Combat Story

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve. Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off. This episode is also brought to you by CrayonEater Coffee. We’re proud to support CrayonEater coffee coming to you from, you guessed it, some former Marines (and current law enforcement officers!) You can order yours now at CrayonEaterCoffee.com Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! ===== Today we hear the Combat Story of Jonathan Cleck, a career Navy SEAL and Federal Agent turned entrepreneur and stand-up comedian. Jonathan, like many SEALs in the Teams, lost several friends and brothers-in-arms to training and combat. He served in a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) unit and deployed to Africa and South America, in addition to Middle East.  After leaving the service, Jonathan has worn many hats, including founding a start-up technology company with his wife, and is stand-up comedian. In fact, we found ourselves talking about the similarities between jumping out of a plane and telling jokes on a stage. You’ll want to stay tuned for a special segment towards the end where I ask John, given his comedic background, to tell me what someone from each branch of service would drink and he did not disappoint (it brought me back to some of the fantastic shenanigans we shared while in the service). Jonathan is equal parts humble, impressive, and hilarious and I hope you enjoy this Combat Story (and leave with a smile on your face), just like I did. Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Jonathan Online: - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathancleck/ - Instagram @Jlcleck https://www.instagram.com/jlcleck/?hl=en - Twitter @jonathanCleck https://twitter.com/jonathancleck - GreenCastle Consulting https://greencastleconsulting.com/leadership/jonathan-cleck/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  01:01 - Guest Introduction (Jonothan Cleck) 02:05 - Interview begins 03:12 - Stand Up Comedy or BUDS 11:44 - Path into Comedy 14:13 - The moment that lead to the Navy 24:22 - The decision to leave college for the Navy 26:12 - The recruitment process 28:19 - Things you thought you would get out of the Navy 33:11 - The camaraderie of Serving 39:10 - Path to becoming an Officer 49:28 - Casual Comedy 50:20 - Humor when being assigned a team 01:05:33 - First time outside the wire 01:38:15 - Branches associated with alcoholic drinks 01:49:52 - Sentimental items 01:51:37 - Do it all again 01:56:40 - Closing statements 01:58:11 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by 4Patriots Survival Food Kits.The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily. They have different delicious breakfasts, lunches, dinners. You can make these meals in less than 20 minutes. Just add boiling water, simmer, and serve. Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off. This episode is also brought to you by CrayonEater Coffee. We’re proud to support CrayonEater coffee coming to you from, you guessed it, some former Marines (and current law enforcement officers!) You can order yours now at CrayonEaterCoffee.com Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! == Today we hear a fascinating Combat Story from an active duty and currently serving F-15 Eagle fighter pilot, Ryan “Stinger” Fishel whose been involved in some of the most recent combat operations we’ve talked about on the show, including Syria and Iraq in Operation Inherent Resolve fighting ISIS. Ryan has an absolutely remarkable story of how he found his way to the Air Force that included a Forest Gump-like path of hustling and fighting for any flight time he could get in the civilian world, to include incredibly risky and sketchy flights shuttling aircraft from the US to various countries in the Caribbean. At one point, Ryan was living out of his car and working in a grocery store deli before a moment on a beach changed his perspective on life. I would ask you to please listen through Ryan’s story to get to the cockpit because it makes what follows (his exploits inside the aircraft) so much more special, to include an air to air shootdown in hostile skies of a drone, a stand-off and near international incident with a Russian fighter, and dropping danger close ordinance literally in neighboring buildings as friendlies were fighting ISIS. I am so excited for you to hear one of our best combat stories with insight into the fighter pilot community I’d never heard of before from a long time Combat Story listener and active duty pilot and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Ryan Fishel Online: - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-fishel-a258591b9/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  00:55 - Guest Introduction (Ryan Fishel) 02:15 - Interview Begins 02:22 - How Ryan met Ryan 04:22 - Taking advantage of Podcasts and Veteran stories 05:53 - Callsign Origin 07:20 - The role of a Flight Weapons System Officer 08:55 - The role of a Fighter Pilot 12:39 - Suprising people become a Fighter Pilot 14:21 - Determination to become a Fighter Pilot 15:41 - Training route 17:05 - Childhood 25:35 - Living out of the car after highschool 32:37 - Path into Aviation 43:29 - Selling airplanes 51:18 - Black Diamond Jet Team 56:42 - Path to the Airforce through OTS 59:09 - Trainings and tests that put Ryan ahead 01:01:36 - Advantage and disadvantages through intesne training 01:04:40 - 9/11 01:06:40 - F15 Jets 01:10:38 - Being the 'new guy from flight school' 01:17:18 - Sharing oral history 01:20:42 - The best roast jokes 01:23:21 - First combat mission 01:31:12 - Processing pulling the trigger and danger 01:39:56 - Crazy radios and the road to flying F35s 01:59:05 - Dealing with aftermath stress of combat  02:04:14 - How to deal with mortality 02:11:44 - TheMerge.co 02:12:43 - Sentimental item 02:13:58 - Would you follow the same route 02:15:03 - Envisioning the next 10-15 years 02:16:36 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/COMBAT and get on your way to being your best self and HELP the show. Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! This episode is also sponsored by 4Patriots. Create your own stockpile of the best-selling 4Patriots Survival Food Kits handpacked in the US. Go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off your first purchase on anything in the store. This episode is also sponsored by Ten Thousand, a clothing brand for tough, durable gear for the outdoors, working out, and a more active lifestyle. I just took mine to Alaska and they held up like a champ. They also use former Special Operators to test and improve their clothing! Check out https://tenthousand.cc/combatstory and get 15% off and help Combat Story continue to grow! I got their long sleeve t-shirt and it was awesome. . . Today we hear the Combat Story of David Waterhouse who was part of 2nd Ranger Battalion for six deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. David had the honor of serving alongside his fellow Rangers for years and the challenge of being on the ground to recover the bodies from the wreckage of the Operation Red Wings crash that we all know from the Marcus Luttrell Lone Survivor story. David and his friend Sean Spencer cataloged David’s combat experience in a documentary now streaming on Amazon Prime aptly titled “Ranger” in which David recalls his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The description notes that this is seen through the eyes of a Special Operations soldier and a first hand account that documents the brutality of combat, and the raw nature of killing and death. It's a journey of innocence lost and the scars of war etched into the minds of service members.  As David and I discuss in this episode, the documentary, like so many Combat Story episodes, tell the story of David but, at the same time, tell a story so familiar to so many veterans and family members.  David and I get pretty deep on the concept of the brotherhood that exists between veterans and some of the scars this experience can leave behind and I hope you enjoy this Combat Story as much as I did. . . Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find David Waterhouse Online: - Ranger on Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0B8T8RRSD/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-waterhouse-56134047/ . . Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  00:42 - Guest Introduction (David Waterhouse) 01:52 - Interview Begins 02:00 - Making the Ranger Documentary 06:04 - Talking about outside the wire stories 08:40 - Wearing the Red Socks Cap in Ranger 10:32 - People who have reached out 16:20 - Bullies and joining the Military 22:39 - Knowing what you want to do 30:51 - Sterotypes of Second Unit 32:27 - What were your wants from the Military 34:12 - Friendships in the Military 38:15 - First time downrange 56:20 - The first deployment 01:04:12 - First gunfight 01:09:32 - Craziest Operation 01:12:41 - Composure during Combat 01:18:18 - Fastrope onto target 01:24:00 - Redwings 2  01:35:17 - Advice to former self 01:37:30 - PTSD  01:38:46 - Life after war 01:45:24 - The last mission 02:00:38 - Transition out of the Military 02:02:04 - The Ranger movie 02:02:56 - Sentimental items 02:05:53 - Would you do it all again 02:05:53 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode was brought to you by 4Patriots. Create your own stockpile of the best-selling 4Patriots Survival Food Kits. It’s not ordinary food. We’re talking good-for-25-years super survival food. Handpacked right in a family-owned facility in the U.S.A. and giving jobs to over 200 Americans. The kits are compact, sturdy, water-resistant, and stack easily.Just go to 4Patriots.com and use code COMBAT to get 10% off. That’s the number four Patriots.com, use code COMBAT. Start building your own stockpile today. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/combatstory. Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! When you use these, you help yourself and your family and Combat Story so it's a win-win-win. Thank you for your support! Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! _______________________________________________________________ Today we hear the Combat Story of Scott “Intake” Kartvedt who was such a proficient pilot that he was handpicked to be one of two stunt pilots in Top Gun: Maverick. Intake has over 6,000 flight hours, much of that in the F/A-18 Hornet, to include combat command of an F/A-18 Squadron. Intake’s story is remarkable as he went from accountant to Naval Aviator to Blue Angel to Top Gun Maverick to making another movie in South Africa with Tom Cruise.  When the Navy needed to select its very first pilot to lead the first stealth fighter squadron of F-35s, they chose Intake. Before commanding in combat, Intake was a member of the storied Blue Angels where he flew Opposing Solo which put him less than 10 feet from his wingman in air shows at at a combined closing speed of over 1,000 mph (see more about Opposing Solo maneuvers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCnYTPAo550). Intake had the misfortune of investigating the fatal accidents of his friends and fellow pilots and survived several near death experiences, including a straight dive that he pulled out of at 27 feet above the ground.  He serves on the board of the Blue Angel Foundation where they’re trying to prevent veteran suicide. You can donate at https://www.blueangelsfoundation.org/ (I donated as well) to help the cause. Intake is a special combat veteran who is infuriatingly humble and open about the expectations and challenges of a life in the most elite community of aviators and I know you’ll enjoy this discussion as much as I did. Accountant to jet pilot | F/A-18 Combat Aviator F-35 Squadron Commander | Blue Angel Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Scott Online: - Donate to Blue Angels Foundation: https://www.blueangelsfoundation.org/ - Scott's website: https://scottkartvedt.com/ - Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartvedt/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  01:04 - Guest Introduction (Scott 'Intake' Kartvedt) 02:32 - Interview begins 02:40 - Role in Top Gun Maverick 02:05 - Scott and Tom Cruise 06:06 - Why Scott was chosen to fly 08:09 - Scott and 'Whiz' Buckley 08:56 - What 'opposing' means for flight profiles 13:04 - Accountant to Aviator 16:55 - Flying with Bob 17:54 - 'Intake' as a kid 19:07 - Scott and Ryan's kids 19:39 - Nord VPN  20:55 - Kartvedt's a Military family 22:59 - Competing for the right aircraft 27:31 - Important traits of a Fighter Pilot 30:05 - Air to air dogfighting more challenging than striking target 35:30 - Surface to air threats 37:37 - 4Patriots  38:57 - In the Blue Angels during 9/11  45:39 - Where 'Intake' nickname comes from 47:17 - How many flight hours 48:04 - Hardest hour of flight 54:08 - Advice on how to handle trauma 57:15 -  Enjoyment through the pressure 59:47 - Book Title ideas 01:00:56 - Challenging time in combat 01:14:38 - F-35 specs for combat 01:18:01 - Sentimental items 01:20:49 - Would you do it all again 01:23:07 - Unease for the future pilots 01:26:43 - Final comments   01:28:22 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Brian Slade, a former AH-64 Apache pilot and serving Air Force Search and Rescue pilot with multiple combat deployments both taking and saving lives. Brian moved out of his house at the age of 15 and learned to make it on his own and carries the same conviction and passion in almost everything he does. He’s written a book called “Cleared Hot: Lessons Learned about Life, Love, and Leadership While Flying the Apache Gunship in Afghanistan and Why I Believe a Prepared Mind Can Help Minimize PTSD” that goes into greater detail about his combat experiences. Brian showed me the gun tape from inside his cockpit after his front seater was shot in the leg, he lost an engine, and lost flight controls and it was amazing, bringing back the feel of the aircraft and the borderline chaos of radios during a gunfight.  We spend time in this episode on how to remove the weight and burden of what Brian aptly calls the ‘insidious backpack’ that many of us carry from experiences down range or just at home, which is part of a larger effort he’s supporting called Trauma to Triumph to help others deal with this burden. Brian and I definitely geek out on aviation lingo, aircraft, flight profiles, and emergency procedures and I hope you enjoy this discussion of chaos in the air and overcoming the associated burdens on the ground as much as I did.   Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Brian Online: - Brian's Instagram @brian.slade_ https://www.instagram.com/brian.slade_/ - Brian's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BrianLSlade - Brian's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/clearedhot - Cleared Hot book: https://a.co/d/hTUDFKK Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  00:53 - Guest Introduction (Brian Slade) 02:15 - Interview begins 02:54 - Difficulties in highschool  05:32 - Combat lesson learned through sports 17:47 - Father figures 21:45 - Trauma from a young age 23:58 - Road to enlistment 26:38 - Transition to flying Apache's 30:33 - Hovering and Apache Pilot training 39:27 -  Brian's time in the National Gaurd 41:23 - Afghanistan deployment 44:50 - Power Margin of the Apache in Afghanistan  46:17 - First tough engagement 57:03 - The relationship between air and ground forces 59:15 - Kinds of trauma 01:06:42 - Toughest moment in the pilot seat 01:14:20 - Guntape 01:16:26 - Toughest moment resumed  01:33:41 - Transfer to the Air Force 01:38:01 - Retirement coming 01:39:29 - Any sentimental items 01:41:40 - Would you do it all again 1:42:44 -  Listener comments and shout outs

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Rob Huberty, a long time Navy SEAL who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan in some incredibly challenging battles.  Rob lost over 30 people close to him from his time in the Teams from either combat deaths, accidents, or suicide, including the loss of his closest friend during a battle in which they were talking to each other when his friend, Kevin Ebbert, was killed.  After service, and despite the pain and loss Rob endured, he fought back from depressive episodes, found psychedelics and plant-based medicines, attended one of the premiere business schools in the country, and founded a company alongside his ‘brothers’ who he went to school with.  The company they founded is called ZeroEyes and uses AI to proactively help mitigate mass shootings and gun-related violence. They are, effectively developing the technologies that will prevent another Columbine or Sandy Hook (where, not coincidentally, Rob went to school). As you’ll see in this interview, Rob is eager to bring other veterans aboard this ride with him at ZeroEyes to build new skills and help save lives. And I know you’ll appreciate Rob’s perspective on loss, sacrifice, and overcoming the odds as much as I did. Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Rob Online: - Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-huberty-605991a2/ - Website https://zeroeyes.com - YouTube ZeroEyes https://bit.ly/3vLvnDX - Facebook https://bit.ly/3WYnDuc - Twitter @zeroeyesai https://twitter.com/zeroeyesai - Instagram @zeroeyesai  https://bit.ly/3Izh4K2 Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  01:02 - Guest Introduction (Rob Huberty) 02:08 - Interview begins 04:45 - Skydiving in college 06:41 - The way away from West Point 08:16 - Family background 12:39 - Path to enlistment 16:04 - Being a lawyer 17:17 - How long did it take to get downrange 19:25 - What is ZeroEyes 23:51 - First experience as a Navy SEAL 26:26 - First time downrange 29:10 - Working with Rangers 30:06 - Kids while serving 30:54 - dissapointing deployments 32:39 - SEAL team relationship  34:02 - Startup compared to the SEAL 35:44 - Second deployment 39:45 - Tough moment in Afghanistan 45:22 - Grief and loss 49:18 - Potentially leaving the military 51:56 - Hate for a commander 55:28 - Best commander 01:00:05 - Tough time with a tough commander  01:25:45 - Processing grief 01:32:03 - Psychedelics therapy 01:43:50 - ZeroEyes best moments 01:46:16 - Any sentimental items 01:47:18 - Would you do it all again 01:47:43 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/COMBAT and get on your way to being your best self and HELP the show. This episode was also sponsored by Ten Thousand, a clothing brand for tough, durable gear for the outdoors, working out, and a more active lifestyle. I just took mine to Alaska and they held up like a champ. They also use former Special Operators to test and improve their clothing! Check out https://tenthousand.cc/combatstory and get 15% off and help Combat Story continue to grow! I got their long sleeve t-shirt and it was awesome. Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! ___________________________________________________________________ Today we hear our first Combat Story from a Top Gun and F/A-18 Hornet pilot turned successful options trader Matthew Whiz Buckley.  Whiz found himself flying 44 combat sorties over Iraq and was scrambled just days after 9/11 to intercept a potential threat over the US where he was authorized to go supersonic at just 1,000 feet with a full weapons load (unheard of in the US)! As with all aviators, we dig into the Call Sign and Whiz is a great one! Despite the highs of flying jets across the world and graduating from Top Gun, Whiz also lost 16 fellow fighter pilots to accidents and suicide, after losing a sister at a very young age that stuck with him for decades.  As a result, he created the Top Gun Foundation to help keep veterans alive and found his way to plant based medicines and psychedelics with other veterans like Marcus Luttrell (aka “Lone Survivor”), which we spend some time on during this episode. Whiz has had tremendous success in his post-military career in the options trading world and continues to train everyday people how to make a living doing the same with Top Gun Options. In fact, his success is what made his foundation possible. This was a special episode for me personally where we really dig into the experience inside the cockpit and nerd out on all things aviation (like landing on a carrier at night) and the learnings Whiz was fortunate to take from Top Gun and how we can all apply those.  I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did! Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Matthew Online: Matthew's LinkTree https://linktr.ee/whiznfh Matthew's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/official_whizbuckley/ Matthew's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ematthewbuckley/details/experience Top Gun Options - https://topgunoptions.com/ Book Covid Crash https://www.amazon.com/COVID-CRASH-Profit-Fighter-Strategies-ebook/dp/B09FKNLKB3 Book From Sea Level to C Level https://www.amazon.com/Sea-level-C/dp/0615249604 Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  00:54 - Guest Introduction (Matther 'Whiz' Buckley) 02:20 - Interview Begins 02:57 - Matthew's early life and his time at the local rescue squad 05:47 - Other career paths 09:23 - The idea of joining the Military 13:42 - Early deaths that motivate 16:20 - Experimentation with Psychedelic Therapy 19:32 - Better Help (AD) 20:35 - 'Competitive' nature of Top Gun pilots 24:33 - Boat landings 30:19 - Hardest aircraft to land on a carrier 33:51 - Optics while flying a fighter jet 36:26 - What it's like to fly the F/A-18 Hornet  39:43 - Ten Thousand (AD) 42:21 - The path to getting the right aircraft 47:21 - 'Whiz''s time with 9/11 58:40 - Top Gun and being the Advisary  01:03:01 - What makes Top Gun training the most difficult 01:07:21 - Red Teaming 01:09:17 - Top Gun takeaways that can benifit everyone 01:15:28 - The origin of 'Whiz' 01:19:14 - Mishaps and mistakes 01:30:05 - The transition to the Finance world 1:32:10 - Psychedelic Therapy philanthropy 01:46:12 - Would you do anything differently 01:54:11 - What feeling do you wish you could share 01:55:27 - Carried sentimental items 01:56:03 - Would you do it all again 2:00:20 -  Listener comments and shout outs

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/COMBAT and get on your way to being your best self and HELP the show. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/combatstory. Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Ryan Rogers, a Marine Corps NCO who led Marines during the Battle of Marjah aka Operation Moshtarak which was a huge and intense International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) offensive in Helmand Province, Afghanistan involving 15,000 Afghan, American, British, Canadian, Danish, and Estonian troops, and the largest joint operation of the War in Afghanistan up to that point in 2010.  The purpose of the operation was to remove the Taliban from Marja, thus eliminating the last Taliban stronghold in central Helmand Province. This was Ryan’s first experience of intense combat and we spend significant time on the fighting which began literally after stepping off the Chinook on the LZ.  Many don’t know this about me but the Battle of Marjah had a profound impact on me personally in 2010 and was a primary reason I found my way to the CIA (which we touch on in this podcast). After his intense combat experience, Ryan turned to drinking but then found his path and purpose, writing the book “The Lions of Marjah” about his experiences during this battle and co-hosting the Choices Not Chances podcast.  This is a great one ya’ll. I don’t usually tear up during an interview but this one had me and Ryan in tears at one point talking about the relationships created down range. I know ya’ll are going to enjoy this one. Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Ryan Rogers Online: - Ryan's book Lions of Marjah https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Marjah-Combat-As-Saw/dp/0578891220 - Twitter @RyanRog98054437 https://twitter.com/ryanrog98054437 - Choices Not Chances Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqcmxKqaR4dIFFpaJxhtrQ Show Notes: 00:00 - Intro  00:59 - Guest Introduction (Ryan Rogers) 02:25 - Interview begins 03:45 - Choices Not Chances Podcast 06:22 - Ryan's childhood and inspiration on joinging the military 11:27 - Ryan's family's reaction to him joining the Marines 13:02 - Why did Ryan choose to join the Marines 14:22 - Training for the Marines 22:38 - Americans Evacuated from Lebanon mission 27:40 - Does Hunting experience help in the Marines 30:20 - First time you found yourself downrange 32:45 - The yearning for combat 36:51 - The origins of the Lions of Marjah book 42:05 - Operation Moshtarak 49:03 - Relationship with the brand new squad in combat 51:53 - Dropping in the center of the fight 01:04:40 - The days that followed 01:18:20 - Any particullarly hard missions 01:25:41 - Building the bonds of combat Veterans  01:32:49 - The responsibilities of a USMC Squad Leader 01:38:19 - The transition out 01:42:33 - The emotional challenges of being a Marine 01:45:44 - Finding purpose 01:49:50 - Any sentimental items 01:51:00 - Would you do it all again 01:52:42 -  Listener comments and shout outs 01:54:33 - Sights Smells bring you back to combat 01:55:49 - Funniest memory of the time downrange  02:02:19 - Advice to 18-22 year olds 02:05:48 - Best piece of advice during your career

USASOC Operator & K-9 Handler | 7th SFG | 82nd Airborne | War Hogg Tactical | On the Range Podcast | Rick Hogg This episode is brought to you by Wondery's new podcast AGAINST THE ODDS: UNCHARTED: TEDDY ROOSEVELT’S AMAZON EXPEDITION (link) Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of 29 year Army Special Operations veteran Rick Hogg, who spent time with the 82nd, 7th Special Forces Group and US Army Special Operations Command. His time ranged from Desert Storm deep into the post-9/11 era. Rick spent years as a K-9 handler in the Special Ops community, forging a very strong bond with his dog “Duco” in particular. Rick managed through years of deployments and overcame the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with a very concerted focus on his own health and transition from the military that many can learn from.  After leaving the service, Rick now owns War Hogg Tactical offers mobile firearms, tactical and K9 training to civilians, military and law enforcement agencies that was borne out of his experience training Special Forces. He’s written the book “The Firearms Training Notebook: 1% Better Everyday”, co-hosts the On The Range Podcast, and founded the “In Honor of Duco” charity.  I hope you enjoy this wide ranging and emotional discussion with a USASOC operator as much as I did.  Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Rick Online: - Rick's Linktree https://linktr.ee/warhoggtactical - Instagram @warhoggtactical https://www.instagram.com/warhoggtactical/?hl=en - Warhogg website www.warhogg.com - Rick's Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcfYEBZu_wjRsdqrKM-zhAw - In Honor of Duco Leash https://www.warhogg.com/product-page/in-honor-of-duco-loop-leash - K9 War Dogg CBD https://kindred-life.com/product/war-dogg/ - Learn more about Rick: https://www.warhogg.com/abou Rick Hogg is the owner of War HOGG Tactical, Inc. and is a 29 year US Army Special Operation Combat Veteran including being a Special Operations K9 handler. He has taken his 13 combat deployment, to both Iraq along with Afghanistan, as well as his teaching experience as a Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat instructor and harnessed them into a proven training methodology service company, War HOGG Tactical, Inc. War HOGG Tactical, Inc. offers professional comprehensive mobile firearms, tactical and K9 training to law abiding civilians, military and law enforcement agencies through combat proven techniques and experience to improve students skill ability. War HOGG also conducts product development and product field testing along with a verity of consulting services in the defense and firearms industry.  War HOGG Tactical, Inc was born in 2002 when my Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat students returned from Afghanistan and said "That stuff you taught me saved my life!" Rick and his retired Special Operations Forces K9 Duco have been featured on Trigger Time TV covering an entire season on training a military working dog. Rick has also has instructional videos with Panteao Productions.  Our program’s main goal is to provide you with a skill set to defend yourself or your family members using a building block methodology of instruction Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  0:44 - Guest Introduction (Rick Hogg) 1:48 - Interview Begins  2:14 - Background of the Hogg last name 5:27 - Rick's childhood and early years 10:12 - Do you associate more with being an Operator or K9 Handler 11:53 - The Transition from Soldier to Civilian and what Rick did to help out 15:06 - Rick's advice on how to transition out of the Military easier 19:32 - Wondery the Teddy Rosevelt Amazon Expedition AD 20:34 - Rick's experience and dealing with T.B.I. 23:01 - Rick's experience with acceptance, loss, and grief 27:40 - Joe and Rick 35:36 - Rick's thoughts on handleing grief and emotions in the midst of the mission 45:09 - Officer Duco and Rick 50:11 - In Honor of Duco Loop Leash 53:38 - Lowering of a K9 Officer 54:51 - Jumping with a K9 01:00:00 - Rick's love for the K9 Unit 01:04:38 - A death defying mission from Duco 01:09:17 - Training K9 Units with Foreign Forces 01:11:46 - The difference between Conventional and Special Forces Units  01:17:09 - The balance between the Specail Ops and Entrepenureship  01:20:57 - Rick's opinion on if older vs younger generations views on each other 01:23:18 - How Rick divides his time amongst his many projects 01:28:48 - Rick's plans for 2023 01:32:08 - Did you bring anything sentimental with you into combat 01:32:41 - Would you do it all again? 01:34:57 - Is there a book you would recommend to people 1:24:07 -  Listener comments and shout outs

EXCLUSIVE - This episode was sponsored by Ten Thousand, a clothing brand for tough, durable gear for the outdoors, working out, and a more active lifestyle. I just took mine to Alaska and they held up like a champ. They also use former Special Operators to test and improve their clothing, which you know we love on Combat Story! Check out https://tenthousand.cc/combatstory and get 15% off and help Combat Story continue to grow! I got their long sleeve t-shirt and it was awesome. Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! Today we hear the Combat Story of Scott Mann, a long time Green Beret in the pre- and post-9/11 era. Ten years after his army service, he gained notoriety for his role leading what is now known as Operation Pineapple Express in August 2021 when he and a large group of veterans and active duty service members helped evacuate 1,000 Afghans as the Taliban returned to power and what was sure to be brutal retribution. Scott served in the jungle and mountainous terrain of South America and spent years in Afghanistan executing a combination of direct action and village stability operations. Like any Green Beret we’ve interviewed, Scott’s desire to work with, by, and through local forces shines through. He’s gone on to write several books in addition to Operation Pineapple Express, a play called Last Out that the Gary Sinese Foundation is helping to turn into a larger production, and a leadership company called Rooftop Leadership, all of which leverage the experiences he had in combat. I hope you enjoy this very real and raw Combat Story with someone who never gave up helping others as much as I did. Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Find Scott Online: - Scott's Website: scottmann.com - Scott's Linktree https://linktr.ee/rooftop_leadership - Scott's Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ - Instagram @scottmannauthor https://www.instagram.com/scottmannauthor/ - Facebook @Scott Mnn https://www.facebook.com/ScottMannAuthor - Twitter @RooftopLeader https://twitter.com/RooftopLeader - RooftopLeader Podcast https://linktr.ee/rooftoppodcast - Rooftop Leadership Website https://rooftopleadership.com/ Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro  1:08 - Guest Introduction (Scott Mann) 2:17 - Interview Begins  2:54 - Last Christmas I evacuated Afghans out of Afghanistan 7:18 - Scott's ability to thrive in uncomfortable enviornments 8:39 - Scott's whiteboard with the first Afghan Evacuation plans 10:20 - Scott's childhood and planting the seeds of a Leader 12:09 - Scott's first encounter with a Green Beret Soldier 15:07 - What influenced Scott to join the Military 15:45 - Scott's opinion on bullies and the Military 16:35 - Scott's trejectory to end up in Special Forces 18:46 - Scott's battle with alcoholism in the Quartermaster Branch 21:14 - The value Quartermaster service had on Scott's knowledge and career 24:57 - The reputation of 7th group 26:17 - First assignment with the 7th group in Peru/Ecuador conflict 34:33- Cliff Patterson and the affects of 9/11 42:42 - Scott's advice on loss and grief 46:49 - 1st time outside the wire in Afghanistan 51:07 - Scott's experience with the Afghan National Special Forces 58:16 - Afghan National Army's first encounter with the Taliban 01:07:51 - Operation Pineapple Express 01:26:52 - Last Out: Elegy of A Green Beret 01:30:00 - Is there any sentimental items you brought with you into combat? 01:33:00 - Would you do it all again? 01:34:39 -  Listener comments and shout outs