The Jack Carr Channel The Best of MACV-SOG: Stories From the Warriors Who Lived It
Dec 3, 2025
In this compelling discussion, Vietnam-era MACV-SOG veterans Jim Shorten and John Stryker Meyer share their gripping tales of covert operations and survival. Shorten reflects on harrowing rescue missions, grappling with survivor guilt and seeking closure years later. Meyer dives into the adrenaline-pumping tactics of helicopter insertions and the intense training that shaped their combat performance. Both men emphasize the emotional toll of secrecy, sacrifice, and the invaluable lessons learned in the shadows of war.
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Jet Crash Rescue That Never Ended
- Jim Shorten recounts a jet-crash recovery in Cambodia where heavy enemy presence forced a dangerous extraction and left him feeling he had failed to recover pilots' remains.
- He later returned decades after the war, located wreckage and remains, and says the mission remains unfinished until the missing come home.
Train For Stress, Not Just Drills
- John Stryker Meyer teaches practical combat habits: change magazines faster, roll after hitting the ground, and practice instinctive shooting under stress.
- He instructs teams to train for degraded fine-motor skills and rehearse movement patterns to survive initial contact.
Exploit Predictable Human Patterns
- Meyer observed predictable human combat patterns and taught counter-patterns, like expecting right-side exposure from right-handed shooters.
- He used these predictable instincts to craft tactics that increased team survivability.
