This is an awesome conversation between retired Marine Master Sergeant John Dailey and I. John, and I talk about a myriad of different topics. John is a grunt, a Scout Sniper, a graduate of Ranger School, a leader in 1st Force Recon, and specifically the Team Leader of Marines involved in an ambush south of Kandahar in 2001, which was the first Marines in a decisive engagement in the entire Afghan campaign. John was instrumental in the inception and development of MARSOC. John talks in depth about his experiences not only with the teams but also with situations he experienced while in the Fleet Marine Corps and Marine Security Guard (MSG) duty. He speaks about Budapest, Turkey when the Berlin Wall came down. He talks about Scout Sniper School and a wicked prank that was played on him by the other guys at the school. John remains involved with MARSOC and is publishing a book called “Tough Rugged Bastards” about a lot of the experiences outlined in the interview.

This is an awesome conversation between retired Marine Master Sergeant John Dailey and I. John, and I talk about a myriad of different topics. John is a grunt, a Scout Sniper, a graduate of Ranger School, a leader in 1st Force Recon, and specifically the Team Leader of Marines involved in an ambush south of Kandahar in 2001, which was the first Marines in a decisive engagement in the entire Afghan campaign. John was instrumental in the inception and development of MARSOC. John talks in depth about his experiences not only with the teams but also with situations he experienced while in the Fleet Marine Corps and Marine Security Guard (MSG) duty. He speaks about Budapest, Turkey when the Berlin Wall came down. He talks about Scout Sniper School and a wicked prank that was played on him by the other guys at the school. John remains involved with MARSOC and is publishing a book called “Tough Rugged Bastards” about a lot of the experiences outlined in the interview. John edits for the Lethal Minds Journal, he has a Substack called Think, Read, Write, Repeat at jdailey.substack.com as well as an upcoming Substack called Ruck the Fuck Up at RTFU.Substack.com

This evening LtCol. Mike Allen (USMC) joins the show to talk about his career, his plans for transition, and his new venture in selling guns. Mike is set to retire in about 18 months and has already begun his transition plan. Mike entered the Marine Corps as an enlisted Logistician, ending up on an unorthodox path through the fleet Marine Corps. He would eventually attend school and be deployed as a Marine Security Guard in Kuwait City, Kuwait, and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Allen built an impressive career in the enlisted community, the Chief Warrant Officer community, and later the commissioned officer community. We had an amazing time recording Mike and we look forward to working together in the future.

This evening LtCol. Mike Allen (USMC) joins the show to talk about his career, his plans for transition, and his new venture in selling guns. Mike is set to retire in about 18 months and has already begun his transition plan. Mike entered the Marine Corps as an enlisted Logistician, ending up on an unorthodox path through the fleet Marine Corps. He would eventually attend school and be deployed as a Marine Security Guard in Kuwait City, Kuwait, and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Allen built an impressive career in the enlisted community, the Chief Warrant Officer community, and later the commissioned officer community. We had an amazing time recording Mike and we look forward to working together in the future.

Recently I sat down with Ricky Johnson Jr. for the podcast. I was turned on to his content by one of my good buddies, who worked out at the same gym. Ricky has been through a lot. As a child he talks about his “normal” being vastly different than other people. The culture in which he grew up certainly would shape some of his future. Ricky served in the Marine Corps as a bulk fueler, followed by getting out of the Corps and getting heavily into criminal activity. Everything from drugs to theft. He was left without a driver’s license, spent time in jail, and a list of felonies. Ricky talks about the loss of his son, being his call to action, his call to get better and find some sort of good from years of bad. Now, Ricky speaks publicly about his experiences, from high school football teams to United States Marines, he has spoken at more that 200 venues, and continues to make positive impacts in his community. I hope you can take something away from this conversation.

Semper Fidelis

Simul Fortior

Recently I sat down with Ricky Johnson Jr. for the podcast. I was turned on to his content by one of my good buddies, who worked out at the same gym. Ricky has been through a lot. As a child he talks about his “normal” being vastly different than other people. The culture in which he grew up certainly would shape some of his future. Ricky served in the Marine Corps as a bulk fueler, followed by getting out of the Corps and getting heavily into criminal activity. Everything from drugs to theft. He was left without a driver’s license, spent time in jail, and a list of felonies. Ricky talks about the loss of his son, being his call to action, his call to get better and find some sort of good from years of bad. Now, Ricky speaks publicly about his experiences, from high school football teams to United States Marines, he has spoken at more that 200 venues, and continues to make positive impacts in his community. I hope you can take something away from this conversation.

Semper Fidelis

Simul Fortior

I had the opportunity last year to sit and chat with Jason Rhodes a while back. Jason contacted me about coming on the show or at the least being promoted by the show. He was embarking on a walk across the country to raise awareness for PTSD. He also donated a nice CMMG rifle to the show to be raffled off as a fundraiser. Jason started his journey shortly after our meeting, today we will talk about his life and the path that led him to where he is today. He is the founder of RenoVet non-profit, where he refabricates homes and adds wheelchair accessible entries to disabled Veterans homes. In 2024 he will transition to conversion vans for homeless veterans.

I had the opportunity last year to sit and chat with Jason Rhodes a while back. Jason contacted me about coming on the show or at the least being promoted by the show. He was embarking on a walk across the country to raise awareness for PTSD. He also donated a nice CMMG rifle to the show to be raffled off as a fundraiser. Jason started his journey shortly after our meeting, today we will talk about his life and the path that led him to where he is today. He is the founder of RenoVet non-profit, where he refabricates homes and adds wheelchair accessible entries to disabled Veterans homes. In 2024 he will transition to conversion vans for homeless veterans.

From the merchant Zeno of Citium to Marcus Aurelius, we chat about the pillars of stoicism and explore the eudaimonic nature of stoic philosophy. Marc Arrington is a returning guest to the show. He was featured in episode 47 and returned to discuss China and Taiwan in episode 55. Marc is a retired Marine Raider, heavily affiliated with the Raider Foundation and several other non-profit organizations in Eastern North Carolina, greater Camp Lejeune area.

Chase McGrorty-Hunter joins the show to talk about Flashpoint Taiwan. Chase is an active duty Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and has been someone that I started to follow on social media some time ago. In the past few years a cluster of active duty enlisted Marines as well as Officers have taken to the social media scene to enhance the warfighter. As I followed I learned, and every conversation we have had, I have learned as well. Gunny McGrorty-Hunter takes us through the structure of Flashpoint Taiwan, a war game of the largest kind. He speaks to articles written, Q&A sessions, and the culmination of the games in December. If you are an active duty Marine you do not want to miss this information.