Operator Syndrome

Follow Operator Syndrome
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Limited podcast series. Candid discussions about mental, physical, and spiritual stressors. Featuring Steve (former Navy SEAL, professor, and chaplain) and Patrick (former Army Ranger, management consultant, and technologist).

Steve & Patrick


    • Jan 12, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 101 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Operator Syndrome with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Operator Syndrome

    The Guys Say Goodbye! | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 100

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 28:18


    The description always said "limited podcast series," and Steve (former Navy SEAL) and Patrick (former Army Ranger) finally bring it home. They explain the thinking behind pausing at episode 100 and talk about what's next for them. Thanks for listening! #history #podcast #veteran #navyseals #armyrangers #mentalhealth #lastepisode

    Arctic Expert Launches Wilderness Therapy Retreats | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 99

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 40:31


    Steve talks to fellow Navy SEAL Steven Brown, founder & director of Camp Brown Bear. Camp Brown Bear (located in Frankfort, Kentucky) is tackling veteran suicide directly by by immersing Veterans into the wilderness, giving a sense of purpose while participating in projects, building camaraderie, and introducing the participants to holistic modalities (i.e. Equine Therapy, Restorative Yoga, Meditation, Acupuncture, Tai Chi, Music Therapy, Art Therapy and Guided Journaling). #podcast #nonprofit #veteran #navyseals #mentalhealth

    Steve writes about Rickson Gracie | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 98

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2023 36:12


    Patrick and Steve discuss the premise of Steve's latest book-in-progress, where he'll relay stories and lessons learned from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Rickson Gracie. #history #podcast #veteran #navyseals #brazilianjiujitsu #ricksongracie

    Jose leaves the Rangers | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 97

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 37:15


    Jose describes how he left the sniper section, dealt with the loss of more teammates, and made the call to leave the Army. #history #podcast #veteran #armyrangers #mentalhealth

    The guys talk about strange events | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 96

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 38:18


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) and Patrick (former Army Ranger) talk about "creepy" things they've seen or experienced. #history #podcast #armyrangers #navyseals #veteran #mentalhealth

    Jose is back behind a scope | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 95

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 36:42


    Jose digs back into his time as a Ranger sniper, and discusses some of the differences between the different companies in a battalion. #history #podcast #veteran #armyrangers #mentalhealth

    David deploys to Afghanistan | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 94

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 37:00


    David ends this latest series by discussing his time deployed to Afghanistan as a member of the CIA's Global Response Staff. #history #podcast #marines #cia #veteran #mentalhealth

    SEALs & Rangers in the movies | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 93

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 37:44


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) and Patrick (former Army Ranger) get together to discuss how SEALs and Rangers have been portrayed in movies. #history #podcast #navyseals #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Ernie comes home | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 92

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 40:09


    Ernie describes redeployment from a combat-heavy tour in Afghanistan and dealing with the military bureaucracy. He talks through his struggles transitioning to civilian life and what actions helped him. #history #podcast #navyseals #navy #corpsman #mentalhealth

    David describes life in GRS | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 91

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 36:50


    David goes into more detail about what GRS is tasked with doing and compares and contrasts the mindset difference between State and CIA. #history #podcast #veteran #marines #mentalhealth

    Jose is starting to like this sniper thing | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 90

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 36:04


    Jose goes into more detail about the training he received as a Ranger sniper. #history #podcast #veteran #rangers #armyrangers #sniper

    Ernie deploys to Afghanistan | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 89

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 60:46


    Ernie talks about settling into 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines and deploying to southern Afghanistan. #history #podcast #marines #navyseals #navy #corpsman #mentalhealth

    David joins GRS | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 88

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 35:38


    David wraps up his time at the State Department in Baghdad and joins the Global Response Staff at CIA. #history #podcast #veteran #marines #mentalhealth #cia

    Jose moves to the sniper section | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 87

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 36:41


    Jose talks about the frustrations that resulted in him moving to the sniper section. He discusses the culture difference and the training and deployment experiences as a new sniper. #history #podcast #veteran #rangers #armyrangers #sniper

    Ernie trains to be a Navy Corpsman | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 86

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 38:10


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) introduces Ernie, who served as a Navy Corpsman and served in Afghanistan. In this episode he talks about joining the Navy and the training he undertook to become a combat medic. #history #podcast #veteran #navyseals #marines #corpsman #afghanistan #mentalhealth

    David joins WPS | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 85

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 36:06


    David describes the rest of the Triple Canopy vetting process and talks about his first deployment to Baghdad, Iraq. #history #podcast #veteran #marines

    The guys talk about survival equipment | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 84

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 36:16


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) and Patrick (former Army Ranger) discuss their emergency preparedness thoughts and failings. #history #podcast #veteran #mentalhealth #survival #preparedness

    David talks private military contracting | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 83

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 37:26


    David, former Marine Infantry and Reconnaissance, is back to dive deep into the contracting world. #history #podcast #veteran #marines

    Rules of Engagement - Part 2 | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 82

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 39:24


    Steve and Patrick discuss the complexities of rules of engagement through two case studies: Operation Gothic Serpent (Black Hawk Down) and Operation Red Wings (Lone Survivor). #history #podcast #veteran #navyseals #armyrangers #mentalhealth

    Jose hits the road in Mosul | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 81

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 25:37


    Jose describes life as a new team leader in the Rangers and how weapons squad members participated as vehicle crewmen in Mosul, Iraq. #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Jose goes back to Ranger School | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 80

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 32:31


    Jose wraps up thoughts about his second Afghanistan deployment and discusses his second attempt at Ranger School. #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Rules of Engagement Through the Ages | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 79

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 37:20


    Steve and Patrick discuss Rules of Engagement and the Law of Armed Conflict. Part 1 of 2. #history #podcast #veteran #navyseals #armyrangers #mentalhealth

    Tribute to a Legendary Frogman | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 78

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2023 43:58


    Steve wraps up the third installment of stories and remembrances of Mike Bailey, Navy SEAL. You can see Steve's eulogy for Mike here: https://youtu.be/667IYstuEag?t=1906#history #podcast #veteran #navyseals #vietnamwar

    Jose gets caught in an ambush | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 77

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2023 31:37


    Jose recounts the ambush of his Ranger Strike Force in Afghanistan. #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Jose deals with serious setbacks | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 76

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 37:05


    Jose talks about his second deployment, which was marred by the loss of squad mate Ryan Garbs. He also discusses his experience prepping for Ranger School. #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Story of a Navy SEAL working dog | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 75

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 26:21


    Steve tells more stories about Mike Bailey and Prince, his military working dog, and recounts a specific incident in Vietnam that gained them special recognition. #history #podcast #veteran #navyseals #vietnamwar #militaryworkingdogs

    SEAL Teams in Vietnam | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 74

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 35:52


    Steve begins a short series about his mentor Mike Bailey and his military working dog Prince. #history #podcast #veteran #vietnamwar #navyseals #militaryworkingdogs

    Jose deploys as a new guy | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 73

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 37:33


    Jose describes arriving at 3rd Ranger Battalion and immediately deploying to Iraq. (Audio warning: someone forgot to set their phone to silent) #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth #latino

    Jose joins the Rangers | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 72

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 35:53


    We introduce Jose, a former Army Ranger who served alongside Patrick in the 3rd Ranger Battalion as a both a team leader and sniper. #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth #latino

    Steve wraps it up | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 71

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 38:09


    Patrick (former Army Ranger) and Steve (former Navy SEAL) finally detail how they met. Steve describes his last few years with the Reserve SEAL teams and how he closed out his second round of service. #history #podcast #navyseals #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Steve deals with the aftermath | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 70

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2023 36:19


    Steve remembers the fallen aircrew from Extortion 17. He discusses the trauma and stressors experienced by everyone at the command, to include himself. #history #podcast #navyseals #mentalhealth #veteran

    David the Recon Marine Pt. 2 | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 69

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023 41:27


    David talks with Steve about joining the Marines and making the decision to join the famed Recon community. Part 2 of 2. #history #podcast #marines #veteran #mentalhealthawareness

    David the Recon Marine Pt. 1 | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 68

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2023 52:33


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) introduces David, a former Infantry and Reconnaissance Marine, and discuss his experiences in those communities. Part 1 of 2. #history #podcast #marine #veteran #mentalhealth

    Steve responds to tragedy Pt.2 | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 67

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 35:41


    Steve continues to share his experience supporting the notifications and memorials of fallen Navy SEALs following the Extortion 17 helicopter downing. Part 2 of 2. #history #podcast #chaplain #navyseals #veteran #mentalhealth

    Steve responds to tragedy Pt. 1 | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 66

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2023 36:40


    The Extortion 17 incident occurs within days of Steve showing up to DEVGRU as a Chaplain. He discusses what happened, and how the organization responded to honor the lost. Part 1 of 2. #history #podcast #chaplain #navyseals #veteran #mentalhealth

    Patrick wraps it up | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 65

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 35:38


    Patrick closes out his series talking about what compelled him to do it in the first place. He concludes with his thoughts on processing his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Patrick goes corporate | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 64

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2023 39:15


    Patrick describes his civilian career thus far. He compares and contrasts "teamwork" and "leadership" against his time in the Rangers. #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Steve comes under scrutiny | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 63

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 36:19


    Steve discusses how some chaplains reacted to his previous service as a SEAL and how he ultimately ended up at the Tier 1 command. #history #podcast #navyseals #mentalhealth #veteran

    Steve goes to the Pentagon | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 62

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 37:43


    Steve describes how Navy Reserve detailing works and talks about his experience serving at the Pentagon. #history #podcast #navyseals #pentagon #mentalhealth #veteran

    Patrick survives the VA health system | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 61

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 38:48


    Patrick discusses what pushed him to seek VA support, with mixed results. Steve provides his experience and drops some interesting insights. #history #podcast #veteran #mentalhealth #armyrangers #navyseals

    Patrick goes to college...and the Guard | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 60

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2023 35:55


    Patrick talks about an awkward transition into college life and gives his take on the National Guard. #history #podcast #armyrangers #nationalguard

    Steve grinds through the Chaplain "pipeline" | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 59

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 38:33


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) describes the curriculum at the Navy Chaplain School in more detail and talks about the follow-on Marine Field Course. He gets to spend some time in the woods again and dusts off his map reading skills. #history #podcast #navyseals #veteran #chaplain #marines

    Steve goes to Navy Chaplain School | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 58

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 39:00


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) describes the process for getting selected to, and then attending, Officer Development School (ODS) and the Navy Chaplain School. #history #podcast #navyseals #veteran #chaplain

    Patrick remembers the fallen | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 57

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 38:01


    Patrick (former Army Ranger) talks about the Rangers he served with who passed both during and after his service. Correction: Patrick references Ryan Long in the episode, but intended to say Derek Long. Ryan Long was A Co. 3/75 and KIA in 2003. RIP: Benjamin Dillon, James Patton, Anibal Santiago, Jason Santora, Andrew Nicol, Ryan Long, Derek Long (corrected), Andrew Rodriguez #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Patrick counts down to his ETS | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 56

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 36:20


    Patrick (former Army Ranger) talks about his last few months in the Army. RIP Jon Coutchie, Ranger and Laguna Beach PD #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Steve's thoughts on Ukraine War | Operator Syndrome | Test Content

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 26:04


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) addresses the ongoing war in Ukraine following its one year anniversary. He provides his thoughts and opinions on the matter as frequently requested by friends and family. His comments are reflective of the circumstances accurate as of the date posted.

    Steve pursues the ministry | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 55

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 37:41


    Steve talks about what drove him to ministry and discusses the rigors of seminary. He closes by detailing what motivated him to become a Navy chaplain. #history #podcast #navyseals #veteran #mentalhealth

    Steve goes to college | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 54

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 38:18


    Steve talks about feeling lost at first after leaving the SEAL teams and finally getting into college and back on track. #history #podcast #navyseals #veteran #mentalhealth

    Patrick searches for a missing soldier | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 53

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 36:27


    Patrick goes into more detail about his last deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 which includes the search for Bowe Bergdahl. He also discusses the loss of Ryan McGee. #history #podcast #armyrangers #afghanistan #veteran #mentalhealth

    Patrick's head isn't in the game | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 52

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2023 37:01


    Patrick talks about combat stress associated with his Mosul deployment and the loss of teammate Adam Bopp. Then he deploys, again... #history #podcast #armyrangers #veteran #mentalhealth

    Steve says goodbye to the good life | Operator Syndrome | Ep. 51

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 32:58


    Steve (former Navy SEAL) talks about what it was like leaving his friends & teammates and how they reacted to the news. #history #podcast #navyseals #veteran #mentalhealth

    Claim Operator Syndrome

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel