Former Action Guys Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 247 | Rusty Bradley | Special Forces Officer, Enlisted Infantryman, and Author Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

Rusty Bradley served as an Army infantryman, Ranger, and Special Forces Officer. He deployed eight times to Afghanistan and wrote the Book Lions of Kandahar. Subscribe to be notified of our follow-up interview!
Support the show
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com
Rusty's Book
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0553807579?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

Ep. 246 | Jordan Wilkins | MARSOC Corpsman and Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman Aug 23, 2026

Show notes

(00:00:00) Intro | Joining the Navy
(00:10:19) Greenside Corpsman | Marine Corps Regulations
(00:14:16) Recon Corpsman Pipeline | Basic Reconnaissance Course
(00:23:30) Special Operations Combat Medic Course (SOCM)
(00:26:53) Live Tissue Training
(00:37:33) Field Amputation
(00:44:22) Dive Medicine
(00:46:44) 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion
(00:52:02) Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) 8211
(00:55:23) Iraq Contract Gig
(00:58:27) Training For Afghanistan
(01:02:34) Afghan Biker Gang Part 1
(01:05:22) First Casualty
(01:12:57) Afghan Biker Gang Part 2
(01:23:20) First Deployment Engagements
(01:43:50) Keep Fighting
(01:45:50) Mental Health Discussion
Jordan Wilkins joined the Navy with his goal to become a Hospital Corpsman in special operations. Following his graduation from Navy boot camp and Field Medical Training Battalion (FMTB), Jordan attended the grueling Basic Reconnaissance Course before beginning his special operations medical training. After three years of training, Jordan was ordered to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion where he completed three deployments to Afghanistan.
Support the show
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
Jordan's links
https://www.karmatms.com/
https://www.brotherrecon.com/product-page/the-untold-stories-of-valhalla-2nd-edition

Ep. 245 | Matt Cavanaugh | Invasion of Iraq, Artillery Officer, Author Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

Matt Cavanaugh was a senior at West Point when the country was attacked on Sept. 11th. He would graduate college in the spring, then complete his artillery training and find himself participating in the invasion of Iraq within a year. After his second deployment to Iraq, Matt earned his Masters degree and found himself back at West Point teaching strategy. Matt is now an author, ultra-marathoner, and kidney donor.
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
Matt's Books
https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/authors/ML-Cavanaugh/240364864
00:00:00 Intro | Minnesota Hockey | Joining The Army
00:04:47 From West Point To Iraq
00:11:39 The Best Thing I've Ever Done | Donating a Kidney
00:17:31 Invasion of Iraq | 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment
00:24:31 Ramadi and Fallujah
00:37:39 Would You Do It Again?
00:46:27 2nd Deployment To Iraq
00:56:22 Jennifer Lopez is Dead
01:01:17 Teaching At West Point

Ep. 244 | George Mills | MARSOC JTAC, ANGLICO, and Marine Infantry Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

George Mills has one of those career paths so unique that it’s almost hard to believe. He enlisted as an infantryman and soon found himself holding a Yankee White TS security clearance, which he later lost after an off-duty incident. From there, he moved on to the newly formed Anti-Terrorism Battalion for a deployment to Iraq before leaving the Corps to work as a contractor. Eventually, he missed the Marine Corps and joined 4th ANGLICO as a reservist, where he gained fire support experience across multiple deployments before becoming a JTAC with the Marine Raiders.
Support the show
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
George's site
https://divelogix-scuba.com/
00:00:00 Intro | Military High School
00:05:22 Joining Marine Infantry | Security Forces
00:10:05 Presidential Security | Yankee White
00:21:31 Security Forces vs Special Operations
00:25:47 Fired From Presidential Security
00:29:56 Anti-Terrorism Battalion
00:33:44 Israeli Military Training
00:40:33 Deployment to Iraq
00:44:54 Afghan Culture Shock
00:57:44 Security Contractor
01:05:04 Iraq Contract Gig
01:11:03 Rejoining the Marines | 4th ANGLICO
01:36:43 MARSOC Fires
01:43:51 Joining a Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT)
01:54:28 MARSOC Fires vs ANGLICO

Ep. 243 | Brad Colbert | Marine Recon | Generation Kill Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Brad Colbert is a Recon Marine who served in the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, in addition to multiple Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployments. Brad's role in the invasion of Iraq with 1st Recon Battalion was heavily depicted in the HBO mini-series Generation Kill. Check out Brad's podcast at the link below and standby for our follow-up!
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
Brad's site
https://bradcolbert.us/
00:00:00 Intro | Maj Capers Medal of Honor
00:01:44 Choosing the Marines
00:04:44 Joining Marine Recon
00:13:47 Favorite Part of BRC | Surf Passages
00:17:47 The Boring Reality
00:23:01 Strikes in Iran | Targeting
00:31:54 9/11 Happens | Activate the MEU
00:39:51 Prepping for Invasion | First Marines In
00:44:54 Afghan Culture Shock
00:51:40 The Enemy in Afghanistan
01:01:19 How The World Changed During the Deployment
01:10:24 Home From Afghanistan and Prepping for Iraq
01:23:24 Generation Kill | Evan Wright
01:35:08 Nasiriyah | Fratricide
01:53:12 Recon's Role in the Drone Warfare Era

Ep. 242 | Chris Janecek | CH-46 Pilot, FAC, 3rd ANGLICO Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

Chris Janecek was an enlisted armorer with 3rd ANGLICO while he completed college and worked towards becoming a Naval Aviator. Chris got his wish and was selected to fly the CH-46 Sea Knight. He flew the twin-rotor helicopter during the invasion and follow-on deployment to Iraq before being assigned to 3rd Battalion 1st Marines as a Forward Air Controller for his third deployment to Iraq.
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
Chris's book
https://us.amazon.com/dp/B0GQ4Q87M7/ref=zg_bsnr_g_9681306011_d_sccl_2/000-0000000-0000000?psc=1
00:00:00 Intro | Artemis II
00:03:04 Iran CSAR Mission | Rescue of DUDE44
00:10:09 3rd ANGLICO
00:16:50 Flight School
00:21:51 CH-46 Selection | Training
00:28:49 CH-46 Safety Record | Aviation Risks
00:34:53 Invasion of Iraq
00:51:46 Iraq Air Threats
01:03:00 How The War Changed | 3 Deployments to Iraq
01:14:33 3rd Battalion 1st Marines FAC Tour
01:22:53 CH-46 is Decommissioned

Ep. 241 | Joshua Shores | MARSOC Raider, Marine Infantry, Fire Fighter Mar 22, 2026

Show notes

Joshua Shores is a Marine Infantryman who served with 1st Battalion 5th Marines in Ramadi then a MEU. He went on to MARSOC and was part of the first Bravo Company to stand up after the unit's formation. Check out his book Counting on Death at the link below.
Support the show
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
Josh's links
Website: https://www.countingondeath.com
Book: https://a.co/d/03jtRhfB
00:00:00 Intro | Tracy Offutt
00:01:51 The Infantry | Joining After High School
00:17:42 Infantry and Pre-Deployment Training
00:23:38 Friendly Fire | Hand Grenades
00:32:51 Ramadi
00:38:22 IEDs and Drones
00:43:22 The Façade of Safety
00:45:07 M249 SAW | First Firefight
00:48:33 Afghanistan vs Iraq
00:52:14 Military vs Civilian
00:59:58 Journalism and Fire Fighters
01:10:36 Security Contractor Opportunities
01:13:43 1st MSOB Bravo Co
01:16:51 The Cost of Awards | Professional Warfighters
01:30:02 Stay In or Get Out

Ep. 240 | War in Iran | Morgan Lerette Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Morgan Lerette is former Airman, and Army intelligence officer, and Blackwater Contractor. We talk about what's happening in Iran as of March 3rd.
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
Buy Morgan's Book
https://www.amazon.com/Guns-Girls-Greed-Blackwater-Mercenary/dp/B0C7P83DL6
00:00:00 Intro
00:05:18 TikTok Wars | OSINT
00:09:44 Target Identification
00:12:40 Boots on the Ground
00:15:42 Government Succesion | Who Takes Over?
00:21:44 Bombing Campaign
00:29:56 Anti-Drone Tech
00:36:33 Intelligence Wafare
00:40:18 OSINT
00:43:35 Why Did We Attack?
00:52:18 Geo Politics | Cutting off China's Oil Supply
00:56:33 What Happens Next?
01:06:21 US Troops on the Ground
01:22:09 Erik Prince

Ep. 239 | Kowshon Ye | Combat Camera Marine Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Kowshon Ye is a Combat Camera Marine who worked as a videographer and photographer for Marine Corps Installations Pacific in Okinawa before assignment to 1st Marine Division. He supported B Company 1st Battalion 5th Marines and 7th Marine Regiment during two separate deployments to Afghanistan.
Support the show
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://www.jcramergrpahics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
Kowshon's site
https://kowshonye.com/welcome
00:00:00 Intro | Combat Footage
00:02:09 Joining the Marines | Okinawa
00:12:03 Defense Information School
00:18:36 1st Battalion 5th Marines
00:25:37 First Patrol in Sangin
00:28:44 Patrol Loadout
00:31:44 Role in the Patrol
00:39:04 The Battlefield Gets Active
00:52:27 Warrant Officer Program
00:57:43 Photography Setup
00:59:41 Military Social Media

Ep. 238 | Neal Fauver | Marine Rifleman, Iraq Veteran, Podcaster Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

Neal Fauver is a former Marine Rifleman who served with 3rd Battalion 6th Marines in Iraq. Neal is also the co-host of the Tales from the Corps Podcast.
Support the show
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
Neal's links
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pIOrn5w9pk4YtERb83Kww
https://www.facebook.com/share/1ACVRp858R/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.wwiibeyondthecall.com/s/order#most-popular

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