Combat Story

Get 10% off your first month of therapy with my sponsor BetterHelp: http://BetterHelp.com/combatstory 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 Jason Lilley, a former Marine infantryman, Marine Recon, sniper, MARSOC, and then CIA Global Response Staff (or GRS) operator. As many are aware, Jason is the other half of the veteran media company Savage Actual (https://www.youtube.com/c/savageactual), with his co-host Patrick Moltrup having been a guest on our show on Episode 26 (https://youtu.be/YmOkCKtpvGk). Jason survived brutal fighting in the initial invasion of Iraq with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion alongside journalist Evan Wright who would go on to write the book Generation Kill which was transformed into an HBO series by the same name, depicting some of the battles we talk about in this episode (watch more at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLlHcwJ5vS4). In another deployment, Jason earned a Silver Star during a battle on April 7th, 2004 in Iraq that was later depicted in the History Channel program “Ambush of April 7th” (https://www.history.com/shows/the-warfighters/season-1/episode-5#:~:text=On%20April%207%2C%202004%20a,in%20the%20War%20on%20Terror). It is believed to be the most decorations awarded for a single battle during the war, which included four Silver Stars, multiple Purple Hearts, and two Navy Crosses (one award posthumously). We didn’t want to shortchange listeners on Jason’s incredible stories so we’ll schedule a round two to dive into his time with MARSOC and the CIA. This episode is chalked full of combat experiences with a very human, empathetic, and thoughtful lens that I know you will enjoy as much as I did. #military #veteran #marines #combat Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory Find Jason Online: -YouTube Savage Actual https://www.youtube.com/c/savageactual -Website Savage Actual www.savageactual.com -Facebook Savage Actual https://www.facebook.com/SavageActual -Twitter Savage Actual @SavageActual3 https://twitter.com/SavageActual3 -Instagram @jason_lizzle @savage.actual https://www.instagram.com/savage.actual/ -TikTok Savage Actual https://www.tiktok.com/@savageactual Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:39 - About our sponsor, Better Help 3:01 - Guest Introduction (Jason Lilley) 4:16 - Interview begins and a story of confronting Stolen Valor 12:48 - Childhood in a family of musicians and being bullied 17:56 - Joining the Marines in 2000 22:54 - Advice for young people going through tough times 24:55 - Path from infantry "grunt" to Recon 28:22 - Combat Story - First combat experience taking a Scud before crossing the border into Iraq 34:10 - Auditioning to play himself in Generation Kill (HBO TV series about his platoon) 39:40 - Story of finding a buried enemy helicopter and rockets 40:53 - Combat Story - first time close to danger accidentally driving through heavy fire 49:11 - Combat Story - Perilous engagement in a airfield 58:00 - Being back home after being in combat 1:01:06 - Mindset going in to second deployment 1:04:51 - Combat Story - 7, April, 2004 Silver Star event during second deployment 1:29:13 - Feelings about awards and ceremonies 1:35:04 - Taking a break and then transitioning to MARSOC 1:38:50 - A negative Hollywood experience and starting a media company 1:47:21 - What did you carry into combat? 1:49:48 - Would you do it again? 1:52:52 - Listener comments and shout outs The video is all about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley. If you want to learn more about Jason Lilley, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/ This video covers the following subjects: - Marine Special Operator - Silver Star - CIA GRS - Savage Actual United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is a component command of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) that comprises the Marine Corps' contribution to SOCOM. Its core capabilities are direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense. If you would like to learn more about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyA... _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley? If you were searching for more info about Marine Special Operator or Jason Lilley did this video help? Possibly you wish to comment below and let me understand what else I can help you with or information on Marine Special Operator, Jason Lilley.

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 Combat Story from a long-time Combat Story listener Christian Holloway, a former Marine who was part of the initial invasion into Iraq, fought in both Fallujah I and II, and was one of the first Marines in what we now know as Marine Special Operations Command or MARSOC. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory] Christian was just 18 years old when he crossed the line of departure into Iraq for the initial invasion alongside M1A1 tanks in his Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). He was then clearing buildings on foot in Fallujah alongside his Marine brothers, was among the first to see the effects of IEDs and what later became a very common and lethal enemy TTP, and was then in the elite special operations community training foreign militaries as a force multiplier. Since leaving the military, Christian continued to train service members in Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) as a contractor and now hosts a financial information program on YouTube. This is a great Combat Story that follows the path from the tactical perspective of the Marine infantryman to the strategic MARSOC operator and I hope you enjoy his humble insights as much as I did. Find Christian Online: -YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs1jwxG_W_NAVVX8KlZ-Mig -Instagram @chris.holloway_fi https://www.instagram.com/chris.holloway_fi/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:44 - Guest Introduction (Christian Holloway) 1:59 - Interview begins 2:40 - Growing up in Texas 7:31 - Why Marine Corps and recruitment story 10:44 - Training and preparing for deployment only 4 months after after boot camp and school of infantry 17:13 - Preparing for first deployment invading Iraq at only 18 years old 20:48 - MOPP levels and the nuclear, biological and chemical threat 24:53 - Combat Story - Engaged by an artillery unit and the invasion of Iraq 33:10 - Combat Story - An armor to armor engagement 55:27 - Combat Story - 48 hour engagement 1:18:01 - almost dying in Baghdad from celebratory fire 1:21:03 -Fallujah 1 fighting the insurgency and the first in incorporation of IED tactics 1:35:52 - Combat Story - a very persistent engagement 1:56:24 - Joining what would later be known as MARSOC and the intense training course 2:24:42 - Transition to contractor 2:27:42 - Refelctions on being in combat at 18 years old 2:30:45 - Personal Finance YouTube channel 2:37:19 - What did you carry into combat? 2:39:08 - Would you do it again? 2:40:21 - 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 Kristen Murdock, who spent 13 years in the Navy as a Naval Intelligence Officer from an Aviation Squadron off a carrier to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). [Check out our Patreon page for more images of Kristen and for an upcoming Q&A with Ryan] Kristen spent most of her military time deployed around the world and focused primarily on intelligence in the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, including deployments at the strategic level with joint staffs to the tactical with SEAL Team 3 and DEVGRU. After her time in service, Kristen transitioned thanks to a phenomenal program designed for Special Operations service members and support staff called The Honor Foundation which helped her find her next career in Silicon Valley working in the Trust and Safety space at Facebook and, most recently, Twitch, as a senior leader. Kristen narrowly avoided be kicked out of the Naval Academy and had her dreams of flying shattered at the last moment but ended up hustling to find a more rewarding path in Intel that serves as a great lessons for those still rising through the ranks and I hope you enjoy her insights into the shadowy world of intel at a Tier 1 unit as much as I did. Find Kristen online: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenmichele/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-murdock/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristenmurdock Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 00:41 - Guest introduction for Kristen Murdock 6:05 - Reality check from an active duty father and aviator at Dover Air Force Base 12:17 - Avoiding the use of Intel “Jedi mind tricks” on regular people 12:38 - What is the “2” in military language (S2, N2, J2, G2, etc) 15:54 - Going to the US Naval Academy and almost not making it 25:00 - Losing your ‘dream’ career and finding your true path 30:27 - Unfortunate advice from another officer to a woman in service 32:27 - Arriving to your first assignment as the intel officer on a carrier 42:22 - Running intel at SEAL Team 3 45:02 - Strategic work as an intel officer and preparing “The Book” 49:47 - Doing time with DIA to get broader intel experience 53:48 - Detailed to a Special Forces Team (ODA) and then sent to support ISAF (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgRf_vdx0lg the International Security Assistance Force) 55:19 - Supporting General Stanley A. McChrystal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA0yXWAAais) and General Michael Flynn while meeting tribal leaders like Karzai 1:03:01 - Learning of the deaths of Brendan Looney and Travis Manion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhn4vAgQneE) 1:05:28 - Working threat finance as an intelligence officer and the skills it teaches you 1:08:30 - Getting to SEAL Team 3 1:15:55 - The weight of giving intel to a team of operators and how much confidence you need to have 1:17:19 - Walking past the memorial for a fallen friend (Brendan Looney) at SEAL Team 3 HQs 1:18:28 - The transition to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU, also known as SEAL Team Six) 1:20:43 - Had a great experience with all the Team guys 1:22:19 - Transitioning out of the military and into Tech with Facebook (now Meta) and then on to Twitch 1:30:18 - What did you carry with you on deployments? 1:31:12 - Would you go back and do it again? 1:32:55 - Listener comments and shout outs. Thanks for listening ya’ll! Stay safe. The video is all about special operations and special operators and intelligence officers and the intelligence profession. If you want to learn more about special operations and intelligence, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/ This video is describing what it takes to be in special operations and make it in Intelligence but also try to cover the following subjects: - What are special operations? - Combat Story - Navy SEALs - Combat Operations - DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about what are special operations and what is intelligence? Individuals who searched for Kristen Murdock and intelligence also searched for Navy SEALs and intelligence officers and we have interviews with many Navy SEALs and former Intelligence Officers at www.combatstory.com, including those in Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU), which many people refer to as SEAL Team Six, and with the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). If you would like to learn more about the intelligence profession or SEALs, look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ

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 have a phenomenal Combat Story with our first dedicated insight from a legendary CIA Case Officer, Paramilitary Operations Officer, and Senior Leader Enrique ‘Ric’ Prado, who fought terrorists from the jungles of Central America with the storied Special Activities Division to eventally overseeing all Agency operations at the helm of the counterterrorism center. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory, including additional photos of Ric and a story of the hardest training course he ever went through] Before joining the Agency, Ric successfully completed the famed Pararescue or PJ pipeline but did not, despite multiple volunteer attempts, have the opportunity to fight in Vietnam. Instead, Ric would see plenty of operations and battles but with the CIA, where he was operating as a solo Paramilitary Ops Officers or PMOO in the Nicaraguan jungles in his first tour. Early in his career Ric first came into contact with and was then mentored by some of the Agency’s giants like Cofer Black, Duey Clarridge, Bill Buckley, William Casey, and more. As you’ll see during this interview, these are all names I know and revere so I was star struck hearing Ric’s stories about these giants and just spending time with Ric, who many of these heavyweights consider one of the best CIA operators of his time. On 9/11, Ric was the Chief of Operations (or C/OPS as the role is know inside the building) of the counterterrorism center, responsible for all counterterrorism operations for the whole CIA. After leaving the service, Ric founded a successful company where he continued to take the fight to the enemy and recently wrote a great book that gives a true behind the scenes look at the wide ranging, unpredictable and often dangerous life of a CIA operations officer. This is one of my favorite interviews to date and I hope you enjoy this peek behind the curtain of the premier covert intelligence organization from one of its legends as much as I did. Find Ric Online: - Ric’s website https://ricprado.com/ - Black Ops Book https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/black-ops/ - Ric on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/enrique-ric-prado-052a11186/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Guest Introduction (Ric Prado) 2:41 - Interview begins 3:42 - Growing up in Cuba during the revolution in the 1950s and coming to America without his parents 11:46 - Gratitude as an American and choosing life of service 14:54 - The Pararescue Pipeline and becoming a PJ 20:49 - Joining Ground Branch/Special Activities Division in the CIA and role as a Paramilitary Officer 25:11 - The type of work he was doing with the Agency early on and the rewarding feeling of being able to do something about injustice 29:10 - Story of first contact fighting on the front lines during the 1980s Cold War 34:32 - Feelings of being down range after not getting the chance in Vietnam 37:05 - How early experiences informed his role later as Chief of Operations Counterterrorism Center and a story of how street savvy saved him 46:46 - Being a solo operator 47:40 - Working with CIA legends Dewey Clarridge and Bill Casey 51:02 - About the LA (Latin American) Division 54:22 - Legend Joe Fernandez requesting him by name and working more traditional undercover ops 57:17 - Making his first recruitments in Costa Rica 1:02:47 - Role in Alec Station tracking Osama bin Laden 1:10:21 - 9/11 and being Chief of Operations at the Counterterrorism Center 1:16:23 - Story of a particularly dangerous mission 1:25:10 - Story of learning he was under surveillance 1:30:46 - What did you carry with you on missions? 1:32:29 - Would you do it again? 1:34:55 - Hear more on Patreon 1:35:35 - 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’s Combat Story is one of perseverance and hustle on another level. We hear from Remi Adeleke who deployed multiple times as a Navy SEAL, but only after overcoming a truly difficult childhood of being stripped of his family’s wealth in Nigeria to hustling on the streets of the Bronx to make ends meet. Remi would be one of those rare people who wanted to become a SEAL even though he couldn’t swim, just to give you an idea of his attitude and beliefs. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory] After leaving the service, Remi has done it all. He was contacted by Hollywood and has either acted in or advised on multiple blockbuster movies and shows like Transformers, SEAL Team, and most recently the Terminal List with Chris Pratt. He’s also a best selling author with a fantastic book “Transformed: A Navy SEAL's Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds,” a clothing line called Kojo and more. This is a true Combat Story of not just overcoming the odds down range, but overcoming every obstacle life in the inner city can throw at you. Find Remi Online: - Instagram @remiadeleke - Twitter @remiadeleke - Kojo Wear Clothing Line - Book Transformed: A Navy SEAL's Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds - Muskegon Maritime Academy https://muskegonmaritimeacademy.org/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:27 - Guest Introduction (Remi Adeleke) 2:00 - Interview begins 4:26 - About his family’s tribe from Nigeria and what it means to him today 7:12 - Growing up in Nigeria 13:16 - Formative years spent hustling in the Bronx 24:24 - Why the military? 27:58 - Being in NYC on 9/11 30:56 - An influential recruitment officer and getting his record cleared 34:43 - Becoming a SEAL without knowing how to swim 39:01 - First deployment experience 43:10 - Combat Story - First time outside the wire as a Humvee gunner 45:30 - Being an African American in the SEAL teams and how being black helped down range 50:25 - How his time in the Bronx gave him skills in the military 52:17 - Direct action ops and running sources 57:56 - Combat Story - a quick snatch and grab operation that turned into 14 hours with an intense foot chase 1:08:22 - The decision to get out 1:11:55 - Getting the call to work on Transformers without a formal audition and how he got into acting and consulting 1:21:50 - Starting the Muskegon Maritime Academy, a military themed charter school 1:26:59 - What did you carry into combat? 1:27:32 - Would you do it again? 1:27:50 - What do you think your old man would be saying now? 1:28:31 - Listener comments and shout outs This interview is all about special operations and special operators. If you want to learn more about special opertaions, you can click: https://www.combatstory.com/ This interview is describing what it takes to be in special operations but also try to cover the following subjects: - What are special operations? - Combat Story - Remi Adeleke - Navy SEALs - Combat Operations Remi Adeleke was born in Western Africa, but following the death of his father, he, his mother, and his brother relocated permanently to the Bronx in New York City. After years of making regrettable decisions, Remi joined the Navy in 2002 and later became a Navy SEAL. Ending his successful naval career in 2016, he was led to pursue a career in speaking and acting. Remi holds a BS in organizational leadership and an MS in strategic leadership, both from the University of Charleston West Virginia. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons, Cayden and Caleb. Speaking about joining the team, Adeleke said: “Since I departed from the military in 2016 my main focus in life has been to inspire, motivate and educate people — whether through writing, speaking, or visual storytelling." If you would like to learn more about Remi Adeleke I suggest you look into our various other video clips: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCyApoJr-mNmdMNwdk22xEQ _________________________ Have I responded to all of your questions about what are special operations? Individuals who searched for Remi Adeleke also searched for Navy SEALs and we have interviews with many Navy SEALs at www.combatstory.com, including those in Naval Special Warfare Development Group (or DEVGRU), which many people refer to as SEAL Team Six.

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 have a special Combat Story that takes us from commanding in bloody fighting in Vietnam to some of the seminal moments in our military’s Special Operations history, all courtesy of retired colonel Keith Nightingale. Keith served two tours in Vietnam, one as an adviser to the Vietnamese where he learned jungle warfare from one of the most interesting and lethal characters in country, followed by taking command of an infantry company in the 101st that had just been wiped out, literally, hours earlier. Keith was a founding member of the 1st Ranger Battalion when it was created by Gen Creighton Abrams in 1974-later commanding both that battalion and the Ranger brigade. He then gives us a fly on the wall perspective of the Desert One catastrophe and the subsequent birth and creation of what we know today as JSOC, to include why we have DIA, 160th, Delta and more. We even touch on Keith’s time as the DoD lead tracking down none other than the Drug Kingpin Pablo Escobar. Keith has gone on to write three books, “Just Another Day in Vietnam”, “Phoenix Rising: From the Ashes of Desert One to the Rebirth of U.S. Special Operations,” and “A Soldier Looks Back: Memories and Reflections of a Combat Veteran, from Normandy to Afghanistan.” This was a memorable Combat Story that gives us a look inside some of the most significant moments that created the modern US military we all know and love today. Find Keith Onine: -Facebook Col Keith Nightingale https://www.facebook.com/ColKeithNightingale -Keith’s books https://www.amazon.com/Keith-Nightingale/e/B016H5SV66%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share Ryan Online Information Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle 0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Guest Introduction (Keith Nightingale) 2:17 - Interview begins 2:40 - What he did in the army 3:24 - how the military was “in his DNA” and being the first officer in the family that served as a career 7:30 - Getting orders to go to Vietnam and the most influential person in helping become a battlefield leader 18:10 - Combat Story #1 - first contact in Vietnam 24:59 - A “karmic” approach to combat learned in Vietnam 26:57 - Combat Story #2 - a long night in Vietnam 36:03 - Going back to Vietnam with Delta company 43:14 - An intense training in leadership 46:27 - Combat Story #3 - First time in the field with Delta and his leadership strategy for low morale 56:43 - The founding of JSOC and 1st Ranger Battalion 1:05:43 - Combat Story #4 - Operation Eagle Claw 1:32:57 - Tracking down Pablo Escobar 1:40:42 - What did you carry into combat? 1:41:54 - Would you do it again? 1:42:53 - 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’s Combat Story is near and dear to my heart for reasons I can’t share because they’re classified. We hear the firsthand account from one of the men involved in the brutal 13 hours of fighting in Benghazi in 2012, Kris “Tanto” Paronto, who would later co-author the book “13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi” and advise Director Michael Bay and the cast who created the movie of the same name. This is one of my favorite episodes. Time flew by as we touched on so many topics from the learnings Kris shared in two other books (The Patriot's Creed: Inspiration and Advice for Living a Heroic Life and The Ranger Way: Living the Code On and Off the Battlefield) to insight into what it meant to be a part of the CIA’s GRS or Global Response Staff (read this CIA Career page to hear how interesting this job is and trust me when I say these guys were great: https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/protective-agent/) to how it felt the moment he and a handful of selfless other men decided to defy direct orders from above and risk their lives for other Americans in Libya. There’s ZERO politics in this episode. If you’re looking for that, you won’t find it here. This is all about what happened to the people on the ground at the time, which made me appreciate Kris and his perspective even more. Since leaving the military and Agency, Kris has become a serial entrepreneur with a clothing line, vodka brand, podcast, shooting and medical training courses, and is now making his tactical programs more of an experience with E3 Firearms which goes beyond just hitting the range and is something that I think many of our listeners will want to be a part of. I hope you appreciate this wide ranging, hilarious, and selfless Combat Story as much as I did. Find Kris Online: - Instagram @real_kris_tanto_paronto https://www.instagram.com/real_kris_tanto_paronto/ - LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristantoparonto/ - E3 Firearms https://pages2.e3firearmsassociation.com/fol-page1638816034383 - Kris’s website https://kristantoparonto.com/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Guest Introduction (Kris Paronto) 2:25 - Interview begins 2:47 - How he got his call sign “Tanto” 6:30 - Background info on CIA GRS 11:43 - The GRS driving training course 13:20 - The detailed prep work involved in going into country somewhere as GRS 21:15 - Childhood, sports, and adrenaline rushes 26:33 - Why did you choose the military path? 30:10 - Time with the Rangers 36:58 - Getting kicked out of the Army 48:15 - Motivation for writing book “The Ranger Way” 50:51 - Why GRS? 56:47 - Getting a black passport and examples of GRS missions 1:05:13 - Benghazi 2012 and the endurance that you need to make it through a 13 hour gun fight 1:12:22 - Benghazi 2012 Waiting for authorization are deciding to do the QRF (quick reaction force) 1:17:59 - The significance of true sacrifice 1:20:41 - His current projects including Battleline Tactical, podcast, vodka company, and E3 Farms Association 1:26:25 - What did you carry into combat? 1:28:59 - Would you do it again? 1:32:27 - 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 a long-time Green Beret, combat veteran, and retired Sergeant Major Josh Johnson. Josh spent multiple years downrange in Iraq and Afghanistan, many with 1st Special Forces Group, in combat where he led from the front but also spent years teaching other Green Berets and partner forces. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory] Josh was selected as an Exchange Officer to the Australian Special Air Services Regiment where he trained and fought alongside our very close Australian brethren. In his last two years of service, Josh focused specifically on leadership development and training. Since leaving the service, Josh has continued training and developing leaders, this time with Mike Sarraille’s Talent War Group where Josh is a Partner and Senior VP of Leadership Development. I hope you enjoy this interesting and wide-ranging Combat Story as much as I did. Find Josh Online: -LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuafhijohnson/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Guest Introduction (Josh Johnson) 1:36 - Interview begins 3:29 - His time fighting alongside the Aussies 8:11 - Growing up in small town in Utah and having a dad in military 18:41 - How he found himself on the SF track after National Guard and being an MP 30:24 - Funny story about robbing a Bosnian bathroom 32:32 - Selection experience in 1999 and where he was when 9/11 happened 34:56 - Combat Story #1 - Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines and his first time getting shot at 46:33 - Combat Story #2 -A multi-hour gun fight and getting hit with RPGs in Afghanistan 58:34 - Combat Story #3 - Stories of men getting shot next to him 1:09:35 - Experience as an ODA working with ranger battalion 1:19:18 - Transition to Talent War Group 1:25:42 - Benefits of vets in corporate America and unique challenges they face 1:31:24 - What did you carry into combat? 1:35:20 - Would you do it again? 1:39:20 - Listener comments and shout outs To learn more about a Green Beret In Combat, learn more at: https://www.combatstory.com/ The video is all about a Green Beret In Combat but also covers the following subjects: - Green Berets Overcoming obstacles - Special Operations - Special Operations combat - Exchange programs with the Australian SASR and UK SAS - Multi-hour gun fights Something I noticed when I was looking for information on Green Berets In Combat was the lack of details. _________________________ Follow our video clips about Green Beret In Combat and various other similar topics on: Facebook: https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatstory _________________________ If you were searching for more information about living in Green Beret In Combat did this video help? Possibly you want to comment below and let me understand what else I can assist you with or Green Beret In Combat.

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 member of our close partners in New Zealand: Joe Hotai. Joe successfully completed not only the New Zealand SAS Selection and Training Course, but then (likely because he enjoys pain) also went on to complete the Australian SAS Selection and Training course. Joe then served in combat with the Australian SAS in direct action operations. [Support us on Patreon and get exclusive content and insights at www.patreon.com/combatstory] Since leaving the service, Joe overcame a childhood fear of putting himself out there and has created two podcasts (the Epich Podcast which explores people making a positive change in the world - and which he has graciously invited me to be on - and the Move Sweat Suffer Podcast which promotes a more healthy way of life). Joe has also co-founded the Mill Gym in Australia and is the founder of Zero Alpha, which puts on ultra endurance events combining some of the experiences from his time in Special Operations, and is also a consultant. His YouTube channel is full of pragmatic workouts that remind me of Pat Mac! Joe has an incredibly humble persona with a great sense of humor. In fact, he’s described himself as ‘imperfect, annoying, and striving to improve as a husband, father, and human being on a daily basis.” I hope you enjoy this interview of highs and lows and overcoming difficult situations from someone at the forefront of the Special Operations community, as much as I did. Find Joe Online: - Instagram @joehotai - Podcast Epich Aotearoa https://www.epichpodcast.co.nz - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/joehotai1936 - Move, Sweat, Suffer YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/movesweatsuffer - Zero Alpha https://www.zeroalpha.co.nz/ - Burpee Wear https://www.burpeewear.com/ - LinkedIn article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/putting-myself-yourself-out-joe-hotai/ Find Ryan Online: - Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory - Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ - Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory - Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial - Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial - Email ryan@combatstory.com - Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus - Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 1:07 - Guest Introduction (Joe Hotai) 2:31 - Interview begins 2:55 - Growing up in New Zealand and family dynamics 19:30 - The impact of not having a dad as a child 26:00 - Desire to join the military and special forces specifically 31:15 - Lacking confidence to speak up and a moment in basic training when he found his confidence 39:15 - If not the military what would you be doing? 47:29 -Experience with both New Zealand and Australian SAS selection and qual course 1:08:56 - The type of operations that come down the Australian SAS vs. New Zealand SAS 1:21:36 - How having a Maori (indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand) background came up during his time in the military 1:24 - Crazy story of Blackhawk crashing while he and his team were in it 1:26:38 - The emotions and mindset on his first deployment to Iraq at 25 1:35:19 - Combat Story - Having to troubleshoot and fix a Mk-19 while actively being shot at 2:04:05 - What he is doing today with his 2 podcasts 2:14: 28 - What did you carry into combat? 2:15:23 - Would you do it again? 2:20:37 - 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 have a more timely Combat Story where we sit down with the head of the Ukrainian Come Back Alive Foundation, Taras Chmut. Come Back Alive provides financing for purely defense initiatives and since 2014, it has provided nearly 1000 thermal imaging devices and over 250 UAVs in addition to material support, technology, and training for the forces fighting the Russians on Ukrainian soil. Before stepping up to lead this organization, Taras was a Ukrainian Marine rifleman on the front lines in 2015 and then a commander of a reconnaissance unit with UAVs and signals intercept capabilities providing a better picture of the battlefield mainly near Mariupol (which we’ve heard so much about today). This, like our interviews with Aiden Aslin and Sergey Dyadkin, help shed light on what’s actually going on in this Russian invasion and give each of us a way to do something about it, this time in terms of providing support to this important foundation, which you can do at www.comebackalive.in.ua. We’ve conducted much of this interview through a translator named Alexander and I hope you appreciate this inside look from Kiev as much as I did. Find Taras Online: -Website https://www.comebackalive.in.ua/ -Twitter https://twitter.com/BackAndAlive @comebackalive -Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TarChmut -Instagram https://www.instagram.com/taras_chmut/ Fine Ryan Online: -Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory -Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ -Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory -Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial -Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial -Email ryan@combatstory.com -Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus -Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 0:00 - Intro 0:34 - Guest Introduction (Taras Chmut) 1:54 - Interview begins 2:26 - The meaning of his name and what it was like growing up in Ukraine 6:24 - Early interest in aviation 7:59 - Where he was in 2014 when he considers the Russia -Ukrainian actually started 11:12 - Path to the military 14:31 - Time with Ukraine Marines and trying to stop Russia from invading 21:18 - Transition to UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) platoon commander 26:52 - The types of missions he was doing with UAVs 31:47 -The Come Back Alive Foundation than and now 37:48 - Opinion of Zelenksy and the future of Ukraine 39:30 - What are you most proud of from the Come Back Alive Foundation? 41:46 - Listener comments and shout outs