Ex-Delta Force Commander is Now Hunting Sex Traffickers With No Mercy - Jeff Tiegs | Part 1
Sep 9, 2024
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Jeff Tiegs, a retired Delta Force Commander and founder of Skull Games, shares his gripping journey from elite military operations to combating sex trafficking. He discusses the challenges of leadership, the fog of war, and the stark realities of trafficking prosecutions. Tiegs dives into his military training, the adrenaline of combat, and the moral dilemmas faced in high-pressure situations. With humor and reflection, he recounts personal stories, emphasizing resilience and the urgent need for societal change in the fight against predators.
Jeff Tiegs' military experience profoundly shaped his understanding of leadership, emphasizing the burden of responsibility that comes with being in charge.
A pivotal moment during combat emphasized the complex moral dilemmas soldiers face when making life-or-death decisions, revealing the struggle between duty and humanity.
The podcast highlights the importance of preparedness and a level-headed perspective in combat, likening it to the professionalism of athletes under pressure.
Tiegs reflects on the emotional consequences of combat, stressing that individual decisions have broader societal implications and urge for accountability in warfare.
He underscores the necessity for military operations to prioritize sustainable peace and community rebuilding after conflicts, rather than just focusing on fighting.
The conversation explores the importance of support systems for veterans, advocating for a deeper understanding of trauma's impact on soldiers during their transition to civilian life.
Deep dives
The Impact of War on Identity
The speaker emphasizes the overwhelming focus on war, highlighting that it dominated his thoughts and priorities, even overshadowing personal relationships. He reflects on the internal conflict he experienced at a critical moment when he was about to take a life, recognizing the moment's weight and considering the implications of his actions. This pivotal experience encapsulates the struggle between his duty as a soldier and his conscience. Ultimately, he acknowledges the complexity of his identity as someone who fights but also grapples with the moral consequences of that fight.
A Life Defined by Service
The speaker's military background shapes his understanding of leadership and service, where being in charge is viewed as a burden coupled with responsibility. He describes his desire to be a man worthy of the roles he aspired to, emphasizing the notion that leadership comes with sacrifice and commitment. His experiences growing up in a blue-collar family instilled in him a work ethic that translated into his military career. The meaningful relationships he formed within the military further reinforced his dedication to service as a pathway to personal growth.
The Nature of Combat in the Unit
Reflecting on the professional quality of the unit, the speaker shares how combat became a controlled and almost intimate exchange, rather than chaotic violence. His training prepared him to operate with a level-headed perspective even in the most stressful environments. This calmness in the chaos, akin to being a professional athlete in a critical moment, highlighted the importance of preparedness and practice. He notes that these attributes distinguished the unit from typical military operations, setting a standard of excellence and precision.
Experience and Growth in Leadership
The speaker recounts his progression from a young ranger to a troop leader, where his ability to adapt and learn from experiences became crucial. He reflects on how different troops had unique personalities, shaping how he led them in combat. His approach focused on understanding and enhancing the existing team dynamics rather than enforcing drastic changes, promoting resilience and unity. The speaker believes that recognizing strengths and weaknesses within teams allows for more effective leadership in high-pressure situations.
Confronting Mortality and Morality
During a pivotal moment in combat, the speaker faced the dilemma of whether to execute an unarmed enemy who had threatened a child. This confrontation tested his moral boundaries and his training as a soldier, forcing him to weigh the life of the enemy against the potential danger. He ultimately resolved to spare the enemy, highlighting the complicated nature of duty and humanity in warfare. This decision resonated with him, shaping his understanding of the complexities involved in combat and the responsibilities of a soldier.
The Consequences of War Decisions
In reflecting on a former engagement, the speaker expresses the fraught emotions associated with the loss of life in combat, questioning the broader implications of such actions. He highlights how individual decisions affect not only the lives of those directly involved but also the societal fabric of the regions they engage with. This awareness compels him to seek deeper understanding and accountability in the contexts of warfare. The cycles of violence and revenge are emphasized, showcasing the need for strategic thought within military operations.
Rethinking Goals and Outcomes
The speaker stresses the importance of recognizing that the pursuit of military objectives often lacks the necessary follow-up to ensure sustainable peace and stability. He relates experiences from Iraq, where after instilling fear in combatants, the opportunity to rebuild and reconstruct was not pursued adequately by his country. This absence of support left a vacuum, leading to further conflict and unrest. Reflecting on this missed opportunity, he expresses disappointment that the focus shifted from building trust and rebuilding communities to merely fighting.
Warrior Ethos and Community Impact
In discussing the ethos of being a modern warrior, the speaker highlights the importance of embodying a protective figure for the vulnerable and participating in community building. He contrasts the perception of the soldier as either a hero or a villain and reflects on how societal views shape this identity. Asserting that the battles fought overseas are directly linked to the narratives at home, he emphasizes the necessity for continuous dialogue about the impacts on communities. He criticizes the glamorization of violence in popular culture, urging for a shift toward recognizing the true responsibilities of warriors.
Lessons from Combat Experience
The speaker reflects on specific combat experiences that shaped his outlook on warfare, particularly the importance of clear objectives and ethical considerations. He recalls moments that could have escalated to unnecessary violence but instead were approached with restraint and discretion. These lessons taught him the significance of situational awareness, adapting responses based on context, and understanding the nature of the enemy. Emphasizing the need for personal introspection, he believes that evaluating decisions made in combat is crucial for growth as both a soldier and an individual.
The Journey of Becoming a Leader
Examining his journey to leadership in the military, the speaker discusses the necessity to balance authority with humility among subordinates. He recounts how the transition from being a participant to a leader required learning how to lead without overshadowing the team members' contributions. This growth involved observing and appreciating the existing expertise within his units, allowing him to build trust and rapport. Ultimately, he sees leadership as a shared responsibility where effective communication and collaboration are vital.
Support Systems for Soldiers
The need for support systems for soldiers returning from combat is a recurring theme in the speaker's reflections. He emphasizes that acknowledging their experiences and building resilience is essential to preventing future psychological struggles. He advocates for a greater understanding of the impact of trauma, both from engaging in combat and from personal backgrounds. By addressing these factors, he hopes to foster a community that not only supports veterans but also encourages a conversation about healing and integration into civilian life.
Jeff Tiegs is a retired Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency expert with over 26 years of experience in US Army Special Operations. His time in service includes 12 combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Panama as an Army Ranger, Green Beret, Delta Force Operator, and Delta Force Troop Commander.
He is now President of Skull Games, a nonprofit organization he founded to identify and hunt down predators.
SkG Online courses: Leadership - https://skull-games.thinkific.com/courses/leadership-training Protect Your Family - https://skull-games.thinkific.com/courses/protect-your-family-a-counter-trafficking-course Coupon code: skgtf2024
00:00 | Intro 03:43 | Childhood 17:39 | Combat in slow motion 30:05 | Terrorism is like digging a trench 33:37 | Ranger Selection & Training 44:00 | Harvey Moore 52:06 | Trauma Unraveling 59:43 | Hilarious Army Ranger Story 01:30:03 | Combat in Panama, Noriega 01:57:05 | War is chaotic 02:01:16 | First engagement 02:14:10 | Sparing a man’s life 02:17:44 | CQB 02:23:02 | Different types of engagements 02:31:44 | Neutralizing a man in front of his son 02:51:01 | How Special Forces turns their enemies against each other 02:56:27 | 1v1 Standoff with Terrorist 03:08:02 | War was my life 03:14:50 | First time hearing about CAG 03:22:49 | Delta Force Selection 03:27:32 | The Right Guy for Delta Force 03:41:38 | OTC
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