Team Never Quit Ray Mendoza: Retired Navy SEAL Turned Director - The True Story Behind “Warfare,” Bringing Authentic Warfare To Hollywood
Mar 19, 2025
01:31:18
From the Battlefield to Hollywood: Retired Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza on Honoring Warriors Through Film.
Welcome back to another episode of the Team Never Quite Podcast. This week, Marcus and Melanie are honored to sit down with retired Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza—a true warrior, storyteller, and advocate for authenticity in military films. Ray served 16 years in the SEAL Teams, including time with SEAL Team 5 and as a BUD/s instructor. A Silver Star recipient for heroism in combat, Ray has transitioned from military service to Hollywood, working as a producer, military advisor, and filmmaker.
Ray’s SEAL Career & Heroism:
· Ray shares his journey from enlisting in the Navy in 1997 to becoming a SEAL and instructor.
· His experiences in combat, including the mission that earned him the Silver Star.
· Lessons from special operations and how they shape his approach to storytelling.
Transition to Hollywood:
· How a role in Act of Valor introduced him to the world of filmmaking.
· His work as a military advisor on Lone Survivor and other projects.
· Producing The Warfighters and The Selection—his commitment to employing veterans in the industry.
The Making of the film: “Warfare”
· Co-writing and co-directing Warfare with Alex Garland (Civil War).
· The real-life mission that inspired the film and its deeply personal connection to his friend Elliott Miller.
· The responsibility of portraying modern combat authentically and why this film stands out.
· Insights from actors Charles Melton and Will Poulter on the emotional weight of the project.
Where to Watch & Follow:
· Stay updated on Warfare’s release and behind-the-scenes content.
· Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast.
Tune in for an unforgettable conversation with Ray Mendoza—this is one you don’t want to miss!
In this episode you will hear:
• [Marcus] You go through your military career, then we get out, and then go to Hollywood. (19:47}
• I’ve always wanted to do this one for Elliott and for me. It’s therapeutic anyway. It takes courage to tell that story. (26:10)
• If you do do it, what is it gonna say? You gotta be really sure why you’re doing it. (26:30)
• It’s hard, when you talk to somebody, to tell their story. (27:14)
• Having those hard conversations with people. It’s kind of difficult. And to put in on film is another level of difficulty. (27:26)
• The big thing we were doing was overwatches. Clearance operations, pushing through a sector. Establishing a foothold. (31:31)
• Often, we never made it to the next cycle. They would start surrounding us, then we were like “We’re out.” Then we’d have to shoot our way out. (32:00)
• Everybody got fragged. When you hear a piece of metal land on concrete, it’s a very distinct sound. (40:55)
• There’s nothing I wouldn’t do with the guys. Shoulder to shoulder, I’ll Walk through the fire • with you guys. When you’re by yourself, it’s a little scary. (79:45)
• Well, if we don’t make it, at least we’ll all die together. (80:35)
• I’d rather die with my bro’s, than die alone. (80:44)
Socials:
-- IG: Warfare Movie
— Movies releases April 11th in theaters near you
Support TNQ
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- WARFARE IN THEATERS
- shipsticks.com/TNQ
- Navyfederal.org
- Robinhood.com/gold
- strawberry.me/TNQ
- stopboxusa.com {TNQ}
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- kalshi.com/TNQ
- PXG.com/TNQ
- joinbilt.com/TNQ
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]
Welcome back to another episode of the Team Never Quite Podcast. This week, Marcus and Melanie are honored to sit down with retired Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza—a true warrior, storyteller, and advocate for authenticity in military films. Ray served 16 years in the SEAL Teams, including time with SEAL Team 5 and as a BUD/s instructor. A Silver Star recipient for heroism in combat, Ray has transitioned from military service to Hollywood, working as a producer, military advisor, and filmmaker.
Ray’s SEAL Career & Heroism:
· Ray shares his journey from enlisting in the Navy in 1997 to becoming a SEAL and instructor.
· His experiences in combat, including the mission that earned him the Silver Star.
· Lessons from special operations and how they shape his approach to storytelling.
Transition to Hollywood:
· How a role in Act of Valor introduced him to the world of filmmaking.
· His work as a military advisor on Lone Survivor and other projects.
· Producing The Warfighters and The Selection—his commitment to employing veterans in the industry.
The Making of the film: “Warfare”
· Co-writing and co-directing Warfare with Alex Garland (Civil War).
· The real-life mission that inspired the film and its deeply personal connection to his friend Elliott Miller.
· The responsibility of portraying modern combat authentically and why this film stands out.
· Insights from actors Charles Melton and Will Poulter on the emotional weight of the project.
Where to Watch & Follow:
· Stay updated on Warfare’s release and behind-the-scenes content.
· Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast.
Tune in for an unforgettable conversation with Ray Mendoza—this is one you don’t want to miss!
In this episode you will hear:
• [Marcus] You go through your military career, then we get out, and then go to Hollywood. (19:47}
• I’ve always wanted to do this one for Elliott and for me. It’s therapeutic anyway. It takes courage to tell that story. (26:10)
• If you do do it, what is it gonna say? You gotta be really sure why you’re doing it. (26:30)
• It’s hard, when you talk to somebody, to tell their story. (27:14)
• Having those hard conversations with people. It’s kind of difficult. And to put in on film is another level of difficulty. (27:26)
• The big thing we were doing was overwatches. Clearance operations, pushing through a sector. Establishing a foothold. (31:31)
• Often, we never made it to the next cycle. They would start surrounding us, then we were like “We’re out.” Then we’d have to shoot our way out. (32:00)
• Everybody got fragged. When you hear a piece of metal land on concrete, it’s a very distinct sound. (40:55)
• There’s nothing I wouldn’t do with the guys. Shoulder to shoulder, I’ll Walk through the fire • with you guys. When you’re by yourself, it’s a little scary. (79:45)
• Well, if we don’t make it, at least we’ll all die together. (80:35)
• I’d rather die with my bro’s, than die alone. (80:44)
Socials:
-- IG: Warfare Movie
— Movies releases April 11th in theaters near you
Support TNQ
- IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13
- https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit
Sponsors:
- WARFARE IN THEATERS
- shipsticks.com/TNQ
- Navyfederal.org
- Robinhood.com/gold
- strawberry.me/TNQ
- stopboxusa.com {TNQ}
- ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- kalshi.com/TNQ
- PXG.com/TNQ
- joinbilt.com/TNQ
- Tonal.com [TNQ]
- greenlight.com/TNQ
- PDSDebt.com/TNQ
- drinkAG1.com/TNQ
- Shadyrays.com [TNQ]
- qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]
- Hims.com/TNQ
- Shopify.com/TNQ
- Aura.com/TNQ
- Policygenius.com
- TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]
- usejoymode.com [TNQ]