Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we hear the Combat Story of Wes ‘H’ Hennessey, a retired Australian Special Forces Commando and 20 year veteran who deployed on numerous occasions to Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor, Somalia, to name just a few.

He fought for years at the upper echelons of the Australian special operations community and was on joint operations with US-equivalents like DEVGRU in critical missions. 

He was later recognized with two US Bronze Star Medals, one with Valor, for his efforts, in addition to the coveted Australian Conspicuous Service Medal.

Since leaving the military, Wes has gone on to become a sought after brand ambassador, public speaker, and, most importantly, Veteran advocate.

He stands out from the crowd with a down to earth, honest, and truth-to-power personality and I hope you enjoy his combat story as much as I did. Find H Online: Instagram @seven.horses.co LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-hennessey-860b1235/ Find Ryan online: Follow on Instagram @combat_stories https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Follow on Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email [email protected] Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:05 - Guest bio for Wes “H” Hennessey 1:55 - Interview begins 3:41- What US State is Queensland like? 6:24 - Aussie Commandos vs SAS 16:32 - Communication once in the elite units 30:14 - The Commando pipeline 32:46 - Kit check was a favorite 38:26 - Can you tell who will make it through selection? 47:28 - The weight of leadership 51:35 - First deployment: Somalia 56:59 - First mission outside the wire 1:03:29 - Left a boy. Returned a man. 1:12:57 - Sent to Kandahar 1:24:04 - Honing the American accent 1:27:56 - Surviving a helicopter crash 1:56:49 - When the near death experiences build up 2:01:06 - Seven Horses Co and H’s next mission 2:10:55 - What did you carry into combat with you? 2:11:45 - Would you do it all again? 2:13:07 - Listener comments and shout outs!

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear the Combat Story of Tony Brooks, a former Army Ranger with 2nd Ranger Battalion who fought in Afghanistan early in the war and in Ramadi, Iraq.

Tony's first mission was significant, being tasked with the recovery of downed chinook helicopter, Turbine 33 and The Lone Survivor, Marcus Luttrell in the mountains of Afghanistan.

His book, Leave No Man Behind, is all about this experience as the primary search and rescue element that catalogues the mission from hitting the ground, recovering bodies, and hunting for every last man to bring them home.

In this episode, we also touch on the impact of a legendary man, soldier, Ranger, and American - Pat Tillman - who had a tremendous influence on Tony (and myself for that matter).

After the military, Tony went on to become a licensed chiropractor. He married the woman he refers to in the book as 'the Unicorn' who he met as a private while stationed at Fort Lewis.

I hope you enjoy his Combat Story, and the mission to bring everyone home, as much as I did.

#rangers #specialoperations #operationredwings #veteran #veterans #combatstory #tonybrooks #2ndrangerbattalion #rangerbatt #rltw

Find Tony Online: Book Leave No Man Behind https://www.amazon.com/Leave-Man-Behind-Unrelenting-Afghanistan/dp/1635767350 Website https://www.drtonybrooksauthor.com/ Instagram @drtonybrooks https://www.instagram.com/drtonybrooks/ Facebook Dr Tony Brooks https://www.facebook.com/DrTonyBrooks/ Find Ryan Online: Follow on Instagram @combat_stories https://www.instagram.com/combatstory Follow on Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email [email protected] Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Guest bio 1:40 - Interview begins 2:06 - Pat Tillman - One of the greatest Americans of our generation 10:35 - Finding Purpose 13:19 - Why go to the Rangers? 17:00 - The Unicorn and the long play 20:00 - Parents played it neutral 23:50 - First time in Afghanistan 30:33 - Context for Operation Red Wings 37:15 - How did you feel going into your first mission? 40:07 - Fast roping onto target 49:25 - First objective - get to the crash site 58:20 - Recovering body parts 59:22 - Finding a wedding ring that meant so much more 1:06:27 - Next mission post-crash site recovery 1:13:50 - A screech you've never heard before 1:17:06 - Next mission is BDA 1:24:04 - My first experience of war was "sh*@" 1:26:28 - Finding Marcus Luttrell 1:32:13 - How close was the movie scenery (Lone Survivor) to reality 1:39:14 - Hilarious story of one of those "guys" in the unit 1:46:15 - What did you carry with you into combat? 1:47:31 - Would you go back and do it all again? 1:48:30 - How does Tony think about recent events in Afghanistan? 1:50:45 - Listener comments

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear the second round of our Combat Story with Dan Pronk, a former Australian SAS officer and medical doctor who completed four tours to Afghanistan.

In round one we covered Dan's first calling as a triathlete until he found himself in medical school, and, eventually, SAS selection. We covered some of his initial deployments.

In round two we move into the more difficult deployments Dan faced when things started getting darker, as they so often do.

We also discuss Dan's newly released book - Resilience Shield - which takes SAS resilience lessons and applies them to everyday life to thrive, much as Dan has.

Dan went on to found a multi-million dollar company - TACMED - and has written two other books: Arterial Tourniquets and Average 70kg D**khead.

Dan is the most unassuming doctor you'll ever find and I hope you enjoy this second round interview Down Under as much as I did.

Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 0:57 - Dan Pronk intro and bio 1:52 - Interview begins 4:12 - The Afghanistan pull out 10:58 - Desperately wanting to get back into combat 15:00 - Find Fix Finish for Psychological Trauma 20:43 - Third deployment "hugely kinetic" 24:43 - The Suckmeter 27:38 - The build-up of PTSD 45:36 - How to make resilience insights to bulletproof operators 55:50 - Dan's first classic car purchase and how not to make your wife happy 1:09:00 - The Unforgiving Sixty podcast by Dan Pronk's Resilience Shield Co-author 1:09:46 - What did you carry with you into combat every time? 1:11:57 - Would you go back and do it all again? 1:15:43 - Listener Comments and Shout Outs #combatstory #SAS #specialoperations #danpronk #deltaforce #jsoc #australianSAS #pathfinderjacket #killkapture #markwales Find Dan online: Website Resilience Shield LinkedIN Dan Pronk Instagram @danpronk Book Average 70kg D**khead Book Arterial Tourniquets Book Resilience Shield TacMed Delta Automotive Find Ryan online: Follow on Instagram @combatstory Follow on Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email [email protected] Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear the Combat Story of Dr. Dan Pronk, a former Australian SAS doctor who completed four tours to Afghanistan. Do not be fooled by the doctor title, Dan was on the front lines conducting hundreds of operations with the elite SAS.

This is the first of two interviews with Dan.

Before the military, Dan was a triathlete and lived what he described as an average Australian upbringing. The military put him through medical school, but he wanted to be part of the elite SAS and fought for years for a chance to just get to selection, which he eventually did.

Since leaving the military, Dan has gone on to an executive role in medical management, as well as co-owning the multimillion dollar company TacMed Australia and founding several other entrepreneurial startups.

He's written several books, including Average 70kg Dickhead: Motivational Lessons from an Ex-Army Special Forces Doctor, and Arterial Tourniquets: For Police Officers, Law Enforcement and other First-Responders. He just released a third book with two fellow former SAS operators called Resilience Shield.

Dan's also a motorhead with a love of high performance cars, leading him to own a classic Ferrari and Lamborghini. He also created Delta Automotive that builds these limited edition classic sports cars.

Dan was referred to me by another SAS leader as "legend" in the community and I hope you enjoy this first of two Combat Story rounds with Dan as much as I did.

Find Dan Online: Website Resilience Shield www.resilienceshield.com/ LinkedIN Dan Pronk https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpronk/ Instagram @danpronk www.instagram.com/danpronk/?hl=en Show Notes 0:00 - Interview begins 1:07 - Dan Pronk bio 2:13 - Interview begins 9:00 - Tough schooling and getting beaten with a cricket bat (for both Ryan and Dan) 10:25 - Dan's family military history and father who was an Army helicopter pilot 13:50 - Dan's rebellious stage, triathlons, and tough cars 19:30 - Running and that release 24:50 - "Maneuvering" myself into an elite group 29:15 - Extrinsic motivation of being a triathlete rather than being an intrinsically motivated soldier 32:30 - Shifting from college and triathlons to medical school and the military 38:15 - The "lightbulb moment" to join SAS 43:50 - Why is SAS sending doctor's through Selection? 47:10 - Motivational moment of being doubted 49:05 - Darker and harder moments of Selection 55:45 - What's it like being a Selection-certified doctor in SAS? 59:20 - First deployment with SAS as a Task Force asset 1:02:35 - First mission outside the wire as a doctor AND the gunner on a vehicle 1:06:35 - First time I got shot at "accurately" 1:10:35 - Another mission and being in contact with snipers on quad bikes and more vehicles going against the Taliban 1:12:55 - No indication of PTSD starting to seep in 1:15:10 - Another deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 (reference to the Drug Enforcement Agency aka DEA's Drug Flow Attack Strategy Team or FAST) 1:16:44 - Difficult mission and a "turning point" for Dan. "We're playing for keeps now" 1:26:45 - Dan's background in the Emergency Room and working trauma

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we hear the Combat Story of Mike Hayes, a retired Navy SEAL Team and Special Operations Task Force Commander who fought in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Bosnia over a 20 year career.

His time in uniform brought to key points in U.S. military and diplomatic history, including intersections with Operation Red Wings, the Mersk Somali pirate kidnapping, and an international treaty negotiation with Russia.

While in the Navy, Mike was one of the very few selected as a White House fellow, where he served under both Republican and Democrat administrations and as the Director for Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council.

Since leaving the military, Mike has gone on to senior roles at Bridgewater Associates, Cognizant, and VM Ware.

He's written a fantastic book, Never Enough, that we'll discuss during this interview and for which all proceeds go to Gold Star families.

Mike is a model leader and giver and I hope you enjoy his Combat Story as much as I did.

Find Mike Online Instagram @thisis.mikehayes https://www.instagram.com/thisis.mikehayes/ Twitter @thisismikehayes https://twitter.com/thisismikehayes LinkedIN Mike Hayes https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-hayes-733688/ Book Never Enough https://tinyurl.com/ybv89rdh Find Ryan Online Instagram @combat_stories https://www.instagram.com/combat_stories/ More about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Bio on Mike Hayes 2:10 - Interview begins 2:53 - Gold Star Families 4:35 - Guam and Science Fairs 9:00 - Others Before Self 16:22 - Telling a General 'No' 22:50 - What to do when you're kidnapped 33:58 - Operation Red Wings 38:02 - When to pull the trigger and when to hold 46:55 - Holding people accountable 55:08 - The White House Fellow Program 1:00:20 - Working at Bridgewater Associates for Ray Dalio 1:07:50 - Building egalitarian teams in business 1:15:00 - What did you carry with you into combat? 1:16:45 - Would you do it all again? 1:20:10 - Comments from listeners (THANK YOU!)

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we have a unique History Edition of Combat Story focused on Sparta. As you know, I'm fascinated by the experiences of warriors in combat and I've always wanted to better understand what the combat experience would have been like for veterans from history like the Spartans, Romans, or Mongols.

On this episode, we'll interview Professor Barry Strauss, an accomplished scholar, historian, and expert on ancient military history. Barry brings to life a very famous Spartan warrior named Brasidas as we dive into his combat story.

Brasidas led warriors into remarkable battles employing conventional tactics but also leveraging special operations and psychological or hybrid warfare with great success. Barry gives us a front row seat of what it was like to grow up and live in this austere, militaristic, and aggressive society we know as Sparta.

We could not have done this without Barry, who is a Professor of History and Classics at Cornell University, Series Editor of Princeton's Turning Points in Ancient History, author of eight books, and a military and naval historian and consultant.

Professor Strauss is a recognized authority on the subject of leadership and the lessons that can be learned from the experiences of the greatest political and military leaders of the ancient world (Caesar, Hannibal, Alexander among many others).

He has a new book coming out in March 2022 titled The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium.

I hope you enjoy this unique Combat Story and the dive into the world of Sparta as much as I did.

Find Barry Online: Website Author of The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium, available March 2022 Facebook Twitter @barrystrauss Podcast ANTIQUITAS: Leaders and Legends of the Ancient World Find Ryan Online: Follow on Instagram @combatstory Follow on Facebook @combatstoryofficial Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial Email [email protected] Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Crew: Guest: Dr. Barry Strauss Host: Ryan Fugit Editor: Owen Fugit ​​Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:46 - Interview begins 3:50 - Barry's background 7:18 - Facts and Fiction about Spartans 9:14 - The Greek and Persian Empire 11:23 - Beliefs and Views of Spartans and Athenians 12:20 - The Peloponnesian War 15:57 - Brasidas, Son of Tellis 18:47 - Life of a Spartan 22:52 - The Hoplites and the Phalanx 34:08 - The Spartan Way of War 35:48 - The Athenian's First Encounter with Brasidas 39:11 - The Defeat of Brasidas 50:58 - Brasidas' Greatest Coup 56:30 - Siege Warfare 1:02:09 - Psychological Warfare

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

Today we complete the second segment of our Combat Story with Chris VanSant, a retired Army infantryman, Ranger, Green Beret, and Operator in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (1st SFOD-D). 

You can hear the first round with Chris at https://youtu.be/tdSA8O_T6mE. We left our first interview with Chris at the height of his career: in the Unit, combat rotations, and close friends. We pick up in round two where things start to get more difficult and the optempo, intensity, and constant fighting begin to take a toll.

Chris describes how he overcame some very dark days that many can relate to and found new opportunities he never would have imagined. He’s gone on to become the Chief Operating Officer of TYR Tactical and is a board member for Tom and Jenn Satterly’s All Secure Foundation, both of which continue to protect those in need.

I hope you enjoy this deep dive into combat and recovery from a very humble Tier 1 operator as much as I did.

Find Chris Online:   Instagram @vansanttyrtactical  Website TYR Tactical   Board Member at All Secure Foundation (Tom Satterly’s organization)  Instagram @allsecurefoundation  Find Ryan Online: Follow on Instagram @combatstory  Follow on Facebook @combatstoryofficial   Email [email protected]  Learn more about Ryan    Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Video Edited by: Owen Fugit Show Notes 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Guest bio 1:52 - Interview begins 2:37 - Chris’ thoughts on Afghanistan 14:18 - Where does the exhaustion come from? 17:18 - What are some other interesting fear responses? 17:24 - “Fight or flight is the first response when someone thinks they may die.” 20:11 - The next deployment 30:00 - Tactics and Procedures 32:40 - Different ways to attack a building. 36:23 – When did the trauma and stress start 43:33 – Early Indicators that will help others 48:25 – Pivotal moments during combat 57:39 - “You got to understand the individuals in your charge to get the best out of them; you got to know what motivates them, what makes them tick.” 58:48 – Starting to change 1:09:04 - Key things in your journey that you try to make sure a wider audience hears 1:10:05 - “Open up. Talk to the people that matter to you. It doesn't have to be a lot. It just has to be a few.” 1:13:13 – Getting fired from the Unit 1:18:53 – Pushing yourself 1:19:11 - “There are winners and losers. A loser is just a winner that tried one more time.” 1:22:40 – Pieces of advice 1:31:11 – Getting in touch with Chris

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!

Today we complete Part 2 of the Combat Story of Ryan Hendrickson, the former Green Beret and Special Forces Engineer (18C) who served multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan and training deployments around the world, particularly in South America, as part of 7th Special Forces Group.

For those who listened to Part 1, you'll recall that we followed Ryan's unique upbringing in the Northwest that included moving frequently and, at one point, living in a tent for an entire year being raised by a single father who had a tremendous impact on Ryan's life.

Ryan first joined the Navy, where he was onboard the first ship to respond to the USS Cole attack, then served in the Air Force loading aircraft with munitions, and finally achieved his dream of earning the coveted Green Beret.

On his first deployment to Afghanistan with 7th Group, Ryan was leading a patrol clearing the path of IEDs and inadvertently stepped on an IED that changed his life.

At the end of Part 1, we left off as Ryan was coming to after the dust settled from the blast and he looked down to see two pearl white bones (his Tibia and Fibula) sticking out of his leg.

What happens next is nothing short of remarkable. If you ever felt sorry for yourself, this next session will help give perspective and an example of someone else who overcame tremendous odds to follow his dream, saving lives and inspiring others along the way.

Find Ryan H Online: Website Tip of the Spear Instagram @tipofthespearrmh Facebook Ryan Hendrickson(Rmh) LinkedIN Ryan Hendrickson Book Tip of the Spear Find Ryan F online: Instagram @combat_stories Email [email protected] Learn more about Ryan Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show notes 0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Guest Bio 1:45 - Interview begins 11:46 - Ryan is back in the moment just after the IED blast. 25:48 - The flight out of country and multiple hospital visits. 37:35 - The decision to keep your limb or go for a prosthetic. 44:18 - When Ryan started recognizing the emotional side of his injury. 49:20 - The advice the changed Ryan's perspective and his path. 58:34 - The program to stay in the Army. 1:09:21 - Returning to Afghanistan and the unlikely welcome. 1:23:20 - Taking the opportunities given (and how to escape the TOC)! 1:39:50 - Inserting into a big fight looking like a normal unit. 1:46:54 - An F-15 500lb bomb being dropped nearby. 2:01:30 - Going back for every man, including his Afghan brothers. 2:06:45 - Didn't have to go back, but you did. "Had to be done." 2:12:00 - Writing the book. 2:15:00 - What did you carry with you into combat. 2:16:35 - Would you do it all again?

Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more! 

This is a special and off-cycle edition of Combat Story. With the recent attacks and chaos in Afghanistan, I wanted to sit down with someone who spent years on the front lines in that theater and who better than John “Shrek” McPhee. Regular listeners know him well but for those who have not yet heard of him, John is also known as the Sheriff of Baghdad and spent 20 years in the Army’s Special Operations community, from Ranger Battalion to Group to Delta Force.

He retired as a Sergeant Major from the most elite unit in the US Military and now owns SOB Tactical.

As usual, Shrek holds nothing back and gives an operator’s perspective of what is happening and why this outcome was always going to be the case.  Most importantly, however, is John’s message to the thousands of veterans processing these scenes, emotions, and memories.

While I had Shrek, I took the opportunity to ask some questions we’ve received from listeners, we talk whiskey, and find out what Shrek watches on Netflix.   

I hope you enjoy this third round Combat Story with Shrek as much as I did.

#shrek #combatstory #deltaforce #specialoperations

Find John Online: Instagram @sobtactical SOB Tactical SOB TV Booze N Views Find Ryan Online: Follow on Instagram @combat_stories Email [email protected] Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus  Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

This is a special and off-cycle edition of Combat Story.  

With the recent attacks and chaos in Afghanistan, I wanted to sit down with someone who spent years on the front lines in that theater and who better than John “Shrek” McPhee.  

UPCOMING EVENT: If you'd like to attend a Q&A session with Combat Story's Ryan Fugit, please fill out this form (https://tinyurl.com/552ewmu5).

Regular listeners know him well but for those who have not yet heard of him, John is also known as the Sheriff of Baghdad and spent 20 years in the Army’s Special Operations community, from Ranger Battalion to Group to Delta Force. 

He retired as a Sergeant Major from the most elite unit in the US Military and now owns SOB Tactical.  

As usual, Shrek holds nothing back and gives an operator’s perspective of what is happening and why this outcome was always going to be the case.  Most importantly, however, is John’s message to the thousands of veterans processing these scenes, emotions, and memories.  

While I had Shrek, I took the opportunity to ask some questions we’ve received from listeners, we talk whiskey, and find out what Shrek watches on Netflix.   I hope you enjoy this third round Combat Story with Shrek as much as I did. 

#shrek #combatstory #deltaforce #specialoperations 

Find John Online:

Find Ryan Online: