

Ones Ready
Aaron Love, Trent Seegmiller, and Jared "Peaches" Pietras
A team of active duty Combat Control (CCT), Pararescue (PJ), and Special Reconnaissance (SR) leveraging our 69 years of special operations experience to make the next generation of operators smarter, faster and stronger than we ever were. We are the PREMIERE resource for all things Air Force Special Warfare. The Ones Ready Podcast is honest talk about what it is like to go from a know-nothing high school graduate to an elite Special Operator. We will cover important practices for success including physical training, nutrition, recovery, and mindset traits essential to any team. Join us in The Team Room to get all your questions answered!! With battle-tested operators from across USAF SPECWAR and far-reaching web of recruiters, subject matter experts, and friends, there are no questions we can’t answer- and if we can’t, we know exactly where to look. See you in The Team Room!Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the OnesReady team are those of the team and do not reflect the official policy or position of the DoD. Any content provided by our Podcast guests, bloggers, sponsors, or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign the DoD, any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone.
Episodes
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Jun 26, 2025 • 20min
Ops Brief 066: Daily Drop - 26 June 2025 (Squirrel Warzones & 44-Hour Bomb Runs)
Send us a textWelcome to your June 26th no-BS team room drop—brought to you by the Ones Ready squad and powered by caffeine, sarcasm, and tactical booties. Jared dives into the late-breaking chaos of June 25th like a B-2 on a midnight hammer run. From underground terror bunkers to squirrels declaring war on Minot AFB, this episode hits harder than hypersonics and keeps it unapologetically real.CENTCOM says terrorists are going subterranean, Iran’s still acting like the boss villain of global instability, and somehow the Missile Defense Agency is still blaming COVID for its two-year delay. Oh, and in case you missed it—female aircrew smoked Iranian targets while half the internet cried over the phrase “our boys.” Grow up.We also cover squirrel infestations, Air Force fitness crybabies, the return of NATO guilt-tripping, and why Congress doesn’t need to be in the Airstrike Group Chat. It's everything you need to know to stay informed, pissed off, and ready to crush your next ruck.🔥 Key Takeaways:🕳️ Terror groups are digging deep—CENTCOM warns that underground bunkers are the new hiding spot.🇮🇷 Iran’s still a problem—even after precision airstrikes and diplomatic chest-thumping.🎯 B-2 bombers dropped 75+ precision munitions in a record-setting sortie. 44-hour flights. Go-pills included.⚖️ Domestic violence convictions in the military are up—but so are concerns about due process.🧠 Female operators crushed it during Operation Midnight Hammer, but internet trolls only heard “our boys.”🏃♂️ A 2-mile run is breaking the Air Force. Cry harder.🐿️ Minot AFB is under siege… by squirrels. You can't make this up.🚀 Space Force launched Dragoon satellites and opened a museum. Still cooler than your last base tour.🇺🇸 Congress whines about not getting airstrike briefings. Jared breaks down why they’re wrong.🛰️ Electronic warfare still sucks. Shocking no one.💰 NATO wants everyone to pay 5% GDP. Translation: Europe, it’s your turn to buy the beer.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & Attack Elite plug 01:00 – CENTCOM: Tech needed for underground threats 02:00 – Iran still a major regional threat 03:00 – Long-range radar fiSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 24, 2025 • 18min
Ops Brief 065: Daily Drop - 24 June 2025 (Fat Shaming & B-2s)
Send us a textWelcome back to The Daily Drop—where Jared rants, roasts, and breaks down the news like only the Ones Ready crew can. Today’s main event? Iran punches back with a missile strike on Al-Udeid, but 13 of 14 missiles get slapped out of the sky. Trump drops an F-bomb on the lawn. Space and Cyber Command flex behind the scenes. And everyone’s favorite stealth bat—the B-2—continues to steal headlines.Meanwhile, the Air Force wants airmen to run two miles... twice a year. Cue the Facebook tears and diaper rash in the NCO groups. Jared lets the fatties have it with a no-holds-barred takedown that would make your Chief blush. Also: the F-15EX has supply chain issues (again), Tech Sergeant promotions spike, and drones in Ukraine are now hiding in IKEA houses.It’s blunt. It’s brutal. It’s your morning slap of reality—Ones Ready style.🔥 Key Takeaways:🇮🇷 Iran Launches Back: 14 missiles fired at Al-Udeid—13 intercepted. Trump responds with fire and profanity.🛰️ Cyber + Space Ops: Behind every bomber strike is a shadow war of electrons and satellites.🏃 Air Force Fitness Test Meltdown: 2 miles, 2 times a year = 2 many excuses. Jared nukes the crybabies.⚠️ Cyber Threats at Dual-Use Airports: Military ops could be vulnerable at shared civilian/military airfields.🛩️ Pacific War Training: KC-46 refueling ops ramp up for Indo-Pacific ops. Tyranny of distance is real.🧠 Planning B-2 Missions: Sleep studies, nutrition prep, and Weapon School grads behind the scenes.🔧 F-15EX Struggles: Cost down, but supply chains, cyber gaps, and insulation problems persist.🎉 Tech Sergeant Promotions: 25.6% get the bump—highest since 2021. Retention at 90%.💥 Controlled Detonations: Hill AFB blows up 10,000 lbs of rocket motors. Loud? Yes. Awesome? Also yes.🛰️ Space Force Highlights: Starlink like fireflies, SCAR programs, and Huntsville cashing $237M checks.🛠️ Right to Repair: DOD still handcuffed by restrictive contracts—can’t even open some radios.🐝 Ukraine’s Spiderweb: Drones stashed in prefab homes used to hit Russian bombers. Wild.Support the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 23, 2025 • 16min
Ops Brief 064: Daily Drop - 23 June 2025 (Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER & China's Buying Our Secrets)
Send us a textStrap in, because this Daily Drop drops bombs—literally. Jared’s back from the San Diego Operator Training Summit and immediately diving into the nuclear circus known as Operation Midnight Hammer—the largest B-2 strike in U.S. history. We’re talking 125+ aircraft, deception ops worthy of Hollywood, and a casual flex on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. But don’t worry, the Pentagon swears it’s not “regime change.”Also in this episode:CENTCOM’s tanker games, shady KC-135 logistics, and a DoD recruiting task force that somehow thinks legal and public affairs are your new talent magnets (spoiler: they’re not).A Marine takes over the F-35 program, we slap “F-47” on our next-gen fighter because Trump said so, and someone in Oregon thinks they can tell the federal government what to do with the National Guard.Oh—and China’s getting military secrets from broke Army NCOs. Cool. Cool cool cool.This one's loaded with hot takes, hard truths, and the usual blend of sarcasm and side-eye from the Ones Ready crew. Buckle up, buttercup.🔥 Key Takeaways:🇺🇸 Operation Midnight Hammer: 125+ aircraft, including 7 B-2s dropping bunker busters on Iran. Largest B-2 op ever.🎭 Deception Game Strong: B-2s faked a trip to the Pacific—classic rope-a-dope move.☢️ Fordow Facility Hit: Heavy damage confirmed, but Iran probably played musical chairs with their gear ahead of time.🛢️ Strait of Hormuz Drama: Iran threatens to shut it down—Rubio calls it “economically disastrous.”🤡 DoD Recruiting Task Force: Featuring public affairs and lawyers. What could possibly go wrong?🧠 Air Force Readiness Crisis: Old jets, no pilots, and China licking their chops.🕵️♂️ Espionage Alert: An Army NCO tried selling secrets to China. More like “Joint Base Leakcord.”🚫 Transgender Troop Ban: Back in the headlines. Controversy guaranteed.🛸 Space Force’s Vibes: From honoring WWII Airmen to blocking housing developments for “mission disruption.”⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome back & OTS San Diego recap 01:00 – Operation Midnight Hammer: What really happened 02:25 – Fordow nuclear facility gets smoked 03:05 –Support the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 7min
Ep 484: From Thunderbirds Maintainer to Netflix Star - TSgt Xavier Knapp!
Send us a textLet’s get one thing straight—this ain’t your typical Air Force hype-fest. Xavier Knapp went from "please God, not F-16s" to becoming the standout maintainer in Netflix’s Thunderbirds documentary. In this episode, we pull the curtain all the way back on what it really means to be a top-tier wrench-turner in the Air Force. Xavier shares the unfiltered truth about failing out of EOD, getting slapped in the face (literally) by maintenance, and grinding through 120° days and freezing nights to keep jets flying. He breaks down the hard-earned pride of maintenance culture, the myth and reality of the Thunderbirds, and why tight uniforms and tighter standards actually matter. If you think being a Thunderbird is all glitz and no grit, this one’s going to hurt your feelings. Let Xavier wreck your cynicism—and maybe inspire you to raise your own damn standards.🔥 Key Takeaways:💥 “I didn’t want to be a crew chief… definitely not on F-16s.” Guess what he got.🧠 Failure isn't weakness—quitting is. Xavier failed EOD but stayed in and built a career.🔧 Maintainers hold the line. No glory, no thanks—just jets in the air.😤 Dirty uniforms, broken noses, and 20-minute jobs that become 3-hour soul crushers.🧠 The real NCO magic: translating officer-speak into buy-in from the trenches.✋ Thunderbirds aren’t just a show—they’re the public face of Air Force standards.🤝 Best friends turned rivals turned brothers. Aviano lightning-in-a-bottle team culture.🎯 “Either we have standards, or we don’t.” Simple as that.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – The Ones Ready intro + Thunderbirds doc hype 01:30 – Why the Pose Fitness App might save your push-up dreams 03:45 – Meet Xavier Knapp: Netflix star & Thunderbird maintainer 05:50 – EOD dreams crushed, crew chief reality accepted 09:30 – Surprise: F-16 maintenance is kinda badass 13:00 – That moment you realize you are the adult on the flight line 17:30 – How strong NCOs and real teammates build you up 23:45 – The Aviano dream team, and lessons from a Puerto Rican rival 28:00 – Pride, pain, and busted noses—what being a maintainer actually means 35:00 – Why Support the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 20, 2025 • 57min
Ep 483: Trent’s Origin Story: How Pain and Pressure Built a Savage Mentor
Send us a textThis isn’t just an episode — it’s a character arc. For the first time, Trent pulls back the curtain on how his life before the pipeline forged the fire he brings to every candidate now. From getting his teeth kicked in (literally) during his early military career, to surviving brutal operational deployments, to losing everything that mattered and rebuilding from scratch — this is his blueprint.It’s not a sob story. It’s a leadership autopsy. And it's why he's allergic to your excuses. If you’ve ever wondered why Trent holds the standard so relentlessly or why he gives zero oxygen to pity parties, here’s your answer: he’s lived the consequences of failure, mediocrity, and accountability — and still came out swinging.This episode is raw, emotional, and required listening for anyone claiming they want to lead warriors. Don’t bring your ego. Bring a notebook.🔥 Key Takeaways:Trent’s life wasn’t a prep course. It was a crucible.He didn’t “become” — he earned it through failure, growth, and relentless recalibration.Real leadership comes from scars, not slogans.If you're chasing the title but not the sacrifice, you missed the point.His pain didn’t make him bitter — it made him honest.Candidates think the pipeline is hard. Try surviving your own life first.Trent’s not mad at you — he just refuses to lie to you.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Why This One’s Personal 04:10 – Trent’s Humble Beginnings and First Gut-Checks 09:30 – Losing Battles, Losing Family, and What It Cost 15:45 – The Moment It All Snapped Into Focus 22:00 – From Broken to Brutal: Earning the Right to Lead 29:15 – Why He Won’t Coddle You (Because No One Coddled Him) 36:00 – The Real Reason He’s So Hard on Candidates 42:20 – Trent’s Advice for Anyone Who Thinks They’re Ready 48:00 – Closing Thoughts: What It Means to Truly Serve🎯 Call-to-Actions:LIKE if you’ve ever grown through something that almost broke you.SUBSCRIBE if you’re tired of sugarcoated leadership content.COMMENT: What part of Trent’s story hit hardest?Leave a 5⭐ REVIEW if you want moreSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep 482: Live Q&A with AFSW Recruiter!
Send us a textWhat happens when a guy born in Mexico, raised in Montana, gets denied reentry into the Air Force for nearly six years—and comes back swinging as Puerto Rico’s first full-time AFSW recruiter? You get this episode.Peaches sits down with a recruiter who has seen every side of the Air Force: enlisted mechanic, disgruntled civilian, determined returnee, and now the face of Special Warfare recruiting across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This live Q&A is raw, real, and packed with advice you won’t find in any pamphlet.They cover everything from sneaky prior-service roadblocks and cross-training myths to what it’s like building a pipeline in a place where half the population still thinks “military” just means “Army.” If you're thinking about enlisting, crossing over, or even just wondering if 5'2" is too short to ruck 10 miles—this one’s for you.🔥 Key Takeaways:It took him 5 years and 8 months to get back in—but he never quit.Puerto Rico gets its first-ever full-time Special Warfare recruiter (and it shows).Prior-service lists? Yeah, they're real—and limited AF.Physical standards matter, but mental reps are what’ll save you.Yes, 5'2" is fine. So is being 33. You’re not washed. Yet.Don’t bring your whole family during the pipeline. You’ll regret it.The recruiter isn’t “just” a recruiter—they’re the front line of this community.A bachelor's degree doesn’t make you too good to enlist.“Three workouts a day” isn’t a joke—it’s the minimum for some of these applicants.He talks trash on purpose to weed out the weak. And it works.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome: Peaches forgets names again 01:00 – Recruiter origin story: Mexico ➝ Montana ➝ Mechanic ➝ Perseverance 06:00 – 5 years to rejoin: Why it took so long 10:30 – Puerto Rico’s first full-time AFSW recruiter 14:00 – Motivating the “can’t do a pull-up” crowd 18:00 – 33-year-old female asks how to support AFSW (we got you) 22:00 – “Enlisted is not beneath you”—Peaches breaks down the roles 26:00 – Why going officer isn’t always better 30:00 – Six-year contract beneSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 3min
***Sneak Peek*** MBRS 54: $2B Crop Dusters & British Hate Crimes
Send us a textIn this absolute banger of an episode, Peaches and Trent casually disassemble the military-industrial complex, parenting guilt, British censorship, and how not to run a drone program… all while planning t-shirt logistics and surviving haunted Airbnbs. It’s like sitting in on a leadership meeting, a roast, and an existential crisis—all at the same time.We kick things off with crop dusters—no, not the fart kind, the literal aircraft AFSOC spent $2 billion on instead of investing in drone tech that actually works at elevation. Then we spiral into public affairs drama (hi PAO 👋), complain about retired intel officers who suddenly think they know how to run special ops, and go deep on fatherhood and why we’ll never get it right (but we’re gonna keep trying anyway).There’s also a solid takedown of British “hate speech” laws, a nostalgic breakdown of the chaos of pipeline prep, and a reminder that the best way to become famous is to get arrested by the UK’s constables.You’ll laugh, you’ll get fired up, you’ll want to call your kid and apologize for being on your phone earlier.🔥 Key Takeaways:AFSOC spent $2 billion on a glorified crop duster that can’t fly far, high, or long. But hey, at least it looks like it does something.Our drone program? Worth about 1.3% of that. But sure, let’s keep crashing them into Walmart roofs.Military leadership sometimes cares more about “protecting the image” than fixing the actual problems.Honest feedback is rare because people look up to you—until they're behind your back calling your event “mid.”Being a dad is mostly wondering if you were emotionally unavailable this week or just tired.If you’re gonna shoot someone in self-defense—make sure they’re dead. Not our words, just... ask any cop.The British will arrest you for saying mean things in a group chat. Jared hopes they try.Haunted Airbnbs are still better than futons.Introverts are people too. They just talk less and feel more.Being real gets you shadowbanned. Being loud gets you cancelled. But being honest? That gets you members.🎯 Call-to-Actions: 🚨 Like, Comment, and Subscribe before weSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 17, 2025 • 12min
Ops Brief 063: Daily Drop - 17 June 2025 ($300 for Evac & Lagging Hypersonics)
Send us a textThe Pentagon’s busy doing backflips to avoid picking a side in the Israel-Iran slugfest, while the U.S. military quietly scrambles tankers, evacuates families, and acts like $300 is enough to survive Naples, Italy. Meanwhile, Air Force tankers take center stage, hypersonic weapons get a reboot (because we’re behind... again), and Space Force finally gets a toy that isn’t just PowerPoint.Plus: AI flight scheduling, Normandy’s long-overdue tribute, the F-35’s never-ending upgrade saga, and why the Naval Academy’s race-based admissions policy should’ve died long ago. Add some Trump, NATO posturing, and North Korean diplomacy (lol) for flavor. You’ll either be informed, outraged, or both—so grab your pre-workout and dive in.🔥 Key Takeaways:🤖 Pose Fitness App now judges your form like an angry cadre—first 30 days are free with code ONESREADY.💥 Pentagon tiptoeing around Israel-Iran, but deploying Nimitz and KC-46s says otherwise.💸 $300 relocation aid for military families fleeing the Middle East? That’s not even a Costco run.🚀 Hypersonic catch-up mode: AGM-183 revived after delays in newer programs.🧠 AI flight scheduling hits Misawa—Moneyball for jets is officially a thing.🕊️ Normandy honors badassery of the 8th Air Force—finally.🛰️ Space Force receives METRO LANDS counter-comm system. Jam away, Guardians.🎭 Trump signals talks with Iran (bet you $5 they ghost).🇷🇺 NATO planning to bring the pain to Russian soil if things pop off.🔁 South Korea seeks DMZ dialogue, again (good luck with that).✈️ F-35 still mid-glow up—delays, drama, but Block 4 is the prize.🛩️ Air Force One design creeping forward, and yes, Trump is still involved.⚖️ Naval Academy lawsuit over race-based admissions tossed—meritocracy reboots.🧩 Defense innovation = Lockheed + Silicon Valley? We’ll believe it when it isn’t still in beta.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro + Pose Fitness Promo 01:00 – Pentagon walks the line on Iran 02:30 – Nimitz, tankers, and U.S. readiness 03:20 – Families evacuated, $300 jokes 04:10 – Air Force tankerSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 16, 2025 • 18min
Ops Brief 062: Daily Drop - 16 June 2025 (Drones & Alleged F-35 Shoot Downs)
Send us a textThe Pentagon is getting Spiderwebbed, CENTCOM’s begging for a faster arms dealer, and Iran claims it bagged three F-35s (with CGI receipts, naturally). In this no-holds-barred Daily Drop, Jared rips through the absurdity of base security theater, why our military sales process might as well be faxed from 1996, and why trusting SpaceX while threatening to cancel their contracts is peak DoD dysfunction.Also—Space Force can’t track satellites if you build a Starbucks next to the antenna, China’s nukes are multiplying like rabbits, and apparently 100% ID checks are optional now? Buckle up—this episode’s a napalm blast of reality for anyone still clinging to the myth that we’re “ready” for the next war. Spoiler: We’re not.🔥 Key Takeaways:🕷️ Operation Spiderweb proves $500 drones can decimate billion-dollar bombers—Pentagon just realized that’s… bad.🐌 CENTCOM: “Hey, can we please not take 9 months to sell our allies a flashlight?”🎭 Iran claims to down F-35s, but forgets AI flight sim footage ≠ real combat footage.🚫 SpaceX builds our space program, DoD: “We might cancel… because Elon’s mean.”🎯 Travis AFB airlifted 55,000 lbs of aid while PCS chaos continues to crush morale.🧠 Gen. Bussiere talks nukes and AI; Jared wonders if any senior leader actually says anything useful on a podcast.📉 US can't mass 200 fighters without draining the entire planet—awesome.💥 China’s adding 100 nukes a year while we debate TikTok bans.🤷♂️ Space Force vs. Real Estate Developers: Guess who’s winning?⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Discount code shill (Go get your ATAKALEAK gear) 01:15 – Pentagon wakes up to drone threats after Ukraine’s Spiderweb 02:50 – Why base security is a joke (Nellis fans, buckle up) 03:45 – CENTCOM wants to unfuck Foreign Military Sales 05:00 – Indo-PACOM hits Force Protection Bravo 05:45 – NORTHCOM beefs up security post-assassination 06:30 – U.S. helps Israel block Iranian missiles 07:00 – Gen. Bussiere: Nukes, AI, and the B-21 flex 08:10 – Travis AFB delivers humanitarian aid (C-17 MVP) 08:50 – PCS chaos and why movers keep ghosting 10:00 – Squadron Support the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...

Jun 16, 2025 • 1h 20min
Ep 481: Manda Bay - The Attack Nobody Was Ready For
Send us a textOnes Ready goes scorched earth on the Manda Bay attack—a tragic cocktail of leadership failure, intelligence gaps, and straight-up tactical laziness that left Americans dead and a base in flames. This isn’t just a “bad day at work” story—this is what happens when we let comfort, complacency, and half-baked threat assessments set the tempo.In this episode, we dissect the 2020 al-Shabaab attack on Manda Bay, Kenya, and the damning DoD report that followed. From unmanned gates to zero reaction plans, we break down just how avoidable this disaster was—and why the term “low-risk” might as well be a death sentence. Hard truths, hard lessons, and no pulled punches.🔥 Key Takeaways:“Unlikely target” became the most likely tragedy. Shocker.Manda Bay had zero guards at the airfield gate… during an active insurgency.U.S. personnel had no reaction plan in place. None. Zero. Nada.Intelligence was dismissed, ignored, or watered down until it was meaningless.Contractors doing critical security roles… and ghosting when it mattered most.The attackers walked in with RPGs like they were late for a dinner party.Al-Shabaab exploited every weakness—and the response was too little, too late.Leadership failed. Period. It wasn’t the troops—it was the system."Low risk" doesn't mean "no risk"—especially when the enemy gets a vote.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Why Manda Bay matters01:10 – What was Manda Bay and why were we there?03:00 – The al-Shabaab attack timeline: minute by minute06:30 – What the DoD report really said (and didn’t say)09:00 – Breakdown of base security—or total lack thereof12:30 – Who ignored the warnings and why?15:00 – Leadership accountability: missing in action17:45 – Contractor chaos and absence of planning20:10 – Airfield gate security = complete joke22:00 – Lessons learned vs. lessons ignored24:00 – Final thoughts: Fix this or it’ll happen again🎯 Call-to-Actions:🧠 Like, subscribe, and punch the algorithm in the face.💬 Drop your thoughts: Was this leadership failure or a system-wide rot?🎙️ Leave a review if you want more episodes where we hoSupport the showJoin this channel to get access to perks: HEREBuzzsprout Subscription page: HERECollabs:Ones Ready - OnesReady.com 18A Fitness - Promo Code: ONESREADY ATACLete - Follow the URL (no promo code): ATACLeteCardoMax - Promo Code: ONESREADYDanger Close Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYDFND Apparel - Promo Code: ONESREADYHoist - Promo Code: ONESREADYKill Cliff - Pr...