Former Action Guys Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 195 | Ed Darack | Victory Point Author | Embedded Journalist Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Ed Darack is an American author of multiple books including the controversial Victory Point that provides more detail to the Navy Seal Lone Survivor story. Ed was embedded with 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines and interviewed multiple participants of Operation Red Wings. Ed has also written about the shoot down of Extortion 17 and has another book in the works.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
Ed's site
http://darack.com
00:00:00 Intro | UAVs
00:09:00 Multi-Domain Combined Arms
00:18:48 Becoming a War Reporter
00:21:06 Meeting 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines
00:27:09 Getting the Marines Ambushed
00:29:39 Situation on the Ground
00:46:07 Operation Red Wings aka Lone Survivor
00:55:10 Communications Gear
00:59:03 Breakdown of Command and Control
01:06:17 Visiting the Attack Site
01:11:00 Debate Over the Accuracy of Lone Survivor
01:14:34 Threats for Telling the Story
01:18:38 Extortion 17
01:23:21 Joint Service Operations
01:37:46 Operaation Whalers
01:47:23 Why Write Victory Point?

Ep. 194 | Vishal Amin | F/A-18 Weapon System Officer and JTAC Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

Vishal Amin is a former United States Marine Corps F/A-18 weapon system officer (WSO) and enlisted military policeman. Following his 2014 deployment, Vishal was targeted on an !s!s attack list. Vishal now works at Microsoft and maintains a pulse on cyber security and emerging technologies.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
Vishal's Links
https://www.travismanion.org/
00:00:00 Intro
00:21:14 F/A-18 WSO Flight School
00:29:51 You Have to Take Vishal
00:41:18 What Does a Weapon System Officer Do?
00:47:37 Controlled Chaos
00:55:56 Gravity-induced Loss of Consciousness
01:01:22 Ejecting
01:06:31 2015 Deployment | !s!s Kill List
01:20:07 Cyber Security
01:29:39 Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence

Ep. 193 | Brett Crozier | USS Theodore Roosevelt Commanding Officer | SH-60 and F/A-18 Pilot Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

Brett Crozier is a retired Navy captain that commanded the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Blue Ridge. He is also a naval aviator that is qualified to fly both the SH-60 Seahawk and F/A-18 platforms. Brett also authored his book Surf When You Can: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://jcramergraphics.com/
https://ANGLICOshop.com/
Brett's Site
https://surfwhenyoucan.com/
00:00:00 Intro | Top Gun
00:02:36 Naval Academy
00:14:26 Flight School
00:18:49 Selecting Which Platform to Fly
00:26:00 Hardest Part of Helicopter Flight Training
00:30:42 Close Air Support Training
00:37:52 Deploying on a Destroyer
00:45:55 Transition to the F/A-18
00:58:28 9/11 Happened
01:05:23 Shift in Aviation Tech
01:14:22 Iraq Deployment
01:19:35 Difference in Pilots
01:24:33 Becoming a Carrier Captain
01:31:24 Life as a Ship Captain
01:34:59 Setting Sail January 2020
01:38:46 COVID Strikes

Ep. 192 | Adam Walker | Marine Infantryman | OIF I & II Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Adam Walker is a former Marine infantryman that served with 6th and 7th Marine Regiments. Adam deployed for the invasion of Iraq with 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment and returned less than a year later to Al-Qa'im where he was injured by small arms and shrapnel. Adam is also a published author with work featured in the Marine Corps Gazette, War Horse, We Are the Mighty, and others.
Support the show
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
Adam's site https://takeitontheleftfoot.com
00:00:00 Intro
00:09:36 Recruiter During 9/11
00:18:39 Back to the Infantry
00:26:24 Invasion of Iraq | 3rd Battalion 7th Marines
00:35:04 MOPP Suits in Iraq
00:38:04 Being in a Bad Unit
00:47:30 Squad Leaders in Combat
00:51:21 Tough Calls in Combat
00:58:24 Cpl Jason Dunham's Medal of Honor
01:11:57 Lessons Learned
01:27:56 Military Career Advice
01:36:09 Iraq '09
01:43:13 Screwed by the Monitor
01:47:51 Advice for Aspiring Writers

Ep. 191 | Brian Russell | 1st ANGLICO Commanding Officer Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

Brian Russell is a retired artillery officer in the United States Marine Corps. Following his battery time as a Lieutenant, Brian served with the headquarters element of MARSOC before becoming the commanding officer for 1st ANGLICO. Following his command tour, Russell served with US Cyber Command and got to see a quiet part of the military in action.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
Brian's Links
Social Media Handles:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/brian.russell.9028 (Brian Russell)
IG: https://www.instagram.com/berclr/?next=%2F (berclr)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OIECol (@OIECol)
North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League:
Web: https://www.northcarolinamtb.org/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/northcarolinamtb/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/northcarolinamtb/
Transition Books:
Orders to Nowhere from LtCol (ret) Mike Grice, former 1st ANGLICO CO
Transition by LtCol (ret) Hank Brown, original Chief of Fires USCYBERCOM

Ep. 190 | Tommy Kerley | Marine Forward Observer | Iraq and Afghanistan Veteran Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Tommy Kerley is a former Marine fire support man and Joint Fires Observer (JFO) that served in Iraq with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance and Afghanistan with 1st Battalion 2nd Marines. Tommy also runs the Raise the Black Instagram account that advocates for military mental health.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeracti...
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
Raise the Black
https://raisetheblack.live
00:00:00 Intro | Alaska
00:10:06 Joining the Marines
00:18:03 Two Different Marine Corps
00:22:10 Naval Gunfire School
00:26:40 Quality of Training
00:31:02 Marines in Helmand
00:40:57 Corn or Poppy
00:45:49 Dwelling on the War
00:56:12 Claim to Fame
01:07:22 In Afghanistan w/ 1/2
01:14:44 Ambush on Lone Tree Hill
01:26:15 Become the Hunter
01:33:42 Forward Observer Gear on Patrol
01:39:22 GPS Spoofing
01:45:16 A Good Compass
01:52:16 Land Nav is a Requirement
01:56:07 LCpl Lemelle

Ep. 189 | Nate Cornacchia | Army Special Forces Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

Nate Cornacchia is a former Green Beret that served more than a decade with Army Special Forces. Nate served on jump, dive, and mountaineering teams during his career. During one of his multiple deployments to Afghanistan, Nate's team was ambushed resulting in multiple casualties and multiple valor awards for his team.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
00:00:00 Intro | SOTACC
00:08:46 JTAC Priorities
00:16:49 Special Forces Attachments
00:21:41 Sketchy Partner Forces
00:25:15 ANA Commandos
00:29:14 ISIS Enters Afghanistan
00:35:19 Special Forces 18X Program
00:42:41 Special Forces Specialties
00:48:02 Choose Your Own Adventure
00:51:37 Tab Protectors
00:54:46 Mountaineering Teams
00:58:45 Deployment to Mongolia
01:00:26 Fast Rope | SPIE
01:05:45 Last Field Op
01:11:56 Ambush in Tarin Kwot
01:26:03 Grenade Attacks
01:28:10 Processing Info Like a JTAC

Ep. 188 | David Walton | Army Special Forces and Armored Cavalry Officer Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Dr. David Walton is a retired Special Forces officer with 25 years of experience as a Green Beret. With deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and global assignments across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, Dr. Walton brings invaluable insights to national security conversations.
Walton also teaches National Security Studies and Executive Leadership, with expertise in Security Strategy, Organizational Culture, and Human Performance. As a Subject Matter Expert in Special Forces Assessment and Selection, he remains at the forefront of the discussion. Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Dr. David Walton, offering unique perspectives on Special Forces and academia.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
Dr. Walton's site
https://tfvoodoo.com/
00:00:00 Intro
00:03:58 Defeatist Attitudes
00:07:17 Misinformation about the Military
00:14:18 Changing Base Names
00:22:49 Armored Cavalry Officer
00:28:46 Officer Combat Training
00:32:19 Joining Special Forces
00:35:53 Special Forces Selection
00:42:17 Changes in Green Beret Selection
00:50:59 The "Why?" Generation
00:54:15 Why People Aren't Reenlisting
01:01:17 Bring Back Meritocracy
01:07:08 It's a Great Time to be a Green Beret
01:11:47 Green Beret Afghanistan Missions
01:18:31 SF vs SFAB
01:24:02 Expectations
01:25:58 Military Mafia
01:30:00 NCO's are the Backbone
01:36:23 Should College be Required for Officers?
01:51:03 Politics in the Military

Ep. 187 | Gary Edgington | FBI Joint Terror Task Force and Southern California Local Law Enforcement Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

Gary Edgington, a law enforcement and counter-terrorism veteran, hails from a family of dedicated officers. His law enforcement journey, both inspiring and harrowing, began at the LA Sheriff’s Academy, where he suffered a personal tragedy when his father was killed in the line of duty during his third week of training.
Undeterred by his father's death, Gary served in several Southern California departments before serving as a Special Agent with the California Department of Justice. Gary also served with the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force and lead a multi-agency counter-terrorism task force.
Post-retirement, Gary didn't slow down. He served in Iraq as a counter-terrorism expert.
Support the show
https://patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://jcramergraphics.com
https://ANGLICOshop.com
Gary's Website
https://garyedgingtonauthor.com
00:00:00 Intro | Pioneer Family
00:08:22 Becoming a Police Officer
00:16:07 Knife Attacks
00:19:37 Police Sidearms
00:23:53 Changes in Crime and Policing
00:28:26 2nd Amendment
00:33:34 Effective Law Enforcement
00:37:53 Investigations with Internal Affairs
00:41:06 Getting Fired as a Cop
00:45:19 Police Abuse
00:50:42 Don't Hesitate
00:52:25 From Local Cop to Special Deputy US Marshal
00:56:24 Technology and Law Enforcement
01:02:13 Politics in Law Enforcement
01:10:08 Is This A Witch Hunt?
01:13:32 Never Embarrass the Bureau
01:20:21 Investigating Domestic Terrorism
01:27:14 Need to Know
01:33:29 9/11 Changed Information Sharing
01:37:44 Military Contractor
01:48:15 Writing a Book

Clip 020 | Fratricide in Afghanistan | JTAC Calls in His Own Position to A-10 Aircraft May 18, 2023

Show notes

In this heart-stopping clip from Episode 183 of the Former Action Guys Podcast, we take a deep dive into the experience of Ryan Stevens, a former Marine JTAC. During a close-quarters confrontation with the enemy on his maiden deployment with MARSOC, Ryan inadvertently relayed his own position for an air strike. The resulting A-10 gun-run led to a catastrophic impact on friendly forces. Despite this tragic misstep, Ryan demonstrated exceptional resilience, undertaking two additional deployments with MARSOC and another four with DEVGRU. Tune in to hear Ryan recount this fateful incident and its profound consequences.
Support the show
patreon.com/formeractionguys
jcramergraphics.com
ANGLICOshop.com
Ryan's site
fullarmorfarm.com
Email
jcramermedia@gmail.com

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