Combat Story

🎖️ From Marine Sniper to Army Special Operations Veteran | Erick Miyares' Unbelievable Combat Story 🇺🇸. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Erick Miyares — a retired Special Operations soldier who began his journey in the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to serve in the Army's 7th Special Forces Group and an Army Special Missions Unit under U.S. SOCOM. Eric takes us deep into the realities of war, from the jungles of Central and South America to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. He opens up about taking a life, losing brothers, living with post-traumatic stress, and finding healing and purpose after decades in the shadows. This is more than a combat story — it's about resilience, identity, and redemption. Eric's transition from elite soldier to PhD student in Cyber Psychology shows how warriors continue to serve even after the battlefield. 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The truth about life inside Special Operations How elite warriors process trauma and rebuild What it's like to order a kinetic strike — and live with it Lessons in discipline, humility, and healing from a 30-year veteran The mindset of those who operate in the world's most dangerous environments

💡 About Eric Ez Miyares:

Retired U.S. Army Special Operations veteran Former Marine Corps sniper Served in Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond Now a PhD candidate in Cyber Psychology, studying cognitive resilience Advocate for mental health and veterans' reintegration

💬 Support & Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling with post-traumatic stress, reach out for help. You are not alone. 👉 Visit VeteransHelpGroup.com or call (855) 231-6144.

🎙️ About Ryan Fugit:

Ryan is the creator and host of Combat Story, a podcast that captures the firsthand accounts of combat veterans, and Restricted Handling, which explores authoritarian activity and international security through conversations with world-class experts. Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.

Find Erick Miyares :

📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erick-miyares/

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti

📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti

🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature: / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

🛒 Email [email protected]

📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory

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

Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

📘 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Eric Ez Miyares 01:00 – Marine Corps beginnings & escaping the streets of Miami 02:00 – Lessons learned from the Corps: discipline and humility 03:00 – The weight of pulling the trigger and ordering strikes 05:00 – Facing death in the Middle East and processing fear 07:00 – Living with Post-Traumatic Stress (without the "D") 08:30 – Opening Pandora's Box: therapy and healing 10:00 – Rediscovering purpose through resilience and service 11:00 – Sacrifices of family life during decades of deployments 13:00 – Cognitive fatigue and the toll of 20 years at war 14:30 – Finding brotherhood, connection, and purpose after combat 15:30 – The dual life: operator and intelligence professional 17:00 – The veteran bond and the humor that keeps them going 18:00 – The lighter side: local food, culture, and MRE memories 20:00 – Healing, time, and reflecting on legacy 21:30 – Lessons learned and why he'd serve again 23:00 – Closing reflections on purpose, family, and discipline

Marine Raider LtCol Ivan Ingraham (USMC, Ret.) takes us deep inside one of the most intense firefights of the Afghanistan War — when his convoy rolled into the Green Zone and an RPG bounced off the hood of his Humvee before exploding behind him.

In this unforgettable episode of Combat Story, Ivan shares what it really feels like when all hell breaks loose. From the chaos of a full-blown ambush to the calm, deliberate decisions that saved his Marines' lives, this story captures the courage, clarity, and leadership forged only through combat.

Ivan spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, serving as both a conventional infantry officer and later as a Special Operations Marine Raider with MARSOC. Across five combat deployments to Afghanistan, he led elite units under fire, trained the next generation of Recon Marines, and later turned his hard-won lessons into writing, speaking, and leadership coaching.

This is more than just a war story. It's about courage under fire, the weight of command, and finding purpose after the battlefield.

🔗 Connect with Ivan Ingraham

🌐 Official Website: ➡️ https://ivanfingraham.com

📰 Substack Newsletter – The Log Book ➡️ https://ivanfingraham.substack.com

📘 Books by Ivan F. Ingraham

➡️ Once We Pledged Forever: A Novel of Combat, Marines and the War Within

https://www.amazon.com/Once-We-Pledged-Forever-Marines/dp/1958861669

➡️ Dream Job

https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Job-Ivan-F-Ingraham-ebook/dp/B0CW18V16F

➡️ Athena: Bravery Knows No Gender

https://www.amazon.com/Athena-Ivan-F-Ingraham-ebook/dp/B0BLT469Y4

➡️ 22: A Journey to The Edge of Darkness

https://www.amazon.com/22-Darkness-Ivan-F-Ingraham/dp/B0C2RYRYFW

➡️ The Patrol: A Story of MARSOC at War https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/137341905-the-patrol-a-story-of-marsoc-at-war

📚 Amazon Author Page (Full Catalog): ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ivan-F.-Ingraham/author/B0BCL7NGS3

💬 Facebook: ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/IvanFIngraham

📸 Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/ifi_writer

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/

📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/

🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqnKAUUOCDmJZPWrMf9NZ

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sniper-vs-sniper-battle-killing-the-enemys-most/id1537933985?i=1000633686192

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature:

https://www.facebook.com/UrbanValor/posts/retired-marine-chief-warrant-officer-3-aj-pasciuti-recounts-being-in-the-middle-/602000529075284/

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course:

https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758

🧭 CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: RPG Ambush & Chaos in the Green Zone

03:15 – Ivan Ingraham's background and upbringing in a military family

07:20 – Why he joined the Marines and the recruiting story that changed everything

12:10 – Lessons from OCS and The Basic School: what makes a Marine officer different

18:00 – Becoming an Infantry Officer and early deployments with 1/4

25:30 – Transition to Recon and the path toward Force Reconnaissance

34:00 – September 11th: where Ivan was when the towers fell

37:45 – Early years of the Global War on Terror and Recon's evolving role

41:00 – The creation of MARSOC and Ivan's move to Marine Special Operations

51:30 – Inside MARSOC's first deployments: structure, culture, and combat readiness

1:07:00 – The firefight: RPG hits the convoy and "all hell breaks loose"

1:13:00 – What combat really sounds like and the chaos of leadership under fire

1:20:00 – Calling in air support and the A-10 Warthog strafing run

1:26:00 – The moment Ivan thought they wouldn't make it out alive

1:31:00 – Aftermath: reflection, loss, and lessons in leadership

1:47:00 – Writing, healing, and building "The Log Book" newsletter

1:54:00 – Life after MARSOC: leadership, loss, and finding purpose again

2:10:00 – Ivan Ingraham's advice on courage, humility, and leading through fear

🪖 ABOUT IVAN INGRAHAM

LtCol Ivan Ingraham, USMC (Ret.) is a former Marine Raider (MARSOC), combat veteran, and author. Over a 24-year career, he served in leadership roles across conventional and special operations units, deploying five times to Afghanistan and around the world.

⚡ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

✅ How a Marine Raider leads through chaos when everything falls apart

✅ What it feels like to be ambushed by RPGs in Afghanistan

✅ The difference between leadership in combat vs. corporate life

✅ The emotional cost of war and how Ivan found meaning beyond the battlefield

✅ Lessons on humility, courage, and trust from 24 years of service

In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Fugit — former Army attack helicopter pilot, CIA Directorate of Operations officer, and host of Combat Story and Restricted Handling for an inside look at a life spent on the front lines of America's wars and intelligence operations.

Ryan shares raw and insightful stories from his time flying AH-64 Apache helicopters in Afghanistan and from his years conducting global operations with the CIA's Directorate of Operations. From the intensity of combat to the complexity of modern intelligence work, Ryan reflects on the lessons, challenges, and defining moments that shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and purpose.

We also discuss his transition from public service to leading trust and safety investigations in Silicon Valley, and how his experiences inform his mission to protect people from harm in the digital age. Ryan has now created the Restricted Handling podcast featuring daily, curated insights and news on Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East and more with weekly deep dives with Ryan and former CIA legends about what's going on in the world of geopolitics, international security, and military and intelligence operations. Subscribe for FREE daily insights at www.restrictedhandling.com.

🎙️ About Ryan Fugit:

Ryan is the creator and host of Combat Story, a podcast that captures the firsthand accounts of combat veterans, and Restricted Handling, which explores authoritarian activity and international security through conversations with world-class experts. Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti

📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti

🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature: / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

🛒 Email [email protected]

📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory

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

Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Chapters: 0:00 Intro 01:53 Introduction 08:12 The Impact of 9/11 17:04 Choosing the Aviation Path 26:37 The Competitive World of Aviation 30:02 Imposter Syndrome and Military Service 37:05 Pop Culture Influences 44:22 First Unit Assignment 44:56 Early Days in the Cavalry Unit 46:09 The Battle of March 23, 2003 48:00 Life in Germany and the Desire to Deploy 50:01 First Deployment to Afghanistan 54:25 Challenges of Command and Crew Rest 59:00 Navigating Leadership and Combat Decisions 01:23:26 Reflecting on a Tragic Incident 01:24:40 Sponsor Message: Protect Your Privacy with Delete Me 01:26:07 Making Tough Decisions in the Military 01:28:44 Transitioning to Civilian Life and the CIA 01:34:38 Starting a Podcast: Inspiration and Challenges 01:52:13 Highs, Lows, and Laughs of Podcasting 02:03:01 Future Plans and New Ventures

✈️ A-10 Fighter Pilot Combat Story – Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell

In this episode, we sit down with Col. Kim "KC" Campbell (USAF, Ret.), a decorated A-10 Warthog pilot and true combat veteran. Known by her legendary call sign "Killer Chick," Kim shares her incredible story of surviving a surface-to-air missile strike over Baghdad and pulling off a harrowing emergency landing that few pilots could ever attempt. This is a raw, inspiring deep dive into leadership, resilience, and what it takes to fly and fight in one of the most iconic aircraft in U.S. Air Force history.

🎥 Deep Dive with Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell

This episode features none other than Col. Kim "KC" Campbell (USAF, Ret.), who has one of the coolest call signs imaginable. A decorated A-10 Warthog pilot, she survived a surface-to-air missile strike and pulled off a landing few pilots have ever faced in real life.

📞 Support Veterans Help Group

Go to: http://www.veteranshelpgroup.com

Or call: 855-233-6144 and tell them your buddies Ryan and AJ from Combat Story sent you.

🔥 Find Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell Online

• Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/kchawg987
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kchawg987
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkc-campbell
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KC-Campbell-106544762115864
• Website: https://kim-kc-campbell.com

🎙️ Find AJ Online

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/
• Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

🎧 Featured Content

• Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqnKAUUOCDmJZPWrMf9NZ
• Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sniper-vs-sniper-battle-killing-the-enemys-most/id1537933985?i=1000633686192
• Urban Valor Facebook Feature: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanValor/posts/retired-marine-chief-warrant-officer-3-aj-pasciuti-recounts-being-in-the-middle-/602000529075284/
• DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758

⚡ Subscribe for more Combat Story episodes highlighting the courage, resilience, and leadership of warriors who've lived it.

In remembrance of the attacks on September 11th, 2001, we have a special guest on the show, and for the first time in our Combat Story community, we'd like to introduce Darin Kinder — Former Secret Service Agent • 9/11 Survivor.

Darin Kinder brings a rare blend of courage, clarity, and conviction from years spent navigating the world's most high-pressure moments. As a former Secret Service Agent and survivor of the 9/11 attacks, he uses his story to help individuals and leaders live with bold purpose and unwavering resilience.

Author of Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man's Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11, Darin invites listeners to reframe how they live—seeing everyday work not simply as provision, but as purpose in motion. His own experience, assisting, evacuating, and enduring on that fateful day, embodies the idea that courage is always a choice.

Darin's story is one of heroism and humility—his actions during the 9/11 attacks earned him the Secret Service Medal of Valor. As the founder of Fierce Comms, based in Dallas, Darin empowers people to rediscover mission and meaning—not just in what they do, but why they do it. Through keynote talks and multi-session seminars, he challenges audiences to "get their suit dirty"—to choose the narrow, courageous path of sacrifice over comfort.

Join us as we sit down with Darin Kinder—a man who invites us to embrace the grit of life, unlock purpose in our work, and live courageously, even when the world tells us we can't.

Find Darin Kinder Online:

🔗 Website: https://www.darinkinder.com/

📸 Instagram / darinkinder

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti

📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti

🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn... 👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature: / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

🛒 Email [email protected]

📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory

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

📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Chapters:

00:40 Introduction 00:59 Meet Darren Kinder: 9/11 Survivor and Secret Service Agent 02:47 The Story Behind 'Bury Me In a Dirty Suit' 07:17 Darren's Path to the Secret Service 11:06 Inside the Secret Service: Training and Missions 24:20 First Days in New York: Pre-9/11 Assignments 30:58 Isolation and Law Enforcement Collaboration 31:24 AJ Pesi's Story and New Book Announcement 32:46 Recounting 9/11: Initial Impact and Evacuation 35:59 Heroic Efforts and Personal Sacrifices 45:55 Surviving the Collapse and Aftermath 56:02 Reflecting on the Day and Moving Forward 57:06 Veterans Help Group Sponsorship 58:28 Divine Intervention and Final Thoughts 01:01:47 Evacuation Efforts on 9/11 01:02:37 Returning Home and Reuniting with Family 01:04:32 Receiving the Secret Service Medal of Valor 01:05:31 Serving on the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force 01:06:23 Protecting President George W. Bush 01:07:38 Reflecting on 9/11 and Ground Zero 01:14:29 Traveling the World with the Secret Service 01:18:40 Memorable Moments and Close Calls 01:24:06 Leadership Lessons and Personal Reflections 01:30:28 Final Thoughts and Farewell

🌍 Welcome to the RH Podcast! In this special preview, host Ryan Fugit sits down with Glenn Corn — a veteran of 34 years in the CIA, State Department, and U.S. Army. Glenn has served as a multi-time Chief of Station and senior intelligence officer, bringing decades of experience from the frontlines of national security and diplomacy.

🚨 Want to get the full episode? This is just the beginning. Catch the rest of the conversation exclusively at 👉 https://restrictedhandling.com/youtube or head to our RH Spotify version here

Don't miss Glenn and Ryan's full take on geopolitics, foreign policy, and the realities of intelligence work — insights you won't find anywhere else.

🔥 Stay Connected & Support the Show:

• Subscribe for more previews and exclusive content

• Visit restrictedhandling.com for full-length episodes

• Share this video with friends who want uncensored, real-world analysis

#RHpodcast #RyanFugit #GlennCorn #CIA #Intelligence #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy #RestrictedHandling

Welcome to Combat Story. Today, I'm joined by retired Marine First Sergeant Randall Parkes—a parachute rigger in Recon, founding member of MARSOC, Drill Instructor extraordinaire, and now a leader in both real estate and defense tech—plus everyone's favorite podcaster, the man who started it all.., Ryan Fugit.

Randall's career spans from enlisting in July 2001 to a remarkable 20 years of service that took him to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa on four combat deployments. As a founding member of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, he helped shape the early years of Marine Special Operations and was named MARSOC Support Marine of the Year in 2011. He later became a Parris Island Drill Instructor, shaping the next generation of Marines, and commanded 97 Marines and Sailors during a CENTCOM deployment in 2017.

In his final active-duty role, Randall returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, capping his service before retiring on September 30, 2021. Since then, he's launched The Parkes Realty Group with his wife Heather—selling over $40 million in residential real estate—and now serves as Mission Operations Deployment Lead at Anduril Industries, helping drive innovation in modern defense technology. His academic credentials include a bachelor's in Business Management (magna cum laude) and an Master of Business for Veterans, an innovative and one of its kind program from The University of Southern CA.

Randall's combat stories are intense, unfiltered, and at times deeply personal—so much so that this is only part one of his Combat Story. We'll be sitting down with him again in the future to share his incredible role in saving lives during the chaotic fall of Kabul, a moment that speaks volumes about his leadership, grit, and unwavering commitment to others.

Let's dive in—here's part one of our conversation with Randall Parkes.

Find Randall Parkes Online:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randall_in_sandiego/?hl=en

📘 Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-parkes

🔗 Official website: https://theparkesteam.com/agent/randall-parkes

Find Ryan Online:

🔗 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

Find AJ Online:

🔗 Official website: ajpasciuti.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/

📘 Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/

📕Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction 00:48 Introduction to Combat Story 01:12 Meet Randall Parks 02:59 Randall's Early Life and Military Beginnings 04:09 Joining the Marine Corps 13:31 Bootcamp During 9/11 33:41 First Deployment to Iraq 47:30 Loaded for Battle 47:52 A Close Call with a Civilian 48:45 Cultural Differences in Handling Disabilities 49:13 A Sergeant's Tough Love 49:37 The Reality of Deployment 50:57 IED Encounter and Aftermath 57:58 A Model Marine's Worries 59:10 The Impact of Movies on War Memories 01:00:10 Returning Home to Personal Turmoil 01:04:51 A New Assignment and a Change of Plans 01:07:21 Joining MARSOC 01:10:42 Deployment to Afghanistan 01:21:47 Facing the Taliban's Mortar Attacks 01:29:58 Spotting the Enemy 01:30:33 Engaging the Mortar Team 01:31:39 Aftermath and Reflections 01:34:32 The PX Gunny Story 01:43:58 Returning Home and Getting Married 01:44:53 Drill Instructor Duty 01:48:51 Challenges and Successes as a Drill Instructor 02:04:55 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Welcome to Combat Story. For the first time, I'm joined by my new co-host AJ Pasciuti as we sit down with Will Bardenwerper—former 1-36 Infantry and Civil Affairs Officer, Princeton grad, and acclaimed author.

Will shares his journey from a finance career in Manhattan, inspired to serve after 9/11 and the example set by Pat Tillman, to boots on the ground in the Sunni Triangle during a 13-month deployment in 2006. He opens up about the realities of war, the loss of close friends, and the challenges of Civil Affairs in Iraq.

After the Army, Will became a journalist and two-time author. His first book, The Prisoner in His Palace, offers a unique perspective on the American soldiers tasked with guarding Saddam Hussein. His latest, Homestand, explores the heart of small-town America through the loss of a minor league baseball team.

Will's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Harper's, and more. I first met Will through Pat Fagan, a close friend from ROTC, and we touch on that connection in our conversation.

I'm also excited to welcome AJ as co-host—many of you will remember him from his standout guest episodes, where his firsthand experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hotspots brought unique insight and energy to our conversations. Having AJ alongside me as a regular presence will add even more depth and connection to the stories we share on Combat Story.

Let's dive in—here's our conversation with Will Bardenwerpe

Connect with Will Bardenwerper : Website: https://www.willbardenwerper.com/

The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid (https://www.amazon.com/Prisoner-His-P...)

Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America (https://www.amazon.com/Homestand-Smal...)

Will is a graduate of Princeton University, where he majored in English. His book The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid was published by Scribner in 2017. He has had Op Eds and feature articles published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Harper's, Outside, Newsweek, The Spectator, The Hill, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Denver Post, Huffington Post, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Task & Purpose.

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

Find AJ Online:

🔗 Official website: ajpasciuti.com

📸 Instagram: @ajpasciuti

📕Pre-Order AJ's Book Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harn

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction 00:43 Meet the Guest: Will Barden Warper 04:13 Will's Early Life and Education 08:34 The Impact of 9/11 and Decision to Serve 21:01 Joining the Military: Challenges and Training 28:54 The Mental Challenge of Military Training 29:40 Different Standards Across Military Branches 30:44 The Pressure of Military Exams 31:23 AJ Pesi's Story and New Book 32:44 Returning to Ranger School 35:03 Changes in Ranger School Over the Years 42:45 Deployment to Iraq: Initial Impressions 48:35 Challenges in Civil-Military Operations 52:45 The Reality of Combat and Civil Affairs 59:51 The Importance of Non-Kinetic Approaches 01:02:43 Sponsor Message: Protect Your Privacy with Delete Me 01:04:10 Honoring Fallen Comrades: Jason West and Travis Petr 01:08:47 The Impact of Tribal Relationships in Iraq 01:13:20 Writing and Reflecting on Military Experiences 01:16:31 The Story of Guarding Saddam Hussein 01:19:43 Exploring Americana Through Baseball 01:24:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Get a daily intel brief delivered directly to your email (for free) covering all things Russia, China, Middle East, and more at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/

In this episode of the RH Podcast, former CIA officer 🎖️ Ryan Fugit and multi-time Chief of Station Glenn Corn (34 years at CIA) break down the high-stakes Trump–Zelensky meetings in Washington, DC 🇺🇸 following Putin's Alaska summit 🇷🇺.

👉 Here's what you'll learn:

🔹 Why Putin skipped a key lunch with U.S. Treasury & Commerce officials 🍽️

🔹 The hidden "carrot & stick" strategy behind Trump's negotiations 🥕🔨

🔹 What Russia really wants before agreeing to a ceasefire 🚫🕊️

🔹 Ukraine's shocking openness to land swaps & the future of Crimea 🗺️

🔹 How the Russian Orthodox Church is used as a weapon of influence ⛪

🔹 Whether NATO membership for Ukraine is still possible 🌍

🔹 The threat of "gray zone warfare" ⚔️ (cyber attacks, propaganda & sabotage)

🔹 PLUS: Glenn's hot takes on spies, Cold War movies 🎬, and what history teaches us about de-escalation 📚

💡 Packed with real intelligence insight you won't hear in mainstream media. If you want to understand the future of Ukraine, Russia, and global security, this is a must-watch.

👇 Join the conversation in the comments – Do you think Putin will agree to meaningful guarantees, or is this just another stalling tactic?

📌 Timestamps

• 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions
• 02:00 – Trump–Putin Alaska meeting secrets 🕵️
• 06:00 – Security guarantees for Ukraine 🇺🇦
• 10:00 – Land swaps, ceasefire debates & Zelensky's position
• 14:00 – Russia's use of the Orthodox Church as a weapon
• 20:00 – China, Taiwan & global security flashpoints 🌏
• 22:00 – Gray zone warfare explained
• 28:00 – Cold War movie lessons for today 🎥
• 31:00 – Final thoughts & what's next

⚡ Don't forget to:

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In this unfiltered Combat Story episode, we go deep with Jason Lilley — Recon Marine, MARSOC Raider, CIA Global Response Staff, and co-creator of Savage Actual. Jason opens up about his path from a turbulent youth to serving in some of the most elite units in the U.S. military, facing the chaos of Iraq and Afghanistan, and building a new life as a creator and veteran advocate.

In this episode:

• From family struggles to joining the Marine Corps
• First Recon, Generation Kill, and the invasion of Iraq
• Intense firefights in Fallujah and Afghanistan
• Life in MARSOC and the CIA's Global Response Staff
• Losing brothers in combat and to suicide
• Using humor and brotherhood to survive the worst moments
• Creating Savage Actual with Patrick: gaming, military authenticity, and raw veteran stories

🌐 Connect with Jason:

• Savage Actual YouTube: youtube.com/@SavageActual
• Savage Actual Website: savageactual.com
• Jason's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonmlilley
• Jason's Instagram: instagram.com/reconraider79

In this episode, Jason Lilley shares his riveting journey from being a Marine grunt to working for the State Department and CIA. He details his intense experiences during the Iraq invasion, life-altering moments in Fallujah, and the camaraderie formed in the face of danger. Lily also opens up about his struggles with depression and finding purpose post-service, running a YouTube channel and podcast, Savage Actual. Watch as he discusses the highs and lows of military life and his ongoing journey to harness his experiences for a meaningful civilian life.

Timeline

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:36 Personal Struggles and Joining the Marines
• 04:15 Combat Experiences and Reflections
• 13:48 HelloFresh Sponsorship
• 15:35 More Combat Stories and Reflections
• 18:24 Loss and Brotherhood
• 29:03 Savage Actual and Patrick
• 31:27 Would You Do It Again?

📌 Tags & Keywords:

#MarineCorps #ReconMarine #MARSOC #GenerationKill #CIA #CombatStory #VeteranStories #SpecialOperations #SavageActual #Fallujah #IraqWar #WarriorMindset #MilitaryPodcast