so you can count on the fit being the same each time. They built a world class customer experience. The difference is in the details, so they obsessed over every stitch and seam until they’d reached their definition of perfect. For 20% off your first order, visit mackweldon.com AND ENTER PROMO CODE: SOFREP If you haven’t already noticed, the new SOFREP website has been launched! We also have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs available in our store. All of our content – including an additional article catalog of more than 12,000 gear reviews, SOF history pieces, and military aviation articles – have been consolidated into one completely redesigned site and mobile app, to include featured categories such as News, Gear, Media (video & podcasts), Team Room & member forums, Store, and the #1 Gear Club in America – Crate Club. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at SOFREP! On this show, Big Phil Campion is back to discuss current events in Africa and some EDC (everyday carry) tips from this former SAS operator. If you haven’t already noticed, the new SOFREP website has been launched! We also have a ton of new SOFREP t-shirt designs available in our store. All of our content – including an additional article catalog of more than 12,000 gear reviews, SOF history pieces, and military aviation articles – have been consolidated into one completely redesigned site and mobile app, to include featured categories such as News, Gear, Media (video & podcasts), Team Room & member forums, Store, and the #1 Gear Club in America – Crate Club. As always, be sure to check out our Crate Club for Spec Ops grade gear hand picked by military professionals. See you all again next week!

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.