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#257 Jocko Willink - Commander of SEAL Team-3 Task Unit Bruiser aka "The Punishers"

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Nov 27, 2025

Guest

Jocko Willink

In this discussion, Jocko Willink, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and leadership expert, shares his journey from a rebellious youth to commanding Task Unit Bruiser in Ramadi. He delves into the intense mindset needed to overcome failures during BUD/S training and reflects on the battlefield lessons learned, including a harrowing fratricide incident where he took responsibility as a leader. Jocko also emphasizes the importance of discipline, trust, and mutual respect in building successful teams, alongside his post-military ventures in leadership, manufacturing, and health.

05:58:04

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INSIGHT

Leadership Extends Beyond The Team

Leaders must take responsibility for their people's long-term lives and futures, not only immediate mission needs.
Jocko regrets not guiding teammates on education and finances while focused solely on the teams.

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ADVICE

Don't Quit — That Wins BUD/S

If you want to make it through brutal selection, the single best tactic is persistence: don't quit.
Most who fail BUD/S quit, so enduring gives you the highest statistical chance to succeed.

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ANECDOTE

How Jiu-Jitsu Hooked Him On Deployment

Jocko's first exposure to Brazilian jiu-jitsu came on his first deployment when an experienced master chief tapped the platoon out.
That initial humiliation sparked a lifelong dedication that led Jocko to a black belt decades later.

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Early life, values and path to the SEALs

04:36 • 5min

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BUD/S experience and overcoming failure

09:17 • 21min

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Life as a SEAL at Team One

30:32 • 10min

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Becoming an officer and bilingual leadership

40:10 • 9min

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Formative mentors and seeing leadership contrast

49:07 • 18min

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Admiral's aide: visibility, scrutiny and rules of war

01:07:19 • 13min

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Decision to go back to teams after 9/11

01:19:59 • 13min

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First Iraq deployment: Baghdad operations

01:32:40 • 31min

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Transition toward Ramadi mission planning

02:03:23 • 24min

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Forming Task Unit Bruiser and ethos

02:27:45 • 10min

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Decision: Ramadi instead of Baghdad

02:38:11 • 14min

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Arrival in Ramadi and immediate intensity

02:52:18 • 9min

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Mission set: overwatches, DA and clearing operations

03:00:55 • 7min

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First major clearance: Malab district engagement

03:08:19 • 5min

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Blue-on-blue incident and owning responsibility

03:13:40 • 15min

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Rebuilding trust and leadership lessons

03:28:12 • 9min

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Working with conventional forces and managing scrutiny

03:37:19 • 13min

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Handling casualties, morale and mission focus

03:49:56 • 14min

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Major firefights, losses and heroism

04:03:51 • 20min

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Medal of Honor actions and battlefield sacrifice

04:23:51 • 22min

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Why Bruiser earned reputation and leadership approach

04:46:09 • 5min

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Deciding to transition from active duty

04:51:12 • 15min

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Post-service path: teaching leadership and entrepreneurship

05:05:59 • 18min

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Building Origin and American manufacturing

05:23:50 • 9min

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Launching Jocko Fuel and clean performance

05:33:11 • 6min

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Social media, polarization and listening

05:39:03 • 8min

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Advice for younger generations and creating lore

05:47:15 • 2min

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Guests and veterans to highlight

• Mentioned in 195 episodes

Extreme ownership

How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win

Leif Babin

Jocko Willink

This book by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin focuses on the principle of 'Extreme Ownership,' where leaders take full responsibility for their actions and decisions. The authors use their experiences in the U.S. Navy SEALs to illustrate how this mindset can lead to success in any organization. The book covers various principles such as believing in the mission, checking ego, and leading by example. It emphasizes that leaders must own all failures, develop plans to overcome them, and ensure their teams are well-conditioned and aligned with the mission. The authors also stress the importance of humility, discipline, and effective communication in leadership.

#376

• Mentioned in 60 episodes

Way of the Warrior Kid

From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way

Jon Bozak

Jocko Willink

In 'Way of the Warrior Kid', Marc, who had a terrible fifth-grade year, is helped by his uncle Jake, a retired Navy SEAL. Uncle Jake devises a plan to turn Marc into a warrior by focusing on physical fitness, healthy eating, and academic improvement. The book emphasizes the importance of physical activity, mental sharpness, and hard work, all illustrated with comic-style art by Jon Bozak. It is the first installment in a series aimed at inspiring young readers to overcome their challenges.

#12176

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Guns up!

Johnnie Clark

Guns Up is a powerful memoir that vividly portrays the harsh realities of combat and the unbreakable bonds formed among soldiers during the Vietnam War. Clark recounts his time as a machine gunner with the 5th Marine Regiment, detailing the intense battles and personal struggles faced by those who served. The book offers a firsthand account of the hardships, camaraderie, and relentless combat experienced in the midst of a controversial war.

#325

• Mentioned in 66 episodes

Discipline Equals Freedom

Field Manual

Jocko Willink

In 'Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual', Jocko Willink outlines the importance of discipline in achieving success and freedom in all aspects of life. Born from his experiences in the Navy SEALs, the book provides strategies and tactics for overcoming weakness, procrastination, and fear. It includes specific physical training workouts for different levels of athletes, as well as recommendations for optimal sleep habits and food intake. The book emphasizes the internal force of discipline, starting with simple actions like waking up early and extending to controlling emotions, making good decisions, and facing fears. Willink argues that discipline is the core principle that leads to strength, health, intelligence, and ultimately, freedom.

#714

• Mentioned in 38 episodes

About Face

The Odyssey of an American Warrior

Colonel David Hackworth

About Face is a compelling memoir by Colonel David Hackworth, detailing his experiences in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Hackworth's candid account offers a critical perspective on military leadership and policy, highlighting the challenges faced by soldiers on the ground. The book is known for its unflinching portrayal of combat and its insightful analysis of military strategy and politics. It also provides a personal reflection on the psychological toll of war and the importance of soldier welfare. Hackworth's writing style is direct and engaging, making the book accessible to a wide audience.

Jocko Willink is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, bestselling author, and leadership expert with a 20-year military career. Enlisting at 19, he completed BUD/S class 177, served with SEAL Teams One and Two, and later commissioned as an officer with deployments across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He led SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser in the Battle of Ramadi during Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the Silver Star while commanding the war’s most decorated Special Operations unit.

After retiring in 2010 as a lieutenant commander, Willink became a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and advocate of disciplined 4:30 a.m. routines. He co-founded Echelon Front, advising companies worldwide, and launched the Jocko Podcast in 2015, surpassing 1 billion downloads. He co-owns Origin USA, founded Jocko Fuel, and operates Victory MMA & Fitness in San Diego. His books—Extreme Ownership, Discipline Equals Freedom, and the Way of the Warrior Kid series—share his principles of leadership and personal discipline.

Willink is a partner in the San Diego FC ownership group and host of the FOX special Above, Below and Beyond, honoring 250 years of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. He lives in California with his wife, Hellene, and their four children.

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Jocko Willink Links:

X -https://x.com/jockowillink

IG - https://www.instagram.com/jockowillink

YT - https://www.youtube.com/@JockoPodcastOfficial

LI - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocko-willink-260b289

GYM -https://victorygyms.com/person/john-jocko-willink

JOCKO FUEL - https://jockofuel.com

Echelon Front - https://events.echelonfront.com/product/muster-023

Amazon Author - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jocko-Willink/author/B00ZY7MWW8

San Diego Futbol Club - https://www.sandiegofc.com/club/ownership

Streaming Special - https://nation.foxnews.com/watch/f906bbf75deeb400207c23761349eef5

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