#150: Supporting Green Berets Of Every Generation - Green Beret Foundation President & CEO Charlie Iacono

Charlie Iacono is the President and CEO of Green Beret Foundation. Almost two years into his tenure, Charlie is pushing the foundation, and its staff, to become the premier charitable organization supporting America’s most important asset; our US Army Green Berets.

Charlie joined joined Fran Racioppi from what may be his biggest brain child yet; the Stars and Stripes Classic. An epic battle between Green Berets and Navy SEALS from the home of greatness and the GOAT, Gillette Stadium.

In his first long-form interview since taking charge, he shared his vision for the foundation, where it’s come from, the impact it’s made on Green Berets of every generation and how 2025 is set to become the most important year in its history as it increases investment in programs supporting the careers and health of transitioning operators. 

Leading non-profit organizations is hard. Leading one that lives up to the standard of the Green Beret is even harder. So Charlie explains what’s important to him, how he’s transforming the staff, why service is the foundation of the job, and how building relationships is critical to making an impact. 

Check out our conversation from the New England Patriots Bubble prior to the Stars and Stripes Classic. Although our snake eating bearded bastards fell to the squids, the intensity of the game looked more like a classic from the 80’s. Plus, there’s always next year. 

Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, and head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch all our coverage from the Stars and Stripes Classic. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:06 Welcome to the Stars and Stripes Classic
• 3:55 GBF progress 
• 8:11 Creating the Jedburgh Media Channel
• 11:49 Next Ridgeline 2.0
• 20:20 GBF Scholarships
• 24:21 Processing VA Disability Claims
• 30:58 Warrior Sportsmen Salmon Fishing
• 37:42 Goals for 2025

QUOTES

• “There’s just so much cross pollination between the two sports. Between football and lacrosse. And then lacrosse and the SOF world.
• “I’m a big believer that there are no days off.”
• “We need to do it for the next conflict. We need to be ready to pick up that phone when that phone rings.”
• “The team wins as a team. The team loses as a team. The team struggles as a team. The team succeeds and excels as a team.”
• “They need to be coached up on it. What does your next job look like? What do you want your next to look like?” 
• “The biggest piece to Next Ridgeline 2.0 program is it focuses on the promotion of strength of mind, body and spirit.” 
• “It’s critically important that we as Green Berets talk about who we are, why we’re different, and why it matters..”
• “Anybody who serves should not have to pay a dime out of their own personal money to further themselves.” 
• The 2025 goal is to “continue to make this organization into something that the entire regiment, all generations, as well as their families are proud of.”

Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League, the New England Patriots, and all our sponsors who supported the game. 2025 is here and Green Beret Foundation continues to lead from the front no matter the challenge.