Joe Hayes is a United States Marine and served in Ramadi, Iraq with the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines. The Day of Battle did not end in Iraq, but it continues on in our lives today.
This is my advice to those preparing for Marine Corps Boot Camp, or really any other basic training/academy type of structure that you are about to enter. But maybe you aren't going into any of that at all... that's totally fine, just listen, enjoy and take something away from this. Being a Warrior is more than wearing a uniform and we need real Warriors more than ever in this country. Men need to be Warriors, and honestly there is much less physicality associated with it than our culture would care to admit. Whatever your disability, ability, age, being a Warrior is truly a heart issue. This episode was inspired by my admiration for a young man I know who is about to go into the Marine Corps. I know with all my heart that he will do so well and make us all proud. I have watched him grow up over the last 4 years and it has been a joy to have been a part of his life. He is truly a man of God, a Servant of the King, and a Warrior in the footsteps of King David. S.C.-- This one is for you brother. Semper Fi.
On this episode, I joined "Choices not Chances Podcast" and sat down for a conversation with Ryan Rogers and Matt Charrette. It was my honor to be a guest on their show. Please go find their channel and subscribe; they are great men who fought in the Battle of Marjah in Afghanistan. They are taking lessons learned on the battlefield and bringing them to the warfighting community to make our men and women more deadly when they enter the battle space. Ryan are Matt are amazing leaders in the veteran community and working tirelessly to lift up their brothers with their encouraging and interesting content. I sincerely appreciate their openness to the Gospel and letting me share Jesus with their audience. There are a few audio issues with this episode due to the platform on which it was recorded, so your patience is appreciated. Semper Fi!
This episode is really part 2 of "David Goggins or King David" so check that one out first. Jocko Willink puts forth a message that is very attractive to rough men and the Veteran community. Much of what he says is very good, offers value, and has helped men to push forward in their battles. But there is a sense in his ideology that is an end to itself, and that is where I want to differ from him and put forth a Biblical perspective. God has created the warrior spirit. It came from Him and to harness that warrior spirit apart from Him is meaningless.
Most of the Military and Veteran culture are given to what has become known as "Hustle Culture." There are several heavy hitters in this genre and I will push into the mentality they are bringing to the table. Don't get me wrong, I love alot of what Jocko Willink and David Goggins say and do. These men are inspiring and embody the American individualism and fighting spirit that has made our country free (hopefully for awhile longer). But you have to hold it up to the Word of God and see how HE says you are to live. What is your strength in?
With all the evil, death and destruction out there, it is common to ask God, "Why?" We have all been there and done that. The answer you will find here will probably surprise you, so enjoy.
This episode will discuss the current state of affairs with society, national leadership and how godless they all are. They are coming for your God-given rights. The question is, are you going to be a MAN about it?
This message is needed now more than ever. I will not give up on Freedom. I will not turn my back on the blood of my brothers. Semper Fidelis.
Most of us have benefitted from a legacy left for us. The fighting spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps and several other exceptional men are detailed in this episode. We will delve into what it takes to leave a legacy for those coming behind you. A legacy worth living, and worth leaving.
Prior to enemy engagement, you must know your playbook. You must have a mind/muscle connection with everything you do. This is also true for the Day of Battle, which confronts you everyday.
Meditation is often recommended for Veterans suffering from PTSD, and in the time that we live, it is recommended for just about everybody. There are so many mental health issues among us, but our doctors and culture misunderstand meditation. They get it wrong, point blank. Meditation is for everyone, and it is not about YOU. This episode gets real about meditation, it's roots and the results. Semper Fi.
Cases of Stolen Valor are pretty detestable and drive us all crazy. What does Stolen Valor have to do with the Gospel though?
This episode explores the words that Jesus gave in His testimony at trial. We are going into Palm Sunday, and Passion week. So let us go deeper into our understanding of Who He is, that it may cause us to be more devoted to Him. Attached is a youtube clip I used from Paul Wilbur, and it is one of my favorite songs, called "O Yah." I love all of Paul Wilbur's music and highly recommend it to you. It is Biblically grounded Christian worship of our King. Enjoy! (9) Paul Wilbur | O Yah (Single) - YouTube
Six April is here again. It is a day of victory, it is a day of defeat, a day of memories, good and horrible, a day of valor, a day of blood. There are tears, regrets, triumphs. The Bastards experienced it, and it was different for every one of us. This episode will honor our fallen from April 6th and 7th. We lost 12 Marines those two days. I encourage you to sit back and take in the entire episode. Be alone, be quiet, and just listen. Go back to that day, 18 years ago and look at it again. Always remember our boys who did not make it home, and always honor the God who delivered you from those days. He saved you from death for a purpose. He is our ROCK.
This episode really gets into one of the heart issues of the Day of Battle Podcast. As a society of warriors, we hold ourselves so accountable to be strong and valiant and we are always shocked when the flow of the battle turns and takes one of us down. Maybe, yes probably, we have been fighting it wrong the whole time.
This podcast is going to take a deep dive into exactly Who this One is that has your 12 and 6 in your patrol. Jesus is the object of our faith, but we must be responsible in our faith to understand exactly Who He is. We have been gifted the inspired Word of God, and so much has been revealed to us about the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. If you love Him, you want to know more about Him. I have called out to Him in the most dire of physical circumstances- from the battlefield with AK-47 rounds snapping over my head. Jesus is real. There is no doubt about that. Find out more about Him right now.
There is a massive global shakeup happening right now with Russia and Ukraine, but also other things that are more personal for some of us. How do we keep moving? WW3 is on the horizon, but maybe it already hit home for you.
In this episode, the Day of Battle Podcast is in the studio of Pastor Brandon Holthaus of Rock Harbor Church in Bakersfield CA. Pastor Brandon is a fighter and has not taken these last few years lying down. He is bold, and a man of God for the times we live in. The Day of Battle takes many different forms in our day to day lives. This episode focuses specifically on the Great Reset and what it means for a man of God. We talk about how to lead your family through these difficult times. Men like us hear the sound of gunfire and we run towards it, not away. This battle is for your soul and it begins with an attack on your mind. They are coming for your kids and everything you hold dear. Do not be taken off guard. Check out more from Pastor Brandon with his website, which links to various platforms where you can find his content. RHC | Rock Harbor Church
Continuing on with David Rimestad... this man lives in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, doing what matters most. He faces down the darkness that is so heavily oppressing the people he takes the good news to. David is laser focused on his mission and gives insights that apply to all of humanity.
Duty... Sacrifice... Hardship... but also JOY. David Rimestad has gone where most men fear to go. He lives in a place that would kill just about anyone and he is thriving. This is a real man, a tough man, determined, solid, unwavering. A man of God. He knows what it means to fight.
With special guest, Jonathan Buckner of Chosen Road.
You have heard of Belleau Wood, but what do you know about Blanc Mont? This is crucial 5th Marines history. This battle broke the back of the German Army in WW1, giving way to our victory. A special guest is interviewed, telling an account of a WW1 veteran family member.
Taking a look at a mission critical principle to winning battles.
General Patton and Lt Col. Puller both addressed weakness and failure in their men. Let's link the leadership of these men to another Commander.
Our fallen are best honored when a Cross is used for the remembrance of them. If you have ever taken the hike up 1st Sgt's Hill in San Mateo, Camp Pendleton, the home of the 5th Marine Regiment, you have witnessed the beauty and solitude of that mountain top. That glorious peak is marked with Cross after Cross, some for individuals who have died, some for groups of our warriors who have died. These Crosses are carried up the treacherous hill on the backs of Marines. This episode gets into the significance of this Memorial. Semper Fi.
Many times in physical combat, we can be overcome by the fog-of-war. This can destroy our morale and keep us pinned down while the enemy maneuvers on us. Applied spiritually, the same is true. But we are not alone in this fight and in this episode of the Day of Battle, we see where our hope comes from.
This episode gets into the details of the first day of the Battle of Ramadi. April 6th, 2004 was a day that would live on in infamy for the Second Battalion Fourth Marines. It started mid-morning with Golf Company, 3rd platoon's 3rd squad, then it enveloped the 1st squad. Joe Hayes and his Marines were in a tough fight that day, slugging it out with the MUJ. 11 Marines against an estimated 60+ mujahideen. This was Golf Company's toughest day since Viet Nam. Semper Fi.
This is one of the biggest questions we can have throughout life. Why does God allow (fill in the blank horrible thing). I have had some MAJOR loss in my family as of late. I have experienced it in combat. It's Veteran's Day and while so many are being thanked for our service, our minds are drawn to those we lost in battle. Loss hurts, it is deep, it stabs you in the gut. There is loss all around us. Talk to your friends, family, coworkers- they will tell you they have lost someone and it destroyed them. We are going to see what the BIG ANSWER is for us. It's not the only answer, but it is the biggest one. We will deal with more of this later, but for now, focus on this one. Remember... The LORD goes before you and He goes behind you. He has your 12, and He has your 6.
The battle rages on, but this is how you stay grounded, solid, resolute.