Today we have a once in a lifetime interview with Medal of Honor recipient Ryan Pitts, who truly earned this prestigious award in the mountains of Afghanistan fighting off a very dedicated, organized, and determined enemy force. Ryan and I connected thanks to the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, a non-profit helping to share lessons of leadership from Medal of Honor recipients and the values they live by with people who lead at any level.

In this episode, we dive into Ryan’s near death experiences (there are several) while downrange but we never venture far from what leadership is all about, from a private in the foxhole to a Colonel at the TOC. Ryan earned the Medal of Honor in the Battle of Wanat in Afghanistan in July 2008 when I was flying Apaches in eastern Afghanistan out of Khost. Ryan made sure some of the gun pilots from the 101st like Jimmy Morrow and John Gavreau were at his award ceremony at the White House because he felt they were a part of this effort as much as anyone (which you know this gun pilot loves to hear).

Ryan is incredibly humble for having earned this amazing award and I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend in Chicago with him, the Center for Leadership executive staff, and another Medal of Honor recipient Col. Harvey “Barney” Barnum. They were treated like royalty at a Cubs game with everyone wanting a picture with these heroes. None of that has gone to his head, as you’ll hear in this interview.

I’d also ask you to notice how he remembers the name of so many of the people he served with and how he speaks of this as a ‘their’ - collective - award and not his own. We need more leaders and people like Ryan out there and that’s exactly what the Center is doing. Please have a look for a Center for Leadership event or course near you by going to mohcenterforleadership.org.

Special thanks to Andy, Elise, Tom, Forrest, John, and all the other folks who made this event possible. With that, please enjoy a detailed description of some of the most intense combat and true heroism from living Medal of Honor recipient, Ryan Pitts.

The National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership exists to inspire, develop and empower leaders through the values of courage, sacrifice, citizenship, integrity, commitment and patriotism. Through fellowship programs, onsite training and a nationwide digital platform, we’re helping Americans of all ages learn what it means to lead with honor. Learn more at www.mohcenterforleadership.org and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn at National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, and on Instagram at @medalofhonorcfl and X at @MedalofHonorCFL.

 

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Find Ryan Pitts Online:

🥉The National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership mohcenterforleadership.org

     and https://mohcenterforleadership.org/exclusive-qa-with-the-nmohlec-education-director/

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00:49 Introduction 01:09 Medal of Honor: Ryan Pitts' Heroic Actions 01:31 Leadership and Humility: Lessons from the Battlefield 03:25 Early Life and Military Aspirations 04:16 First Deployment: Hard Landings and Combat Experiences 06:38 Joining the Military: Motivations and Family Reactions 14:10 Training and Preparation: From Basic to Airborne 22:22 First Combat Experience: Chaos and Heroism 28:17 Cho's Heroic Actions and Silver Stars 28:49 Chaos and Close Calls 29:22 Integration into Infantry 30:17 Leadership from the Bottom 32:34 Reflecting on Deployment Experiences 34:00 Facing the Reality of Combat 34:53 Coping Mechanisms and Downtime 37:30 Preparing for the Second Deployment 39:33 The Battle of Bella and Leadership Lessons 42:15 The Medal of Honor Event 55:02 Hand Grenade Range and Intense Firefight 55:36 Struggling with Injuries and Malfunctions 57:12 Leadership and Reinforcements Arrive 58:11 Courage and Sacrifice in Battle 01:03:13 Desperate Measures and Radio Communication 01:10:00 Final Moments and Evacuation 01:15:10 Reflecting on the Battle and Its Aftermath 01:18:04 Sentimental Items and Final Thoughts 01:21:26 Conclusion and Appreciation

Today we have a fascinating Combat Story with Jake Harriman who is one of those guys who makes you feel incredibly lazy for not helping hungry people in Africa (seriously) and helping to heal the divide in America, one person at a time. It’s no surprise that Jake served alongside Todd Opalski (who long time fans of the show will know as the enlisted Marine Sniper who became a Marine officer, Force Recon leader, and was then invited to serve in the most elite unit in the US Military). You can’t help but do great things if you worked with Todd! 

Jake is truly an incredibly humble but accomplished combat veteran. He’s a Marine officer who led a platoon during OIF I in Iraq where he had a life changing moment that altered the course of his life. It’s a sad but very powerful moment that anyone can relate to. He would finally be admitted into the storied ranks of the Force Recon community where he conducted a mix of recon and surveillance and direct action missions downrange, including one that I’m sorry to say involves helicopter pilots that made one particular DA really hard for Jake, but also taught him a profound lesson.

Despite many of Jake’s successes, he takes us through several moments of his life when he’s truly humbled from getting turned down at a chance to be a SEAL to being turned away from his audacious attempt to join the Force Recon community to being punched in the face by his team sergeant on an LZ.

After leaving service, Jake continued to serve in a different way. He completed an MBA at Stanford and then started a non-profit that has helped over 300K people in remote areas of Africa and, at the same time, helped fight off extremism in these areas. More recently, he created the non-profit called a More Perfect Union that’s mobilized 35K members across the US to heal deep divides in this country, looking to service members of all kinds to step in and lead, just from a different foxhole. You can find more and help at mpu.us (mike papa uniform dot us).

With that, I’m so excited for you all to hear this funny but powerful discussion with Jake Harriman. 

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Find Jake Harriman Online :

mpu.us

 

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00:00 Introduction 00:52 Introduction to Combat Story 01:11 Meet Jake Harriman 01:45 Jake's Military Journey Begins 02:33 Life After Service 03:39 Jake's Treasured Recon Paddle 05:39 Reconnecting with Todd Osky 07:38 Jake's Path to the Naval Academy 27:21 First Taste of Combat 48:37 Maintaining Calm Under Fire 50:28 A Life-Changing Encounter 55:18 The Aftermath and Reflections 01:00:01 Transitioning Out of the Military 01:03:26 Building a New Path in Africa 01:23:18 Struck by Lightning and Other Challenges 01:25:26 More Perfect Union: A New Mission 01:31:39 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Our Combat Story today is former Navy SEAL officer Josh Thurman, who spent over 12 years serving in the SEAL Teams​, including at the elite level. Over the course of 11 deployments in the post-9/11 era​, Josh led high-stakes special operations missions and nearly lost his own life on countless occasions.  

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Josh almost never joined the military and, instead, thought of becoming a religious leader, which we talk about in this episode. Instead, he would go on to lead some of the most lethal and intelligent veterans on the planet on successful counterterrorism and hostage rescue missions. 

After his military service, Josh transitioned to the tech industry in 2023, co-founding AngelQ, an AI company to protect and prioritize the wellbeing of children in the digital age. With that, please enjoy this discussion with Josh Thurman.

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Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story: 🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory 🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats... 📸 Instagram: @combatstory   / combatstory   📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial 📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

00:30 Introduction 00:49 Meet Josh Thurman: Navy SEAL Officer 03:20 From Potential Religious Leader to SEAL 05:54 Josh's Upbringing and Early Influences 10:27 Choosing the SEALs Over Other Paths 12:08 Mentorship and Inspiration 16:11 Angel Q: Protecting Kids in the Digital Age 18:45 BUD/S Training: Coldest Moments 30:31 Memorable Interactions with an Instructor 31:38 Challenges of OCS and Early Military Career 33:40 Humbling Experiences and First Deployment 36:56 First Combat Experience in Iraq 40:51 The Harrowing Vehicle Incident 47:12 Transitioning to Civilian Life and Entrepreneurship 50:04 The Mission and Vision of Angel Q 57:14 Challenges and Rewards of Starting a Company 59:25 Final Thoughts and Reflections 01:02:14 Sponsor Message: Delete Me

Today we sit down with Roberto Toncig, a retired Italian Army and former Government Executive with 40+ years of experience in the field of Defence and Security. He spent over two decades in steeped in International Relations and Security, most of them spent in challenging positions at various Italian Embassies abroad. 

In addition to Italian and fantastic English, Roberto speaks German, French, Serbo-Croatian, and Russian. In his post-government work, Roberto is an advisor at Leonardo focused on Regional Security for this global defense, security, and aerospace giant. 

We connected with Roberto thanks to friend of the show and longtime senior intelligence officer Glenn Corn. In this episode, we dive into Italy’s security organizations and get Roberto’s expert perspectives on Italy and Europe’s positioning in light of conflict in Russia and Ukraine, energy security, China, the Mediterranean, and regional stability.

With that, please enjoy this deep dive into all things security-related in Europe.

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction 00:46 Meet Roberto Tonseg: A Veteran in Defense and Security 03:19 Italy's National Security Framework 05:59 Europe's Response to the Russia-Ukraine Conflict 08:31 Challenges and Strategies for European Security 12:05 Energy Security and Immigration in Europe 18:19 China's Global Influence and Strategic Concerns 25:39 Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts 28:18 Sponsor Message and Conclusion

In this episode, we sit down with statesman and Ambassador David Miller, who shares his expansive and storied career, starting from his early days surveying economic impacts in Vietnam to his intricate experiences with the National Security Council and various international postings. We’re joined by Glenn Corn, who spent a career, much like Amb Miller, in service to the United States, but on the CIA side of the house and you get to hear what it’s like when Chiefs of Station and Ambassadors truly work together.

Ambassador Miller recounts tales of working closely with influential figures such as Nelson Mandela and Brent Scowcroft, and discusses his involvement in developing the Diplomatic Studies Foundation, which is a fascinating approach that brings wargames to Country Teams with a different outcome: Peace. Miller reflects on the challenges of delivering unvarnished intelligence and narrowly avoiding any involvement in what he could sense was a scandal that was later Watergate! 

Ambassador Miller also helped start the Special Operations Fund which directly supports some of America’s most important families, those of fallen Tier 1 Special Operators, which I know people who listen to this show will appreciate. 

With that, please enjoy this wide ranging and interesting discussion with two very storied leaders and patriots.

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Show Notes:

00:29 Introduction 00:48 Meet Ambassador David Miller 02:20 Early Career and Vietnam Experience 05:22 Insights on Military Intelligence 07:26 Navigating Bureaucratic Challenges 12:16 Watergate and Its Aftermath 15:48 Diplomatic Studies Foundation and Peace Games 21:53 Understanding the Country Team 24:29 Spec Ops Recruiting and Ambassador's Role 26:43 Embassy Dynamics and Teamwork 27:23 Current Affairs: Ukraine and Diplomatic Security 30:10 Special Operations Fund and Personal Stories 33:28 USAID and Development Programs 39:45 Memorable Meetings and Reflections 42:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 42:26 Sponsor Message: Delete Me

Today’s Combat Story is a Frontline Perspective with Tamerlan Vahabov on Ukraine's Defense, Challenges, and Future. In this interview, Tamerlan tells us about his work as a former advisor to the Director of Defense Procurement and the Minister of Interior in Ukraine. He shares his compelling journey from Azerbaijan to Ukraine, highlighting his roles in government, law enforcement, and his direct experiences with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We dig deep into drone warfare and the intricacies of defense procurement, the challenges faced by the Ukrainian defense industry, and his ongoing efforts to aid Ukraine's war effort. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the life of a man who has been at the forefront of Ukraine's struggle, providing valuable insights and personal stories that underscore the complexities of the conflict

Tamerlan Vahabov was the advisor to the Director of the Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, 2024, Head of the Reform Office and Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, 2021-2022, has held government defense industry, economy, and law enforcement positions in Kyiv, Ukraine, Lyon France and Baku, Azerbaijan.

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro 00:33 Tamerlan's Background and Early Career 01:20 Experiences During the Russian Invasion 04:23 Law Enforcement and Military Career 11:41 Challenges in Ukrainian Defense 22:35 Addressing Defense Procurement Issues 23:19 Strategic Forecast for Ukraine and Russia 24:21 Exploring the US-Ukraine Rare Earth Deal 26:59 Personal Security Concerns in High-Profile Roles 28:29 Navigating International Military Deals 34:52 Commitment to Ukraine's Future 36:22 Early Conflicts with Russia 40:09 A Message to the US Audience

Today we talk to CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer Glenn Corn who is calling in from Ukraine and dive into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with on-the-ground insights and analysis. We touch on Ukrainian concerns about being excluded from international peace talks, the mixed reactions to diplomatic efforts at the Munich Security Conference and in Saudi Arabia, and the potential implications of new Russian intelligence tactics.

We also hit on a new Russian intel covert unit, possible involvement of North Korean troops supporting Russia, recent prisoner swaps, and the evolving role of NATO and U.S. allies in the conflict. Additionally, there's a reflection on the human cost of the war, highlighting the emotional toll on Ukrainian families.

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Show Notes:

0:00 Introduction 00:24 On the Ground in Ukraine 01:27 Ukrainian Concerns and International Talks 04:33 Russian Intelligence and Covert Operations 06:40 Territorial Negotiations and Peace Talks 09:21 European and NATO Involvement 12:39 Prisoner Swaps and Diplomatic Moves 15:20 North Korean Involvement in the Conflict 17:09 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections 20:55 Sponsor Message: NordVPN

Today’s Combat Story is with our first Navy Vice Admiral, Mike LeFever, who spent 38 years in uniform supporting US National Security across the world. Rising from an Annapolis wrestler to a surface warfare officer, Mike was selected to command a strike group, would serve at the US Embassy in Pakistan as the head diplomatic officer (during the Bin Laden raid), and finished his military career as the Director of Strategic Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center, within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

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Mike has gone on to write a book about leading through crises titled End Game First: A Leadership Strategy for Navigating a Crisis, and, since leaving service, has stayed very busy with roles as a CEO for a cyber and tech company; a senior advisor and mentor at the McChrystal Group; Performance Ambassador and Speaker for Liminal Collective and Arena Labs; works on the Cipher Brief with friend of the show Glenn Corn and more.

This is a really and insightful discussion with an incredibly senior, accomplished, yet thoroughly humble leader and I hope you enjoy his sense of humor, honest talk, and experiences at the highest levels of both global affairs and military strategy as much as I did.

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Find Mike LeFever Online:

https://nationalsecurity.gmu.edu/mike-lefever/

End Game First: A Leadership Strategy for Navigating a Crisis

 

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction 00:44 Introduction to Combat Story and Host 01:03 Meet Vice Admiral Mike Lefevre 01:34 Career Highlights and Leadership Roles 02:25 Personal Insights and Experiences 02:53 Memorable Moments in Islamabad 07:07 Significant Events and Challenges in Pakistan 09:06 Reflections on Leadership and Service 09:54 Unexpected Career Path and Surface Warfare 15:04 Leading Earthquake Relief in Pakistan 19:10 Building a Humanitarian Task Force 24:14 Navigating Crisis and Leadership Lessons 32:04 End Game: Strategic Planning and Execution 35:07 Military Influence in Pakistan 35:29 Anecdotes from Bab N Abad 36:41 Building Relationships in Pakistan 39:44 The Bin Laden Raid 42:36 Post-Raid Reflections 44:00 Geopolitical Challenges and Operations 53:14 Leadership and Mentorship 55:20 High-Performance Training 57:44 Current Endeavors and Reflections 01:02:02 Personal Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Today is an amazing Combat Story as we sit down with the legendary retired three star General HR McMaster whose 34 years of service included everything from spearheading the last great tank-on-tank engagement in the famous Battle of 73 Easting to serving as President Trump’s National Security Advisor. 

McMaster has been a dream interview for our program for years and it does not disappoint. We cover so much in this episode from exactly what it felt like in the tanks on that fateful day taking on and destroying the Tawalkana Division of the Iraqi Republican Guard in minutes to leading a Cavalry Regiment that successfully and overwhelmingly destroyed Al Qaida in Tal Afar in Iraq in 2006 (it’s an amazing description of combined arms warfare) to chance encounters with world leaders like Henry Kissinger.

We spend some time discussing the General’s most recent book, At War With Ourselves about his time in Trump’s White House. It’s an amazing look inside what the West Wing is really like and the decisions that have to be made and personalities that need to be managed. Fans of this show will love this book.

We get McMaster’s perspective from the Battle of 73 Easting but if you want an even more detailed description of that battle, check out our interview with McMaster’s Platoon Leader Tim Gauthier who was a part of that fight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O10yS95ak5M

I sincerely hope you enjoy this glimpse into one of our country’s greatest and most selfless leaders as much as I did.

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction 00:42 Introduction to Combat Story 01:01 Interview with General H. R. McMaster Begins 02:34 Discussing Competitiveness and Sports 05:25 McMaster's Military Background and Family Influence 07:02 Love for History and Reading Habits 11:20 Training and Leadership in the Military 23:03 Path to Becoming an Armor Officer 30:15 Preparation for the Battle of 73 Easting 36:22 Frustration and Anticipation on the Battlefield 37:22 Encountering the Enemy: First Skirmishes 38:18 Rain, Fog, and Sandstorm: The Challenges of Movement 39:59 Engaging the Enemy: The Battle Begins 40:49 Tactical Maneuvers and Repairs 42:19 The Heat of Battle: Tank Engagements 49:24 Operation Restoring Rights: A New Challenge 51:23 The Strategy and Execution of Operation Restoring Rights 01:03:19 Reflecting on Leadership and Service 01:13:57 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Today we have a fascinating discussion with two CIA legends from the Directorate of Operations: Glenn Corn and Paul Kepp. Both served for over 30 years in the government, most of that with the CIA and both served as Chiefs of Station at some of the most important posts in the world, leading from the frontlines.

Glenn brought Paul on to discuss what’s going on in Africa in terms of Russian and increasing Chinese influence, regional players like Turkey and UAE, and specifically recent flare ups in the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC with Tutsi militia group M23 taking over Goma.

We cover what that means for the DRC, Rwanda, the people, regional players, global players, and the United States, particularly with a new administration in place.

Please enjoy this deep dive from two legends discussing a topic that both feel deserves our attention globally.

Check out our Combat Story Newsletter at www.combatstory.com/newsletter

 

Find Ryan Online:

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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction 00:48 Geopolitical Importance of Africa 02:58 Russia and China's Influence in Africa 06:17 Current Crisis in the DRC 07:11 Historical Context of the Conflict 09:02 Rwanda's Role and International Interests 16:22 US Administration's Response 24:18 Humanitarian Impact and Future Prospects 27:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts