Combat Story

Today we hear the Combat Story of Danny Hernandez, a Vietnam Veteran who served as a Marine rifleman in Operation Utah in March 1966. Danny would later be awarded the Silver Star and there is currently a push to have that upgraded to a Medal of Honor. Danny came from the rough streets of East LA and after Vietnam would return to be a committed community activist and mentor for many of the kids who were not as fortunate as he was.  The Silver Star was certainly earned as Danny was shot twice while providing medical aid to a stranded and wounded Marine on the battlefield; refusing to be evacuated, and killing several enemy soldiers as they flanked the casualty collection point that Danny had just been sitting in.  Danny's work on mentoring and building the community in his hometown is inspiring and you can't help but laugh as you hear some of the stories of the Marine Corps back in the Vietnam era.  His story is documented in his book, titled “Silver Star: An American Story” in much greater detail for those who are left wanting more.  Find Danny Online:  -Book: Silver Star: An American Story https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Star-American-Danny-Hernandez-ebook/dp/B07CJYYLLS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Find Ryan Online:  - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  0:58 - Guest Introduction (Danny Hernandez)  2:12 - Interview begins  2:58 -  Growing up on the streets and early interest in joining the Marines  12:04 -  What Marine Corps boot camp was like in 1965  25:46 - Combat Story - Vietnam War - Movement into country and the amphibious landing  30:05 - First time in battle the first night they were there  33:35 - The brutal environment of Vietnam  35:48 - First 45 days of battles and the brotherhood fighting for each other  38:48 - How the streets made him sharper in battle  40:44 - Combat Story - Operation Utah - the 2nd largest battle in Vietnam history by Marines 1:02:00 - Wounded and tagged to get out but went back into battle anyway 1:09:31 -  Getting shot again, flown out for medical care, and adjusting to not being in combat  1:23:20 - Receiving a Silver Star 43 years later  1:30:33 - How influential was Vietnam in your work later in the community?  1:32:28 - About Danny's books "Silver Star: An American Story" and the new one "Chaos to Community"   1:33:09 - Listener comments and shout outs  This video covers the following subjects: - Marine Corps Silver Star Recipient - Operation Utah - Vietnam Veteran - Danny Hernandez By the time Danny graduates high school in 1965, he must choose between the two futures represented by his two uncles: Street Warrior or Military Man. Danny chooses the Marine Corps. Danny graduates from boot camp the same year President Lyndon B. Johnson commits ground troops to Vietnam. While his cousins back home express interest in the civil rights movement, Danny loses good friends in jungle raids and skirmishes with the Viet Cong. This is a gripping, true-life story, told in Danny's own words. From his training at Camp Pendleton to his heroic actions saving the lives of his fellow marines during Operation Utah, through his honorable discharge during one of the most tumultuous years of the Civil Rights Movement, Danny's endearing, honest, and sometimes heart-wrenching story honors the lives of those who risked everything for their country and their fellow marines. If you would like to learn more about Marine Corps Silver Star Recipient, Danny Hernandez I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about Marine Corps Silver Star Recipient, Danny Hernandez? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on Marine Corps Silver Star Recipient, Danny Hernandez.  

This is the true and frightening Combat Story of Aiden Aslin, a British citizen fighting for the Ukrainian military who was taken as a POW in February 2022 and then beaten and stabbed by his Russian captors for over five months.  Listeners will recall our first interview with Aiden from Feb 5th, 2022 (https://youtu.be/IbHSQ1xzpRc), just weeks before the Russian invasion where he predicted what would come after two deployments to the frontlines in Ukraine and significant fighting in Syria. Aiden was fighting on the front lines in the Donbas region of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, when Russia, completely unprovoked, invaded Ukraine. His unit fell back to the steel factory Mariupol where it was surrounded by Russian and Donetsk People's Republic (or DPR, which is Russia's foot soldiers and lackeys in Donetsk). Out of food and ammunition, Aiden's unit would eventually surrender to the Russian military which promptly handed Aiden over to the DPR for regular beatings and violations of the Geneva Convention which surprised nobody. In our interview, Aiden recounts the harrowing experience of being on the frontlines when Russia invaded and how he survived captivity, without any of the advanced training that people like myself received regularly while in service to survive and escape these situations to return with dignity.  I'm sure you will be amazed at Aiden's spirit and strength that pulled him through this difficult time and it will be a stark reminder for each of us that our day-to-day problems are not as hard as we might think when compared with what he endured.  As you can imagine, I was elated to hear of Aiden's release in September and was nearly brought to tears after seeing his face again as we started this interview. Please enjoy this rare glimpse of hope and optimism from someone who survived a history-altering invasion and months in captivity as a modern-day POW as much as I did. Definitions: You'll hear a reference to “GRADS” which is a mobile artillery vehicle used by the Russians that fire 122mm rounds (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BM-21_Grad). You'll hear DPR, which is the Donetsk People's Republic. Find Aiden Online:  - Conflict Dispatch https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2y-SiuIRHPpnUpcWgZRLgw - Instagram @CossackGundi https://www.instagram.com/cossackgundi/?hl=en Find Ryan Online:  - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  1:05 - Guest Introduction (Aiden Aslin)  2:59 - Interview begins  8:19 - Fighting on the front lines February 24, 2022 when Russia invades Ukraine   37:47 - Knowing they were encircled  50:33 - Being on the receiving end of an air strike  56:52 - Choosing to surrender and live  1:01:20 - Steps taken while preparing for surrender  1:09:09 - Being processed by Russion military after surrender  1:22:33 - Interrogations and beatings and getting stabbed  1:30:28 - Keeping spirits up in the cell  and making propaganda videos  1:38:30 - False charges and getting sentanced to death  1:41:50 - What kept you going?  1:48:14 - Returning with dignity  and being POW in the era of technology  1:56:04 - What did you want to do when you had your freedom?  2:02:43 - Are you going do anything differently now?  2:06:52 - Listener comments and shout outs  This video covers the following subjects: - Prisoner of War - Ukraine Marines - Tortured in Captivity by Russia - Ukraine Military - Ukraine War - POW - Modern POW Aiden Aslin is a British-born dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Ukraine who was captured by Russian forces in April 2022 while fighting as a Ukrainian Marine in Mariupol. He was sentenced to death on 9 June by authorities of the Russian-backed breakaway unrecognized puppet state. Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) for "mercenary activities and committing actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the DPR. He was released from Russian captivity in a prisoner exchange in September 2022. If you would like to learn more about Prisoner of War, Aiden Aslin I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about Prisoner of War, Aiden Aslin? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on Prisoner of War, Aiden Aslin.

Today we hear the second round of our Combat Story with Jason Lilley, a former Marine, MARSOC operator, Global Response Staff (GRS) with the CIA, and co-host of Savage Actual with co-host Patrick Moltrup having been a guest on our show on Episode 26 (https://youtu.be/YmOkCKtpvGk). You can find Savage Actual at https://www.youtube.com/c/savageactual.  We left off our first interview (which you can find at https://youtu.be/jYzw5zGR5SE) hearing about Jason's first deployments with Marine Recon in OIF I going into Iraq, in which his unit was featured in the HBO show Generation Kill, and a subsequent deployment when Jason earned a Silver Star. At that point, Jason got out of the service, seemingly to find another path, got a lip ring as he said, and started surfing. He still had years of service ahead of him, and that's exactly what we touch on in this episode.  We get into some interesting aspects of combat this time around but we also dive pretty deep into the psychological aspects of war and the insight that time and age bring. Listeners really connected with Jason the first time around, noting how genuine and down to earth he is, with one person saying that he comes across as both deadly and chill at the same time, which is absolutely the case. There were so many calls for us to do round two from our listeners and it was worth waiting for. As you all know, you can catch Jason on Savage Actual with his co-host Patrick Moltrup, both of whom I consider great people, Americans, and friends.  With that, please enjoy this insightful, selfless, and yet somehow equally hilarious discussion with Jason Lilley. Find Jason Online:  YouTube Savage Actual https://www.youtube.com/c/savageactual Website Savage Actual www.savageactual.com Facebook Savage Actual https://www.facebook.com/SavageActual  Twitter Savage Actual @SavageActual3 https://twitter.com/SavageActual3  Instagram @jason_lizzle @savage.actual https://www.instagram.com/savage.actual/  TikTok Savage Actual https://www.tiktok.com/@savageactual Find Ryan Online:   Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory  Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/  Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory  Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial  Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial  Email ryan@combatstory.com  Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus  Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  0:56 - Guest Introduction (Jason Lilley)  2:18 - Interview begins  2:38 - Experiencing Hurricane Ian  11:02 - Anniversaries of significant events  16:46 - Religion, buddhism, and dealing with anger 21:56 - Getting out of the Marine Corps after Silver Star event.   28:44 - Still feeling his calling was to serve.  31:26 - Adrenaline fueled desire for extremes 37:24 - The early days of MARSOC  41:16 - Scout Sniper school and shooting so much he had cuts on his fingers   47:07 -  How fighting Taliban was different  51:!0 - Recon in Iraq compared to MARSOC ops  54:04 - Story of hinting down Taliban at night  1:02:43 - Feeling guilty for not going on a deployment  1:06:07 - MARSOC Advanced Sniper Course  1:12:28 - Time with Global Response Staff (GRS) with the CIA  1:22:33 - Story of being in Iraq with GRS  1:30:41 - ISIS and Ziti Hil incident  1:36:21 - GRS culture and the darker  effects of experiences  1:44:01 - What's new at Savage Actual?  1:51:13 - Listener comments and shout outs  This video covers the following subjects: Marine Special Operator (MARSOC) CIA Global Response Staff (GRS) Silver Star Recipient  Savage Actual Jason Lilley's platoon was one of the most-decorated platoons for heroism in a single action in the War on Terrorism. On this date, his Platoon Leader Captain Brent Morel earned the Navy Cross (posthumously) and Team Leader Sergeant Willie Copeland also received the Navy Cross. Jason Lilley and four of his comrades were awarded Silver Stars for this combat operation. It is a record unmatched by any Marine Corps Company, much less by any platoon, in the Global War on Terrorism. If you would like to learn more about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley.

Today we hear the Combat Story of Derek Nadalini, who spent decades in the Army with both Ranger Battalion and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta, better known as The Unit. This is one of the most interesting interviews we've ever done. Derek deployed countless times beginning in Afghanistan in 2002 and conducted HVT operations, hostage rescue (including the rescue of Roy Hallums), ran low visibility and sniper operations, and eventually volunteered to execute singleton missions. After leaving the service, Derek went through a painful and long process to manage traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite those challenges, he would go on to help sell the company Spatial Networks (earning what he aptly refers to as his “Business Ranger tab”), became a certified life and wellness coach providing pro bono support to Veterans, and is now the Director of Outreach and Development at MusiCorps, which is a music rehabilitation program that helps wounded warriors play music and recover their lives. Derek is easily one of the most accomplished people we've had on the podcast and I hope you enjoy this funny but also very personal experience and highs and lows of the elite as much as I did. Find Derek Online:  MusiCorps http://www.musicorps.net/Home.html LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-nadalini-0964141b6/ The Warhorse https://thewarhorse.org/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle   Show Notes:  0:00 - Intro  0:31 - Guest Introduction (Derek Nadalini)  2:07 - Interview begins  6:41 - Growing up with a father  who is a Vietnam combat veteran.  13:38 - Early musical influences 21:17 - How music and creativity are useful in the service  23:28 - Choosing to join the military and why the Army 31:06 - Where were you on 9/11? 35;57 - Leaving The Battalion and becoming a  member of General Dell Dailey's staff in Afghanistan   41:10 - Experiences while in a coveted General Staff position  and story of leadership lessons learned  49:46 - Balancing OTC with having a family  54:16 - Roy Hallums rescue mission 1:02:00 - Combat Story - a weapon malfunction  1:09:26 - funny story of launching first grenade in combat  1:14:43 - Why selection is so tough and how the training show up later  1:16:21 - Most dangerous ops doing low visibility work as a singleton   1:22:32 - Discovering a traumatic brain injury. (TBI)   1:38:32 -  Life in the private sector and missing the mission  1:42:53 - Going to Berkelee and starting MusicCorps 1:55:46 - Tattoos  1:57:31 - What did you carry into combat? 1:59:02  - Would you do it again?  2:01:23 - Listener comments and shout outs  This video covers the following subjects: - 1st SFOD-D Operator -  Delta Force  - Sniper Ranger Battalion  - MusiCorps - Traumatic Brain Injury - Derek Nadalini  If you would like to learn more about 1st SFOD-D Operator, Derek Nadalini I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about 1st SFOD-D Operator, Derek Nadalini? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on 1st SFOD-D Operator, Derek Nadalini.

Today we hear our first Combat Story from a former Marine Corps Infantry Officer turned Civil Affairs Officer Frank “Gus” Biggio. Gus has a very unusual history in that he served his initial five years in the Marine Corps pre-9/11 and then got out to begin a very promising and successful career as an attorney.   Join our Patreon community for additional content at https://www.patreon.com/combatstory   In the years following 9/11, however, Gus felt the need to return to service and support the war effort. So rather than hold onto a profitable and cushy corporate career, Gus did what many of dream of doing and went back in.    He deployed in 2009 as a Civil Affairs officer which you can think of as a local mayor or governor of a particular area - in his case Nawa - where he settled local disputes, funded development efforts, compensated families for losses as a result of the war and far more. This required significant time outside the wire and in harm's way.    Do not be fooled into thinking that this is an administrative role. I spoke to now Sergeant Major David Wilson who led the patrols that protected Gus as he moved around the battlespace and he confirmed that it was anything but quiet and that Gus shifted the balance of power locally, driving significant counterinsurgency wins.   Gus chronicled his experience and the service of his fellow Marines in the book ‘The Wolves of Helmand: A View from Inside the Den of Modern War' (which is a great read) and is now directing proceeds to a charitable cause supporting efforts in Ukraine.   This is a wide-ranging discussion with the laughs, heartache and nostalgia of someone who gave up everything (including missing the birth of his second child) to be downrange with his fellow Marines and I hope you enjoy his Combat Story as much as I did.   #marines #veteran #helmand #army    Find Gus Online:  The Wolves of Helmand website https://wolvesofhelmand.com/   Show Notes:  0:00 - Intro  0:34 - Guest Introduction (Frank “Gus” Biggio)  2:43 - Interview begins  5:31 - Growing up, military family, and being a hell raiser  7:04 - Why Marines and the influential  people at that time  15:04 - Feeling like he's missing his big war, about Marines, and choosing to walk away   17:45 - Successful career as a civilian and the impact of 9/11  21:30 - Choosing to go back into the Marines in Civil Affairs unit  30:56 - What Civil Affairs is and the mission set  33:22 - Context for  Operation Khanjar a.k.a. Operation Strike of the Sword  39:25 - Combat Story -  first kinetic engagement in Afghanistan as a passenger in a helicopter  43:35 -  Combat Story - first outside the wire engagement on the ground getting shot at including with RPG  52:18 - The conversations leaving law firm to go to Afghanistan   55:23 - Why he kept a journal  57:03 -Civil Affairs operations and how he sees his role supporting the Battalion  1:02:09 - Story of settling a land dispute local farmers  1:05:53 - Using a Polaroid camera as an icebreaker in Afghanistan  1:09:04 - Funny and surreal story of getting paid in watermelons  1:14:09 - Story of a moral failure and how it changed his approach to future engagements  1:23:52 - Still wanting to do more after leaving a second time  1:34:56 - Story of where the name of the book ‘The Wolves of Helmand” comes from  1:38:46 - What did you carry into combat? 1:42:20  - Would you do it again?  1:46:48 - Listener comments and shout outs    This video covers the following subjects:   - US Marine Corps - Marine Corps Infantry & Civil Affairs  - The Wolves of Helmand  - Frank “Gus” Biggio   Frank (“Gus”) Biggio served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from mid-1993 until December 1997 after graduating from Denison University. He then returned to his native Ohio where he earned a law degree from Case Western Reserve University, then worked in jobs in finance and law in New York City and Washington, DC, picking up a degree from Georgetown University along the way. Nearly ten years after first leaving the service, he rejoined the Marine Corps in October 2007. With his country at war, the same itch that drove him to volunteer in the 1990s drove his desire to serve again. His writing about the military and politics has appeared in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Washington Post, Weekly Standard, and the online journal, War on the Rocks. The Wolves of Helmand is his first book. Through his work, he spends his time between Switzerland and Washington, DC, but has always called Ohio home.    If you would like to learn more about Civil Affairs Officer, Frank “Gus” Biggio I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about Civil Affairs Officer, Frank “Gus” Biggio? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on Civil Affairs Officer, Frank “Gus” Biggio.

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼  https://nordvpn.com/combatstory  Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! I use NordVPN myself so you're in good company (and I know security). If you sign up, it will also help the show so thank you in advance! Today we hear the Combat Story of Zack Harrison, a former Green Beret (18B) and 1st Special Forces Detachment - Delta (aka The Unit) operator.  [If you want more about our guests and some behind the scenes insights, join our Patreon community at https://www.patreon.com/combatstory]  Unlike many of our guests, Zack never planned to join the military. Like many people, however, 9/11 changed that. He used the 18X program to get his foot in the door and was in combat with the 3rd Special Forces Group in 2005 and 2006, which include being part of Operation Medusa, one of, if not the, largest NATO coalition operations in Afghanistan.  He then transitioned to Delta Force where he honed his shooting, CQB, and tactical skills that he now uses to teach military, law enforcement, and civilians through his company, Hades Consulting, which he co-owns with another former Delta Operator. I hope you enjoy this wide-ranging discussion with a very humble and thoughtful warrior as much as I did. Find Zack Online: - Zack Instagram @chambered1_ziggy https://www.instagram.com/chambered1_ziggy/  - HADES Consulting Instagram @Hades.consulting https://www.instagram.com/Hades.consulting/  - HADES Consulting https://www.hadesunleashed.com/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  0:44 - Guest Introduction (Zack Harrison)  1:40 - Interview begins  5:41 - A background in education  16:39 - A story and thoughts about bullies  20:03 - Wanting to join after 9/11 and why The Army  26:50 - From a short MOS training phase to The 3rd Special Forces Group  32:34 - First time in outside the wire in Kandahar, Afghanistan and being the new guy  38:11 - Emotions coming back after first combat experience 42:17 - Combat Story - Operation Medusa fighting Taliban in Afghanistan  46:16 - Types of missions with 3rd Group   and how they tend to operate  52:35 - Combat Story: An  engagement during Operation Medusa  1:01:57 - Combat Story - Losing fellow Green Beret, Bill Brown   1:04:28 - Difficult anniversaries 1:11:58 - Time with the unit and going back to selection the second time  1:22:02 - Combat Story - Being part of a direct action unit with DF and why you adhere to the three principles of CQB  1:32:23 - HADES Consulting 1:35:27 - What did you carry into combat? 1:37:51  - Would you do it again?  1:40:50 - Listener comments and shout outs  This video covers the following subjects: - Delta Force Operator - Special Forces 18BGreen Beret - Hades Consulting  - Purple Heart  - Delta Force soldier Zack Harrison Zack is a former Green Beret and member of SFOD-D (Delta Force) and was a member of Rusty Bradley's ODA 331 During Operation Medusa in 2006. After joining the military in 2003 and deploying overseas as a member of Delta Force, Harrison left the military and joined Potynsky at Northern Red in 2014. Harrison appears in several Northern Red social media posts, including Instagram posts and YouTube videos, touting the training that he and Potynsky offered. Harrison left Northern Red in 2020 to form his own company, Hades Consulting LLC, which, like Northern Red, caters to police departments and military personnel. If you would like to learn more about Delta Force Operator, Zack Harrison I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about Delta Force Operator, Zack Harrison? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on  Delta Force Operator, Zack Harrison.

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼  https://nordvpn.com/combatstory  Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! I use NordVPN myself so you're in good company (and I know security). If you sign up, it will also help the show so thank you in advance! Today we hear an incredible Combat Story from across the pond from a legendary UK SAS operator Billy Billingham who served over 30 years with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, Africa, and many other places we can't discuss. Billy came from an extremely challenging childhood drinking and fighting on the streets of Birmingham to being appointed a Member of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen for his efforts on select hostage rescues and serving as the SAS Ground Commander on what is known as 7/7 or the deadly coordinated attacks in London on July 7th, 2005.  Billy went from being the absolute elite leader, working alongside our own Delta and DEVGRU operators for years in the post-9/11 world, to hanging up his uniform and finding a new path. He has know written an autobiography aptly titled ‘The Hard Way' and two fiction novels based on his own exploits titled ‘Call to Kill' and ‘Survive to Fight' (think SAS meets 007).  He is also a lead on two incredibly successful programs in the UK and Australia titled “SAS: Who Dares Wins” where he and other special operators take civilians and celebrities through punishing special ops training; he shared that the show is coming to the US soon! He and his wife run a charity organization and he does public speaking engagements across the UK. I hope you enjoy this incredibly humble story that takes us inside the “Interest Room” (which I learned is the term for the SAS Team Room) and the highs and lows of a life well-lived at the tip of the spear from our UK brothers and sisters as much as I did.  #military #veteran  Find Billy Online:  - Instagram @billingham22b https://www.instagram.com/billingham22b/  - Twitter @billingham229b https://twitter.com/billingham229b - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MarkBillinghamSAS/  - Deux Mains Academy @rebuildglobally https://www.instagram.com/rebuildglobally/ - Billy's Website https://www.markbillybillingham.com/about   Find Ryan Online:  - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro  0:41 - Guest Introduction (Billy Billingham)  2:36 - Interview begins  5:11 - Rough childhood in Peaky Blinders neighborhood in Birmingham, England 17:26 -Cadet School experience 22:12  - Overcoming getting burned by caustic soda at 15 yrs old and almost dying in a gang fight to still join the military   28:30 - Joining The Second Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 PARA)  30:03 - Lessons from the PARAs and first jump in the jungle of Belize  42:48 - First time in a combat zone in Cypress  44:23 -  Fighting terrorists in Ireland  48:15 - Why SAS route and the brutal training and selection process 57:50 - Path after SAS selection into Mountain Troupe  1:01:25 - Excitement of first op in first week as SAS 1:04:17 - Squad "Interest rooms"  1:05:45 - The squadron dynamic and respect for those who came before  1:09:21 - Why the B Squadron are characterized as the "rogues"  1:11:12 - Combat Story - A hostage rescue during a bloody time in Bosnia  1:19:36 - The sixth sense that comes with experience  1:2102 - Emotions after a mission and after getting out  1:24:25 -  Where were you on 7/7  during London bombings?  1:27:56 - TV show "SAS: Who Dares Wins" and what is coming to the US  1:30:40 - "The Hard Way" autobiography and "Call to Kill" novel  1:35:46 - What did you carry into combat? 1:39:40  - Would you do it again?  1:42:55 - Listener comments and shout outs    This video covers the following subjects:   - SAS Sergeant Major  - 7/7 SAS Ground CDR  - SAS Ground Commander  - UK SAS operator Billy Billingham   Billy is a certified SF and Counter Terrorist Sniper Instructor, Advanced Evasive Driving Instructor, Tracking/Jungle Warfare/Navigation Instructor, Demolition/Sabotage Instructor, Ski Mountaineering/Rock Climbing/Abseiling/Ice climbing Instructor, Combat Survival/RTI Instructor, Counter Terrorist Instructor (all options) and has worked as a Patrol Medic/Trauma Life Support agent for 5 hospital attachments.   If you would like to learn more about SAS Sergeant Major, Billy Billingham I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________   Have I responded to all of your questions about SAS Sergeant Major, Billy Billingham?

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/combatstory Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! I use NordVPN myself so you're in good company (and I know security). Today we hear a unique Combat Story from Ranger-qualified and former Engineer in combat Lisa Jaster who was the first female reservist to complete Ranger School…at the age of 37 with two kids! Lisa is still in the reserves and recently rotated out of Battalion Command where she led Combat Engineers as she did early in the post-9/11 era as a young active-duty lieutenant, including in 2002 in Afghanistan, 2003 in Iraq, and back to Iraq 15 years later. Her story is remarkable and highlights how much harder she worked to reach levels many others take for granted. She's a West Point grad and stood on the shoulders of the brave women who came before her in breaking the barrier of women at the Academy only to break a similar barrier herself. Beyond being a sought-after public speaker, accomplished entrepreneur, and part of retired DEVGRU Mike Sarraille's Talent War Group, Lisa is also a competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter and CrossFit athlete and is getting ready to release her first book that describes her journey. This is a phenomenal and wide-ranging interview with an accomplished, tough-as-nails Ranger and I hope you enjoy her story of perseverance as much as I did. #army #military #veteran #rangers Find Lisa Online: - Instagram @lisaajaster https://www.instagram.com/lisaajaster/ Twitter @lisa_jaster https://twitter.com/lisa_jaster Book Page for “Delete the Adjective” and contact https://deletetheadjective.com/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  0:56 - Guest Introduction (Lisa Jaster)  2:29 - Interview begins  2:42 - A passion for Brazilian jujitsu  6:06 - Being an unconventional Military couple and making sure her son can fight  10:06 - Childhood as a naturally driven person and where the military comes in  14:55 - Funny story of Army interview  17:16 - Going to West Point and and choosing Engineer Branch after graduating 27:37 - What is Engineers and their role in Afghanistan 2002  33:24 - Where were you on 9/11?  41:06 - Story about combat patches  45:01 - How an engineer prepares for deployment  47:48 - Family and feelings before and during a dangerous deployment 53:47 - "There's no book for this" and funny story of trying to communicate with Pakistani man  55:27 - Building the airfield in Afghanistan and funny story about constructing the sewage pond  58:27 - From Afghanistan to Iraq  and being an SME as a First Lieutenant  1:06:42 - Processing difficult experiences and how jujiostu helped  1:09:33 - Ranger school   1:21:17 - Advice for someone wanting to go to BUD/S or Ranger School  1:29:04 - Hell Week at Ranger School   and being in the first ever class with women  1:43:57 -Mixed emotions on graduating Ranger School   1:47:48 - Full circle moment meeting author Carol Barkalow  1:51:36 - What's the first thing you ate coming out of Ranger School?   1:52:46 - What did you carry into combat? 1:55:08  - Would you do it again?  1:57:11 - Listener comments and shout outs This video covers the following subjects: - First Female Reservist Ranger School Graduate - Ranger School - Combat Leader - Combat Engineer Lisa Jaster Maj. Lisa Jaster, an Army Reserve soldier, performs a fireman's carry-on on a simulated casualty during the Ranger Course at Ft. Benning, GA. The 37-year-old engineer and mother of two children, aged 7 and 3, is the first female Army Reserve officer to graduate from Ranger School. When Maj. Lisa Jaster walks across Victory Pond Friday at Fort Benning, she will secure her role in history as the first female Army Reserve officer to earn the distinctive black-and-gold shoulder tab. However, the 37-year-old engineer and mother of two children, aged 7 and 3, is the third female to graduate from the grueling combat leadership course, joining the ranks of fellow West Point graduates and Active Duty officers Capt. Kristen Griest, 26, and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, 25. If you would like to learn more about First Female Reservist Ranger School Graduate, Lisa Jaster I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about First Female Reservist Ranger School Graduate, Lisa Jaster? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on First Female Reservist Ranger School Graduate, Lisa Jaster.

Today we hear a Combat Story from the very tip of the spear from “Dutch” Chris Moyer, a long-time special operator who spent 14 years in Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) in addition to years at 1/75 Ranger Battalion, and CIA's Global Response Staff (GRS). Dutch walks us through a very open and honest approach to what it's like operating in the elite ranks for so long, including the pressure, brotherhood, and chaos. He doesn't shy away from sharing where he felt he fell short, and how, even after decades of service he still felt like he had more to give. He saw combat in multiple theaters in the pre-and post-9/11 era, fighting at the same time as and friends with many of the former Tier 1 operators we've heard on this show. Be sure to stick through to the end where we hear Dutch describe his own “Mr. Goodbar” story (if you don't know about Mr. Goodbar, check out Episode 30) where Dutch ends up in a room one on one having to fight none other than John “Shrek” McPhee (from Episode 25 https://youtu.be/6hvQj06fQUQ). It's hilarious. Dutch now runs DCM Consulting where he teaches military, government, and civilians how to apply the skills he learned in the Tier 1 community from shooting to CQB to leadership. In fact, when I reached out to Dutch I had to leave him a message and his voicemail was one of the best I've ever heard and said something like “You've reached Dutch, I can't take your call because I'm out on the range shooting, teaching CQB, or doing some other cool shit right now…” I hope you enjoy this incredible peak behind the curtain of what it's like in one of the most elite units in our military. The video is all about Delta Force Sergeant Major, Dutch Moyer. If you want to learn more about Combat Story, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/ Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Guest Introduction (Dutch Moyer) 2:15 - Interview begins 11:09 - Not being a naturally gifted shooter 18:55 - Important characteristics someone should have on a team 26:33 - Earning another nickname, Simon, after "blowing himself up" with a Simon device prepping for a mission in Bosnia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un-ApklIvj4) 41:10 - “Coolest thing I've ever done…” The difference coming back and what it is like at the different operational levels from Ranger to Tier 1 JSOC elements 50:51 - Getting through selection 58:13 - Imposter syndrome and how he handled shooting a paint round into the wall in the team room. 1:03:21 - Combat Story - Longest air assault raid in history 1:09:53 - The role of a Breacher 1:16:29 - Stories of hard landings and crashes including a rooftop helicopter crash 1:21:31 - Combat Story - Things go sideways during an ambush in Fallujah 1:26:04 - Transitioning out of the elite level and wishing he had done more 1:43:54 - DCM consulting for leadership through the evolutionary gun fighter process 1:45:55 - What did you carry into combat? 1:46:35 - Would you do it again? 1:49:17 - Story of fighting John “Shrek” McPhee in hand to hand combat at the end of training 1:52:50 - Listener comments and shout outs This video covers the following subjects: - Delta Force Sergeant Major - Ranger Battalion - CIA GRS - DCM Consulting Dutch Moyer DCM Consulting Founder Christopher “Dutch” Moyer served 31 years in the Army – 26 of those in Special Operations. He has taken part in over 1,000 successful combat assaults in classified & unclassified missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. He found that the Army in the 1980s was not what he had hoped. After a five-year break, he returned. This time he “Wanted to be in the worst possible places with the best possible people.” He became an Army Ranger and spent the last 14 years of his career with the elite Joint Special Operations Command. JSOC was created after the disastrous “Desert One” mission. If you would like to learn more about Delta Force Sergeant Major, Dutch Moyer, I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about Delta Force Sergeant Major, Dutch Moyer? 

Today we hear the Combat Story of Joe McNamara, a former Marine Corps officer who experienced a unique kind of violence from his time on campus at Virginia Tech during the horrific 2007 shooting to leading Marines in combat in Afghanistan. After leaving the service, Joe founded a leadership development company called Impact USA that trained both elite athletes and private sector leaders. Impact was recently acquired by Mike Sarraille's Talent War Group, where Joe is now a partner and Chief Revenue Officer. Many will recall a fantastic interview with Mike (episode 70 https://youtu.be/v4TPJtkZrek), the former enlisted Marine who went on to Force Recon then served as an officer in SEALs and, eventually, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). The fact that someone like Mike who went through that crucible of leadership experiences went on to acquire Impact says a lot about what Joe does to develop leaders. This episode dives between combat experiences and the leadership lessons we can apply to our lives, from the foxhole to athletics to the office. In fact, Joe answers two questions I've always had: how do you create a sense of shared adversity in a corporate setting and how do you find time to train corporate leaders without taking them off operations for a full six to 12 months the way the military does it.I hope you enjoy this Combat Story with a battle hardened Marine Corps officer and some of the tangible leadership lessons we can all apply from his experiences as much as I did.Find Joe Online: - LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcnamara1/- Instagram @joe_mcnamara_ https://www.instagram.com/joe_mcnamara_- Impact Leadership https://www.impactthepace.com/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - About our sponsor, Let's Get Checked 1:57 - Guest Introduction (Joe McNamara) 3:46 - Interview begins 5:13 - Childhood and path to the military 10:04 - Support for Combat Story brought to you by Manscaped 11:24 - Somber stories of courage and leadership from the school shooting at Virginia Tech 22:08 - When certain experiences harden you emotionally25:10 - The most impactful leadership advice from Marine Corps mentors 30:40 - Training and what it was like in Afghanistan with insane amount of IEDs 40:31 - Being in a leadership role at 20-21 years old and the most important attribute in leadership 44:12 - Combat Story - What it is like as infantry men when your vehicle gets hit by massive IED 53:47 - Combat Story - First time someone in his platoon was hit while on foot 1:00:24 - What an "XO" is in the military and what the role entails 1:04:24 - Combat Story - How leadership planning and drills show up after a mass casualty event1:14:29 - Formative Company Command time at Paris Island 1:24:55 - Where the idea for Impact Leadership came from 1:28:10 - Replicating shared adversity and military training in corporate sector1:36:03 - The biggest challenges seen in corporate leadership 1:39:55 - What did you carry into combat?1:40:39 - Would you do it again? 1:43:26 - Listener comments and shout outs

This video is sponsored by Aura. Get a 14 day free trial at http://aura.com/combatstory to secure yourself online and support Combat Story!Get extra Combat Story content like Ryan's personal thoughts on this episode on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/combatstoryToday we hear the Combat Story of Jake Wood, a former University of Wisconsin football player who enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine Rifleman and Sniper. One of the key moments that led him to the Marine Corps was the death of Pat Tillman, the legendary NFL Safety who walked away from the League and joined the Army after 9/11, eventually being killed while serving as a Ranger in Afghanistan. Jake found himself leading Marines at the very front end of the “Surge” in Iraq and the bloodiest year of the wars, stepping into a kinetic environment only weeks after arriving in the theater. He was then in Helmand Province in Afghanistan as a sniper.Only two months after leaving the Marine Corps, Jake went on to found the humanitarian support organization Team Rubicon after hastily organizing what he describes as a “Motley Crew” of veterans and doctors to help the people of Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake. He recently created another charitable giving business called Groundswell which seeks to democratize philanthropic giving.In 2018, Jake was awarded the Pat Tillman ESPY for service (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Xef8StXi8), bringing his story full circle from Tillman's death that propelled Jake into this life of service. I hope you enjoy this unique and insightful interview with someone who played football at the highest level and then selflessly decided to put on a different uniform to help others as much as I did.Find Jake Online:- Instagram @jakewoodtr https://www.instagram.com/jakewoodtr/?hl=en- Twitter @JakeWoodTR https://twitter.com/JakeWoodTR- Team Rubicon https://teamrubiconusa.org/ - Groundswell.io https://groundswell.io/ - ESPY Pat Tillman Award https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Xef8StXi8Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:27 - About our sponsor, Aura 2:28 - Guest Introduction (Jake Wood) 4:22 - Interview begins 5:00 - Football's influence in life and position played 13:23 - Family history and a perspective on a college campus protest in March 2003 17:30 - The significant events and people like Pat Tillman which lead to joining 23:36 - Funny recruitment stories and why Marine Corps Infantry28:22 - Training with Pugil sticks in bootcamp as an elite football player 31:16 - Getting out of the training pipeline and into a Marine Rifle Platoon 37:58 - First "boots on the ground" moment in Iraq and first time taking mortar fire 40:27 - Combat Story - Driving into IEDs while in Humvees 49:59 - The bloody realities of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan53:25 - Combat Story - Injuries and booby traps during the bloodiest year of the Iraq war 1:00:14 - What do you tell your family? 1:01:23 - Marine Sniper School experience 1:03:13 - Combat Story - The tough operating environment in Afghanistan1:08:54 - How snipers desensitize themselves 1:10:52 - Combat Story - Taliban attack and tending to injured civilian children1:12:36 - Transitioning out and how Team Rubicon Disaster Response started 1:21:34 - Groundswell 1:25:48 - What did you carry into combat?1:27:33 - Would you do it again? 1:29:04 - Accepting the Pat Tillman award 1:30:24 - Listener comments and shout outs The video is all about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood. If you want to learn more about Combat Story, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/This video covers the following subjects: - Marine Sniper from D1 College Football- Marine Sniper- Marine Scout Snipers- Team Rubicon and Groundswell FounderJanuary 12, 2010. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Port-au-Prince. In moments, hundreds of thousands were injured, infrastructure and buildings were destroyed, and countless were made homeless. In the days following, many traditional aid organizations were slow to establish relief efforts, citing dangerous and unstable working conditions. Troubled by the scenes in Port-au-Prince and the lack of proper aid, two Marines, Jake Wood and William McNulty, decided to act. Gathering supplies and volunteers, the small group of veterans, first responders, and medical professionals deployed to Haiti in the days following the earthquake.If you would like to learn more about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ_________________________Have I responded to all of your questions about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood?If you were searching for more info about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood did this video help?Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on Marine Snipers like Jake Wood.

Get 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp: http://BetterHelp.com/combatstoryToday we hear the Combat Story of Jason Lilley, a former Marine infantryman, Marine Recon, sniper, MARSOC, and then CIA Global Response Staff (or GRS) operator. As many are aware, Jason is the other half of the veteran media company Savage Actual (https://www.youtube.com/c/savageactual), with his co-host Patrick Moltrup having been a guest on our show on Episode 26 (https://youtu.be/YmOkCKtpvGk).Jason survived brutal fighting in the initial invasion of Iraq with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion alongside journalist Evan Wright who would go on to write the book Generation Kill which was transformed into an HBO series by the same name, depicting some of the battles we talk about in this episode (watch more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLlHcwJ5vS4).In another deployment, Jason earned a Silver Star during a battle on April 7th, 2004 in Iraq that was later depicted in the History Channel program “Ambush of April 7th” (https://www.history.com/shows/the-warfighters/season-1/episode-5#:~:text=On%20April%207%2C%202004%20a,in%20the%20War%20on%20Terror). It is believed to be the most decorations awarded for a single battle during the war, which included four Silver Stars, multiple Purple Hearts, and two Navy Crosses (one award posthumously). We didn't want to shortchange listeners on Jason's incredible stories so we'll schedule a round two to dive into his time with MARSOC and the CIA. This episode is chalked full of combat experiences with a very human, empathetic, and thoughtful lens that I know you will enjoy as much as I did.#military #veteran #marines #combat Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstoryFind Jason Online: -YouTube Savage Actual https://www.youtube.com/c/savageactual-Website Savage Actual www.savageactual.com-Facebook Savage Actual https://www.facebook.com/SavageActual -Twitter Savage Actual @SavageActual3 https://twitter.com/SavageActual3 -Instagram @jason_lizzle @savage.actual https://www.instagram.com/savage.actual/ -TikTok Savage Actual https://www.tiktok.com/@savageactualFind Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:39 - About our sponsor, Better Help 3:01 - Guest Introduction (Jason Lilley) 4:16 - Interview begins and a story of confronting Stolen Valor 12:48 - Childhood in a family of musicians and being bullied 17:56 - Joining the Marines in 200022:54 - Advice for young people going through tough times 24:55 - Path from infantry "grunt" to Recon 28:22 - Combat Story - First combat experience taking a Scud before crossing the border into Iraq 34:10 - Auditioning to play himself in Generation Kill (HBO TV series about his platoon)39:40 - Story of finding a buried enemy helicopter and rockets 40:53 - Combat Story - first time close to danger accidentally driving through heavy fire 49:11 - Combat Story - Perilous engagement in a airfield 58:00 - Being back home after being in combat 1:01:06 - Mindset going in to second deployment 1:04:51 - Combat Story - 7, April, 2004 Silver Star event during second deployment 1:29:13 - Feelings about awards and ceremonies1:35:04 - Taking a break and then transitioning to MARSOC 1:38:50 - A negative Hollywood experience and starting a media company 1:47:21 - What did you carry into combat?1:49:48 - Would you do it again? 1:52:52 - Listener comments and shout outsThe video is all about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley. If you want to learn more about Jason Lilley, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/This video covers the following subjects: - Marine Special Operator- Silver Star- CIA GRS- Savage ActualUnited States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is a component command of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) that comprises the Marine Corps' contribution to SOCOM. Its core capabilities are direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense.If you would like to learn more about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyA..._________________________Have I responded to all of your questions about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley?If you were searching for more info about Marine Special Operator or Jason Lilley did this video help?Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what else I can help you with or information on Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley.

Today we hear a Combat Story from a long-time Combat Story listener Christian Holloway, a former Marine who was part of the initial invasion into Iraq, fought in both Fallujah I and II, and was one of the first Marines in what we now know as Marine Special Operations Command or MARSOC. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory] Christian was just 18 years old when he crossed the line of departure into Iraq for the initial invasion alongside M1A1 tanks in his Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV).He was then clearing buildings on foot in Fallujah alongside his Marine brothers, was among the first to see the effects of IEDs and what later became a very common and lethal enemy TTP, and was then in the elite special operations community training foreign militaries as a force multiplier. Since leaving the military, Christian continued to train service members in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) as a contractor and now hosts a financial information program on YouTube.This is a great Combat Story that follows the path from the tactical perspective of the Marine infantryman to the strategic MARSOC operator and I hope you enjoy his humble insights as much as I did. Find Christian Online: -YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs1jwxG_W_NAVVX8KlZ-Mig-Instagram @chris.holloway_fi https://www.instagram.com/chris.holloway_fi/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:44 - Guest Introduction (Christian Holloway) 1:59 - Interview begins 2:40 - Growing up in Texas 7:31 - Why Marine Corps and recruitment story 10:44 - Training and preparing for deployment only 4 months after after boot camp and school of infantry 17:13 - Preparing for first deployment invading Iraq at only 18 years old 20:48 - MOPP levels and the nuclear, biological and chemical threat 24:53 - Combat Story - Engaged by an artillery unit and the invasion of Iraq33:10 - Combat Story - An armor to armor engagement 55:27 - Combat Story - 48 hour engagement 1:18:01 - almost dying in Baghdad from celebratory fire 1:21:03 -Fallujah 1 fighting the insurgency and the first in incorporation of IED tactics 1:35:52 - Combat Story - a very persistent engagement 1:56:24 - Joining what would later be known as MARSOC and the intense training course 2:24:42 - Transition to contractor 2:27:42 - Refelctions on being in combat at 18 years old2:30:45 - Personal Finance YouTube channel 2:37:19 - What did you carry into combat?2:39:08 - Would you do it again? 2:40:21 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Kristen Murdock, who spent 13 years in the Navy as a Naval Intelligence Officer from an Aviation Squadron off a carrier to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU).[Check out our Patreon page for more images of Kristen and for an upcoming Q&A with Ryan]Kristen spent most of her military time deployed around the world and focused primarily on intelligence in the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, including deployments at the strategic level with joint staffs to the tactical with SEAL Team 3 and DEVGRU.After her time in service, Kristen transitioned thanks to a phenomenal program designed for Special Operations service members and support staff called The Honor Foundation which helped her find her next career in Silicon Valley working in the Trust and Safety space at Facebook and, most recently, Twitch, as a senior leader.Kristen narrowly avoided be kicked out of the Naval Academy and had her dreams of flying shattered at the last moment but ended up hustling to find a more rewarding path in Intel that serves as a great lessons for those still rising through the ranks and I hope you enjoy her insights into the shadowy world of intel at a Tier 1 unit as much as I did.Find Kristen online:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenmichele/- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-murdock/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristenmurdockFind Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes0:00 - Intro00:41 - Guest introduction for Kristen Murdock6:05 - Reality check from an active duty father and aviator at Dover Air Force Base12:17 - Avoiding the use of Intel “Jedi mind tricks” on regular people12:38 - What is the “2” in military language (S2, N2, J2, G2, etc)15:54 - Going to the US Naval Academy and almost not making it25:00 - Losing your ‘dream' career and finding your true path30:27 - Unfortunate advice from another officer to a woman in service32:27 - Arriving to your first assignment as the intel officer on a carrier42:22 - Running intel at SEAL Team 345:02 - Strategic work as an intel officer and preparing “The Book”49:47 - Doing time with DIA to get broader intel experience53:48 - Detailed to a Special Forces Team (ODA) and then sent to support ISAF (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgRf_vdx0lg the International Security Assistance Force)55:19 - Supporting General Stanley A. McChrystal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA0yXWAAais) and General Michael Flynn while meeting tribal leaders like Karzai1:03:01 - Learning of the deaths of Brendan Looney and Travis Manion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhn4vAgQneE)1:05:28 - Working threat finance as an intelligence officer and the skills it teaches you1:08:30 - Getting to SEAL Team 31:15:55 - The weight of giving intel to a team of operators and how much confidence you need to have1:17:19 - Walking past the memorial for a fallen friend (Brendan Looney) at SEAL Team 3 HQs1:18:28 - The transition to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU, also known as SEAL Team Six)1:20:43 - Had a great experience with all the Team guys1:22:19 - Transitioning out of the military and into Tech with Facebook (now Meta) and then on to Twitch1:30:18 - What did you carry with you on deployments?1:31:12 - Would you go back and do it again?1:32:55 - Listener comments and shout outs.Thanks for listening ya'll! Stay safe.The video is all about special operations and special operators and intelligence officers and the intelligence profession. If you want to learn more about special operations and intelligence, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/This video is describing what it takes to be in special operations and make it in Intelligence but also try to cover the following subjects:- What are special operations?- Combat Story- Navy SEALs- Combat Operations- DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency)_________________________Have I responded to all of your questions about what are special operations and what is intelligence?Individuals who searched for Kristen Murdock and intelligence also searched for Navy SEALs and intelligence officers and we have interviews with many Navy SEALs and former Intelligence Officers at www.combatstory.com, including those in Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU), which many people refer to as SEAL Team Six, and with the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency).If you would like to learn more about the intelligence profession or SEALs, look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ

Today we have a phenomenal Combat Story with our first dedicated insight from a legendary CIA Case Officer, Paramilitary Operations Officer, and Senior Leader Enrique ‘Ric' Prado, who fought terrorists from the jungles of Central America with the storied Special Activities Division to eventally overseeing all Agency operations at the helm of the counterterrorism center.[Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory, including additional photos of Ric and a story of the hardest training course he ever went through] Before joining the Agency, Ric successfully completed the famed Pararescue or PJ pipeline but did not, despite multiple volunteer attempts, have the opportunity to fight in Vietnam. Instead, Ric would see plenty of operations and battles but with the CIA, where he was operating as a solo Paramilitary Ops Officers or PMOO in the Nicaraguan jungles in his first tour. Early in his career Ric first came into contact with and was then mentored by some of the Agency's giants like Cofer Black, Duey Clarridge, Bill Buckley, William Casey, and more. As you'll see during this interview, these are all names I know and revere so I was star struck hearing Ric's stories about these giants and just spending time with Ric, who many of these heavyweights consider one of the best CIA operators of his time.On 9/11, Ric was the Chief of Operations (or C/OPS as the role is know inside the building) of the counterterrorism center, responsible for all counterterrorism operations for the whole CIA.After leaving the service, Ric founded a successful company where he continued to take the fight to the enemy and recently wrote a great book that gives a true behind the scenes look at the wide ranging, unpredictable and often dangerous life of a CIA operations officer.This is one of my favorite interviews to date and I hope you enjoy this peek behind the curtain of the premier covert intelligence organization from one of its legends as much as I did.Find Ric Online: - Ric's website https://ricprado.com/ - Black Ops Book https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/black-ops/- Ric on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-ric-prado-052a11186/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Guest Introduction (Ric Prado) 2:41 - Interview begins 3:42 - Growing up in Cuba during the revolution in the 1950s and coming to America without his parents 11:46 - Gratitude as an American and choosing life of service 14:54 - The Pararescue Pipeline and becoming a PJ 20:49 - Joining Ground Branch/Special Activities Division in the CIA and role as a Paramilitary Officer 25:11 - The type of work he was doing with the Agency early on and the rewarding feeling of being able to do something about injustice 29:10 - Story of first contact fighting on the front lines during the 1980s Cold War 34:32 - Feelings of being down range after not getting the chance in Vietnam 37:05 - How early experiences informed his role later as Chief of Operations Counterterrorism Center and a story of how street savvy saved him 46:46 - Being a solo operator 47:40 - Working with CIA legends Dewey Clarridge and Bill Casey 51:02 - About the LA (Latin American) Division 54:22 - Legend Joe Fernandez requesting him by name and working more traditional undercover ops57:17 - Making his first recruitments in Costa Rica1:02:47 - Role in Alec Station tracking Osama bin Laden 1:10:21 - 9/11 and being Chief of Operations at the Counterterrorism Center 1:16:23 - Story of a particularly dangerous mission 1:25:10 - Story of learning he was under surveillance 1:30:46 - What did you carry with you on missions?1:32:29 - Would you do it again? 1:34:55 - Hear more on Patreon 1:35:35 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today's Combat Story is one of perseverance and hustle on another level. We hear from Remi Adeleke who deployed multiple times as a Navy SEAL, but only after overcoming a truly difficult childhood of being stripped of his family's wealth in Nigeria to hustling on the streets of the Bronx to make ends meet.Remi would be one of those rare people who wanted to become a SEAL even though he couldn't swim, just to give you an idea of his attitude and beliefs. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory]After leaving the service, Remi has done it all. He was contacted by Hollywood and has either acted in or advised on multiple blockbuster movies and shows like Transformers, SEAL Team, and most recently the Terminal List with Chris Pratt. He's also a best selling author with a fantastic book “Transformed: A Navy SEAL's Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds,” a clothing line called Kojo and more.This is a true Combat Story of not just overcoming the odds down range, but overcoming every obstacle life in the inner city can throw at you. Find Remi Online: - Instagram @remiadeleke- Twitter @remiadeleke - Kojo Wear Clothing Line- Book Transformed: A Navy SEAL's Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds- Muskegon Maritime Academy https://muskegonmaritimeacademy.org/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:27 - Guest Introduction (Remi Adeleke) 2:00 - Interview begins 4:26 - About his family's tribe from Nigeria and what it means to him today 7:12 - Growing up in Nigeria 13:16 - Formative years spent hustling in the Bronx 24:24 - Why the military?27:58 - Being in NYC on 9/11 30:56 - An influential recruitment officer and getting his record cleared 34:43 - Becoming a SEAL without knowing how to swim39:01 - First deployment experience 43:10 - Combat Story - First time outside the wire as a Humvee gunner 45:30 - Being an African American in the SEAL teams and how being black helped down range 50:25 - How his time in the Bronx gave him skills in the military 52:17 - Direct action ops and running sources 57:56 - Combat Story - a quick snatch and grab operation that turned into 14 hours with an intense foot chase 1:08:22 - The decision to get out 1:11:55 - Getting the call to work on Transformers without a formal audition and how he got into acting and consulting 1:21:50 - Starting the Muskegon Maritime Academy, a military themed charter school 1:26:59 - What did you carry into combat?1:27:32 - Would you do it again?1:27:50 - What do you think your old man would be saying now? 1:28:31 - Listener comments and shout outsThis interview is all about special operations and special operators. If you want to learn more about special opertaions, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/This interview is describing what it takes to be in special operations but also try to cover the following subjects:- What are special operations?- Combat Story- Remi Adeleke- Navy SEALs- Combat OperationsRemi Adeleke was born in Western Africa, but following the death of his father, he, his mother, and his brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. Ending his successful naval career in 2016, he was led to pursue a career in speaking and acting. Remi holds a BS in organizational leadership and an MS in strategic leadership, both from the University of Charleston West Virginia. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Cayden and Caleb.Speaking about joining the team, Adeleke said: “Since I departed from the military in 2016 my main focus in life has been to inspire, motivate and educate people — whether through writing, speaking, or visual storytelling."If you would like to learn more about Remi Adeleke I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ_________________________Have I responded to all of your questions about what are special operations?Individuals who searched for Remi Adeleke also searched for Navy SEALs and we have interviews with many Navy SEALs at www.combatstory.com, including those in Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU), which many people refer to as SEAL Team Six.

Today we have a special Combat Story that takes us from commanding in bloody fighting in Vietnam to some of the seminal moments in our military's Special Operations history, all courtesy of retired colonel Keith Nightingale.Keith served two tours in Vietnam, one as an adviser to the Vietnamese where he learned jungle warfare from one of the most interesting and lethal characters in country, followed by taking command of an infantry company in the 101st that had just been wiped out, literally, hours earlier. Keith was a founding member of the 1st Ranger Battalion when it was created by Gen Creighton Abrams in 1974-later commanding both that battalion and the Ranger brigade. He then gives us a fly on the wall perspective of the Desert One catastrophe and the subsequent birth and creation of what we know today as JSOC, to include why we have DIA, 160th, Delta and more. We even touch on Keith's time as the DoD lead tracking down none other than the Drug Kingpin Pablo Escobar.Keith has gone on to write three books, “Just Another Day in Vietnam”, “Phoenix Rising: From the Ashes of Desert One to the Rebirth of U.S. Special Operations,” and “A Soldier Looks Back: Memories and Reflections of a Combat Veteran, from Normandy to Afghanistan.” This was a memorable Combat Story that gives us a look inside some of the most significant moments that created the modern US military we all know and love today.Find Keith Onine:-Facebook Col Keith Nightingale https://www.facebook.com/ColKeithNightingale-Keith's books https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Nightingale/e/B016H5SV66%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Ryan Online InformationFind Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Guest Introduction (Keith Nightingale) 2:17 - Interview begins 2:40 - What he did in the army3:24 - how the military was “in his DNA” and being the first officer in the family that served as a career 7:30 - Getting orders to go to Vietnam and the most influential person in helping become a battlefield leader 18:10 - Combat Story #1 - first contact in Vietnam 24:59 - A “karmic” approach to combat learned in Vietnam 26:57 - Combat Story #2 - a long night in Vietnam 36:03 - Going back to Vietnam with Delta company 43:14 - An intense training in leadership 46:27 - Combat Story #3 - First time in the field with Delta and his leadership strategy for low morale 56:43 - The founding of JSOC and 1st Ranger Battalion 1:05:43 - Combat Story #4 - Operation Eagle Claw 1:32:57 - Tracking down Pablo Escobar 1:40:42 - What did you carry into combat?1:41:54 - Would you do it again?1:42:53 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today's Combat Story is near and dear to my heart for reasons I can't share because they're classified. We hear the firsthand account from one of the men involved in the brutal 13 hours of fighting in Benghazi in 2012, Kris “Tanto” Paronto, who would later co-author the book “13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi” and advise Director Michael Bay and the cast who created the movie of the same name.This is one of my favorite episodes. Time flew by as we touched on so many topics from the learnings Kris shared in two other books (The Patriot's Creed: Inspiration and Advice for Living a Heroic Life and The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield) to insight into what it meant to be a part of the CIA's GRS or Global Response Staff (read this CIA Career page to hear how interesting this job is and trust me when I say these guys were great: https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/protective-agent/) to how it felt the moment he and a handful of selfless other men decided to defy direct orders from above and risk their lives for other Americans in Libya. There's ZERO politics in this episode. If you're looking for that, you won't find it here. This is all about what happened to the people on the ground at the time, which made me appreciate Kris and his perspective even more.Since leaving the military and Agency, Kris has become a serial entrepreneur with a clothing line, vodka brand, podcast, shooting and medical training courses, and is now making his tactical programs more of an experience with E3 Firearms which goes beyond just hitting the range and is something that I think many of our listeners will want to be a part of. I hope you appreciate this wide ranging, hilarious, and selfless Combat Story as much as I did. Find Kris Online:- Instagram @real_kris_tanto_paronto https://www.instagram.com/real_kris_tanto_paronto/ - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristantoparonto/ - E3 Firearms https://pages2.e3firearmsassociation.com/fol-page1638816034383- Kris's website https://kristantoparonto.com/Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Guest Introduction (Kris Paronto) 2:25 - Interview begins 2:47 - How he got his call sign “Tanto” 6:30 - Background info on CIA GRS 11:43 - The GRS driving training course13:20 - The detailed prep work involved in going into country somewhere as GRS 21:15 - Childhood, sports, and adrenaline rushes 26:33 - Why did you choose the military path? 30:10 - Time with the Rangers 36:58 - Getting kicked out of the Army 48:15 - Motivation for writing book “The Ranger Way” 50:51 - Why GRS? 56:47 - Getting a black passport and examples of GRS missions 1:05:13 - Benghazi 2012 and the endurance that you need to make it through a 13 hour gun fight 1:12:22 - Benghazi 2012 Waiting for authorization are deciding to do the QRF (quick reaction force)1:17:59 - The significance of true sacrifice 1:20:41 - His current projects including Battleline Tactical, podcast, vodka company, and E3 Farms Association1:26:25 - What did you carry into combat?1:28:59 - Would you do it again?1:32:27 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of a long-time Green Beret, combat veteran, and retired Sergeant Major Josh Johnson. Josh spent multiple years downrange in Iraq and Afghanistan, many with 1st Special Forces Group, in combat where he led from the front but also spent years teaching other Green Berets and partner forces. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory]Josh was selected as an Exchange Officer to the Australian Special Air Services Regiment where he trained and fought alongside our very close Australian brethren. In his last two years of service, Josh focused specifically on leadership development and training.Since leaving the service, Josh has continued training and developing leaders, this time with Mike Sarraille's Talent War Group where Josh is a Partner and Senior VP of Leadership Development.I hope you enjoy this interesting and wide-ranging Combat Story as much as I did. Find Josh Online:-LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuafhijohnson/Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Guest Introduction (Josh Johnson) 1:36 - Interview begins 3:29 - His time fighting alongside the Aussies 8:11 - Growing up in small town in Utah and having a dad in military 18:41 - How he found himself on the SF track after National Guard and being an MP 30:24 - Funny story about robbing a Bosnian bathroom32:32 - Selection experience in 1999 and where he was when 9/11 happened 34:56 - Combat Story #1 - Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines and his first time getting shot at 46:33 - Combat Story #2 -A multi-hour gun fight and getting hit with RPGs in Afghanistan 58:34 - Combat Story #3 - Stories of men getting shot next to him 1:09:35 - Experience as an ODA working with ranger battalion 1:19:18 - Transition to Talent War Group 1:25:42 - Benefits of vets in corporate America and unique challenges they face 1:31:24 - What did you carry into combat?1:35:20 - Would you do it again?1:39:20 - Listener comments and shout outs To learn more about a Green Beret In Combat, learn more at: https://www.combatstory.com/The video is all about a Green Beret In Combat but also covers the following subjects:- Green Berets Overcoming obstacles- Special Operations- Special Operations combat- Exchange programs with the Australian SASR and UK SAS- Multi-hour gun fightsSomething I noticed when I was looking for information on Green Berets In Combat was the lack of details._________________________Follow our video clips about Green Beret In Combat and various other similar topics on:Facebook: https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatstory_________________________If you were searching for more information about living in Green Beret In Combat did this video help?Possibly you want to comment below and let me understand what else I can assist you with or Green Beret In Combat.

Today we hear our first Combat Story from a member of our close partners in New Zealand: Joe Hotai. Joe successfully completed not only the New Zealand SAS Selection and Training Course, but then (likely because he enjoys pain) also went on to complete the Australian SAS Selection and Training course. Joe then served in combat with the Australian SAS in direct action operations. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory]Since leaving the service, Joe overcame a childhood fear of putting himself out there and has created two podcasts (the Epich Podcast which explores people making a positive change in the world - and which he has graciously invited me to be on - and the Move Sweat Suffer Podcast which promotes a more healthy way of life). Joe has also co-founded the Mill Gym in Australia and is the founder of Zero Alpha, which puts on ultra endurance events combining some of the experiences from his time in Special Operations, and is also a consultant. His YouTube channel is full of pragmatic workouts that remind me of Pat Mac!Joe has an incredibly humble persona with a great sense of humor. In fact, he's described himself as ‘imperfect, annoying, and striving to improve as a husband, father, and human being on a daily basis.” I hope you enjoy this interview of highs and lows and overcoming difficult situations from someone at the forefront of the Special Operations community, as much as I did. Find Joe Online:- Instagram @joehotai- Podcast Epich Aotearoa https://www.epichpodcast.co.nz- YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/joehotai1936- Move, Sweat, Suffer YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/movesweatsuffer- Zero Alpha https://www.zeroalpha.co.nz/- Burpee Wear https://www.burpeewear.com/- LinkedIn article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/putting-myself-yourself-out-joe-hotai/Find Ryan Online:- Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 1:07 - Guest Introduction (Joe Hotai) 2:31 - Interview begins 2:55 - Growing up in New Zealand and family dynamics 19:30 - The impact of not having a dad as a child26:00 - Desire to join the military and special forces specifically 31:15 - Lacking confidence to speak up and a moment in basic training when he found his confidence 39:15 - If not the military what would you be doing? 47:29 -Experience with both New Zealand and Australian SAS selection and qual course 1:08:56 - The type of operations that come down the Australian SAS vs. New Zealand SAS1:21:36 - How having a Maori (indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand) background came up during his time in the military 1:24 - Crazy story of Blackhawk crashing while he and his team were in it 1:26:38 - The emotions and mindset on his first deployment to Iraq at 25 1:35:19 - Combat Story - Having to troubleshoot and fix a Mk-19 while actively being shot at 2:04:05 - What he is doing today with his 2 podcasts 2:14: 28 - What did you carry into combat?2:15:23 - Would you do it again?2:20:37 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we have a more timely Combat Story where we sit down with the head of the Ukrainian Come Back Alive Foundation, Taras Chmut. Come Back Alive provides financing for purely defense initiatives and since 2014, it has provided nearly 1000 thermal imaging devices and over 250 UAVs in addition to material support, technology, and training for the forces fighting the Russians on Ukrainian soil. Before stepping up to lead this organization, Taras was a Ukrainian Marine rifleman on the front lines in 2015 and then a commander of a reconnaissance unit with UAVs and signals intercept capabilities providing a better picture of the battlefield mainly near Mariupol (which we've heard so much about today). This, like our interviews with Aiden Aslin and Sergey Dyadkin, help shed light on what's actually going on in this Russian invasion and give each of us a way to do something about it, this time in terms of providing support to this important foundation, which you can do at www.comebackalive.in.ua. We've conducted much of this interview through a translator named Alexander and I hope you appreciate this inside look from Kiev as much as I did. Find Taras Online:-Website https://www.comebackalive.in.ua/-Twitter https://twitter.com/BackAndAlive @comebackalive-Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TarChmut-Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taras_chmut/Fine Ryan Online:-Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory-Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/-Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory-Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial-Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial-Email ryan@combatstory.com-Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus-Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:34 - Guest Introduction (Taras Chmut) 1:54 - Interview begins 2:26 - The meaning of his name and what it was like growing up in Ukraine 6:24 - Early interest in aviation 7:59 - Where he was in 2014 when he considers the Russia -Ukrainian actually started 11:12 - Path to the military 14:31 - Time with Ukraine Marines and trying to stop Russia from invading21:18 - Transition to UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platoon commander 26:52 - The types of missions he was doing with UAVs31:47 -The Come Back Alive Foundation than and now 37:48 - Opinion of Zelenksy and the future of Ukraine 39:30 - What are you most proud of from the Come Back Alive Foundation? 41:46 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we have a Combat Story first with our first Astronaut who spent over 377 days in space and completed 10 spacewalks (where he's actually out in space in nothing but his suit): Chris Cassidy. Before he joined NASA, Chris was a Navy SEAL and was one of the very first sent into Afghanistan in 2001 after 9/11. There's very little Chris has not accomplished. He attended the US Naval Academy, received a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has two Honorary PhD's. As a SEAL, Chris earned a Bronze Star with Valor and a Presidential Unit Citation for combat in Afghanistan. He was NASA's 14th Chief Astronaut, which is the head of NASA's Astronaut Corps and is the principal advisor to the NASA Administrator on astronaut training and operations.Chris is incredibly humble given his accomplishments and it's no surprise he is now President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, where he's leading efforts to build out an iconic Museum for MOH recipients, a Leadership Institute, and a Monument on the National Mall.I hope you enjoy this view from Space from such a down to Earth man as much as I did. Special thanks to previous guests Darrell Utt and Mike Hayes who helped us connect with Chris.Find Chris Online:-Instagram @astro_seal-Instagram @mohmuseum -MOH Museum Donation www.mohmuseum.org/donateFind Ryan Online:-To support Combat Story and get exclusive content, head to Patreon www.patreon.com/combatstory-Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory-Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/-Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory-Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial-Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial-Email ryan@combatstory.com-Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus-Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Guest Introduction (Chris Cassidy) 2:31 - Interview begins 8:10 - Childhood and interest in military 19:18 - Path to SEAL Teams 25:20 - About his first SEAL Team, an underwater vehicle team29:30 - Where he was when 911 happened and how SEAL Team 3 reposnded38:19 - Combat Story - First time leading troops into an engagement 42:07 - Combat Story - Aha moment while on a mission in the caves of Afghan-Pakistan border46:56 - Team dynamics in a small unit like a SEAL Team 52:09 - Leadership and the danger of complacency and overconfidence 54:24 - Transition to NASA 1:04:53 - First flight expereince as an astronaut1:13:15 - First spacewalk experience1:17:56 - Story of a hairy experience during a spacewalk mission1:30:14 - Feeling privileged to do the work and the long-term fatigue that can happen 1:31:53 - National Medal of Honor Museum 1:40:56 - Dealing with setbacks along his path 1:43:05 - What did you carry into combat/space? 1:44:21 - Would you do it again? 1:45:46 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we have a unique Combat Story and our first ever with an Afghan Special Operator, Farida Mohammadi, and one of her American trainers Taylor Holliday. Farida was a member of the elite Female Tactical Platoons (or FTPs which numbered fewer than 35) that we heard about in episode 68 with former Ranger Battalion operator Patrick Kinsella.Farida, like all FTPs, had to pass a rigorous special operations selection process and were trained in CQB, a variety of firearms, and tactics, just like their male counterparts. She then went into battle alongside Rangers, ODAs, and Afghan Special Forces to give you an idea of the level of expertise required. We're also fortunate to have Taylor here to share parts of her story as a Cultural Support Team member (the FTP trainers) who not only trained women like Farida but who also went on the objective with Special Operations units. Taylor is a part of Sisters of Service, a non-profit formed by fellow CSTs to help evacuate Farida and other FTPs out of Afghanistan after everything fell apart and help them resettle in the US. It's a selfless organization and I hope by the end of this interview you'll find a way to contribute to their cause (and help women like Farida who were taking out HVTs in Afghanistan and now need to find a better life here in the US).I hope you enjoy this very special Combat Story with two very special operators as much as I did.#military #veteranFind Farida and Taylor Online:-Politico Article on FTPs: https://www.politico.com/interactives/2022/afghan-women-soldiers-taliban-us-refugees/-Sisters of Service Website: www.sistersofservice.orgFind Ryan Online:-To support Combat Story and get exclusive insights, head to Patreon www.patreon.com/combatstory-Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory-Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/-Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory-Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial-Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial-Email ryan@combatstory.com-Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus-Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:54 - Guest Introduction (Farida Mohammadi and Taylor Holliday) 2:24 - Interview begins 7:37 - Growing up in Afghanistan with school 2 hours away, working on farm, and experiencing the Taliban 12:29 - Things Americans may not know about Afghanistan 15:02 - Why Farida joined the military even though it is not expected for women 18:21 - The type of work and missions FTPs would do24:19 - Farida's first combat experience as an FTP 27:28 - Taylor's first combat expereince as a CST, serving women and children, and being nervous searching people 31:17 - Combat Story (Farida) - Being shot at by both Taliban and Afghanistan National Army while not having any ammunition 34:17 - Combat Story (Taylor) - Waking up to a firefight at the compound 36:30 - The burden and pressure of training FTPs to go into very dangerous missions 38:59 - The evacuation of Afghanistan 45:05 - Sisters of Service - Why they started and the work they are doing 50:26 - What did you carry into combat? 54:40 - Would you do it again? 55:36 - Letter from Patrick Kinsella about Farida as a soldier 59:51 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear a Combat Story that I've been looking forward to for years. As many listeners know, I closely followed the war in Afghanistan immediately following 9/11 and revered the Green Berets who rode into combat on horseback to take America's fight to the enemy. [Call to Action: Please refer your friends to www.trustsafetyinstitute.com if they're looking for high paying jobs where they can still help people and fight bad actors.]Today we hear from one of the very few men who was there, one of the Horse Soldiers as they've been called: Bob Pennington.Bob spent more than 30 years in the service, much of that with Special Forces, including kinetic operations in the Gulf War to one of the first teams on the ground in Afghanistan and more. He's a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment and in the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame.He and his Horse Soldier teammate Mark Nutsch have just released a book about their experiences in the days after 9/11 titled “Swords of Lightning: Green Beret Horse Soldiers and America's Response to 9/11.” And if his life can't get any better, he and Mark are also principals in the company that produces Horse Soldier Bourbon.I hope you enjoy this inside look into what happened from 9/10 (the day before the world changed) through the some of the first operations on the ground in Afghanistan (and enjoy some of Bob's celebrity moments given his representation as a key role in the movie 12 Strong) as much as I did.#military #veteran #greenberet #horsesoldierFind Bob Online: -Instagram - Horse Soldier Bourbon @horsesoldierbourbon https://www.instagram.com/horsesoldierbourbon/-Bob's Favorite Charities: Tunnels to Towers https://t2t.org/ and Land of the Free Foundation https://www.landofthefreefoundation.org/Find Ryan Online:-To support Combat Story and get exclusive insights, head to Patreon www.patreon.com/combatstory-Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory-Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/-Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory-Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial-Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial-Email ryan@combatstory.com-Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus-Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Guest Introduction (Bob Pennington) 2:07 – Thank you for supporting The Trust & Safety Institute 2:45 - Interview begins 4:02 - Meeting Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon for the 12 Strong movie 7:40 - Growing up with a father in the military and early interest in Green Berets13:32 - Starting his career in Ranger Battalion after college24:37 - Being a Warrant Officer in SF community 34:51 - Combat Story - Experience in the Gulf War 50:10 - Where he was when 9/11 happened 59:48 - Mindset at the time of 9/11 and being one of the teams picked for the mission in Afghanistan 1:12:45 - Combat Story - First operations on the ground in Afghanistan 1:38:31 - Swords of Lightning book backstory and information 1:43:42 - Horse Soldier Bourbon 1:49:42 - What did you carry into combat? 1:52:05 - Would you do it again? 1:54:11 - Help connect those who served with meaningful and great paying jobs after service1:56:49 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of long-time Special Forces veteran, Ranger, and sniper Darrell Utt, who spent 26 years in the service, most of that in special operations across 10 deployments. Call to Action: For former military, government and law enforcement, if you're looking for a high paying and meaningful job, check out our Trust & Safety Institute at www.trustsafetyinstitute.com. Darrell tracked down PIFWICs (Persons Indicted for War Crimes) in Kosovo, was part of one of the craziest infils into Iraq you'll ever hear, used a honeypot to lure out an HVT, developed a devastatingly effective HUMINT network, and led countless kill/capture operations, taking down dozens of HVTs and detaining hundreds of extremists and their leaders. What's great about Darrell is that he always put himself in harm's way ahead of troops, which is not always the case. His ODA unit earned the coveted Larry Thorne award which goes to the best Special Forces unit for the work they did during one deployment to Iraq. Darrell himself earned the MG Robert T. Frederick “Top Operator” Award, which goes to the top Special Forces NCO. Since leaving the service, Darrell has taken on a role helping to build the future of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, which is on a mission to deliver “education, leadership, and inspiring spaces for learning and reflection, to preserve, share, and harness the stories, lives, and impact of Medal of Honor recipients.” I couldn't imagine anyone better to represent the stories and lives of our Medal of Honor brethren than Darrell. I hope you enjoy this interview chalked full of creative and gut-wrenching combat stories as much as I did. Find Darrell Online: National Medal of Honor Museum https://mohmuseum.org/ Find Ryan Online: Trust & Safety Institute - Jobs/Careers, News, Training, Policies Patreon Community Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Guest Introduction (Darrell Utt) 2:28 – Introducing The Trust & Safety Institute 3:17 - Interview begins 7:04 – Growing up in West Virginia from humble beginnings 13:16 – The significance of Camp Dawson training center in West Virginia 17:02 – Wanting to join the Marines and what led him to the Army 24:23 – Joining in 1990 as Light Infantry and feeling like he was missing out on Gulf War 27:36 – Tracking down PIFWICs (Persons Indicted for War Crimes) in Kosovo 39:04 - The transition into Special Forces ODA 42:52 - Combat Story #1 - Operation Ugly Baby in Iraq 59:58 - Combat Story #2 - Operation Thor's Hammer 1:16:04 - Combat Story #3 - Darrell's “Happy to Be Alive” day story 1:49:30 - Combat Story #4 - Toughest day in Adhamiya ,Iraq in 2006 1:56:09 - Combat Story #5 - Carnage and violence in Adhamiya in 2007 1:59:49 - His work today with The Medal of Honor Foundation 2:07:08 - What did you carry into combat? 2:08:37 - Would you do it again? 2:11:28 - Help connect those who served with meaningful and great paying jobs after service 2:14:08 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of long-time Special Forces veteran, Ranger, and sniper Darrell Utt, who spent 26 years in the service, most of that in special operations across 10 deployments.Call to Action: For former military, government and law enforcement, if you're looking for a high paying and meaningful job, check out our Trust & Safety Institute at www.trustsafetyinstitute.com.Darrell tracked down PIFWICs (Persons Indicted for War Crimes) in Kosovo, was part of one of the craziest infils into Iraq you'll ever hear, used a honeypot to lure out an HVT, developed a devastatingly effective HUMINT network, and led countless kill/capture operations, taking down dozens of HVTs and detaining hundreds of extremists and their leaders.What's great about Darrell is that he always put himself in harm's way ahead of troops, which is not always the case. His ODA unit earned the coveted Larry Thorne award which goes to the best Special Forces unit for the work they did during one deployment to Iraq. Darrell himself earned the MG Robert T. Frederick “Top Operator” Award, which goes to the top Special Forces NCO.Since leaving the service, Darrell has taken on a role helping to build the future of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, which is on a mission to deliver “education, leadership, and inspiring spaces for learning and reflection, to preserve, share, and harness the stories, lives, and impact of Medal of Honor recipients.”I couldn't imagine anyone better to represent the stories and lives of our Medal of Honor brethren than Darrell. I hope you enjoy this interview chalked full of creative and gut-wrenching combat stories as much as I did.Find Darrell Online:- National Medal of Honor Museum https://mohmuseum.org/Find Ryan Online:- To support Combat Story and get exclusive insights, head to Patreon www.patreon.com/combatstory- Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Email ryan@combatstory.com- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes:0:00 - Intro0:47 - Guest Introduction (Darrell Utt)2:28 – Introducing The Trust & Safety Institute3:17 - Interview begins7:04 – Growing up in West Virginia from humble beginnings13:16 – The significance of Camp Dawson training center in West Virginia17:02 – Wanting to join the Marines and what led him to the Army24:23 – Joining in 1990 as Light Infantry and feeling like he was missing out on Gulf War27:36 – Tracking down PIFWICs (Persons Indicted for War Crimes) in Kosovo39:04 - The transition into Special Forces ODA42:52 - Combat Story #1 - Operation Ugly Baby in Iraq59:58 - Combat Story #2 - Operation Thor's Hammer1:16:04 - Combat Story #3 - Darrell's “Happy to Be Alive” day story1:49:30 - Combat Story #4 - Toughest day in Adhamiya ,Iraq in 20061:56:09 - Combat Story #5 - Carnage and violence in Adhamiya in 20071:59:49 - His work today with The Medal of Honor Foundation2:07:08 - What did you carry into combat?2:08:37 - Would you do it again?2:11:28 - Help connect those who served with meaningful and great paying jobs after service2:14:08 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear a rare Combat Story from a long-time Delta Force Commander and operator, Pete Blaber, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Somalia, Colombia, and Panama. Call to Action: For former military, government and law enforcement, if you're looking for a high paying and meaningful job, check out our Trust & Safety Institute. Pete is an understated, humble, and soft spoken warrior leader who applies a commonsense approach to all of his decisions, to include those in combat. His decision to join the military came from studying centuries of warfare and how seemingly brilliant leaders made senseless decisions and wanting to avoid making the same mistakes. He spent most of his career in the special operations side of the Army from Ranger Battalion to Delta Force and then, after retiring, took on a role as a senior leader in a multi-billion dollar tech company. He has since written two books (The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander, and, more recently, The Common Sense Way: A New Way to Think About Leading and Organizing) that share the lessons he learned from leading in some of the most historic and high intensity conflicts in the past 35 years. I hope you enjoy this humble, understated, and unique perspective into the life and thinking of a Tier 1 operator and officer as much as I did. Find Pete Online: The Common Sense Way: A New Way to Think About Leading and Organizing The Mission, The Men, and Me: Lessons from a Former Delta Force Commander Instagram @blaberpete Find Ryan Online: Trust & Safety Institute - Jobs/Careers, News, Training, Policies Patreon Community Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:55 - Guest Introduction (Pete Blaber) 2:02 – Introducing The Trust & Safety Institute 2:54 - Interview begins 3:14 - Childhood and the origins of the common sense perspective 7:16 - Being obsessed with military history as a kid and the impact it had 22:12 - Using notes from when he was deployed or in service to write his books 28:19 - If the military wasn't an option, what would you have done? 31:50 - Story of navigation skills at work trying to escape a wild animal in pursuit 46:37 - Path including Ranger Battalion, Infantry Offer, and Delta 49:29 - Combat Story #1 - First time in combat in Panama as a company commander in the military five years 1:05:33 - Formative time with Rangers and how it informed tactics as Company Commander and later with the Unit 1:10:05 - Combat Story #2 - Afghanistan mission from a leadership perspective 1:28:56 - The most rewarding point along the journey 1:38:38 - What did you carry into combat? 1:40:02 - Would you do it all again? 1:43:11 - Help connect those who served with meaningful and great paying jobs after service 1:45:49 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear a very different Combat Story from Sergey Dyadkin, a Ukrainian patriot, Special Forces and Territorial Defense Force soldier fighting in Ukraine against Russia today. Help support Combat Story on Patreon. We have a special segement from this interview only available on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/combatstory Sergey fought back some of the first Russian incursions into Kiev and was in the city of Schastia in eastern Ukraine just 20 miles from the Russian border when the shelling, tanks, and invasion began. He captured some of the first Russian prisoners of the war and, you'll note in the discussion, treated them humanely, which we've seen is not the case for both sides in this war. We found Sergey thanks to Ryan Hendrickson, who many will recall from two previous Combat Story episodes where Ryan described having his leg mangled by an IED only to return to combat and earn a Silver Star. In true Ryan fashion, he voluntarily left the US and his life to help the people in Ukraine. While in Kiev, Ryan met Sergey and they connected over a shared Special Forces background. Sergey's Special Forces operational tempo was so high that he was sent to the Territorial Defense Forces to escort humanitarian aid efforts as a break! I hope you enjoy this important and unique insight into the experiences of a frontline soldier fighting against Russia who, at such a young age, can differentiate between the Russian people and a Russian tyrant, who can already forgive, and who just wishes people could go back to a peaceful co-existence. You'll notice we're using a translator. Sergey speaks English but I wanted him to be able to express himself more in his native language. We've also got Ryan Hendrickson just off-screen for most of the interview helping provide some additional context as his and Sergey's paths are now intertwined. For those listening and who aren't watching the video on YouTube or Spotify, Sergey is sitting at his Army base and wearing his military fatigues with his weapon slung throughout the interview, reminding us that when the interview ended and we all go back to our lives, he went back to war. This is one I'll never forget and I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Find Ryan Online: Patreon Community Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:51 - Guest Introduction (Sergey Dyadkin) 3:21 - Interview begins 4:27 - The role of the Territorial Defense Forces in the war in Ukraine 6:27 - Sergey as a kid growing up in Ukraine 12:40 - Training process to become Special Forces in Ukraine 16:12 - Combat Story #1 - First time in combat with a reconnaissance unit 20:55 - Combat Story #2 - Capturing some of the first Russian prisoners of the war 29:47 - What Sergey you like people to know about the experiences Ukrainian people 32:14 - What he thinks of President Zelensky 33:35 - We hear from Ryan Hendrickson 38:35 – Organizations that are helping and how to get involved 41:57 – Closing and special clip available on Combat Story Patreon

Today we hear an international Combat Story from Ray Klaassens, a Dutch Special Operator in the Commando Corps (KCT) and former Dutch General Intelligence Service (or AIVD) officer who spent years in combat zones fighting our very same enemies alongside American counterparts. [Join us on Patreon and become part of the Combat Story community at www.patreon.com/combatstory] Ray comes from very humble origins and the other side of the “canal” as he likes to say, overcoming so much to reach the pinnacle of intelligence and military units. Both KCT and AIVD, if you ask any American who served alongside them (including myself), are elite units that many of us would happily go down range with. Since leaving the service, Ray overcame even greater odds to create his company, Triangular Group, that provides de-risking and intelligence services for clients globally. I hope you enjoy this international Combat Story from humble roots to true success in military, intel, and business as much as I did. Find Ray Online: Ray's Linktree Instragram @rayklaassens Find Ryan Online: Patreon Community Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 1:22 - Guest Introduction (Ray Klaassens) 2:21 - Interview begins 5:11 Growing up poor in the Netherlands 17:47 The process for becoming an officer in the Dutch military 24:44 About the different Dutch Special Forces and the KCT 33:07 What it was like in the Netherlands on 9/11 and how his commando training changed 38:14 Leading a team down range with very little intel 54:01 Story of engaging with a drunk guy in Afghanistan in order to get some information 56:37 Leading a team to find someone placing IEDs on the full moon 1:05:45 Switching from Special Forces to Intel Services AIBD as a secret service 1:20:50 Exiting Intel Services, starting the Triangular Group, and what they are doing today 1:33:47 - What did you carry into combat? 1:35:01 - Would you do it all again? 1:36:17 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear an incredible Combat Story of Mike Sarraille, former Marine Recon and a SEAL Team leader who served 20 years in the special operations community, earning a Silver Star, multiple Bronze Stars with Valor, and more. He was also part of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU). NOTE: We have just launched our Patreon. Join our Combat Story community at https://www.patreon.com/combatstory Mike served in multiple leadership roles to include the Battles of Ramadi and Sadr City, to name just a few. Since retiring from service, Mike founded and is the CEO of Talent War Group, a specialized executive search firm and talent advisory; he's co-author of ‘The Talent War: How Special Operations and Great Organizations Win on Talent' and is the face of Men's Journal's ‘The Everyday Warrior.' I stumbled across Mike when I saw posts about a recent expedition to the Himalayas where he did six free fall jumps over Mount Everest. Mike is a very, very humble but distinguished warrior leader and I hope you enjoy this insightful deep dive into the life of a Tier 1 and private sector operator and leader as much as I did. Find Mike Online: Mike's Linktree Mike on Instagram @mr.sarraille ATTA Instagram @live_atta Talent War Group Instagram @talentwargroup Find Ryan Online: Patreon Community Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 1:31 - Guest Introduction (Mike Sarraille) 2:34 - Interview begins 3:02 – Skydiving at Mt. Everest after retiring from the military 10:51 – Childhood in the Bay Area, joining the Marines, and what drew him to the SEALs 24:26 – How the leadership and examples set by the military motivated him and gave him direction 33:36 – Differences in BUDS and Marine Recon training 38:52 - Story of an experience with Johnny Kim and making a snap judgment while in training 45:10 - First experience in combat isolating and containing the Ramadi hospital where Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was 53:50 – Being a Marine liaison (LNO) 55:31 – The importance of preparedness in leadership 1:01:23 – A hard lesson learned after deviating from procedure 1:13:35 – What he is doing today with his different companies, his book, and talent development 1:23:40 Shared Adversity and After Action Reviews (AAR) in the corporate environment 1:34:00 - What did you carry into combat? 1:35:49 - Would you do it all again? 1:37:15 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Travis Norby, who commanded a mechanized infantry company in Iraq early in the war. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon NEXT WEEK. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Travis is a long-time Combat Story listener who reached out to see if his non-special ops story would be worth our listener's time. As many of our most dedicated listeners know, as you write to me about this, we get many requests to share the stories of conventional soldiers and officers and what life was like for them while the Tier 1 and 2 units were running raids at night. This combat story delivers on what I believe is a very common experience for so many infantry officers in terms of how you lose soldiers and still show up, how you motivate people to keep going in the face of unending days of attacks, and how you lead with the soldier in mind and not your own career advancement. Travis' stories of leadership and loss give us unique insight into the world of an Infantry officer fighting in the post-9/11 era and I hope you enjoy this raw and very real Combat Story as much as we did. Find Travis Online: Instagram @travisjnorby Find Ryan Online: Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 1:34 - Guest Introduction (Travis Norby) 2:33 - Interview begins 5:45 - Growing up on a farm in Montana 12:11- How the military entered the picture for Travis 22:18 - Joining and early days pre 911 32:41 - Where he was when 911 happened 37:37 - Going over to Iraq from Korea and being a staff guy on the FOB 43:38 - What changed his mind when he was ready to get out of the army but took company commander position instead 51:46 - The company structure and equipment at his disposal 54:03 - Combat Story #1 - First combat experience and having to take over for prior leadership 1:02:22 – Combat Story #2 - A goose chase 1:06:29 Combat Story #3 - Emotional story losing one of his guys 1:24:11 - The historic significance of his deployment from Korea to Iraq and the importance of conventional officers 1:28:23 - What did you carry into combat? 1:30:17 - Would you do it all again? 1:30:55 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Patrick Kinsella and his five deployments with 1st Ranger Battalion to Iraq and Afghanistan. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Not only do we get to hear of Patrick's first hand combat experience, which includes nighttime raids on HVTs and Mi-17 crashes, but he also gives us a glimpse into one of the most interesting and relatively unheard of group of special operators in the war: the Afghan Army's Female Tactical Platoons (FTP). Patrick spent years fighting in Afghanistan but found his time training and leading the brave women of the FTPs to be the most rewarding. The FTPs were Afghan women who volunteered to go through special operations training and selection programs, from basic marksmanship to fast roping to explosives training and more, and who would go out in the darkness with US Special Operations Forces on target. Patrick continues to support the women of the FTPs who were evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021 to help them find a place in the US and share their incredible stories. We'll share some resources to help these women who sacrificed so much for us to make a life here in the US now. I hope you enjoy this selfless Combat Story about so much more than just one man as much as I did. If you'd like to support these brave and selfless women of the FTP, you can go to www.sistersofservice.org. Find Patrick Online: Instagram @pkins175 https://www.instagram.com/pkins175/ Sisters of Service https://sistersofservice.org/ Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:57 - Guest introduction (Patrick Kinsella) 2:17 - Interview begins 6:26 - Growing up on military bases and an early love of wildlife 9:52 - Becoming interested in joining the military and choosing the Army 20:47 - Funny story of Patrick's first operation downrange with 1st Battalion 29:02 - What the Ready Room was like where he was located 31:08 - Combat Story #1 - An ambush at an Iraqi checkpoint and feeling like someone was watching over them 39:49 - First deployment to Afghanistan working with a Delta team and the scariest thing that happened to him in his military career 52:08 - Combat Story #2 - A gunfight and a chase with dogs employed in Afghanistan 1:02:55 - The call to get out and knowing when you are not going to re-enlist 1:04:41 - Afghan Army's Female Tactical Platoons (FTP) - Patrick's experience fighting alongside and then later recruiting and training the women 1:17:10 - Why this experience was so rewarding for him 1:24:08 - How people can help and make a positive impact on these women's lives today 1:29:05 - What did you carry into combat? 1:30:33 - Would you do it all again? 1:37:07 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we take a historical look at the Battle of Actium, a huge naval battle off the coast of Greece that determined the future of what we know as the Roman Empire. We welcome Cornell University's Professor Barry Strauss back to the podcast to bring another epic battle to life (listeners will remember him from our deep dive into the life of a well known Spartan warrior named Brasidas). Barry is a Professor of History and Classics at Cornell University, Series Editor of Princeton's Turning Points in Ancient History, author of eight books, and a military and naval historian and consultant. Professor Strauss is a recognized authority on the subject of leadership and the lessons that can be learned from the experiences of the greatest political and military leaders of the ancient world (Caesar, Hannibal, Alexander among many others). This particular battle and the lead up to it involved some of the iconic names we've all heard from history like Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, Octavian Cesar, and Julius Cesar. We also learn about Rome's most decorated Naval Commander, Admiral Agrippa and how he defeats a numerically superior force. Barry's newest book “The War that Made the Roman Empire” brings this battle and the personalities to life. Those who appreciate our combat stories will enjoy hearing about how battles were fought on the open sea at this time and some of the tactics that each side had to use. While some of the military tactics have changed, the overarching military, political, and diplomatic strategy have not, to include the use of information warfare. I hope you enjoy this combat story from history as much as I did. Find Barry Online: Website https://barrystrauss.com/ Author of The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium Facebook Twitter @barrystrauss Podcaster, ANTIQUITAS: Leaders and Legends of the Ancient World Find Ryan Online Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:19 - Guest and topic introduction (Barry Strauss) 1:33 - Interview begins 2:27 - Working at Cornell and how this book came to be 4:25 – Background on the time period, the Roman Empire, and the part of the world the battle takes place 10:51 The historical personalities – Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and Octavian 26:12 - Can we trust the history books? 27:51 - The important military figure, Admiral Agrippa 31:09 - The naval battle and strategy of Naval warfare 38:16 - Tactical decisions made by both sides 40:26 - How the battle evolved and happened in just one day 46:52 -Surprising findings while doing research 51:04 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear a special Combat Story of one of the military's most revered leaders who many have never heard of (but should). This is the experience of retired Colonel Bill Ostlund, a beloved mentor and leader developer who served 35 years in the Army working his way up from a private and growing into combat command in some of the bloodiest fighting of any unit in the post-9/11 era. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Bill's command in Kunar Province, recounted countless times in dozens of books including Sebastian Junger's War and the documentary Restrepo, resulted in over 400 awards for valor and three Medals of Honor (all living honorees). This episode is an embarrassment of riches for those who want to know what real leadership looks like; what the Burden of Command actually means; how you show up after losing a soldier six hours into a 15 month deployment; or leading joint SpecOps task forces with Delta, DEVGRU, 160th, and other Tier 1 elements over thousands of operations. Bill Ostlund will remind so many listeners of Todd Opalski in how he cared for and treated his soldiers and explains why, so many years later, his soldiers and officers still seek his advice as they step into greater roles of responsibility in the military and their personal lives. I'm honored to have had a chance to spend this time with what so many think of as the pinnacle of battlefield leadership and hope you enjoy this Combat Story on leadership as much as I did. Find Ryan Online Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Guest introduction (Bill Ostlund) 1:31 - Interview begins 3:44 - The jump into Iraq in March 2003 with almost 1000 paratroopers 12:09 - Bill's perspective on the current conflict in Ukraine 17:32 - Childhood and getting into the military 42:19 - Combat Story #1 - Lightning in the Storm Air Assault and leadership lessons learned 1:06:49 - Instilling expectation in his soldiers and his love of soldiers 1:26:57 - Combat Story #2 – Troops in Contact 6 hours into 15 month mission after just taking command 1:37:08 - Awards process and how combat provides a unique opportunity for leaning and growth 1:49:30 Combat Story #3 - Battle of Wanat 2:08:48 – Feeling about now having a son in the military 2:10:09 - What did you carry into combat/interrogations? 2:11:41 - Would you do it all again? 2:15:23 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Jim Horn, former Marine Corps Platoon and Company Commander and 25 year FBI Agent. [We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Jim did two tours in Vietnam surviving near death experiences on several occasions. He earned a Silver Star in a company on company-level battle on remote hilltops fighting suicide attackers, recoiless rifles, rockets, and calling in danger close rounds and air strikes. After the Marine Corps, Jim went onto a fascinating career in the field as an FBI Agent that included work with SWAT, a violent crime profiler, and leading the Bureau's trauma program. Jim doesn't hold back when sharing the special bonds he experienced with his fellow Marines holding the line in these profound but common battles so far from home and I hope you enjoy these down-to-earth and Oklahoman stories as much as I did. Special thanks to Combat Story listener Terry B for suggesting Jim as a guest on the show. Find Ryan Online Combat Story Merch Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - Guest introduction (Jim Horn) 1:31 - Interview begins 1:58 - How his dad's guilt over not serving in World War II influenced his decision fight in the Vietnam War 18:57 - Shipping out to Vietnam and immediately becoming a platoon leader 35:01 - Combat Story #1- First time in combat and taking in the arm from friendly fire 38:27 - The three things that you need to lead Marines 44:42 - A tough first tour and survivor's guilt 50:22 - The incredible leadership and Marines he fought with 1:00:57 - Combat Story #2 - Silver Star event 1:16:35 - The perceptual distortion that happens in combat 1:31:13 - Jim's time in the FBI and what makes a great profiler 1:45:48- What did you carry into combat/interrogations? 1:48:30 - Would you do it all again? 1:55:16 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of James Rosone, best known as a bestselling author but who also interrogated terrorists in Iraq on the frontlines before picking up the pen. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] James was “inside the booth” conducting tactical interrogations down range and feeding intel on dangerous routes, IED makers, and High Value Targets to coalition forces (up to Tier 1) on a daily basis. Like so many vets, he dealt with the deep regret of feeling like he didn't do enough and, for years, accepting the blame when an American lost an arm breaching a target he developed or worse, losing a life on the objective. After leaving the service, James found his calling as an author, in part as a way to handle his PTSD. We talk about his experiences with psychedelics and other treatment options he used to keep his demons at bay. He's gone on to write 26 books ranging from a memoir titled Interview with a Terrorist to his well known military and espionage thrillers like the Monroe Doctrine. He's now sharing his writing experience with other vets to help them become successful authors. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into the world of an interrogator at the height of the surge to becoming a wildly successful author as much as I did. Find James online: Books by James Rosone Facebook Rosone and Watson Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Guest introduction (James Rosone) 2:30 - Interview begins 11:20 - Early experience in the Guard and the moment after 9/11 he knew he would go active duty 23:57 - The interrogation opportunity comes and training experience 39:09 - Traits that make a really good interrogator 41:46 - What happens after an interrogation 48:59 - What an interrogator does to prep 54:50 - First interrogation experience 1:02:55 - The responsibility felt to people outside the wire 1:17:19 - The dynamic on the FOB 1:22:23 - The biggest case he ever had and false flag interrogation 1:30:23 - His toughest case interrogating a 15 year old kid 1:44:43 - Facing demons and PTSD after coming home 1:51:43 – His first book and how pouring himself into writing helped 2:02:21 - Trying alternative treatments like psychedelics for PTSD 2:17:02 - What James is working on now 2:22:51- What did you carry into combat/interrogations? 2:25:00 - Would you do it all again? 2:34:23 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Karl Erickson, a long time Green Beret, expert sniper, and retired Sergeant Major, who deployed pre- and post-9/11, including into Afghanistan just after the Twin Towers fell to hunt Bin Laden. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] After the military, Karl took his decades of teaching as a Green Beret into the civilian world and has a huge online following for his Tactical Rifleman brand and I can see why. In this episode, we dive into the deep, deep details of being a sniper in combat, to include taking a sniper shot at night just before breaching a target (scopes, windage, aerodynamics, countdowns for simultaneous shots, round selection, and more), which is just a glimpse of what he shares with his followers online. Karl is a natural born storyteller and I know you'll enjoy this hilarious and deeply technical Combat Story as much as I did. Find Karl online: Instagram @tactical_rifleman Twitter @TacRifleman Facebook TacticalRifleman.com Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree Merch Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages or email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Guest introduction (Karl Erickson) 1:30 - Interview begins 6:15 – Making Sergeant Major and being an Operator at Headquarters 15:38 - Childhood as self-proclaimed “juvenile delinquent” and when he knew he wanted to be a Green Beret 30:3 - How the lack of mentor influenced his career path 40:31 - What makes a good sniper 44:15 - Feelings in Desert Storm 53:58 - Combat Story #1 - Gunfight in Afghanistan 1:07:20 - Technical description of shooting with a suppressor 1:10 - Shooting in the dark 1:14:38 - First time having somebody in a scope for real 1:20:42 - Combat Story #2 1:39:28: - About Tactical Rifleman project 1:55:11- What did you carry into combat? 1:56:24 - Would you do it all again? 2:01:14 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear a special Combat Story of Edward Fugit, my old man, who flew Hueys in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia just after the Tet Offensive. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] This is a special edition for me personally as long time listeners have heard me refer to my old man and his stories and our similar career paths on several occasions. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do this interview given how close it was to home and I'm so glad I did. From a very young age I remember hearing these stories of my dad in the cockpit and vividly remember looking at his Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross on the mantle, wearing his green flight suit when I played Army, and then hugging him before I shipped out to my own war as a combat aviator. His experiences in Vietnam will sound like something from Hollywood's We Were Soldiers where green but determined young aviators flew into hot LZs time and again risking everything for their ground brethren. We also touch on what it was like flying SOG into combat zones on operations nobody would hear about for decades and what it was like to be at the negotiating table as a diplomat with Kissinger at the height of the Cold War in Moscow. I really hope you enjoy this close to home Combat Story with a real hero of mine that was then edited by his grandson. Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:06 - Guest introduction (Ed Fugit) 2:22 - Interview begins 2:59 - Growing up in NJ and early interest in political science 7:43 - A family history in the military 12:31 - When and how aviation came into the picture 20:10 - A “never quit anything” mentality 22:12 - Flight school experience 27:57 - Feelings going in to Vietnam within the units and that moment in American history 36:36 - Differences in how the Army was structured at that time vs. today 47:37 - The three kinds of missions in Vietnam 53:23 - Combat Story #1 - Silver Star operation in Vietnam 1:09:02 - Intense Special Ops missions with SOG and 1st Airmobile Division 1:31:12 - Combat Story #2 – Incident that made the front of the New York Times 1:50:08 - Combat Story #3 - DFC event 1:58:35 - Stories from time in state department 2:05:48 - Going back to Vietnam in 2017 and thoughts about sons joining the 2:13: - What did you carry into combat? 2:14:16 - Would you do it all again? 2:17:11 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Aiden Aslin, a UK citizen who deployed multiple times into conflict zones to fight ISIS in Syria and Russia in Ukraine. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Aiden was not part of the British military. He simply decided the people in Syria being terrorised by ISIS needed more support and found a way to get down range to help. During his multiple deployments into Syria fighting with other westerners against ISIS and nearly dying, Aiden had been following events in Ukraine. He again decided, instead of sitting safely in the UK, to step up and fight for people who needed help. Today, Aiden is officially part of the Ukrainian military. We had to record this particular interview quickly before Aiden deployed to the frontlines again, where he is now. His Instagram account (cossackgundi) is worth a look too where's amassed 20K followers and describes himself as a “British guy Rocking it out in the Ukrainian marines” with what he calls “Warzone Photography” and “Conflict news”. I hope you enjoy this humble and understated Combat Story of someone who left everything behind to help others in two vastly different conflicts as much as I did. Find Aiden online: Instagram @cossackgundi https://www.instagram.com/cossackgundi/ Twitter @cossackgundi https://mobile.twitter.com/cossackgundi Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Guest introduction (Aiden Aslin) 1:56 - Interview begins 2:16 - Current location and mindset getting ready for another deployment 5:04 - Childhood and working with adults with special needs 11:55 - Leaving safety and social work to go to Syria 19:46 - Deciding to go to war and getting into Syria 34:19 - Training and first time on the frontline making contact with enemy 41:03 - Combat Story #1 First real contact and feeling positive after the outcome 45:52 - Combat Story #2 A friendly fire incident that left him with panic attacks 1:05:31 - Returning to Syria despite traumatic experiences 1:11:35 - Combat Story #2 Ukraine conflict and joining Ukrainian Marines 1:25:32 - What did you carry into combat? 1:26:13 - Would you do it all again? 1:28:47 - Advice for someone considering this type of path 1:32:57 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the remarkable Combat Story of Derek Herrera, a former Marine Special Operator who led Marines in Iraq, Haiti, the Middle East and Afghanistan. While on a MARSOC operation in Afghanistan, he was shot and paralyzed. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Derek is another one of these guys that just makes you feel lazy and that he has more time in a day than you do. Rather than give up after being injured, he medically retired from the Corps and has achieved significant success while continuing to serve others. He's the President of the Board of Directors of the Marine Raider Foundation, Chairman of the Board of MedTechVets, founder of Habit Camera and UroDev Medical (formerly Spinal Singularity), a keynote speaker, and host of the FORWARD podcast. Derek is the real deal who spends all his time putting others ahead of himself and I know you'll enjoy his inspiring Combat Story as much as I did. Find Derek Online: His Linktree has a ton of online links: https://linktr.ee/derekherrera Instagram @derek_herrera https://www.instagram.com/derek_herrera/?hl=en LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekherrera/ Find Ryan Online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Guest introduction (Derek Herrera) 1:37 - Interview begins 3:31 - Having an entrepreneurial spirit since childhood 9:32 – A military family and wanting to be a Navy Seal 13:28 - The Navy Seal selection process and not making it 21:08 - Mindset going into the Marine Corps 28:06 - First deployment primarily doing raids in Iraq 40:23 - A full-circle moment helping the Navy Seals as a Marine 45:11 - Deciding to go the Special Ops route in the Marines 53:52 - First and only deployment as Special Operator in Afghanistan and what his missions were like 1:04:58 Combat Story – The operation that changed his life and left him paralyzed from the chest down 1:12:58 - Reaction to learning he was paralyzed and how he found a way to stay in military 1:18:53 - Deciding to transition out of the military and finding passion and purpose in business 1:27:44 – The Marine Raider Foundation 1:35:18 - What did you carry into combat? 1:37:24 - Would you do it all again? 1:39:44 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Sean “Buck” Rogers, a former Green Beret who served multiple deployments with various units, including 10th Special Forces Group, after escaping an incredibly difficult and harsh childhood. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Buck transitioned to 19th Special Forces Group and eventually joined the law enforcement ranks, including time with SWAT. Since leaving the military and law enforcement, Sean has written a best selling book titled ‘Rising Above: A Green Beret's Story of Childhood Trauma and Ultimate Healing', became an ultramarathoner, founded the FNG Academy, and now produces content and leads a community trying to help other aspiring special operations candidates succeed in selection and the Special Forces and Special Operations worlds. Buck is working on getting his second book published and has several interesting irons in the fire that we touch on in this episode. I hope you enjoy this real and raw Combat Story with someone who's overcome so much and maintains an overwhelmingly positive attitude as much as I did. Guest Online Information Instagram @seanbuckrogers YouTube Website Book Rising Above Ryan Online Information Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:56 - Guest introduction (Sean Buck Rogers) 1:56 - Interview begins 2:11 - Origin of his call sign, “Buck” 11:30 - Sean's traumatic and impactful childhood 27:59 - The events that lead to him signing up and his unconventional path to Special Forces Selection 41:39 - First time in Afghanistan at base but not yet in gunfight 46:36 - First time outside the wire and a glimpse of how Green Berets operate 52:43 - Combat Story #1 – Example of challenges Green Berets face working with commandos 1:03:35 - Combat Story #2 – High-pressure negotiation in the field with the Afghan commandos 1:07:13 - Combat Story #3 - Feeling like he's being watched and narrowly missing an IED 1:11:09 - Combat Story #4 – The high speed action he signed up for 1:16:38 - The origin and mission of FNG podcast and YouTube channel 1:24:43 - Process for making an FNG video and Sean's favorite videos 1:31:35 - Writing the book “Rising Above” and what his new book will be about 1:37:09 - Mentors and father figures 1:40:00 - What did you carry into combat? 1:42:17 - Would you do it all again? 1:43:31 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Brad Thomas, a former Ranger and Delta Force operator who fought in multiple theaters from Somalia to Bosnia to Iraq and Afghanistan, including 12 years at the Unit in the pre- and post-9/11 era. [NOTE: We're launching on Patreon soon. Register to get notified at https://www.combatstory.com/patreon] Brad gave up a promising musical career to serve, first with Ranger Battalion and then finding his way into Delta Force. His first combat experience was in Mogadishu in what we know as Black Hawk Down as part of 3rd Ranger Battalion in a true baptism by fire. Since leaving the military, Brad returned to his passion: music. He gathered a group of veterans who now make up the band “Silence and Light” and saw far more success than they expected on their debut album and are releasing their second album in the near future. Since Brad can't help but go all in on everything he does, he and the band donate their profits to two veteran-focused charities: Marine Raider Foundation and Warriors Heart. It's not often you get to sit down and hear directly from someone who spent years at the Tier 1 level and survived Mogadishu so I hope you enjoy this Combat Story and brief glimpse into that world as much as I did. Find Brad Online: Instagram @bradthomas_official Silence and Light Website Ryan Online Information Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle #military #veteran #deltaforce #specialoperations Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Guest introduction for Brad Thomas 1:54 - Interview begins 2:09 - The prevalence of musicians and artists in the Elite Units 4:40 - What sparked Brad's interest in music as a kid 25:18 - Joining and knowing he wanted to be elite 38:05 - The path to Ranger School 45:48 - Going outside the wire for the first time in Mogadishu 54:25 - Reaction to the Black Hawk Down movie and what it was like for Brad 1:09:04 - Going back out the gate again 1:16:18 - The days following October 3 in Mogadishu 1:23:30 - Transition after Mogadishu 1:33:59 - Going back into combat after Mogadishu 1:37:28 - Funny story about goofing around with the team 1:39:59 - What Brad is doing now with music 1:55:24 - What did you carry into combat? 1:56:40 - Would you do it all again? 1:59:05 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Kim “KC” Campbell, a retired Air Force Colonel and A-10 Fighter Pilot. NOTE: Combat Story is launching a Patreon account later this month. Sign-up here: https://www.combatstory.com/patreon Kim racked up over 1.8K flight hours in the Warthog; 375 of those in combat across more than 100 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. She also has one of the coolest call signs ever: Killer Chick. For anyone who's been on the ground and seen an A-10 on a gun run, you can understand why so many ground pounders love this platform. For Apache pilots, the A-10 is our fixed wing cousin and we feel a very close affinity with this incredible machine. Outside the cockpit, Kim led the Air Force Academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development and, since retiring, has carried that expertise to the private sector where she provides leadership development training and team engagement. She's also a keynote and motivational speaker. Kim, like many fighter pilots, is driven, dedicated, and successful. She's delivered rounds on target in heated battles and narrowly avoided death, including being hit with a Surface to Air Missile. I hope you enjoy this insightful Combat Story from the cockpit of THE Killer Chick as much as I did. Find Kim Online: Website LinkedIN Twitter @kchawg987 Ryan Online Information Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:01 - Guest introduction (Kim “KC” Campbell) 2:10 - Interview begins 2:46 - Origin of her fighter pilot call sign 7:30 - Early years and what enamored her with flight 12:55 - Why Air Force Academy? 18:18 - Choosing her aircraft 22:14 - Where she was on 911 and how it changed her training 24:43 - Going to Afghanistan immediately after training 27:23 - A quiet first combat mission in Afghanistan 34:48 - Firing from the A-10 for the first time 44:05 - Combat Story #1 - First kinetic operation in Iraq 50:30 - Combat Story #2 - The mission that was a defining moment 1:18:18 - Combat Story #3 - In combat as a flight lead 1:29:47 - Leadership development, team building, and powerful leadership advice 1:40:22 - What did you carry into combat? 1:44:31 - Would you do it all again? 1:46:07 - Listener comments and shout outs

This is a special crossover episode where Combat Story's Ryan Fugit was interviewed on The Team House by Jack Murphy (Combat Story Episode #13 https://youtu.be/ScqnGbPSfhY) and David Parke (Combat Story Episode #53 https://youtu.be/CmmGixV06rc). So many people have asked to hear Ryan's story and he was waiting for the right interviewer. It only seemed right to have the Team House do the honors and it did not disappoint! I hope you enjoy this deep dive into Ryan's background growing up, combat in Afghanistan, and CIA ops. Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Today, we hear the second part of the fascinating Combat Story of Firat Batman, a Swedish citizen from Kurdish roots who left his relatively quiet and safe life in Sweden to join the YPG and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to fight ISIS. [Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Loansteady LLC. A small-by-design lender, Loansteady believes in bringing a much-needed dose of humanity to the mortgage process. They are waiving all lender fees for Veterans in 2021. Visit http://www.loansteady.com/combatstory to request a rate quote or start an application. Loansteady LLC, All rights reserved, NMLS# 1701910, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), Equal Housing Lender. For more licensing information, please visit https://www.loansteady.com/licenses-and-legal] We left off in Part 1 when Firat returns to Sweden from Syria following his first deployment just after experiencing the carnage of walking through a town that had been recently abandoned by ISIS, including the blood stains on the walls where groups were executed and rooms that reeked of dead bodies left to rot. In Sweden, Firat, like many veterans, has difficulty assimilating back into regular life and hears of a friend who passed away fighting in Syria. This second round is all about Firat's subsequent journeys back to the frontlines and the experiences fighting an enemy that would rather blow themselves up then surrender. I hope you enjoy this Combat Story as much as I did. Find Firat Online: Instagram @tactikurdbruh Find Ryan Online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - A word from our Sponsor (LoanSteady) 2:19 - Guest introduction (Firat Batman) 3:18 - Interview begins 4:29 - Emotions after coming home from first rotation 10:21 - News of losing his friend expediting his return to the fight 16:23 - What it was like to go back to the frontlines 19:28 - Difference in mindset coming back vs the first time 32:06 - Combat Story #1 First engagement after coming back 39:19 - Hearing guys dying or close to it via radio 49:17 - Moving between lines to bring support and treat people medically 1:00:33 - Combat Story #2 Intense engagement while bringing support to others 1:15:50 - Funny story about talking to enemy from shelter across the line 1:18:48 - A direct experience and description of ISIS armies 1:21:25 - The only 2 people captured by ISIS and survived 1:27:40 - Protecting people you love from going into combat 1:3524 - What did you carry into combat? 1:37:01 - Would you do it all again? 1:41:41 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today, we hear the Combat Story of Firat Batman, a Swedish citizen from Kurdish roots who spent years with the YPG and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting one of the most vile terrorist groups of our time: ISIS. [Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Loansteady LLC. A small-by-design lender, Loansteady believes in bringing a much-needed dose of humanity to the mortgage process. They are waiving all lender fees for Veterans in 2021. Visit http://www.loansteady.com/combatstory to request a rate quote or start an application. Loansteady LLC, All rights reserved, NMLS# 1701910, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), Equal Housing Lender. For more licensing information, please visit https://www.loansteady.com/licenses-and-legal.] I found Firat when his friend, another Swede turned freedom fighter named Mike, reached out. Mike's introductory email sums up Firat perfectly: “I am writing you for a friend of mine who would never reach out but his story is amazing. He spent years fighting ISIS in Syria with the YPG. He is not a war tourist!! He left Sweden for Syria after ISIS murdered his cousins and uncle in Syria.” Firat fought alongside coalition forces on the front lines liberating cities from ISIS control. He did this, however, with very few resources, training, ammunition, funding, and support. What he witnessed in terms of ISIS brutality is horrific and has left its scars. He has an amazing story that will inspire anyone who wonders how you can change your life and do something about the evil things in this world. I hope you enjoy this Combat Story as much as I did. This is the first in a two part interview with Firat to make sure we spend sufficient time in his multiple deployments. Find Firat Online: Instagram @tactikurdbruh Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree Instagram @combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:01 - A word from our Sponsor (LoanSteady) 2:27 - Guest introduction (Firat Batman) 4:01 - Interview begins 4:35 - Early family life living in Sweden with Kurdish background 10:03 - Being an immigrant and having family in Syria when ISIS formed 14:34 - The personal experience that draws you into the military 21:53 - A memorable ride to the airport to deploy 29:59 - Writing a letter to your mom in case you don't come back 33:56 - Arriving in Kurdistan, the land of his people, for the first time 39:05 - Going straight to the Syrian border after just arriving in Iraq 56:34 - Initial training experiences 1:15:13 - The first time he was told to bring his weapon and be ready 1:21:18 – First time in contact and what it was like to see ISIS remains 1:27:18 – Lead up to his first major operation 1:34:14 - First conflict with ISIS 1:46:33 – The carnage ISIS left behind 1:57:39 - What it was like going back home to Sweden for the first time 2:01:40 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of David Parke, a former Army Ranger and Sniper Team Leader, Navy diver, and Paramilitary Contractor, who spent almost 10 years in Iraq and Afghanistan post-9/11. [Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Loansteady LLC. A small-by-design lender, Loansteady believes in bringing a much-needed dose of humanity to the mortgage process. They are waiving all lender fees for Veterans in 2021. Visit http://www.loansteady.com/combatstory to request a rate quote or start an application. Loansteady LLC, All rights reserved, NMLS# 1701910, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), Equal Housing Lender. For more licensing information, please visit https://www.loansteady.com/licenses-and-legal.] During his time down range as a contractor, he earned the ODNI's National Intelligence Medal for Valor, which the ODNI describes as being given “in connection with an Intel Community mission to national security” and awarded on a “highly selective and rare basis.” David now co-hosts The Team House, which livestreams interviews with special operators, intel professionals, and more. I'm a big fan of the Team House and you can check out our Combat Story interview with David's co-host Jack Murphy (Episode 13 https://youtu.be/ScqnGbPSfhY). David has written two books and appeared in several TV shows as an actor. I hope you enjoy this Combat Story with another battle-tested fighter as much as I did. Find David Online: Instagram @d.parke https://www.instagram.com/d.parke/ LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveparke11b/ The Team House Podcast Find Ryan Online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - A word from our Sponsor (LoanSteady) 2:09 - Guest introduction (David Parke) 3:02 - Interview begins 3:27 - Getting attacked on a NYC subway in 2020 13:30 - David as a kid, his natural curiosity, and life before the military 18:08 - Why the Marines? 21:04 - From Marines to Navy Diver 26:59 - Going through Army boot camp at 27 years old 34:46 - His transition into linguist role 43:06 - Being in DLI training when 9/11 happened 46:49 - Fear of Missing the War 51:18 - What interrogations at Guantanamo were actually like 59:32 - Early mission sets in Afghanistan 1:11:23- Combat Story #1 - An unexpected (and funny) outcome in Iraq 1:15:43 - Combat Story #2 - the mission where David earned the ODNI National Intelligence Medal for Valor 1:27:54 - Combat Story #3 – The lighter side and things you can't help but laugh at 1:28:58 – Team House origin story 1:44:54 - What did you carry into combat? 1:46:02 - Would you do it all again? 1:47:27 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Travis Hall, an Army Ranger and Special Forces Green Beret who survived 18 combat deployments post-9/11 to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Niger. You heard that correctly: 18 deployments. Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Loansteady LLC. A small-by-design lender, Loansteady believes in bringing a much-needed dose of humanity to the mortgage process. They are waiving all lender fees for Veterans in 2021. Visit http://www.loansteady.com/combatstory to request a rate quote or start an application. Loansteady LLC, All rights reserved, NMLS# 1701910, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), Equal Housing Lender. For more licensing information, please visit https://www.loansteady.com/licenses-and-legal. Travis was an 18D (Special Forces Medic) and one of the first K-9 handlers deployed with the Green Berets in combat. He's been in day long firefights, run both high and low vis ops, trained thousands of partner forces, and survived some incredibly difficult operations. Travis founded Second Chance K9, which is a rescue organization that pairs working military dogs with special operations veterans suffering from PTSD. He also runs Second Chance Medical Consulting, where he provides private and semi-private training on firearms and medical aid. After 18 deployments over almost two decades, Travis' positive approach to life and his focus on making people's (and dogs') lives better is tangible. I hope you enjoy this Combat Story of someone who spent many years deep in our wars (with and without a dog at his side) as much as I did. And if you do enjoy it, I hope you'll subscribe and leave a positive review (it would mean a lot). Find Travis Online: Travis' Linktree Second Chance K9 Donate to Second Chance K9 Instagram @secondchancek9 Facebook @2CK9SD YouTube Ryan: Instagram @combatstory Show Notes/Time Stamps 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - A word from our Sponsor (LoanSteady) 2:10 - Guest introduction (Travis Hall) 3:16 - Interview begins 6:40 - Travis and a childhood WITHOUT (surprisingly) animals 10:56 - A family military history and a SEAL contract 17:46 - Why Green Berets? 20:04 - Fear of Missing the War 26:20 - Combat Story #1 - Arriving in country and immediately in a fight 30:21 - What's a Low Vis mission profile? 39:27 - Combat Story #2 - Brutal fighting in Kandahar, Afghanistan 44:15 - Combat Story #3 - Lighter/funnier side of combat and being mistaken for a local 51:37 - Combat Story #4 - Life as an 18D Special Forces Medic 56:23 - Combat Story #5 - Treating himself downrange 1:01:45 - Travis' documentary to support veterans 1:04:29 - Being one of the first SF K9 handlers 1:11:31 - Combat Story #6 - Travis and his K9 Bear in Iraq 1:25:59 - Origin of Second Chance K9 1:33:54 - What did you carry into combat? 1:36:12 - Would you do it all again? 1:39:44 - Listener comments and shout outs

Today we hear the Combat Story of Erick Miyares, a retired Sergeant Major who spent nearly 30 years in the military in the pre- and post-9/11 era. Erick was a Marine, Marine sniper, part of 7th Special Forces Group, and then spent over 20 years in Tier 1 Special Mission Units. [Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Loansteady LLC. A small-by-design lender, Loansteady believes in bringing a much-needed dose of humanity to the mortgage process. They are waiving all lender fees for Veterans in 2021. Visit http://www.loansteady.com/combatstory to request a rate quote or start an application. Loansteady LLC, All rights reserved, NMLS# 1701910, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), Equal Housing Lender. For more licensing information, please visit https://www.loansteady.com/licenses-and-legal.] Erick has been shot (with small arms and rockets), run singleton and low vis missions, operated in multiple theaters and countries, and cheated death (and capture and compromise) on numerous occasions. He's only recently separated from the service and stepped “out of the shadows” to where he can discuss some of the aspects of these clandestine and secretive roles and the toll it takes on a person. Erick uses his experience and the hard lessons he learned to drive Echo9.axiom and Echo9.hopes with a specific mission to prevent the suicide of Veterans after having lost two close friends in 2019. This is a fantastic interview that dives into what's involved in the shadowy world of intel and reconnaissance at the elite level. I hope you enjoy this vulnerable and introspective Combat Story with Erick as much as I did. Find Erick Online: LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/erick-miyares/ Instagram Echo9.axiom https://www.instagram.com/echo9.axiom/?hl=en Instagram Echo9.hopes https://www.instagram.com/echo9.hopes/?hl=en Find Ryan online: Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email ryan@combatstory.com Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:55 - LoanSteady - A word from our sponsor 2:22 - Guest introduction 3:28 - Interview begins 6:30 - Growing up in Hialeah (Miami) 17:13 - The idea of the military 28:00 - Once a Marine, always a Marine 37:08 - Combat Story in South America with 7th Special Forces Group 47:39 - The buildup of PTSD 55:40 - Invited to Selection 1:05:14 - Combat Story with an RPG in Ramadi 1:17:10 - Losing two friends from the Tier 1 community to suicide 1:40:44 - Echo9 Axiom and Hopes 1:49:32 - What did you carry with you into combat? 1:51:19 - Would you do it all again?

A short tribute to the Veterans who spent years away from families to serve. In their own words. And a thank you to the families that made it possible. Thanks to our guests: @kellergamutresolutions @tipofthespearrmh @mindfulfrogman @mentalkingmindfulness @woundedbywar @mark.a.wales @kill_kapture @vansanttyrtactical @allsecurefoundation @thisis.mikehayes @danpronk @drtonybrooks @raymcpadden1 Happy Veterans Day!

Today we have a special Veterans Day 50th Episode of Combat Story from Vincent Speranza, who was a paratrooper in the storied 101st Airborne Division in World War II. Vince was a machine gunner at the Battle of the Bulge where he and his fellow paratroopers held Bastogne after being encircled by the Germans. [Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Loansteady LLC. A small-by-design lender, Loansteady believes in bringing a much-needed dose of humanity to the mortgage process. With their experience, agility, and creativity at Loansteady, they offer better rates, a simpler process and a much stronger personal connection. They're here to find a mortgage that works for you, not the other way around. They are waiving all lender fees for Veterans in 2021. Visit http://www.loansteady.com/combatstory to request a rate quote or start an application. Loansteady LLC, All rights reserved, NMLS# 1701910, (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/), Equal Housing Lender. For more licensing information, please visit https://www.loansteady.com/licenses-and-legal.] While fighting, Vince earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, but he's gone down in history for being the GI who miraculously found and transported draft beer in his helmet from the last standing bar in Bastogne during the attack. This story later became the basis for Airborne beer, which can be purchased throughout Belgium and is designed to be enjoyed from a small ceramic cup shaped like a WWII helmet. Vince, in the last 10 years, has written a book, aptly titled “Nuts!: A 101st Airborne Division Machine Gunner at Bastogne,” has jumped out of airplanes again, and speaks to soldiers and organizations about his experiences. His story is nothing short of legendary and reminds us all why we refer to his as the “Greatest Generation.” I hope you enjoy this amazing combat story as much as I did. Follow Ryan on Instagram @combatstory Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:48 - A word from our Sponsor (Loansteady) 2:15 - Guest intro 3:22 - Interview begins 4:18 - Growing up an Italian immigrant 16:00 - Did you miss out on a “fun” or easy childhood? 18:20 - AWESOME Pearl Harbor story from Dec 7th,1941 22:21 - The Draft letter 23:43 - Shipping off to WWII (wait for his dad's comment) 38:04 - Training to go to WWII 41:01 - Volunteering for Airborne 50:40 - Taking the Queen Mary over to the war 52:34 - The feeling on the boat on the way to WWII 54:28 - You're going in! 59:29 - Battle of the Bulge - Basic numbers and the environment 1:01:41 - The importance of artillery at Bastogne 1:04:44 - Asking for our surrender 1:06:15 - Like the Colonel already said 1:07:10 - “Freedom in your heart” (you can't help but smile when you hear this) 1:07:50 - How was I feeling at the Battle of the Bulge? 1:10:15 - The sobering moment comes after the shooting… 1:11:45 - German strategy going in 1:14:50 - Airborne Beer (INCREDIBLE story) 1:18:30 - Made myself a promise 1:33:45 - Combat Story (WWII Edition) Begins with description of digging into frozen ground and fighting from those positions 1:36:00 - “The whole world exploded” 1:38:48 - A machine gunner's delight 1:47:16 - A once in a lifetime R&R 1:58:59 - Did you carry anything with you into combat? 1:59:57 - Would you do it all again? 2:00:09 - At the Eagle's Nest! 2:03:26 - Not a hero… 2:05:23 - Listener comments