The Debrief with Jon Becker
Jon Becker
The Debrief with Jon Becker is a no-holds-barred conversational podcast on the leadership principles that govern the world’s elite tactical units. Featuring top military and law enforcement unit commanders from some of the most high-stakes fields, this podcast examines how to form and lead a highly effective team. After four decades spent working in tandem with top law enforcement and military units, Jon has gained invaluable lessons in leadership, teamwork, communication, and training. Now, he is sharing these lessons through conversations with some of these amazing team leaders. The goal of the show is to make us all better leaders, thinkers, and people. In each episode, The Debrief shares lessons in decision-making, training, personnel selection, and perseverance that apply to people from all walks of life. Our host Jon Becker, is an expert in tactical equipment; working with some of the world’s top-performing teams. The Debrief is Jon’s payback to the community, units, and leaders who trained him and helped make AARDVARK a success. With this show, Jon invites listeners to benefit from the same insights and stories that have shaped his career and how he views leadership. Learn more at thedebrief.live
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 14, 2026 • 56min
HRT of a Toddler With Port and Cover Tactics
On July 19, 2024, Orange County, Florida deputies responded to a domestic shooting where a woman escaped with 16 stab and gunshot wounds, leaving behind her three-year-old daughter with the armed suspect still inside. What followed was a five-hour negotiation marked by false compliance and a deteriorating situation, ultimately requiring tactical intervention to rescue the child unharmed.Jon Becker sits down with retired Orange County SWAT Team Leader Chris Eklund to break down the operation—from initial patrol response and ad hoc crisis entry team formation to the decision-making behind the final rescue. A detailed look at hostage rescue dynamics, negotiation failure points, and command decisions under extreme time pressure.
Sep 17, 2026 • 1h 45min
Current Threats to Tactical Units & Less Lethal Evolution
Steve Ijames has spent over four decades shaping how American law enforcement approaches force—less lethal and otherwise. From building Springfield PD's tactical team from scratch in 1988 to authoring IACP model policies and serving as an expert witness in cases like Ferguson and George Floyd, Ijames has seen the evolution of tactical policing from the inside.
Apr 29, 2026 • 1h 33min
Protecting Your Brain From Blast Injury
In this critical episode, Jon Becker examines the hidden epidemic of blast-induced brain injuries affecting tactical operators, breachers, and military personnel. Following groundbreaking New York Times reporting that led to congressional action, this five-year investigation reveals how repeated exposure to overpressure from breaching charges, flashbangs, and weapons fire causes microscopic brain damage often misdiagnosed as PTSD. Featuring insights from leading researchers, affected operators, grieving families, and Harvard medical experts, this episode provides essential context on the science behind blast injuries and actionable frameworks for protecting your teams while research continues.
Apr 1, 2026 • 1h 16min
Culture First Leadership
Jon Becker, a four-decade tactical-equipment expert and leadership educator, discusses his book Culture First. He explores why culture, not gear or training, shapes elite teams. Short, punchy segments cover hiring, humility, standards, decentralizing command, identifying toxic behaviors, and designing succession to keep culture strong.
Mar 18, 2026 • 1h 23min
Hostage Rescue with IED Threat
Greg Roy, a Maine State Police lieutenant and former SWAT commander, shares his tactical leadership in a 19‑hour hostage rescue with bomb threats. He discusses rapid multi‑agency coordination. He describes negotiator and bomb‑tech integration, sniper and entry dilemmas, and how command and rest cycles were managed during a sprawling, unpredictable crisis.
Mar 18, 2026 • 14min
DME-11 - HR with IEDs
DME-11 - HR with IEDs
Feb 25, 2026 • 1h 33min
K9/SWAT Integration with LASD-SEB
Canine integration into SWAT operations has evolved significantly, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau leading the charge since the 1990s. In this episode, Jon sits down with John Montenegro and Steve Williams from LASD-SEB to examine their pioneering approach to K9/SWAT integration, where canines and operators function as a single team with complementary capabilities. Montenegro and Williams share tactical insights from decades of experience, debrief actual cases demonstrating effective canine deployment, and discuss lessons learned in building successful integration programs. Essential listening for tactical teams considering or refining their K9 integration strategies.
Feb 11, 2026 • 1h 23min
Taking Down a Serial Killer
Angelo Tavelli, SWAT team leader with years in patrol and specialty units, and Josh Brazzi, operations lieutenant and longtime SWAT commander, recount a high-risk nighttime mountain arrest that turned into a rescue. They talk tactics in rugged terrain. They describe communications failures, covert reconnaissance with night vision, the pursuit through thick brush, and lessons on medical readiness and equipment upgrades.
Feb 11, 2026 • 19min
DME010 - Arrest Warrant for Murder Suspect on Mountain Compound
A high-risk warrant served at a remote mountain compound raises questions about limited communications and covert versus overt tactics. Recon reports screaming and metal striking, forcing split-second decisions on timing and pursuit. The scenario spotlights planning for medical response, comms contingencies, and prioritizing life-saving actions under intense uncertainty.
5 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 33min
Legacy Revisited - James Kerr
Jon Becker sits down with author James Kerr to revisit his groundbreaking book "Legacy" and explore what makes the All Blacks the most successful sports team in history. With a win ratio approaching 80% over 125 years, this New Zealand rugby powerhouse offers invaluable lessons on building elite culture and sustained excellence.Kerr breaks down the actionable principles that create championship-level performance, from "sweep the sheds" to "no dickheads" policies. For tactical professionals, these aren't abstract concepts—they're direct translations from one warrior culture to another, providing practical frameworks for leadership and team building in high-stakes environments.
