The 18th Airborne Corps Podcast

Winston Churchill was talking about the 18th Airborne Corps podcast when he famously said: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."   This is it, friends. The final episode. But not really the end of the podcast as you can always go back and listen to the old episodes at any time.    It's been a wild ride. Thanks for listening. Keep talking to each other.

Throughout our 20-year war in Afghanistan, so many me and women from that country risked themselves and their Families to support American service members and units. In the telling of that war, those Afghans must not be forgotten. Their sacrifices and the risks they took on our behalf are so real, the consequences for them so stark; the debt we owe to them is so steep. One of those Afghans is a 25-year-old woman named Zamzama Safi. "ZZ", as she is affectionately known, had a trauma-filled childhood. Her father was an officer for the Afghan Army, making her a target of the Taliban as a child. As a teenager she was captured and held captive by the Taliban, only to later reunite with her Family. She later served as an interpreter for American forces herself. At the end of the American presence in Afghanistan, ZZ was able to leave the country, making her way to Saint Louis, Missouri, with the help of a group of American military officers alongside whom she served. This is ZZ's story. It's a story of courage and triumph. It's a story of trauma and tragedy. It's a story we all should hear as we seek to make sense of our experience in Afghanistan.

Hey, friends! How's your 2022 going? Hope the New Year has been good for you so far. We're sure it's going to be a great year. And, if not, you at least have this podcast to look forward to! General Paul Funk, commander of the Fort Eustis, Virginia-based US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), joins the 18th Airborne Corps podcast for episode 105. Paul talks about recruiting, training, and retaining a force that represents the country at a time of dynamic national and international change.  American society is evolving, global threats are progressing, technological change is accelerating. The American Army, too, must change. TRADOC is leading the way here, implementing new methods of communicating with potential Soldiers across the Nation, evaluating American citizens for Army service, and then educating, leading, and preparing Soldiers for continued service and for a new, more complex kind of combat. This is a good, thoughtful discussion with Paul Funk, one that offers wisdom and insight for every Army leader. There are few topics more important to the institution of the US Army than the future of the force.

Tim O'Brien, author of classic works of Vietnam War fiction such as "The Things They Carried," "If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home," and "Going After Cacciato," is an American literary giant. His writing helped define the Vietnam War for a generation of American readers, among them 18th Airborne Corps podcast host Joe Buccino, in the early 1990s.  Tim joins Joe for a long, riveting, personal conversation about his body of work, about his legacy, about growing up with an institutionalized alcoholic father, about starting a family very late in life. Tim and Joe also talk about the major motion picture based on "The Things They Carried" currently in development starring Tom Hardy and Pete Davidson (Joe vows never to watch it).  If Tim O'Brien's writing has made you feel the Vietnam War, this conversation will surprise and move you. If you've never heard of Tim O'Brien, well....this episode will open your eyes to a national treasure. Either way, you really owe it to yourself to listen to Episode 104 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast.

The Vietnam War Memorial is a national landmark in Washington, DC that attracts millions of Americans every year. The reflective black granite wall engraved with more than 58,000 names is such a big part of our communal processing of that war. It's hard to imagine now, but during its inception the wall was a source of explosive controversy among Vietnam veterans. This episode is the story of that wall. It's the story of Jan Scruggs, the wounded Vietnam veteran who fought for a national memorial to honor those Americans killed in that war. It's the story of Maya Lin, the Yale architecture student who designed the wall as a symbol that would not let the country off the hook for what it did to our Vietnam veterans. It's the story of the men who returned from Vietnam and organized a national movement to fund the memorial on the National Mall. The story of the Vietnam War Memorial is a part of the story of the American experience in Vietnam. Like everything associated with that war, it was divisive within the United States, the subject of protests and outrage. It's now a source of comfort, of closure, of healing for so many Vietnam veterans and so many Families bereaved by that war. As Vietnam veteran, poet, and veterans' advocate John Musgrave said: "When I saw that wall, I knew it would save lives." The wall, which displays no rank, no date of birth, no unit affiliation, and no hometown, bonds each of our Fallen in perpetuity. This may be among the most important, insightful episodes we've ever produced, so we hope you'll listen and pass it on.

Oh, it's been a wild year, hasn't it friends? We climbed out of COVID. Went back into COVID. Closed out our longest war. Responded to crises within the US and abroad. Alwyn Cashe finally got the Medal of Honor. Now we're typing in these show notes. A bunch of other stuff happened. So much, in fact, has happened over the past 12 months - including the launch of this podcast - that most people can barely keep it all straight. That's ok. Our host, Joe Buccino, and two friends, recap the entire year in less than 17 minutes.  It's episode 102 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast and it's a good one. The year in review. Many more ahead for all of us. So, farewell to 2021. Cheers to a new, promising year. Thanks for supporting our show and thanks for listening. We here at the 18th Airborne Corps podcast will raise a glass of something for you on New Year's Eve.

Hey folks! Here's our Christmas Spectacular! In episode 101, recorded at the 18th Airborne Corps podcast Holiday party, the podcast staff offers you, the loyal listener, some Christmas thoughts! All you need to know to prepare your Family for Christmas 2021 in less than 7-and-a-half minutes. Have a great one, friends! If you need anything, reach out to us at 18CorpsHistorian@gmail.com!

100 Episodes! What a milestone for all of us. We've actually produced 100 episodes in less than a year.  This episode is a milestone in another regard: Episode 100 concludes our 7-episode miniseries commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. That's right. We wrap it up here.  Our Battle of the Bulge stuff began on Episode 94, if you're interested in going back through and listening to these. Just as the Allies did in the Ardennes in December of 1944, we cover an awful lot of ground in this series. In this concluding episode, host Joe Buccino summarizes one of the most important events in American military history and ties a neat little bow around the Battle of the Bulge.  Thanks for listening and Happy Holidays!!!

Episode 98 of the podcast continues the story of the Battle of the Bulge. This miniseries, which began with Episode 94, recounts the biggest figures and biggest moments from one of the most momentous events in American military history. One such moment occurred the day after Christmas, 1944. Patton's 3rd Army - led by the 37th Tank Battalion - blasted into Bastogne, relieving the 101st Airborne Division and turning the tide of the fight. That day and that moment gave birth to an American Legend: King Cobra, the first tank into Bastogne. King Cobra gave the Allies momentum that they never gave up. This is the story of King Cobra and its moment of glory. It's also the story of leaders and the decisions that put that tank in Bastogne.  The drama in the Ardennes forest continues...

Our 7-episode series on the Battle of the Bulge continues here (this is the 6th episode in the series). At a few seconds over 12-and-half-minutes, it's a short, breezy listen. In this episode, host Joe Buccino discusses the VT fuze, a new piece of technology that gave the Allies a marked advantage in the Ardennes. How the fuze was developed, how it was employed, and what it meant at a critical moment in this fight - all of this is explained in Episode 99. We began the Battle of the Bulge episode with the release of Episode 94 on December 16th and we've released a new episode on this momentous WWII battle every day since. Tomorrow we close this thing out! Happy Holidays, friends and thanks so much for listening to the show!!!

Episode 98 of the podcast continues the story of the Battle of the Bulge. This miniseries, which began with Episode 94, recounts the biggest figures and biggest moments from one of the most momentous events in American military history. One such moment occurred the day after Christmas, 1944. Patton's 3rd Army - led by the 37th Tank Battalion - blasted into Bastogne, relieving the 101st Airborne Division and turning the tide of the fight. That day and that moment gave birth to an American Legend: King Cobra, the first tank into Bastogne. King Cobra gave the Allies momentum that they never gave up. This is the story of King Cobra and its moment of glory. It's also the story of leaders and the decisions that put that tank in Bastogne.  The drama in the Ardennes forest continues...

Episode 97 continues the Battle of the Bulge series of episodes that began with Episode 94: A Battle of the Bulge Primer. Every day beginning Thursday, December 16th, we're releasing a new episode commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Ardennes Counteroffensive. This episode, episode 97, tells the greatest story from that fight. In fact, this may be the most inspirational story in the American World War II experience.  This is the true story of Roddie Edmonds, a Christian and an American Soldier who protected American Jews under his care while held captive in a German prison camp after his unit was captured during the early moments of the Battle of the Bulge. This is a story that has inspired millions in Europe, Israel, and the United States. It is a story that earned Roddie many posthumous awards, decorations, and international recognitions, including Righteous Among Nations, a revered titled bestowed by the State of Israel on non-Jews who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis for altruistic reasons.  Roddie's son Chris, who uncovered this story after his father's death, joins host Joe Buccino to describe his father's remarkable example of love and valor. This is a podcast episode every American should hear.

Episode 96 continues our daily series of podcasts commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. The series, which began with Episode 94: A Battle of the Bulge Primer, tells the greatest stories from the Ardennes Counteroffensive at the end of WWII and finds meaning in that struggle for Army leaders today. Matthew B. Ridgway, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, is an under-recognized figure of the Allied response to the surprise German attack. In short order, he pushed his forces out into the line, absorbed unfamiliar infantry and tank divisions, and began a push south to "erase the bulge." This episode details Ridgway's leadership during that critical moment and places the airborne commander within the context of his day.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. We traditionally release new episodes every Tuesday. However, we're releasing a new episode of this short series on the Battle of the Bulge every day.  Please subscribe to the 18th Airborne Corps podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Podcasts. The show, hosted by Joe Buccino and recorded on Fort Bragg, offers insight into historic events or news of the day. Please leave a five-star rating and review, as these help others find the program.

Our podcast series commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Bulge, which began with Episode 94: A Battle of the Bugle Primer, continues. For this episode we're honored to have a national treasure join host Joe Buccino to talk about the Ardennes Counteroffensive.   Rick Atkinson is a literary giant, a recipient of multiple Pulitzer prizes, the author of the Liberation Trilogy, and America's foremost historian. He joins the show to talk about the real meaning of the Battle of the Bulge 77 years on. He also talks about his latest work, the 2019 book "The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775–1777," the first volume in a trilogy about the American Revolutionary War.   We were honored to have Rick join the show. His is an interview rich with insights about the fighting in the Ardennes, the Allied leadership in WWII, and the enduring nature of warfare itself.  

77 years ago in a remote Belgian forest, one of the most important fights of World War II roared. The Battle of the Bulge, a final major German offensive thrust on the Western Front, took place from December 16th 1944 to January 25th 1945.    The Battle of the Bulge was filled with violent engagements, dramatic moments, and big figures. The names (Patton, Montgomery, Ridgway, Gavin), the places (St. Vith, Bastogne, the Losheim Gap), the stories (Nuts!, Creighton Abrams' 37th Tank Battalion) have become part of American military lore.   This episode, Episode 94, begins a series of episodes describing what really happened in the Ardennes and why. We'll blow up some of the myths of that fight and provide context around the truths.   So, this is a primer. A short overview to set up the coming series. At under 12 minutes, we're efficient and tidy with this one. We hope you'll check it out and continue along with the series.

You've likely never heard of Tony Manganiello, the co-founder of Austin, Texas-based data science firm Striveworks, but he's a revolutionary figure in military innovation. After graduating from West Point in 1977, Tony had a successful career as an Army officer. Upon retirement, he entered the financial trading industry where he helped digitized the New York Stock Exchange trading floor. He then went into the tech industry where he focused on data and AI. Over the past five years, through his contacts across the Department of Defense, he helped push America's Special Operations Forces units into data analytics. Tony joined host Joe Buccino in the 18th Airborne Corps podcast studio on Fort Bragg, North Carolina for a discussion on the importance of military leaders embracing disruptive technology, the value of data as a strategic asset, and the future of military Artificial Intelligence.   This is a fascinating discussion, one that holds value for any military leader. Tony tells wild tales from his multiple careers as a change agent.   Tony's lived many rich lives: he's been A Soldier, A Wall Street financial analyst, A West Point math teacher, An advisor to several key figures in national defense, An industry titan, and A confidante to many senior Army leaders. His voice is one of experience and wisdom and one that needs to be heard throughout the US military.

Military food insecurity - the inability of America's active duty service members to feed their Families - is a real problem, one that's been in the national news for the past month or so. So, we here at the 18th Airborne Corps podcast had a few questions about it:  - How big is this problem, really? - What should we do about it? - What is the military already doing? - What resources are available to Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Guardians? - What should leaders do for their troops in this regard? To answer these questions, we spoke with our friend Scott Pence, an Army Soldier with a Family himself, an all-around awesome guy, and the commander of Fort Bragg. You may remember that we spoke with him way back in episode 57 about the renaming of Fort Bragg. Hope you enjoy the episode. Let's make sure all our service members and their Families are cared for this holiday season. Thanks so much for listening. 

Remember the Tank War? No? Well, then you really should listen to this episode. In the 1980s, Iran and Iraq, embroiled in a massive land war, engaged in a series of shoot-outs on the high seas. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, supported by the United States, believe it or not, started the whole thing. He began attacking Iranian shipping vessels in an attempt to weaken Iran's ability to fight on land. The US eventually became involved and, with the world watching, the whole thing became, well....it became really complicated. American forces were involved in a series of exchanges at sea. An Iraqi jet fire two missiles into an American frigate, killing 37 Navy Sailors. An American ship hit a naval mine. Our Navy engaged in the largest American sea battle since WWII. This is a WILD story, one in which Clausewitzian fog of war serves as a principle character. In 1988, an Iranian passenger plane was tragically shot out of the sky by an American guided missile cruiser, killing all 290 on board in a chaotic mistake. To this day, many in Iran believe this was a targeted shoot down ordered by the White House. We have no better guide on this compelling journey back to the Reagan days of foreign policy: David Crist, a senior historian for the Department of Defense and the author of a RIVETING book published in 2012 titled "The Twilight War: The Secret History of America's Thirty-Year Conflict With Iran." David has been studying Iran for decades and he joins host Joe Buccino to describe the Tanker War in vivid detail. This is a story that begins with Iran as an early Cold War American ally. It's a story of the Iranian Revolution and the subsequent hostage crisis. It's a story with big moments: the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, the storming of an Iranian ship by Navy SEALS, the American shelling of an Iranian oil platform. It's a story of big global figures: Ronald Reagan, Ayatollah Khomeini, Zbigniew Brezinski, Casper Wienberger, Oliver North. It's also a story of American miscalculation and incompetence.  Finally, it's a story that involves the bizarre Iran-Contra scandal that almost brought down the Reagan presidency. All these elements are manifest in this episode. So, give us an hour and 5 minutes, because we break all this down in this fantastic episode. Anyone looking to understand our relationship with Iran today must first understand how we came to the edge of a full-scale war with the Islamic Republic during the Tanker War. This is an episode rich with insight about the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and Tehran's motivations.  

This past week, President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited a Fort Bragg, North Carolina hangar full of hundreds of Soldiers and Family members for a Thanksgiving dinner celebration (the White House actually called it "Friendsgiving"). Our host, Joe Buccino, alongside his friend Matt Visser, recorded this podcast episode from the event.  Here's that episode, released on Thanksgiving morning, for you and your Families. We wish you all the safest, happiest, and healthiest Thanksgiving.

The great author ("The Perfect Storm," "War," "Tribe") and filmmaker ("Restrepo," "Korengal") came to Fort Bragg to speak with host Joe Buccino for episode 89 of the 18th Airborne Corps Podcast. The conversation got real deep real quick. Sebastian talked about big topics: the meaning of life, the beginning and the end of the war in Afghanistan, the role of society in human evolution. He also spoke about his divorce, his new marriage, and becoming a Dad for the first time at age 55. And then he described a stunning, bizarre, life-changing experience he had last year that you'll have to hear from him in this episode. We just won't be able to do it any justice here. Whether you or not you've read Sebastian's work, we'll say this: this is a hell of an episode. The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official program of the US Department of Defense. Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, we release new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. The podcast, hosted by Joe Buccino, covers insight from history, news of the day, and professional development and often features the Nation's top military leaders. SUBSCRIBE on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, or Stitcher to ensure you never miss an episode. PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR RATING and a review on Apple Podcasts, as this helps others find the show!

Gus Perna spent his entire adult life - 40 years - leading troops as an Army officer. A career logistician, he rose to the top of his field, commanding the organization responsible for all Army parts distribution and supply chain management. Gus and his wife Susan had long planned to retire to Huntsville, Alabama in early 2020. As things happened, however, just as the Pernas were preparing to transition out of the Army, COVID-19 changed everything. In the early, dark days of the pandemic, President Trump asked Gus to remain in uniform and manage the production and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, the shot that would get us all out of lockdown.  The Nation needed Gus Perna - the world needed his leadership - and he couldn't say no. Operation Warp Speed, the program initiated by the Trump administration to accelerate the vaccine, the program that Gus oversaw, was among the most critical and most complicated efforts of the American government since the close of World War II. It was also among the largest in scale.  This discussion with Gus Perna actually followed from Episode 87. In that episode, historian Arthur Herman told a story about meeting General Perna during his time at OWS. Gus had read Arthur's book "Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II," about the American business leaders who helped build the World War II Army and gleamed lessons from the book as he organized the OWS team. There are many parallels between the situation described in the book and the effort Gus was leading. The general contacted Arthur and brought him out to the OWS headquarters to speak with the team of scientists, doctors, military officers, and governmental officials working on vaccine development and distribution. After the visit, Gus wrote Arthur a personalized letter describing how much the book and the visit meant to him. That letter, which Arthur described in Episode 87, is hung on the historian's wall. So, we caught up with Gus, who retired earlier this year after completing his mission with Warp Speed, for this episode, Episode 88. He spoke from his Alabama home about what went right and what went wrong with the operation. He spoke about his thoughts on vaccine hesitancy and his feelings on the politicization of the vaccine. He spoke about his OWS team, about the pressure of leading the world through a pandemic in one of the most scrutinized operations in recent history. He also spoke about leadership, about a lifetime of military service, about the support Susan offered when he needed it most. We should mention that during the discussion, Gus references Dr. Moncef Slaoui the researcher who worked alongside the general at OWS. General Perna and Dr. Slaoui were co-leads for the effort, with the general serving as the CEO. This is a candid, raw discussion with a man who gave the country all he had. It's an episode that every American should listen to because Gus' is a voice and a story that every American should hear. The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official program of the US Department of Defense. Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, we release new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. The podcast, hosted by Joe Buccino, covers insight from history, news of the day, and professional development and often features the Nation's top military leaders. SUBSCRIBE on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, or Stitcher to ensure you never miss an episode. PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR RATING and a review on Apple Podcasts, as this helps others find the show!

As the United States military reorganizes for Large Scale Combat Operations against a high-tech adversary, the role of industry in developing cutting-edge capabilities increases in prominence. It's important at this moment to look book to a period of American history in which private industry modernized an antiquated Army.   The story of American mobilization for World War II is well told: leaders like FDR, Henry Stimson, and George Marshall assembled a massive military force to beat the German and Japanese empires. Missing from this telling of history is the role of American businessmen in building FDR's "arsenal of democracy" that propelled the Allies to victory.   Historian Arthur Herman, author of "Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II," the wonderful 2012 book on this subject, joins host Joe Buccino to describe how two extraordinary American businessmen—General Motors automobile magnate  William “Big Bill” Knudsen and shipbuilder Henry J. Kaiser—helped corral, cajole, and inspire the country to transform America's Army from a hollow shell into a global force in a few years. Indeed, these "dollar-a-year men" who accepted a $1 annual salary from the American government to led through the nation at a time of global war, laid the foundations for the country's post-war rise as an economic and military superpower.    Episode 87 is a fascinating, eye-opening conversation about a critical, and critically overlooking, aspect of American history. The conversation between Arthur and Joe is rich with insight about the role of industry in American production for war. The 18th Airborne Corps Podcast is the official podcast of the US military. Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the program releases new episodes every Tuesday on topics of importance to military leaders. The podcast, hosted by Joe Buccino, covers insight from history, news of the day, and professional development and often features the Nation's top military leaders. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Stitcher, or Spotify and please leave a five-star rating and review.

Hello there! We're wishing you a safe and prosperous Veterans Day. We're releasing this episode, Episode 86: Armistice I The History of Veterans Day, on Thursday, November 11th, Veterans Day, 2021. Veterans Day, a national holiday observed every year on November 11th, honors the accomplishments of American Veterans from all of our Nation's wars. Veterans Day is a celebration of the men and women who keep us free. But, it wasn't always so. Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, began as a commemoration of the end of World War I. After the Second World War, a veteran named Raymond Weeks fought to change November 11th to serve as a national celebration of veterans of all our wars.  On this episode, which clocks in at a tidy 21 minutes, Joe Buccino explains the history of Veterans Day in America and how it came to serve as a celebration of all American veterans. We want to thank all of our Veterans and all of the Families who've supported them and continue to support them today. Please listen to this episode and please SUBSCRIBE to the 18th Airborne Corps podcast on Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Podcasts.

As far back as the Revolutionary War, Puerto Rican fighters have contributed to our Army and our national defense. From the Union Army during the Civil War to the development of Fort Bragg to the 65th Infantry Regiment "Borinqueneers" during the Korean War, Puerto Ricans have weaved a great legacy through American Army history. On this episode of the podcast, Army Sergeant Carlos Cuebas, frequent contributor to the 18th Airborne Corps podcast, joins host Joe Buccino to discuss the legacy. Carlos and Joe are joined by Carlos' Dad, Carlos Senior, a retired Army officer and a walking encyclopedia of military history.  Little Carlos and Big Carlos walk through some of the greatest stories of the Puerto Rican American Soldiers and offer insights into the values, virtues, and culture of the Puerto Rican people.

On this episode of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast, host Joe Buccino is joined by his friend and frequent collaborator Jeremiah Meaney. These two men bravely walk deep into the woods of Fort Bragg (they actually almost got hopelessly lost) in search of one of the rarest creatures on Earth: the Saint Francis Satyr butterfly (actually, a caterpillar that will transform into the butterfly). There's one particular portion of the Fort Bragg training area that, by happenstance, manifests the perfect combination of manmade disturbances to allow this butterfly to exist and reproduce. In fact, this little bit of Fort Bragg is the only place the Saint Francis Satyr still exists. Joe and Jeremiah are joined by three guests, to include WNYC Radiolab's Latif Nasser and Nick Haddad, author of the 2019 book "The Last Butterflies: A Scientist's Quest to Save a Rare and Vanishing Creature."  While this episode is lighthearted, it features big concepts, including man's role in the ecosystem and the US military's responsibility to wildlife. This is a WILD episode of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast. LISTEN to the first five minutes and you'll be hooked. CHECK IT OUT and SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.

In this episode of the podcast, bestselling author Ryan Holiday joins host Joe Buccino to talk about Stoicism and the virtue of courage. Ryan is the author of "Trust Me, I'm Lying," "The Obstacle is the Way," "Ego is the Enemy," and other books about marketing, culture, and the human condition. His works have been translated into more than 30 languages and have made the New York Times Bestsellers list. His most recent book, "Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave," released earlier this year, explores the essential elements of the foundational Stoic virtue of Courage and its application to military leadership. And, don't worry, if you don't remember Stoicism from your high school philosophy class, host Joe Buccino presents a brief primer during the introduction. Every person on Earth grapples with fear. In fact, Ryan explains, the most repeated phrase in the Bible is “Be not afraid.” The Stoics believed it is natural to feel fear, but it cannot rule you. Courage, as Ryan describes, is the ability to rise above fear, to do what is right, what is needed, and what is true.  In this episode, Ryan explains why it's always remember that your time on Earth is short. He also offers advice on how to conquer fear and act with moral courage while leading Soldiers. In addition to writing all these bestselling books, Ryan also runs DailyStoic.com, a website that offers practical advice on implementing Stoicism into daily life. Further, he runs the company Brass Check, which advises companies such as Google, TASER, and Complex, as well as multiplatinum musicians and some of the biggest authors in the world. This is a great discussion, rich with insights for anyone serving in the military today. The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US Department of Defense. Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina with host Joe Buccino, the program features discussions with historians, Soldiers, and leaders, with insight on critical moments in history, life in the military, the latest Department of Defense initiatives, and current events. We release new episodes every Tuesday morning, so please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify to ensure you don't miss an episode. Please also leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts.

Michael Grinston, the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, came through Fort Bragg, North Carolina, home of the Airborne and Special Forces. SMA was on Bragg observing a study held on the post of the service's current height and weight requirements. While here, he met with Sergeant Carlos Cuebas, a Soldier who works on the 18th Airborne Corps podcast to record this episode. SMA spoke with Carlos about the changes in Army culture, the always controversial and ever-changing Army Combat Fitness Test, and the new ways the Army will evaluate height and weight. Grinston also reflected back on a career of service that's spanned almost 35 years. Grinston was sworn in as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, basically the Army's senior enlisted man, on August 9, 2019. He's held every enlisted leadership position in artillery, ranging from cannon crewmember to command sergeant major. As SMA Grinston is Army Chief of Staff McConville's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. He devotes the majority of his time traveling throughout the Army to observe training and interact with Soldiers and their Families (this trip to Bragg is an example). He sits on a variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their Families and routinely invited to testify before Congress. Grinston is the public face of the U.S. Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, representing the NCO Corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements. The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. We release new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday, so SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher so you don't miss anything! PLEASE leave a five-star rating and a review as this helps others find the show.

Last week Haley Britzky, the Army reporter for Task & Purpose, an online publication covering the US military, visited Fort Bragg, North Carolina to report on the Army Comprehensive Body Composition study taking place on base. While there, she stopped by the podcast studio for a discussion with host Joe Buccino. In this episode, Haley describes Task & Purpose's mandate to speak to and for the American Soldier. She also talks about her (young) reporting career, some of her recent stories about Army initiatives, and how she keeps her finger on the pulse of Army culture. The two also talk about Joe's love for Guns N' Roses, the value of keeping an eye on Army Twitter, and how Haley knows she written a valuable story. This is a great discussion for anyone interested in the intersection of Army leadership and journalism, and the role of the media in holding military leaders to account. The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. We release new episodes every Tuesday on current events, history, and service member stories. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify to ensure you do not miss any episodes. Please leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, as this helps other find the program.

On episode 80 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast, Fred Bible shares his wild story of making it as an Army Engineer Diver. Fred serves in one of the most competitive jobs in the Army and is an instructor at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center.    Fred has served in numerous dive detachments. He has participated in many successful dive operations overseas to include in Oman and Kuwait, as well as five Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPA) operations.   In this special on-location episode from Panama City Beach, Fred joins guest host Matt Visser to share his story. Fred talks about the process of becoming a diver and the engineering challenges one encounters on a dive operation. Fred also shares about what is expected for trainees to prepare themselves to be successful in their development to prepare for an assignment to a Dive Detachment.    The18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast and to leave a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts as that helps others find the show. 

In episode 79 of the 18th Airborne Corps Podcast, the podcast staff goes through 10 months of emails from listeners. It's listener mail: we answer your questions about the show!  Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 18th Airborne Corps Podcast is the official podcast of the US military. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, or Stitcher and please leave a 5-star rating and a review so others can find the show! We'll continue with new episodes every Tuesday so please subscribe!

Today on the podcast: an Equal Opportunity Representative. This one is an interesting, thoughtful guy who has insight into how the program is changing and how leaders and Soldier can leverage their EO rep. After a long, successful career as an airborne infantryman, Sergeant Major Rob Frame recently took a job as an Equal Opportunity Officer. He likes it! Rob joins host Joe Buccino to talk about the EO program, about how the Army has changed over the last two decades, and how Army leaders must continue to evolve with American society. Rob has much to say about Army culture, leadership, and the NCO corps. This episode is worth a listen for anyone serving today. Remember to subscribe to the podcast and to leave a 5-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts as that helps others find the show.

Gen Z has changed Army communication. As far back as the formation of the first companies of American rifleman in 1775, effective communication has served as a critical component of Army leadership. Conveying orders, describing purpose and meaning, disseminating intent: all these are crucial to leading troops in war and peacetime. Right now, Army leaders – and the Army more broadly – seek to convey meaning and insight, to describe legacy and implant culture to a group of Soldiers and future Soldiers raised on a vastly more complicated information environment. Today's Soldier comes into the Army accustomed to absorbing a near-constant stream of information, stimulation, and feedback. It's not all useful, but it is perpetual. The Army is adapting to Gen Z; broadly defined as Americans born between 1997 and 2012; the first American generation to grow up with a smartphone. Jonathan Haidt, one of America's most prominent social psychologists, makes a fortune (and quite a bit of fame) studying and describing the way in which Gen Zers receive and present information. You probably know Jonathan as the co-author, along with Greg Lukianoff, of the monster 2018 bestseller “The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure” (a book that contributed to the aforementioned fortune). He teaches ethical leadership at New York University and uses research on moral psychology to help people understand each other. His life's work is in helping American social institutions work better. Jonathan joins host Joe Buccino to talk about how the Army should think about communicating in this non-stop information environment. As you'd imagine, this discussion is right in his wheelhouse. Jonathan's an interesting guy and he has some surprising takes here on the Army, on leadership, on COVID confusion and misinformation, and on understanding and promoting culture. His is a critical voice on these subjects and this is an episode worth every Army leader's time. Joe is also joined by two friends, both Army Soldiers, one before the Jonathan Haidt discussion and one after. The pre-Haidt Soldier is perhaps the country's biggest Jonathan Haidt fan; he turned Joe on to the “Coddling of the American Mind.” The post-Haidt Soldier – NOT a Gen Zer – offers a view that contrasts with that of the great psychologist. So, a lot going on in this podcast episode. It's worth 50 minutes of your time. The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. We record on Fort Bragg, North Carolina and release a new episode every Tuesday. Please subscribe to the 18th Airborne Corps podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify. Please also leave a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, as this helps others find the show.

Episode 76 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the second of two parts on the Battle of Mogadishu. Normally we release new episodes every Tuesday, however, we're releasing these two on Sunday, October 3rd and Monday, October 4th - timed for the 28th anniversary of the battle (October 3rd and 4th, 1993).   In this episode, we speak with John Collett, one of Rangers who fast roped into the Mogadishu arms market. John, then an Army Specialist, was an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon gunner. During the fighting he was wounded twice.   John was among 18 veterans of the battle awarded a Silver Star in a special ceremony on Fort Benning just a few days ago on Friday, October 1st of this year. John initially received a Bronze Star Medal with a “V” for Valor for his performance in the fight. The award was upgraded earlier this year. In this episode John tells the full story, the real story of Black Hawk Down. He describes the fear, the anger, the adrenaline, the fighting, the camaraderie – all of it. He also talks about the subsequent post-traumatic stress and the emotional toll of the brutal combat.   This is a story that every American should hear. It's a story that should remembered.   On this dark anniversary, we should also remember all 19 American Soldiers killed in that battle. Here are their names:       Delta Force Operators   Master Sergeant Gary Ivan Gordon Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart Staff Sergeant Daniel Darrell Busch Sergeant First Class Earl Robert Fillmore, Junior Master Sergeant Timothy Lynn Martin Sergeant First Class Matthew Loren Rierson       3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment   Corporal James “Jamie” E. Smith Specialist James M. Cavaco Sergeant James Casey Joyce Corporal Richard “Alphabet” Kowalewski, Senior Sergeant Dominick Pilla Sergeant Lorenzo M. Ruiz   Pilots and Crew of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiments   Staff Sergeant William “Wild Bill” David Cleveland, Senior Staff Sergeant Thomas “Tommie” J. Field Chief Warrant Officer 4 Raymond “Ironman” Alex Frank Chief Warrant Officer 3 Clifton “Elvis” P. Wolcott Chief Warrant Officer 3 Donovan “Bull” Lee Briley   10th Mountain Division Soldiers Sergeant Cornell Lemont Houston, Senior Private First Class Henry Martin, Jr.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts

    On October 3rd 1993, Task Force Ranger set out on a snatch-and-grab mission to arrest two warlords in Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent, the American military attempt to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid during the Somali Civil War.   The daytime mission was to take no more than 90 minutes. Rangers would helicopter in and surround the building on all sides while a ground convoy would wait to carry out the prisoners. Little to no fighting was expected.   What followed was 17 hours of fighting, the most violent combat action American Soldiers had seen since Vietnam. 19 American Soldiers were killed, one, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Durant, was captured.   38 years ago, the Battle of Mogadishu shocked the consciousness of the American public. It was, initially, a story of military failure, a spectacular debacle, an international embarrassment.   In the years since, largely due to Mark Bowden's 1999 book “Black Hawk Down” and the 2001 Ridley Scott-produced film adaptation of the same name, the story has become one of valor and courage. The book and film give voice to the roughly 160 men who fought in Mogadishu, to the Rangers, Delta operators, and 10th Mountain Division Soldiers cut-off and surrounded, to those who exposed themselves to grave risk trying to rescue downed American blackhawk crews.   This episode, episode 75 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast, is part one of two on the Battle of Mogadishu. We've timed these two episodes, 75 and 76, for release on the 38th anniversary of the battle. This a story worth hearing today; it holds great meaning for Army leaders and national security officials.   In this first part, we speak with John Carroll, a historian at Texas A&M University who studies the American response to the Somali Civil War and the role of the Battle of Mogadishu on President Clinton's subsequent foreign policy decision-making. John provides context around the battle, describing what happened and why and how the country responded. We also speak with Matt Eversmann, a retired Army First Sergeant who is immortalized not only in the Mark Bowden book but who is the main character in the film, played by Josh Hartnett.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US military. We traditionally release new episodes every Tuesday. For episodes 75 and 76 we're releasing on Sunday and Monday in concert with the 38th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu.   Please subscribe to the 18th Airborne Corps podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify. Please also leave a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, as this helps others find the show.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast focuses on history, current events, and leadership and is recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Anne McClain is many things: a NASA astronaut, a global icon, an inspiration to many, a pro rugby player. She's also an active duty Army Soldier.   Anne joins host Joe Buccino for episode 74 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast. She tells her story and describes her journey from Spokane, Washington to West Point to the Army and to outer space. The life of an astronaut is, as you'd imagine, incredibly rewarding but it's not easy as life. Anne describes her training, her studies, and her close-knit team.   Anne also describes the responsibility she feels to all the women and girls who look up to her and see her as a role model.   This is a truly enlightening, inspirational episode, one with value for leaders, teachers, and parents all across our Nation.   Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the United States military. New episodes are released every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify so you won't miss an episode.   Please leave a 5-star rating and a review. This helps others find the program.

Episode 73 brings to a close our MASSIVE 11-day, 11-episode retrospective on Operation Market Garden. In this episode, host Joe Buccino is joined by occasional co-host Matt Visser. The two discuss the key takeaways for them from Market Garden and what they learned through the development and production of the series.   This Market Garden series began back on September 17th with episode 63. Through the 11 episodes we've examined the operation from the perspective of the American airborne units, the British airborne and ground forces, and the Polish airborne brigade. We've also discussed the strategic, tactical, and operational components of the operation.   Market Garden was a tragic failure for the Allied forces. Through the lens of history, it is such a rich, dramatic story, one with so much wisdom to offer military leaders today. 

Episode 72 of the 18th Airborne Corps Podcast continues our series on Operation Market Garden: 11 episodes in 11 days.   This episode, the 10th and penultimate installment in the OMG series, features Dr. John Greenacre. John is a well-published military historian and author. He's also a Brit, which gives him a bit of a different perspective on some of the elements of this story we've been discussing, in particular the leadership of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.   John spent over twenty years in the British Army before completing his PhD at Leeds University. He is a part-time lecturer at the University of Suffolk and the author of the 2020 book "Churchill's Spearhead: The Development of Britain's Airborne Forces in World War II."   Our Market Garden miniseries began in Episode 63 and ends on Monday, September 27th with the release of Episode 73. If you haven't been following along, we recommend you go back through on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Our MASSIVE multi-episode Operation Market Garden series continues. We're moving along, pushing out a great deal of content and now only a few episodes remain.   Matt Visser, who works as a research assistant on the podcast, hosts this episode for traditional host Joe Buccino.   We actually had to add a few episodes to this miniseries on Market Garden. We originally were planning for a 9-day, 9-episode piece to run in concert with the 77th anniversary of the actual operation (September 17 to 25, 1944). However, to be fair to the full scope of this story, we've decided to go with 11 episodes over 11 days.   In this, episode 71, the 9th on Market Garden, we welcome Jennifer Grant, a postgraduate researcher specializing in the Polish Armed Forces at the Queen Mary University of London   Jennifer represents the Polish perspective in the allied operation. She describes the objectives and actions of the 1st Independent Airborne Brigade in Arnhem. She also describes the complicated legacy of Stanisław Sosabowski, the commander of that unit.   Jennifer Grant offers some real thoughtful insight; a fantastic overview of a complicated aspect of Market Garden. This story really cannot be told in full without an understanding of the Polish airborne. Our Market Garden miniseries began in Episode 63 and ends on Monday, September 27th with the release of Episode 73. If you haven't been following along, we recommend you go back through on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and listen to all episodes in this series.

Our sweeping, multi-day analysis of Operation Market Garden continues.    Yesterday, episode 69, we spoke about the role and mission of the 82nd Airborne Division. Today, the 101st Airborne Division.   Dr. John O'Brien, director of the Don F. Pratt museum, the official museum of the 101st Airborne, on Fort Campbell, Kentucky, joins host Joe Buccino to talk about this milestone moment in the legacy of the Screaming Eagles.

Our 9-episode miniseries on Operation Market Garden continues. On episode 69 we'll talk about the role of the 82nd Airborne. We'll cover the 82nd's objectives, command structure, and actions throughout the operation.   In broad daylight on September 17th, 1944, the men of the 82nd Airborne Division jumped into the drop zones at Groesbeek, Overasselt and Grave in Nazi-occupied Holland. The jump was a success and the paratroopers quickly assembled and moved out.   The 82nd's primary targets were the bridges at Grave, Malden, Heumen, Hatert, and Honinghutje, with the ultimate goal of the Waal rail and road bridges at Nijmegen. The division speedily captured most of its objectives, but had to fight through stiff German resistance in some areas.   The All American Division saw wild momentum swings and heavy combat. Market Garden produced one of the most dramatic moments in the storied history of the 82nd Airborne: the Waal river crossing made famous by a stunning scene in the 1977 film "A Bridge Too Far."   This episode covers all the critical moments of the 82nd during this operation. General Jim Gavin, the beloved "lead from the front" commander of the 82nd, is not spared from criticism here.   Our Market Garden miniseries began in Episode 63 and ends on Saturday, September 25th with the release of Episode 70. If you haven't been following along, we recommend you go back through on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The 1977 epic blockbuster film "A Bridge Too Far," starring many of the top American actors of its day, brought Operation Market Garden into American popular culture. In fact, so much of what Americans understand about Market Garden and the way we think about that operation is rooted, at least in part, on the film.    As we continue our 9-episode, 9-day (September 17th to 25th) analysis of Operation Market Garden, we here at the 18th Airborne Corps podcast wanted to revisit that movie and explore its themes and characters. We also wanted to ask two pertinent questions: is A Bridge Too Far historically accurate? And, is it even a good movie?   There are few people better prepared to answer these questions than Dr. Russell Burgos, an Associate Professor at the National Defense University's Joint Special Operations Master of Arts program at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Russell studies the intersection of history and American pop culture, examining the impact of film on our national understanding of our military and historic battles. He and podcast host Joe Buccino discuss the film, why and how it was made, and how it's become manifest in the American psyche.   In terms of the quality of the movie: both host and guest agree that the film is too long (2 hour and 56 minutes), too slow, and introduces too many characters and themes to be enjoyable. It is, however, mostly accurate. There is value in the film as a representation of the planning, the airborne insertion, and the fighting at the bridges.   Dr. Russell Burgos joined the National Defense University in 2015 after more than 12 years as a professor at UCLA, the University of Southern California, Claremont McKenna College, and Pepperdine University.   In addition to extensive experience teaching core courses in American and international politics, globalization, Great Power competition, and political theory, Dr. Burgos has designed and taught seminar courses on U.S. national security, homeland security, globalization and international security, American foreign relations, the economics of globalization, the Iraq War, Middle East politics, and US foreign and military policy in the Persian Gulf.    Dr. Burgos has written articles and book chapters on national security policy, US Middle East policy, strategy and policy in the Persian Gulf, the effects of Special Operations Forces on regional and global stability, the teaching of international politics, and academic techniques and best practices for Professional Military Education students. He is a former Signal and Psychological Operations officer, an active wargamer, presents frequently at professional conferences, has appeared on radio, television, and podcasts and before community and service organizations in the U.S. and abroad to offer expert commentary on U.S. national security policy and strategy, and has served as a military technology and military history consultant for television and film productions.  

Our 9-day, 9-episode analysis of Operation Market Garden continues! We're on Day 5, September 21, 2021. Thus far, we've spent an awful lot of time criticized British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, the architect of Market Garden. Here we bring on a Brit, retired General James Learmont, to give a defense of Monty. James' father is the Patron of the Glider Pilot Regiment, the British airborne forces responsible for crewing the military gliders. James has  deeply felt, deeply considered opinions on Monty which deserve consideration. He describes the reverence a generation of British officers had for Montgomery and places him within the broader context of his time and WWII.   Our 9-episode look at Operation Market Garden runs from September 17th to 25th, to coincide with the 77th anniversary of the operation. After that, we're back to normal 18th Airborne Corps podcast business.  

Episode 66 continues our series on Operation Market Garden: 9-episodes with a new episode released each day for 9 days in concert with the 77th anniversary of the operation (September 17th to 25th).   In episode 66, we speak with WW2 film-maker, historian, and author Paul Woodadge about the cancelled airborne insertions leading into Market Garden. Paul explains how these unrealized plans put pressure on the Allied leadership to move forward with the massive jump into Nijmegen on September 17, 1944. He also explains how Operation Comet, the final cancelled drop, morphed into the Market portion of Market Garden.   There are few people on the planet more prepared to speak on this subject than Paul Woodadge. The historian professor and battlefield tour guide lives the European Theater of World War II. Check out his website and his YouTube channel for more WWII content.          

Operation Market Garden was big, bold, and aggressive. So, too, is our 9-day (17 to 25 September 2021), 9-episode Operation Market Garden retrospective. Hopefully, these podcasts will turn out better than Market Garden.   Day 3: Episode 65 continues the daily series of episodes.   Here Dr. John Bonin returns. He's the American historian and all-around affable fellow from Episode 64. This time around he and host Joe Buccino talk about what went wrong, specifically the command structure of the 1st Allied Airborne Army that put an inexperienced paratrooper (Brit Frederick Browning, commander of the British 1st Corps) in charge of a massive airborne insertion. They also talk about the decision to insert in day vs. under the cover of darkness. Finally, Dr. Bonin goes all in on British Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery. Oh boy, does Dr. Bonin let Monty have it.

Hot take: Operation Market Garden, the massive, ambitious Allied failure in the Netherlands in September 1944 was a good idea. That's the argument Dr. John Bonin, American historian with the US Army War College, makes in episode 64.   We're at the 77th anniversary of Operation Market Garden (17 to 25 September, 1944) and this episode is the 2nd in a 9-part series about Operation Market Garden that will run across 9 days (17 to 25 September 2021) in commemoration.   John Bonin is a Professor of Concepts and Doctrine at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Previously, he was the Scholar in Residence for the Army Heritage Center Foundation.   Prior to his retirement from the Army in June 2002 as a colonel, his assignments included deputy commander of the 194th Armored Brigade at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Director of Army Planning and General George C. Marshall Chair for Military Studies of the U.S. Army War College, where he served for seven years after graduating in 1995. Commissioned in the Infantry from the U.S. Military Academy in 1972, he obtained a Master's degree in military history from Duke University. In 2006, he earned a PhD in history from Temple University.

September 17, 1944, the Allies launched Operation Market Garden, a massive offensive intended to end WWII by Christmas. The nine-day operation ended on September 25th in failure.   77 years later, the 18th Airborne Corps podcast, the official podcast of the US Department of Defense, releases a nine-episode series based on Market Garden.   Nine days. Nine episodes. September 17 - 25. Almost as bold and ambitious as the operation itself...let's just hope this podcast is a little more successful.   Market Garden is a big story. Episodes 63 to 71 will unwind that story.   Over these nine episodes, you'll hear multiple elements on this grand tragedy: the American airborne, the British airborne, the British ground forces, the Dutch resistance, the German defenses, the Polish paratroopers. We'll have many guests, many historians, and many perspectives.   In this first in our Market Garden series, host Joe Buccino describes the strategic overview of the operation and the broad outlines of the plan. This episode sets the scene for the next eight.   Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify. Please live a 5-star rating and a review and please tell others about the program. 

A cowboy is made in eight seconds. That's how long you have to last on a bull for it to count as a successful "ride." Anything less than that is a failure. Eight seconds, as the host of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast found out, is a lot harder than it sounds.   In episode 62 of the official podcast of the US Army, we'll meet a group of American Soldiers who are also professional and semi-professional bull riders.   Bull riding is an adrenaline rush. It initiates a sense of terror, power, and, once complete, relief. That's because it is INCREDIBLY dangerous....the bulls have no interest in your risk assessment. In fact, a professional bull rider is much more likely to be seriously injured than an NFL player.   Moises Silva, an Army Specialist stationed on Fort Bragg, has been riding bulls his entire life. He's been injured more than 20 times, cracked his skull, and spent a month in a coma. He's also gotten really good at hanging on and riding up to that eight seconds.   Casey Jones, another Army specialist, is one of the few woman Army bull riders. She absolutely loves everything about the sport: the training, working with the animals, the teamwork.   Both Moises and Casey join the podcast, both in the Fort Bragg studio and then at a rodeo in Hope Mills, North Carolina, for this episode.   One thing should be clear by the end of this episode: the host of this podcast will do ANYTHING to promote the 18th Airborne Corps podcast...to include risk serious injury at the hands of a 2,000-pound bull.   Find out how Moises and Casey engendered a sense of community with a small group of Fort Bragg Soldiers through this odd pastime. Find out what they got involved with bull riding, what they get out of it, and what they hope to achieve in the sport. Find out if our host can last two seconds on a bull.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is an official Department of Defense program. Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, a new episode is released every Tuesday.      Please subscribe to the 18th Airborne Corps podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-18th-airborne-corps-podcast/id1547996961), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/15BMwodlZc84yiPK0AYSHq), or Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-doomsday-clock).   You won't miss any of the interesting guests or cool stories if you subscribe. We also ask you to leave a 5-star rating and a review, as these will help others find the program.  

Major General Milford Beagle, known around the Army as "Beags," leads with authenticity, humility, and compassion. He's the kind of leader who reveals his vulnerability to his troops and communicate with them on their level.   A native of Enoree, South Carolina, Beags commissioned in the Army after graduating from South Carolina State University in 1990 as an infantry officer. He's since had a long and distinguished career as an infantryman with stops at the Old Guard, Korea, the 10th Mountain Division on Fort Drum, and the Pentagon. In 2018 that career brought him home: he took command of the Fort Jackson, South Carolina-based US Army Training Center.   This past July, he returned to Fort Drum to command the 10th Mountain Division. As the 31st "Climb To Glory 6," he upholds a legacy that dates back to the formation of a ski-based unit for World War II.   Beags joined the 18th Airborne Corps podcast to talk about his priorities with the 10th Mountain Division, his leadership philosophy, and his Family. This is a thoughtful discussion for anyone interested in Army leadership.  

Last year, September 11th, 2019, the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, Lieutenant General Erik Kurilla, commander of the Fort Bragg-based XVIII Airborne Corps, delivered a message to the community and the Army. It was a speech about the lessons we've learned - and perhaps forgotten - from our National response to that tragedy.   Audio from that speech was posted online the next day. Tens of thousands have heard the speech since. Many people across the country have requested a copy of that speech (we are not releasing the speech in written form).   Today, the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we're releasing that speech, titled "What We've Learned," in audio form for the 18th Airborne Corps podcast.   This is the official podcast of the US Army's XVIII Airborne Corps. We ask that you please subscribe to the program on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Stitcher, Podbean, or Spotify. Please tell others about the program and please leave a five-star rating and review, as these help others find the show.

On Wednesday, September 8th, SEAC Ramón Colón-López, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley visited the Joint Force on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They spoke with service members who recently returned from the evacuation mission on Afghanistan about 9/11, Afghanistan, and leadership.  Sergeant Jillian Hix, public affairs sergeant for 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, had the opportunity to interview the SEAC and Chairman for the 18th Airborne Corps Podcast. The interview caps a whirlwind month for Sergeant Hix, who returned from Afghanistan two days prior to the interview. She describes her incredible journey on episode 59 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast. SEAC Colón-López and Chairman Milley have a great message to the force on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and the end of the war in Afghanistan.

Bing West has always loved American Grunts.   Ever since he led a platoon of Marines in Vietnam, he's had an affinity for the man (and now woman) on the ground at the leading edge of America's wars. That's why he wrote the 1972 book "The Village," about 17 months in the lives of a squad of Marines fighting in Binh Nghia, Vietnam. He wrote for the Marine Corps as well, publishing the service's official counterinsurgency manual.   Throughout our post-9/11 wars, he continued to champion the Grunt.   From 2003 through 2008, he made 16 extended trips to Iraq, going on patrols and writing three books and numerous articles about the war. His 2005 book "No True Glory," is the definitive frontline account of the Battle for Fallujah. His 2008 book "The Strongest Tribe," will hold up for generations as a comprehensive history of the American war in Iraq.   From 2007 through 2011, he made numerous trips to Afghanistan, each time living and traveling with ground units. His 2011 book "The Wrong War," is a definitive account of American missteps and successes in Afghanistan.   Bing was in Afghanistan on September 8, 2009 when Marine Sergeant Dakota Meyer singlehandedly evacuated or provided cover for dozens of US service members  in Kunar during the Battle of Ganjgal. Hearing the story, Bing investigated and wrote about Dakota's account. He pushed the Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, Congress, and the White House for Dakota to receive the Medal of Honor and he did, in a White House ceremony on September 15, 2011.   Aside from his writing, he's had an influential career as a counterinsurgency analyst, first for the Rand Corporation and later as an assistant to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Bing's good friend.   Meanwhile, he's continued to write, both fiction and non-fiction, telling the stories of the American Marine and Soldier in Afghanistan and Iraq.   On Episode 58 of the podcast, Bing joins his old friend Joe Buccino, host of the podcast, to talk about caring leadership, the end of the war of Afghanistan, the Army's focus on Large Scale Combat Operations, and why Army leaders should stop tweeting.   It's a great talk, a rich discussion with lessons and wisdom for all military leaders.   Please subscribe to the 18th Airborne Corps podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-18th-airborne-corps-podcast/id1547996961), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/15BMwodlZc84yiPK0AYSHq), or Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-doomsday-clock). You won't miss any of the interesting guests or cool stories if you subscribe. We also ask you to leave a 5-star rating and a review, as these will help others find the program.