Global Recon

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GRP 163-With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility: A Conversation with Senator Marco Rubio Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

For this week's podcast, joining me is the Senior United States Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio. Senator Rubio came on to discuss veterans who have been exposed to toxic burn pits while serving overseas. Many of these veterans are diagnosed with cancer and other rare illnesses at an alarming rate. An issue Senator Rubio is passionate about tackling is human trafficking. We discussed how to protect schools in the wake of a deadly shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Tune in.

Main Takeaways

Veterans exposed to toxic burn pits
Hunter Seven Foundation
Fixing the VA
Human Trafficking
Utilizing the national threat assessment center to protect schools
Calling out the hypocrisy of the NBA when it comes to China

If you are interested in supporting my friends at the Hunter Seven Foundation, click here: https://hunterseven.org

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GRP 162-The Last Train to Kyiv: Insight From a Ukrainian Special Forces Soldier May 03, 2022

Show notes

We are currently working on setting up a secure payment system through an American Special Forces veteran ran organization to get donations directly to Mikko’s unit. They will be buying medical supplies, fuel, and other necessities.

Joining me for this week's podcast is Mikko. Mikko is an active-duty Ukrainian Special Forces Soldier who has been fighting the Russians since the 2022 invasion began. Mikko saw combat in 2016 as a breacher in Eastern Ukraine, working for a Law Enforcement unit in the Special Operations Group. He transferred into a specialized role sending him overseas, where he was in charge of a K-9 section.

When the Russians invaded Ukraine, he was in Istanbul on his way home. It was a surreal experience as everyone was heading west out of Kyiv, and he was racing east before the Russians could encircle Kyiv. Mikko was in Bucha, a city in Ukraine when the Russians were executing civilians and witnessed the horrific aftermath. We discussed the cultural nuances between Ukrainians and Russians, President Zelenskiy, the Azov Battalion, etc. Tune in!

Main Takeaways

Apprehending criminals in the lawless eastern regions of Ukraine
President Zelensky
Serving in A Special Recconassiance Unit
Witnessing Russians Execute Civilians
The Azov Battalion
Russia Underestimating Ukraine
Mariupol

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GRP 161-Don't Rush To Your Death: A Conversation with An American Tier 1 Operator Apr 09, 2022

Show notes

GRP 161-Don't Rush To Your Death: A Conversation with An American Tier 1 Operator

Joining me for this week's podcast is retired Special Missions Operator Fred Fusco. I did a podcast with Fred five years ago. Fred spent most of his career in Special Operations, serving as a Green Beret Medic before joining the Army Special Missions Unit, where he served as an Assaulter and a Sniper. We talked about some of Fred's experiences in combat, including dealing with suicide bombers on target, conducting hostage rescue operations, and working with allied Special Operators, including the British SAS, Australian SASR, and Polish GROM. Tune in!

Main Episode Takeaways

18 Delta Special Forces Medic
Poor leadership in combat
Joining the Army's Special Missions Unit
Dealing with suicide bombers while assaulting targets
Hostage Rescue
Dealing with Traumatic Brain Injury

Connect With Fred Fusco

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https://www.ecodefensegroup.org/donate

Connect With Eco Defense Group

Kay Foye hand-forged and handcrafted an incredible knife to support the work of special operators as they train wildlife rangers on the frontlines of the rhino war. She gathered materials unique to Africa, including spent brass from the range, and combined those with a wooly mammoth tooth. Working in partnership with Eco Defense Group, Kay is bridging the gap of their secret work to ensure these vets can do what they do best in a unique place. I've never seen anything quite like it, so if there are knife collectors who want to support US Special Missions Unit vets and protect the rhino in Africa, get one now. Click the link below.

African Wildlife Knife

If you are interested in learning more about EDGE, see the link below:

www.instagram.com/ecodefensegroup

GRP 160-Sacrifice: A Gold Star Widow's Fight For The Truth Nov 11, 2021

Show notes

Joining me for this week's podcast is the Gold Star Wife of Staff Sergeant Bryan Black Michelle Black. SSG Black was killed alongside SFC Jeremiah Johnson, SSG Dustin Wright, and SGT LaDavid Johnson after their Special Forces team was ambushed on October 4th, 2017, in Niger, Africa.

After investigating the incident, the military sat down with the Black family to discuss their findings. Michelle felt the Army wasn't telling the entire truth about what happened. They blamed the soldiers on the ground while not holding senior officers accountable that sent the team after a terrorist leader without the proper support and mission planning. Michelle details what happened in her book "Sacrifice: A Gold Star Widow's Fight For The Truth" Tune in.

Main Episode Takeaways

Life as a military family
The military not holding senior officers accountable.
Overcoming adversity
Special Forces

Connect With Michelle Black

www.michelleblacksacrifice.com

Book

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GRP 159-Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change: A CIA Officers fight to bring American Allies home Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

GRP 159-Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change: A CIA Officers fight to bring American Allies home. My guest for this week's podcast is a former CIA Officer, U.S. Army veteran, and author of "Watches Without Time: An American Soldier in Afghanistan." Matt Zeller. Matt is the Co-Founder of No One Left Behind, which works to get American allies out of harm's way in combat zones.

Matt has spent months sounding the alarm and warning high-level government officials that there will be severe consequences if they choose not to act. We discussed his time in Afghanistan, his experience in getting Afghan allies out, digital Dunkirk, and much more.

Main Episode Takeaways

Working as a combat advisor in Afghanistan
Joining the CIA
The problem with the Afghanistan pullout
An Afghan interpreter saved his life during combat.
The mission of No One Left Behind

Connect with Matt Zeller

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GRP 158-Archon Ready Group: A conversation with Two Special Missions Operators Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

Episode Summary

I have two guests on for this week's podcast. They are the primary instructors at Archon Ready Group, and both served at the Army Special Missions Unit for nearly two decades. Billy Delaporte and Dan Ibach are back on with me. We talked about police shootings, police firearms training, and much more. Enjoy

Main Episode Takeaways

Weapons manipulation
Police involved shootings
Grip Matters
Stance Matters
Archon Ready Group

This Episode is Brought to you by:

Wondery-Nine Twelve

Connect with Billy and Dan:

Archon Ready Group

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GRP 157-The Object Of The Superior Man is Truth: The Story of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

Episode Summary

My guest for this week's podcast is retired Navy SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher. Chief Gallagher completed 20 years in the U.S. Navy, with most of that time spent in the SEAL Teams. He served as a Corpsman and a Sniper. During his final deployment in 2017 to Mosul, Iraq, Gallagher was the Platoon Chief. The objective during this deployment was to work side by side with the Iraqi military to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS.

It was after this deployment where a few members of his platoon accused him of committing war crimes. We walked through this deployment and what led to some of the SEALs claiming he was a war criminal. After spending time in a military prison and being mistreated by the Navy, he was acquitted of murder charges. This entire ordeal became a political point of contention which led to President Donald Trump intervening on Gallagher's behalf.

Main Episode Takeaways

Becoming a Corpsman
Joining the Navy SEALs
Defeating ISIS
War Crimes
Problems with the military justice system

This Episode is Brought to you by:

Wondery-Against The Odds: In this immersive series from Wondery, host-adventurers Mike Corey and Cassie De Pecol will share thrilling stories of survival.

Against The Odds

Connect with Eddie Gallagher:

Eddie Gallagher

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GRP 156-Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War : Special Missions Dog Handler Billy Clark Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

Episode Summary

My guest for this week's podcast is Command Master Chief Bill Clark. CMC Clark served for four years in the Marine Corps and twenty years with the Navy. He enlisted in the Navy after the September 11th attacks as a Master At Arms to become a Dog Handler. The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) recruited him. He was among the first group of trainers at the command.

Over the next 20 years, CMC Clark would deploy 11 times into combat as a Dog Handler. DEVGRU is the Navy's Tier 1 Special Missions Unit.

Main Episode Takeaways

Becoming a Dog Handler
Getting recruited into a Tier 1 Unit
Integrating K9's with an Assault Force
Afghanistan
Iraq
Spikes K9 Fund
Benny Olsen

This Episode is Brought to you by:

Wondery-Against The Odds: In this immersive series from Wondery, host-adventurers Mike Corey and Cassie De Pecol will share thrilling stories of survival.

Against The Odds

Connect With a Retired Navy SEAL's K9 Organization

Spikes K9 Fund

Connect With A Retired Special Missions Dog Handler's Dog Training Company

Patriot Dog Training

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GRP 154:Across The Fence: MACV-SOG Team Leader John Stryker Meyer Feb 24, 2021

Show notes

Episode Summary

Joining me for this week's podcast is author and Army Special Forces combat veteran, John Stryker Meyer. Meyer, served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Green Beret and member of the highly secretive unit MACV-SOG. SOG fought the secret war in Cambodia, Laos, and North Vietnam. SOG operations often ended with a ten-man team going up against hundreds or thousands of North Vietnamese troops.

Main Episode Takeaways

Running Recon Across the Fence
10,000 vs 10
Recon Team Idaho
Green Berets Missing In Action

This Episode is Brought to you by:

Wondery-Against The Odds: In this immersive series from Wondery, host-adventurers Mike Corey and Cassie De Pecol will share thrilling stories of survival.

https://wondery.com/shows/against-the-odds/

Connect With Our Guest for This Episode

John Stryker Meyers Author Page

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