Podcasts about IED

Amye sits down with memoirist Karie Fugett, author of Alive Day. Karie Fugett is living out of her car in a Kmart parking lot when her boyfriend Cleve suggests “Maybe we could get married or somethin'.” Karie says yes out of love, but also out of convenience. As a twenty-year-old high school dropout who ran away from her family and recently lost her job, Karie has nowhere else to turn. Just months after they elope, Cleve's Marine unit is deployed to Iraq. Then Karie gets the news that Cleve's Humvee has been hit by an IED, and he's suffered severe injuries.“A searing, unflinchingly intimate memoir about one young couple caught up in the machinery of America's military system, learning to live and love through war and all that comes after.”You can buy Karie's book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/666031/alive-day-by-karie-fugett/Follow Karie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kariewritesListen to my true crime podcast: Murder She Watched at www.murdershewatchedpod.comGet in touch with us:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/littlemissrecapFacebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/littlemissrecapInstagram: @littlemissrecap Voicemail: www.littlemissrecap.comEmail: amye@littlemissrecap.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode, Ghost is joined by CannCon to unravel the tangled history of America's longest war. The conversation begins with George W. Bush's televised announcement of Operation Enduring Freedom, then pivots into a deep exploration of how U.S. policies and covert funding shaped Afghanistan's fate. CannCon shares vivid, firsthand accounts from multiple deployments, from building the remote 7171 base to daily firefights and confronting the grim reality of poppy fields fueling the opioid crisis back home. The discussion examines how the CIA's Cold War strategies birthed the mujahideen and laid the groundwork for decades of conflict. Alongside personal reflections on brotherhood, trauma, and the sense of futility, the episode challenges official narratives, questioning whether the war's failures were incompetence or by design. Stories of bizarre moments, like discovering a massive IED in a bulldozer bucket and witnessing UFOs on patrol, punctuate the grim recollections. Packed with unflinching honesty, historical context, and hard-won perspective, this chapter is a sobering look at the cost of endless interventionism.

In Episode 152 of the Relentless Pursuit Podcast, Joe Adams sits down with Chris Payne — a combat veteran, father, and physical therapist assistant — who lost his leg to an IED in Iraq. Chris opens up about the physical trauma, emotional battles, and the long road to healing. This is a raw and powerful conversation about resilience, fatherhood, faith, vulnerability, and what it really means to rebuild your life from the ground up. 

No Sight, No Sound, No Surrender: The Aaron Hale Story This week's Team Never Quit episode features the incredible Aaron Hale—a man who has stared down adversity, twice over, and answered with resilience, grit, and chocolate. A 14-year military veteran of both the Navy and Army, Aaron was serving his second deployment in Afghanistan as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team Leader when an IED explosion took his sight and altered the course of his life. But Aaron didn't stop moving forward—he started climbing. Aaron shares how he turned tragedy into testimony, going from the battlefield to building a life filled with purpose. From teaching at the EOD school post-injury to completing the Boston Marathon and climbing mountains, Aaron's journey is one of extreme perseverance. In 2015, another blow—bacterial meningitis—left him completely deaf, but with cochlear implants, the support of his incredible wife McKayla, and a “Challenge Accepted” mindset, Aaron continues to thrive. We also dive into Aaron and McKayla's passion project turned thriving business—Extra Ordinary Delights, an artisan chocolate and fudge company born out of love, grit, and a relentless pursuit of joy.  Aaron Hale doesn't just inspire—he challenges all of us to rise, to reinvent, and to find joy even in the most unexpected places. From bombs to bonbons, his life is a powerful reminder that adversity is not the end of the story—it's the beginning of a better one. In This Episode You Will Hear: •  I became one of the personal chefs for the 3-star Admiral, commander to the 6th fleet (1:10) •  I wanted to be in a tight knit brotherhood. I wanted a technically challenging career field.  (14:40) •  Being that evidence collector guy that I wanted to be, I made my approach with a metal detector. 20 yards or so from the primary device was a secondary device that hadn't been found yet. It vaulted me into the air. I reached up to fix my helmet and it was gone. And I thought “Oh, no - this is bad”. At Walter Reed, I was told I'd be blind for the rest of my life. (28:05)  •  Total blindness comes with a bonus gift of sleep disorder. You can't rest you circadian rhythm. (30:50) •  I had those demons in my head asking the What if's; the Why me's. (31:37) •  I don't have a monopoly on pain. (33:36) •  I don't have any good answers, any good reasons to quit (33:43) •   Instead of “Why me? or “I can't” I just try to figure out how I can. (34:00) •  For about 6 months, I learned how to be blind. (36:03) •  I'm having an awesome time. (38:59) •  I contracted Bacterial Meningitis. That came closer to killing me than the bomb had. (39:20) •  That's when I felt bad - when I was just thinking about myself (42:37) •  I might as well keep working hard to do hard things. (46:08) •  For ten years I've been running marathons and ultra marathons (46:30) •  Everything in my life is a team sport (49:49) •  You can look at it as “I have to” or “I get to” (50:16) •  Maybe one day, the story of your struggle might be the blueprint for someone else's survival (52:35) Support Aaron   - https://pointofimpactpod.com/ - Link tree: https://linktr.ee/aaronhalepointofimpact  Fb:  https://www.facebook.com/aclayhale IG: https://www.instagram.com/aclayhale/ Support TNQ   - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13   -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:   -  cargurus.com/TNQ    - armslist.com/TNQ   - partnersinbuilding.com - Navyfederal.org        -    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s    -   - PXGapparel.com/TNQ   - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ    - Selectquote.com/TNQ    - Groundnews.com/TNQ    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - shipsticks.com/TNQ    - Robinhood.com/gold    - strawberry.me/TNQ    - stopboxusa.com {TNQ}    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Shadyrays.com [TNQ]   - qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ   - Aura.com/TNQ   - Policygenius.com   - TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]   - usejoymode.com [TNQ]

What does it take to lead at every level and shape the leaders of tomorrow? SUMMARY Long Blue Line podcast host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99 sat with Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman '95, the U.S. Air Force Academy's vice superintendent, for a deep dive into leadership, humanity and building a world-class service academy. This episode is packed with wisdom for aspiring, emerging, and seasoned leaders alike.   SHARE LINKEDIN  |  FACEBOOK   GEN. SHERMAN'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS  - Leadership is a human experience - focus on connecting with and caring about people.  - Love what you do and love the people you lead; passion inspires others to follow you.  - Embrace failures and challenges as opportunities for personal growth and development.  - Set the right culture and values within your team to build trust and mutual support.  - Be present and engaged with your team, understanding their motivations and experiences.  - Leadership is about more than rank or position - it's about earning genuine trust and respect.  - Invest time in understanding different generations, cultural nuances, and individual perspectives.  - Balance professional excellence with personal growth and life experiences.  - Support your team's development by providing encouragement and holding them accountable.  - Your legacy is built through individual interactions and the positive impact you have on people's lives.   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Major General Thomas P. Sherman 01:29 Choosing Leadership Over Flying 07:23 The Impact of Mentorship and Values 12:46 Heritage and Evolution of Security Forces 17:43 Personal Growth in Aviano, Italy 24:17 The Importance of Work-Life Balance 29:50 Culminating Command Experience at Bagram 42:25 The Role of Family in Leadership 51:29 Continuous Self-Improvement as a Leader 56:27 Embracing Failure as a Growth Opportunity 01:00:06 Legacy and the Impact of Leadership   ABOUT GEN. SHERMAN BIO Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman is the Vice Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. He is serving as the chief operations officer to the Superintendent and overseeing the Academy's blend of military training, academics, athletics, and character development for cadets. Gen. Sherman commissioned in 1995 from the Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He built a distinguished career as a security forces officer. He's held command at nearly every level. His key assignments include leadership of the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB and critical staff positions at the Pentagon. In May 2024, Gen. Sherman was tapped to serve as the Academy's Vice Superintendent   CONNECT WITH GEN. SHERMAN LINKEDIN     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS       TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest, Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman '95  |  Host, Lt. Col. (ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz  00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99 today. I'm joined by a leader whose career has taken him from the flight line to the halls of Congress and now back to the very institution that launched it all. Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman currently serves as vice superintendent of the Air Force Academy, where he plays a critical role in guiding the development of our future officers and ensuring the Academy remains a world class institution for leadership, character and Day 1 readiness to win the future fight. A 1995 Academy graduate, Gen. Sherman has spent nearly three decades serving in key operational, strategic and command roles. He's led at every level, from squadron to wing command, and his assignments have included everything from nuclear security enterprise to homeland defense, policy development at the Pentagon, and legislative affairs at the highest levels of the Department of the Air Force. Prior to his role as vice superintendent, Gen. Sherman served in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense, where he was a principal military assistant leading policy integration across joint staff, interagency services and combatant commands. He's perhaps best known in command circles for leading the 88th Air Base wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, one of the largest and most complex wings in the Air Force, with a focus on people first, leadership and mission excellence. Gen. Sherman, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. We're so glad you're here too.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  01:32 It is great to be here. Thank you.   Naviere Walkewicz  01:33 We're excited and we're going to dive right in, because I think what is so special for our listeners is really hearing these moments that have changed your life. I'd like to start at the Academy. You turned down a pilot slot. You were rated, but said no.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  01:48 Well, actually it was a little bit before that. You know, it's kind of interesting, because that was the draw that brought me here, is I just had this incredible passion to want to fly, and I love flying, and I truly enjoyed it, especially through all the different airmanship programs and things like and things like that we had here. The experiences were fantastic. But, you know, as I was starting to learn more about myself going through the Academy, I was starting to feel my heart getting pulled in a direction of wanting to really lead people and really spend a lot of time working with the enlisted. And I think that came from a couple different areas. I think it was some really unique exposure that I got during my ops Air Force time, which I went to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, during ops, and just had our action officer that worked this, I think just did a phenomenal job. And I really started getting pulled to what was then called security police. That is actually when Laurie and I got together and started dating, because Laurie is here in Colorado Springs, but she grew up as an Air Force brat. My father-in-law is a retired Chief Master Sgt., and so there was a lot of mentorship that was taking place around dining room table when I was a young cadet. And I think one of the things that her parents really taught me was just the value of the enlisted force, and so I was feeling my heart really getting pulled. And so obviously, there's a conundrum. There's a conundrum on what were the root desires that brought me here — what were the things that I was learning as a cadet, my joy of flying, and also, particularly the culture at that time, was that that was really the job that you needed to aspire to be, that was the expectation of cadets. And so then to really kind of run counter to that strong current was really kind of a unique, you know, almost unnavigated area, right? And so to really kind of take the story out to its next level is that I'd really gotten to a point where talking with people there — we hadn't had the AMT program, but there were these NCOs that were kind of tangentially attached to cadet squadrons. And so I got a chance to talk to one of the master sergeants that was there who was a maintainer by background. And I was kind of pouring my heart out to him on, you know, what had I been talking to him with my now in-laws, about where was my heart pulling me? And so he said, ‘Give me just a second.' And he picked up the phone, and he called my AOC and he goes, ‘Hey, you're gonna be there for a little while.' And this was a Friday afternoon. He said, ‘I got a cadet that needs to come talk to you.' And he hangs up the phone and he goes, ‘Now you go tell your AOC what you just told me.' And so I ended up going to my AOCs office that day, and we had about a two-hour conversation about this. I sat down and really, kind of took the time to explain to him what was I feeling, And obviously, I really try to see the best in people. And so I think from a noble place, he was doing his best to convince me that I was making a grave mistake. And went on to talk to me about what his concerns were, the career field that I was looking at, things along those lines. And we can save that conversation for another time, but I think really where the foundation came in is where we started to talk about leadership. And you know, what I was asking him to do was to pull my rated recommendation form, so we had just submitted them, and I was asking him to pull my rated recommendation form. I didn't want to compete for it anymore. And so we started to talk about leadership. And he says, ‘Hey, Cadet Sherman, you need to understand that leadership in this Air Force is being the lead F-16 pilot on a bombing run, you know, putting iron on target.' And that's true. It's a very important part of leadership. It is a very important part of tactical operational leadership in this Air Force. So he's not wrong in that space. But I was looking at it from a different lens, and I was looking at it, I think, on a larger level. And what I don't think he realized is that 30 seconds before I walked into his office, he set me up for success. I just happened to be waiting outside the office, and all of a sudden, I looked on his cork board, and somebody, and I don't know who it was, had pinned a note that was written to Airman Magazineby an airman first class. And this airman first class titled this, “I need a leader.” And this A1C felt so strongly about what they were feeling — and I have no idea who this person was — felt so strongly about it that they put pen to paper, and this would have been the fall of 1994, and sent this into Airman Magazine, and it says, “I need a leader.” Commissioning sources. ‘Send us lieutenants that we can look up to that will hold us accountable when we do wrong, that will encourage us when we do well, that will be an example that we can look up to, that will care about us as human beings, because you are not sending them to us now. Air Force, I need a leader.' Like that 30 seconds just before I walked into his office — that changed my life, and it changed my life, because for me, at that moment, what I was getting ready to go ask my AOC to do, what I was looking at inside myself, that became my charge. And so as we spoke, you know, 20-year-old Cadet First Class Sherman — I might have been a 21-year-old at the time — Cadet First Class Sherman pushed back on my AOC, and I said, ‘Sir, I disagree.' I said, ‘I want to be that guy. I want to be that guy that that A1c is asking for on your cork board outside, because that's leadership in this Air Force.' And so, to his credit, he said, ‘Hey, I want you to go think about this over the weekend. You know, think about what you're doing. Come back to me on Monday. No questions asked. I'll pull it if you want me to.' And I left there, and I remember feeling like, not like a weight had been lifted off my shoulder, but I almost felt like this sense of like, ‘Now I've got my purpose,' because that little article has shaped me my entire career, and I mean to this day, and at a scale. You know, as a lieutenant, my scale is this big on what I'm affecting to help do and be what that A1C needs to a wing commander. I always keep it in the back of my head, and after all of these years, I am still thinking about, Am I doing right by that A1C that 31 years ago, felt so strongly about something that they wrote a note to Airman Magazine, and that became my charge.   Naviere Walkewicz  08:09 That is incredibly powerful. I'm a little bit without words, because I'm thinking about, first off, being brave enough to disagree with an AOC. I mean, I think that takes courage in showing your leadership there. Were you always like that? Have you always been someone that is steadfast in a decision and being able to kind of speak out?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  08:30 So I get that from my parents. And, you know, I grew up in Corona, California. My mom and dad are amazing people. And we didn't grow up with a lot of money, and we grew up from a pretty meager background, and my mom and dad had made a decision early on in their marriage, when they had my sister and I, that my mom was going to focus to make sure that Nancy and I got an education, and my dad was going to work as many jobs as he had to to put food on the table. And sometimes my dad was holding down three jobs to make sure that we had nutritious food to eat, and my mom was working miracles to make sure that we were fed well, but that also that she was dedicated and had the time to volunteer for things like PTA, being involved as a class volunteer, making sure that we were involved in things and had exposure to things that what they did was they also instilled in me this really strong blue collar work ethic. And it was this aspect of, if I just roll up my sleeves and put in the work, anything is possible. And so on that line, this young kid growing up with a West Coast father and an East Coast mother, and just this, really neat family background that things for me, that I believed in I would go after with all of my heart and soul. And so I found out about the Academy when I was 12 years old. And so, you know, when I at 12 years — we were going to a community event there in Corona, and there was an officer recruiter — Capt. Craig. was her name — and we started talking. She says, ‘Hey, did anybody talk to you about the Air Force Academy?' And I said, ‘No, this sounds great.' So from there, I just made this decision as a 12-year-old, and I worked all the way through junior high and high school to get here, because to go to your point like, ‘I made a decision, I'm gonna see this thing through.'   Naviere Walkewicz  10:30 Whoa. OK, so you knew you were going to the Academy before you graduated high school.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  10:35 Yes, in my mind, there was no other option.   Naviere Walkewicz  10:39 And so anyone in your family serve, or were you the first one in your family to serve?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  10:43 So I am the first officer and career member of the family. My dad was drafted and went to Vietnam in 1967 and stayed through Tet of 1968. I had an uncle, Harry Lee Schmidt, who was a C-47 loadmaster in World War II and Korea, and my grandfather was actually a part of the initial kind of what was the foundation of the OSS and the Navy doing beach recon on beaches in the South Pacific, prior to island hopping campaign and island landings. And so there was this real heritage of service, right? Just not career service. But even then, as a kid, I always had in my mind, ‘OK, one way or another, I'm going to serve, and if I do an enlistment and then go to college afterwards —' but I had this idea that, ‘OK, I'm going to serve,' and then all of a sudden, this became this amazing conduit that got me here, right?   Naviere Walkewicz  11:38 And they also had ties to aviation. How did they feel about your decision, your family?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  11:43 It was interesting, because they knew how passionate I was about aviation growing up. I mean, we did not miss an air show at March Air Force Base, the Chino air show, which was planes of fame, which was all historic aircraft. I volunteered as a high school student to work there, and we helped restore airplanes with me and my friends. You know, it was interesting, because my parents were very supportive in ‘OK, where's your heart leading you? And, what makes you feel so strongly about this?' Because when I first talked to him on the phone, I called him from Ramstein Air Base and said, ‘Hey, I think I know what I want to do in the Air Force. I want to go to security police. And my mom was like, ‘What's that? And, so, as time went by and I explained it, I think my parents probably all along knew that that was probably going to be a very good fit. And then after commissioning and at my first assignment, I think that they were certain of it, right? Yeah, they were absolutely certain.   Naviere Walkewicz  12:37 That is amazing. Well, I want to dive into this profession a bit, because it's interesting. You know, you've mentioned, when you came in, it was security police, and, security forces and you hear people saying defenders and peacekeepers. So there's this lineage and this heritage. Can you maybe talk a little bit about that and then maybe lead us into that next transformational moment that you might have had in this role?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  12:58 OK, I'm very proud of the fact that, you know, I am part of an ever decreasing group of folks that came in when we were still security police, and that was really still the peacekeeper days, because this was all kind of the follow on on the Cold War. The peacekeepers were our cold warriors and that was a huge part. Our defenders came in and really, that name started to really grow in 1997 when the name changed from security police to security forces, and we were actually going back to some of our heritage that was in Operation Safeside, which was the combat security police squadrons in Vietnam. So when you think about the courage that was displayed during the Tet Offensive at places like Tan Son Nhat that those were safe side warriors that were a part of these combat security police squadrons. And so the very — part of the lineage of the very beret, and flash that we have is actually a tip of the hat to the lighter blue berets, and that flash with the Falcon and the crossed runways that goes back, actually, to our Safeside heritage days. The beret goes back even farther than that. It goes back to Strategic Air Command, Elite Guard back in the 1950s. So it's this great lineage. And so, you know, for me, part of it was like when I got my first beret, wow, that meant something to me. And then, you know, as we then kind of transformed along the way, and this amazing career field grew, and the aspects of this air based ground defense, which was really, I would say, was kind of the draw that got me into wanting to go into security police, was I really liked this idea of, ‘How do we do base defense?' The law enforcement side was intriguing to me, but it was based defense that just had me just had me captivated.   Naviere Walkewicz  14:44 And was that something that you found out early in your career? After you graduate the Academy, you're now in security police. Is that when you kind of realized, ‘This is where I want to go in, air, base, ground defense.'?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  14:54 It even happened at ops. So as we were spending time with the security police squadron, I ended up spending time with a captain who was heading up the Elite Guard, and there was an interaction we had as I was doing a ride along. He's like, ‘Hey, you need to come see me.' And so I went and met up with him, and he took me around and introduced me to all of his airmen that were part of the guard. He knew something all about them. And then we went to his office and talked, and he had gone to Ranger School and Airborne and things like that, and said, ‘Hey, like, the future of the career field is actually us looking to the past.' And really kind of got me fired up on what we call back then, air base ground defense. So when I got to McChord — McChord Air Force Base was my first duty station. And the great thing about going to AMC first is it AMC is a mobility — I mean, it is all about mobility and the operations associated with it. And so the first thing that that my task was as the second lieutenant in that squadron was, I was the air base ground defense flight commander. So that was, I mean — we would go out to Fort Lewis, and we would bivouac for days. And I had, you know, a 44 person team that was a base defense sector. I had specialized K-9 units heavy weapons. And back in those days, we had 81mm mortar teams and fire direction centers that we would set up. So I just got completely on board with the air base defense piece. And so that was that was very passionate for me, which then made the next step to Korea an absolutely logical next location, going to the wolf pack at Kunsan, not only getting a chance to then stand up Gwangju as a part of the first Air Expeditionary Unit to go back to Korea since the Korean War, but then doing the mobile reserve aspect of it. And it was just a great assignment.   Naviere Walkewicz  16:40 Wow. So you were right in from the very beginning. You got kind of just into it all.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  16:45 So when we go back, when you were talking to me about, ‘Hey, when you make your mind up...' So I had this five-year plan built out. And, you know, my five-year plan was ‘OK, I'm gonna do my first assignment at the first opportunity to PCS. I need to go remote. I need to go to Korea. And then, OK, how can I get another overseas assignment after that? And then what do I need?' So the thought was, “Let me get to as many match comms as I can, as fast as I can in my career, and use that as a place — OK, because I want to build my experience base out. Because even as a lieutenant and young captain, I didn't want to come across as a one-trick pony. So my thought was, “Let me just get as much as I could under my belt early on.' And so after I left Kunsan, I ended up going to Aviano Air Base in Italy, which, for me, when you look at like those moments in life that are transformational, this was transformational on a different level. You know, some assignments you go to are very much professional growth assignments. This assignment, for me, was very much a personal growth assignment.   Naviere Walkewicz  17:52 OK, so tell me more.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  17:55 I mean, when you think about it, four years at USAFA, very uniquely focused on a plate that is overflowing with things that you need to get done. So you are, you're focused on, you know, everything from grades to military training to all of those things. And then I get to my first base, and I am just working, and I'm volunteering for everything, and we have got a heavy ops tempo of exercises and things like that. And my leadership was fantastic, because they were throwing me into every opportunity I could. And then, boom, I go to Korea, and that is a unique warfighting focused — and at Kunsan especially was heavily warfighting focused. So now all of a sudden I am spending really, when you think about it, the last almost seven years being uniquely focused on mission, right? And so I get to Aviano Air Base, Italy, and the first thing that happens is Operation Allied Force kicks off. So I get there in January, boom. Allied Force kicks off. I think it was in end of February, beginning of March. And wow, what? Again, what an amazing, mission focused experience. And then after we finished up Allied Force and the base returned back to more of its steady-state standpoint, it was the Italians that took me under their wings, that because I made a specific choice, because I grew up — my mom's side of the family are all Italian immigrants — and I was always at my Nonnie and Papa's house, and there was just a lot of that growing up, which is that whole, like, you know, West Coast dad, East Coast mom thing, but I didn't know, you know, my mom and her brothers never spoke Italian. And there was a lot of that, that thought back in those days that, you know, ‘Hey, we're here to be American, so we're going to learn English, and we're not going to speak, you know, the language that we came from,' right? And so my mom and her brothers really never learned to speak Italian. And so my thought was, ‘Gosh, I grew up with this as such a strong part of my childhood that I need to put myself in a position where I can learn the language and start to kind of get an appreciation on the culture. Together.' And so I specifically — and really lucked out on a location, but I was about 20 kilometers away from Aviano. I was in an amazing town. I was the only American living in the complex that I was in. So I was like, ‘If I'm going to learn, I need to just dive in the way that you do, in the way that I do, and just start learning.' And so I ended up kind of building this support group of Italian families that all kind of took me under their wings.   Naviere Walkewicz  20:27 Wait, I have to ask you a question, because back when you're at the Academy, you said you spoke to your now in-laws. So was Laurie not a part of this?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  20:35 So Laurie and I, right. So that's an important part of the story. Laurie and I dated for two years while I was a cadet, and when I was in tech school, her and I made the very difficult decision — and as painful it was — to part ways, so her and I actually parted ways for a few years. I was single at the time. Laurie was still here in Colorado Springs, and I was getting a lot of assignments under my belt, which, to be honest with you, you know, in retrospect, it was very fortunate, because I may not have made the same assignment choices had I been married at the time. And because I wasn't married, there were no other variables that I needed to factor in, other than personal experience goals, right, that I wanted to play into, and so I could just put down whatever assignment I wanted, and that allowed me the opportunity to just focus on job. And while Laurie and I stayed in touch, and I stayed in touch with her parents over the years, I was in Aviano, and her and I were not together at that point,   Naviere Walkewicz  21:39 That makes sense. I was like, why were you alone in Italy?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  21:43 It's a fair question. But I also think that being single in that environment allowed me — and that's where I think it helped me develop as a person. And so there are a lot of, I think, really wonderful things that happened during that time, and that was because I was so uniquely mission focused. It was these, this amazing group of Italian friends together, that really kind of taught me about there, there's a time to relax, you know, there's a time to work, there's a time to relax, and there's also a real human need to enjoy life and enjoy time together, which is quintessentially Italian. And so, as my pool of this, these amazing people — that  by the way, for the last 25 years, we've been going to visit. It's the same families that took me under their wings when I was a lieutenant, are the same families that were all tuning in as we were doing a live stream of me pinning on my second star. And so I've never been stationed anywhere else in my career where I felt more at home. And so I think this sense of like, ‘Wow. This like independently as my own person, this feels like home.' And as time went by and I started to get an appreciation for actually things that were a part of my childhood. Because, you know, we would have these long, huge meals, we would spend four or five hours at the table as a family. And for me, this was all normal. Well, that was also a part of kind of normal Italian life and normal Italian culture. You're not going out to dinner with your friends unless you're investing at least three hours at the restaurant. But for me, this was all — this felt normal to me. And so it was about, you know, you don't need to eat your food in five minutes.   Naviere Walkewicz  So contrary to USAFA, by the way.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN You know, you don't need to chew no more than seven times and swallow. So it was about experiencing that, and learning even just some things that became personal passions. Like, you know, how wine is made and why wine pairing matters, and how is this process? And so all of a sudden, this personal experience — and I think growing as a human being was taking place there, and I was maturing as a human being because I had gotten all of this phenomenal job experience under my belt, but this was where I was growing as a human being. And you know what's interesting, as time has gone by, I have noticed just how impactful that time was, because there are things that I've noticed, even as a senior officer, that I feel very strongly about, that I don't think I felt as strongly about as a junior officer, and it was because of that experience, and it was the aspect of when people are on leave, let's let them take leave. There is a part of the human experience that you need to enjoy time with people that you care about, because what it does is you're not slacking off from work. You're not leaving everybody hanging. What's happening is that, because you're taking some time to just enjoy life with people you care about, when you come back, the restorative effects that have taken place because you simply breathe and you enjoyed what it was that you were doing and whatever your passion was, you know, unencumbered, you could enjoy that. And we all realize that there are times, especially as you get into positions of authority, that, hey, they're going to need to call you periodically. But what was interesting is that, especially, I mean, I'll give an example as a wing commander. As a wing commander, despite realizing how important that mission is and how big Wright-Patt was, we, Laurie and I took leave, and we took two weeks of leave, and we went back to Italia and visited our friends and enjoyed life, because the culture helps us to slow down. But what it also did is I gave my staff some parameters. ‘Hey, here are the things that I think are important, like on a scale of one to 10. Here are the things that I think are an eight. So an eight or higher, call me. Don't text me.' I said, ‘Physically call me, because I will answer the phone knowing it's for — and then you have my undivided attention.' But what it also does is it means that my vice wing commander who is there, that I am empowering my vice wing commander and showing to everybody else I trust this leader to lead this wing in my absence. And if it's something that really needs my involvement, they'll get a hold of me. But I think our junior leaders need to see that at the senior most levels, that I can physically trust and emotionally trust my vice, my deputy, to hold things down while I'm gone, and that I'm not irreplaceable, and that if I did my job as a leader, I set the conditions that allowed the wing to thrive in my absence, and didn't mean that the wing had to hang on every decision I made or every word that I said, that I set the conditions that allowed them to be successful and fostered the leadership that allowed them to lead in my absence. And I felt great while I was gone, because I knew the people that we had there, and I knew the investment that we made in them. So that was kind of a long, you know, trip around this…   Naviere Walkewicz  27:26 I mean, I think it was so powerful that you kind of learned that about yourself in Italy. And then would you say that there was anyone that you saw emulating that? Or was it just something over time, you developed this realization that you need to enjoy life and you need to allow people the space to do so.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  27:43 So I would say the people that I was emulating in that aspect were a lot of the families that were there. I have been fortunate that I have worked for some commanders who, at different times in their life felt the same way. Conversely, I also worked for commanders that did not feel the same way. And, you know, an interesting case in point on something that on an experience I had in a command bill and after I had left Aviano — this is when Laurie and I were back together; we were married at this point. I had a group commander that was frustrated about me taking leave and called me every day at 1500; every day at 1500 I got a telephone call. And you know what that does is now all of a sudden, you're eating lunch, and the clock is getting closer to 1500 and you start to get that knot in your stomach and you're like, ‘OK, what are we going to talk about today?' And so, unfortunately you don't see some of the same appreciation for that across the board. So how do we deal with it? The best thing that we deal with it is that that's where the buck stops. We don't pass it down to our people. So after I got the call from him, I didn't call back to the squadron. I got the call from him. We went through the call, we answered the questions, and I didn't then immediately turn around and call back to my ops officer who was running the Squadron at the time, and say, XYZ. And we just left it there, because at that point in time, the bucks got to stop it at that point. So I think that that's kind of the, you know, the alpha and the omega of learning and then also having your own personal resilience and courage to say, ‘I accept that the buck stops here, and I'm not going to let this roll downhill to my people.'   Naviere Walkewicz  29:41 That's an excellent leadership lesson, because I was going to ask you, ‘What does that look like, and how would you how would you handle that?' And so you went right into that. Thank you so much for that. So what has it been like leading security forces — defenders? What's it been like? Has there been a moment in time where — a particular assignment or something's really stuck into your mind or into your heart, because it's just really affected you?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  30:05 Absolutely. I will tell you, as we go back, as we were kind of talking about decisions that you make in your youth, and that critical decision that I made in the fall of '94 I mean, I have worked with some of the most amazing people I've worked in my life. I have gotten a chance to go to places I never thought that I would see. And so, when you kind of roll up, I would say it was my final squadron command, and I would say that that was a real culminating squadron command. So I commanded four squadrons, and we command early, and we command often, and there's a lot of responsibility that that's placed on us as young officers to command as a young officer. And so having the opportunity to command two times as a captain, or one time, you know, as a major-select, then as a major, then as a lieutenant colonel. So that culminating command would have been Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan in May of 2012 to May of 2013 and you know, it was interesting because all of my previous squadron commands had all been vested in either the contingency response or the kind of combat contingency environments. And it was almost like all of those were leading me to this moment. So let me just kind of set the conditions on what Bagram was like at that point in time. We had grown the squadron to about a 1,200-person squadron, huge squadron. And what we were also responsible for is we had taken over battle space ownership from the Army. So the Air Force was controlling 220 square miles of battle space throughout Parwan province, which is a huge. I mean, it's twice the size of Washington, D.C., if you want to try to give a comparison, more or less is fair to look at that level as just a huge amount of terrain in which our airmen were responsible from everything from humanitarian operations and goodwill outreach to engagements to literal kinetic action and combat in the battle space. And so a part of this culmination was, was an environment where as the defense force commander — as that squadron commander to them as a lieutenant colonel at that point — I mean how we are weaving ourselves into their lives, and how we are working with their section commanders, and how we're working and managing the value of our perimeter defenses with our teams that were going outside of the wire doing legitimate patrolling and engagement and things along those lines, was huge. And I think that that is an example. And when you look in the rearview mirror to say, ‘Gosh, now this, a lot of this makes sense, like all of these assignments, whether by design or whether by fate, somehow gave me an experience that at this moment, I needed it most.' And I think, as I talk, we've really enjoyed being here with the cadets and talking to them about, how does a leader really develop trust, and how does trust really manifest itself? And so, through the time that we were there, and the engagement as their leader — not just the leader who's just simply circulating, because that's important, but they also need to see your decision making and your strategic thought. And how do you react under pressure? How are you reacting as we've got incoming in, and what do you do being the person in the joint defense operations center, helping to manage that, and how are you both taking care of people, and how are you managing mission? And they see that. And so I would say that the development of that level of trust, especially in an environment where you are literally dealing with high costs, is huge. And so I think there was one, situation that really rests on my heart that and I don't talk about this to give validation, but I think I talk about it on it's about how people connect, and why do I feel so strongly that leadership is a human experience, like this is a what we are doing as a human experience. And so I was retiring my chief. So I was asked by my chief at Bagram — this was some years later. He's out of the 105th Base Defense Squadron out of the New York Air National Guard, and him and I were a phenomenal team there. Dave Pritchard and I just made a great team. And so he was retiring, and asked me to come back and do his retirement. So we had done the retirement ceremony. We were at the VFW afterwards, having his after-party and so forth. And so I had gone into the bathroom for a comfort break and washed my hands and things like that. And I noticed, as I was kind of moving towards the bathroom, there was kind of a young man who was kind of floating. You know, floating around. And so I came out of the restroom as I was finished, and he was waiting there at the exit of the restroom for me, and kind of, you know, got in front of me, and he stood there, and he looked at me, and he goes, ‘Hey, sir, I just, I needed to let you know this, that I was one of the airmen in one of your patrols that got hit by an IED, and he said, your investment in us, and the words that you used and when you came to talk to us, and the faith that you had in us gave me the courage to go back outside of the wire when you asked us to go back outside.' And so why that rests so heavy is when you think about what, what is the what is the con? The consequence there is that somebody believed in you so much that when you spoke to them and said the word, they were going to go back out and do it again, in spite of what had just happened to you. And I don't think there is any stronger level of trust that you can ask from somebody than to have one of those moments. And so that moment just resides very, very heavy on my soul, because I think it puts into real, tangible context, what is the responsibility of leadership? What is your responsibility of leadership?   Naviere Walkewicz  36:42 I'm letting that sit a little bit, because I can't even imagine the amount of feeling that you had first for him, the courage to share that with you. Because I'm sure that he really wanted to share that. I'm curious if you can remember perhaps, what he might have been referring to, like what you were sharing with the men and women there.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  37:02 So, you know, it was also a part of things that, in times after Bagram have really been used for me as a senior leader on why I reinforced the importance of values. And, this was one particular incident there that really comes to mind is, and I use this when I when I talk to people, because I again, it's the consequence, and it's why our responsibility as leaders to set the right conditions and culture and all of that is so incredibly valuable. And so I talked to people about a story about we had had a situation where we had some real destabilization in the battle space. There was a particular village that we were having some unique challenges with, and we were doing a lot of kind of battlefield shaping, and we were doing some particular village engagement, and the engagement just wasn't happening. And so we were now kind of starting to escalate our interaction with the village a little bit more and as we were doing that, we were now going to start doing more shaping operations. So it just so happens that one of these nights —this was in the late fall, early winter of 2012 — and we were sending one of our patrols outside to do some shaping and engagement operation there. But this was in the evening. This was a different aspect that we were working for this particular mission. And so mounted up that the airmen are ready to go. They're pushing outside, they're right on time, and everything is going according to plan, and they are getting close to what we call the objective rally point. So that was where they were going to rally up before they actually moved into the village after that. And so everything was going according to plan. And the only thing they needed to do before they got to the objective rally point was really kind of go down a small gully over a rise, and then they meet at their objective rally point at that point. And so teams are moving out. First truck over the rise, getting to the point. Second truck over, everything's going fine. Third truck over, fourth truck after that, BOOM, off goes the IED. And what had happened is, they were waiting for this opportunity, and they knew exactly what to do. And that is, if you hit the last truck in the movement, you've got three trucks that are gone ahead of time, and now we've got folks in a very precarious situation. And so what I talk to people about, when we talk about conditions and the real impact that a leader has, is I'll talk to them about who was in that truck, who was in that MRAP that we were sending down at that point in time. And inside that MRAP was the face of America. And the explosion was significant, and it did some considerable damage. It threw the engine out of it, penetrated the hole, ripped one of the doors off the side in the front. And so, you know, the truck commander was National Guard from, actually from Tennessee, and he had gotten injured, broken an arm because that door had peeled back. And as the door peeled back, his arm got caught and broke his arm. The driver, Asian American coming out of the state of California, active duty. He had injuries to his legs because of the penetration of the hole. We had a gunner up in the turret, African American female from the New York Air National Guard. She had a broken pelvis at the time, and she just stayed on the gun the entire time despite her injuries. We had our radio operator. European American female coming from the Midwest. She was actually Air Force Reserve. She had a case of TBI from the explosion, and she was still making calls on the radio. We had two of our riflemen in the back, both came from Hispanic heritage, one of them from Puerto Rican heritage, one of them from Mexican heritage. They were very fortunate that while they got tossed around the back and had some minor TBI issues, they were more or less bumps and bruises, and they were all by themselves. Yeah, because they were all alone, they were in the middle of Afghanistan, they had just gotten hit. And so for me, what's so important about that story is that if we did not set the right culture and the right values and the right expectations and be in a leader by example, and they were harassing each other on Bagram, and they were assaulting each other on Bagram, and they weren't respecting each other on Bagram, and they didn't care about each other on Bagram, they would have died out there that night. But they treated each other like a family, and they cared about each other like a family, and they took care of each other like a family that night, and they lived and they all came home. So for me, if we're going to talk about what is the true consequence of leadership — and I use consequence deliberately, because oftentimes that's used in a pejorative manner — but this is the true result of your actions, that if you don't set those conditions, then you are legitimately putting your people at risk. And so that whole experience at Bagram, and in so many ways that we all carry our scars and our bruises and things like that. I wouldn't trade that experience for the world, but that was tough. And I often describe it as a tale of two cities. You know, it was the best of times. It was the worst of times.   Naviere Walkewicz  42:34 I think a lot of times, when leaders go through experiences like that, they have some more fortunate than others, but a support network. And I would guess it would be your family. How has your family played a role in these moments in your life, in helping you as a leader?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  42:54 So I will say it's primarily my wife. I have got this wonderful support of parents and my in-laws and so forth. And what's been truly fortunate is how close I am with my in-laws. Because when Laurie and I were dating while I was a cadet, anytime I had an overnight or weekend pass, I was over at her mom and dad's house and so I think that being married to somebody that has truly known you from the beginning, you know, where, whether we got a training weekend going on, or something like that, or I'm working first BCT or whatnot, that Laurie was a unique part of all of these things. And I would say that it has been incredibly heartwarming to watch her interact with the cadets here, because it's fun, because her and I do everything together. And so as we're going to events, I'll have a group of cadets that I'm talking to, and then I'll look over and Laurie's surrounded by a group of cadets who are asking her just very insightful questions about our experiences together, and ‘Was it tough sending them away on deployments?' Or how, you know, in those tough times, ‘How do you how do you keep your marriage together?' Just really insightful questions to ask, but she has just been so central to everything that I do. And so going back a little bit and talking about, like the strength of our relationship and how much that helps, we actually needed to have that breakup period as horribly painful as that was, and wow, was I carrying a torch for her all of those years. I mean, I remember, you know, as time was going by, I would talk to my mom, and I'd be like, ‘Mom, I just wish that Laurie could see the man that I become.' But we needed that time because oftentimes, and what we found in ourselves, we didn't know it at the time, because you're living in your environment and you can't see it, right? Is that in youth, things are often absolutes. And you often will get to a place where you're starting your marriage, your relationship is growing. And if you start to talk about marriage, there are things that we have found were absolutes for us. You know, certain things that we did, how we practiced our faith. Did we open up presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but the expectation was somebody was going to have to give up their particular tradition to conform to the tradition of one of the spouses. And in your youth, that seems reasonable, and I think we needed that time to be apart, having had that time together at such an important time in each of our lives here. But we needed that time apart, because I think we needed that frame of reference as we grew as people into adults. Grew as young adults. And now all of a sudden here I'm getting multiple assignments, and now being thrust into leadership positions with accountability and authority, and then coming back to that, all of a sudden, you're realizing, ‘Gosh, the world just isn't always in absolutes. And maybe a marriage doesn't have to be zero sum, but maybe a marriage can be positive sum.' And do we really have to make somebody give up something that is important to them, that is a part of their identity? Because somehow you feel like you have to conform your marriage into one side or the other. And so, I think for us that was that was so incredibly important. So to kind of get to that story is that, you know, I left Aviano and I went to Al Dhafra. I was in Al Dhafra actually for September 11. It was my first squadron command, but it was a squadron command I wasn't expecting, because I came there as a chief of security forces for about a 70-person security forces flight as a part of the 763rd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at Al Dhafra. And then all of a sudden, 9/11 happens, and we went from about 400 people on Al Dhafra to about 4,000. And you know, U-2s came in, ISR platforms came in. Everything changed. And all of a sudden, this 70-person security forces flight that I had grew into about a 350-person security forces squadron. And AFSET said, ‘Hey, Sherman, you built it, you keep it, and we'll replace you with a major when you leave.' And I was a six-year captain, and so then finishing up that assignment, and I got picked up for — there was a point to that story — but it was about coming back, is that, hey, I got these new, unique experiences that grew me under my belt. And then I came back to do an AFIT program at Cal State San Bernardino. And that was the moment that brought Laurie and I back together.   Naviere Walkewicz  In what way?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN And so, I had a health scare. Nobody knows what it was. We never figured it out. Doctors never figured it out. But it was one of those things, like, all of a sudden, I shotgun something out to everybody I knew. I said, ‘Hey, doctors are a little bit concerned, you know, keep me in your thoughts.' And so Laurie, Laurie is like, ‘Holy cow, you can't just send a one liner and leave it at that.' So she called my mom and dad and said, ‘What's his phone number?' And so it started to turn into ‘Hey, give me all of your test results after you get it back.' Then pretty soon we're talking a couple times a week, and then pretty soon we're talking every other day, and then we are talking every day. And the beauty of this was that we already knew each other, so we already knew what everybody's favorite color was — by the way, Laurie's is purple. We knew what music each other liked. We knew things about each other. And some of the things that actually drew us together when we were dating here was, you know, we had things like some common family traditions, like, you know, Italian fish on Christmas Eve and sitting around the table for hours and stuff like that were all things that we had in common. So we already knew that about each other. Now, her and I on the phone, we're getting into some real, like substantive discussions, children, faith. How do you how you raise children? How do you know, what are we going to do for different traditions? What happens if I have to take a remote; what does that mean? And so we were getting into these really, deep conversations. And, you know, I would come back from either class or then when I PCs to the security forces center out at Lackland, you know, I would come home from work, and this was in the old flip phone days where you had a battery that came off the back. So I would have one battery in the charger, and then I would have an earbud in, and I'd have the phone in my pocket. Yeah, and I'd come home and to call her, and we would just go throughout the evening. So I'm ironing BDUs at the time, shining my boots and stuff like that, and so, and we were just talking. And then we were just kind of like living life together. And, after that point, it became very clear that those two young people who sincerely cared about each other, now, each of us grew up and had experiences in a place that allowed us to really appreciate each other and really love each other. And you know, we were married just a little over a year after that. And it has been phenomenal, her support. And I think one of the great testaments to that was, 10 days after we got married, I went to Baghdad, but she's like, ‘I grew up in the Air Force. I know how this works. We're gonna move the house. I'll get the house put together.' And she's also a professional in her own right, which is great. So she was working in a legal office here as a paralegal and legal assistant here in Colorado Springs, and has been a GS employee for the last 18-plus years. So what's great is she, too has her own aspect of service. What I love about it is that in the jobs that she's in and then the jobs that I'm in, we can talk shop, and then we cannot talk shop, right? And so she's the first person I go to if I have to ask a question, she's the first person that I'll go to say, ‘Hey, did I do that right? Or do I need to backtrack on that a little bit?' Because she knows me, and she knows me completely, and that level of trust and love and faith that we have for each other has truly enabled me to be able to serve our airmen on a level that I don't think would have been possible without her.   Naviere Walkewicz  51:59 Would you say that she's had a role in your development as a leader, in the way that you lead.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  52:05 Oh, absolutely, absolutely, because, and I love it, because her experience as a brat and her dad as a chief gives her a very unique lens to look through. And so the advice that she gives me she can give me from her teenage self in some way, you know, from that experience, watching how her dad interacted with something or knowing her aspect about this. And then as she's developed professionally, working on the E-Ring at the Pentagon a couple different times, working for very senior leaders, knows how to navigate that space. So then I'll go to her for advice, like, ‘Hey, how did your boss handle something like this?' ‘Well, let me tell you what, how we work through this...' And so I would absolutely say that that Laurie has uniquely influenced and helped me to become the best version of myself that I can be.   Naviere Walkewicz  53:03 Wow. Well, I want to ask you a little bit about developing yourself as well, because one of the questions we like to ask is, what are you doing every day to make yourself a better leader? Can you share what that might be?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  53:17 I've said it a couple times during this: I truly believe that leadership is a human experience, so for me, it's about the interaction. And so oftentimes, advice that I've given to people — like there are amazing resources abound that can help people, give people leadership perspectives, and we can either learn it from history, or we can learn it through study. We can learn it through analysis. We can learn it through books. And I've always talked to people about use the external tools that help to grow you, but make sure that you're using it to influence the personality that you already have. Because oftentimes what happens is, is that people will have this really strong desire to say, “OK, I want to make sure that I do this right. And so in doing this right, let me make sure I've got my checklist, and so I'm going to greet them, I'm going to ask them how their family is, I'm going to ask them if the kid did all right in the baseball game. And I'm going to go through my checklist, and if I do that, I fulfill my leadership obligation.' Now not everybody does, and I'm making generalities on but, but I think that there can oftentimes be the allure that when you are focusing on what may be the theory or the principle of the day, and not using it to supplement and grow and mature your personality, that there is a strong allure to want to wholesale replicate what it was that you learned, and you're doing it in a noble place. It's not nefarious. It's being done in a noble, genuine place. But there's that allure to say, ‘OK, good, I really like what I've learned. I'm going to do these things and step through.' And so why I talk so much about the experience, and why I talk so much about the interaction, is that the more that you know the people that you may be influencing by just simply being there and understanding what that means. It means you're eternalizing the value of your presence. You're listening to their stories, and you're understanding for them, what are the things that are motivating them? What are the things that they value? Because each generation, each environment, each condition is going to require something a little bit different from you, and if you don't take the time to understand your environment or generation or cultural nuances or things like that on where you're at, then you are missing that opportunity to develop trust, where they start to believe in you as a person, and not just the rank and position that you hold, because they'll do the right thing for the rank and position that you hold. That's the caliber of people that we have in this Air Force of ours. They'll do the right thing. But if you transcend that in the fact that they believe in you wholeheartedly and trust you, oftentimes with their own lives, it means that you've invested something into them, where they truly know that you care. And that goes back to that A1C on the cork board that said, ‘I need somebody who cares about me as a person.'   Naviere Walkewicz  56:41 You know, as I think about what you've experienced through your career and the lessons you've learned, both professionally and personally, what would you say to yourself back then that you should be doing back then to get to where you're at now? Because we have listeners that are like, ‘What can I start planting today, that will bloom down the road?'   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  57:03 Absolutely. And so I think if I was to go back and put my arm around Cadet First Class Sherman, I think what I would do is — because it is, it is oftentimes easy to look in the crystal clear mirror of hindsight, right? But I think instead, what I would do is I would put my arm around him and say, ‘Keep following your heart and let the failures happen, because the failures are going to grow and let the stumbles happen and enjoy the triumphs with people and be appreciative for what got you there.' And I think it would be more of the encouragement of like, ‘You have laid out a path for you take the path wherever it goes, the joy, the pain, the triumph, the failure, all of those things, because all of that helps to develop the leader.' And oftentimes you want to go back and say, gosh, if I was going to talk to my previous self, then I would say, ‘Ah, don't do that one thing,' right? But I'm looking at it saying that if I didn't do that one thing, then I'm not sure that I would be where I'm at at a time to make sure I didn't do that thing at a moment that was incredibly catastrophic. And so while we have this desire to want to prevent ourselves from the failure, I think that what we have to do is say you're going to fail and you need to fail, and it's going to sound — relish in the failure, because it is often emotionally troubling, especially those of us that come here because we are Type A perfectionist, and that's part of the draw of coming to this amazing place. Is there a certain personality traits that help us to be successful here, but not all of those personality traits make us uniquely successful in all situations outside, and so you've got to have that failure at some point in time. And the failure that you can get up and say, ‘OK, I did this. This happened. My soul is bruised. My ego is bruised. I may have to take a little bit of accountability for this. OK, now I need to have the courage to take the next step forward again.' Because I could easily retreat back to a safe place, and I could become risk averse, and all that does is hurt the people around you. OK. I have to have the courage to breathe and take the step again and get back in there. So I would tell my — I don't think I would want to prevent myself from doing anything. I think even the growth that took place while Laurie and I were apart — and, like I said, that torch that I carried for her — I think if I had whispered in my ear and said, ‘Hey, just relax, you're gonna marry her.' I think I needed that torch, because that in my own mind and my own emotion was me needing to become a better man, and so I think I needed to go through — like, sometimes you need the struggle, and sometimes the things that are most valuable are the things that you had to go through the struggle for, right? And I think that's where my blue collar ethics background comes in. It's like, I'm just going to roll up my sleeves and I'm going to work through the struggle.   Naviere Walkewicz  1:00:36 Wow. Well, we took a look back. I just want to ask you a question forward. So do you think about legacy? And what do you want your legacy to be? Is that something that plays in your mind as you wake up each morning or go to lead people?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  1:00:50 I think the way that I look at it is, I look at it in a in a different aspect, and the way that I look at it is in a very confined point to point. It's not about what is going to be Tom Sherman's legacy when he retires someday, but was that interaction that I had with somebody to give them some encouraging words when they fell down, did that matter to them at that moment? Because there are people for me in my failures that were commanders, that were leaders, that were mentors, that were senior enlisted, that, you know, grabbed that lieutenant by the arm and helped to lift me up. And their memories are etched in my fabric. And so I think that it's about that individual event that your legacy will live in the people in which you made a difference to them.   Naviere Walkewicz  1:01:49 Well, I'll share with you, I was telling my son — he's a cadet, a third-class cadet, actually, now he's about to be a C2C — that I was doing this podcast with you, and he said, ‘What an incredible leader, Mom, he motivates me. He's so inspiring.' So your legacy is already through my son—   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  1:02:05 Thank you! That means — thank you so much for sharing.   Naviere Walkewicz  1:02:10 —that you really made an impact. So we're going to get to your final thoughts here in a little bit. But before we do, I want to make sure that you know our podcasts publish on every second Tuesday of the month, and you can certainly listen to Gen. Sherman in any of our other podcasts on longblueleadership.org. So Gen. Sherman, what would you like to leave our listeners with today? This has been incredible, by the way. Thank you.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  1:02:32 I have truly enjoyed this, and it's just been — it was just wonderful having the conversation with you, and it's in real honor to be a part of this. I truly believe in what you're doing here.   Naviere Walkewicz  1:02:43 Thank you. It's my pleasure to help share your story and help inspire others. And is there anything we might leave with our listeners that that they can part with tonight?   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  1:02:51 I think, for me, you need to love what you do and love I think, is one of the most powerful words in language. And I don't just say the English language. I say in language because of the strength behind the meaning and how wide the meaning can be impactful. If you love what you do, people will feel that your very presence will make a difference. They'll feel that if you love what you do, then you're being, you know, internally, inspired by the love that you have for what you're being a part of, right? If you love and care about your people, they will follow you to the ends of the Earth, because they know the passion that you have and the belief that you have in them. So I think that as we go back to these things, we oftentimes look at the terms of courage and love may seem diametrically opposed, and I would attest that you can be most courageous and that your courage will be most effective only when it's buttressed by the love that you have in what you do and who you do it with.   Naviere Walkewicz  1:04:08 Thank you, sir, for that. Thank you for being on Long Blue Leadership.   MAJ. GEN. SHERMAN  1:04:11 Absolutely. Thank you. This was a wonderful time. It was a real honor.   Naviere Walkewicz  1:04:14 Thank you. Well, until next time, I'm Naviere Walkewicz. We'll see you on Long Blue Leadership.     KEYWORDS Leadership, Air Force Academy, Major General Thomas P. Sherman, mentorship, personal growth, security forces, work-life balance, family support, continuous improvement, legacy       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation        

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us and sign up for updates visit: www.arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: https://tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode:Now that the “12 Day War” between Israel and Iran has ended (for now), we are turning our attention back toward the war in Gaza, where 50 Israeli hostages remain. President Donald Trump has been advocating for an end to the war, saying that he believes a hostage-ceasefire deal might come within a week. This comes amid increasing doubts about IDF achievements in Gaza going forward, especially with IDF casualties on a near daily basis. This past Wednesday, seven Israeli soldiers were tragically killed when an IED hit the armored vehicle they were in. Joining us to discuss the ongoing IDF campaign in Gaza and the possibility for a new ceasefire deal —  and the events taking place in the West Bank — is Call me Back regular and political analyst at Yedioth Achronot, Nadav Eyal.–CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Upcoming Seminars: https://www.fordk9.com/events/Stratos K9 Application: https://stratosk9.com/work-for-us/In this episode of K9's Talking Scents, host Cameron Ford sits down with Jonathan “Monte” to unpack his incredible journey from Marine Corps infantry to canine handler on the frontlines.Monte shares what it's really like to work an off-leash IED detection dog in combat zones, including the high-stakes missions, life-or-death decisions, and the gut-wrenching moments that still haunt him. From learning to trust his dog under fire to dealing with the aftermath of critical mistakes, Monty gives an unfiltered look into the pressures K9 handlers face that most people never see.They also dive into:•The transition from military to contracting work•Why handler-dog bonding off the clock actually saves lives•The problem with ego in the K9 world•How modern training is evolving (but still has a long way to go)This episode is packed with real-world lessons, vulnerable moments, and powerful advice for dog handlers in any discipline.Chapters:00:00 Intro & Meet Monty01:18 Off-Leash IED Dog Program Explained05:06 Combat Missions & Game-Changing Experiences09:07 Life-or-Death Mistakes & Lasting Regrets14:35 The Pressure of Reading Your Dog in Combat18:14 The Power of Trust & Bonding with Your Dog25:30 Contracting World vs. Military Dog Work33:00 Why You Should Live with Your Dog39:00 Ego, Open-Mindedness & Industry Growth43:09 The Dangerous Role of Compulsion Training46:00 How the K9 Industry is Evolving (Slowly)51:42 Monty's Journey into Social Media & Storytelling

Duty, Sacrifice, and Character: The Unshakable Resolve of LTC Daniel Gade This week's Team Never Quit guest, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Gade, brings us a story of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that will leave you deeply inspired. A two-time Purple Heart recipient, LTC Gade served with distinction in Iraq, where he led soldiers in some of the most hostile environments and endured life-altering injuries in the line of duty. But as you'll hear, his story didn't end in combat—it began a new chapter of leadership, healing, and purpose. Born on a North Dakota farm and raised with a strong sense of patriotism, Daniel always knew he was destined to serve. After graduating from West Point, he rose through the ranks as an armored officer, company commander, and eventually a wounded warrior whose leg injury nearly claimed his life. Through a long and painful recovery, his faith, family, and unrelenting grit propelled him to become a policy expert, White House veteran, Ph.D. holder, and educator at the very academy that shaped him. This conversation goes beyond the battlefield to explore themes of honor, duty, and the character that defines true greatness. Whether you're in the military or not, Daniel's story will challenge you to reflect on your own purpose and what you're willing to sacrifice for it. In This Episode You Will Hear: • I worry about whether the wars that we fought in – were they the right thing to do? I wonder if our national leadership is courageous enough to understand that these young men and women - their blood should not be sacrificed in vain. (9:53) • I hope our generation will do a better job of deciding when and where to go to war. (10:59) • I graduated West Point in '97 (13:47) • [Marcus – On 9/11] They sat us down. They hey had all the TVs on the wall. As we were watching it, the second one [plane] hit. (18:46) • My tank was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade on November 10th, and it killed the soldier next to me and wounded me mildly. (23:35) • I remember looking at him and the next day was veteran's day. And I remember thinking: “I know he's dead, but his parents don't know he's dead yet. And they're gonna find out on Veteran's Day.” (25:53) • At 26:25 Daniel recalls the experience of being hit by an IED. • It's a miracle that I'm alive, honestly. (28:41) • I end up spending a year in the hospital. (28:57) • People ask me if I have PTSD and I don't, but when I was unconscious, I had horrible, horrible dreams. (30:55) • I went from user-level wounded warrior, just a guy in a hospital bed, to being the guy whose office is overlooking the west wing from across the street. (38:05) • The book is called “Wounding Warriors”. It's on Amazon. (43:4) • The generosity that we do have for veterans is actually too much and in the wrong direction because it incentivizes all the wrong behaviors. (44:18) • The system itself disincentivizes wellness and positivity. It causes people to quit and to disengage from society. (48:08) • The whole system is basically welfare. (50:24) • What we need to do is re-orient the system towards employment and thriving, and towards changing goals from seeing how much money people can get to seeing how good an outcome they can get. (55:06) • We ought not label someone disabled until they've gone through the full rehabilitation process. (55:28) • If you want more of something, incentivize it. If you want less of something, tax it. (56:15) There's 6million people getting disability compensation, and 3.2 million of them are getting it for Tinnitus – ringing of the ears. (58:40) • We should take care of veterans the right way. Not turn them into welfare queens. (64:41) Support Dainel   - Buy his book here ---> https://a.co/d/5XJ9UAM Support TNQ   - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13   -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:   -  cargurus.com/TNQ    - armslist.com/TNQ   - partnersinbuilding.com - Navyfederal.org        -    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - WARFARE IN THEATERS APRIL 11th Watch Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JER0Fkyy3tw First Look Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3DWuqiAUKg&t=3s    -   - PXGapparel.com/TNQ   - bruntworkwear.com/TNQ    - Selectquote.com/TNQ    - Groundnews.com/TNQ    - You can find Cremo's new line of antiperspirants and deodorants at Target or Target.com    - shipsticks.com/TNQ    - Robinhood.com/gold    - strawberry.me/TNQ    - stopboxusa.com {TNQ}    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   -  kalshi.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ   - Shadyrays.com [TNQ]   - qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ   - Aura.com/TNQ   - Policygenius.com   - TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]   - usejoymode.com [TNQ]

For most Americans, the 4th of July means beaches and BBQs — but on that day in 2012, Army Staff Sergeant Monte Bernardo was fighting for his life in Afghanistan. After stepping on an IED, Monte lost both legs and his left arm, beginning a long and grueling recovery. With the help of his family and the Semper Fi & America's Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides lifetime support for critically wounded or ill service members, veterans, and military families, he rebuilt his life — and his mindset. Today, Monte joins Ben to discuss why he has no regrets about what happened while he was fighting for America's freedom, how he was able to keep a positive attitude while going through a painful recovery, and why the 4th of July is now the most important celebration in his life — because it's the day he survived.Find out more about the Semper Fi & America's Fund here: thefund.org Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this explosive episode of The Survival Summit Podcast, Jesse Wilbur, author of P.A.C.E. Planning, The Nine Pillars of Preparedness, and co-author of Situational Awareness, breaks down one of the most powerful concepts in modern preparedness: Left of Boom.“Left of Boom” (Douglas Laux) originated in the military during the Iraq War for IED prevention. “Left of Bang” built on that concept, adapted by Marine vets Patrick Van Horne & Jason A. Riley for situational awareness. Props to all who helped shape the mindset.

Bienvenidos a El Brieff. El telón del G7 ya ha caído, revelando tramas de poder y negocio que reconfiguran el tablero global. En México, la Presidenta Sheinbaum defiende la elección judicial, mientras un golpe doble al huachicol busca normalizar nuestro mercado energético. Te mostraremos cómo México, en su récord de IED, se mantiene como un faro de inversión en un mundo en contracción, aunque con la sombra de la inestabilidad. Analizaremos la cuenta regresiva de Trump en Irán y cómo la guerra comercial con Canadá redibuja las reglas del T-MEC. Además, descubre por qué TikTok sigue desafiando a Washington y cómo X busca transformar tu vida financiera.¿Alguna vez te has preguntado cómo las empresas más exitosas no solo navegan, sino que dominan el complejo mundo de los datos? ¿Estás cansado de tomar decisiones estratégicas basadas en la intuición en lugar de en inteligencia real y accionable? En el episodio de hoy, nos sumergiremos en STRTGY, la compañía detrás de EVA (Enterprise Virtual Analyst). Descubre cómo esta plataforma de inteligencia artificial está transformando la forma en que las empresas abordan las ventas, el marketing, las finanzas y la dirección general, convirtiendo datos complejos en claridad accionable y, en última instancia, en rentabilidad. , te invitamos a visitar www.strtgy.ai. También puedes enviar un correo directamente a arturo@strtgy.ai para solicitar una demostración y ver cómo EVA puede impulsar tus ventas.Recibe gratis nuestro newsletter con las noticias más importantes del día.Si te interesa una mención en El Brieff, escríbenos a arturo@brieffy.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Combat-wounded Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny “Joey” Jones turned a traumatic, life-changing disability into a personal mission to improve the lives of all veterans. Known to his friends as “Triple J,” Jones was raised in Dalton, GA and enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school. During his eight years of service, he worked as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (bomb) Technician, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan on separate tours. During his last deployment to Afghanistan, Jones was responsible for disarming and destroying 80+ improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and thousands of pounds of other unknown bulk explosives. During that tour on August 6, 2010, he stepped on and initiated an IED, resulting in the loss of both of his legs above the knee and severe damage to his right forearm and both wrists. He recovered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C. Focusing on overcoming adversity, finding a positive perspective in dire situations, leaning on those around you, and finding strength in yourself and your community, Joey now serves at the Chief Spokesperson for Zac Brown's Southern Ground and Military director and spokesperson for Camp Southern Ground. Joey regularly appears as an outspoken, yet insightful military analyst for Fox News. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When in the peak of his milatary career, Curtis was struck by an IED on deployment. When on the ground he told his mates "it's ok, I will go to the Paralympics" and that, he did! Listen to a portion of his remarkable story ahead of his visit to Cairns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Joe De Sena sits down with a Marine veteran, Rob Jones, who lost both legs to an IED—but didn't lose his drive, purpose, or grit.   Instead, he came back stronger, running 31 marathons in 31 days, winning a Paralympic medal, and building a powerful life rooted in service, family, and leadership. His story is a masterclass in resilience, perspective, and unstoppable mindset.   If you've ever felt stuck, defeated, or uncertain about your path, this episode will show you what's possible when you choose purpose over pain—and keep showing up, no matter what.   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:48 Meet Rob Jones 01:11 Life lesson from the Marines 02:36 From selfish college kid to selfless soldier 03:47 Why selflessness matters for success 04:57 Can selflessness be taught in schools? 06:14 Ego, avoidance, and the courage to take responsibility 08:16 The IED that changed Rob's life 09:59 The power of perspective after trauma 11:23 Dark moments: Waking up after the blast 14:15 Projecting a hopeless future vs. choosing to live 15:02 Marathons, medals, and fatherhood 17:32 What's next for Rob 18:51 How do people find Rob 20:23 Final thoughts   Connect to Rob: Website: https://www.robjonesjourney.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robjonesjourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robjonesjourney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jones-journey Twitter/X: https://x.com/robjonesjourney

For The Other Side NDE Videos Visit ▶️ youtube.com/@TheOtherSideNDEYT Purchase our book on Amazon

En este nuevo episodio de Tras Las Lineas, Gafe423 y Plasty se adentran en uno de los hechos más oscuros del año: la muerte de varios elementos del GRE (Grupo de Respuesta a emergencias) tras pisar un IED en Michoacán.❗ Pero el verdadero misterio no es solo la explosión... sino la presencia de un alto mando de SEDENA en el operativo. ¿Qué hacía un general en esa misión? ¿Por qué nadie ha dado explicaciones claras?Este caso huele a encubrimiento, y la opinión pública apenas empieza a despertar.

Charles 'Chuck' Ritter is a Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Sergeant Major Green Beret. Having served multiple combat deployments - 17 in total - to areas including Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, & Syria, Chuck has an extensive military career spanning over 27 years in service, primarily with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was blown up by an IED in 2008, shot three times by a PKM in 2013, and caught another bullet in his right hand in 2014, earning him the unofficial title of 'bullet magnet', and he has received numerous awards for his valor including the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor, and three Purple Heart Medals. Recently, Chuck completed his tenure as the Deputy Commandant for the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School's (USAJFKSWCS) Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He founded Lycos Group LLC, a leadership consulting company and also co-hosted the podcast 'Pineland Underground' for the Special Warfare Center and School. Since then, he's co-founded Objective Arete, an organization focused on personal excellence and self-efficacy, where he also co-produces 'The Objective Arete Podcast.' Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop ---------- Support Chuck Ritter - Check out Chuck's Podcast, The Objective Arete Podcast, at https://objectivearete.com/category/podcast/ Objective Arete - https://objectivearete.com/ Website - https://chuckritter.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuckritter/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chuck.p.ritter X - https://x.com/Chuck_Ritter92 ---------- Sponsors: C. Crane When the internet goes dark, radio still works! Order Your C. Crane CC Radio 3 today when you call C. Crane's U.S. based Customer Service at 800-522-8863 or visit https://ccrane.com/drop and use code DROP at checkout for 10% off orders over $75! ---------- TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog's Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog's health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike's bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog. https://www.teamdog.pet SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

//The Wire//2300Z June 10, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: RIOTS CONTINUE TO SPREAD GLOBALLY. 17x COORDINATED IED BLASTS REPORTED IN COLOMBIA. MASS SHOOTING STRIKES AUSTRIA. STABBING ATTACKS CONTINUE IN SPAIN. UNREST AND RIOTING CONTINUES IN NORTHERN IRELAND.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Colombia: Overnight an IED was detonated at the Police Headquarters in Buenaventura, with no injuries being reported. This morning, 16x more IED blasts were reported throughout the nation. These blasts mostly took the form of Vehicle-Borne IEDs (VBIEDs), striking the city of Cali as well as some minor outlying areas.AC: These attacks are significant due to the level of coordination required to conduct these attacks at scale. So far, the casualty count is minimal, with most of the IEDs detonating after being parked at fixed sites such as police stations.Austria: A school shooting was reported at the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school Graz, resulting in 10x fatalities and over a dozen wounded. The suspect eliminated themselves after conducting the attack, and has not yet been identified by authorities.Spain: A city sanitation worker was stabbed in Cambrils yesterday. This comes after three men were arrested for stabbing another man in the same city two weeks ago.Northern Ireland: Riots broke out over the weekend following a series of high-profile assaults in Ballymena. What started out as peaceful protest transitioned into small-scale riots once darkness fell on Monday, with minor pockets of violence and arson continuing today.AC: As one might expect, details on this case are hard to verify as no mainstream media is providing details pertaining to the incident that started all of this. However, at face value this appears to be similar to the Rotheram Grooming Scandal that came to light in the U.K. last year. Locals in Northern Ireland state that two Romanian immigrants assaulted several young girls over the weekend, which resulted in the tipping point being reached in Ballymena. Locals set fire to the homes of the suspects, and have destroyed much of the migrant housing in the local area.Far East: Two Chinese PLAN aircraft carriers were observed operating in the waters off the coast of Iwo Jima overnight, marking the first time that both of China's aircraft carriers have been observed conducting joint exercises.-HomeFront-California: The Los Angeles Riots continue as before amid increasing National Guard deployment. 2/7 Marines began movement into the area yesterday, while the roughly 2,000 National Guard forces continue mobilization.Overnight, looting and rioting continued throughout the downtown LA area, with pockets of rioting emerging in Little Tokyo, the LA LIVE area, and Pershing Square. Most stores along Broadway were burglarized in the process by coordinated gangs of looters. Train service was halted for Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and Union Station due to unrest in and around the stations. Various ride-share and autonomous driving taxi companies have also begun to shut down services throughout Los Angeles, with Waymo vehicles being observed maneuvering out of the city early yesterday after several of their vehicles were set on fire.This afternoon, the rioting continued in the same locations as before, with the 101 being shut down due to protesters once again. Additionally, a possible small arms attack was conducted at the corner of Atlantic and Alondra in Compton. An unidentified male produced a firearm and pointed it at a police line down the street.AC: As this is a developing situation at the time of this report, many details are unclear. However, it's only a matter of time before small arms attacks take place, either directed at law enforcement or otherwise. Several gangs throughout the Los Angeles area have made statements indicating that they will defend their turf with

मोदी सरकार 3.0 की सालगिरह पर क्या बोले जेपी नड्डा, बेंगलुरू भगदड़ मामले में आज डिप्टी कमिश्नर ने 45 लोगों को समन किया, ठाणे में हुआ रेल हादसा, नक्सलियों के IED ब्लास्ट में एडिशनल एसपी शहीद हुए, योगी आदित्यनाथ आज दिल्ली दौरे पर, ज्योति मल्होत्रा को भेजा गया 14 दिन की न्यायिक हिरासत में, अक्षय कुमार और अरशद वारसी को मिली राजस्थान हाई कोर्ट से बड़ी राहत, लॉस एंजेलिस में हो रहे विरोध प्रदर्शन को लेकर कमला हैरिस ने साधा ट्रंप पर निशाना और पुर्तगाल ने जीता यूएफ़ा नेशन्स लीग 2025 का फ़ाइनल, सिर्फ़ 5 मिनट में सुनिए दोपहर 1 बजे तक की बड़ी ख़बरें

Antonio Locicero"Cubana"Edizioni Clichyhttps://edizioniclichy.it/libro/cubana/La città dei lettoriSabato 7 giugno 2025, ore 19:30Antonio Locicero con Gabriele Ametrano"Cubana" Edizioni Clichyhttps://www.lacittadeilettori.it/Cubana è un viaggio per immagini nell'anima di Cuba, tra luci e ombre, colori vibranti e favolosa decadenza. Un percorso visivo tra strade, volti, suoni e atmosfere che raccontano l'isola, lasciando spazio a suggestioni, emozioni e riflessioni. Un viaggio nel cuore pulsante di un popolo e del suo ambiente, inscindibili come la musica e la danza che ne scandiscono il tempo quotidiano.Con i contributi di Danilo Venturi, direttore dello IED di Milano e di Erick González Bello, direttore del Museo de las Parrandas, patrimonio dell'UnescoCubana è un viaggio visivo ed emozionale attraverso un parte della Grande Isola de Cuba, un racconto fatto di immagini che catturano e esplorano i contrasti vibranti dell'isola: la brillante eterogeneità delle città e dei paesi, i colori intensi e i toni decadenti, le voci e i suoni che animano le strade. Attraverso la lente dell'autore, emergono l'anima dei luoghi e l'intensità delle persone che li abitano, raccontando un equilibrio indissolubile tra Ambiente e Abitanti. Organizzato in quattro capitoli alternati – due dedicati all'Ambiente e due agli Abitanti – il libro evita una narrazione lineare per immergere il lettore in una visione d'insieme. Ogni scatto è un invito a perdersi nella danza della luce, nei dettagli delle architetture, nei gesti e negli sguardi delle persone incontrate lungo il cammino. È un viaggio senza coordinate precise, dove non importa il «dove» ma il «come» e il «perché» delle emozioni che ogni immagine suscita. Ogni immagine è un frammento di vita che racconta storie di quotidianità, portando il lettore a riflettere sul valore della diversità e sull'unicità di questa isola enigmatica. Più che un libro, Cubana è un ponte tra chi osserva e chi vive, tra chi scatta e chi è ritratto. Un'opera che celebra la musica, la danza e la cultura cubana, che pervade ogni aspetto della vita quotidiana. È un'ode a Cuba e alla sua gente, una testimonianza visiva che sa emozionare e sorprendere, restituendo la vibrante intensità di un eterno presente.Antonio Locicero è un graphic designer nato a Palermo nel 1991. Ha iniziato la sua carriera nel 2013 e dopo aver completato il corso triennale in Graphic Design presso l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo si è specializzato in grafica per l'editoria presso lo IED di Firenze. Nel corso degli anni, ha collaborato con svariati clienti, concentrando la sua attenzione soprattutto nel mondo dell'arte, della cultura e della formazione. Oltre alla sua passione per il design, Antonio coltiva una profonda passione per la musica e la fotografia. Attraverso quest'ultima, cerca di comunicare emozioni, narrare storie e immortalare preziosi momenti.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

Ashley Semmens is a former Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver who served for 18 years, specialising in explosive ordnance disposal. He has deployed multiple times, including to Afghanistan, and participated in Australia's military withdrawal in 2021. After surviving trauma from an IED attack, a sniper incident, and a horrific shark attack aftermath in Sydney Harbour, Ashley was medically discharged due to PTSD. Now, he's preparing to swim the English Channel — not just any swim, but on his back, using fins. It's a fundraising mission for the Navy Clearance Diver Trust and a deeply personal journey into fear, resilience, and purpose. In this episode, Ash opens up about overcoming fear of the water, losing close mates, post-service mental health, and how he's turning pain into a platform for support and recovery. Key Moments 00:00 – Ben and Tim intro the episode and Ash's unique goal: finning across the English Channel 01:14 – Comparison to Sam Penny's Channel swim (Season 1, Episode 27) 01:40 – Ash's clearance diving background and fear of water after trauma 02:45 – Military and Afghanistan service; PTSD and recovery journey 04:00 – Ash joins the conversation, starts with early life and growing up in Adelaide 06:00 – Competitive swimming as a teen; early struggles and successes 07:45 – 2003: Racing against Grant Hackett at Nationals 09:18 – Backstroke vs freestyle debate; Ash's short course gold medal (with caveats) 10:00 – Natural transition to the Navy from competitive sport 11:01 – Joining as a direct entry diver and diver vs boatswain's mate decision 12:01 – Clearance Diver selection process explained — 10 days of being wet, sandy, and psychologically tested 14:07 – What Ash learned about focus, fatigue, and resilience during selection 15:00 – 2009 shark attack incident: Ash explains what happened to Paul de Gelder 17:34 – Ash's role in the aftermath: trauma from cleaning the boat, psychological impact 18:29 – Lingering fear of large bodies of water, even lakes 20:00 – Later incident at Jervis Bay: panic before dive leads to difficult team moment 21:12 – Realisation of responsibility and shame around not seeking help 22:30 – Stigma and lack of psychological support during service 23:45 – What clearance divers do: diving, EOD, underwater repair, and land-based ops 25:16 – How Ash ended up doing EOD work in Afghanistan despite being too junior 27:22 – Becoming the most junior sailor to deploy for combat operations in Afghanistan 28:46 – Motivation to deploy: “It's like a footballer wanting to play a grand final” 29:00 – Getting targeted by an IED during deployment 31:30   About the Bushmaster 34:42   Pressure builds up 39:30   PTSD, cracks, symptoms and care 44:00   ‘More to live for' – side story 49:10   Medical discharge… and there are no protective factors in the military uniform 51:00   Role identity fusion 54:30   Finning the channel- breaking it down     External Links Navy Clearance Diver Trust Paul de Gelder – Shark Attack Survivor & Advocate S1E27 – Sam Penny swims the English Channel Contact Us www.unforgiving60.com Email: debrief@unforgiving60.com Instagram & Twitter: @Unforgiving60   Music With thanks to: The Externals – available on Spotify

Looking for something to lift your spirits? This episode is for you! This week we discuss the podcast, “Medal of Honor, Stories of Courage” Season 2, with Host, Army combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, actor and best selling-author J.R. Martinez. Before we dove into the podcast, JR offered a closer look at his amazing life. We heard how he went from surviving an IED explosion and severe burns, to winning “Dancing with The Stars” and a role on the daytime TV drama “All My Children”. With his great sense of humor, JR also shared hilarious moments, like how he's frequently mistaken for the famous musician Seal. We also examined the inspiring stories behind recipients of the Medal of Honor as told in the podcast. From stories of valor and truth from a WWI veteran to a teacher who saved a student's life amidst a school shooting attempt, each story from the podcast will definitely lift your spirits. We also examined what makes a hero, and how we can all do it … if we just “show up” for someone else. Check out the inspiring podcast series “Medal of Honor, Stories of Courage” here: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/medal-of-honor-stories-of-courage And check out Army combat veteran, actor, author and Master Motivator J.R. Martinez here: https://jrmartinez.com/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No segundo episódio da série, o WITCast recebe Ana Paula Repezza, Diretora da Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos (Apex-Brasil).Ana Paula é uma profissional com mais de 20 anos de experiência em assuntos públicos nacionais e internacionais. Com uma trajetória marcada por atuação estratégica em política comercial, internacionalização e atração de investimento estrangeiro direto (IED) e compartilha, de forma honesta e sensível, os desafios e aprendizados de conciliar uma carreira intensa com a maternidade.Em uma conversa sem filtros, falamos sobre feminismo, as escolhas que a maternidade impõe, a pressão de dar conta de tudo — e a libertadora ideia de que está tudo bem não conseguir.Edição: Luna Coelho

 Jack Zimmerman—combat-wounded veteran, motivational speaker, and author of Beyond Five Minutes—shares his transformative journey from surviving an IED explosion to finding healing and purpose through the outdoors. Jack discusses the pivotal moments that reshaped his perspective, the role of resilience in overcoming adversity, and how nature became a sanctuary for recovery and growth. His story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to find strength and meaning after life's most challenging trials.Join the BA Family & follow us on Instagram.Check out the visual on Youtube. Join the free newsletter where you get exclusive access to mindset tips, events and a network of like minded individuals. The #1 Non-Synthetic Supplement for anti-aging, skin, sleep, libido & recovery. Use code "breathinair"

About the Show:"Once I learned that they'd give me trophies and awards and scholarships for saying words, I thought, that's in my wheelhouse."Aaron MankinIn this powerful episode of I am Northwest Arkansas™, we revisit the story of Aaron Mankin, a U.S. Marine who survived a devastating IED explosion in Iraq. Aaron shares his journey of recovery—from the battlefield to burn treatment to becoming an advocate for fellow veterans.His story is one of deep sacrifice, resilience, and the healing power of community and purpose.As we honor Memorial Day, this conversation reminds us of the personal cost of war and the strength it takes to carry on.All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast.Important Links and Mentions on the Show* Listen to the original IANWA episode - 292. Email Steve MankinFindItNWA.com NWA's Hyperlocal Business DirectoryThis episode is sponsored by*HootOwl Legal Ver 2 FindItNWA.com Try ONBoardNWA.com Today! *Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.Connect more with I am Northwest Arkansas:Grab our Newsletter Email Us at hello@iamnorthwestarkansas.comConnect With Our Facebook Page Connect With Us on Threads Connect With Our Instagram Connect With Our LinkedIn PageJoin The Facebook Group Connect with our Fearless Host, Randy Wilburn on LinkedInThank you for listening to this I am Northwest Arkansas podcast episode. We showcase businesses, culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the Ozarks. Consider donating to our production team to keep this podcast running smoothly. Donate to I Am Northwest Arkansas Mentioned in this episode:FindItNWA.com

Send us a text however note we cannot reply through these means. Please message the instagram or email if you are wanting a response. On todays Zero Limits Podcast I chat with Scotty Mac former signals operator from 126 Signals Squadron that supports the 2nd Commando Regiment.Scott enlisted into the Australian Defence Force in 2006 first enlisting as infantry soldier during basic training at Kapooka he transferred to Signals Corps. After completing basic and initial employment training Scott had the desire to post to a unit that supports special forces and with hard work he was posted to 126 Signals Squadron which supports the at the time 4RAR soon to be renamed 2nd Commando Regiment Australian Special Forces on the East coast of Australia.Scott deployed on two SOTG rotations supporting 2CDO on operations in Afghanistan in Romeo Platoon Bravo Company and with November Platoon Alpha Company. During his deployments Scott encountered multiple life changing scenarios including calling in a medevac for KIA Brett Till, WIA Damien Thomlinson and the when Scott Smith was killed by an IED.In recent years November platoon was falsely portrayed and defamed in the media more specifically by the ABC network portraying that the platoon was involved in war crimes also most recently altering gun shots of a clip with Heston Russell and Scott the soldier that fired his weapon in a helo during a 2CDO task. The ABC lost the defamation case against the platoon commander Heston Russell and the ABC denied actions of editing audio and suggested it was an editing error.  www.3zeroscoffee.com.auInstargram @3zeroscoffee Discount Code 3ZLimits Website - www.zerolimitspodcast.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/zero.limits.podcast/?hl=enHost - Matty Morris www.instagram.com/matty.m.morrisSponsorsGatorz Australia - www.gatorzaustralia.com15% Discount Code - ZERO15(former/current military & first responders 20% discount to order please email orders@gatorzaustralia.com.auGetSome Jocko Fuel - www.getsome.com.au10 % Discount Code - ZEROLIMITS

Caleb Brewer - (Ret.) Army Green Beret, Bow Hunter, Founder of Stick Sniper Archery. Caleb is a lifelong Tucson native. He found his calling in 2005 when he joined the US Army. For 11 years, Caleb served in the military and earned the right to wear the Green Beret as a Special Forces soldier. In 2015, his life changed when he was critically injured by an IED, resulting in the loss of both legs while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. Throughout recovery, Caleb learned that being outdoors was just as therapeutic as any other method. He trained hard in the gym so that he could function out in nature. Caleb's passion for archery began in 2017. He quickly progressed to working on his own bow, building a near full-service shop in his garage, and bowhunting closely followed as part of the progression. In 2020, Caleb created the program for and became the Archery Program Manager for 501c3 Operation Enduring Warrior, in 2021 a nonprofit foundation that supports veterans and first responders. Caleb realized the massively therapeutic benefit archery had on those struggling with internal and external injuries. Now Caleb's goal is to grow the sport of archery within his hometown of Tucson through Stick Sniper Archery. Tune in as Bobby Marshall sits down with Caleb Brewer at Stick Sniper Archery in Tucson, AZ to discuss archery, bow hunting, recovery, mindset, outdoor therapy, Fread Bear, music, business, wildlife, family, outdoor Life & much more. Please subscribe or like us on social media platforms for updates on shows, events, and episode drops.www.TheMountainSidePodcast.comShow Links www.StickSniper.comAffiliates LinksSponsor Linkswww.SABObroadheads.comMountain Side listeners receive $10 off & Free Shipping on all SABO Broadheads!

En un contexto marcado por la tensión internacional y la incertidumbre política local, México recibió 21 mil 373 millones de dólares en inversión extranjera directa (IED) durante el primer trimestre del año. Aunque el dato representa un crecimiento del 5% respecto al mismo periodo de 2024, el economista Eduardo Torreblanca advierte que no hay motivo para echar las campanas al vuelo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a text however note we cannot reply through these means. Please message the instagram or email if you are wanting a response. On today's Zero Limits Podcast I chat with Nathan Bolton former Sapper from the Special Operation Engineer Regiment and Author of Trigger Warning: A Special Operations Engineer in AfghanistanBefore enlisting into the Australian Defence Force Nathan worked in the mines, worked on the oil rigs, was a volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Service, and then enlisted into the army reserves as an engineer however during Kapooka he transferred to the regular army.After joining the Army, Nathan was posted to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Darwin, however a few months later he was posted to the Special Operations Engineer Regiment based out of Holsworthy in Sydney between 2009 and 2014. In 2010 and 2012, Nathan deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Special Operations Task Group supporting the 2nd Command Regiment. Nathan found himself involved in multiple situations, from having his vehicle blown up, being pinned down by enemy gunfire, laying on top of IED's, and more.Trigger Warning is a story of success, triumph, trauma and overcoming. This is the story of a former Special Operations Engineer as he worked relentlessly to rekindle his life after the war. Having worked alongside Australia's Special Forces, he discusses in great detail, the exploits that he was tasked to perform as an engineer during his multiple tours to Afghanistan, during some of the roughest years of the war. However, this tale is something more, as it is also a human story, of a son chasing his father's approval, the challenges of growing up in a shadow, and one man's unrelenting drive to make peace with the demons that followed him home. www.3zeroscoffee.com.auInstargram @3zeroscoffee Discount Code 3ZLimits Website - www.zerolimitspodcast.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/zero.limits.podcast/?hl=enHost - Matty Morris www.instagram.com/matty.m.morrisSponsorsGatorz Australia - www.gatorzaustralia.com15% Discount Code - ZERO15(former/current military & first responders 20% discount to order please email orders@gatorzaustralia.com.auGetSome Jocko Fuel - www.getsome.com.au10 % Discount Code - ZEROLIMITS

//The Wire//2300Z May 17, 2025////PRIORITY////BLUF: IED DETONATES AT IVF CLINIC IN PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------HomeFront-California: This afternoon a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) was detonated at the American Reproductive Centers clinic in Palm Springs. Local authorities and eyewitness testimony indicates that a vehicle parked in the parking lot to rear of the structure contained an explosive device which detonated, causing severe damage to the clinic.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: As this is a developing situation, it's too soon to tell what the motive might be with any certainty; there are many different reasons as to why a terrorist may wish to conduct an attack at an IVF clinic. At least one individual was killed in the blast, and several more were wounded. However it's not clear as to if the victims were inside the clinic at the time, or were random passersby.Though further technical analysis will be required, the initial characteristics of the extremely severe damage indicates that this was a substantial and properly constructed IED. This was very likely not the result of a simple pipe bomb, but rather much more explosive material.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground//END REPORT//

This week on the Black Rifle Coffee Podcast, Logan Stark sits down with U.S. Army veteran, and Purple Heart recipient Omar “Crispy” Avila. After surviving a catastrophic IED blast in Iraq, Omar's life was changed forever, but that didn't slow him down. From rebuilding his body in the gym to becoming a leading voice in the veteran community, Omar shares his story of resilience, mindset, and faith. In this powerful episode, the two dive into what it means to serve, suffer, and rise again, physically and mentally. Whether it's setting records in powerlifting, giving back through nonprofit work, or keeping a sense of humor through the darkest moments, Omar is a force to be reckoned with.

Safire is pioneering advanced electrification solutions for defense applications, transforming how military operations are powered in austere environments. With $11 Million in funding and over $7 million in government contracts secured just this year, Safire is developing revolutionary technology to make batteries safer and more efficient for defense applications. In this episode of Category Visionaries, I spoke with John Lee, CEO and Founder of Safire, to learn about the company's journey from a core nanoparticle technology to a full suite of defense electrification products that are changing how soldiers operate in the field. Topics Discussed: Safire's revolutionary silicon nanoparticle technology that transforms lithium-ion batteries into "non-Newtonian fluids" that solidify upon impact The company's evolution from core R&D to developing multiple defense products, including tactical electric dirt bikes, battery-infused body armor, and deployable microgrids The process of securing government contracts and navigating defense appropriations The importance of building relationships with end users in the military and understanding their needs John's background as a Navy contracting officer and former head of government contracts at Palantir Safire's approach to brand development as part of their path to becoming a unicorn   GTM Lessons For B2B Founders: Put mission first to attract talent and customers: John's commitment to protecting lives became his driving force after his experience procuring counter-IED jammers that saved soldiers' lives. He explains, "I couldn't really do anything besides, whatever I do, I want to help protect and save lives." This clear mission has helped him attract talent, customers, and investors who share this vision, demonstrating how a compelling purpose can accelerate GTM efforts. Listen to customer needs before defining your product roadmap: Rather than forcing a single-product strategy, Safire let customer requirements guide their development. As John noted, "We really focused on customer first. And if the customer said, I want you to be just one product company... that may have been okay. But that's not what the customer was asking for." By building solutions to address real military needs, Safire has secured multiple contracts across different applications. Use government R&D contracts as a runway to production: Safire strategically leveraged Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts to fund their early development while creating a path to larger production contracts. John advises, "It's really important to understand... all the effort it takes to go from the R&D contract into production into program of record and [to] prepare for it." He warns against the "if I build it they'll come" mentality that leads many startups to fail. Invest in lobbying early for long-term ROI: The company prioritized hiring lobbyists immediately after raising their seed round. John revealed, "The $4.5 million contract that we just got awarded last month came from our lobbying efforts... from two and a half years ago. And that was the very first third-party payment I was making as soon as we raised our seed round." This demonstrates how early investment in government relations can deliver substantial returns for defense tech companies. Brand sophistication matters in defense tech: Breaking with industry norms, Safire invested significantly in professional branding before their Series A. John explains this decision: "Every unicorn status company had a great brand before they became a unicorn status company... When we're walking through four-star generals and three-star generals into our offices, into our skiffs... we want to be trusted and we also want to be seen as a sophisticated, responsible contractor." This approach has helped them stand out in an industry where branding is often neglected.   //   Sponsors: Front Lines — We help B2B tech companies launch, manage, and grow podcasts that drive demand, awareness, and thought leadership. www.FrontLines.io The Global Talent Co. — We help tech startups find, vet, hire, pay, and retain amazing marketing talent that costs 50-70% less than the US & Europe.  www.GlobalTalent.co

PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey (***TIMESTAMPS in Description Below) ~ Johnny MF Glenn is a former Green Beret with over a dozen combat deployments - more than 21 years of back-to-back, nonstop, kinetic action in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and parts unknown. He's seen gunfights, IED's, combat dressings, and human shields - he's been blown up five times, shot once, and had two cracks in his frontal lobe, all over the course of a career that's dotted with wild tales of 'organized' chaos that only a veteran operator could know. JOHNNY'S LINKS: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/johnnymfglenn/ YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@johnnyglenn-3112 FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY INSTAGRAM (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/juliandoreypodcast/ INSTAGRAM (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://twitter.com/julianddorey LISTEN to Julian Dorey Podcast Spotify ▶ https://open.spotify.com/show/5skaSpDzq94Kh16so3c0uz Apple ▶ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trendifier-with-julian-dorey/id1531416289 JULIAN YT CHANNELS - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Clips YT: https://www.youtube.com/@juliandoreyclips - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Daily YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JulianDoreyDaily - SUBSCRIBE to Best of JDP: https://www.youtube.com/@bestofJDP ****TIMESTAMPS**** 00:00 - Johnny Joining Military & Background, Split Operation (Military + High School) 11:16 - 1st Phase of Selection (Individual), Guns & Communications Skills 23:56 - Real Firefight Footage Breakdown 31:31 - Head Cams Controversy & Few Hundred Firefights 37:06 - Glenn Fighting Since Balkins to Now (1990's - Present) 01:15:19 - Green Beret's Unique Skills & Issues Post War 01:09:30 - Deployments Constantly Refreshing Marriage, Psychopaths are All SF's 01:26:18 - Green Beret Team Starting a School in Afghanistan 01:28:28 - Afghanistan's Darkest Underworld 01:33:57 - How Johnny would Fix Cartels 01:42:17 - 1st Deployment (Africa) Teaching Military, Day of 9/E1leven, 01:55:58 - North Carolina SF's Transformers Incident (Attacks), Power Grid Attack Fears 01:59:58 - Fort Bragg by September 12th, Kandahar & Working w/ SEALs 02:09:42 - Johnny's 15 Year Hat Story, Ambush & How to Occupy Space OTHER JDP EPISODES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: - Episode 97 - Andrew Bustamante: https://youtu.be/2PUs7l2jW9c - Episode 107 - Andrew Bustamante: https://youtu.be/7jNz3-WPV5I - Episode 150 - Andrew Bustamante: https://youtu.be/dUlc2d6fDzg - Episode 224 - Andrew Bustamante: https://youtu.be/Gv-YWfNWwkM - Episode 249 - John Kiriakou: https://youtu.be/5_FDZozJ9zE - Episode 250 - John Kiriakou: https://youtu.be/5HuyORiWoDM - Episode 278 - John Kiriakou: https://youtu.be/_CFWmuIgQIE - Episode 279 - John Kiriakou: https://youtu.be/scrGRKVa-Q4 - Episode 261 - Joby Warrick: https://youtu.be/gw6mpPIaxnM - Episode 198 - Joby Warrick: ​​https://youtu.be/F1fhuwCT9YE - Episode 134 - Joby Warrick: https://youtu.be/Xaz7JfTLFQE CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - In-Studio Producer: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 300 - Johnny MF Glenn Music by Artlist.io Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

//The Wire//2300Z May 8, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: INDIA PAKISTAN SHELLING OF BORDER REGION CONTINUES, FEW CASUALTIES REPORTED. AX ATTACK STRIKES WARSAW. IED DETONATED AT CATHOLIC CHURCH IN PENNSYLVANIA.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-Poland: Yesterday afternoon an assailant conducted an ax attack at the University of Warsaw. One woman was beheaded during the attack, and a security guard was seriously wounded. The attacker was detained at the scene.AC: As is common throughout Europe, the identity of the attacker has not been released and all photos of the assailant have so far been censored to protect his identity.Vatican City: This morning a new Pope was elected. Cardinal Robert Prevost was selected to become Pope, taking the name of Leo XIV. -HomeFront-Pennsylvania: Yesterday a man was arrested for detonating an IED inside the Rectory at St. Teresa Calcutta Church in Mahanoy City on Tuesday. Authorities arrested Kyle Kuczynski the next day after he was identified via security camera footage. The explosive device caused significant damage to the altar, and several windows were blown out due to the explosion.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: In Pakistan and India, sporadic fighting has remained constant over the past few days, though efforts by both sides fall short of what most would consider a war. Random drone attacks by both sides have taken place throughout Kashmir and along the border regions in both countries. Heavy artillery barrages have remained constant since this whole affair began, however few (if any) casualties have been reported by either side due to this shelling. At the moment, casualty figures are impossible to verify with any shred of accuracy, but the numbers have been extremely low compared to the intense fighting being reported. So far, less than 50x fatal casualties have been reported on all sides, including instances of Civilian Casualties (CIVCAS) which make up the bulk of casualties right now.Most of the videos being posted to social media are either AI-generated or (more commonly) are of random conflicts around the world. This afternoon, some local media sources claim that India has opened the sluice gates to at least one dam that was previously restricting the flow of water into Pakistan. If this is true, this is very likely a de-escalatory action that is probably intended to reduce the severity of whatever limited counterattack Pakistan has in mind. Regarding that expected counterattack, so far it's hard to determine if any such action has occurred beyond the clashes along the border.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground//END REPORT//

The war doesn't always end when you come home. For many veterans, the toughest battles are fought in silence-moral injury, survivor's guilt, and the search for meaning after service. Retired Army Sergeant Eric Donoho lived it. After surviving multiple IED blasts, he returned home to a life that felt shattered, eventually finding himself at the brink of suicide. But that wasn't the end of his story. Through mountain climbs, advocacy, and discovering the power of faith-wherever that may be found-Eric transformed his pain into purpose. He now fights for veteran-focused legislation, educates others on moral injury, and helps fellow warriors find their own path forward. In this episode, he shares his journey, the struggles so many veterans face, and actionable insights on how to rebuild after the darkest days. Whether you're battling your own demons or want to understand the hidden wounds of war, this conversation is one you don't want to miss.Timestamps: 01:15 - The moment that nearly ended it all and the path to recovery 04:00 - Moral injury vs. PTSD: Understanding the difference and why it matters 12:45 - Fighting for veterans on Capitol Hill and advocating for change 28:30 - The role of faith and community in healing 45:15 - Turning struggle into purpose and helping fellow veteransLinks & ResourcesVeteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://www.ericdonoho.comTranscriptView the transcript for this episode.

जम्मू-कश्मीर के पुंछ में 5 IED और वायरलेस सेट हुए बरामद, भारत ने चिनाब नदी पर बने 2 डैम का पानी रोका, जेपी नड्डा की अध्यक्षता में BJP मुख्यालय में राष्ट्रीय महासचिवों की बैठक जारी, पंजाब विधानसभा में भाखड़ा नहर विवाद पर स्पेशल सेशन जारी, अमृतसर में ब्रिटेन के गिरोह से जुड़े 3 आतंकी गिरफ्तार और कर्नाटक में आज से 17 मई तक कराई जाएगी जाति जनगणना. सिर्फ़ 5 मिनट में सुनिए दोपहर 1 बजे तक की बड़ी खबरें.

Canadian journalist Nora Loreto reads the latest headlines for Wednesday, April 30, 2025.TRNN has partnered with Loreto to syndicate and share her daily news digest with our audience. Tune in every morning to the TRNN podcast feed to hear the latest important news stories from Canada and worldwide.Find more headlines from Nora at Sandy & Nora Talk Politics podcast feed.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcast

Incredible Podcast with my friend Brett Schaal. Brett served 8 years in the Marines. He did 2 tours in Iraq and was in the first fight for Fallujah and was there for the Flour Factory incident. He served with 2/7 Marines. He share his upbrining and path into the Marines and transition. Brett and I went to UW- Whitewater together and sat next to each other in English class. Brett is one of the most humble and hard working friends I know. He's not one to boast about his service so I am doing it for him. He also recently bought a Traeger! On December 1, 2005, in Fallujah, Iraq, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines lost ten Marines in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The fallen Marines were: Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason, Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Clay, Lance Cpl. David A. Huhn, Lance Cpl. Adam W. Kaiser, Lance Cpl. Robert A. Martinez, Cpl.Anthony T. McElveen, Lance Cpl. Scott T. Modeen, Lance Cpl. Andrew G. Patten, Sgt. Andy A. Stevens, and Lance Cpl. Craig N. Watson

On April 9th, 2005, Matt Klein, a retired NYPD detective and US Army infantryman, was struck by an IED while patrolling a cemetery in Samarra, Iraq. After the strike, the other members of his unit located and captured the triggerman.In this clip taken from Ep. 180, Klein shares his incredible story of survival and resilience. He talks about the moment of the attack and the aftermath.Support the showhttps://patreon.com/formeractionguyshttps://jcramergraphics.comhttps://ANGLICOshop.com

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life. In this episode, Kyle Buckett offers a powerful, unfiltered look at the journey from high school dropout to Navy SEAL, and ultimately to successful entrepreneur and author. From enlisting in the military on his 18th birthday to becoming a SEAL leader and stepping on an IED in Afghanistan, Buckett's story is a study in resilience, grit, and unwavering purpose. He recounts the physical and mental trials of SEAL training, the challenges of leadership under pressure, and the life-changing moment that could have ended it all but instead deepened his commitment to serve beyond the uniform. His transition out of the Navy in 2018 at the rank of E8 was not without friction—he speaks openly about the difficulties military veterans face adjusting to a civilian workforce that often misunderstands their skill sets. Yet Buckett turned those obstacles into opportunity, from his role with Core Scientific to becoming the CEO and co-founder of a renewable energy tech startup, and co-authoring Leadership Is Overrated, a book that redefines what real leadership looks like. He continues to mentor young service members, champion veteran transition awareness, and lead by example in life after service. Throughout the podcast, Buckett's humility and humor shine through as he emphasizes the power of mindset, the importance of mental fitness, and the need for veterans and first responders alike to recognize their own value. CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:IG: WEBSITE: LinkedIn: SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:CONNECT WITH KYLESPONSORS:Brothers & Arms USAGet 20% off your purchaseLink: https://brothersandarms.comPromo Code: Transition20Trident CoffeeGet 15% off your purchaseLink: https://tridentcoffee.comPromo Code: TDP15Human Performance TRTGet 30% off your purchaseWeb: https://hptrt.com/Promo Code: TDP

Welcome to TM3 IMPACT. I'm your host, Tomas Martinez, and today's guest is Mario Lopez, a retired Army Sergeant who survived a devastating IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2008. Despite severe injuries, he found healing through art, faith, and service. His paintings have been showcased nationwide, and his book, How I Know, shares his journey of resilience. Now active in ministry and supported by Homes for Our Troops, Mario continues to inspire others. Let's dive into his powerful story. Follow TM3 on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetomasmartinez/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetomasmartinez/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasmartineziii/ Want to be on the TM3 Impact Podcast?  Email us here: Tomas@lhmmediatexas.com

Join host Rich LaMonica on The MisFitNation as he welcomes USMC veteran Sam Deeds, a 14-year Marine Corps veteran with an inspiring story of resilience and service. Sam shares his journey of surviving two IED blasts in Iraq, overcoming traumatic injuries, and dedicating his life to supporting veterans and first responders. Discover how Sam channels his experiences into impactful roles with Kentucky Wounded Heroes, Blue Skies for the Good Guys and Gals Warrior Foundation, and the Kentucky Mogadishu Mile. As co-host of the Homefront Sitrep Podcast, Sam amplifies voices from the veteran community, fostering connection and healing. Don't miss this powerful episode of grit, giving back, and living life to the fullest in honor of those who sacrificed everything. Tune in to hear Sam's incredible journey and learn how he continues to make a difference. Become a part of The MisFitNation https://linktr.ee/themisfitnation Want to be a guest on The MisFitNation? Send Rich LaMonica a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/richlamonica #Veterans #USMC #Resilience #Grit #TraumaRecovery #VeteranStories #MisFitNation #SupportOurTroops #GivingBack #PodcastLife #MilitaryService #VeteranSupport #IEDSurvivor #TraumaticBrainInjury #OutdoorAdventures #WoundedHeroes #GoldStarFamilies #FirstResponders #InspiringJourneys #MilitaryCommunity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Retired Royal Marine Commando Lee West joins us on Urban Valor to recount the moments when he was nearly kidnapped by Al Qaeda at a checkpoint in Baghdad. Lee served from 2003 to 2020, rising to the rank of Color Sergeant, and brings a firsthand account of frontline combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his second deployment to Afghanistan, Lee was ambushed and blown off his feet by a massive IED blast. His story includes undercover work in the Calais migrant camps while still on active duty, revealing shocking flaws in UK border security.Watch as Lee opens up about brotherhood, trauma, and the sacrifices soldiers make—both on and off the battlefield.

A split-second decision, a devastating explosion, and a new reality. Marine Corps veteran Davey Lind lost both of his legs to an IED during his fifth combat deployment in Iraq. But instead of giving up, he made a commitment-to walk again, to push forward, and to inspire others. From the battlefield to becoming a CrossFit trainer and motivational speaker, Davey shares his journey of resilience, recovery, and rediscovering purpose. He talks about the mental battle of losing limbs, the power of a strong support system, and why he refuses to let injuries define his future. This episode is a must-listen for veterans looking for inspiration to push past adversity and build a meaningful life after service. 00:00 - The blast that changed everything 04:00 - Facing the reality of losing both legs 06:30 - Setting a goal to walk again 08:45 - Walking at a wedding just two months after injury 15:00 - The mental battle of recovery 22:00 - Finding purpose in CrossFit and helping others 30:15 - How physical fitness builds mental resilience 40:00 - The role of Semper Fi & America's Fund in his recovery 45:30 - Words of encouragement for other veteransLinks & ResourcesVeteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://thefund.org Follow Semper Fi and America's Fund on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/semperfiandamericasfund Follow Semper Fi and America's Fund on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semperfiandamericasfund/ Follow Semper Fi and America's Fund Twitter/X: https://x.com/semperfifund Follow Semper Fi and America's Fund LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/semper-fi-and-americas-fund/TranscriptView the transcript for this episode.

When Alfred Brenner enlisted in the Marines, he was told that the K-9 unit got to travel with air conditioning so he volunteered, even though he didn't really know anything about dogs. He was assigned a German shepherd named Grief and these two forged a bond during four months of training and in combat in Afghanistan. Alfred explains the role of a K-9 team as part of a platoon, how they train the dogs to detect explosives and bravely lead the way on patrol in enemy territory. This highly dangerous work eventually led to tragedy. Discovering a powerful IED, Grief was killed, and Alfred was grievously wounded. He ultimately recovered.Now a confirmed dog lover, Alfred recounts his unique experience and the job of these canine heroes in our military in his book, Surviving with Grief. Heroes Behind HeadlinesExecutive Producer Ralph PezzulloProduced & Engineered by Mike DawsonMusic provided by ExtremeMusic.com

1. Confrontation at the White House: - President Trump directly confronted a governor during a meeting at the White House, challenging the governor's stance on federal directives regarding transgender athletes in women's sports. - The President emphasized the importance of compliance with federal law and threatened to withhold federal funding from non-compliant states. 2. Federal Compliance and Legal Threats: - The U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated a compliance review of the University of Maine, potentially jeopardizing $100 million in federal funding due to non-compliance with the Executive Order on transgender athletes. - The President's administration is taking a firm stance on enforcing federal laws to protect women's sports. 3. Political and Social Commentary: - This ncludes commentary on the broader political landscape, criticizing the Democratic Party for not learning from past elections and for their stance on various issues such as open borders, anti-Israel policies, and transgender athletes in sports. - It highlights the perceived disconnect between Democratic policies and public opinion on these issues. 4. Cartel Violence and Border Security: - We report on a Texas rancher killed by a suspected cartel IED near the Mexican border, emphasizing the dangers posed by cartel activities. - It discusses the Trump administration's efforts to secure the border and combat cartel violence, including plans to designate cartels as terrorist organizations. 5. Assassination Attempt on Trump: - There is a detailed account of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and the subsequent investigation. - We raise concerns about the FBI's handling of the investigation and the lack of transparency. 6. Elon Musk and Government Efficiency: - Elon Musk's efforts to improve government efficiency through his work with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) are highlighted. - Musk's findings of waste and inefficiency in government agencies, such as unused electronic subscriptions and ghost payments, are discussed. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and the Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1. House Budget Victory - The House passed a significant tax cut bill by a slim margin, with President Trump actively whipping votes to secure its passage. - This is the first step in the budget reconciliation process, which allows certain budget-related legislation to pass with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing the filibuster. 2. Cartels Escalate War Zone at Southern Border - A Texas rancher was killed by a suspected cartel IED near the Mexican border, highlighting the increasing violence and danger posed by cartels. - The discussion emphasizes the need to treat cartels as terrorist organizations and take aggressive action against them. 3. Dems Dig in on Boys in Girls' Sports - The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, is enforcing federal laws to prevent boys from competing in girls' sports. - States like Maine, California, and Minnesota are resisting these federal mandates, leading to potential legal battles. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and the Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glenn tells the heartbreaking story of a Texas rancher who was killed by a suspected cartel IED while he was driving near his ranch. Glenn lays out the importance of standing up against the cartels, who are so willing to take the lives of our own. It's simple: The cartels are terrorists, and we must treat them as such. Glenn reacts to radical leftist Washington Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal's recent meltdown about President Trump cracking down on illegal immigration. "If we don't have this labor, our way of life will crumble." Where have you heard that argument used before? The Left's view on immigration is exploitation masked by progressive "compassion." Former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy joins to discuss his campaign for Ohio governor and the policies he plans to implement. Glenn and Stu discuss the changes coming to the Washington Post as Jeff Bezos tries to distance the outlet from its liberal bias. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) joins to discuss why we must pass the REINS Act. Glenn and Stu discuss how humans are now forming romantic relationships with AI chatbots.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal employees whine about having to answer 5 bullet points from Elon Musk's productivity email. The Washington Post complains how Trump's firings will bring National Parks back to pandemic level attendance including inoperable restrooms. Someone hangs an American flag upside down at Yosemite National Park. Public unions are suing over cuts to the Federal workforce. A couple was forced to sit next to a dead body on a plane for 4 HOURS after a woman died mid-flight. A Texas rancher was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) near the border. Dana explains how Trump needs to handle the economy as Congressional Republicans get into another fight over government spending. Rep. Thomas Massie exposes how some Republicans are insisting on keeping costly ethanol provisions of the Democrat “green new deal” in the Republican budget.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…All Family Pharmacyhttps://AllFamilyPharmacy.com/DanaCode Dana10 for 10% off your entire orderByrnahttps://byrna.com/danaDon't leave yourself or your loved ones without options. Visit Byrna.com/Dana receive 10% off Goldcohttps://DanaLikesGold.com My personal gold company - get your GoldCo 2025 Gold & Silver Kit. PLUS you could qualify for up to $15,000 in BONUS silverHumanNhttps://humann.comSupport your metabolism and healthy blood sugar levels with Superberine by HumanN. Find it now at your local Sam's Club next to SuperBeets Heart Chews.  KelTechttps://KelTecWeapons.comSee the NEW PS57 - Keltec Innovation & Performance at its bestNative Pathhttps://GetNativePath.com/DanaNot just for skin - essential for healthy joints and bones! Get NativePath Collagen for up to 45% off + FREE shipping!Patriot Mobilehttps://patriotmobile.com/DanaDana's personal cell phone provider is Patriot Mobile. Get a FREE MONTH of service code DANARelief Factorhttps://relieffactor.comTurn the clock back on pain with Relief Factor. Get their 3 week Relief Factor Quick Start for only $19.95 today! Tax Network USAhttps://TNUSA.com/DANADon't let the IRS's aggressive tactics control your life empower yourself with Tax Network USA's support.  Reach a USA based agent @ 1(800) 958-1000 - Don't fight the IRS alone