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Send us a textIn 2009, Sean joined the US Marines and served in the infantry. In 2011, Sean deployed to Sangin Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. In 2013, Sean decided to extend his contract of service for the opportunity to go back to Afghanistanwith his unit. This time he served in Garmsir, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. While being tasked to preform aerial and ground interdiction, Sean led his team on numerous operations. In 2014, he left the Marines and took the civil service test and was fortunate enough to be selected by the Morris County Sheriff's Office. During that time, he worked with the Morris County Prosecutors Office narcotics division. In 2014-2018 Sean started losing guys he was deployed with to suicide. He has now lost more friends to Suicide than he has in Combat. While he searched himself for his new purpose, he dedicated his time to trying to help prevent veteran suicide. In 2015, he started working for Parsippany Police Department by serving as a Patrolman. He has made it his mission and passion to help others, aquality he gained from his family. In 2024, He opened Abrusci's Coffee in Budd Lake, New Jersey. He learned that Coffee is what made all the above possible. It wasn't just about caffeine to get through long days, but the sense of community provided by gathering around the ritual of serving coffee, and the opportunity it provided to take a moment to brainstorm how to push through obstacles, decompress and talk about what just happened. In Law Enforcement he saw how coffee brought everyone together to subtract themselves from what call or operation they just had. Coffee also brings everyone together to discuss future plans or calls. Find Sean AbrusciAbrusci's Coffee WebsiteAbrusci's Coffee InstagramFind The Suffering PodcastThe Suffering Podcast InstagramKevin Donaldson InstagramTom Flynn InstagramApple PodcastSpotifyYouTubeThe Suffering Podcast FamilySherri AllsupToyota of HackensackSupport the showThe Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube
Despite a turbulent upbringing, Andrew Williams enlisted in the Parachute Regiment at just 16. Deployed to the deadly frontlines of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2006, he confronted the brutal realities of warfare, engaging in some of the most intense combat witnessed by the British Army since the Korean War. After his military service, Andrew transitioned into domestic counter-intelligence and spent over a decade as a high-risk security consultant, navigating some of the world's most dangerous and unpredictable environments. Andy's book, Beyond the Dropzone is available here (including audiobook): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Drop-Zone-Paratroopers-Story-ebook/dp/Gez's books are available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Geraint-Jones/author/Signed copies here: www.geraintjonesmedia.comSupport the show
On this week's podcast, I speak with former UK 3 Para and current UK Firefighter Andy Williams. Despite a turbulent upbringing, Andy enlisted in the Parachute Regiment at just 16. Deployed to the deadly frontlines of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2006, he confronted the brutal realities of warfare, engaging in some of the most intense combat witnessed by the British Army since the Korean War. After his military service, Andrew transitioned into domestic counter-intelligence and spent over a decade as a high-risk security consultant, navigating some of the world's most dangerous and unpredictable environments. These harrowing experiences forced him to face not only the physical dangers around him but also the deep, often unseen, psychological scars left by war. Beyond The Drop Zone, takes you on a gripping journey from patrolling the streets of Northern Ireland to war-torn Iraq, coming face to face with ISIS, and engaging in fierce battles in Afghanistan with 3 PARA. This raw and unflinching memoir reveals the psychological toll of combat, Andrew's struggles with mental health, and his fight against a life-threatening illness. It is a powerful account of overcoming immense adversity, finding a path to healing, and discovering the strength of perseverance. Andy is a best-selling author and is passionate about helping veterans' transition and advocates for mental health awareness for veterans and first responders. This is his story, told in his own words. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Andy Williams Editor: Kyle Watkins
Follow H-Hour on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRAeu4opIrQElJN1belo33 ********** This is the Icebreaker episode, with questions chosen by H-Hour Platinum Subscribers and Patrons. In 2006, 88 soldiers consisting mainly of paratroopers from 3 Para and two platoons of Royal Irish soldiers found themselves at the mercy of hundreds of Taliban in the town of Musa Qaleh, Helmand Province. Faced with relentless attacks from all directions, and a combination of direct and indirect weaponry, the vastly outnumbered troops held their ground in a set of low-walled buildings within the District Centre compound, for 56 days. Jo Scrivener was the Company Sergeant Major.
Follow H-Hour on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRAeu4opIrQElJN1belo33 ********** In 2006, 88 soldiers consisting mainly of paratroopers from 3 Para and two platoons of Royal Irish soldiers found themselves at the mercy of hundreds of Taliban in the town of Musa Qaleh, Helmand Province. Faced with relentless attacks from all directions, and a combination of direct and indirect weaponry, the vastly outnumbered troops held their ground in a set of low-walled buildings within the District Centre compound, for 56 days. Jo Scrivener was the Company Sergeant Major.
JP Dinnell sits down with Marine Gunnery SGT Joe Reyna to talk about the battle for Helmand Province in Afghanistan from Sept 2010-Apr 2011. More from JP Dinnell: https://www.jpdinnell.com/ Join the conversation on instagram GY SGT Joe Reyna: https://www.instagram.com/gysgt_reyna_usmc JP Dinnell: http://instagram.com/jpdinnell/ Lucas Pinckard: https://www.instagram.com/lucaspinckard Bruiser Arms: https://www.instagram.com/bruiserarms Echelon Front: https://echelonfront.com/ Little Cattle Co: http://littlecattle.co On The Path Printing: https://www.instagram.com/onthepathprinting JP Dinnell is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and now a Leadership Instructor, Speaker and Strategic Advisor with Echelon Front, where he serves as Director of Experiential Leadership Training Programs. J.P. is also a pro team athlete and spokesperson for Origin Maine and Jocko Fuel, an American clothing and supplement company. J.P. has a signature Energy Drink flavor “Sour Apple Sniper” with Jocko Fuel. Jeremiah spent nearly a decade in the SEAL Teams with three combat deployments. Sent to the violent terrorist stronghold of Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 with SEAL Team Three's Task Unit Bruiser, J.P. served as point man, machine gunner, and lead sniper for Delta Platoon opposite the American Sniper, Chris Kyle, who was in Charlie Platoon. For his leadership and courage under fire, JP was awarded a Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal with Valor helping Task Unit Bruiser to become the most highly decorated special operations unit of the Iraq War. He worked closely with SEAL Officers Jocko Willink, his Task Unit Commander, and Leif Babin, and was the driving force on many of the daring combat operations Jocko and Leif wrote about in Extreme Ownership. Upon his return, J.P. again worked directly for Jocko as a training instructor at Naval Special Warfare Group One Training Detachment, where he orchestrated realistic and challenging training scenarios for Special Operations Urban Combat training and Close Quarters Combat training to better prepare SEAL units for the real-world battlefield. He also served as a Combatives Instructor, Marksmanship Instructor and earned his Master Trainer Specialist qualification while helping Jocko rebuild and enhance these training programs into the highly effective platforms they are today. J.P. brings exceptional experience and frontline leadership perspective from the winning mindset and culture of Task Unit Bruiser.
We've been talking about having Ray on the podcast for over a year now. He brings a unique perspective as a former infantry Marine NCO turned strength and conditioning coach. And more importantly, he always focuses his insight on the real issues. The military human performance space is more about building the right culture than dialing in the Xs and Os of workouts, and he clearly knows that. Ramon “Ray” Cossio is a 12-year veteran of the Marine Corps, where he served as an infantry squad leader, platoon sergeant, and martial arts-instructor trainer. During his time in service, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2005 and participated in operation Red Wings, Iraq in 2006 during the “Surge”, and once again Afghanistan in 2011 to Sangin, Helmand Province. For his service Mr. Cossio was awarded two Combat Action Ribbons, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and a Bronze Star with "V." Following his time in the Marine Corps he received his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Houston where he participated in internships with the UH sports performance and the Texas Obesity Research Clinic. He then went on to earn his master's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas where he conducted research on e-cigarettes' effect on blood vessel and was member of the Cardiovascular and Aging Laboratory. His professional experience has included roles as a coach, programmer, and operations manager for private “multimodal” gyms Austin and Houston, TX. In 2018 he began working as a contracted strength and conditioning coach for the Army's H2F-Lite program where he had the privilege of working with 40 th BEB, 2-37 AR, and 1AD DSB. Following his time as a coach Mr. Cossio was hired in 2021 as the 11th ADA H2F Program Director, and he continues in that role today.
Send us a textOn today's Zero Limits Podcast I chat with Andy Williams - 3PARA - MI5 - Current Firefighter and author “Beyond the Drop Zone: A Paratrooper's Story” Andy experienced a challenging upbringing, with a mother who was absent and struggled with alcoholism. He was raised by his older sister, who did her best to care for him. Despite his difficult childhood, Andy found solace and purpose in joining the military, specifically the Parachute Regiment.Andy enlisted at the age of 16 into the Parachute Regiment in 2003. He deployed to the deadly frontlines of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2006, he confronted the brutal realities of warfare, engaging in some of the most intense combat witnessed by the British Army since the Korean War. After his military service, He was eventually medically discharged due to post-traumatic stress and other health issues. Andy discusses his transition from the military, to MI5, then into private security and finally the fire service and the rewarding aspects of his new career.Beyond The Drop Zone, takes you on a gripping journey from patrolling the streets of Northern Ireland to war-torn Iraq, coming face to face with ISIS, and engaging in fierce battles in Afghanistan with 3 PARA.This raw and unflinching memoir reveals the psychological toll of combat, Andrew's struggles with mental health, and his fight against a life-threatening illness. It is a powerful account of overcoming immense adversity, finding a path to healing, and discovering the strength of perseverance.www.getsome.com.auInstagram @getsome_auDiscount Code ZEROLIMITS www.3zeroscoffee.com.auInstargram @3zeroscoffee Discount Code 3ZLimits Website - www.zerolimitspodcast.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/zero.limits.podcast/?hl=en
Send us a textWe kick off season 10 of the Veterans In Politics Podcast with Conservative Leadership hopeful, Tom Tugendhat! This is a fantastic start to the season, and you wont be surprised to learn that our host Jonny and Tom (whom share the same cap badge from their time in the army) talk about leadership... a lot!Tom was Minister of State (Minister for Security) between 6 September 2022 and 5 July 2024 and attended cabinet. He previously served as the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee from 2017 to 2022 and was first elected the MP for Tonbridge and Malling in 2015.Before being elected as an MP, Tom served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also worked for the Foreign Office, helping to set up the National Security Council of Afghanistan and the government in Helmand Province. On returning to the UK, Tom served as the military assistant and principal adviser to the Chief of the Defence Staff to the British Army, Lord Richards, and we talk about how he has inspired his leadership style in politics.Tom studied Theology at the University of Bristol, followed by a Master's degree in Islamic studies at Cambridge University, which included learning Arabic in Yemen.After graduating, Tom worked in Beirut as a journalist, and soon after established one of Lebanon's first public relations companies. On his return to the UK, Tom joined the Territorial Army. When the Iraq War broke out in 2003, he was mobilised as an Arabic-speaking intelligence officer to serve with the Royal Marines.In 2005, Tom was asked by the Foreign Office to travel to Afghanistan to establish the National Security Council. After two years in Afghanistan and a brief return to the UK, Tom was mobilised and served operationally for a further two years with the Royal Marines, for which he received an MBE, coming off his last patrol in July 2009.Tom went on to work on the Army Strategy Team helping to prepare for the Strategic Defence and Security Review. He later served as the Chief of the Defence Staff's military assistant and principal adviser. He remains an Army Reserve officer.For more on Tom, see here: https://www.tomtugendhat.org/aboutomSupport the show✅Support The Show Help Us Grow! Help us reach more veterans by donating the cost of a cup of coffee today...
We welcome journalist Jeanne McKinney to shine a light on a little-known episode of the war in Afghanistan that illuminates the larger political, social, and military landscape of our longest war. Jeanne's book, Triumph Over the Taliban: The Untold Story of US Marines' Courageous Fight to Save Camp Bastion, tells the story of September 12, 2012, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan when an attack on Camp Bastion, a critical forward operating base, showcased the resilience, bravery, and strategic acumen of the US Marines. Camp Bastion was a massive military base established by the British and later expanded to include US Marines and Afghan forces. Spanning 40 square miles with a 25-mile fence line, the base was situated in one of the most volatile regions of Afghanistan. The base's sheer size and strategic importance made it a prime target for the Taliban, who were deeply entrenched in the surrounding poppy fields, a key source of their funding. The Taliban meticulously planned their assault on Camp Bastion for over a year. Originally scheduled for July 2012, the attack was postponed due to an accidental explosion during training. The final assault was executed on a particularly dark night, leveraging the element of surprise. Fifteen Taliban fighters infiltrated the base, aiming to destroy aircraft and kill as many Marines as possible. What made this attack unique was the Taliban's approach. Unlike their usual tactics of using suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), this was a ground assault. The fighters carried rifles and RPGs, prepared for direct combat—a rare and bold move for the Taliban. The Marines stationed at Camp Bastion demonstrated exceptional valor and quick thinking. Upon hearing the initial explosions, they initially assumed it was a controlled detonation. However, they quickly realized the gravity of the situation and sprang into action. Despite the chaos and darkness, the Marines mobilized, formed defensive positions, and protected civilians on the base. One of the most remarkable aspects of their response was the transition of Aviation Marines into infantry roles. Trained to handle crises, they put down their wrenches and picked up rifles, showcasing the versatility and preparedness ingrained in Marine training. Their swift and coordinated actions prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss of life and equipment. The attack on Camp Bastion occurred three days after the Benghazi attack, which dominated the news cycle. As a result, this significant event did not receive the attention it deserved. Media reports often focused on the blame game, targeting two Marine generals for security lapses. This narrative overshadowed the heroism displayed by the Marines on the ground. At the time, there was a push to downsize the military presence in Afghanistan, leading to reduced security measures at bases like Camp Bastion. The generals on the ground, aware of the vulnerabilities, requested additional resources and security enhancements, but these were denied due to political considerations. This incident underscores the broader issue of how military decisions are often influenced by political agendas, sometimes at the expense of on-ground safety and effectiveness. The attack on Camp Bastion serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust security measures and the importance of listening to military leaders who understand the complexities of the battlefield. The attack on Camp Bastion is a powerful example of military courage and the complexities of modern warfare. It highlights the importance of readiness, the impact of political decisions on military operations, and the need to honor and recognize the sacrifices of those who serve. As we reflect on this event, it serves as a reminder of the bravery of the US Marines and the enduring spirit of those who stand on the front lines to protect our freedoms. We're grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event! #afganistan #veterans #usmc #veteran #militaryhistory #interview #vietnam #vet #veteransbreakfastclub #vbc #virtualevents #virtual #zoom #zoomevents #liveevent #webinar #military #army #usarmy #navy #usnavy #marinecorps #marines #airforce #pilot #aviators #coastguard #nonprofit #501c3 #history #militaryveterans #veteransstories #veteranshistory #veteraninterview #veteranshistoryproject #veteransoralhistory #veteranowned #militaryretirees #armyretirees #navyretirees #warstories #vietnam #vietnamwar #vietnamveterans #koreanwar #coldwar #greatestgeneration #wwii #ww2 #worldwarii #worldwar2 #war #americanhistory #oralhistory #podcast #scuttlebutt #thescuttlebutt #humor #storytelling #headlines #news #roundtable #breakfast #generation911
In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Kate van Dam, the Head of Strategic Growth at SkyFi. At SkyFi, Kate leads efforts to establish a leading geospatial hub, driving innovation and growth in the field. Prior to her role at SkyFi, Kate was a Senior Director at InQTel, where she worked with cutting-edge start-ups and the US government to enhance national security capabilities.Kate is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserves and served 10 years of active duty as an attack helicopter pilot, conducting crucial combat operations in Helmand Province and counter-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden. In 2017, she made significant contributions as a White House Fellow, supporting disaster response at the Department of Housing and Urban Development during a record year for natural disasters.A graduate of the US Naval Academy, Kate also holds an MA in International Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University SAIS. In our discussion, Kate delves into her approach to leadership, shaped by her diverse experiences in both military and corporate settings. She shares insights on overcoming adversity, balancing the demands of a high-profile career with parenting, and pursuing new ambitions following her transition from military to civilian life.Join us to hear Kate's inspiring story and gain valuable lessons on resilience, leadership, and navigating career transitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lt. Col. Tom Schueman served in Afghanistan for sixteen months, including the single bloodiest battle of the war in Afghanistan, as a platoon commander with the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines in Helmand Province. He redeployed to Afghanistan as a JTAC and advisor to the Afghan National Army while he was a member of First Reconnaissance Battalion. Schueman went on to get his master's in English literature at Georgetown University and teach English literature at the United States Naval Academy. In 2022, alongside his friend and Afghani interpreter, Zak, he published Always Faithful, a book about his time in Afghanistan and the effort to get Zak and his family to America before the Taliban could make good on their promise to kill them. Thomas is still an active-duty Marine and the founder of the nonprofit Patrol Base Abbate, based in Montana. PB Abbate provides a space for veterans and service members to reconnect around shared interests.More about Major Schueman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kill.z0n3Patrol Base Abbate: https://www.pbabbate.org/home-0Always Faithful: https://amzn.to/3M6EI1nTimestamps:00:00:22 Intro to Thomas Schueman00:01:22 Overview of Thomas Schueman's Career00:05:25 Infantry Officer Course and Recon Selection00:06:44 Why the Basic Reconnaissance Course Didn't Work Out for Thomas00:15:25 Sponsor Note: Buildingtheelite.com00:15:53 On Which Deployment Did Thomas Meet Zack?00:17:56 Marines Lost in Thomas's Unit00:18:44 More Deaths in Infantry Than Other Sections of Military00:24:49 Working With Zack00:27:15 Thomas's Mindset After 100 Firefights in 100 Days00:42:19 What is Patrol Base Abbate?00:52:53 Where is PB Abbate in Montana?00:53:53 How is PB Abbate Funded?00:56:36 Getting Zack Out Before the Fall of Kabul01:06:53 Outro
Show Notes and Transcript Christina Bobb joins Hearts of Oak to discuss her military background, transition to media and involvement in the RNC's campaign for election integrity. We kick off with some exploration into her book "Stealing Your Vote" for insights into the 2020 election and Christina shares challenges she faced at OAN for calling out failings in the 2020 election while emphasizing the importance of election integrity. The conversation covers alternative media platforms, social media influencers, and the impact of platforms like Twitter under Elon Musk in countering censorship. Christina reflects on the Trump campaign's fundraising success, his connection with the audience, and addressing key issues. We conclude with a focus on upcoming elections, serving the American people, and restoring power to citizens. Christina Bobb is an investigative reporter, attorney, and former television show host and correspondent with One America News Network, where she reported almost exclusively on election integrity. Christina began her legal career in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a defense counsel representing marines and sailors in court-martial and administrative separation hearings. She served in multiple overseas tours including Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and Stuttgart, Germany. After her military service, Ms. Bobb transitioned to private practice at Higgs, Fletcher, & Mack LLP in San Diego, and then to Washington, DC, where she held executive level positions within the Department of Homeland Security. Christina currently serves as attorney for President Donald J. Trump at the Republican National Committee. Connect with Christine... X/TWITTER x.com/christina_bobb 'Stealing Your Vote: The Inside Story of the 2020 Election and What It Means for 2024' Available in hardback, audio-book and e-book amzn.eu/d/6cPQjOv Interview recorded 12.6.24 Connect with Hearts of Oak... X/TWITTER x.com/HeartsofOakUK WEBSITE heartsofoak.org/ PODCASTS heartsofoak.podbean.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA heartsofoak.org/connect/ SHOP heartsofoak.org/shop/ Transcript (Hearts of Oak) I am delighted to be joined by a brand new guest, one I've seen on a number of podcasts recently. I'm delighted she can join us, and that's Christina Bobb. Christina, thank you so much for your time today. (Christina Bobb) Thanks so much for having me, Peter. Good to have you on, and lots to talk about. I know you're centrally involved in the campaign there at the RNC, but people obviously can follow you. @Christina_Bobb is on Twitter. That's the main place, and you can get everything from there. But just to our viewers, to our half-and-half US, UK, to our UK viewers who maybe haven't come across, you're former US Marine, former OAN host, and since March you've been attorney at the RNC Republican National Committee, leading election integrity programs, and we'll get into all of that. And your Wikipedia describes you as mega-maga. That's quite cool. You're not just maga. And, of course, you're the author of Stealing Your Vote, the inside story of the 2020 election and what it means for 2024. And any book published by Skyhorse, we've had Tony Lyons on before, or have an introduction by Stephen K. Bannon, is absolutely wonderful. So a shout-out to the War Room posse that will be joining us and watching this interview. But, Christina, I read on your Wikipedia, it could be true, it may not be, but you played football at university, like proper football, like British football, not just American. Right, I played British football, right? I was a soccer player. Yeah. So tell us, because obviously uni and then you were involved in media. Just tell us a little bit about that before we get on to the campaign. And, of course, you bring your legal understanding to that. But you were hired by OAN back in 2020. And I remember I was there maybe a year ago, 18 months ago, getting a tour of the offices in D.C. And it's a phenomenal setup. But I know you were there as an anchor in 2020. I mean, how did that happen? How did it end up you moving into media? Yeah. So I had been in the military. Prior to that, I'd been in the military. And then once I got out, I was an attorney. I worked as a lawyer in San Diego. I was a litigator and didn't really plan on getting into media. I missed my government work. I liked doing national security work. I have a, an LLM and national security law, and it's harder to do that. At least from San Diego, certainly you can do it at firms here in DC. So, I came back to DC and joined the Trump administration of the department of homeland security. And right before the 2020 election, a few months before, well, maybe like February, so nine months before, I kind of got a wild hair and was like, Hey, I might be able to make a bigger impact in media. So I transitioned to One America News, who had a good presence here in D.C. So I left the administration and joined One America News to cover the administration. And I definitely had a bigger impact in media than I did working in the administration. So it's kind of been flying by the seat of my pants, hang on and just do what you can to make a difference. and it's been kind of a wild ride. Of course, at OAN, you were one of the people, and we'll maybe touch on how that has impacted you, but you were one of the people to call out failings you saw in the election in many aspects. And you were, I guess, had a position with OAN. You were calling out what you were seeing. And what was that like? Because I remember looking at it from this side of the pond, from far away and seeing the massive debate over that with individuals happy to speak up on what they saw and others saying, no, no, no, no, we can't really do that because of X, Y, and Z. What kind of gave you the, I guess, the boldness to just call out what you saw? I didn't think it was bold at the time, to be honest. I thought it was just obvious. And to be honest, I think maybe in the UK and overseas, y'all might have a better perspective than we do here in the United States, because you can kind of see it from a distance. When you're in the middle of it, it can be a lot harder to see and discern what's happening. I didn't feel bold. I just thought, I didn't understand what was happening. And I figured if I didn't understand what was happening, the viewers didn't understand what was happening. And so I was trying to just walk people through my own thought process and my own investigation of what I was looking into. On November 3rd, 2020 election night, I was reporting from the White House, the North Lawn of the White House. And I was just honest with the viewers. And I was like, this doesn't make a lot of sense. I don't know why they're calling Arizona a West Coast state, minutes after they called Florida probably one of the furthest East states, if not the furthest East state. So that doesn't make a lot of sense. We basically skipped the country. So I didn't feel bold. I was just trying to be honest in my reporting. And immediately I started getting attacked. I mean, I had been a reporter for a couple months at that point. I think I started at One America News June 1st or right around the beginning of June. So it had been less than six months that I had been a reporter. And I was getting, YouTube was coming after me, CNBC. A lot of the bigger networks were trying to shut me down, which I thought was so bizarre. I was like, I'm barely a reporter. Like, why are you coming after me? And then it was almost like the more they came after me, the more people started paying attention. And, I ended up sticking with the story for years. I thought I was just covering it, from election night until when we actually got a result. But I got attacked so much that it just made me go, oh, okay, well, I need to keep covering this. This is a thing. And so I kept digging into it and ended up writing a book about it. But it really was the voracious attacks that I received that caused me to go, oh, okay, there's something here. Because there's a difference, I guess, between someone who's been a host maybe 10, 15, 20 years and they can say what they like because they're kind of bulletproof in one way and they've got a track record or a reputation with someone just into the media fairly new. You kind of think, well, maybe I should just play this safe. I mean, what was that, I guess, OAN gave you, the freedom that maybe other networks would not have? Well, they did. And I'll counter your summary just a little bit. I think the people that have been in the business for 10, 20, 30 years have been in the business that long because they don't say whatever they want to say. They're parroting what the networks are telling them to say, and they're parroting what the narrative is supposed to be, not what's actually happening. And OAN didn't do that. I give them a lot of credit. They said, go report. And so I did, I took it quite literally. And I think, I think the left, is not just the left, it was really the political establishment, because we see now that it's both Republicans and Democrats in the United States that have been causing these problems and have really kind of bound our election system the way that they want it. But OAN grew, grew in popularity a lot in the the years prior to me joining, I think largely because of their coverage of Donald Trump, people wanted to see it. And so OAN had a really large following. For a while, they were the fourth ranked cable news network. Of course, now they've been de-platformed in many areas and they've had a lot of attacks come themselves. But because OAN actually had a bigger following than people want to pretend, our message was getting out, right? Not just mine, but there were other reporters in the network as a whole that were just standing behind the idea that, hey, we're not sure that this election was real. We think there were problems in a variety of areas. Let's dig into it. Let's investigate and see what we find. And I'm grateful. I'm grateful that that's the stance they took. And I think because they took that stance, the story is still alive today. You know, there's still Americans today that think there's problems with the 2020 election. A lot. I would say a majority of Americans believe that. And now the whole January 6th narrative is unraveling. And I think that's largely because of OAN and those of us that were willing to speak out and tell the truth. Well, I want to come back to you on media. And we had Maureen Bannon on just on Monday discussing this. But obviously in the war room and what they feel. But I want to come back, but I want to get on to your role now, because we've just had elections here in Europe. We have UK elections coming up. We're able to count our ballots within 24 hours and have ourselves. I know you guys like to take a few months over it. But election integrity is a massive issue. And I know that others have told me, you know, it's the border, it's the economy. But actually, election integrity, what's the point of voting if your vote doesn't matter? I mean, tell us about that and your work, because you have each state to actually cope with, where in the UK it's one system. So it is a much more difficult, arduous process you face. But what is, election integrity and what does that mean to most of the voters in the U.S.? Well, I can speak for conservatives because I think it's different. You know, Democrats, I think, are very good at changing language and trying to make things mean things that they don't. So what election integrity actually is from a conservative perspective, and of course, I think it's the right perspective, is that everybody gets the every legal voter gets the opportunity to vote and that vote is counted and that we are not diluting votes with illegal voters and that people don't get to put their thumb on the scale by changing locations or the way that votes are processed. but everybody who is lawfully allowed to vote has the opportunity to vote. Only those votes are counted, but they're all counted and we live with those results. So the way it's processed in the United States, the way it's supposed to be processed is every state and every county are supposed to run their elections independently with their own processes. That's part of the security of it, right? To have a decentralized system. But we've seen over the years, there's been a lot of creep and a lot of the same companies are running, a lot of the counties are bringing in the same companies who run, half the country's elections. And a lot of the kind of inherent security that our founders built into our constitution and into the way we run our elections has really been degraded basically through corporate structure, by bringing in outside groups and not keeping things to the original intent of every county running everything separately. To your point, I think it's perfectly reasonable to believe that every ballot can be counted by election night, even in 2020. I mean, if you look at Arizona, just looking at Maricopa County, they had 2.1 million votes that were counted on by election night but then they took another three days three or four days to count what 200 or 300 000 more ballot like why did it, why were they able to do 2.1 million in one day and then it took three days to count another 100 000 doesn't make sense Tell what because when you when you look at it you have individuals involved in overseeing and I think there's been a big call for those who care about democracy to register to be an observer and to watch it. And then you've got the fight in the individual states, how they process it. I mean, tell us about that kind of call to action for those who care about their country to be involved, to make sure that they see irregularities. Yeah, well, for all your American viewers, get involved, right? Right. If you're if you're a legal American voter and registered to vote somewhere, get involved. You can go to protect the vote dot com. That's the RNC's election integrity program. There's a lot of great grassroots organizations around the country that you can get involved in. But this is an all hands on deck moment. This is the election. We either save our country or it's lost forever and it will never resemble what it was intended to be. And I truly believe Donald Trump will be back in the White House, but it's going to be a dogfight for sure. And so we need good, honest people who are willing to follow the law and want the law followed in their areas to volunteer, to work at your counties, get, you know, your counties are now in the process of hiring effectively seasonal workers for the purpose of the election. You can get paid to work your elections, work your election, and just make sure that the law is followed and that there's not, the midnight ballot drops with no chain of custody and nobody knows where they came from. But let's probably assume they're all legitimate and just count them anyway. You know, we need to make sure that that kind of negligence isn't taking place in the elections this time around. And what is it like? Because we've seen the ballot drops. For you to have drop boxes, that's just so strange for us over across the pond. It's strange for us too. Like, it's not a thing, right? But it hasn't always been like that, has it? No, it wasn't that way until 2020. It was like in 2020, the suspicious activity of COVID occurred and everyone was like, hey, let's completely change the laws outside of the legal process. The 2020 election was conducted illegally. No question about it. Whether you want to say the illegalities changed the outcome of the election or not, okay, we can debate that till hell freezes over. But the way the election was conducted was illegal. This massive influx of drop boxes was not authorized by the legislature of any of the states, yet they were dropped off everywhere. And we're like, hey, we're going to count anything that comes into these drop boxes. And I don't know if you've read some of the stories, but Americans didn't, like, this was not a way we vote. And a lot of people in the communities didn't necessarily know what they were. So people were putting mail, they thought they were mailboxes or Amazon return boxes. There was a lot of stuff that was deposited into these boxes that weren't ballots because nobody knew what they were. And so, no, the use of drop boxes was a bit novel to 2020. And I think they needed to do it in order to have this mass influx of mail ballots with no chain of custody. The entire chain of custody in all of these states that were questioned, that changed the outcome of the election, none of them had the chain of custody to know where any of these ballots came from or who cast them. So, yeah, it's kind of weird, huh? Very weird. That's not just me. I'm glad you get as well. But I've seen different legal cases with different states. Maybe you want to let us know, have there been wins have there been losses, have there been changes, because election integrity really is key for actually getting people out Yeah, we currently have open, I want to say 87, we being the RNC have 87 open cases litigation, pre-election litigation, most the vast majority if not all of them are for the purpose of ensuring that the the election is conducted securely in accordance with the law. And we've certainly had several victories. I would say we've had more victories than losses. There's some where I'd say it's kind of a draw and then there's some where you don't win them all. But in addition to the litigation that the RNC is conducting, several of the state legislatures have passed new laws. Voter ID laws have been strengthened in a lot of states. They put restrictions on the use of drop boxes. Several cases, and most notably in Wisconsin, which they're fighting to overturn it now. But the use of drop boxes in illegal was deemed, I'm sorry, the use of drop boxes in Wisconsin was deemed illegal. Now Democrats are working to overturn that because they flipped the Supreme Court in Wisconsin. So there's a lot of jockeying. There's good, there's neutral, there's some losses. But overall, I think we're in a better position than we were in 2020, if for no other reason, people are aware of the games, right? They're aware of what's going on. Americans want to remain in control of their elections. As you mentioned earlier in the show, if we don't, if we, the people don't control the outcome of our elections, we're never going to have a chance to control the border. We're never going to have a chance to control inflation. We're never going to have a chance to control the economy and gas prices. We're never going to have a chance to have a say in education. The way we speak is through our vote. And so we have to to protect that. And I think we're in a better place, but we need people involved. We absolutely need volunteers. We need workers to work at their counties. We need people involved. Back in, I grew up in Northern Ireland, which was very sectarian. We had our own issues in Northern Ireland, but one of the phrases used was vote early, vote often. And I don't know, if you obviously have where people can vote long before, for us postal ballots is quite unusual. You kind of get it if you need, but it's not the norm. Where in America, it seems to be more the norm. How does that work? And I think you need to actually use the systems in place and take advantage of it. And that's been, I think, a call on those on the right saying, actually, if this is the system, then we need to use it instead of complaining about it. Yeah, no, you're exactly right. I mean, I don't want to say that it's normal here. I think what happened is the left pushed mail-in voting in a few states that conservatives really weren't paying attention to. The Pacific Northwest is one area, California, New York, some of the really blue states, they pushed mail-in voting in those states. Colorado is another one. And conservatives just weren't paying attention. And then they pushed, then they started pushing it in conservative states and they really went for it in 2020. And now conservatives are going, wait, wait, wait, we don't like mail-in ballots. And so we got caught on our heels because we didn't fight the fight back in the 80s and 90s when they first started this push for mail-in ballots in some of these other states that we weren't paying attention to. And if you look at those states, like if you look at Oregon, for example. Oregon was a red state. Oregon was absolutely a conservative state up until, I want to say, 89. It was either 1989 or 1987. I don't remember which one. It's in my book, though. But prior to them making Oregon a mail-in ballot state, Oregon had voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every single election except for four presidents, all the way back until when Abraham Lincoln was in office. There were nine elections, Four of them were for FDR, and then the other three were for three other Democrat candidates, all the way back until Abraham Lincoln. The rest of the presidential candidates from Abraham Lincoln, minus those four, Oregon voted for the Republican candidate. When they instituted mail-in balloting in 1989 or 87, the Republican candidate has never won the state of Oregon. So I think mail-in ballots are a problem and probably not an accurate reflection of the way voters actually feel. So yeah, I think there needs to be some real serious reform on mail-in voting, but that can't come until after the election because it's the process that we have to use right now. So we have to win within this system. 100%. Maybe you want to give us a bit of an You've been there since March, so you're three months into it. What has that been like? Because it's a different RNC than it was whenever Trump has run before. Completely changed. It's now actually a MAGA RNC. America First. Right. No, it has MAGA-fied. Mega MAGA. Mega MAGA. Which is so funny. every time they create those terms to try to offend us, it's just like, okay, well, we'll own it. I'm mega mega, I'm ultra mega, I'm whatever. They want to make it sound extreme or crazy and none of it's working anymore because they are, they are outing themselves as the extremists. But no, the RNC really is in lockstep with the Trump campaign on the political operations and getting out the vote and volunteering and just ensuring that the RNC policies and procedures are aligned with the Trump campaign. I mean, the RNC is committed to getting Donald Trump reelected back to take the White House. And I think the voters know that. I think the conservative voters recognize that this is a different RNC. The RNC leadership today is not the RNC of leadership of 2020. And I think they've got a lot more confidence in our leadership now, as they should. Tell us what role the RNC, because again, looking at it from a UK perspective, they're kind of separate entities, the party, but the individual running and people vote for the individual much more than in the UK, where it's certainly very much for the party. I mean, how does the Trump campaign, sorry if it's a dumb question, but I'm a Brit. So how does the actual presidential campaign work connecting with the party? Because they are two separate entities, but they're working together for victory in November. Yeah, they are two separate entities. And, you know, this is my first presidential campaign. It's the first time I've I've worked at the RNC, so I can't speak prior from inside, but, I will, I'll say that Donald Trump's campaign is like any other, it's unlike any other, there's not another presidential campaign. I would say probably in, in the history of the country, at least, you know, in my lifetime, maybe Reagan, maybe, but I would be willing to bet that I think DonaldTrump is surpassing Reagan's popularity. So the RNC is in a position where we either support this mega MAGA candidate that we have in Donald Trump, who really is unlike any other candidate that our nation has seen and is, is really pushing conservative values, conservative Christian values through this corruption. He's kind of like breaking through the corruption that we otherwise wouldn't be able to break through. And the RNC really is there, is really there to ensure that he, as the, I mean, technically he'll be nominated in July, but we all know he's the presumptive nominee. As the nominee, he has what he needs to make his campaign successful. And so the goal is to ensure that the Trump campaign and Donald Trump as the candidate has, like, we kind of clear the way and have what they need to be successful in their efforts. And I was certainly, I said to you before, we went live, been at three Trump rallies the last year in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. And for someone who has been years in politics in the UK, I've never seen anything like that, that this is not just, here are my 10 bullet points. And I remember I heard Ron DeSantis speak a year ago, and it was a great speech. Yep, I agree with all those bullet points. Then you go and watch President Trump speak, and you think, wow, I mean, this is taking it to another level where you connect not just with a head, but actually connect with the heart. And that seems to be how his whole way of campaigning to connect with people at a deeper level than politics normally does. A hundred percent. And that's why they're trying to take him off the campaign trail. Because what you see in the media, and you know this, you've been to the Trump rallies and you've met him. You know how he is and what it's like being in that environment. It is really powerful. And people recognize it as different. It's not the same as every other candidate that we've ever seen. It's very different. You connect to him. You instantly feel like, oh, he's speaking to me. I understand what he's saying. And the left hates that. They want the cookie cutter candidate that they can control behind the scenes and somebody just gets to be the face of the party or whatever movement they want to pretend like they have. You can't do that with Donald Trump. And in the media, the liberal media is trying really hard to take away from that they're trying to say, he doesn't have the popularity or they're trying to minimize the amount of popularity that he has, but you cannot hide it. You can hide behind poll numbers. You can fudge polls with, who you contact and, the sample that you use. But you cannot lie about the massive seas of people who are coming to hear Donald Trump and coming out to support Donald Trump. And that's why it's so powerful, because Donald Trump has pictures. I mean, you can see that 100,000 people in New Jersey, and then you've got, I think, 40,000 people in the Bronx. You see these massive seas of people. That's not a fudged poll. Those people actually showed up, and Biden's not getting anything close to that. I mean, I went and spoke at an event in Detroit a week or two ago, and it was Trump surrogates. It was an event for several Trump surrogates that people, notable conservatives that support Donald Trump and speaking on MAGA values. President Trump wasn't there. And we had a huge crowd. There was a big crowd that there were probably five or 600 people there. I would, I would think maybe close to a thousand and Donald Trump wasn't even there. Joe Biden's not getting crowd sizes that big. And my point is people who support Donald Trump are getting bigger crowds than Joe Biden himself, then their candidates. And so they don't want people to know that. So please, check it out for yourself. If you have not been to a Trump rally, come to a Trump rally. They're unlike anything you've ever been to. I would agree. And for UK viewers, just go over to the States just to be in one. It is excitement. And I think you downplay Biden. I'm sure he could fill up his basement with people. I'm sure he could. Staffers. Yeah, maybe. But what it's been. Trump's ability to fundraise is another, and I've seen it, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but with some of the more establishment fundraisers who have connected with the Republican Party holding off, but it's then the public who have stepped in, and it seems to have, those establishment funders have kind of realized that actually this is the man. And if it's not him, it's four more years of decrepit Biden. So it certainly in funding, every time he goes through a court case, it just goes up and up. But it seems to be those traditional donors are also coming behind him. Is that a fair assessment? I think some of them are. I think some of them are not. You know, and that goes to show that this is not a Republican versus Democrat election in the United States. This is establishment versus the rest of America. And the rest of America is stepping up with their dollars. And the rest of America is funding Donald Trump to make sure that he gets across the finish line because the rest of America is sick of the establishment. We don't care if you're Republican or Democrat. If you've been part of the system that has oppressed Americans, made our cost of living go through the roof, made our wages go down, basically ruined one of, if not the best countries ever to exist in the history of the world, get out of the way. And they're getting basically mauled over by this massive sea of small dollar donors who are putting up a hundred bucks at a time, but it's causing the president to raise $400 million. I mean, that's a lot of people. And Joe Biden can go to these fancy celebrity dinners where you have celebrities that might donate a million dollars at a time. Fantastic, good for him. I hope they all spend all of their money. I think they should all donate all of their money to Joe Biden and waste it all because he's gonna lose. But he can get, you know, a few people to give him several million dollars. Okay. Donald Trump is raising $400 million off of a hundred bucks at a time. Who, who do the people support? Oh, completely. Is it the border and the economy? Are they still the key issues for the voters? Yeah, the voters are really concerned about the border. They don't like the fact that, you know, words coming out that illegal aliens are being bussed into all 50 states and they're all getting registered to vote, some against their will, at least some of the reports that I'd seen. They don't like, they, they don't like the toll that this invasion is taking on our cities and that we're paying for it. In New York, they're giving away, how many 500 bucks, a thousand dollars a month to these illegal aliens when Americans are struggling to survive. And now they have to fund this invasion. It's ridiculous. So they're real upset about the border. They're very upset about education. Parents are still being targeted who are trying to protect their kids. It's a very weird position. And I don't know to the extent that you guys are seeing, I think it's somewhat similar in the UK, but this push for transgender ideology, and allowing teachers to groom children into sexual behavior, parents don't like that. Shocking. But that's another issue. And then this whole idea that somehow the education system has more rights over your children than you do as a parent. And these states are becoming sanctuary states for kids to go get transgender surgery without parental consent. I mean, it's just bizarre what they're doing. So I mean, pick an issue, Democrats will lose on it. There is not a single issue on the debate stage today that Democrats it's like, oh, they've got a good point. None, because they're all completely woke. They're all so far from anything, not just immoral, but just a basic sense of responsibility as a human to be a good human and care about other people. They're off the rails on that. And so I can't wait for this debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, because not only is Joe Biden completely incapable of debating Donald Trump, they legitimately do not win on the issues. And so I'm sure they're going to try to pull something out to create some distraction. And I look forward to seeing what it is. But in a free and fair debate, Donald Trump is absolutely going to crush Joe Biden. He will. And I don't know if they can give Joe Biden enough of that, whatever liquid they give him to actually keep him going. But I think they could use it all up. He won't last an hour and a half. There's no way. And Trump's energy, I mean, for someone of his age, but actually an hour and a half. And in those speeches, he's enjoying himself. He's actually connecting back and forward with the audience. And it is fun and the audience are having fun and Trump is not there to go and deliver my top 10 points. He's there to engage with the audience and gee them up and have fun. And that kind of enthusiasm and honesty is really special. It's fun and people love it. And he's gone to the point, he's done so many of these rallies and he's given so many of these speeches that, you can tell when he goes off script a little bit, but he's even started, dropping some swear words in there every once in a while, just to emphasize a point. And people love it. They're just like, Oh, thank God someone who's not like so perfectly polished that we can't relate to him now, in 2020 or in 2016, everybody hated his mean tweets. And we're like, Oh, he's mean. I don't, whatever, people love it now. They're like, Oh, thank God God, he's real. He's genuine. He's authentic. And I do give him a lot of credit too. He has learned to kind of meet people where they are. And he's, I think softened his edges a little bit, become a little bit more, I don't want to say polished. He's always been exceptionally polished, but a little, a little bit more political. I feel like I'm offending him saying that, but he's, he's learned to, to play the game a little bit. He's elevated his political game, I should say. And now it's great, now it's just a great mixture of he's got that raw humor, but he's got he's politically refined now and it's just, he it's like he's hitting his sweet spot right at the perfect time. Really is and of course he's we kind of forget that he's not a politician, that that's not his background his background is in business to step into this and I think that was part of his undoing in in 2016 and 2020 where his maybe wasn't aware of how the system works, of the deep state working underneath and this election I think this is why he is so dangerous to the left because now he is aware of what is happening and that actually the RNC and others are putting people ready, so they're ready to step in place and so it's not just trusting actually it's been more purposeful and organized and planned than maybe it was before. For sure. For sure. I mean, this campaign is way, way above where it was in 2020. And quite honestly, even the president himself says it's better than the 2016 campaign. I mean, the enthusiasm, the support, the huge crowds, it's unlike any other campaign Donald Trump has run. He, I mean, I don't know what kind of records you can set, but he's setting them and he's setting all of them. And I think the left is helping him with these crazy indictments and convictions and trials and the abuses of government and the fact that the left is using the government to try to retain power and attack their political opponents. It's clear as day in the United States that that's what's happening. And Americans don't like it. They really don't like it. And Americans want to retain control of their government. And so the longer this goes on, the more people are switching sides. And I fully expect Donald Trump to be back in the White House in 2025. It certainly is a more sophisticated campaign, 100%. Can I, in the words of that wonderful press secretary, circle back to finish off on the issue on media? Because this, again, is different, even though it wasn't 2020. I don't think the alternative media was so well-developed. You kind of had Fox moving away and maybe OAN and Newsmax fit into that. But now you've got a plethora of alternatives, of Turning Point USA. InfoWars, you have WarRoom. You've got, I mean, it's masses of small, medium and large companies, individuals actually championing the causes that Trump is believing in to put America first. How does that, as someone who kind of has experienced the media and are now involved in the campaign itself, how do you see the media play out? And I mean, how much longer can the media on the left actually cheer Biden on? Well, they're running at a runway. I think they're hoping to hang on through the election, but I don't think they're going to make it. You're exactly right. I think the uprising of podcasts and radio stations and social media influencers. Conservatives are available to voters in a way that they weren't even in 2016 and probably not even in 2020. And it has really decentralized media, right? It used to be you had to watch Fox, CNN, or MSNBC, and that's where you got your information. That's where everybody got their information. Well, nobody believes those networks anymore. And so a lot of people have transitioned and are watching Newsmax, OAN, Real America's Voice. There's a number of other conservative news outlets that are available to people. But then you also have folks watching shows like your show where they want to tune in to a person that they like. And so it can kind of be personality centric. But however people want to get their news, people are able to receive the information in ways that they couldn't before. And I think I'll credit Elon Musk with taking over Twitter, which is now X, because I mean, we were all silenced, absolutely silenced on what used to be Twitter. Andour posts were suppressed. Our followers were haemorrhaged. You know, we, every, everybody probably remembers what it was like to be silenced on Twitter. And with the emergence of X, it, I do think it has changed the game for the better. You obviously, there's still things about it that I'd love to, to see a little bit different, but I give Elon Musk a lot of credit for kind of taking the gag off of the individual people who needed a platform and social media with the platform. And he basically freed it so that those people now have a voice too. Apologies to RAV not mention it was on with Tara Dahl and Kaelan Dorr last week, so sorry RAV definitely you're there, but there's also a a push by I mean OAN have faced that with getting removed off some of the networks obviously the system wants to to put Steve Bannon in jail for four months, the last four months the last four months of the number one political podcast America like, let's join the dots there. And of course, what's happening to Alex Jones and InfoWars is huge. And you've got others, but you've still got other networks with Blaze and Daily Wire. It's a whole plethora, but there is a cost, I guess, for speaking truth. You've seen that personally, but also these media outlets are seeing that. And yet those voices we've talked about, those channels, they don't care. They just want to fight. There's nothing you can do to Steve Bannon. He just, well, we need to fight harder. And that's the response we need, I think, in the media. Well, yeah, and I think it is. Back in 2020, there were a handful of us that were talking about the election, but there weren't many. And they tried very hard to silence us. And I'm so grateful that I've had the support that I've had at the time from OAN and now at the RNC and with the Trump campaign and that they have supported what I want to say and what I want to speak about it. We have to fight for our rights. I mean, our constitution, our bill of rights is only as good as if we use it. It's only good if we use it and we have to use it. And I think right now we're being put to the test of, do you believe that your constitutional rights are actually valid and stronger than anybody who's trying to manipulate them or destroy them? And I say, yes. I say, I think at the end of this, it's painful. I certainly will come out with a few bumps and bruises, but I do believe that the Constitution is stronger than those that are trying to manipulate it, lie about it, break it, destroy it, and solidify power among a select few. That is the antithesis of what the United States of America is. We are a decentralized nation in theory by design. Power is decentralized among the 50 states. And it's the voters that control power in the United States, American voters. And we have to restore that. We're getting there, but we have to restore that. You've got, what, five months more of this. You'll certainly want a break at the end, I'm sure. But you've got, and I've never, looking at politics across the world, you see campaigns kind of moving and then hitting roadblocks and reassessing or changing. With the Trump campaign, it just seems to kind of just keep doing what you're doing, keep ramping it up. You're hitting on all the points. And that's fairly rare as well, that there aren't the mistakes. Trump is a known quantity. He's got people around him he knows and trusts. But yeah, it's just, it seems to be just keep doing what you're doing. And that'skind of quite rare, I think, in elections to have, I guess, that confidence at the front where it's not opinion polling and talking to different groups. What should we talk about? Trump knows what to talk about. I think that's also refreshing, that honesty and, I guess, knowing where the vision is at the top. Yeah, and that really comes from him. I mean, I think he intuitively understands the everyday American, which is really fascinating how that happens. But he does. He gets it. He understands what they want as parents. He understands what they want as voters. He understands what they want as far as the borders concerned, as education is concerned, as the economy, every issue. He gets it. And it's a very and he jokes about this in his speeches. He would say it's common sense, but it turns out it's not that common anymore. Like, you know, it's just common sense of how the government needs to be run. And I think the difference is because he truly is in this for the American people and he truly is trying to make our way of life the best that it possibly can be. Whereas when you have other politicians that need to do opinion polling and figure out what people want to hear about, it's because they're not actually in it for the people. They're in it to try to win their own races. And so they're trying to figure out how do I win my race rather than how do I best serve the people? And Donald Trump is 100 percent aimed at serving the American people and making sure that the power of the American government is restored to the American people. And people are getting it. They get it. And you don't have to do big surveys. He just understands what they need because he's in it for their best interest. And it's unique because most politicians are in it for their own best interest and he's not clearly, clearly he's not in it for his own best interest It's true as I said I've heard him speeches, why am I doing this, life will be easier but I'm doing it because it's the right thing to do. You don't usually hear those words from politicians. Christina I really appreciate you coming on, I know you're exceptionally busy with the RNC campaign. I really appreciate you coming on and really encourage, the the links will be in the description for your book 'stealing your vote' and if the viewers, listeners want to delve into and remind themselves what happened in 2020 that is a perfect place to go so thank you so much for joining us Christina. Thank you so much for having me.
Brent Downing is a Sergeants Major in the United States Marine Corps. He has done many things in his career, starting as an 0331 Machine Gunner in 1st battalion 4th Marines. Shortly after checking into the Battalion, Lance Corporal Downing was deployed to Kuwait and In March of 2003, crossed the line of departure into Iraq during the initial invasion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Lance Corporal Downing would take part in several combat engagements fighting against the Iraqi army as well as their elite Republican Guard and Fedayeen forces from Al-Nasiriyah to Baghdad. In 2004 Lance Corporal Downing returned to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), serving as a machine gun squad leader. In August 2004, Lance Corporal Downing led a squad of machine gunners in an intense three day long battle against Muqtada Al-Sadr's Mahdi army in the Najaf cemetery. For his actions, Lance Corporal Downing was subsequently awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device and would later be promoted to the rank of Corporal. Following the return from a second combat tour in Iraq, Corporal Downing checked into Headquarters Battery, 11th Marines and served as the Substance Abuse Control Officer (SACO) for approximately one year. Before leaving active duty in June 2006, Corporal Downing would be promoted to the rank of Sergeant. In January 2007, then Sergeant Downing checked into Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines serving as the machine gun section leader. In April of 2008, Sergeant Downing was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 2011, Staff Sergeant Downing deployed with the battalion to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Platoon Sergeant of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines. While conducting combat operations in Afghanistan, 2nd Platoon was responsible for seizing over two tons of illegal narcotics from the Taliban during aerial interdiction missions and participated in several multi-battalion operations during the course of the deployment. Since that time he has Been in various leadership roles and training Marines. In June of 2022, after being selected to the rank of Sergeant Major, SgtMaj Downing was assigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major of 2d Battalion, 14th Marines, a HIMARS rocket Battalion located in Grand Prairie, Texas.
This week's episode of Urban Valor shines a spotlight on Bryan Buckley, a Marine veteran with a remarkable story. Hailing from Doylestown, PA, Bryan's early years were dominated by football, a sport in which he excelled, securing two state championships. His path seemed set on football until the events of 9/11 shifted his focus dramatically. Motivated by a sense of duty, Bryan joined the Marine Corps as an officer, where he served in various capacities including the infantry, Force Recon, and as a Marine Raider within the Marine Special Operations Command. In this episode, Bryan shares his experiences of intense combat against the Taliban in Afghanistan's dangerous Helmand province, highlighting the challenges they faced, the losses they suffered, and the solemn duty of returning home with fallen heroes.Remember to LIKE this video if you found it informative, enjoyable, or just to show your support to Tommy and/or us at Urban Valor.Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well!SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who take the share and tell their story, AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday!Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories.#military #urbanvalor #war #warstories #veteran
Our favorite episodes are always the ones where we get to talk to Veterans of the military. On this episode we sit down with a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan war from 2008-2009. Vincenzo Chambrone served in the United States Marine Corps as an 0351 Infantry Assaultman with 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines. We let him tell his story, but we take a deep focus on his time in the Now-Zad District of Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Vincenzo was involved in the 4-day battle of Dahaneh also referred to as Operation Eastern Resolve II. If you want to reach out to Vincenzo to ask him any questions or link up with him because YOU also were involved in this operation, his email is vchambrone@gmail.com send him some love. If you haven't already done so, please rate and review our show. Links to our Patreon, Mailing List, Merch Store, Website, and social media are all below. Thank you for being here and enjoy Battle Buddies. If you want some literature about the same men, here is a link to the book written by a fellow comrade of Vincenzo: https://www.latahbooks.com/blank-1/freaks-of-a-feather-a-marine-grunt-s-memoir https://www.foxnews.com/world/dragons-egg-marines-who-guarded-saddams-mysterious-bunker-fear-weapons-unleashed (0:00-02:56) Kevin's Preface (03:40-13:51) What is an 0351? (13:52-19:08) Training for Deployment (19:09-30:40) Iraq 2008 (30:41-01:05:29) Battle of Dahaneh (01:05:30-01:08:56) Coping Mechanisms Patreon https://www.patreon.com/BattleBuddiesPodcast Mailing List https://mailchi.mp/788c3299059d/battlebuddiespodcast Merch Store https://37bd21-5.myshopify.com/ Website https://battlebuddiespod.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/battle_buddies_pod/ X https://twitter.com/BattleBuddies4 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebattlebuddiespod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebattlebuddiespod/support
If you're looking for a truly authentic insight into entrepreneurship, look no further than this week's episode. Gareth is joined by Tom O'Sullivan, ex-army veteran and founder of software development company Animus Bytes, and the pair candidly discuss Tom's journey from battlefield to business meeting. Tom's leadership journey began in Helmand Province, where he was stationed during his time in the military and led a team of 90 soldiers. After his departure, his interest in risk and security lead him to the realm of cybersecurity and the technology space. At Animus Bytes, Tom and his team are currently working on an application called Migrant Watch, where vulnerable people at sea can be detected and rescued using AI, machine learning and NLP technology. From walking away from his own business that was no longer serving him, to realising his passions and starting over with Animus Bytes, Tom's tech journey is emblematic of the trials and tribulations that are faced by founders everywhere. This episode is jampacked with stellar leadership advice, meditation tips and all-round interesting anecdotes— it's not to be missed! Timestamps What does good leadership mean to Tom? (02:26) Lessons learned from Tom's time in the army (05:20) Mindful meditation (09:15) Starting a cybersecurity start-up (17:02) Facing failure as a founder (22:57) What is Animus Bytes? (27:45) How Animus Bytes is combatting the migration problem (30:35) The similarities between AI and nuclear weapons (45:18) Tom's advice to his pre-military self (53:25)
Unexplained Rerun In July 2009, at the height of war in Afghanistan, US and British forces struggle to get to grips with fighting a mostly invisible enemy, while simultaneously trying to win the hearts and minds of the people whose land they have invaded. As part of Operation Khanjar, the US government's latest roll of the dice in their efforts to beat back the influence of the Taliban in Helmand Province, 4000 marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment have been deployed to the region. Among them are eight Marines, tasked with occupying a strange and isolated observation post, known simply as The Rock. Their war is about to get far stranger than they could ever have imagined. Go to twitter @unexplainedpod, facebook.com/unexplainedpodcast or unexplainedpodcast.com for more info. Thank you for listening.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Brian Russell returns to the Cognitive Crucible to discuss his latest article: The Tie that Binds – Cyberspace as the Core of All Domain Maneuver Warfare. Research Question: Brian Russell asks the following: how to assess the effectiveness and risk of employing AI generated cyber weapons: AI on the AI so to speak. There are two resources: Phoenix Cast Cyber Fires Episode Dr. Christopher Whyte's piece in the latest Cyber Defense Review titled Beyond "Bigger, Faster, Better:" Assessing Thinking About Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Conflict. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #13 Brian Russell on Behind Enemy Lines #132 Brian Russell on OIE Truths The Tie that Binds – Cyberspace as the Core of All Domain Maneuver Warfare by Brian Russell Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture (JCWA) Expeditionary Cyberspace Operations, Paul Schuh, Cyber Defense Review Beyond “Bigger, Faster, Better:” Assessing Thinking About Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Conflict by Dr. Christopher Whyte Cyber Fires, Phoenix Cast PW Singer and Emerson T Brooking, Foreign Affairs) Gaza and the Future of Information Warfare Wiring the Winning Organization: Liberating Our Collective Greatness through Slowification, Simplification, and Amplification by Gene Kim and Steven J. Spear Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Brian Russell is the founder of Information Advantage and a Key Terrain Cyber Senior Fellow. He is a retired Marine Corps artillery officer, with previous assignments as the commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (II MIG) and 1st ANGLICO. His combat deployments include serving as the Military Transition Team Leader in Habbaniyah, Iraq, the executive officer of Brigade Headquarters Group in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and Plans Director in Bagram, Afghanistan. Some of his notable staff assignments include: Operations Directorate at Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Operations Directorate at United States Cyber Command, and U.S. Plans Directorate at Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command. He recently joined Peraton as a Cyber and Information Warfare subject matter expert. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Shownotes and Transcript Tera Dahl has just returned from 3 weeks in Israel where she was reporting for Real America's Voice and Bannon's WarRoom. Tera returns to Hearts of Oak to share her time travelling throughout the country. She spent time with soldiers from the IDF, with civilians who are regularly having to use their shelters for protection and with those living in Gaza. Tera has seen the war up close and her experiences are fresh and raw. Tera Dahl served as Senior Advisor in the Conflict, Prevention and Stabilization Bureau (CPS) at USAID as a political appointee during the Trump Administration. She also served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the National Security Council (NSC) working in the White House under the Trump Administration. She has advised members of congress, staff, and policymakers on complex national security and foreign policy issues. She served as a national security senior advisor to Congresswoman and former Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. She has travelled extensively overseas to areas of conflict and war, raising awareness and reporting from an on-the-ground and frontline perspective, giving a voice to the voiceless. She has helped produce several documentaries going into dangerous situations to uncover the truth and shine a light on darkness. She has spent time camping out on the frontlines embedded with the Peshmerga forces in Northern Iraq during the war against ISIS, on the frontlines with the IDF on the Gaza border, backpacking through the jungles of Burma with fleeing and persecuted Burmese ethnics, and has embedded with U.S. Marines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. She has travelled to Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria and throughout the Middle East providing humanitarian and medical assistance. She volunteered with the American Red Cross to serve and support U.S. troops overseas during the Global War on Terrorism. Follow Tera on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tera_dahl/ Interview recorded 11.12.23 Connect with Hearts of Oak... WEBSITE https://heartsofoak.org/ PODCASTS https://heartsofoak.podbean.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA https://heartsofoak.org/connect/ Support Hearts of Oak by purchasing one of our fancy T-Shirts.... SHOP https://heartsofoak.org/shop/ *Special thanks to Bosch Fawstin for recording our intro/outro on this podcast. Check out his art https://theboschfawstinstore.blogspot.com/ and follow him on GETTR https://gettr.com/user/BoschFawstin and X https://twitter.com/TheBoschFawstin?s=20 Transcript (Hearts of Oak) Tera Dahl, it's wonderful to have you back with us. Thanks so much for joining us today. (Tera Dahl) Thank you, Peter, for having me. Always good to have you. Of course, people can catch you on somewhere where I never delve, which is Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/tera_dahl/ That I think is the best place to find you, Tera. Yes, it is. Yeah. Apart from on War Room regularly and Real America's Voice. Real America's Voice. Obviously, all of that. And I know that many of the viewers will have seen your couple of weeks actually long postings from Israel and I'm really delighted that you made the time today to come on and to share some of those experiences because I think you talked to a lot of commentators, military experts, politicians, but actually to talk to someone who's been there on the ground is fairly rare, I think. So, I'm looking forward to finding out, but to tell us how do you get there? I guess you don't just get a, there are lots of flights cancelled. So I guess it's not just a case of going and booking a ticket with any regular airline, is it? You can get there. I went to Greece and then from Athens, then I flew into Israel, but the airlines are limited now. Definitely the US airlines are limited, they do not fly out of Israel. There's options to fly There's a lot of flights still that are coming in and out, but the airport in Tel Aviv was very quiet, but there was more, I think more people and more flights than I anticipated. Okay, what was the conversation? Cause you're, you're no stranger to going to, to war zones. when I was last over after my WarRoom slot, Steve was regaling me with stories of him talking to you in far flung places. So I guess most people would think, oh, it sounds a bit iffy, but for you, it's part of the job, I guess. Yeah, I was in Israel. I have been. I was in Israel in 2014 to cover the Gaza conflict, the war between Israel and Hamas in 2014 for Breitbart News. And that's when I really saw like I had been traveling around the Middle East during the Arab Spring. I had been to Afghanistan and Iraq, really, you know, on the ground with the war on terrorism, but especially especially during the Arab Spring prior to going to Israel in 2014. And really, I just kind of fell into that because I was on the ground in Egypt during the counter revolution when you had the 30 million Egyptians go to the street to call for Mohammed Morsi's ouster, the Muslim Brotherhood's ouster in Egypt. And I saw the way that the media was portraying that situation and how the media was impacting our policy. And I saw that it was impacting the Pentagon. It was impacting Congress because that's how they viewed it. That was their lens on the situation. And so that's how I started to really understand the need for accurate reporting on the ground. Because unless you're on the ground and you really understand the dynamics, you just read what the headlines are. And then you follow the headlines and then you base your decisions upon the headlines. So when you look at Israel, you look at the headlines, you look at the mainstream media. And it always has been going back to 2014 and going back to the Arab Spring and just the coverage from the mainstream media has been pro-Islamist. And that's what I noticed. I noticed that back in 2012, 2013, they were very much pro-Muslim brotherhood. And so when you look at Israel, you look at the war with Hamas, obviously Hamas is the military arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. That is the mainstream media and the angle of it has been very pro-Hamas and anti-Israel, restraining Israel. And so it was so important when I was there in 2014 because I saw that how the mainstream media and a lot of times they report from Gaza. So you have the mainstream media reporters that are actually in Gaza. Well, if you're reporting from Gaza and you're surrounded by Hamas, you're not going to be very pro-Israel. It's going to impact your reporting because you're afraid for your life for one thing. But you also have, it's just the angle of the mainstream media. And so going on the ground for this war, I knew because I had already covered the Middle East conflicts in the war that it's so important to get that perspective, because of you can't just follow the headlines and you're seeing how tainted it is for an example at the hospitals. You know how Hamas uses hospitals and then when Israel hits back at the hospital. Then it's Israel's fault and they get charged with war crimes. Well, actually Hamas uses hospitals and schools for their military headquarters and they launched their rocket attacks from the hospitals, from the schools, and they used the children. And so, Peter, when I went there, I knew it's so important to be able to get on the ground and to be able to write accurately of what's happening. And that's exactly what I saw. And that definitely was worthwhile because it changes your perspective. Can I just ask you, just before getting on to what it was like there, I'm sure the viewers would be curious in how you prep for that, because you're not going into a normal environment. It's not just a tourist or a journalist going to report on an event. It's into a very dangerous situation. How do you prepare? Was it that you had contacts before? Is it Real America's voice making those contacts? Because obviously you don't want to land on the ground and then begin to spend your time building up those contacts and knowing who to speak to. So how do you kind of go about preparing for that? I think with any time that I've travelled overseas in the Middle East, you know contacts, you reach out to them, you reach out to your mutual friends that have contacts in Israel, and then you just kind of start with who you know, and then you build off of that. And that's exactly what, too, on this trip. You have your contacts that I've had through my friends here, and then you let people know that you're coming over, I've been there before, and then you just build on that. And when you're on the ground, it just opens up opportunities because you just build your contacts, your networking on the ground. And one of the important parts of that was going up into the north. I was able to go up into the northern part of Israel with the Christian community. So I wasn't only, I was able to see, spend time with the Arab Muslims that are joining the IDF. I spoke with them. I spoke with the Christian community that also served in the IDF. And of course, the majority of the Jewish community, but I was able to get all those different perspectives. So when we talk about building those contacts, it's important that you meet with all sides. And I've always done that. Like when I went to Syria, as well, I met with the opposition first, who were trying to overthrow Assad, and then I went into Damascus and saw the other side. So that's kind of just how I've always done it is and I depend on the locals, I mean, for someone, I guess, as a woman, going by myself. I definitely, you know, you just have to have your faith in God, and then you just trust people, and you just build contacts and you just build relationships. And what were you kind of expecting when you went out? Because this current situation is simply because Israel have not dealt with the problem previously. And this time Netanyahu I think feels and probably has to actually deal with Hamas living on their border. But what were you kind of expecting when you went over? Because I guess every war situation is different. The relationships with the countries around, the population. The sleeper cells they have, there are so many moving parts to the situation. And what kind of were you expecting before you headed out? I think I knew what to anticipate because I had been there to cover it previously, so I knew what to expect. But as far as when we talk about preparing for this, like going into Israel, you would think there's so many people that were traveling there. I think one of the highest tourism times before everything got cancelled, it was just they were packed with tours. And one thing that is always, since I went there before a couple times, and then now this trip, is that Israel is constantly living under siege. So as, you know, like for me going to visit during a war time, this is the normal for them, Peter. This is how they live. They live under siege. They live every single house, every building, since you land in the airport, has a shelter. No matter where you are, every single place you're at, whether it's a restaurant, whether it's a home, if it's a school, if it's a playground, they all have shelters. And just think about how abnormal that is, is that they get hit. Since Hamas launched the attack on October 7th, they've been hit with 10,000 rockets from Hamas. 10,000 rockets. But it is the normal life for them. And the Iron Dome intercepts the majority of them. But when the Iron Dome does not intercept them, the shrapnel kills people. If that rocket hits, that can take out like a huge, that could kill so many people, those rockets, and they take, you know, you take it for granted because of the Iron Dome. But there's multiple times, even like when I was there for my limited time, that if it wasn't for the Iron Dome, you know, you would have probably, you would have been hit by that, you would have been impacted by the shrapnel. But it's that's not normal. So what they consider normal is not normal. So they constantly so like for me to say, you go over there and it looks like, wow, you're going into a war zone. That's how they live. You know, that's how they live every day of their lives. Their children have to play in playgrounds that are actually shelters because they want the kids to make it, you know, they don't want kids to feel like they're constantly under war and to live in fear. So what they do is they build their playgrounds as shelters. So when the kids are playing in the tunnels, it's actually a shelter for the kids. And so they only have a few seconds when they hear those sirens go off to be able to go into their shelters But that's normal for them So that's something that like it never surprises me just to see how they live their normal their daily lives going to school. Going to their synagogues. Just living their lives going to work and but yet they're constantly under rocket attack, constantly. And even the day after that I left, there was a terrorist attack right in Jerusalem. And that's just, that's how they live. Well, in Israel, there are different parts of the society which engage in this situation differently. You have the military. Maybe you want to just give us some of your thoughts or experiences you were talking to the military, because they are actually on the front line. They're the ones that are trying to remove this, which has been a continual threat against Israel, Hamas. And I saw some of the interviews you had with different individuals in the military. Tell us about those conversations with the military. Well, I think the military is they're very much focused and they're determined and they're resolute on eliminating Hamas. And they're not only on eliminating Hamas, but also Hezbollah. You have to keep in mind too that Hezbollah there's 60 000 Israeli citizens that were evacuated out of the north and another 70 000 that were evacuated out of the south and they're all living in the hotels right now. So you have tens of thousands over, almost 200,000 Israeli citizens that are evacuated right now because of the threat from Hamas and because of the threat from Hezbollah. And so, but their perspective, what they were saying is that they're first focusing on Hamas and they're going to eliminate Hamas because just like in 2014, when they were resolute on eliminating Hamas, and then because of the international pressure, a lot because of the Obama administration. They pulled back and they stopped. Well, look what's happened now, look at what has happened because they didn't finish Hamas back in 2014 or 2021 again and then look at how they use that ceasefire from 2021 basically Hamas was in a ceasefire since 2021 and instead of honouring that ceasefire they used it to rebuild rearm and and plan October 7 and so that's what happens when they say a ceasefire They're rebuilding and rearming and then that's what happened. So you have no option. The military has no option. Israel has no option but to eliminate Hamas and they also have the threat from Hezbollah. So we just to keep in mind to that Hezbollah had, so Hamas used Hezbollah's plan that they have had for over 10 years to invade northern Israel and take hundreds of Israelis hostage, which would put pressure then on the Western countries. That was their plan. And they did drills. They did, planned, like they did the planned training. Previously, back in May 2023, there's video of Hezbollah doing these mock trainings, where it was the same attack that Hamas did on October 7th. And so Hezbollah is a greater threat than Hamas. But the threat right now, the immediate threat, from what my understanding is, is Hamas. They have to eliminate Hamas first, but they will have to deal with Hezbollah. And they'll have to go back to the UN 1701, where Hezbollah is north of Israel. So they're not on the Israeli border and it has to be enforced by the UN but they're gonna have to deal with the threat from Hezbollah because they have the same plan and those, Thousands of Israelis will not move back home until the threat from Hezbollah is completely eliminated as well. So they are getting attacked on all fronts and not to mention the attacks that are coming from the West Bank as well. And that's what I've heard too is that you know, people are asking why how did they miss it the intelligence failure? And it was the biggest intelligence failure. They're saying since 1973. Well, they were focused so much on the West Bank. They were focused so much on the threat from Hezbollah. And they were also allowing thousands and thousands of the Gazan civilians to come in every single day on work visas. And those Gazans that were coming in on work visas turned against Israel. And a lot of them were the ones that were mapping out the exact locations for Hamas's attack on October 7th. So that's what I learned talking to people. Probably one of the most things that I took away was that they realized how wrong they were for this two-state solution, and living in peace side by side because they totally use what they were given to the Gazan civilians because the Gazan civilians, 70% of them support Hamas, and they use that against Israel. And they use that opportunity where they were coming in on work visas, getting money, and they were the ones to turn against Israel and with all of the maps and the locations and commit that atrocious attack. So that is another takeaway, but I have a lot to say on the Gazan civilians too. Well, let me touch on, there's just one other thing you talked about, the military and the country, I guess, was living in a false sense of security because the borders have been fairly peaceful. You've got economic relationships warming up between countries around. And you haven't actually, it's been a long time since I remember hearing of a suicide bomber in Israel on buses or trains which used to hear of fairly often. That seems to be have been eradicated and with the borders more secure than before. Was it simply just a false sense of security? Israel thinking actually we've got economic benefits. And that's going to trump any in-built religious hatred which exists. Yeah, I think it was a false sense of security. And I think a lot too was that they were allowing those, the Gazans to come in on those work visas. And they just didn't think that they would do something, you know, to turn against them when they were allowing so thousands and thousands of them to come in. And one of the, what really stuck out to me was the kibbutz's that were the most attacks, the worst attack that took place, the majority of them were the kind of thinking they call them the liberal, the leftist, because they were, they were the ones reaching out, you know, to the Gazan civilians, to Hamas. Some of them, one example was a lady who used, not only one lady, but there were other women as well, that would, for years, would bring in the civilians to the hospitals and take care of the children in Gaza, and they murdered her. And they murdered a lot of the people at the kibbutz who were the ones that believed that you could live side by side, the ones that believed that you could have that peace. And that is something that even people that believed for years and years and had been involved in some of the peace agreements. They said that was their biggest eye-opener, is how wrong they were, how wrong they were that you could have that two-state solution, and live side-by-side because they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. And that was a big wake-up call. And that's why I think the perspective is so different. And I heard that there has never been more of a unity within Israel to annihilate and eliminate Hamas than there is now. They said over 99% of Israel is all unified, that you have to eliminate Hamas. So not only Hamas, but Hezbollah in the north as well. Let me come back to you on Israeli failing. You mentioned you've got a lot to say on the actual people living in Gaza. I don't even want to call them Palestinians, but I will not even delve down that rabbit hole. But those living in Gaza, they seem to, well, the world seems to want to blame Israel for the problems happening in Gaza under Hamas and the world doesn't seem to actually have any issues with Hamas being the government and democracy not functioning all of that and and it seems as though the people there certainly the media tell us that all their ire and anger is against Israel for their problems and not against Hamas. Tell us about kind of what the conversations, what you learned about actually those people living in Gaza. That was something that I learned right away when we were at the kibbutz. They were talking about how people aren't mentioning, and they weren't talking about the 3,000 Gazan civilians that broke in and breached the wall after Hamas made the initial breach. There were thousands of Gazan civilians, Palestinians, that came in and they stole trucks from the kibbutz's, and they stole and they looted within. They took TVs and they stole things and those were the civilians. And so you see all these pro-Palestinian protests and they're not pro-Palestinian. If they were pro-Palestinian, why doesn't Jordan take them in? Why doesn't Egypt take them in? Why don't these Arab countries take in these Palestinians that they seem to care so much about? Why? They don't want them. Nobody wants the Palestinians because they're 70% pro-Hamas and they're indoctrinated since they're children, which I'd love to touch on the UNHCR funding too, the UN funding where this indoctrination is happening at the schools and it's being funded by the US, by the EU, by the European countries, right? By the Western world for this indoctrination in these schools that is bringing up these little kids to kill Israelis. So the Arab countries, they don't want them, But yet, in the whole world, everybody, it seems to be pro-Palestinian, but they're not pro-Palestinian. They're pro-Hamas and they're anti-Israel. That's what that is. So I don't even call them pro-Palestinian rallies or protests. That's not what they are. They're not pro-Palestinian. They're anti-Israel and they're pro-Hamas. Yeah, we've seen that here. The people there, because the media can tell us that it's sad that the people in Gaza, and obviously you have many civilians caught up in this, civilians on both sides and no one wants a war situation. It's not good for any country but Israel didn't choose this. But you look at the people in Gaza and on one side it's the poor people there, they're living under a difficult government but you've been to Arab Spring, different demonstrations. I know I've had many conversations with those who had lived behind the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe. You have uprisings, you have people uprising to overthrow those above them. And that may not be easy. And maybe me speaking as a Brit, it's easy for me to say that, but that's how history works. And surely the same thing should work in Gaza. If the people are unhappy with those above them, then they should overthrow them. Yeah. And I think actually you're seeing more of that right now. You're seeing where these Hamas members are surrendering in the masses. And I think you're seeing more of the people starting to turn against Hamas. But even like when you look at the statistics and the polling, you have 73% of the people that live in Gaza, the Palestinians, they support Hamas. They're Hamas sympathizers. And a lot of that has to do with the indoctrination and the schooling since they're kids. You see the videos of these children who have, you know, machine guns and they're taught and they're raised to just hate Israelis and they're honoured if they murder Israelis and that's their indoctrination. So you've got to break that ideology. You know, you can definitely eliminate Hamas as an organization, but it's an ideology that you really have to come against, which we've done in the past. You know, look at what we did with Germany and Japan. So you can come against an ideology and that's what you have to do. And so that is, yeah, that is a whole different conversation. Looking at how the people live, that is all, as you pointed out, it's all funded by the West. That perpetual hatred, that perpetual tension, when we have politicians talk about they want peace, but at the same time they're funding a terror organisation and keeping that pocket of evil right on the edge ready to kick off. You're right it does seem to be that the West are guilty of what has happened. The UN is funding it. The UN is funding that ideology. The Western world is funding it. The United States is funding it and under the Trump administration they cut that funding to UNRWA. They cut the hundreds of millions of dollars to UNHCR and Biden immediately restarted that funding again. And that funding goes directly to Hamas and it goes directly to funding that ideology and that's taking place in that school. So if you want to start with one thing to cut, which we could do right now, is eliminate UNHCR, completely eliminate UNHCR, and cut that funding that's going to UNHCR. But right now they're launching, UNHCR has literally launched a Hamas campaign. That's what they're doing. They are the spokespeople for Hamas and when you look them up and you look at the campaign that they're doing right now. You will see how they are basically launching a campaign and it's with US funding and it's with UN funding. So just think of that. We're funding Hamas's campaign. UNHCR, tell us what that stands for. UN Refugee Program Agency. Okay, that does explain a lot. You mentioned about the Israeli people and a unity behind the government and the military. That hasn't always been the case, and certainly I've seen a lot of self-hatred, maybe mostly from Israelis and Jews who live abroad and look back. But with that unity, then that possibly does mean the job can be done. May tell us about that, your conversations with people. About the unity that's happening in Israel right now? That is something they said, They're 99% unified and Israel too, they were having, they were so divided pre, and this other people will say, well, because the country was so divided before the Hamas attack over the judicial reforms. That was the big focus in Israel. That was really dividing the country. But after this Hamas attack, everyone has been saying they have never seen more unity. And when you get to Israel, that's what you see. You see the Israeli flags all over the country, every building, all the roads. I mean, every car has an Israeli flag. It's that, like you're unified. It was like, it reminded me of September 11th, you know, after September 11th, every single American flag was sold out. Everybody was unified. They were against terrorism and they were unified as a nation and a world. The whole global community was unified. And that's where I don't understand why you're not seeing that now with Hamas attack. Hamas is ISIS. Hamas is ISIS. It's the same funding, it's the same ideology, it's the same groups, the same kind of the countries that are behind it, the terrorist organization, the tactics, the beliefs, the ideology, all of it's the same. So Hamas is ISIS. And the attacks that they did against the Israeli citizens when they killed babies, when they cut open pregnant women, when they raped women multiple times and then burn their bodies, they beheaded people. I mean, that's ISIS. You can't even fathom having anyone that would even think that they could support Hamas right now or support ISIS. Just think of that if you had ISIS supporters, think of the difference in the perspective that you would see if you had all of these students protesting for ISIS, you wouldn't see that. And if you held ISIS beliefs, you would be prosecuted, right? The FBI is going to be hunting at your door if you showed any kind of sympathy with ISIS. But why are they not doing that with Hamas? Hamas is ISIS. Hamas is a designated terrorist organization. They come from the same sources. There's no difference in them, but yet we're allowing this like pro-Hamas. Even in our campuses, sentiment. I mean, you should have the FBI at the door, even having that, just like it was with ISIS. You should have that same mentality towards Hamas. There's no reason in the 21st century to have a terrorist organization that commits those kind of barbaric, inhumane acts. I mean, there's just no, there's no space for that. There should be zero tolerance for that. And the world should be united as we were all united with the United States on 9-11 when we all came together, you know, for the war on global terrorism. That's what we're dealing with. This is a global war on terrorism. That's what we're fighting right now. And there should be no divide in that. And yet you're seeing it all over, especially in the UK. Oh yeah, in the UK. I want to pick up on some of the military in the north and Hezbollah and surrounding, but let me ask you about that world support or pressure, how the media have responded. Europe have always had a very uneasy relationship with Israel. Europe have traditionally sided with Arab nations against Israel. America is quite different and America has generally been a bastion of support for Israel right from the beginning, from the modern day state. But what is that like because you have in campuses, as you see here I guess in the States, a lot of pro-Hamas, pro-Palestinian, because people don't know any better. But generally the media, up until, they're still generally holding to be more pro-Israel, although you see that beginning to slip. And with the BBC, it maybe lasted a few days before it slipped, but I think in the US, it's lasted a lot longer. Tell us about that, because not only is there a military war but there's a PR and media war as well. Yeah, and that was where I think it's starting to shift. I think right away there was all of that pressure and people saw that. I think the social media, China was behind a lot of that on TikTok. They were fomenting a lot of that anti-Israel. I think China was a lot behind that, especially on TikTok social media. But I think you're seeing it start to swing now. And I think because people, when they see the videos and when they see it themselves, I think you can't defend it like it was so barbaric and inhumane what they did. No one can defend it so I think that's the difference that you're seeing and that's why it's starting to shift is because It is ISIS and when you when you see what how just that's why, when Hamas did this like 2014 when they launched the rockets and the war in 2014 it was very different because you just look at what, they targeted civilians, they targeted babies, they targeted women, and then they kidnapped them, they kidnapped babies, they kidnapped young little kids. And so that I think people are seeing that anyone that is a human being, right, that has any kind of understanding or emotion, common sense, you have to condemn it. There's just zero tolerance for that. And I think people are starting to see that. And that's why it's important for the actual videos and the reporting to happen, because Hamas is launching this massive information campaign, massive information war, which they've always done. You know, they've always done. And that's why you're seeing even pushback on the mainstream media. You know, when just for a perfect example, I think several weeks ago when you had, Shiva hospital and it was and they were saying that it was Israel that hit it right and it was Hamas but yet look at the condemnation because of the false reporting and they had to push back and to be able to report the truth and you have members of Congress. Rashid Talib, you know who was still not even believing Israel when all the evidence was there, even when the Biden administration themselves, you know came out and said no it wasn't Israel. It was Hamas you know, you still had a member of Congress who was coming out there and spewing these lies against Israel because she's, you know, she's part of that false campaign against Israel. And so I think you can't dispute the evidence. You just can't. No matter what, you just cannot dispute the evidence. And I think that's the information war that Israel is, they still have to battle it. They absolutely have to battle it. And that's why it was important to go on the ground too, because you have to see it yourself. You've got to report it first-hand. And if people were to see what I saw in the kibbutz's and what I heard, that's what will change your perspective. That's what will make you see. And that's why it is so important for the media to report it accurately. Tera, you touched on the opposition in the left in politics, in the media, and we see that as well in Europe and the UK and our media is dominated by those on the left and politics that are on the left. But we're all seeing another curious, I guess, voice come up and that's the voices that have appeared over the last kind of three, three and a half years on the COVID tyranny, demanding freedoms, angry at the restrictions we faced. And there's a lot of anger amongst that group, certainly against Israel, because of how it locked down more than anyone else before. It only allowed one vaccine to be used, the Pfizer vaccine. You didn't have any right to have anything else. It seemed to be a test bed, an experiment. And I think a lot of that anger against Israel, what's happened the last three, four years under that tyranny, has boiled over into hatred of Israel and Jewish haters. And I've realised a lot of those groups are maybe more in the left and they've traditionally had that hatred of Israel. And you see it popping up time and time again, groups that I would be surprised at. I don't know where, are you having that in the US or is the opposition traditionally from the left on the politics and the media? The left and the politics and the media. I think you have, the United States, you have such strong support for Israel. The evangelical church supports Israel. Democrats, Republicans, it's really dividing the Democratic Party. You've got very staunch pro-Israel Democrats, and the Republican Party has always been very pro-Israel. And so I think you do see it on the left. I think you do see it in that more of the Muslim Brotherhood, I think, influence the college campuses is probably the loudest where it's coming from. But again, that's where you have to look at the sources of that. I don't think it comes from the COVID lockdowns. If you're pro-Israel, you know, you just, for me, it's my faith, you know, God will bless Israel. Those that bless Israel be blessed. Those that curse Israel be cursed. And so you support Israel. And it's not because of who the politicians are, it's not who's in office at the time, it's because God blesses those that bless Israel, and you stand with Israel. And it's a biblical mandate. And I know that's where my position stems from, is I'm going to honour God, and I'm going to stand with Israel. And it's not because of the politicians or who's in power or what their policies are. I agree, that's 100% of where I come from, happily call myself a Christian Zionist because of what the Bible teaches. But then you talk to a non-Christian and you say, well, do you pick Hamas or Israel? Take your choice and don't tell me you want to live in Israel because of freedoms, but really want to hate Israel. And that's, yeah, wanting the freedoms, but yet hating it. It's like wanting a pride parade through Gaza. Well, go for it. You could be the first, and I want to be there to film it and see what happens. You have tolerance and freedom in one country across the board, and yet across the border, not only across the border into Gaza, but in West Bank, in many of the surrounding countries, you have little freedoms. Yeah, yeah, you do, you do. But they're a young country, 75 years old. And so they're still growing and like when you look at Israel, it's a miracle, right? Like it's an absolute miracle everything about Israel is miraculous. It was a desert and it's turned into a green land and is you know rivers and streams and lush and green trees and even just being there and you just see how beautiful Israel is and it's the hand of God and it's miraculous and there's no way that anything that Israel could have existed if it wasn't for God's providence in that country and his hand in doing it. 100%. You touched on, just coming near the end, you touched on the north and obviously the Gaza Strip is southwest. You've got the West Bank to the east and you've got up there in the northern border, Lebanon and Syria. You've got two countries which are failed states in effect and with Hezbollah. I mean for a country and a military to be fighting war on one side, but yet they must be ready and prepared at a moment's notice to open up that on a second front. It's horrendous, horrendous pressure and so far it has held off on the North, but as you say, they will have to deal with that. But the Israeli military have shown time and time again that they are able to fight on many fronts, in 48 and in 73, to attack, to fight on every single front and to be able to push that back. But that kind of, maybe touch on that, that constant state of readiness that has to be there. Everything can't just go to Gaza, it has to be prepared, not only in the North Hezbollah, but also on the West Bank border as well. And they are, you know, when I was there too, the IDF was, Hezbollah would launch rockets at Israel and Israel would respond. So they're well positioned to be able to respond to Hezbollah, to be able to eliminate the threat from Hezbollah. Just from what, you know, like, what I was told is that they're going to focus on the closest threat, the immediate threat, and that's eliminating Hamas, because, and that's also a quicker operation than Hezbollah. Hezbollah has about 150,000 rockets. They are a much, much stronger, well-equipped, dangerous force than Hamas. Obviously, they're backed by Iran. But the one thing I think that Israel has right now is like the U.S. Warships have been deployed, and they're not doing, actually, they're not doing the deterrence that they should do. Obviously, our troops in the region have been attacked now, over 70 times every day they're adding to the attacks that are going on right now. So the US needs to do much more deterrence to hold Iran at bay and to prevent Hezbollah from joining the war fully. But I think what's the number one thing right now that is preventing Hezbollah is that Lebanon and the civilians in Lebanon do not want Hezbollah to join the war because they're the ones that will be eliminated. And just like Hamas uses the schools and the civilians and the homes as their headquarters, as their military headquarters, and they hold their rockets and that's where they launch all their attacks and use it as their headquarters, that's exactly what Hezbollah does in Lebanon. And they do it as well in the Christian communities in Lebanon. Then they use the schools and they hold the civilians hostage and they use the civilians as their hostages just like they do. You don't hear about it as much, but that's exactly what's going on in Lebanon. And that's what Hezbollah is doing. They're hiding their rockets in these schools, in the hospitals. So, Lebanon does not want Hezbollah to join this war. And the civilians don't, because when the IDF, then Hezbollah will launch an attack from a Christian community, a village, or an area. And that happened when I was there. They launched it from a Christian area, and then the IDF will respond. And then it makes it look like the IDF is hitting a church. Well, no. Hezbollah was using that church as their headquarters at their launching pad to launch these rocket attacks. So of course, the IDF is going to respond to eliminate the threat, they have to. But that's the tactics that they use. And so I think if you put pressure on Lebanon, and obviously, the Hezbollah has, you know, power and control in Lebanon, but I think that's where you could really deter Hezbollah. And the UN could deter Hezbollah as well, like they already passed in 2006, the UN Resolution 1701 to be able to push Hezbollah up past the Latani River, so they're not on the Israeli border, but it's not being enforced. Hezbollah attacks the UN forces because there's not enough, they attack them. I've seen the videos of them attacking their trucks. So Hezbollah dominates in that area, and they're not even supposed to be in that area. So there are things already that exist that just are not being enforced that could really prevent from Israel having, or from that the Northern Front, really being an all-out war? Just finish off on, where Israel goes the future, because Israel has to come out of this stronger. It has to come out of this having defeated Hamas, and whatever that means for Gaza, that will have to be for others to decide. But militarily and security-wise, has to come out the stronger. And then politically, how do you see that happening? Because Israeli politics has always been fractured. And what Benjamin Netanyahu, who's the great survivor, being what PM, differences a third or fourth time now since 96. And obviously that has to pass over at some point, kind of how did you pick up on that political, obviously there's support for him, what he's doing, he needs to come out of this with a strong legacy, and I guess someone else has to also come up and continue his, I guess his boldness and determination to fight for Israel's security. So let me just touch on that, that political side, what did you feel coming away from your trip on that? I think Israel will come out stronger. I think that you will see something different in Gaza, Hamas will be eliminated and what that is, I didn't get the sense that Israel wants to take over Gaza. I think they don't want to do that. I think you'll have the sovereignty of Israel, you'll have the sovereignty of Israel involved but will that include security will that include Arab countries, you know, you hear talks about maybe Saudi Arabia the UAE. One country that that I don't think should have any Impact at all is Qatar. Qatar should have absolutely no influence in Gaza because Qatar is the Muslim Brotherhood. They are the problem and they should be sanctioned, you know the international community should be sanctioning Qatar but if you have like an Arab force, if you have a UN peacekeeping force, some kind of security, but it's Israel's sovereignty. Israel should control, it's their country, and they should have the decisions and it should be in their control to decide. It's their civilians, it's their people, it's their responsibility to keep the civilians of Israel safe and defend their country. And so the US, I mean, the pressure from the Biden administration in any kind of way against Israel to have that sovereignty, you know, that needs to be pushed back on and that you need to allow Israel to be able to have that sovereignty. And also I think the sovereignty as well over Judea and Samaria, you know, the Palestinian Authority, it's not okay for Israel to live under siege. That's not normal. And they shouldn't have to live that way. They should be able to eliminate the attacks. I mean, just think if we were in Texas and someone in Mexico, or not someone, cartels were launching attacks with rockets every day at Texan citizens. And they couldn't eliminate the threat, but instead they just had to build around it to protect themselves, right? They just had to build an Iron Dome or a defence system to be able to protect from the rockets. Instead of taking out the cartels who's launching the rockets. It makes no sense, you know, take out the threat. And so that's something that we need to get behind Israel and allow them to do that and to support them in doing that. But I think you will see a safer Israel, you'll see more sovereignty, and they should. And that's where I think the international community, I don't understand their position in pressuring for a two-state solution, because there is no two-state solution. It just doesn't exist because the Palestinian Authority is not, there is no structure. It doesn't even, it doesn't make any sense. A, it's unbiblical, right? It's against God. You don't divide God's land. Again, those that bless Israel, like America's policy, I think, is directly impacted by our decisions to bless Israel. But there is just no common sense, viable option with the Palestinian Authority. They just don't have the financial structure right now, and they want to eliminate Israel as well. Tera, really appreciate you coming along and sharing your thoughts on your trip there. So thank you so much for joining us and sharing the stories you had from your trip. Thanks. Thank you, Peter. It's so good to be with you. Thank you.
When I worked at the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand Province, I was largely based at the Forward Operating Base in Lashkar Gah - the main city of Helmand. There, amid the dust and noise of an active military campaign, there was a small, beautifully tended garden inside the base. I'm going to be honest and say that I was too preoccupied with my own job ever to ask myself who was responsible for its upkeep- even as I enjoyed that little slice of tranquility and beauty almost every day. Had I stopped to find out, I would have learned that the gardener was Shaista Gul, a local Afghan citizen whose hard work created a beautiful garden in the most unlikely place. By talking on this job, Shaista, and the thousands of Afghans, many of them interpreters, that served Britain during its involvement in the NATO mission, became enemies of the Taliban, facing constant threats, and worse, including murder. After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, some lucky Afghans were able to escape on evacuation flights from Kabul. But most were left behind and thousands made their way to Pakistan, including many that had been assured of resettlement in the UK. This month, the government of Pakistan has decided to expel all undocumented Afghans in the country believed to be around 1.5 million people. Of these, around 2,000 have been accepted as eligible to come to Britain in recognition of their past service with our forces. But thanks to a cost-saving policy made by Rishi Sunak last year, these people were kept in Pakistan in preference to bringing them to the UK where the migration system is under acute strain. Now these people, who risked their lives serving our country, find themselves threatened with being returned to Afghanistan by the Pakistani government. The story of Britain's treatment of those Afghans that worked with us during our involvement in that country is the subject of Larisa Brown's book, the Gardener of Lashkar Gah. Larisa is a defence correspondent, currently with The Times and previously working for the Daily Mail. She joined me, just as Pakistan was preparing to start its campaign of expulsions, to talk about Shaista Gul and the wider history of Britain's betrayal of its Afghan friends.You can find Larisa's book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gardener-of-lashkar-gah-9781399411028/ I am on https://arthursnell.substack.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sergeant First Class Chris Corbin entered military service in July 1995. Prior to becoming a Green Beret with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), he served in various Army units such as the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (1995-1999), and the 1st Battalion, and 75th Ranger Regiment (1999-2002). On February 17th, 2011, Corbin was on his third tour to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). That day, he was on patrol with his Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) through a village in the Helmand Province, when he stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and suffered injuries to both legs resulting in a bilateral, below-the-knee (Bilat BK) amputation. On March 24th, 2012, 13 months after his injury, Chris, with his Green Beret father, Master Sergeant Nelson Corbin, ran his first 5K race to benefit the Fisher House on Eglin Air Force Base. His determination and will coupled with the support and motivation provided by his father and teammates enabled Chris to finish his first race in 27 minutes and 34 seconds. Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.hazardground.com/sponsors Shop Amazon! As an Amazon Associate We Earn From Qualifying Purchases...You Know The Deal! (Paid Link) Help grow the show! Spread the word, tell a friend!! Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! Episode Intro Music: “Prelude” by “Silence & Light” (www.silenceandlightmusic.com) Photo Credit: Chris Corbin
Usually we wait a little longer to do follow-up episodes, but a listener story sent in after our first "Haunting in the Military" episode inspired us to get this one out fast. We start by digging into stories of haunting from Air Force bases like Kadena, Fairchild, and Eielson, then we launch into one of the strangest stories we've ever told on this show - a Navy Corpsman's encounter in the far reaches of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.Story Time Codes:Building 2283, Kadena Air Force Base (09:11)More Haunting on Kadena (21:27)Shadows on Kadena (25:38)Alone at Eeilson AFB (28:45)The Goat Man of Fairchild AFB (39:30)The Man in the Chair: A Djinn in Helmand Province (50:20)Full shownotes can be found at www.ghoststoryguys.comOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor and use my code ghoststoryguys50 for a great deal: https://www.factormeals.com/ghoststoryguys50Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-ghost-story-guys4724/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Meet Christina Bobb, author of Stealing Your Vote: The Inside Story of the 2020 Election and What It Means for 2024, is an investigative reporter, attorney, and former television show host and correspondent with One America News Network, where she reported almost exclusively on election integrity. She served in multiple overseas tours including Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and Stuttgart, Germany. After her military service, Ms. Bobb transitioned to private practice at Higgs, Fletcher, & Mack LLP in San Diego, and then to Washington, DC, where she held executive level positions within the Department of Homeland Security. Christina currently serves as attorney for President Donald J. Trump.-------------------------------------Learn how to protect your life savings from inflation and an irresponsible government, with Gold and Silver. Go to www.MilesFranklin.com and enter referral code: GRIT-------------------------------------PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSMike Lindell, founder of My Pillow and My Store is working hard to save America. Get major discounts when you use the promo code ‘GRIT' when shopping atMy Pillow https://www.mypillow.com/GRIT Phone: 800-895-9738My Store https://mystore.com/GRIT Phone: 800-652-9032Help remove parasites from your body: https://parasitefighter.com/Help boost energy, help support your immune system, and improve your mental clarity: https://cardiomiracle.myshopify.com/discount/GRITDiscount code: GRITReAwaken America Tour. Get a discount off your ticket by mentioning promo code: GRIT when you text or call 918-851-0102Get accurate, honest and true news by reading The Epoch Times. Visit: www.IReadEpoch.com Enter promo code GRIT & get your first month for just $1.-------------------------------------STAY IN THE LOOP AND UP TO DATEVisit Website https://patriotswithgrit.com/Help Support Patriots With Grit https://patriotswithgrit.com/donate/Recommend Patriots To Interview https://patriotswithgrit.com/recommend/Grab Some Fun Merch https://patriotswithgrit.com/shop/------------------------------------SUBSCRIBE TO PODCASThttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patriots-with-grit/id1615813244-------------------------------------HANG OUT WITH US ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMSRUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1011237YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/channel/UCPq8tmHN8_Mn1M_wHs8xYiQFACEBOOK Page: https://www.facebook.com/patriotswithgritCLOUTHUB: https://app.clouthub.com/#/users/u/PatriotsWithGrit/postsTELEGRAM: https://t.me/PatriotsWithGritGAB: https://gab.com/PatriotsWithGritTRUTH SOCIAL: https://truthsocial.com/@patriotswithgritLINKS TO ALL SOCIAL MEDIA: http://patriotswithgrit.com/links/-------------------------------------
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ DISAVOWED by USA Today and Amazon Best-Selling Author C. G. CooperOne of the Most Exciting Voices in the Action Thriller Genre
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ DISAVOWED by USA Today and Amazon Best-Selling Author C. G. CooperOne of the Most Exciting Voices in the Action Thriller Genre
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ DISAVOWED by USA Today and Amazon Best-Selling Author C. G. CooperOne of the Most Exciting Voices in the Action Thriller Genre
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ DISAVOWED by USA Today and Amazon Best-Selling Author C. G. CooperOne of the Most Exciting Voices in the Action Thriller Genre
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ DISAVOWED by USA Today and Amazon Best-Selling Author C. G. CooperOne of the Most Exciting Voices in the Action Thriller Genre
Following eight years as a criminal barrister in his home city of Liverpool, Frank worked for a decade in the Balkans and throughout the former Soviet Union in international human rights protection, criminal law reform, and institution building at the highest levels of government. He developed particular expertise in missing persons, human trafficking, and torture prevention. He also served for a number of years as a reserve officer with extensive operational experience retiring as head of his service branch. Later he served as the first ‘Justice Advisor' to the UK Mission in Helmand Province in 2007-2008 and worked in a similar role at the UK Embassy in Libya during and after the war there (2011-12). He has also worked in Ukraine during the current war. He is the author of several books, including the best-selling 'Losing Small Wars' (2017), which was selected as a 'Book of the Year' by the Times and Amazon UK. His 'Aerial Warfare' book (2018) was placed on the RAF 'Chief of Air Staff's Reading list' and was shortlisted as 'Military book of the Year' by Military History Matters' magazine. LINKS: https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/frank-ledwidge https://defenceresnet.org/in-conversation-with-5/ https://www.theguardian.com/profile/frank-ledwidge BOOKS: Losing Small Wars (2017) Aerial Warfare (2018)
On today's special episode we present Metal of Honor recipient and American Hero, Kyle Carpenter's key note speech from our 2023 Street Cop Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. It was our honor to have him speak to over 1700 cops to share his story of heroism, perseverance and resiliency. William "Kyle" Carpenter (born October 17, 1989) is a medically retired United States Marine who received the United States' highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010. Kyle Carpenter was the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient at the time. Kyle grew up in a loving household where sports, hard work, and dedication were supported. While this is a Marine that, as he says, "cuddled a grenade" and lived to tell about it, he is another example of how good men answer the call. His is also a story of overcoming the devastation of war with family love and hard work. If you like what you are hearing and want to stay in the loop with the latest in Street Cop Training, please follow our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StreetCopTraining Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast, it truly helps! Sign up for classes here: https://streetcoptraining.com/course-list/Follow our podcast here: https://streetcoptraining.com/street-cop-podcast/ or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-cop-podcast/id1538474515
Today, John Milas discusses his new novel, the difference between terror and horror, perception vs. time, working with Roxane Gay, the real Militia House, writing a speculative literary military novel, the nostalgia of 2010, and more! John Milas is the author of the forthcoming novel THE MILITIA HOUSE (Henry Holt, 2023). He enlisted in the US Marine Corps at age nineteen and subsequently deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of OEF 10.1. He was honorably discharged from active service in 2012. After his discharge, he earned both his BA and MFA in creative writing. As a student, he studied with writers such as Marianne Boruch, Roxane Gay, Brian Leung, Robert Lopez, Terese Marie Mailhot, Julie Price Pinkerton, Donald Platt, Sharon Solwitz, and others. He is represented by Julia Kardon of HG Literary and Dana Spector of CAA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Please note that this entire episode is available on the public channel. To gain access to all other episodes, please subscribe at https://thevoicesofwar.supercast.com/ ---- Today, I spoke with Robert Hartley, who is a former Australian Army Officer who served for 12 years in the Artillery Corps before transitioning to a civilian career in the technology sector. During his time in the military, Robert deployed on exchange with the British Army on Operation Herrick XII (12) to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2010. In his civilian life, Robert has worked for a number of technology companies, including Microsoft, before joining a start-up where he is an Executive Director. Robert joins me today to discuss his life in the Army, how his deployment to Helmand resulted in a PTSD diagnosis, as well as his journey to recovery, which includes being part of the ketamine program that I discussed at length with Dr Alex Lim a few episodes ago. Things we covered include: Rob's entry into the Army and the Artillery Corps Rotation into Helmand with the British Army The thrill of preparing for and going to war Use of artillery as a direct-fire weapon The reality of Helmand as the ‘kinetic province' How the local population perceived the Coalition Forces Dealing with numerous casualties Reflecting on mateship, camaraderie, and sense of purpose The process of desensitisation to war and combat Reflection on the burden of command The challenge of preserving one's own moral compass The struggle of upholding the delicate facade of morality in battle The price of extreme compartmentalisation and rationalisation Returning home, signs that things weren't right and asking for help Symptoms, PTSD diagnosis, and importance of command support Short-term fixes but eventual relapse, downward spiral, and continual emotional compartmentalisation The path to recovery and reconnecting to emotions Joining Dr Alex Lim's ketamine program, onboarding, and treatment initiation A reflection on the ketamine treatment, its sensations, experiences, and insights Why ketamine remains contentious How the ketamine treatment affected Rob's relationships with his wife and children Why seeking help matters! During this discussion, we referred to the following previous episodes: Ashley Judd – On combat, mental health and the road to recovery Dr Alex Lim - On veterans' mental health: the good, the bad and the promising Given the nature of this discussion, and the fact that many in our audience are veterans, there is a risk that elements of this episode might be difficult listening for some. If this is the case, I encourage you to seek help through one of the many channels nowadays available, some of which are listed below (Australian audiences only): All-hours Support Line (1800 628 036 / +612 9425 3878 if O/S) Open Arms (VVCS) 1800 011 046 https://www.openarms.gov.au/ 1800 IMSICK (1800 624 608) Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608 http://www.defence.gov.au/dco/ Lifeline 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au Suicide Call back service 1300 659 467 https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au Soldier On 1300 620 380 www.soldieron.org.au
On today's Zero Limits Podcast I chat with former Australian Army Special Forces, 2nd Commando Regiment, Warrant Officer Nick Hill. Nick served in Malaysia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan as well as being deployed to other countries including Egypt, Israel and the United States of America. Nick spent his twenty-five-year career (1989-2014) predominately in the 2nd Commando Regiment. Nick was selected to be part of the stand-up of Tactical Assault Group – East (TAG-E). In late January of 2002 Nick was sent to SASR in Perth to begin the 1st Advanced Close Quarter Battle (ACQB) course with 30 other members of 4 Cdo and 10 RAN CD's. Nick successfully completed the ACQB Cse with 15 others, 9 Cdo's and 6 Cd's, and became the Plank holders of TAG-E. Nick deployed to Afghanistan as the CSM of Bravo Commando Company (BCCG) from July 2011 – February 2012 Special Operations Task Group, Rotation XVI . During that deployment BCCG conducted over 80 Combat Operations in Urazghan, Zabul, Kandahar and Helmand Provinces. Over 90% of the Operations were conducted by Helicopter with support from CH47-D Chinooks from B Coy, 1-52 Avn Regt, Apache & Blackhawks 3-101 Avn Regt, CH53-Es from HMH 464, 2nd US Marine Air Wingand the Afghan Arial Interdiction Unit, (Mi-17s). Conducting mostly Counter Narcotic mission known as Nexus Operations or as they called it Operation Markha Niwel or simply “Counter Narc Ops” – The Targeting of The Intersection Of Criminal And Taliban Networks with the DEA's FAST (Foreign Advisory Support Teams). THe company spent much of these missions in the bad lands of Helmand Province, specifically the Kajaki Sofala and Northern Helmand area. By the end of the Rotation, Commandos had destroyed an estimated $1billion worth of Heroin (US Street Value). We became known as Billion Dollar Bravo.Cam's Cause is a registered charity created in the name of CPL Cameron Baird VC MG. It is run by a mix of civilians and members of the 2nd Commando Regiment and exists to support current and ex-serving Commandos and their families. Cam's Cause works closely with the Commando Welfare Trust; the distinction being that the CWT supports the wider SOCOMD community, where Cam's Cause only supports ECN 079 Commandos. Head to www.camscause.org or head to Instagram, Facebook and LinkedInSupport the show - https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=9LG48GC49TW38Website - www.zerolimitspodcast.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/zero.limits.podcast/?hl=en
On today's episode, Dennis speaks with Marine veteran and America's first active double-amuptee LEO, Matias Ferreira. Matias was born in Uruguay, and immigrated to the U.S. (Atlanta) with his family when he was six, joining the Marines at 19. He took his oath to become an American citizen in September 2010, days before he deployed to Afghanistan as a machine gunner with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. Just months into his first deployment in January 2011, Lance Corporal Ferreira lost both legs and broke his pelvis after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Treated by a Navy Corpsman and medically evacuated to Bagram (Afghanistan) hospital, he was flown to Landstuhl, Germany, and then brought to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. There he underwent several surgeries and aggressive therapies. Months later, he eventually learned to walk confidently on prosthetics, advancing to running, and other sports a short time later. He was medically retired in May 2012. Matias is now a police officer for the Suffolk County Police Department in New York and a drill instructor at the Suffolk County Police Academy. Today, Matias tells his story of the events that unfolded on the day of his incident, the recovery process, what motivated him to become a police officer, how he overcame adversity as a double-amputee police officer, how he became a drill instructor, the blessings in disguise that came from his incident and the changes they are implementing in academies to move in the right direction to train the future officers the right way. Follow Matias on IG: @matias_n_ferreira If you like what you are hearing and want to stay in the loop with the latest in Street Cop Training, please follow our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StreetCopTraining Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast, it truly helps! Sign up for classes here: https://streetcoptraining.com/course-list/Follow our podcast here: https://streetcoptraining.com/street-cop-podcast/ or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-cop-podcast/id1538474515
Command philosophy and the moral imperative of leadership with Lt Jason Brezler FDNY/USMC Jason Brezler calls upon his extensive operational experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and New York City as he prepares leaders in high-risk industries to lead and perform at their best physically, mentally, and morally. Prior to becoming a FDNY firefighter and creating the Leadership Under Fire Team, Jason began his career as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has led Marines on several deployments abroad and was decorated for his combat service while leading combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq and Helmand Province, Afghanistan. https://leadershipunderfire.com __________________________________________ Check us out: Facebook: Search Tip Of The Spear Leadership Instagram: @tip_of_the_spear_Leadership Email: tip.of.the.spear.leadership@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-nasti/support
Episode Summary: On today's episode, we're featuring a conversation with Navy Veteran Jason Loughran, Assistant Commissioner of Community Affairs with the New York City Department of Veteran Services. About Today's GuestJason Loughran is a veteran of the US Navy and is currently serving as Assistant Commissioner of Community Affairs for DVS.Before joining DVS, Jason served as an Adjudication Specialist at the US Department of State where he collaborated with local and federal agencies on legal and regulatory provisions governing U.S. citizenship, nationality, and visas.His career in public service began with positions at the New York State Assembly and the US Department of Homeland Security before moving on to the State Department.Jason deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010. He holds a BS in Homeland Security from St. John's University and an Executive MPA from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. Jason was selected for the 2019 Baruch College Alumni Association Leadership in Public Service Award.Links Mentioned In This EpisodeNew York City Department of Veteran ServicesNYC DVS on TwitterVet Connect NYCPsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor resource of the week is the PsychArmor course, Collaborative Table: Who To Invite and How To Engage. An important aspect in support of and care for service members, Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors involves collaboration between individuals and organizations at the community level. It is a collective responsibility that no single organization can bear alone You can find the link to this resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/collaborative-table This Episode Sponsored By: This episode is sponsored by PsychArmor, the premier education and learning ecosystem specializing in military culture content. PsychArmor offers an online e-learning laboratory with custom training options for organizations.Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on TwitterPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com
Brian Jacklin, Served 20 years in the USMC in Infantry, Recon, Special Operations with the Marine Raiders). Was awarded The Navy Cross (one medal behind the medal of honor) for extraordinary heroism during operations in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Brian is Working on a nonprofit, Battle Brothers Foundation and learning more about the cannabis space working with the Helmand Valley Growers CompanySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The book of the moment for today's episode is Spare by Prince Harry. Just a forewarning for those of you listening, this is NOT a spoiler-free zone. We will be discussing this book in all of its glory, which of course includes revealing the ending. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, (Henry Charles Albert David; born 15 September 1984) is the younger son of Charles III and his first wife, Diana, Princess of Wales. He is fifth in the line of succession to the British throne. Harry was educated at Wetherby School, Ludgrove School, and Eton College. He spent parts of his gap year in Australia and Lesotho, then underwent officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was commissioned as a cornet into the Blues and Royals, serving temporarily with his brother William and completed training as a troop leader. In 2007–2008, he served for over ten weeks in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He returned to Afghanistan for a 20-week deployment in 2012–2013 with the Army Air Corps. In June 2015, he resigned from the army. If you enjoyed this episode, I encourage you to leave a review on whichever platform you are listening on, if applicable. If you have any further questions regarding topics discussed throughout the episode feel free to join our Hardcover Hoes Discord Server via the link in the show notes, or send us an email at hardcoverhoespod@gmail.com. Feel free to recommend books to cover in future episodes as well! Discord Server: https://discord.gg/zpvW4FyuPF TikTok, IG, Twitter: @HardcoverHoes Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/993967071461813/
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Brian Russell returns to the Cognitive Crucible to discuss what he calls: “OIE Truths.” Based on his extensive information operations experience, these truths represent the best advice he can give to commanders and service members on how to embrace and exploit emerging OIE doctrine and capabilities. Research Question: Brian asks: How do we establish a model for conditions-based command and control? Can we have a construct where a force is trained and certified to a certain standard which can quickly chop to a command with the authority to implement that capability? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #13 Brian Russell on Behind Enemy Lines #38 Lori Reynolds on Operations in the Information Environment #102 Brian Schweers on the All Domain Effects Team Concept #95 LtGen Matthew Glavy on MCDP 8 Information #126 Edgar Hollandsworth on Talent Development and Intelligence Support for OIE The Five OIE Truths: What it takes to be successful in the information environment by Col Brian Russell Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein Brief: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less by Joseph McCormack Marine Corps Gazette Editorial Policy and Writers' Guidelines Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-132 Guest Bio: Brian Russell is a recently retired colonel in the United States Marine Corps. After commissioning from North Carolina State University, he served the earliest parts of his 27 year career as an artillery officer with multiple combat deployments including service as a Military Transition Team Leader in Habbaniyah, Iraq, the executive officer of Brigade Headquarters Group in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and Plans Director in Bagram, Afghanistan for a combined joint special operations task force. After giving up command of 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company in Camp Pendleton CA, he was selected to attend the College of Information and Cyberspace at National Defense University as the sole Marine student in the inaugural resident cyberspace strategy war college program. This educational opportunity earned him a set of orders to US Cyber Command where he served in Fires and Effects division and subsequently served as the J5 Plans Director of Joint Task Force ARES. Most recently he commanded II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (II MIG) in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where he provided joint all domain effects for the MEF commander, 2d and 6th Fleets and multiple key allies and partners. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Ron Davis Leads with Empower We kick-off Season 5 of the Lead with Empower podcast with Empower Leadership's Operations Manager, Ron Davis. Ron joined the Empower Leadership Team in the early Spring of 2022 after serving in the United States Marine Corps for over 24 years. As a Marine, Ron specialized in leading and commanding entry-level programs within the Marine Corps to include service as a Series Commander and Assistant Director Drill Instructor School, Parris Island, South Carolina, and as a Company Commander and Operations Officer at Officer Candidate School, Quantico, VA. Ron has trained, coached, and mentored thousands of young men and women, screening and evaluating recruits and candidates for future leadership positions. Ron has honorably and faithfully served our country locally and abroad, leading a platoon of 80 Marines and Sailors in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Ron possesses over 20 years of leadership experience in and out the military. Specifically, Ron has held billet, titles, and employment in areas of strategic initiative/organizational planning, personnel supervision and management, organizational project management, human resources, logistics, intelligence and security. Additionally, Ron worked as a Child Development Specialist and Residential Supervisor for The Village for Families and Children, providing guidance, leadership, and support to the Child Development Staff in their efforts to maintain a healthy, therapeutic, and safe environment for the Program's children and staff. Ron continues to demonstrate a strong command presence, maturity, and a democratic leadership style conducive to effectively and efficiently EMPOWERING participants! Ron's extensive experiences in leadership, along with his welcoming personality, passion for helping others, and enthusiasm inspiring and empowering individuals and teams makes him a very welcome addition to the Empower Leadership Team! Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot Find out more at https://lead-with-empower-podcast.pinecast.co
The British Army can trace its origins back to the Acts of Union of 1707 and its rich history involves conflicts both large and small in all corners of the globe. But as the twenty-first century dawned, the organisation found itself in a transitional phase and with something of an identity crisis. What exactly was its culture? What, with its resources, could it really be expected to achieve? What was its relevance to modern Britain? Today's guest, Simon Akam, sought to confront questions like these in his book Changing the Guard: The British Army Since 9/11. Grounded in his own first-hand experience and supported by hundreds of interviews, in this episode Akam explains the conclusions that he reached and the incredible resistance he experienced as he sought to bring his book to publication. Simon Akam is a journalist and author. Born in Cambridge, he held a Gap Year Commission in the British Army before studying at the University of Oxford and Columbia Journalism School. He has worked for the New York Times, Reuters and Newsweek. Changing the Guard, published in 2021, is his first book. Show notes Scene One: A tent in Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Jamie Loden edits a video. Scene Two: Autumn 2006. Downing Street with Major-General Jonathan Shaw and Nigel Sheinwald. Scene Three: 28 March 2006. The creation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Memento: A copy of a tabloid newspaper from 2006. People/Social Presenter: Artemis Irvine Guest: Simon Akam Production: Maria Nolan Podcast partner: Ace Cultural Tours Follow us on Twitter: @tttpodcast_ See where 2006 fits on our Timeline
Stuart Hale is a former sniper who lost his leg during a mine strike incident in Kajaki, Helmand Province on the 6th September 2006 – the “Day of Days”, during which several others were wounded and one solider was killed - Mark Wright, posthumously awarded the George Cross. In 2008, Stuart became the first amputee to return to the front line in Afghanistan. ***** H-Hour patrons were sent this podcast before anyone else. Become a patron at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ******
Growing up in Arizona, Caleb Brewer joined the military in 2005. After reading a book about the Special Forces, he found his true calling of becoming a Green Beret.While conducting combat operations in the treacherous Helmand Province of Afghanistan in 2015, his life changed forever when he was critically injured by an IED. Losing both of his legs, Brewer began the long road to recovery. It was during that process that he would discover the sport of archery.It didn't take long and he was working on his own bows, started bowhunting and quickly experienced the benefits, both mental and physical, that his new passion had to offer. In 2020, working with Operation Enduring Warrior, Caleb started an archery program for the 501c3 to offer the same healing he had found to others.Purchasing an archery shop in his hometown of Tucson in November of 2021, Brewer is now pouring into the lives of people from around the country, using archery and his inspirational story to make a difference.We talk a bit of hunting as well including another near death experience this fall where he was swept up in a raging river. He would survive and weeks later, take an awesome bull elk in a story that truly inspired me and I am sure will leave you feeling the same.A humble man not wanting to be in the limelight, Caleb Brewer provided a great service to our country and paid the price. He hasn't allowed that slow him down and is doing great things for the Veteran and archery community. We are thankful to have him as part of the HHAUSA family and hope to collaborate in the future to positively impact even more lives. To connect with him, you can follow Caleb Brewer on Instagram as well as Stick Sniper Archery or visit www.sticksniper.com
Shop https://www.mikeritlandco.com for Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel & more! #chokeyourselfIt's kind of crazy when the whole world wants to know about the only five seconds you can't remember. At least that's what Kyle Carpenter says. For Kyle, those five seconds happened on a rooftop in Helmand Province, Afghanistan when he jumped on a grenade to save himself and fellow Marine Nick Eufrazio. Now, after three flatlines, three years at Walter Reed hospital, dozens of surgeries, and a Medal of Honor award in 2014, Kyle's here to talk about it. Chapters:00:00 - Intro3:00 - Lightning Round18:00 - Growing Up Carpenter26:00 - Chasing the Military48:45 - Boot Camp on Parris Island1:14:00 - Training at Camp Lejeune1:33:45 - Boots on the Ground in Afghanistan1:52:00 - Combat Stories2:28:00 - Setting Up at Compound 2:53:00 - Kyle Gets Hit3:04:00 - Putting the Pieces Together3:23:00 - The Road to Recovery3:43:00 - Receiving the Medal of Honor4:01:00 - Kyle TodaySupport Kyle Carpenter:Website: https://www.williamkylecarpenter.comPodcast: https://spoti.fi/3DUQyZgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiksdigscars--------------Sponsors:Bubs NaturalsThe BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB' Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. Go to bubsnaturals.com and use code MIKEDROP for 20% off your order.--------------Black Buffalo Use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout for 15% off your first order on BlackBuffalo.com. And check out their store locator to see if Black Buffalo is sold at a retailer near you. --------------USCCAhttps://www.uscca.com/mikedropLEGAL DISCLAIMER -The USCCA is not an insurance company. A policy has been issued to the USCCA. That policy provides the association and its members with self-defense liability insurance, subject to its terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions.--------------Athletic GreensAthletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE Travel Packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit https://www.athleticgreens.com/MIKEDROP--------------Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.petALL THINGS MIKE RITLANDSHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs- MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.comTeam Dog Online dog training- TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet
3.3) Debrief with USMC Senior Drill Instructor SSgt. Jack Larter - Ever wonder how Marines are made? Get into this ‘behind the scenes' debrief as we interview former Senior Drill Instructor, Staff Sergeant Jack Larter. With a Marine Corps career as a mortarman in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, to the drill field aboard Parris Island, Jack Larter provides us with a behind the scenes glimpse of life as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. Find out how his combat experience shaped the way he made Marines and how he continues to live by those standards and traditions even after coming home. Brett's Call-to-Action Follow us on: Instagram @Americafogofwar TikTok @america_fogofwar Become a Member for more insider content Follow Civil War Trails — www.civilwartrails.org/ Hosts Colby Sumner Brett Thomas Jack Larter Host Host Guest About Brett and Colby, both Marine Corps combat veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, use their backgrounds to tell the stories from America's past wars. This podcast incorporates their combat experiences to relate the experiences of American warriors of the past to a modern audience. To further discover and commemorate our history, provide insight to younger generations, and inspire everyone to uphold and honor the legacy of the American Warrior.
This video is sponsored by Aura. Get a 14 day free trial at http://aura.com/combatstory to secure yourself online and support Combat Story!Get extra Combat Story content like Ryan's personal thoughts on this episode on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/combatstoryToday we hear the Combat Story of Jake Wood, a former University of Wisconsin football player who enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marine Rifleman and Sniper. One of the key moments that led him to the Marine Corps was the death of Pat Tillman, the legendary NFL Safety who walked away from the League and joined the Army after 9/11, eventually being killed while serving as a Ranger in Afghanistan. Jake found himself leading Marines at the very front end of the “Surge” in Iraq and the bloodiest year of the wars, stepping into a kinetic environment only weeks after arriving in the theater. He was then in Helmand Province in Afghanistan as a sniper.Only two months after leaving the Marine Corps, Jake went on to found the humanitarian support organization Team Rubicon after hastily organizing what he describes as a “Motley Crew” of veterans and doctors to help the people of Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake. He recently created another charitable giving business called Groundswell which seeks to democratize philanthropic giving.In 2018, Jake was awarded the Pat Tillman ESPY for service (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Xef8StXi8), bringing his story full circle from Tillman's death that propelled Jake into this life of service. I hope you enjoy this unique and insightful interview with someone who played football at the highest level and then selflessly decided to put on a different uniform to help others as much as I did.Find Jake Online:- Instagram @jakewoodtr https://www.instagram.com/jakewoodtr/?hl=en- Twitter @JakeWoodTR https://twitter.com/JakeWoodTR- Team Rubicon https://teamrubiconusa.org/ - Groundswell.io https://groundswell.io/ - ESPY Pat Tillman Award https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Xef8StXi8Find Ryan Online: - Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory- Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/- Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory- Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial- Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial- Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus- Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio JungleShow Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:27 - About our sponsor, Aura 2:28 - Guest Introduction (Jake Wood) 4:22 - Interview begins 5:00 - Football's influence in life and position played 13:23 - Family history and a perspective on a college campus protest in March 2003 17:30 - The significant events and people like Pat Tillman which lead to joining 23:36 - Funny recruitment stories and why Marine Corps Infantry28:22 - Training with Pugil sticks in bootcamp as an elite football player 31:16 - Getting out of the training pipeline and into a Marine Rifle Platoon 37:58 - First "boots on the ground" moment in Iraq and first time taking mortar fire 40:27 - Combat Story - Driving into IEDs while in Humvees 49:59 - The bloody realities of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan53:25 - Combat Story - Injuries and booby traps during the bloodiest year of the Iraq war 1:00:14 - What do you tell your family? 1:01:23 - Marine Sniper School experience 1:03:13 - Combat Story - The tough operating environment in Afghanistan1:08:54 - How snipers desensitize themselves 1:10:52 - Combat Story - Taliban attack and tending to injured civilian children1:12:36 - Transitioning out and how Team Rubicon Disaster Response started 1:21:34 - Groundswell 1:25:48 - What did you carry into combat?1:27:33 - Would you do it again? 1:29:04 - Accepting the Pat Tillman award 1:30:24 - Listener comments and shout outs The video is all about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood. If you want to learn more about Combat Story, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/This video covers the following subjects: - Marine Sniper from D1 College Football- Marine Sniper- Marine Scout Snipers- Team Rubicon and Groundswell FounderJanuary 12, 2010. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shakes Port-au-Prince. In moments, hundreds of thousands were injured, infrastructure and buildings were destroyed, and countless were made homeless. In the days following, many traditional aid organizations were slow to establish relief efforts, citing dangerous and unstable working conditions. Troubled by the scenes in Port-au-Prince and the lack of proper aid, two Marines, Jake Wood and William McNulty, decided to act. Gathering supplies and volunteers, the small group of veterans, first responders, and medical professionals deployed to Haiti in the days following the earthquake.If you would like to learn more about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ_________________________Have I responded to all of your questions about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood?If you were searching for more info about Marine Sniper from D1 College Football, Jake Wood did this video help?Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what I can help you with or information on Marine Snipers like Jake Wood.
On today's episode of The BS, we discuss the new Cobra Kai trailer, Bailey's wife wants to buy an Island in Nicaragua, and we get a Mexico Moment with Nate! Next, we talk to Purple Heart recipient, Major Tom Schueman. The Major tells us about his service in Afghanistan for 16 months, including the single bloodiest deployment of the Afghan war as a platoon squad leader with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in the Helmand Province. Check out his new book: "ALWAYS FAITHFUL: A Story of the War in Afghanistan, the Fall of Kabul, and the Unshakable Bond Between a Marine and an Interpreter". Later we talk about a special milestone for CDs, the new Woodstock 99 Netflix documentary, and we get another One Question with Branden! All that and more on today's episode of The BS! #BetterThanRadio For daily ad-free content, become a subscriber of The BS today: WWW.PODCASTTHEBS.COM --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-bailey-show/message
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Major Brian Hubert. He leads by example, utilizing the principles of servant leadership. Brian and I met over a decade ago at Officer Candidate School. Since then, he's served deployments in Yemen and Afghanistan's Helmand Province. Between deployments, he was the Officer in Charge and Executive Officer for several advanced infantry courses at the School of Infantry - West. And currently, Brain is in recruiting, serving as the Commanding Officer of eleven substations and two officer selection teams in Cleveland, Ohio. In this episode, we discuss his life as a Marine, and how he's inspiring young people to join the cause. Brian on Instagram