Jocko Podcast 181: "WE CAME TO DIE". Mayhem, Bravery, and Leadership "On The Ground" in Vietnam w/ John Stryker Meyer.
Jun 12, 2019
John Stryker Meyer, a legendary Special Forces soldier and recon team leader in Vietnam, shares gripping tales from the battlefield. He recounts the chaos of intense firefights, highlighting teamwork and air support in dire situations. Meyer reflects on the psychological burdens of combat, the deep bonds formed among soldiers, and the emotional scars veterans carry. He discusses the complexities of military operations, the importance of camaraderie, and the often-overlooked stories of bravery in the face of insurmountable odds.
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Thanksgiving Surprise
- Jocko asks John Stryker Meyer about a mission where his team faced three NVA divisions after Thanksgiving.
- Meyer, then a Spec4, was tasked with locating the missing divisions despite his junior rank.
NVA Sandwich
- Jocko and Meyer discuss the operation where Meyer's team stumbled upon an NVA base camp.
- They were caught in a crossfire between an exiting and an arriving NVA division.
Close Encounter
- Jocko recounts a story from Meyer's book "On the Ground" about a recon team led by Pat Watkins.
- The team observed a massive NVA convoy for hours, only to have a team member's guard duty pointed out by an NVA soldier.
