Former Action Guys Podcast

Aren Brandfass spent more than 20 years in the United States Marine Corps and served as a machine gunner, sniper, Recon Marine, Marine Raider and more. In this episode, we discuss Aren's pre-9/11 career and his decision to get out of the Marines. He then describes signing back up after 9/11 and taking part in the invasion of Iraq as a sniper with 2nd Battalion 1st Marines.

Following his deployment to Iraq, Aren was assigned as an instructor at the Marine Corps legendary Sniper School. Aren was ready to take his career to the next level by attending Basic Reconnaissance Course and joining the legendary 1st Recon Battalion.


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Larry Briar is a former Marine Infantryman that served with Marine Security Forces, 2d Battalion 4th Marines, 2d Battalion 6th Marines, and others. Briar took part in multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and aboard naval shipping.


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Travis Nardi, attending college via the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, served as a CH-46 Sea Knight crew chief and Recon Marine with 1st Recon Battalion. Travis shares experiences as a door gunner during humanitarian relief following Japan's devastating earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear disaster, detailing protective measures against radiation exposure. He later joined HMX-1 aircrew, supporting presidential movements during the 2012 campaign. Travis discusses his role instructing at Basic Reconnaissance Course, subsequent specialized training like dive school and TACP, and his 2016 deployment involving over 30 anti-piracy VBSS missions near Africa.

All It Takes link: https://www.amazon.com/All-Takes-Become-Recon-Marine/dp/1987678583


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https://www,ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys 

Bryan Buckley is a Marine Infantry Officer that served with 2nd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment and conducted one deployment to Iraq with them before joining 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. Bryan made another trip to Iraq with 2nd Recon where they were used in multiple roles ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to light infantry.

Following that deployment, Bryan requested a chance to try out and become a Critical Skills Operator in the Marine Corps Raiders. We discuss Bryan's experience with Assessment and Selection before transitioning to a discussion about his company Helmand Valley Growers Company.

Support the show:
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys
https://www.jcramergraphics.com 
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com

HVGC Website:
https://www.hvgcompany.com/ 


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Tom Gathright is a United States Marine Infantryman turned reserve naval officer. In addition, Tom has worked as a Firefighter/EMT and private military contractor. Tom served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom with 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, served as part of the guard force during a rotation to Cuba, and was also part of the recent evac of the American embassy in Kabul as the Taliban took over.

For the evacuation, Tom was working in the United States embassy in Kabul as a private military contractor and witnessed first-hand the chaotic withdrawal during the rapid deterioration of the country. He details the moment they were ordered to begin destroying classified material and the initial deployment of Marine reinforcements.

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https://www.jcramergraphics.com 
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com

Andrew Dimauro joins us this week and we talk about a multitude of things including our thoughts on Afghanistan, being prepared while visiting the wilderness, Andrew's role as a machinist, and more. Always good to have someone on that I personally served with and I'm glad Andrew made the time.


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https://www.jcramergraphics.com 
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com

Josiah Trandahl is a United States Marine Corps Reserves officer with a background in artillery. After serving with Mike Battery in Chattanooga, TN, Trandahl transferred to 4th ANGLICO out of West Palm Beach, FL.

We start the show off by talking about Josiah's brewery in Gallatin, TN and some of the hurdles he had to jump to get it opened to the public. Big Trouble Brewing is now open and I wish him well with his new business.

In addition, we discussed Trandahl's tour in Afghanistan that saw his ANGLICO team attached to the Georgian Liaison Team that worked with our allied soldiers from the former USSR state. Trandahl and his team worked out of Bagram airfield and days before they were to rotate home they were attacked with a suicide vehicle-borne IED (SVBIED) that resulted in three Marines killed in action.

Support the show:
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https://www.jcramergraphics.com 
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com

Brewery website:
https://www.bigtroublebrewing.company

Morgan Lerette joined the Air National Guard prior to 9/11 and was called to active duty to support the newly minted Global War on Terrorism. After his first deployment to Oman, Lerette provided security for expeditionary airfields during the invasion of Iraq.

Following that deployment, Lerette was approached about joining the private security firm Blackwater by a former Force Recon Marine that he met in the Air National Guard. Lerette eventually came around to the idea and worked under various contracts for 18 months. He and his teammates became familiar with running the infamous Route Irish and trying to go fast enough to throw off any IED triggermen.

During this interview, we also talk about contracting in general and some of the positives and negatives with that career path. He gives us a peek into his new book Welcome to Blackwater that gives a boots-on-the-ground perspective of the organization, mission, and lasting effects.

Support the show:
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https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys

Morgan's site:
http://welcometoblackwater.com/

Jason Angell joins us again on the Former Action Guys Podcast. This week we get into his time with 1st ANGLICO during their 2006 deployment to Ramadi. Jason and his Firepower Control Team (FCT) supported US Army forces during combat operations in one of the deadliest cities in Iraq at the time. Following that deployment, Jason returned to Iraq as part of a personal security detachment and he reflects on the changes he saw.

Support the show: 
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https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys

Kevin Shipton is a former active duty artillery officer that still serves in the United States Marine Corps Reserves (USMCR). This is in addition to his full-time job as a police officer in California. Shipton is a combat veteran and has served with 10th Marines, 6th Marines, 1st ANGLICO, and 3D ANGLICO.

In this episode, we discuss life in the USMCR compared to active duty and how Shipton felt about that transition. We also talk about his career path after the Marines that led to him being a law enforcement officer in California. Finally, we discuss different aspects of policing ranging from the effectiveness of tasers on subjects to the laws surrounding the legalization of cannabis in California.

Support the podcast and website: 
https://www.jcramergraphics.com
https://www.ANGLICOshop.com
https://www.patreon.com/formeractionguys