Combat Story

On today’s episode we sit down for round two with Darrell Utt in an episode that is chalked full of combat experiences from his time in 2006 in Iraq and then some stories from his time in 2007 which, one day, will hopefully be a sequel to his book that’s coming out shortly: Grit to Glory. 

If you didn’t catch round one last week, Darrell grew up in a really tough home where he stopped his mother from shooting his father at one point and vividly remembered watching his mother walk out of the home for the last time. He found his way to the Army and became a Green Beret, serving in a host of different places but was able to serve as a Team Sergeant for the first time in 2006 taking a fairly junior team into Iraq. 

We left off at the very beginning of 2006 where he had just relieved one member of his team on arrival and was almost relieved himself, given a second chance by the commander. Their first successful mission is nothing short of amazing and made for the big screen so sit back and relax as you hear some amazing Combat Stories! 

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

Find Darrell Online:

@darrell.utt on Instagram

darrell-utt on LinkedIN

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📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

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📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro 00:55 Introduction to Combat Story 01:15 Meet Daryl Utt: Green Beret and Master Sergeant 03:28 First Combat Mission: A Significant Capture 04:24 The Honey Trap Operation 15:34 Executing the Plan: Daylight Hit 28:34 Morgue Day: A Heart-Wrenching Experience 44:03 The Day Everything Changed 45:00 Dustwind: A Soldier's Worst Nightmare 46:23 The Al Qaeda Rat Nest 57:16 A Mission Denied 01:12:28 The Grit Code: Principles for Life 01:15:33 Courage is Contagious 01:22:08 Book Release and Future Plans

Today we have round one of a fantastic two-part Combat Story with a former guest: Darrell Utt, a long time Green Beret and retired Master Sergeant. 

Darrell just finished writing a book (Grit to Glory) going into great detail about one deployment when he was a Team Sergeant with ODA 043 in 2006 to Iraq that includes all the highs and lows of leading a team of elite Green Berets. 

We met with Darrell two years ago for an episode (#74) watched by over a 100K+ people and this time around we get into more of the moments, experiences, and emotion in some of the fighting that Darrell has unearthed while writing the book.

If you pre-order his book before Veterans Day (2024), you get a signed copy of the book and one of the coolest challenge coins you’ll find. Pre-order the book at ballastbooks.com/purchase/grit-to-glory/. You can find Darrell on the socials at darrell.utt on Instagram or darrell-utt on LinkedIN.

If you haven’t seen the first episode, don’t worry, you’ll get all the context you need in this one to be up and running and I’m sure you’re going to enjoy his very real, raw, and down to earth storytelling as much as I did.

Darrell on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/darrell.utt/?hl=en

00:00 Intro

00:35 Darrell Utt Bio

03:09 Writing the Book: Challenges and Inspirations

10:12 Morgue Day: A Haunting Memory

19:26 Growing Up: Building Grit and Resilience

21:15 Family Struggles and Finding Strength

32:44 Military Path: From Humble Beginnings to Special Forces

44:53 The First Marine in the Family

45:16 Mentorship and Military Service

45:48 Challenges in Joining the Marine Corps

47:48 Receiving the Green Beret

50:28 Reconnecting with Influential Figures

54:08 Operation Ugly Baby: The Initial Invasion

01:06:05 Cultural Encounters and EPW Camp

01:18:03 Navigating Mosul and Military Strategy

01:26:13 Strategic Reflections and Military Planning

01:27:18 Looted Infrastructure and Insurgency

01:29:04 Early Signs of Trouble in Iraq

01:31:11 The Ba'ath Party Dilemma

01:33:22 WMDs and Misconceptions

01:35:27 2006: A New Team and Mission

01:47:20 Challenges and Leadership Decisions

02:03:57 Owning Up and Moving Forward

02:07:44 Conclusion and Upcoming Content

#usarmy #veterans #combat #specialforces

Today we have our second account of the brutal fighting within the Arghandab Valley in Afghanistan from Will Yeske, a former 82nd Airborne RTO at the time. Will went on to write the book Damn the Valley: 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2/508 PIR, 82nd Airborne in the Arghandab River Valley Afghanistan.

Will recounts his experiences fighting and surviving in this brutal location in Afghanistan which takes place at the same time (and just across the river) from the same experience faced by our former guest Andrew Bragg who was in Charlie Company. The IEDs, the suicide bombs, and more come to life in both this interview and the book. 

Since leaving the service Will has gone on to write two books and, despite initially dropping out of college, now has an Ivy League degree. When many other kids in their mid-20s were partying and living it up, he elected to serve and, one year later, found himself fighting for his life. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy the multiple combat experience Will shares with us in this episode and, if you’re like me, will be getting your own copy of the book.

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

Find William Yeske Online:

Book https: https://www.amazon.com/Damn-Valley-Airborne-Arghandab-Afghanistan/dp/1636243657

@damnthevalley on social

William Yeske on LinkedIN

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

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📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro 00:28 Introduction to Combat Story 00:47 Will Yeske's Background and Book 02:09 Connecting with Andrew Bragg 02:42 Experiences in the Argandab Valley 04:10 Writing and Sharing War Stories 06:35 Memorable Artifacts and Stories 08:55 The Brutality of the Argandab Valley 15:03 Joining the Military: Will's Journey 26:42 First Combat Experience 39:56 Mission Overview and Initial Challenges 40:29 Controversies and Unpublished Accounts 41:26 Hard Moments in Argandob 42:23 IED Incidents and Minefields 49:27 Command Changes and Midtour Leave 01:00:26 Courage and Bravery in Combat 01:03:59 Writing the Book: Challenges and Reflections 01:08:03 Sentimental Items and Lucky Charms 01:10:27 Final Thoughts and Future Projects

Today we hear a Combat Story from Marine Officer and US Army Special Operations Command (or USASOC) leader Varpas de Sa Pereira (de SA Pur-rare-a). His book Warrior Withdrawal: When BAMF No Longer Means Bad*$$ M^ther#u@!er is a great read for anyone trying to understand why so many of veterans - myself included - face challenges transitioning out of the military outside of just PTSD. 

Varpas faced combat many times, deploying time and again with a variety of units in search of some "thing" he was missing. He was finally fully engrossed in the ‘system’ and had trouble pulling himself out of it. After 15 years of service, including time in USASOC at the tip of the spear, he finally retired and went back to school to study clinical psychology, where he realized what he had experienced was not abnormal. Many veterans, for whom being a warrior is ingrained in their psyche, struggle to adapt to life outside the military, often leading them to mental health challenges. Varpas coined this as Warrior Withdrawal Syndrome and now works as a psychotherapist to help veterans facing difficulties in their newfound lives.

In this episode we talk through several of his combat experiences in Iraq and some really challenging experiences that officers often face in making life and death decisions in very ambiguous environments.

He is currently a staff psychologist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he provides mental health care to veterans and their families. You can get his book Warrior Withdrawal on Amazon. With that, please enjoy this unique interview with Varpas.

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

Find Varpas Online:

Instagram, LinkediN, X : @drvarpas

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

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📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro 00:49 Introduction to Combat Story 01:08 Meet Varpus Desaparara 01:56 Warrior Withdrawal: Understanding Veteran Challenges 02:40 Varpus' Unique Background 02:59 The Meaning Behind the Name Varpus 04:45 Family History and Military Service 07:45 The Concept of 'Left of Boom' 09:38 The Transition from Military to Civilian Life 15:30 The Making of a Marine Officer 18:16 First Deployment Experiences 28:00 General's Aide and Beyond 37:13 Reflecting on Regret and Mental Health 38:38 Memorable Events from the First Deployment 40:35 Taking Initiative and Facing Challenges 41:47 Combat Realities and Leadership Decisions 43:28 Navigating Friendly Fire and Tactical Decisions 48:32 Moral Dilemmas and Command Conflicts 55:44 Career Progression and Special Ops Aspirations 01:06:31 Leadership Reflections and Personal Growth 01:12:25 Leadership Challenges in Fallujah 01:14:01 IED Strikes and Quick Reaction Force 01:16:03 Engaging the Enemy and Emotional Toll 01:24:47 Transitioning to Regiment and Family Sacrifices 01:29:07 Special Operations and Missed Opportunities 01:33:42 Warrior Withdrawal and Psychological Impact 01:45:38 Reflections and Moving Forward 01:50:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

On today’s Combat Story we have a deep dive into intense fighting that took place in Afghanistan in the treacherous Arghandab River Valley with Andrew Bragg, a former Army infantryman who served back to back tours to two distinct places in Afghanistan, both with plenty of kinetic activity.  

Andrew’s book The Devil’s Playground is about one of his deployments with the 82nd Airborne to the Arghandab River Valley where his unit experienced 50% casualties, including 6 KIA. Andrew traveled the country in his car to interview members of his unit from 12 years prior, many of whom had not seen each other since. Their common bond was the impact that the Valley had on each of them.

I think you’re going to really enjoy this recounting of some incredibly challenging fighting experienced by just one of several units to survive the ‘Dab with Andrew Bragg.

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

Find  Andrew Bragg  Online:

Book The Devil's Playground: The Story of Two Charlie and The Arghandab River Valley https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Playground-Charlie-Arghandab-Valley/dp/1636244718

Find Ryan Online:

 🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story: 

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📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro 00:30 Introduction to Combat Story 00:49 Meet Andrew Bragg 02:06 The Devil's Playground 02:59 Andrew's Journey to Reunite with His Unit 04:16 The Heavy Toll of Combat 04:57 Andrew's Early Life and Military Beginnings 05:45 First Deployment with the 173rd 06:35 The Impact of 9/11 07:14 Writing the Book: A Collective Effort 07:38 Reuniting with Fellow Soldiers 12:50 The Argandab River Valley Deployment 14:34 The Harsh Realities of War 22:12 The Aftermath of Combat 32:40 A New AO: The Argandab River Valley 41:08 Arrival During Hibernation 42:09 Learning the Terrain and Locals 43:07 The Return of Conflict 43:49 Escalation and IED Threats 45:30 Close Calls and Ambushes 48:47 Operation: Loveless Shot in the Face 54:29 The Valley's Grip 59:05 Reflections and Reunions 01:11:08 The Healing Process 01:20:15 Final Thoughts and Book Release

Today we have our first Combat Story from a Swedish Special Operations soldier and intelligence professional, Max Lauker. Max spent 20 years in the elite Swedish forces and was a plank holder for one of the predecessor units to what later became Sweden’s Special Operations Group.

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

He served multiple deployments that we cover in this episode in what I’ve coined as four missions and a funeral to dig into more of the combat experiences and lessons while also touching on loss that comes with this line of work.

Max takes us through time fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, solo and team deployments to Latin America, doing full cycle cross-border reconnaissance missions in the Balkans, to lonely and frankly frightening intel work in Eastern Europe and Russia. This is just a bit of the action that Max writes about in his upcoming book that he co-wrote with Antonio Garcia titled ‘Number 788: My experiences in Swedish Special Operations - preparing for NATO and the War on Terror.’

I think you’re really going to enjoy this chat with our first Swede on this show, Max Lauker.

Find Max Lauker Online:

https://www.amazon.com/Number-788-experiences-Operations-preparing/dp/1804514233

Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

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📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction 00:36 Welcome to Combat Story 00:56 Meet Max Lauker: Swedish Special Operations 03:53 Growing Up in Sweden and Military Service 06:48 Choosing the Ranger Path 08:06 Swedish Special Operations Community 11:20 Joining the Arctic Rangers 15:34 Selection Process for Special Purpose Units 22:41 First Deployment: Latin America 29:16 Unexpected Mission in Venezuela 33:38 Team Deployment in Colombia 38:09 Official Mission in Kosovo 40:01 The Full Circle Mission in Kosovo 41:19 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Operations 44:22 Cross-Border Tensions and Discoveries 47:30 Reflections on the Kosovo Mission 49:22 Transition to Iraq: A Dangerous Deployment 52:50 Afghanistan: Intel and Direct Action 57:26 Lonely Intel Work in Eastern Europe 01:10:54 The Challenges of Counterintelligence 01:15:27 Writing the Book: A New Mission 01:20:06 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Today on Combat Story we have our second interview with 32 year veteran and retired Special Forces Sergeant Major Randy Surles, who entered the Army in 1987 and retired in 2019. In round one we covered Randy’s jump into Panama where he broke his leg and had to crawl for seven hours to safety, his transition into Special Forces from the Ranger Regiment, and attending Lancero school in Colombia, which you can think of as a more dangerous Ranger School (entirely in Spanish!).

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

In this episode, we dive into his time leading Green Berets in the post-9/11 era in Afghanistan where he saw mulitple combat deployments. Randy now helps veterans write their own memoirs as a ghostwriter with the aptly titled website The Military Editor. With that, please enjoy our second interview with Randy Surles.

Find Randall Surles Online:

https://militaryeditor.com/

https://thestoryninjas.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-surles-military-editor-mfa-creative-writing-5bbbbb66/?trk=public_post_main-feed-card_reshare-text

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story: 

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📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro 00:34 Introduction to Combat Story 00:53 Randy Searles' Military Journey 01:49 Lancero School Challenges 02:38 Jungle Survival Training 12:10 Mission in South America 17:34 Early Deployment to Afghanistan 41:19 Adapting to New Equipment and Strategies 42:16 Unexpected Challenges and Base Management 44:56 IED Encounters and Tactical Adjustments 49:20 Leadership and Tactical Raids 54:30 Hostage Rescue in Colombia 01:10:51 Military Editor and Skill Bridge Program 01:19:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Today on Combat Story we have our first of two interviews with 32 year veteran and retired Special Forces Sergeant Major Randy Surles, who entered the Army in 1987 and retired in 2019. Randy saw combat early on in Operation Just Cause as a Ranger and then again for several rotations post-9/11. 

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

In this episode, we cover Randy’s experience in Panama and attending Lancero training in Colombia which you can think of as something like Ranger school without any safety nets!

In round two, we dive into his time leading Green Berets in the post-9/11 era. Randy now helps veterans write their own memoirs as a ghostwriter with the aptly titled website the military editor. With that, please enjoy our first interview with Randy Surles. 

Find Randall Surles Online:

• https://militaryeditor.com/
• https://thestoryninjas.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-surles-military-editor-mfa-creative-writing-5bbbbb66/?trk=public_post_main-feed-card_reshare-text

🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

• 🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory
• 🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/
• 📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
• 📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
• 📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus
• 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Intro 00:29 Introduction to Combat Story 00:48 Meet Randy Searles: Special Forces Veteran 01:21 Randy's Transition to Ghostwriting 11:36 Randy's Early Life and Military Aspirations 12:13 Evacuation from Iran 20:00 Joining the Military 25:17 Ranger Training and Sniper School 29:35 Life in the Barracks 31:01 Ranger School Challenges 35:37 Operation Just Cause 44:23 Injury and Recovery 52:32 Transition to Green Beret 01:03:44 Struggles with Weapon Assembly 01:05:14 Facing the Q Course Challenges 01:06:12 Mastering Mortars and Anti-Aircraft 01:06:52 Language Course and Deployment 01:07:11 Unexpected Armor Duties 01:10:08 Volunteering for Lancero School 01:20:38 Surviving Lancero School 01:32:04 Combat Stories and Future Plans 01:33:04 Listener Feedback and Closing Remarks

In this episode of Combat Story, we hear from Beth Sanner, a former senior CIA analyst and President's Daily Brief (PDB) briefer to President Trump. Beth previously served as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration, the Director of the PDB and as Vice Chair of the National Intelligence Council.  

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

Beth also held several senior leadership positions in the CIA’s Directorate of Analysis, including leading the analytic effort on South Asia and serving as the deputy for analysis for Russian and European affairs. In this episode, we cover her time as a briefer to Trump, her stint with the NSC, her position at CIA covering Russia and Eurasia shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, and leading the Career Analyst Program (the training program for all CIA analysts). 

The PDB Briefer is a prestigious position and not a political appointee. We also interviewed former military analyst and PDB Briefer to President Obama Michelle DiGruttolo if you’re interested in hearing her perspective as well.

With that, I hope you enjoy this fascinating inside look at the upper echelons of the analytic side of the CIA as much as I did.

Find Ryan online:

🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/

📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Introduction and Host Background 00:57 Guest Introduction: Beth Sanner 02:18 Beth's Career and Analytical Process 05:49 Consultancy and Expertise 09:41 Early Life and Influences 13:51 Career Path and Key Positions 32:15 Mentorship and Leadership 38:05 Logistics and Program Growth Challenges 39:13 The Role of Note Takers in High-Stakes Calls 41:17 Experiences Aboard Air Force One 43:04 Becoming a Presidential Daily Briefer 53:36 Building Trust with the President 55:47 Handling Personal and Professional Challenges 01:00:01 The Human Side of Intelligence Work 01:11:36 Reflections and Final Thoughts

Today we have round two of our incredible Combat Story with John Dailey, the former Marine Force Recon operator who was one of the very few selected to help stand up what was known as ”Detachment One,” which would lead to the creation of the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) that we know today. 

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

If you missed Round 1, John grew up on the east coast hunting and shooting and, in the ninth grade, visited a Marine recruiter who took him under his wing until it was time to enlist. He went straight into a sniper unit and then served as a Marine Security Guard at Embassies in Hungary and Argentina before joining Force Recon. On 9/11, John was in a bar in Australia with a Marine Expeditionary Unit when he saw the towers come down. He and his Force Recon unit were sent directly to Afghanistan where they took the fight to the Taliban months after the attacks. 

This second round interview picks up after John returns from this first deployment and sets the ground for his book that will be released in August 2024, aptly titled ‘Tough Rugged Bastards: A Memoir of a Life in Marine Special Operations’ that describes both John’s experiences and the beginning of MARSOC from his perspective on the ground. I hope you enjoy this experience of combat and the weight of the Marine Corps on the shoulders of a small group of men like John, as much as I did.

Find John Dailey Online:

https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Rugged-Bastards-Special-Operations/dp/163758735X

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story:

🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/

📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory

📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Show Notes:

00:00 Dramatic Baghdad Arrival 00:48 Introduction to Combat Story 01:07 Meet John Daly: Marine Force Recon Operator 01:21 John Daly's Early Career and 9/11 Experience 05:26 Training the Next Generation of Marines 07:46 Forming Detachment 1: The Birth of MARSOC 10:22 First Deployment Challenges and Intel Operations 17:27 Hunting High-Value Targets in Iraq 30:45 Guarding the Vice President 31:32 Interrogation and Intelligence Gathering 34:43 The Final Mission 38:42 Reflections on Service 41:39 Writing the Memoir 48:04 The Sniper Story 57:03 Sentimental Keepsakes and Final Thoughts 59:36 Conclusion and Listener Comments