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The biggest threat to America today is too often the one we think about the least. Nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare has been around for decades and the effects of an NBC attack on the homeland or American interests abroad is a very real scenario. Retired Lt. Gen Leslie Smith spent a career in the Army as a Chemical Officer. He served as the Chief of the Chemical Branch and Commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School. He was the first Chemical officer to serve as the Commanding General of the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and the first Chemical officer to serve as the Army's Inspector General. He is now the Vice President for Leadership and Education at the Association of United States Army.With reports looming about Russian willingness to use NBC weapons in Ukraine, and Iran's constant desire to acquire them and put them into the hands of terrorist proxies, Fran Racioppi sat down with Lt. Gen. Smith to discuss the real threat America faces. We broke down the history of America's Chemical weapons programs, their use in various stages of conflicts, the implementation of international prohibitions, how the US Army prepares for NBC threats, and what we learned about their modern day use through the COVID pandemic. Lt. Gen. Smith also shared insight into the important role the Inspector General plays in maintaining standards and accountability within the Army, as well as the role AUSA is playing in supporting soldiers both active duty and post-service. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the Association of the United States Army HQ and don't miss the rest of our AUSA series.Highlights0:00 Introduction4:00 Importance of chemical warfare7:30 The likelihood of chemical warfare8:22 Anthrax on 9/1111:45 Will anyone use NBC weapons14:07 The lessons of COVID-1916:18 Joining the Army19:55 America's projection of power22:22 The role of the Army Inspector General27:36 Do Army Standards Matter31:11 Have we lost the mission?33:18 Maintaining the Army36:50 The role of AUSA39:26 Daily HabitsQuotes“The Germans used it, and the Americans were not ready to go.”“That's what CBRN stands for: Could Be Right Now.”“At the higher levels, it's all about building coalitions of people.”“We don't know what's next, we just have to be prepared to deal with the situation.”“The leader has to be at the decisive point.” “When you have boots on the ground, it sends a signal.”“ A leader's presence only matters when you are present.”“What leaders do is talk about what needs to happen in organizations.”“We have to make sure that the soldiers trust us, the nation trusts us, Congress trusts us, our leaders trust us and the things that we do.”“Inspector generals are training multiple generations of leaders.”“Every leader is responsible for enforcing the standard.”“Climate beats strategy.”“Everyone is looking for their sense of purpose.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

The directive given to our Green Berets is to win by All Means Available. To do so, requires a combination of ingenuity, understanding the environment, a clear plan and precision execution. Mike Vickers built a career on winning America's shadow wars by All Means Available. Mike started his career as both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer Green Beret before becoming a Paramilitary Operations Officer at the Central Intelligence Agency. Mike later served as the Undersecretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, as well as the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, where he served as the lead Intelligence official at the Pentagon. Secretary Vickers joined Fran Racioppi to chronicle his new book By All Means Available, Memoirs Of A Life in Intelligence, Special Operations and Strategy. He has been a part of almost every American known and unknown conflict for the past 50 years; including leading the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.We defined how America collects and uses intelligence in both national security and diplomacy. We discussed America's will to win large conflicts, when we've gotten it right and why we get it wrong. And we went deep on the real enemy facing America today.Mike sees the United States in a New Cold War that will challenge the nation like never before. He shares the reasons why America got here, and most importantly his Grand Strategy to rebuild a culture of winning global conflict to solidify America's position as the dominant world power for decades to come. Highlights0:00 Introduction6:29 Definition and Significance of Intelligence8:00 DoD intelligence use10:59 Joining the Army15:45 By all means necessary21:12 Politics in War judgement28:11 China & Russia38:00 Defining American power42:28 Nuclear Weapons in Iran & North Korea46:06 Mobilization of American troops48:48 Pakistan49:38 Media on disunity50:56 The arms race against China54:20 Covert action56:34 Denial of Service59:48 Regional and Global Deterrence1:03:07 Transforming out alliances1:10:49 The Next Threat1:14:03 SOF integration1:18:15 America's overconfidence1:20:51 10 Principles1:30:06 Daily HabitsQuotes“We are in dynamic times. We are in polarizing times.”“It's not just military and economic intelligence, it's economic, scientific, and technical intelligence that can make a big difference.”“It became the largest covert action program in CIA history.” “Drive them out by all means available.”“How are we going to win?”“Ammunition is what really sustains operational tempo.”“When America goes to war, we're going to bring everything and we are going to win.”“The more you put in it, the more you better win, and win quickly.”“America is arguably challenged right now, like never before.”“Once the sleeping giant wakes up, look out, they are going to lose.”“Strength is Power.”“There's economic, military, intelligence, political strength, the power of your ideals, and so you try to aggregate that.”"We will win the new Cold War.”“When you think your biggest enemy is another American or group of Americans something's wrong.”“Covert action is taking diplomacy operations, paramilitary operations, sabotage and others and just having it be done under title 50.”“Cyber is this unique weapon that it's used for espionage. It's a very powerful collection tool.”“You need survivable forward presence.”“I think the greatest threat is the combination of China and Russia and perhaps adding in Iran and North Korea.”Watch, listen or read our conversation from the Association of the United States Army as Secretary Vickers shares his leadership lessons learned through covert action; and don't miss the rest of our AUSA series.The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media.

Green Berets solve complex challenges in service because they're informed. Yet when they transition out, the civilian world often leaves them looking for answers. The Green Beret Foundation stands ready to ensure our nation's most elite soldiers continue to succeed post service. From the sidelines of the Stars and Stripes Classic, the first ever lacrosse battle between Green Berets and Navy SEALs, and the brain child of Green Beret Foundation, Fran Racioppi kicked off the game with Chairman of the Board retired Lt. Gen. Ken Tovo and Board Member and Green Beret Chris Robinette. With penalty markers flying, we talk about the future of Green Beret Foundation support and how the reduction in conflict is creating opportunities to focus on transition support, job preparation and job placement. We also explain GBF's position as the only VA accredited disability processing team in the Special Forces non-profit sector. Making informed decisions matters in service and beyond.Watch, listen or read our conversation from Gillette Stadium and don't forget to check out the rest of our series from the Stars and Stripes Classic and the full game highlights. If you haven't signed up for next year, stay tuned for more information. The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:30 Welcome to Gillette Stadium2:35 Launching the Stars & Stripes Classic5:31 Supporting VA disability claims9:03 GBF transition support11:42 GBF's acquisition strategy13:12 GBF's visionQUOTES“We approached this as an opportunity to help the military connect to society.”“Society needs to know their military.”“Every Green Beret is going to leave the force at some point.”“We're taking care of Vietnam veterans who didn't get their appropriate VA benefit 30, 40 years ago.”“For many corporations, the skills piece is less important than the heart and commitment to mission. Whatever the mission is.”“Green Beret's understand commitment to purpose and working hard.”“We're trying to create a broad, holistic support capability for the regiment.”“It's not a matter of if, but when the next major conflict arises.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

Congress holds the power of the purse. The United States Government is the largest business in the world, but to conduct business - and national security - Congress has to approve the funds and the money. Representative Jake Ellzey is now a 3-term Congressman representing Texas's 6th District. He's a Naval Academy graduate, a helicopter and fighter pilot, and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where his decisions determine what the government funds and what it doesn't. He's also the co-chair of the bipartisan military Veterans alliance, the For Country Caucus. With the American government changing at lightning pace, Fran Racioppi asked the Congressman how the Appropriations Committee is prioritizing funding, what that means for national defense, rooting out fraud, waste and abuse; and if there's ever a way for America to balance the budget and stop overspending. Representative Ellzey also shares why we need to clearly define America's next battlefield, funding military readiness and innovation to combat both nation-state adversaries and terror groups, and the critical role he sees our Special Operations Forces playing in the grey war the United States is now in. Plus he shares his leadership lessons from the cockpit and the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan to the halls of Congress.Watch, listen or read our conversation from Congressman Ellzey's office. Don't miss our full coverage from Capitol Hill. Special thanks to For Country Caucus for setting up this series. Highlights0:00 Introduction6:20 Veterans in Congress9:12 Why the Navy?10:50 The Appropriations Committee14:45 Funding Executive Orders17:24 DOGE's impact22:41 Funding Military Readiness25:35 Role of SOF in the next conflict27:20 The sentiment of America31:50 Shout out to Green Berets34:08 Defining the Battlefield38:18 Why Was There An Open Border Policy39:44 Can America Balance The Budget?40:42 Is America Ready?42:41 Military Lessons Taken To CongressKey Quotes:“There's a thing about veterans: it really doesn't matter which era, what your uniform, or how well you know somebody who's a veteran…Nobody else gets into that world.”“With SEALS, Green Berets, most pilots; tell me I can't do something, and then watch.”“CR's are bad. Year-long CRs are terrible. Specifically for defense.” “Once we know what the priorities of the President are, we're not going to put something on the floor that ultimately he's not going to sign.”“It's broken. So let's break it. Let's break the whole thing.”“There's not enough money to do everything we need to do to be completely ready.” “It's absolutely essential that our adversaries know that we've got the best in the world.”“The sentiment of Americans is we're strong again, we're not to be trifled with, if you attack us, we're going to hammer you.”“I'm a huge fan of Green Berets.”“I see weapons of mass destruction as the compounds that are making Fentanyl.” “Never pass up the opportunity to shut up.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Veterans are once again dominating Congress. The start of the 119th Congress has 100 Veterans across both sides of the aisle. Veterans by and large focus on teamwork and getting results. To kick off the excitement behind the new Congress, Fran Racioppi spent a few snowy days on Capitol Hill with the members of the For Country Caucus; a bi-partisan group of House of Representative members who have each served across America's military. Representative Don Davis is an Air Force Academy graduate, a two term Congressman representing North Carolina's 1st District, and the Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. With the strength of American military power front and center, Fran asked Congressman Davis to explain just what the next battlefield may be, how ready the American military is to combat both terrorist organizations and near-peer nation states, as well as the role of Special Operations in the next conflict. They also broke down the efforts of DOGE, Elon Musk and the application of the age old military sayings “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” and “speed and violence of action” gets things done. Watch, listen or read our conversation from Congressman Davis's office. Don't miss our full coverage from Capitol Hill. Special thanks to For Country Caucus for setting up this series. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:05 Welcome to Capitol Hill4:02 Veterans leading Congress8:37 Expectations of Veterans in the Cabinet10:51 Joining the Air Force15:04 Joining State Politics before Federal Politics21:37 Military Readiness24:07 The Next Conflict28:28 Defining the battlefield30:43 The Terror Threat33:28 Investing in Special Operations36:01 Trump Administration actionsQUOTES“When the orders came down we didn't ask, ‘are these Democratic orders or Republican orders.' We executed the mission.”“The fundamental basis of that oath is to protect the constitution.” “What I think was most important going back to eastern North Carolina was an opportunity to really shape future leaders.”“There's these potholes people are craving to be filled.”“When there is a mission…are we capable?”“We have to make sure the innocent civilians are kept safe.”“Clearly there's a willingness to target us.”“Don't bet against America.”“At the end of the day try to make life better in communities.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Readiness is the ability to close with and destroy any enemy, anywhere, anytime. The role of the Sergeant Major of the Army is to ensure readiness. Command Sergeant Major Dan Dailey was the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army and the youngest Soldier to ever hold the position. Today, he is the Vice President of Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs at the Association of the United States Army.SMA Dailey joined Creator and Host Fran Racioppi to define what it really means for the United States Army to be “ready” to fight and win our nation's wars. To do so, they went deep on each of the components of readiness, including: Manning and the impacts of the recruiting crisis the Army has endured over the past several years. Training and the importance of the Combat Training Centers and our combined exercises across the components and with our allies.Equipping for the next fight and why the current procurement processes must change if America expects to remain ahead in the innovation race.Leader Development including why softening the messaging of warfighting hurts mission focus and how the Army is closing the experience gap as the Global War on Terror generation of Soldiers retire. They also cover the important mission of the Association of the United States Army and how as the largest organization supporting our Soldiers their work only continues to grow. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the AUSA headquarters and don't miss the rest of our AUSA series.The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.QUOTES“Individual readiness is when a soldier themself feels capable to accomplish their mission.”“If you had one hour before your soldiers went to combat what would you train on.” “The high percentage of people who serve today come from families who have served in the past….that funnel is getting smaller and smaller.” “We have lost the value of service to our nation…is it actually a way to achieve the American dream?”"If we send everybody to college, who's going to do those jobs?” “I think there's a lot of young Americans out there who are fully capable to fight and win, they're just not inspired.” “If you create a standard that nobody in America can achieve, it's not a standard.” “This nation's going to have an Army. America, not the Army, is going to decide how we do that.” “The only more expensive thing than fighting a war is losing one.”“Our first mission as the United States Military is to deter. Then to defeat.” “Most people look at war as armed conflict between two entities. War is a conflict of wills.”HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction4:44 Becoming SMA5:57 Readiness Defined9:55 How does the Army train at each echelon?11:49 Why become a Soldier?13:21 Can the Army bring the American Dream?19:53 Everyone can't go to college22:11 Is recruiting college athletes the answer?25:14 Is there a reduction in standards?30:22 Changing the Army's message34:13 Are we close to a draft?36:05 Technology & Force Modernization42:22 Is China ahead of America?48:17 Training for every threat52:48 Interoperability with Allies55:17 Loss of combat experience1:01:32 Next Generation Is Ready1:05:20 Leading AUSA1:11:01 Daily HabitsThe opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy,

Threats to America are at an all time high. Our national security and law enforcement professionals have warned us. Our military leaders are preparing for anything and everything. Representative August Pfluger is the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. He is now a 3-term Congressman representing Texas's 11th District. He is also an Air Force Academy graduate and an F-22 fighter pilot with over 300 combat hours. As a member of the bi-partisan military Veterans alliance, the For Country Caucus, one of his biggest efforts is to build coalitions across the aisle. With Homeland Security, terror threats and nation-state brinksmanship front and center, Fran Racioppi sat down with the Congressman to ask him what exactly the biggest threats to America are. They dug into the theory of an imminent terror attack, what the battlefield with China really looks like, and why preventing denial of service attacks and the cyber-security risks against America's critical infrastructure should be at the top of the priority list.They also discussed the future of SOF on an undefined battlefield, how the reduction of fraud, waste and abuse will open up funds for discretionary spending, and why disagreement should be encouraged; but when the decision is made, everyone needs to get in line and execute. Watch, listen or read our conversation from Congressman Pfluger's office. Don't miss our full coverage from Capitol Hill. Special thanks to For Country Caucus for setting up this series. HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Introduction02:55 Veterans in Congress02:35 Terror Threat To America04:45 Cyber Threats10:01 Future role of Special Operations11:47 Lessons from Service in CongressQUOTES“There's a level of trust when you know that somebody else has served.”“It starts with just transparency. We live in a dangerous world. It's not just a terrorism threat.”“These non-nation state actors and even nation state sponsored cyber activities lie in that grey zone.” “That's where we're really vulnerable is some of the smaller communities, some of the smaller banks, some of the smaller entities that provide these services. Denial of services. That's what we're worried about.” “Every dollar of improper payment that is going somewhere else is a dollar we're not spending on security.”“SOF plays a huge role in deterrence. That to me is worth its weight in gold.” Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are brought to you by University of Health and Performance and are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

The job of America's elected leaders is to get things done. The democratic process isn't always pretty and almost never leaves everyone happy; but the effectiveness of our government and America's stature as the world's dominant superpower rest on Congress's ability to find common ground on the issues. Representative Jason Crow served in the United States Army 75th Ranger Regiment. He is now the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations.In his 4th term representing Colorado's 6th district he's looking to return power to the hands of Congress and has found himself at the center of many of America's most controversial and important Congressional matters; an area he has learned to navigate through his previous leadership of the For Country Caucus, a bipartisan alliance of military veterans serving in the House of Representatives. Congressman Crow joined Fran Racioppi to share just how he balances the most polarizing issues facing both sides of the aisle; including the investigation into the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the impeachment of President Donald Trump and the inquiry into the pre-election assassination attempts. We discussed the impact of budget and personnel cuts to Special Operations and why it's more important now than ever to invest in our SOF capability to prevent the next major conflict. We also covered border security, the use of active duty military in the enforcement of the border and how countering the cartels and the drug trade aren't a new mission for Special Operations.Watch, listen or read our conversation from Congressman Crow's office. Don't miss our full coverage from Capitol Hill. Special thanks to For Country Caucus for setting up this series. The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health and Performance, developing the next generation of fitness entrepreneurs from our Veterans. The Jedburgh Podcast is an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Introduction02:07 Jumping into D-Day03:00 Rangers Lead The Way04:35 Colorado 6th District06:05 Veterans lead the 119th Congress11:28 Role of SOF moving forward 13:10 Cutting SOF funding16:30 Defending critical infrastructure18:40 The Immigration Challenge23:35 Special Forces on the border25:45 Working across the aisleQUOTES“If everyone digs in and takes an all or nothing mentality…everybody gets nothing.”“Congress has given away its authority for decades.” “The CT threat is not gone.” “We are building systems now…that will be completely ineffective on the battlefield of the future.” “You build political will by leading. That's in part our job.” “If someone is committing violent crime in our community, they have no place in our community.” “There has to be a pathway to citizenship for folks who are living peacefully in our community.” Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Serving in Special Forces isn't supposed to be easy. In fact, becoming a Green Beret is rewarding because it's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, anyone could do it; but not everyone can, or should, be considered elite. Retired Sergeant Major John McPhee is one of America's most distinguished and experienced Special Operators. For decades he led America's most lethal units in the Army's elite Delta Force. The self proclaimed Sheriff of Baghdad, John tells it like it is and leaves nothing up to interpretation.The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. UHP is dedicated to building the world's most elite fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs out of our Veterans. To kick off our partnership, John and Host Fran Racioppi climbed into the back of an armored Humvee to reminisce about the impact of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, what America did right, what we did wrong, and why the counter-terrorism battle is far from over. John also shares his thoughts on the Army today, how to fix recruiting, the Israeli pager war, and why we must never forget that a Special Operator's job is to close with and destroy the enemy.Watch, listen or read our conversation from a vehicle many of us spent too much time in. Don't miss our full Veterans Day coverage from UHP. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:50 Welcome to UHP2:39 Rangers to Green Beret4:00 Special Forces in the 90s5:57 How 9/11 changed Special Forces10:16 Legacy of Afghanistan13:12 Sheriff of Baghdad15:35 Disbanding the Iraqi government18:20 The difference in Syria19:42 Israel-Iran Pager War25:30 Army Recruiting Challenges27:05 Is the Army woke?29:55 Next generation of NCOs32:35 The PTSD debate37:18 Wear yourself out everydayQUOTESWe had no bullets. No money to go train. The Army didn't have a budget. The 90s Special Forces sucked.”“This is where nations go to die. What did we think was going to happen?”“You can't do that. You can't just get rid of the whole army like that.”“We had enough money to buy where Saddam was without ever firing a shot.”“Syria can never be tamed and it will always be a problem for us.”“War is only a failure of politicians and politics.”“We didn't have an Army before WWII. We fielded 6 million men quick. When America gets pissed off, you're done.”“The Army needs to do two things only. Kill the bad guys and break their shit.” “I would tell anybody to try to be the smartest guy in the room because generally the smartest guy in the room is going to be the best Commando.”“I personally don't believe in PTSD. You get stuck in the same chapter of your book.”“Every human being should be taking an hour to two hours a day on themselves.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Retired Lt. Gen. E. John Deedrick served as the final commander of the Combined Security Transition Command –Afghanistan (CSTC-A). He also held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Security Assistance (DCOS SA) at the Headquarters of Resolute Support; the NATO mission in Afghanistan. He was the United States Military Representative to NATO and commanded 1st Special Forces Command. The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. To kick off our combined investment in the development of our Special Operators post service, Fran Racioppi sat down with Lt. Gen. Deedrick to discuss his take on the Army today, where it came from and where it's going. As one of the last senior leaders in Afghanistan he gave his honest assessment of the withdrawal, the impact leave has on our allies and Special Forces Operators, and what the void left has done for the Taliban and American national security. They also discuss the importance of our allies, why NATO works, and how Special Operations has evolved to fight unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism in the Grey Zone through integrated deterrence.Finally, they talk about the effect of politics on our military and why our leaders all want the same goal, but have different paths to get there. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the UHP. Don't miss our full Veterans Day coverage from UHP. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:23 Welcome to University of Health and Performance5:02 Why did we leave Afghanistan8:02 Did we abandon our Afghan partners11:04 Withdrawal Effect13:24 The Taliban and Al-Qaeda15:22 Enabling Iran16:59 NATO's importance22:30 NATO vs Russia28:38 The Ukraine conflict today32:30 North Korea's involvement34:12 What makes a Green Beret different?38:24 Changes to the ODA41:14 Is China the next fight?45:51 Politicizing the military48:02 US forces deployed across America49:38 Lt. Gen. Deedrick's Sergeant51:53 Daily HabitsQUOTES04:10 “It was a pretty low cost to keep an eye on Al-Qaeda. And also off chutes that are as dangerous.”13:23 “I hope we aren't paying them not to attack us”17:49 “Nobody freelances at NATO. NATO is an expression of the sovereign will of their capitals.”26:30 “Don't start a shooting war with Russia. I mean the two nuclear powers”29:10 “When you are so reliant on other nations for your supply chains, you put yourself at risk.”31:09 “You've got to go to North Korea to get weapons and soldiers. That's just sad.”45:20 “The most difficult fight would be China, so I think you have to use that as your pacing item and optimize your fight for that.”45:52 “Lethality on the battlefield is critical.”50:23 “What I would love to see is less personality and more policy.”52:53 “It is a really bad idea to use the active duty US Military in a domestic capability.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Transition back to civilian life is the biggest challenge our service men and women will face in their military careers. America invests millions in training our warfighters to be the most competent in the world. That investment shouldn't end when the uniform comes off. The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. Matt Hesse is the Founder and CEO of University of Health and Performance. This Veterans Day, Fran Racioppi sat down with Matt to share his vision to build a world-class development program to train our Veterans as certified personal trainers. In addition to the hard skills required to build health and fitness in others, UHP is also teaching the business skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs.Matt explains the process, the details behind each course, why UHP has chosen Arkansas to call home, how he's building an ecosystem to support all aspects of Veteran transition, and how UHP is leading the way in showing private industry just how valuable our Veterans will be for the next generation of America. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the UHP gym. Don't miss our full Veterans Day coverage from UHP. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast, the Green Beret Foundation and UHP on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:43 Welcome to the University of Health and Performance3:25 Creating UHP4:37 Why Health and Performance matters 7:46 UHP Programs12:04 Field of Dreams17:46 Preparing veterans for business29:30 Lack of a military transition process34:40 Future of UHPQUOTES“There's nothing greater than serving democracy. Veterans created this country.” “The health and performance of your life or your company need to be in balance.”“You can take the four pieces of the blueprint: how to think intellectually, how to train physically, how to feel emotionally, and how to lead from a values perspective to build a strategy to get after whatever that purpose is.”“A lot of us carry a lot of shit around that we have not let out yet and a big part of this place is helping people do that.”“I believe that great visionary leaders are unencumbered by their own “I can't do its.”“Failure is not possible if you don't quit.”“Anybody can be an entrepreneur. I truly believe that.”“My personal huge goal right now is to give veterans the opportunity to get out and catch up with their peers as fast as possible.”“Most Veterans are highly competent, highly skilled, great leaders, who just want to do awesome purposeful work.” “The DOD's responsibility is to build a lethal fighting force. Period. End of story.” “2025 we are going to launch Veterans Future Festival. It is going to be the largest veterans day event in the country, anywhere."The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Targeted violence, domestic terrorism and international terrorism are changing. In the past, America has been the victim of large scale coordinated attacks. Today, acts of mass violence are as simple as cars, fireworks and household items. On April 15, 2013 two terrorists blew up homemade bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three innocent people were killed. Hundreds were injured. Boston Police Chief Daniel Linskey immediately found himself in charge of a mass casualty event and a multijurisdictional manhunt through the streets of Boston. Chief Linskey joined Fran Racioppi to share how he overcame fear, panic and the realization that in an instant the entire city was looking to him for guidance and direction. He shares how preparation and training between law enforcement and first responders in the years leading up to the attack was critical in their response. And he explains why in emergency response, there's no place for egos or credit, just action and results. Join our conversation from the shores of Plymouth Harbor. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch Chief Linskey talk about Team Maureen, an organization he founded to honor his late cousin focused on preventing cancer in our Veterans. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction3:32 Becoming a US Marine8:47 Joining Boston Police15:05 Public Perception of Law Enforcement Today25:12 Are we prosecuting enough crime?31:07 Immigration policy effect on policing35:47 You're It at the Boston Marathon49:05 The bombing1:00:20 Standing guard over the victims1:19:37 The Manhunt1:35:29 Boston Strong1:39:04 Mental Health Mechanisms1:43:00 Biggest Lesson1:45:44 Thank youQUOTES“If you leave a place the same way you found it, you're not leading.”"If you want to learn leadership, lead.”“Cops hate change. The other thing cops hate is the way things are.” “If you think there's a problem with policing and leadership…ok…join and see what you can do from the inside.”“I would like to see any politician who is making policy on law enforcement to make them have to do a two week basic in-service class in law enforcement.”“If people think there's no accountability for assaulting a police officer…they're gonna do it.” “You can't just say you're training. You can't just pretend you're training. You can't just say bang bang you're dead.”“Leadership is putting your team to the task.”“He essentially said “Tag, you're it boss. And I didn't want to be it.”“Along with the devastation was a wave of shame and guilt that washed over me.”“I froze. I'm a United States Marine. I'm a cop. I'm the chief. I froze. I want to go home. I want to go home with my kids.” “In crisis there are 5,000 things you got to do, but you need to focus on the five most important right now.”“If you tell the troops what you want them to do and why they should do it, they'll do it.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of Green Beret Foundation, supporting US Army Special Forces of all generations.

The United States Army invaded Europe in 1944 and has never left. America's forward projection of its military was instrumental in the stabilization of Europe and the establishment of the world order that has existed since the end of World War II. A critical piece of American power is US Army Europe-Africa; a command responsible for over 37,000 soldiers, 104 countries, 10 units and 9 garrisons. Over 70,000 US military personnel operate across Europe and Africa in either permanent positions or deployed in support of national security objectives. To explain why US Army Europe-Africa is so important, Fran Racioppi sat down with Command Sergeant Major Jeremiah Inman, the command's senior enlisted advisor. Sergeant Major Inman breaks down the command's mission to deter aggression and provide stability in some of the world's most complicated and dynamic regions. He explains the magnitude of the command's responsibilities; and also shares his biggest leadership lessons learned from his time in Ranger Regiment and how they prepared him to lead no matter the challenge. Join our conversation from the bunkers of Pointe Du Hoc in Normandy, France. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform for all our D-Day Coverage including our first documentary Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to Pointe Du Hoc3:20 The mission of US Army Europe-Africa4:10 Guidance to the force4:40 Joint exercises5:00 The differences between Europe and Africa6:22 Supporting Ukraine7:23 Developing young NCOs8:49 USAREUR-AF Lines of Effort12:02 The Next Fight12:52 The role of the Combat Training Centers14:23 Special Operations & conventional force integration14:47 Sergeant Major's lessons learned16:30 Daily Habits for successQUOTES“Our vision is to get up, show up and be ready to assist our partners. Continue to train and maintain that combat readiness in the event we do have to get into something.”“If we can continue to train and work with our allies and partners now, when we do have to fight, we'll already have those sets and reps and be a much more lethal force.”“The young NCOs now are so much smarter than I'll ever be.”“We're only empowered if our officers empower us.”“We just got to be ready for anything. You don't know what that next fight is.”“Colonel Ralph Puckett's like ‘I didn't go to ranger school to be better than the next guy, I went to ranger school to be better than myself.'”“When you show up, show up. Be present. Get after it. 100% and then some.”“Physical training, marksmanship, battle drills, medical training. Then we added developing leaders of character. I think that's kind of how I've been my entire career, is after those five aspects.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are official programs of the Green Beret Foundation.

The health of our military service members and our Veterans is always a top line issue. Many suffer from illness and injury as a result of their service; and most are believed to be at higher risk for chronic sickness. Some of which is fortunately preventable. Cancer is a top concern for much of the military community. To dig into the increased risk cancer poses to our Veterans, Fran Racioppi sat down with Team Maureen; an organization focused on bringing attention and prevention of HPV and HPV-related cancers to our Veterans. Daniel Linskey, Kelly Welch and Dr. Emily Penick lead Team Maureen and founded the organization after the loss of their family and friend Maureen Russo. Worldwide, a woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes. It is the second-most frequent cancer in the world. The military community is twice as likely to develop HPV, yet immunization rates among our servicemembers are 50% of the civilian community. 90% of HPV-related cancers are preventable through immunization.We broke down the facts of HPV, why it's rising exponentially in our military, how it's affecting both our women and men service-members, and what every single person, military and civilian, can do to prevent one of the deadliest, and preventable, cancers in society today.Check out our conversation over-looking Plymouth Harbor and with Cardinals in the air. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch this conversation and our follow-up with Danny as he shares how he led the Boston Police Department during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:50 Welcome to the South Shore4:44 What is Cervical Cancer?8:09 How do you get Cervical Cancer?9:49 What is the effect on men?11:38 Screening for HPV12:55 Oral Health importance14:23 Low vaccination rates17:40 Why are military at risk?19:58 Vaccination process24:57 Who was Maureen?29:17 How are you educating people?33:20 How do you get involved?QUOTES“Making sure that people know about the importance of prevention of HPV and early detection for cervical cancer is our mission.”“Nobody should die of cervical cancer. It's completely preventable.” “Why not be at the forefront of HPV prevention?” “This is something that can help your kids not get cancer.” “Active duty military and Veterans are 2x as likely as civilians to develop cancers associated with HPV.” “We should be able to get to that point where no one loses a loved one to cervical cancer.”“You think you're a badass. Cancer doesn't care if you're a badass.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of Green Beret Foundation, supporting US Army Special Forces of all generations.

Voting is a foundation of democracy and key to American power, but also a process that can be ugly and divisive. In what many believe to be the most politically charged election period in modern history, Fran Racioppi took a few minutes to sit down with Congressman Rich McCormick, Representative for Georgia's 7th district. Representative McCormick shared his Elementary Issues of A, B, C, D, E: the American dream, the border, crime, debt, education and energy; why it's dangerous to develop a culture of government giving, balancing compassion with security along our borders, and not hiding from the fact that America has real adversaries who seek to do us harm. As a Marine Corps and Navy Veteran, emergency room doctor and former American Gladiator, the Congressman knows the importance of earning success and leading through adversity; character traits he has taken from his military service to the halls of Congress.Join our conversation from Congressman McCormick's Office. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform for all our election coverage.Stand for something, or stand to the side. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to Capitol Hill5:45 Georgia as a swing state10:20 The Elementary Issues13:40 Government Giving17:12 A divided America22:46 The Open Border Argument 25:20 Balancing compassion with security30:03 The near-peer fight32:28 Accepting America has adversaries40:10 The role of SOF in the next fight44:26 Why Congress needs more Veterans51:55 Daily Foundations For Success QUOTES“People don't realize how diverse the south is. Especially Georgia. And the opinions are just as diverse.”“If you don't have a good economy nobody thrives.” “You're never given value by what you're given. You're given value by what you earn.” “When one party dominates we have more peace. Not necessarily more prosperity; but more peace.” “If you end up isolated, you will end up at war.” “It's important not to think that we can huddle up in our country and think that nothing bad is gonna happen anywhere else.” “We need to realize that we are less influential than China in about half of the western hemisphere. That's scary.” “If you want to be amongst greatness, look for adversity.” Special thanks to the For Country Caucus for coordinating this interview. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of our guests and creator and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy; nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Airborne operations were an essential component of the Allied invasion. And since D-Day, the US Army has stood ready to drop airborne forces anywhere in the world at any time. The US Army Golden Knights are America's most proficient parachutists. Led at the time of this recording by Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel Andy Moffit and Command Sergeant Major Adam Breeding, the Golden Knights set the example for airborne insertion onto any drop zone.LTC Moffit and CSM Breeding joined Fran Racioppi from atop the Normandy Resistance Monument in Saint Marie Dumont to discuss just what it means to be Airborne, both in 1944 and today. They shared what it takes to join the Golden Knights, how they maintain standards and why they are always competing for the perfect jump; especially when the eyes of the world are watching. Check out our conversation from the birthplace of modern Special Forces and home to one of the largest airborne drops in history; then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage from the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media and make sure to tune into our first documentary, Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh available now only on YouTube.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:12 Welcome to Normandy5:03 Golden Knights' mission7:00 Why become a Golden Knight9:05 What is a Golden Knight?12:56 Building A Great Team15:31 Maintaining a High Operational Tempo17:14 Best part of being a Golden Knight18:04 The meaning of Normandy22:20 Future of the Golden Knights27:29 Daily Foundations of SuccessQUOTES“Our mission is to connect America's people to her Army.”“I really had to check my ego at the door.” “Culture is king. Culture is everything.”“It really comes down to how teachable are you.”“It's that healthy level of fear though. That's what keeps them focused.” “We jump from thousands of feet. A good portion of the team is afraid of heights.” The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of our guests and creator and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy; nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

National security isn't led solely by government entities and the military. Public-private sector partnerships often drive many of our national security decisions. To dig into the importance of the private sector in defense of America, Fran Racioppi sat down with Dave Komendat; a 36-year Veteran of Boeing; one of the world's largest defense contractors and a critical component of America's economy. Dave retired after serving as The Boeing Company's Chief Security Officer, where he ensured the safety and security of over 170,000 employees and $77 Billion in annual revenue. Dave and Fran discussed how private companies partner with the US government, how security has evolved since 9/11, and how to build a culture of security in our companies and as a nation. They also break down the magnitude of Boeing, its impact on the aviation and defense industries, and the future of aviation security across a multitude of threats. Dave is also the Chairman of Hostage US, a non-profit supporting the families of American hostages and those wrongfully detained, as well as hostages and detainees when they return home. They take a few minutes to unpack hostage diplomacy and how America's adversaries are using unlawful detention as a tool to compete with American power abroad. Watch, listen or read our entire National Security series. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Watch the full video version from Epigen Technology in Arlington, VA on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of our guests and creator and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy; nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.Highlights:0:00 Introduction2:16 We're in a grey war5:52 The Chief Security Officer7:33 Assessing risk15:12 Public-Private Security Partnership20:24 Starting as an intern24:13 Building a successful team33:05 Leading in a massive organization37:15 Embracing a security culture39:50 The relationship between safety and security46:36 Duty of care50:45 The rise of insider threats55:22 Boeing on 9/1159:15 Airplane cyber-security1:04:23 Next generation of security leadership1:10:34 Hostage US1:20:00 Daily Foundations of SuccessQuotes“I think we're in a grey war.” “The Chief Security Officer at most corporations is a thinker. They're a strategist. They're a risk manager.”“You can't go into a CEO everyday and the sky is falling. You lose your credibility.” “Different leaders have different risk tolerances.” “Be empathetic with people doing jobs that don't get a lot of fanfare.”“The longer I was in a leadership role, the more I valued when people told me ‘that wasn't very good.” “We ran security like a business. We tried to demystify what we did.” “I didn't want to be viewed as a necessary evil. I wanted to be viewed as a necessity.”“The worst thing you can do is deliver a product that's already been compromised to the warfighter.” “If you only call people when you need something, you don't have a relationship.”

On Veterans Day we celebrate our military from every service and every generation. Freedom requires people of character to stand up for America…no matter the challenge. This Veterans Day, the Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. Dedicated to providing our transitioning service members with the skills needed to build careers in health and fitness, and as entrepreneurs, UHP is leading the way in showing private industry just how valuable our Veterans will be for the next generation of America. While at UHP, Fran Racioppi spent some time with Senator John Boozman, an Arkansas native and the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations. Senator Boozman is the son of an Air Force Master Sergeant and has made national security a top priority of his service.The Senator and Fran discussed his initiatives to improve quality of life for service members and their families, why building world class facilities is critical to recruiting, and how national security is the foundation of a strong economy. They also shared why all leaders need to bring the country together to get things done for the American people.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:50 Welcome to the University of Health and Performance2:37 Veterans Day in Arkansas4:52 Modernization of military infrastructure6:46 Investing for the next fight 8:13 Senate priorities post election11:53 Bringing America togetherQUOTES“Creating an atmosphere that allows us to keep Veterans right here in Arkansas is a great thing.”“We want this to be the best place for Veterans to call home.”“Having women in leadership I think is absolutely critical to the long term success of our county.”“We have to focus on things everybody can agree on and things that lift our country up.”“Remember where the enemies are; and it's not within our own country."Watch, listen or read all our Veterans Day coverage from UHP. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of the guests and the host. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy.

On Veterans Day we celebrate our military from every service and every generation. Freedom requires people of character to stand up for America…no matter the challenge. This Veterans Day, the Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. Dedicated to providing our transitioning service members with the skills needed to build careers in health and fitness, and as entrepreneurs, UHP is leading the way in showing private industry just how valuable our Veterans will be for the next generation of America. While at UHP, Fran Racioppi had the chance to sit down with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the youngest Governor in America and one of only 13 female Governors across the country. Governor Sanders is a staunch advocate for up-skilling transitioning Veterans and is working hard to ensure Arkansas has the resources and job opportunities to bring Veterans to the state. The Governor and Fran discussed her Veterans initiatives, her outlook now that the 2024 election is decided, and how it is incumbent upon all leaders to bring the country together to get things done for the American people.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:46 Welcome to the University of Health and Performance2:12 Veterans Day in Arkansas3:08 Arkansas is upskilling Veterans4:22 Women Governors are changing America 5:23 America post-election6:36 Can America come together?QUOTES“Creating an atmosphere that allows us to keep Veterans right here in Arkansas is a great thing.” “We want this to be the best place for Veterans to call home.” “Having women in leadership I think is absolutely critical to the long term success of our county.” “We have to focus on things everybody can agree on and things that lift our country up.” “Remember where the enemies are; and it's not within our own country.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Watch, listen or read all our Veterans Day coverage. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform and watch us on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of the guests and the host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy.

Hostage diplomacy is an ugly game. For decades America's adversaries have imprisoned US citizens in an effort to leverage diplomatic, economic or military advantage. These cases range from exaggerated charges, to disproportionate penalties, to outright lies. Each case is different. And each case affects both the lives of the incarcerated, their families and ultimately American power. Jose Pereira was held prisoner by the Venezuelan government for five years. He was the CEO of Citgo and after a Thanksgiving Day meeting in Caracas, he and five other Citgo executives were arrested and charged with bribery, corruption and other false charges. They became known as the Citgo 6. Jose joined Fran Racioppi to share the story of his captivity, his year long solitary detention in the Submarine, starvation, sickness, sham trials, and his time in a coma. Jose talks about his mental battles with depression and suicidal ideation.Like all great leaders, Jose sought solutions using the buckets his food was delivered in as a clandestine courier service to exchange letters with his wife. These letters kept him alive, gave him hope and now serve as the foundation to his new book “From Hero To Villain: My True Story of the Citgo 6.” Special thanks to Hostage US for supporting the families of American hostages and those wrongfully detained, as well hostages and detainees when they return home.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome Home3:39 Summoned to Venezuela7:51 Surviving the first 48 hours16:05 Bargaining chips for oil20:09 Smuggling letters in food23:58 The toll on the family28:07 Captive with Green Berets30:24 Prisoner Swap38:47 Hostage Diplomacy41:34 The challenges of coming home45:51 The role of Hostage US49:19 The healing process51:01 Daily Foundations to SuccessQUOTESFor us, Thanksgiving became kind of a nightmare.” “Nobody was prepared because this was a sham situation.”“They target high profile people because they need to leverage you.”“I stayed 10 months in total confinement.”“In those containers I found that you could put a double bottom.”“Your family is a hostage even worse than you. They are a spiritual and mental hostage.” “Bring the American back no matter the tool that you need to use.” “You are literally caught in a time machine. You are literally in a cage for five years.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Watch, listen or read our conversation from Epigen Technology in Arlington, VA. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of the guests and the host. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy.

Nobody's coming to save you. It's a simple phrase, but one that can mean the difference between success and failure. Elite performers know that when it's time to take action, they need to be ready to execute with precision and without excuse. Scott Mann is a retired Special Forces Officer, the architect of Operation Pineapple Express, and a leader who knows how to get results against the odds. Scott first joined Fran Racioppi after the withdrawal from Afghanistan to share how he took a stand when few would. Now he's showing us just how to apply an action first mindset to anything we set out to do. Our rainy Sunday morning conversation from the banks of New York City's East River was the perfect backdrop to break down his new book; Nobody's coming to save you: a Green Beret's guide to getting big shit done. Scott defines the churn; the divisiveness, fear-laden complexity of the world that is in our face 24/7 across our devices. He shows us how that has put us all in a trance of distraction, disengagement, disconnection and distrust where transactional relationships focus on performing for each other instead of connecting. As a leader of action, Scott gives us the cure; which rightfully so will be MESSY. Jump In with Scott and Fran as they wake up New York City, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage of the 2024 election cycle and our national security series with today's most prominent Special Forces leaders. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to New York City2:07 Why is Nobody Is Coming To Save You?4:05 The Four D's6:40 The loss of social connection17:20 Get MESSY to get s**t done18:35 Storytelling mattersQUOTES“We are in our own form of that unprecedented churn.” “The average attention span of a human in the west is eight seconds.” “We've atrophied the ability to tap into what's below the waterline of our human nature.” “Now it's a verb. ‘I'm going to unfriend you.'” “We've lost the ability to make human connection in a meaningful way..” “We ignore storytelling at our peril. Everything has become bullet points.” “It wasn't the stories they told; it was the stories they asked to hear.” “All of us are capable of strategic outcomes if we set our mind to it.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Everyone has a top button item this election cycle. For some it's the economy. For others its national defense or healthcare. For Congressman Tony Gonzales it's the US southern border and immigration. Representative Gonzales is responsible for Texas's 23rd district, a district that contains over 800 miles of the US-Mexico border, and by many accounts, ground zero for the immigration policy battle. Representative Gonzales is also a retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer where he served over 20 years as a cryptologist. The Congressman and Host Fran Racioppi broke down the border debate from his Texas perspective, including the effects of current policy on both domestic and international security. With the election coming, we discussed the importance of battleground states and why Texas is important from the top of the ticket to the bottom.Finally we covered leadership, how Veterans are making an impact through the halls of Congress, and why action is critical in a job in which you can do as much or as little as you want. Check out our conversation then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage of the 2024 election cycle. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to Capitol Hill3:06 People are mad?5:14 Solutions over problems9:04 From the Navy to Congress12:04 Is America ready for the next war?15:00 America in 2023QUOTES“I'm doing all the things I'm supposed to do, but somehow I'm in the back of this line.”“If Republicans are going to be successful we have to be talking about solutions, not just problems.” “If you're weak, or perceived as weak at home, that's when your adversaries are going to take advantage.” “If somebody comes over illegally, they immediately get their day in court.”“It isn't my job to be the cheerleader of the organization. It's my job to check the organization.” “The best thing about being a member of Congress is that you can do as much or as little as you want.”“We will adapt. We will overcome. We will find a way to get to victory.”“Whatever your thing is, get involved.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

The United States Army Special Forces command teams are composed of a commissioned officer, a warrant officer and senior non-commissioned officer. A model has evolved over time and is tributed with being a key component to success on the battlefield of yesterday and today.To break down just Army Special Forces balances strategy, experience and teamwork, Creator and Host Fran Racioppi sat down with Command Sergeant Major Dave Waldo and Command Chief Warrant Officer Felix Mosqueda; two of the three senior-most leaders of First Special Forces Command. From atop the Normandy Resistance Monument in Saint Marie Dumont, we broke down what it means to be a Green Beret and how the mission has evolved from the Jedburgh Teams of D-Day to today's Operational Detachments. CSM Waldo and Chief Mosqueda shared their priorities and vision for Army Special Forces, how the regiment is adapting in the post Global War on Terror environment, the misconception of the Special Forces mission and how they are tackling the recruiting and manning challenges needed for the next battlefield; whether that be against a peer, near peer or terrorist adversary. Check out our conversation from the birthplace of modern Special Forces; then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage from the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. And don't miss our first documentary, Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh available now only on YouTube.Highlights0:00 Introduction3:18 Welcome to the Normandy Resistance Monument7:19 Commissioned Officers, NCOs and Warrant Officers11:23 Preparing the Regiment 13:57 Solving the recruiting challenge16:56 Are changes coming to the structure of Special Forces?18:56 Lessons from GWOT24:14 Defining the next fight26:02 Current SF culture30:23 Vision for the Regiment34:29 The New Uniforms35:32 Foundations to success40:13 Football predictions Quotes“They knew they had no choice. There was no can. There was no try. Hope was not a course action. It was only must.” If it's important to my boss, it's important to me. If it's cool to my boss, it's fascinating to me.” “Make no mistake about it. And to our adversaries who are listening to this. We are absolutely the top of the mountain.” “Are we meeting the numbers? No.” “Always do more with less. We're able to do that because of our training pipeline.” “We have to focus on all the missions because every part of the world is set up differently.” “First contact should not be human contact. It should be some sort of tech or robotic.” “Our adversaries are brilliant. They're also lethal. But do they love each other the way that our folks do?”“If you build good command teams it never gets lonely at the top.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Supporting our veterans is a commitment that transcends politics—it's a matter of national honor. In this episode, host Fran Racioppi sits down with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a 24-year Army Reserve veteran and representative for Iowa's First Congressional District. Together, they explore critical issues facing veterans today, including the readiness of the VA to handle the influx of post-9/11 service members, mental health challenges, and the impact of the PACT Act. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks shares her unique perspective on veteran care, the importance of accountability within the VA, and the role Congress plays in ensuring our veterans receive the care and support they deserve. Check out our conversation then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage from the halls of Congress. Highlights0:00 Welcome to Congress1:40 Veterans top issues in Congress3:03 Increasing oversight of the VA4:23 GWOT Veterans influx into the VA5:50 Expectations of the 2024 election cycle Quotes“13 new Gold Star Families that did not have to lose their children.”“Do we want the VA to do voter registration or do we want them to focus on caring for Veterans?” “We also added the PACT Act. Any disorder is presumed to be related to your service.” “Irrespective of who's at the top of the ticket, you have to make the case for yourself.” The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of our guests and creator and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy; nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Army Special Operations Forces are led by LTG John Braga, Commander of United States Army Special Operations Command. General Braga and Creator and Host Fran Racioppi stormed the Utah Beach Communication Bunker responsible for the coordination of German defenses and later the facilitation of the largest amphibious assault in history. From this iconic setting, we unpacked the significance of World War II on international norms still in play today and challenged at a level not seen since the pre-war era. General Braga shared his vision for Army Special Operations, his focus on threat-informed decision-making, and how Special Operations has evolved; but more importantly where it needs to go and why it's not there yet. He also explains how Special Operations are preparing for conflict with nation-states like China and Iran, while also ensuring terrorist organizations have no sanctuary across the globe. Finally, we talk about integration, and why Special Operations is a critical node in the cyber and space fight deep behind enemy lines. Check out our conversation from underneath Utah Beach. Head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage from the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. And don't miss our first documentary, Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh available now only on YouTube. Highlights0:00 Introduction3:25 Welcome to the Le Roosevelt Cafe Bunker on Utah Beach8:14 Significance of Operation Jedburgh10:15 Rangers on Omaha Beach13:35 US Army Special Operations mission19:10 Role of Psychological Operations24:10 Winning Cognitive Warfare?29:43 A change to the Special Forces teams?32:10 Top priority on the next battlefield?41:10 Combatting an enemy that doesn't value life?44:32 The USASOC culture49:43 Destroying the enemy55:28 USASOC's future1:00:05 Foundations to Success Quotes“Here we have the Jedburghs, with small teams having complete outsized impacts.”“We challenge the force…to be strategically driven in everything you do.” “We weren't created for counter-terrorism.” “You need to be an information officer.” “People are the weapon system of USASOC. That's our greatest investment.”“Every STEM robotics club in high school in America needs to know we have a home for them in Army Special Operations. “We have to modernize. We have to change. Or we'll be behind the adversary.”“The only way to win is a whole of nation and whole of society approach.” “I want to be surrounded by people who want to push themself.” “Everyone should be challenging the training calendar. What are you training for?”“We can't be afraid of changing because we might get something wrong.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

There's a difference between the elite and everyone else. Elite by definition means superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society. Elite is not good. It is not great. It certainly is not above average. To be elite means you're among the best.The Stars and Stripes Classic pitted America's two most elite Special Operations Forces against each other on the lacrosse field. To talk about what it means to be elite, not just in sports but in anything you do, Fran Racioppi sat down with Paul Rabil. Paul is the co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League and undoubtedly one of the most elite lacrosse players to ever play the game. Paul is multiple time NCAA champion, a four year All American, he holds NCAA records for the most goals, assists and points. He is a multiple time Player of the Year and two time champion. He holds the most points in professional lacrosse. He is what every young lacrosse player ascribes to be. Paul is also an elite visionary and businessman. He developed the PLL out of the gaps he saw as a player. Now he's changing professional sports and how athletes are treated by owners. Check out our conversation from the endzone of Gillette Stadium to learn how anyone can be elite if you're ready to put in the work and relentlessly execute. Head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the action from the Stars and Stripes Classic. Don't forget to go to Green Beret Foundation to join our 18 Series Match Challenge to support our team as the Snakeeaters took on the Frogmen. Highlights0:00 Introduction2:33 Stars and Stripes Classic4:18 The level of play5:57 Toughness & extra work8:31 Earn it every day12:49 Building an elite sports league18:15 How does it feel?22:08 How to process the hard times Quotes“Lacrosse is sloppy. That's also the beauty of it.” “Those that choose to be elite, it's a lifestyle.” “Earn the right to stay here and be here.” “You just don't really fake integrity. Someone will suss it out.” “If you don't go all in, you'll never reach your potential.” “Attempting to become a subject matter expert is so important in entrepreneurship.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League and Kraft Sports and Entertainment for hosting the Stars and Stripes Classic.

Toughness defines Special Operations and the sport of lacrosse. Toughness requires a person to deal with hardship, overcome difficult situations, persevere through mental and physical challenges. Toughness is one part natural, one part learned, and one part the result of consistency. To excel as a Green Beret, Navy SEAL or a lacrosse athlete, you better be tough. Joe Alberici and Ben Harrow are two tough men. Joe is the head coach of Men's lacrosse at West Point, and Ben is a West Point lacrosse alumni, Green Beret and double leg amputee.Coach and Ben joined Fran Racioppi to recap the Stars and Stripes Classic, what it meant for our Green Berets and Navy SEALs to face off on the lacrosse field, how to build teams based on being tough, and what it takes to win no matter the challenge; whether that's on the playing field, the battlefield or the boardroom. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the action from the Stars and Stripes Classic. Don't forget to go to Green Beret Foundation to join our 18 Series Match Challenge to support our team as the Snakeeaters took on the Frogmen. Highlights0:00 Introduction2:05 Stars and Stripes is in the books3:17 Break down the game for us4:57 Ben Harrow is toughness6:46 Why is toughness important?10:39 West Point lax is a player15:01 Put in the extra work16:22 What did you tell the team after the game?Quotes“Clock got a little short on us. Time ran out.”“Toughness is when you're 100%, 100% of the time.” “Grateful for everything. Entitled to nothing.” “If you can be an elite human being…you'll probably be a pretty darn good Army lacrosse player.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League and the Kraft Group for hosting us the Stars and Stripes Classic.

The greatest entrepreneurial adventures take a lot of sleepless nights, a bias for action and a commitment to people. Starting a professional sports league is no different. As we gear up for the first ever Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi is joined by Mike Rabil, the co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League. Mike and his brother Paul, started the league with a vision to put the players at the center of the business model.From better pay, to open marketing, to benefits and equity in the league, they're redefining how professional sports embraces their athletes.Mike shared the market opportunity he and Paul saw in lacrosse and how they relentlessly pursued investment and support. He explained how giving players equity, access to marketing content and a seat at the table have created a more inclusive league. And he showed us where the sport is headed with regional affiliation. They also previewed the Stars and Stripes Classic coming September 2 to Gillette Stadium where the bonds between lacrosse and Special Operations will face off for the very first time. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with the business mind behind the PLL, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the action from the Stars and Stripes Classic. Don't forget to go to Green Beret Foundation to join our 18 Series Match Challenge to support our team as the Snakeeaters take on the Frogmen. Highlights0:00 Welcome to Fairfield University4:15 What was the vision for the PLL?6:21 How do you start a pro sports league?8:10 How does the open marketing concept help promote the game?10:20 Why introduce regional affiliation?12:07 Why keep the 2-point shot?12:48 How do you recruit the best athletes to lacrosse?15:46 The Stars and Stripes Classic?Quotes“I slept on a lot of hotel floors. Cried, bled a lot.” “People ask us who our competitors are. I say ‘all the other sports.'” “We know we need to continue to pay the players more.” “Each time these guys stop on the field they get five stock options.” “The lacrosse community is really tied into Special Forces.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League for hosting us at Fairfield University and for sponsoring the Stars and Stripes Classic.

Performing at an elite level isn't about doing special things. It's about focusing on the basics and the fundamentals; then executing them with precision. A coach's job is to harness the energy of the players and direct it towards a common goal. As we gear up for the first ever Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with the Head Coach of the California Redwoods and Army Reservist Nat St. Laurent. Nat's primary mission is to take a group of elite alpha lacrosse athletes all capable of big things and get them to focus on the little details; a skill he learned teaching soldiers to throw hand grenades as an instructor. He shares his Army lessons learned and how they made him a better coach.Nat also provided his perspective on the growth of the Premier Lacrosse League, how regional affiliation has enhanced the fan base, and how everything the PLL does is all out; including the 2-point shot. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with one of the PLL's inaugural coaches, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the action from the Stars and Stripes Classic. Don't forget to go to Green Beret Foundation to join our 18 Series Match Challenge to support our team as the Snakeeaters take on the Frogmen. Highlights0:00 Introduction2:27 Welcome to Fairfield University3:14 PLL regional affiliation5:06 Growing the PLL fan base6:47 What Army lessons do you use as a coach?9:28 PLL player development11:32 The 2-point shot13:12 Staying focused in down times14:54 Stars and Stripes ClassicQuotes“Whatever the PLL does it's all out.” “Being part of something bigger than yourself…it becomes an honor.” “It is extremely important to do those little things right and to do it with a purpose that's bigger than yourself. “Our mindset every game is 1-0. We can't do anything about the results from previous games.” “They're not going to be able to turn over their compete level.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League for hosting us at Fairfield University and for sponsoring the Stars and Stripes Classic.

The United States doesn't play for second place. Not on the battlefield and certainly not on the lacrosse field. As we gear up for the first ever Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Head Coach of Team USA Seth Teirney. Seth is also the Director of Competition at the Premier Lacrosse League and the Head Coach of Hofstra University. He's involved in every aspect and level of lacrosse from the pros down to youth. He's a national champion as a coach and played in the National Lacrosse League as a player. Seth's attitude about lacrosse is gold medal or bust. Fran and Seth covered why it takes “feeling the sport” to compete at the highest level as both an athlete and a coach. Seth shared the launch story of the PLL from a broken down bus in Israel and how the PLL honors the Indigenous legacy of lacrosse. Seth also gives his tips to parents raising athletes and explains what it means to coach the US National Team. Plus he makes his prediction for the battle of the year, as the Green Berets take on the Navy SEALs September 2 at Gillette Stadium.Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with one of lacrosse's greatest players and coaches, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all the action from the Stars and Stripes Classic. Head over to Green Beret Foundation and join our 18 Series Match Challenge to support our team as the Snakeeaters take on the Frogmen. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:27 Welcome to Fairfield University3:30 Setting the lacrosse example5:16 Growing the PLL7:12 The origins of lacrosse8:58 Lacrosse is about feeling10:49 How have the players evolved?12:48 Gold medal or bust14:08 How coaches have changed16:01 Is junior level competition healthy?18:00 A tribute to Andy Towers19:53 The PLL's next phase21:48 Recruiting the top athletes22:46 Stars and Stripes ClassicQuotes“This whole thing started when a bus broke down in 2018 in Israel.”“This sport. Where it came from. It was not just playing. It was understanding.”“It's not written down in a handbook. You've got to be able to feel the game.” “It's an all-in sport that is on fire right now.” “There is no second place. We're not playing for second place. It's gold medal or bust.” “When we get the Stars and Stripes Game going…that's a forever day.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League for hosting us at Fairfield University and for sponsoring the Stars and Stripes Classic.

For decades the Middle East has been America's top national security challenge.From terrorism, to war, to regional instability, it takes more than a military effort to find solutions.As America navigates one of the most volatile times in history, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired General Joseph Votel, one of America's most influential leaders and scholars in Middle East policy. General Votel served as Commander of United States Special Operations Command, US Central Command, Joint Special Operations Command and 75th Ranger Regiment; organizations critically responsible for America's Middle East operations. General Votel unpacked the reasons why Hamas chose to attack Israel, Iran's malign influence, and the responsibility of the other Gulf states in preventing regional instability. He also broke down the opportunities the United States has across the diplomatic, information, military and economic spectrum; including America's ability to mobilize for a peer-to-peer fight. Plus he talked all things Ranger Regiment, the officer-NCO relationship, and keys to effective leadership. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with one the Army's most respected leaders then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch up on our entire national security series from Washington, DC and Fort Liberty, NC. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to Odgers Berndtson3:07 The rise of China and Russia13:47 Why is Iran on the offensive?21:14 Using the elements of National Power24:34 The impacts of the Israel-Gaza War32:55 General Votel's call to serve42:35 Advice to new leaders47:42 How the NCO corps separates the US military 56:46 The role of Special Forces in the peer-to-peer fight1:05:09 Solving the recruiting challenge1:13:28 General Votel's Three Daily FoundationsQuotes: “In a word, they've had it and they're trying to reassert themselves.” “Putin has pretty much told us what he wants to do. He wants to eclipse the United States.” “The Gulf partners, the other Arab states, aren't that keen on having a new Palestinian state in the region.”“We have over-militarized a lot of our foreign policy in these areas. We need to be leading with diplomacy.”“If you open these humanitarian corridors, are you arming your adversary?” “When I showed up to West Point…instant buyer's remorse.” “To me, leadership has really become about the basics.” “I had a Sergeant Major. Bill Thetford. We were together for eight plus years; longer than the average American marriage.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Special thanks to Odgers Berndtson for hosting this conversation.

The responsibility for recruiting, training and retaining US Army soldiers sits on the shoulders of the Sergeant Major of the Army; a job in which there is no training course and where experience is the defining factor. To break down what the Sergeant Major of the Army does, the current state of the Army, and where the Army is headed, Fran Racioppi traveled deep into the center of the Pentagon for a conversation with Sergeant Major Mike Weimer, the 17th Sergeant Major of the Army and the first Green Beret selected for the role. The SMA defined professional warfighting and the importance of an all volunteer force. He broke down the art and science relationship between commissioned and non-commissioned officers. He shared how his experience in the Special Forces shadows prepared him for the limelight of the SMA role. And they talked about the future, including his vision for solving the recruiting challenge, how warfare is evolving from the kill chain to the kill web, how he's planning to retain the right people, and how the integration of Special Operations and the regular Army is more important now than ever. Highlights:0:00 Introduction2:53 The Army is busy 3:52 The Professional Warfighter11:40 People are the Army's weapons system 15:53 The relationship between Commanders and NCOs22:24 SMA Weimer's transition from the shadows25:55 The Army's recruiting challenges34:51 CTCs and the Kill Web40:12 Retaining the best and brightest43:50 Integrating Special Forces and the regular Army50:36 The Army's biggest opportunity52:17 Daily Foundations to SuccessQuotes: “Those that are committed, I remind them; the audio and video has got to match.” “All of the services are platform centric. The Army's platform is its people.” “The non-commissioned officer is the asymmetric advantage.” “The things that are usually the hardest in life are the things that are usually the most rewarding.” “Whatever you've done prior to coming into this seat is how you've prepared.” “We're on track to make our numbers this year….We need those numbers to be higher in upcoming years.” “I have a fair amount of combat…I've never been to war.” “You don't necessarily get do-overs in the fight that we're preparing for now.”“It's not just about retaining people; it's about retaining the right people.”“Standards and discipline can't just be some whimsical thing we throw around.”Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with the Army's most senior non-commissioned officer, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch up on our entire national security series from Washington, DC and Fort Liberty, NC. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media.

Lethality, audacity and creativity. That's the culture of the Special Forces Regiment and the values each Special Operator is expected to live by. They're also the foundation of what it takes to be the premier partnered irregular warfare force in the arsenal of the United States Military. Our nation's Green Berets, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations soldiers are led by Major General Gil Ferguson; the Commanding General of 1st Special Forces Command. For the final interview of our Fort Liberty series, Fran Racioppi sat down with General Ferguson for a conversation on what it takes to man, train and equip our Special Forces units. They dug into his goal to enhance the culture of the Regiment, how the Special Forces Groups are preparing for regional conflicts with unknown enemies, at unknown times; and just how Green Berets are solidifying themselves as the go-to option in the deep sensor fight against our peer adversaries.General Ferguson also explains the SOF-Space-Cyber Triad, where he sees Special Forces in a decade, and as our units evolve, what needs to stay the same. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with America's top Green Beret, then head over to our YouTube channel to watch General Ferguson share the lineage of America's first Special Forces in the Jedburgh Media Channel's first documentary, Unknown Heroes, Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the JFK Special Warfare Museum4:04 The premier partnered irregular warfare force7:18 Man, train, equip for any theater9:40 The culture of 1st SFC13:52 The misperceptions of Special Forces18:50 SOF in the Peer-to-Peer Fight27:16 How is SOF keeping people first?34:07 SOF, Space Cyber Triad39:43 Where are Special Forces in 5-10 years?42:14 How are Civil Affairs and PsyOps integrating into the SOF battlefield?50:47 What has to stay the same in SOF?54:32 Daily Foundations For SuccessQuotes: “The United States fights coalition warfare. We don't ever want to fight by ourselves.” “We don't know where the next fight's going to be, we don't know who it's gonna be with, and we don't know when it's gonna start.”“The guys we are running the Columbian military were all folks that were captains with me when I was a 7th Group Commander.”“Technology is not going to win the next fight. The side that most effectively and audaciously employs technology is going to win.”“18x make up more than 50% of our force now; and that is a good thing.”“I don't want to spend time in my office. That is not where I'm effective.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Calling all Green Berets! This episode looks deep into the critical role of the Special Forces Warrant Officer. Host Fran Racioppi sits down with USAJFKSWCS Command Chief Warrant CW5 Gary Ostrander – a legend in the Regiment – to unpack the history, responsibilities, and the future of this essential position. Get ready for insightful stories, honest discussions about the challenges of recruiting the next generation, and a look ahead at how Special Forces are adapting to a world with peer-to-peer adversaries. Buckle up and get ready to learn why America's unconventional warriors will continue to be a dominant force.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

One hundred men will test today. But only three win the Green Beret. Developing America's Green Berets takes a vision for the future, knowledge of the past, and an understanding of the present. The John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is the home of both training Green Berets and developing the policy and doctrine our Special Forces operate by. To share the mission of SWCS, Fran Racioppi sat down with Commanding General Brigadier General Will Beaurpere and Command Sergeant Major Lee Strong from the JFK Special Warfare Museum at Fort Liberty, NC. BG Beaurpere and CSM Strong explained how SWCS 2030 will develop a more prepared Special Forces Regiment through the establishment of three Branch Schools for Green Berets, Civil Affairs and Psyops, each under their own O-6 level command. They also break down irregular warfare, why it's important, and how it's complemented by psychological operations; another school being developed through SWCS 2030. Finally they talk recruiting as the GWOT generation of soldiers is retiring and SOF was directed to cut personnel, while enforcing the standard, continuously improving professionalism, and integrating technology and automation into the force. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation about the past, present and future of SWCS. Then head over to our YouTube channel to watch BG Beaurpere and CSM Strong share the importance of the Jedburghs in the Jedburgh Media Channel's first documentary, Unknown Heroes, Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the Special Warfare Museum 2:27 The SWCS mission8:42 SWCS 203012:03 Commandants, Irregular Warfare & the Psywar School22:00 SOF's role in Strategic Disruption30:33 How do you maintain the Special Forces Standard?36:08 Integrating technology but building leaders first49:08 The 3 Keys to Daily SuccessQuotes: “We watch the battlefield of the modern era and we draw that into our doctrine.” (5:02)“The cadre is where you really achieve mastery.” (8:04)“Psychological Warfare is something we've conducted for the preponderance of our history as a military.” 17:01“That's what SOF does…conduct operations and activities forward, before conflict.” (20:06)“The one place we will not assume risk, and cannot assume is risk, is in the production of world class special forces, civil affairs and psyops soldiers.” (28:37)“What is the one or two percent we can do to improve to ultimately make this better, myself better, the team better.” (34:45)“You're only as hard as your last hard thing.” (53:04)Special thanks to Roxanne Merritt and the JFK Special Warfare Museum for graciously hosting this series.

Social Media doesn't tell the real story. It might look like we're crushing it online, but the reality is that it's held together by toothpicks and dental floss. For the final episode of the 2023 Army Navy Game Tailgate Series, Fran Racioppi welcomed back Travis Wilson; fellow Green Beret, entrepreneur, and Green Beret Foundation's Director of Mission & Program Delivery. Travis and Fran debunk the myth behind Green Beret to Green Beret support; and why supporting each other's businesses, families and initiatives is an important part of post-military success. As Green Berets we would have given our lives for the guy next to us; but when we get out, we forget that our brothers need the same level of support in the next chapter. In a Jedburgh Podcast first, Travis flips the script and asks Fran how he's doing. Plus they catch up on the newest products from Alpha Elite Performance and how the AEP Outdoors is taking Veterans fishing in Mexico and heli-hunting across the world.Veterans know better than anyone the challenges other Veterans face in service and beyond; yet they're often the last to volunteer support physically or financially to Veteran Service Organizations. We need Veterans to match civilian levels of support. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation. Then grab a pre-workout, some GBNT Sleep and Rally and Recover. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the Army Navy Game Tailgate4:47 The most support comes from those who didn't serve7:24 Green Berets need to support other Green Berets10:46 Extreme outdoors with AEP Outdoors11:50 Alpha Elite Performance drops Rally & Recovery13:45 Army by 715:18 How's Fran doing?Quotes: “Our biggest support has come from people who didn't serve.” (5:52) “The true impact for guys like you and I is it creates an environment for us to get together.” (6:37) “It's very healing to get back together with other Green Berets and their families.” (7:47)“These guys are hurting and struggling because they're not getting the support of the brotherhood.” (9:50) “The only person that ever failed is the one that quit. So don't quit.” (17:29) “I don't look at anything and say I can't do it. I look at everything and I say how do I make it happen.” (17:53)

America's military must return our service members back to society ready to lead. Special operators are given the best tools in the military to do their jobs. They're also completely immersed into the special forces lifestyle with almost no distractions. Yet when they leave service, they're often left to themselves to find the right tools and to figure out what training they need to be successful in the next chapter. Two of America's most important organizations have partnered to bring our Veterans the best tools and training all wrapped up into an immersive, life changing program. For the third episode of our 2023 Army Navy Game tailgate series Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, CEO of Home Base. Home Base is founded and supported by the Boston Red Sox and Mass General Hospital; a formidable team dedicated to winning and solving the most complex challenges in medicine and athletic performance.Home Base provides leading edge clinical care to the medical challenges faced by our veterans; including the effects of prolonged blast exposure, mental trauma, diabetes and even cancer. Veterans train directly with the best medical and athletic performance professionals in the industry with one goal in mind; return our military personnel back to society ready to perform at the highest level and continue to lead others. Take a listen, watch or read our conversation…and whether you're from Beantown or not, this is a Red Sox game you want to be a part of. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the Army Navy Game Tailgate3:50 Home Base is built by the Boston Red Sox & Mass General7:06 Two months of therapy in two weeks11:18 How Home Base is treating Operator Syndrome16:38 How to support Home Base17:50 Proven results of the programQuotes: “When you look at the opportunity with those two powerhouse organizations and what the potential is to actually bend the curve and make a difference; they had me at hello.” (5:30) “We have access to the best clinical resources in the world. Bar none.” (6:12) “We created this 14-day intensive clinical program…that compresses two years of therapy into two weeks.” (8:55)“We're gonna be able to figure out what are the downstream chronic illnesses associated with concussive injury.” (13:49) “If you don't have the tools to do a job, it's like a monkey trying to change a tire with a screwdriver.” (19:50)

“The mission. The men. Me.” The “3 M's” of leadership taught to officers in Vietnam and still applicable to building great leaders in any industry. As leaders we put people first, but sometimes the mission must happen regardless of the people.For the second episode of our 2023 Army Navy Game tailgate party, we warmed up with a little Cold Zero Whiskey and a conversation with two former Green Berets of very different generations who left service for federal law enforcement. Casey Maxted and Bill “Hawk” Albracht joined Fran Racioppi to share why grit and teamwork were critical to their careers in Special Forces, in the FBI and Secret Service, and now as they build a spirits company. Grab a glass of Cold Zero then take a listen, watch or read our conversation as Casey breaks down the opportunities and challenges that come with starting a spirits brand, and Bill shares what it was like to go back to Vietnam and walk the battlefield he once fought on. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the Army Navy tailgate3:48 Hawk volunteers for Vietnam4:32 Casey volunteers after 9/115:27 Hawk protected four Presidents in the Secret Service7:56 Casey joins the FBI8:48 The character traits needed to build elite teams after Special Forces12:21 Founding Cold Zero14:09 Biggest challenge of starting a spirits company16:27 How Warrior Rising is supporting Veteran entrepreneurs17:46 The Greatest Generations Foundation takes Veterans back to their battlefieldsQuotes: “I want to join the Army. I want to be a paratrooper. I want to go Infantry. And I want to go to Vietnam.” (4:09)“Air Force One flew right over me and I don't know what happened, but that moment is when I was like ‘I'm gonna serve'.” (5:04) “The protection of Jimmy Carter, or Ronald Reagan, or George Bush, it never varied…time seems to by quicker when you're with somebody that you admire.” (7:40)“You look for grit in almost everything that you do. People that are gonna stick with it when the cards are stacked against you.” (9:06) “There's the three M's of leadership: the mission, the men and me.” (10:18) “If we truly understand our mission….in those moments when we're under pressure, when there's chaos, when there's confusion, we can come back to that guiding fabric.” (11:40) “It's not about the individual. It is about the team. The team going forward. The team accomplishing the mission.” (12:15)

There's a dangerous difference between a Quiet Professional and Silent Professional. We're conditioned as Green Berets to put the mission first and get the job done. That's why Army Special Forces are the tip of the spear in both wartime and peace. For our first tailgate interview, and to kick off The Jedburgh Podcast's new home as an official program of the Green Beret Foundation, Fran Racioppi sat down with CEO Charlie Iacono and America's largest Green Beret Nick Lavery. Charlie shares his vision to enhance educational opportunities, make benefits the easiest part of transition and how he's preparing the organization for America's next battlefield. Nick explains how he's committed to keeping Green Berets first in the fight and why telling our stories is critical to both retention and recruiting the next generation. Americans in combat may be out of the spotlight, but Green Berets continue their mission in every corner of the world and supporting them and their families will always be the core mission of the Green Beret Foundation. You decide if we're in a 1939 moment and never forget… the Boston Tea Party was an Army operation…Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Tailgating from Gillette Stadium3:27 The Boston Tea Party was an Army operation; NOT Navy!5:37 Charlie's vision as CEO of Green Beret Foundation9:25 Why demand for Green Beret support is greater now than during the War on Terror12:13 GBF advocates are in every active duty Special Forces Group17:45 The dangerous difference between Quiet Professional & Silent Professional27:17 Are we living in a 1939 moment?30:44 A cameo from US Army Special Operations Command Commanding General LTG Jonathan BragaQuotes: “This is where it all started. A couple of guys in a bar with some ideas…and look where we are today.” (4:17) “We are one of the few organizations that service and support the Veteran community of the Regiment and also the active duty space.” (7:12) “It's a commitment I made since day one. When that phone rings we're gonna pick it up.” (8:55)“The Special Forces ODA has been the most requested SOF unit of action since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism.” (9:48) “Just because it's not as obvious, do not mistake that for the need to no longer exist.” (11:20) “Why does it seem like the hardest mission a Green Beret has to deal with is when he gets out he's trying to get his benefits.” (13:529) “My biggest challenge that I ever faced was not becoming a Green Beret…it was actually not being a Green Beret anymore.” (15:13) “There's a massive difference between being a quiet professional and being a silent professional.” (18:45) The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

Fran Racioppi is unstoppable at helping people prepare today for success tomorrow. As the host of the Jedburgh Podcast, he brings together visionaries, drivers of change, and people dedicated to winning in business, military, academia, journalism, and athletics. A C-suite executive, a performance coach, and a former Green Beret, Fran is also the founder of FRsix, a business focused on developing operational efficiencies and business growth. Join Ralph and Fran as they cover topics such as: *The importance of highly skilled teams. *Fran discusses his experience on the men's rowing team at Boston University, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned that helped him in his later military service.*Pushing yourself to the limit in sports and in life. *The benefits of developing resilience and mental toughness.*Being patient when progress seems slow.*Taking consistent action towards goals, despite the ease of finding shortcuts in modern society.*The role of laziness in hindering progress. *The disconnect that occurs in virtual work environments. Thank you to Fran Racioppi for being our guest!If you're interested in conversations with visionaries, drivers of change, and those dedicated to winning, learn more about the Jedburgh Podcast: https://talentwargroup.com/the-jedburgh-podcast/ Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/ Learn more about Fran's company, FRsix: https://www.frsix.com/ SUBSCRIBE! Be sure to subscribe to the “Unstoppable with Ralph Graves Jr. Show” so you don't miss out on future episodes. * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/45WSHOt * Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3QoGXyE * Podpage: https://www.podpage.com/unstoppable-with-ralph-graves-jr/ BUY RALPH'S BOOK! * Unstoppable: Seven Universal Laws That Will Transform How You Pursue and Achieve Success: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945793767 CONNECT WITH RALPH! * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ralphgravesjr/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-graves-jr-0831b560/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourNextKeyNoteSpeaker/ * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/PastorGravesJr This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.SuccessWithStories.com

The security challenges we face today are more complex, less predictable and faster evolving than at any point in recent history. When Fran Racioppi isn't hosting the Jedburgh Podcast he runs FRsix, his security company. From this year's industry trade show, Global Security Exchange, Fran sat down with International SOS, the global leader in health and security services, to dig deep on today's biggest threats. International SOS cares for over 9000 organizations in 1000 locations across 90 countries. They field over 11,000 calls for assistance each day. Sally Llewellyn is the global security Director of information and Analysis. Kelly Johnstone served as the Chief Security Officer at Coca Cola. Dr. Mark Fischer is the Regional Medical Director for the Americas. They explain why intelligence is so important in the decision making process for executives of any organization.They define Duty of Care and how it's evolved as we've transitioned from workplace to remote work. They also explain the importance of developing networks of influence, whether that be for intelligence to understand what's happening, or medical support to help people in their time of need. Finally, they break down the roles of the Chief Security officer and analysts and how the information they provide to decision makers is critical for the resiliency of an organization.The world is evolving faster than ever seems to change on a minute-by-minute basis. Our job as leaders is to understand what's happening out there, how it affects our people and our business, and then make decisions and bring in the resources that keep us successful, no matter the challenge. Protection of our people starts with us as leaders. Take the first step today. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the International SOS Booth as GSX3:37 Kelly's lessons from NCIS, to Customs to leading Coca-Cola4:03 Sally explains why intelligence is the first step to decision-making10:22 The evolution of “Duty of Care”17:18 How preparation transitions organizations from react to response21:25 Mark shares how to respond to medical crisis in the most austere parts of the world26:52 The influence of the chief security in executive risk management32:10 The biggest threats to the world todayQuotes: “The threats we're looking at today…are just so much more difficult to predict.” (5:34) “What's going on in the world? What might happen next? To try and inform really good decision-making.” (7:41)“Mitigating risk doesn't eliminate risk. Where there's a medical case there's often security. (9:13)“If you're on a conference call in your car now, do I have a duty of care if you get in a car wreck?” (12:00)“Intelligence doesn't just serve you from a security perspective…it's a business enabler.” (28:30) “Our job there is to ensure that the environment is conducive for the business to meet business objectives.” (29:00) “You are the problem solver, so you get the call on everything.” (30:13)

On this episode of The Cam & Otis Show, we have Fran Racioppi. He is a highly decorated, educated, and impressive individual having served for 13 years as a Green Beret, where he planned and coordinated special forces and advised and aided the Commander of Special Forces in Africa. Fran has earned numerous Military Decorations for his service. Fran has maintained a dizzying pace in civilian life, earning an MBA from New York University, Director of Global Security for Snapchat, founding his own company-FRsix and is the host of The Jedburgh Podcast. Fran also serves as the performance development coach for Boston University Men's Rowing and volunteers with Sailahead, a veterans service organization.As always this show is brought to you by Tribe and Purpose.  You've put the work in but you're not sure how to reap the rewards. It's time to focus on the success you have planned for yourself and your team.The Tribe + Purpose team can guide you to build on that success to have even more.Learn more at http://www.tribe-purpose.comConnect with Frsix here: https://frsix.com/Connect with Fran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisracioppijr/Podcast Link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/506248/12021306

Win the fight on the front lines of our inner cities. That's the mission of the Green Beret Project. In every corner of the world America's Green Berets win the fight on the front lines of battle, but what if we deployed that same power that builds and empowers foreign armies to empower, mentor, transform and grow leaders in our inner city youth. Fran Racioppi kicks off The Jedburgh Podcast coverage of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games from the US Army Fitness Truck in Madison, WI with Adam Kramer, Jaylen Powell and Kaseem Cotton of the Green Beret Project. Adam serves as the executive director responsible for turning boys like Jaylen and Kaseem into responsible adults who understand the value of community, hard work and responsibility. Adam shares how his journey from a federal penitentiary has provided the credibility and experience needed to identify with underserved youth. Jaylen and Kaseem discuss how the program has kept them off the streets and provided an alternative option to crime, drugs and gangs as they prepare for college this fall. Learn more about Green Beret Project and empower the next generation of leaders. Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome toCrossFit Games 2023 and Be All You Be3:45 Green Beret Project's Programs5:09 Getting kids off the streets10:29 Growing up and learning from the streets, selling drugs and prison15:29 Bringing inner city kids together with law enforcement 17:30 Learning life skills and growing through CrossFit22:50 College football and carpentry31:04 How to support the Green Beret Project 34:21 Adam, Jalyen and Kaseem's three daily foundations to success Quotes: “The mission: identifying young males that need strong men in their life.” (2:48)“I don't want to be that. I have a job now…this is gonna get me off the streets.” (6:25) “It made me become a man. It made me have a bigger mentality than what I had before.” (8:21)“Working with the local [police department] is helping break down barriers in the community.” (16:21) “What drives me to be better is knowing that you're better than me.” (23:24) “I want to be on his level or stronger. I don't want him to keep saying he's stronger than me.” (28:17) “A lot of kids in my school, their main goal is to be a pro athlete or a gang banger.”(29:31)This episode is brought to you by US Army, Wodify, Hero Coffee, GORUCK, Yeti & Compass Workforce Solutions.

Win the fight on the front lines of our inner cities. That's the mission of the Green Beret Project. In every corner of the world America's Green Berets win the fight on the front lines of battle, but what if we deployed that same power that builds and empowers foreign armies to empower, mentor, transform and grow leaders in our inner city youth. Fran Racioppi kicks off The Jedburgh Podcast coverage of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games from the US Army Fitness Truck in Madison, WI with Adam Kramer, Jaylen Powell and Kaseem Cotton of the Green Beret Project. Adam serves as the executive director responsible for turning boys like Jaylen and Kaseem into responsible adults who understand the value of community, hard work and responsibility. Adam shares how his journey from a federal penitentiary has provided the credibility and experience needed to identify with underserved youth. Jaylen and Kaseem discuss how the program has kept them off the streets and provided an alternative option to crime, drugs and gangs as they prepare for college this fall. Learn more about Green Beret Project and empower the next generation of leaders. Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome toCrossFit Games 2023 and Be All You Be3:45 Green Beret Project's Programs5:09 Getting kids off the streets10:29 Growing up and learning from the streets, selling drugs and prison15:29 Bringing inner city kids together with law enforcement 17:30 Learning life skills and growing through CrossFit22:50 College football and carpentry31:04 How to support the Green Beret Project 34:21 Adam, Jalyen and Kaseem's three daily foundations to success Quotes: “The mission: identifying young males that need strong men in their life.” (2:48)“I don't want to be that. I have a job now…this is gonna get me off the streets.” (6:25) “It made me become a man. It made me have a bigger mentality than what I had before.” (8:21)“Working with the local [police department] is helping break down barriers in the community.” (16:21) “What drives me to be better is knowing that you're better than me.” (23:24) “I want to be on his level or stronger. I don't want him to keep saying he's stronger than me.” (28:17) “A lot of kids in my school, their main goal is to be a pro athlete or a gang banger.”(29:31)This episode is brought to you by US Army, Wodify, Hero Coffee, GORUCK, Yeti & Compass Workforce Solutions.

Water is the great equalizer. For most, it's where our true limits are found, tested and overcome. Where failure becomes the stepping stone to greatness. In this episode, PJ Nestler, the Director of Performance at XPT: Extreme Performance Training, joined Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff on the final day of the 2023 Sandlot Jax and GORUCK Games to share how the highest achievers embrace discomfort to win no matter the challenge. PJ coaches athletes in the NFL, NHL, MLB and UFC and reveals the secrets behind XPT's unique training philosophy including their Performance Model of Breath, Move, Recover, Fuel & Connect. Founded by elite athletes Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reese, XPT puts water at the center of their training model, forcing athletes to face their fears early and often to build a foundation of hard work and resilience aimed at dealing with everyday life.PJ also illustrates how making gains requires a deliberate process, variation in our training and a focus on building connections with ourselves, others and purpose beyond our own goals. We can be great at one thing, but versatility across many things is the key to longevity and overall health. Learn more about XPT and PJ Nestler on the web or follow them on social media. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version of our conversation on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to The Jedburgh Podcast and the ice bath2:42 Laird Hamilton & Gabby Reese found XPT Fitness6:15 Why breathwork is the foundation of performance 11:47 How variable fitness improves health 15:00 Doing fitness vs having a plan20:02 The benefits of the ice bath23:09 How connection increases performance28:46 How to translate training discomfort to life Quotes: “How can we be better parents? How can we be better business people?” (3:05)“Your breathing can either be a weakness or a weapon.” (6:54) “Movement should be variable. Let's look at the things you're not developing.” (12:37)“Just doing a bunch of fitness is like driving randomly and hoping you're going to get to a destination.” (15:05)“All these people are probably the weirdos in their neighborhood.” (25:10)“We will find your failure limit very quickly.” (29:47)PJ's Three Pillars of ConnectionConnection to self Connection to othersConnecting to something outside themselfThis episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike's, Compass Workforce Solutions and GORUCK.

Getting fit doesn't require tons of time and equipment. It takes consistency and the commitment to just do something. Fitness knows no boundaries. Miranda Alcaraz, the Founder and CEO of Street Parking, joined Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff on the final day of 2023 Sandlot Jax and GORUCK Games to explain how to find a workout out in any location or circumstance. Miranda shared the philosophy behind Street Parking and her vision after years of competing in CrossFit. She emphasized the need to embrace real-life challenges and adapt workouts to fit our changing lifestyles; which often includes our children in our fitness routines and challenges the notion that interruptions should hinder progress. With Street Parking, there are no excuses, no limitations, and no compromises on their drive to create a supportive and inclusive community that values every member's unique journey. Learn more about Miranda Alcaraz and Street Parking on the web or follow them on social media. Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Highlights:0:00 Welcome to The Jedburgh Podcast 4:21 Getting great results with minimal time and equipment7:31 Stop putting workouts on the pedestal12:18 Tailoring workouts and removing the leaderboard 14:44 Redefining virtual training and the Street Parking App19:38 The explosive growth of Street Parking25:18 Street Parking In The Wild Tour27:18 Three Daily Foundations to Success Quotes: “I knew that with very simple workouts, you get really great results with minimal time and equipment.” (4:28)“What I truly believe is missing for most people is just consistency.” (6:21)“Don't mistake duration for effort.” (9:43)“We got rid of our leaderboard completely.” (13:33)“On the app today there's three versions of the daily workout…based on the equipment that you have.” (17:48)“When the pandemic happened we didn't have to change anything.” (22:07)Miranda Alcaraz's Three Daily Foundations to SuccessMoveSpend focused, quality time with familyWrite down something positive This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike's, Compass Workforce Solutions and GORUCK.

What happened to the “over the hill” parties of the 80's and 90's? Who says we can't be an athlete at any age regardless of when we start our fitness journey? Fitness Coach for the over 40, Steph Gaudreau, joined Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff on the final day of the 2023 Sandlot Jax and GORUCK Games to explain how to get fit at any age.Steph breaks down why 40 is a milestone we shouldn't fear, exactly what happens to our bodies post 40 and how we can break the stigma that it's too late to start. Steph's process is simple…embrace the dumbbells, add plyometrics, and beware of the “toilet trust fall!”Learn more about Steph Gaudreau on the web or follow him on social media. Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to The Jedburgh Podcast and fitness over 402:38 You can start getting fit over 40!5:37 The dangers of the “toilet trust fall”7:56 What actually happens to our body at 40?11:02 Becoming an athlete at any age and skill level18:24 Why dumbbells are underrated 22:00 Steph's new app-based strength program and the de-load25:55 How to continue plyometrics as you age28:42 Steph's Foundations to Success Quotes: "Sometimes that barrier to entry can feel so high. (3:34)“When you're 40 or older, there's a lot of misinformation.There's a lot of fear tactics.” (3:57)“When I was growing up we were having ‘over the hill' parties.” (8:11)“If we can figure out who is the person we are trying to become then that helps to shape the habits we put into place.” (12:55)“Dumbbells are really accessible for people and are very versatile.” (18:53)“Plyometrics are the chef's kiss for building bone.” (22:43)Steph Gaudreau's Three Daily Foundations to SuccessMoveConnect with othersHave a morning ritual (with coffee!) This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike's, Compass Workforce Solutions and GORUCK.

Do what you say you're going to do. It's a simple concept that's too often lost when the times get tough and we're under pressure. To close out day two of the 2023 Sandlot Jax and GORUCK Games entrepreneur, restaurateur and athlete Michael Chernow joins Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff for a post-apocalyptic rain storm conversation about building businesses, forging relationships and committing to success. Michael is the founder of Seamores and Kreatures of Habit, and the co-founder of The Meatball Shop. As a New York City native he candidly shares how he entered the restaurant industry to escape a difficult childhood homelife; a decision that began a career of hospitality service, but also led to severe drug and alcohol addiction. Faced with a decision point about his life at just 23, Michael explains how we overcome adversity by focusing on our choices, setting a killer morning routine, and building meaningful relationships with people who push us to succeed. An exceptional entrepreneur distinguishes themselves by consistently taking decisive action and by doing what they say they're going to do; and for Michael that plan includes making the CrossFit Games by 45!Learn more about Michael Chernow on the web or follow him on social media. Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to The Jedburgh Podcast & keeping your word3:00 Founding Seamores and CrossFit competition goals8:30 Michael begins working in restaurants to escape life at home11:15 Overcoming drug abuse in the restaurant industry13:55 Opening The Meatball Shop with a great story19:06 Making healthy food taste good25:15 Waking up and making the choice to perform with a killer morning routine35:18 You get out what you put in38:30 Get back up…it's the only thing you have to do49:24 The business of business is relationships59:26 Three Daily Foundations to Success Quotes: “I've made it my mission to have people around me that I'm chasing.” (3:35)“Connect with and engage with and create environments for people to strive in.” (10:25)We were opening up a New York City meatball place that had never been done before.” (17:41)“I like to start my day everyday by pouring a rock solid foundation.” (27:45)“I've made it my mission to learn to love the hard and the hurt.” (41:11)“If you want to be elite, you're gonna get hurt.” (41:40)“People have to like you...The business of business is relationships.” (51:33)Michael's Three Daily Foundations to SuccessLove Be LovedMove Your Ass This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike's, Compass Workforce Solutions and GORUCK.

Have humans become too soft? Has our constant innovation and ingenuity created a society that chooses comfort over the hard work needed to grow to become our best selves? In this episode, Michael Easter joins Fran Racioppi live from the 2023 Sandlot Jax and GORUCK Games to discuss the perils of the The Comfort Crisis, Michael's groundbreaking book that confronts one of society's most pressing challenges head-on. Wearing his 2% hat, Michael shares how we can enhance our mental and physical strength 2% at a time to make small incremental changes that will compound over time without requiring a complex formula of restrictions and activities. Fran and Michael break down the importance of doing hard things, focusing on solving the root causes of our need for comfort and why we have to love the process of discomfort to grow. Fran also presses Michael on the state of journalism today, the negative impact of internet click bait and how Michael's focus on normalcy and accuracy is bringing sanity back to journalism today. Learn more about Michael Easter on the web or follow him on social media. Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.Highlights:0:00 Welcome to The Jedburgh Podcast 1:38 Have we become soft as a society and losing to cavemen?3:22 Why we need to do hard things6:40 You have to love the process for long term gains9:20 How to build effectiveness by focusing on solving the problem11:20 Adding 2% to our performance through fitness and not overcomplicating nutrition15:24 How internet click bait has negatively affected journalism 19:25 Michael's Three Daily Foundations to Success Quotes: “For millions of years doing the next easiest, most comfortable thing; that served us.” (1:51) “Our ancestors, they exercised about 14x more than us.” (2:46)“The innovations that tend to take off, they tend to make our lives easier.” (4:21)“It's almost like inactivity is poison.” (5:41)“You have to embrace short-term comfort to get a long-term gain.” (5:52)“100% of those people, they knew that taking the stairs would give them a long-term benefit.” (11:31)“We overcomplicate the shit out of nutrition.” (12:57)“Trying to restore some sanity, and normalcy, and accuracy to journalism is kind of my charge.” (19:06)Michael Easter's Three Daily Foundations to SuccessWrite first thing in the morningBe activeLaugh with people This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike's, Compass Workforce Solutions and GORUCK.

Fran Racioppi is a former Green Beret and currently the Host and Creator of The Jedburgh Podcast and the Founder of FRsix. He was deployed to Iraq 3 times and spent several years operating across Africa. He is a lifelong sailor and volunteers as the Race Director of Sailahead, an organization dedicated to reducing suicide among vets.   As a leader inside the military and out, Fran shares how leaders and team members must be aligned on their roles in their organizations. He talks about teamwork and accountability and how soldiers and individual contributors must not be simply taught how to follow and instead be developed as future leaders themselves.    Fran and Rad talk about the emerging AI technology, its dangers, and the need for people to not get reliant on it and develop their own critical thinking with real education.      Learn more about Fran: Website: https://frsix.com/ Podcast: https://talentwargroup.com/the-jedburgh-podcast/   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.