Global Recon

GRP 95- We know you’ve all been anticipating part two of the conversation we had with Mark Donaldson. Mark is a veteran of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and recipient of the Victoria Cross. The VC is Australia’s highest award given for valor in combat. In this segment Mark talks about running operations with U.S Army Special Forces Green Berets in Afghanistan. It was on one of these operations in which the battle took place where Mark went above and beyond the call of duty.

Mark walks us through that operation in vivid detail. The most important piece of this conversation is when Mark gives us the reality of it all when saying yes, he’s been celebrated for his actions that day, but for many it was the worst day of their lives. There are second and third effects for the family and friends of the warriors who were wounded, or killed during the chaos and confusion of that battle. It wasn’t said to dampen our moods, but to add perspective to what is generally looked at as something glamorous.

0:00-Episode overview

1:43- 2008 SAS deployment to Afghanistan, running operations with U.S Army Special Forces Green Berets.

6:20-Battle in which Mark was awarded the Victoria Cross

52:15- The realities of war, and remembering the Victoria Cross from the perspective of the men on the ground.

Follow my co-host and my pages on social media. Links below.

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

HP Lefler:

https://www.instagram.com/4runner.freyja

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

GRP 94-It’s a great honor to have United States Marine Corps Major Scott Huesing on the podcast. Major Huesing served for 24 years with 10 deployments conducting operations in over 60 countries worldwide. He’s the author of the upcoming book “Echo in Ramadi”.

Now Major Scott A. Huesing, the commander who led Echo Company through Ramadi, takes readers back to the streets of Ramadi in a visceral, gripping portrayal of modern urban combat. Bound together by brotherhood, honor, and the horror they faced, Echo's Marines battled day-to-day on the frontline of a totally different kind of war, without rules, built on chaos. In Echo in Ramadi, Huesing brings these resilient, resolute young men to life and shows how the savagery of urban combat left indelible scars on their bodies, psyches, and souls.

We discussed Transnational terrorism, Ramadi, Leadership in combat and Gold Star families.

0:00-Episode overview

2:17-Conflict in Africa, transnational terrorism

11:29-Ramadi, Iraq

18:07-Leading Marines in combat, Gold Star families

32:46-The less then 1 percent of Americans serving in combat, PTSD

47:49- Save The Brave Foundation

Major Huesing:

www.echoinramadi.com

https://www.facebook.com/EchoinRamadi/

https://twitter.com/EchoinRamadi

http://www.savethebrave.org/

Follow my co-host and my pages on social media. Links below.

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

HP Lefler:

https://www.instagram.com/4runner.freyja

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

GRP 93- It’s with great reverence that I introduce our guest for this week’s podcast. Mark Donaldson is a retired Australian Special Air Service Regiment trooper and recipient of the Victoria Cross. The Victoria Cross is Australia’s highest award for most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. It’s the Australian equivalent to our Medal of Honor.

We discussed Mark’s early life and motivation for joining the Army as he experienced a traumatic event with the loss of his mother at the age of 19. We discussed how one can turn a tragic event into a motivating force. We discussed the mindset required to train for and get selected into a Special Operations unit like the SAS, and how that same mindset can help surmount obstacles in life. We discussed leadership, the bottom-up approach, and the changing strategy and role for western forces in Afghanistan. This is part one of the interview. The second part will be released within the coming days.

Three U.S. Army Special Forces Green Berets have been killed in action this week while on patrol through western Mali, in Niger. We’d like to send our deepest condolences to the friends, teammates, and family of these fallen warriors.

0:00- Episode Overview

6:36:00- Motivation to join the Army, and later the SAS. Using the loss of a loved one to drive you forward in life.

15:51:00- “The best way to honor my mates is to come back and live a good life”-Australian WW1 veteran

28:19:00-The mindset required to make it into Special Operations and surmount obstacles in life. Training for selection.

57:06:00- The bottom-up approach. Leadership and team building. “I’m the guy on the ground I decide what I drop”-British Special Boat Service JTAC to brigade command over the radio

1:09:00- The evolution of the strategy in Afghanistan and the changing role of the special operations units.

This episode is sponsored by Abes Baumann a law firm that provides legal services and fights for the rights of disabled veterans. To learn about what they can offer you visit http://www.abesbaumann.com/vets

Follow my co-host and my pages on social media. Links below.

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

GRP 92- We’d like to send our condolences out to the family and friends of everyone affected by the horrific attack in Las Vegas. We’d want to withhold any commentary, or analysis until the facts from the official investigation come out. Chantel Taylor is back on the podcast. We touched on a variety of different topics to include situational awareness, the attack in Marseilles, France, and the refugee situation in Europe among many other subjects.

We’ll play the second half of the discussion where retired Green Beret HP Lefler and I went over the book “Five Years to Freedom” written by Army Colonel Nick Rowe. Colonel Rowe was captured in 1963 in Vietnam.

0:00- Episode overview

3:11:00-Attack in Marseilles, France. Situational Awareness.

9:11:00- Refugees in Europe.

16:55:00-SERE training in the U.K.

22:33:00-Modern Warfare compared to the great wars. Rules of engagement.

31:06:00- “Out of the frying pan into the fire”, Che Guevara

You can purchase a copy of "Five Years to Freedom" here: www.amazon.com/Five-Years-Freedom-Story-Vietnam/dp/0345314603

This episode is sponsored by Abes Baumann a law firm that provides legal services and fights for the rights of disabled veterans. To learn about what they can offer you visit http://www.abesbaumann.com/vets

Follow my co-host and my pages on social media. Links below.

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

HP Lefler:

https://www.instagram.com/4runner.freyja

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

GRP 90-Co-hosting for this episode is retired Green Beret HP Lefler. Lef spent time as an instructor at the Army’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school. SERE is a program, best known by its military acronym, that provides high-risk personnel such as Special Operations Forces, and aircrews techniques and principles to be followed if captured by the enemy.

We went over the book “Five Years to Freedom” written by Army Colonel Nick Rowe. Colonel Rowe was captured in 1963 in Vietnam. At the time of his capture, he was a Special Forces Officer working as an advisor to the South Vietnamese Forces. Prior to 1965 when large numbers of American combat troops were sent to Vietnam, only small numbers of Special Forces advisors and support personnel were in theatre. Rowe was captured alongside Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Humbert “Rocky” Versace, and Sergeant Dan Pitzer. Rowe is one of 34 American prisoners to escape captivity during the Vietnam war and went on to design the Army’s SERE program.

We also discussed the issue in Puerto Rico as they were completely slammed by a hurricane. We talked about the seemingly impossible issue we seem to have in this country where we cannot find any common ground on political issues.

0:00-Overview

3:03-Disaster in Puerto Rico

7:50-NFL controversy

19:09- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School

25:03-5 Years to Freedom

You can purchase a copy of "Five Years to Freedom" here: //www.amazon.com/Five-Years-Freedom-Story-Vietnam/dp/0345314603

This episode is sponsored by Abes Baumann a law firm that provides legal services and fights for the rights of disabled veterans. To learn about what they can offer you visit http://www.abesbaumann.com/vets

Follow my co-host and my pages on social media. Links below.

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

HP Lefler:

https://www.instagram.com/4runner.freyja

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

GRP 90-Co-hosting for this week’s podcast is U.S. Army Special Forces veteran HP Lefler. For this episode we decided to come up with some tips and ideas on how to plan for a trip into a place like Egypt. As Americans, or Westerners traveling into a country in North Africa it can be exciting and dangerous. The tips and ideas we give you are to help mitigate some of those risk.

Last week there was a training accident at the Special Forces Qualification Course in which 1 student was killed, and several other people were injured. We’d like to send our condolences out to the family and friends of 32-year-old Staff Sgt. Alexander Dalida of Dunstable, Massachusetts. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation. We talked about the dangers of training for war in the Special Operations, Combat Arms, and support for Combat Arms in the military really is.

There was a terrorist attack in London a few days ago with the terrorist constructing a poorly put together device which partially detonated wounding 30 people. We talked about what you can do to prepare yourself mentally for a situation like this, and the proper way to react in order to navigate away from the danger zone.

0:00-Episode overview

3:07-Safety tips, contingency planning, and what to do if shit goes south as an American, or westerner in a country like Egypt.

19:52- Training accident at the Special Forces Qualification Course. Staff Sgt. Alexander P. Dalida was killed and seven others were injured in the incident. We talk about the dangers of training for war.

30:20-Terrorist deployed a poorly put together homemade explosive device that partially exploded in the London train system. How to respond to a threat, and maintain your calm in order to properly navigate out of a dangerous situation.

This episode is sponsored by Abes Baumann a law firm that provides legal services and fights for the rights of disabled veterans. To learn about what they can offer you visit http://www.abesbaumann.com/vets

Follow my co-host and myself on social media. Links below.

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

HP Lefler:

https://www.instagram.com/4runner.freyja

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

GRP 89-Two days ago was the 16th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. I’m in close proximity of the Freedom Tower every day. The memory of those who died are alive and well within those of us who were present on that fateful day 16 years ago. We will always remember.

On for this week’s podcast is recently retired Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18 Bravo) HP Lefler. Lef served as a Green Beret all over the planet in multiple roles. We discuss the subversion of U.S. influence around the world by the Chinese and Russian governments. We discuss what it is their doing, why they’re doing it, and where. We touched on what’s commonly referred to now a days as fake news, and some ways to go around it.

The expectations of the political leadership and the population of America is seemingly off when measured by the reality of what it takes to build a democracy especially in some of the nations that we’re actively attempting to do so. Countering an insurgency and engaging in gorilla warfare in many of these places will take decades to reach a place that can be considered victorious.

This episode is sponsored by Abes Baumann a law firm that provides legal services and fights for the rights of disabled veterans. To learn about what they can offer you visit http://www.abesbaumann.com/vets

0:00-JFK Speech

2:23-Introduction

4:35-September 11th and the struggle between radical Islam and the west

12:11-China, Russia and the subversion of U.S. influence around the globe

23:34-Fake News

27:00-The evolution of modern warfare and the expectations and its understanding by the American people

33:17-Leflers Army background. From the 501st Parachute Regiment, and the 82nd Airborne Division to a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.

46:31-Unconventtional Warfare and the nature of todays conflicts

1:09:35- “I come in peace, I’ve brought no artillery, and I’m begging you with tears in my eyes if you fuck with me I will kill you all”

HP Lefler:

https://www.instagram.com/4runner.freyja

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

GRP 88-We’re back! We took a short break for the end of the summer to get some travel time in. On for this week’s podcast is United States Air Force (Ret) Chief Master Sergeant “N.G.”. He served in the Air Force for a total of 26 years, with 21 of those years as a Pararescuemen, or Para Jumper (PJ). The United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Combat Command (ACC) operators tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments. These special operations units are also used to support NASA missions and have been used to recover astronauts after water landings. They are attached to other SOF teams from all branches to conduct other operations as appropriate.

“N.G” is the owner of S.E.I. Green Feet, a company which provides a multitude of highly specialized training modules for the special operations, first responders, and business communities. You can find out more about the company here: http://sei-nh.com

We talked about some of “N.G”s career, the unique mission and capabilities of the PJ’s, as well as tactical medicine, leadership, and exiting the military.

•    0:00-Introduction audio on Medal of Honor recipient Airforce PJ William H. Pitsenbarger “Pitts”.

•    7:47-Air Force Pararescue is the only unit whose primary job is to rescue. Joining the Air Force, and then Pararescue.

•    12:50-Pararescue selection, advice on how to properly prepare.

•    22:10-What makes Pararescue a unique unit and mission set. Jumping, diving, insertion and exfiltration capabilities. 

•    30:07-Combat deployments as a Pararescuemen.

•    38:05-NG was a part of the team that rescued the Stealth F-117A pilot who was shot down in Serbia in 1999.

•     45:45-The development of tactics, techniques, and procedures of combat medicine. The innovation of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), and its implementation by the U.S. Army Rangers.

•    58:00-Leadership.

•    1:05:14- “There are no atheist in the foxholes”

•    1:15:02-S.E.I. Green Feet

•    1:21:06-Exiting the military. The Pararescue Foundation.

This episode is sponsored by Abes Baumann, a law firm that provides legal services and fights for the rights of disabled veterans. To learn about what they can offer you visit http://www.abesbaumann.com/vets

The Pararescue Foundation:

http://www.pararescuefoundation.org

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspianmusic.net

This is the last podcast I recorded with Dan Brown a few years back. We touched on traumatic brain injuries and I’m glad he was on to help connect the dots. Please, do me a favor and help support Dan’s wife through this difficult. The link to donate will be in my latest story post and in the episode notes for this podcast. Link in bio. Rest In Peace Dan

https://danielbrownmemorialfund.givingfuel.com/daniel-brown-memorial-fund

GRP 87-We have a very special and powerful episode for you guys. Back on the podcast is retired SARC @danielthebarbarian , and retired Army Special Operations veteran Kevin Tretter . Dan served with Force Recon and the Marine Raider Battalions as a highly trained Corpsman. Kevin started out as a Combat Engineer 12 Bravo then went into Special Forces as an 18 Charlie Engineer Sergeant. He got picked up by a special unit to serve as a heavy breacher. He then went back into Special Forces in the Commanders in Extremis Force (CIF).

Kevin survived a helicopter crash in Iraq retiring after 20 years of service. We discussed Traumatic Brain Injury in a deep and honest way as both Dan and Kevin have brain injuries due to the culmination of training in tight spaces with live rifle fire, explosives, and airplane jumps .Both received blast injuries in combat. We discussed the effects of having brain damage, and how the government protocols for diagnosing PTSD and TBI are flawed. We talked about the positive effects of Cannabis on healing brain injuries.

0:00-Intro

4:48-Kevin Tretter’s background.

8:08- Commanders in Extremis Forces. Surviving a helicopter crash in Iraq.

9:25-Understanding the compounding struggles of all of the concussions. Prolonged exposure, retirement, and realization

14:20- Medical Marijuana and creative output.

25:08-Difference between sports concussions and concussions received by blast waves.

27:00-New York Times article on PTSD being misdiagnosed most likely being TBI. Area’s of the brain damaged by TBI.

32:29-Doctors misdiagnosing TBI, and not factoring the cumulative effects of the blast waves on the brain.

44:05-Servicemembers who claim PTSD falsely, sucking up resources for induvial who need it. Solutions to fixing this issue.

1:02:28-Changing our approach to care for TBI. Potential name change.

1:25:51-Finding a sense of purpose. Getting back to the basics. Utilizing creativity.

1:34:02-The positive effects of Cannabis on the brain, and the politics behind keeping Marijuana illegal when it heals.

Articles on brain study:

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/magazine/what-if-ptsd-is-more-physical-than-psychological.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/us/military-misconduct-ptsd.html

Hemingway's Brain

http://whqr.org/post/coastline-hemingways-suicide-incorrectly-attributed-alcoholism-and-bipolar-disorder#stream/0

CBD/Canabis for Seizures sited research studies within article

https://www.projectcbd.org/article/medical-marijuana-seizures-sulak-saneto-goldstein

Introduction audio is from the NRA series “Patriot Profiles” with Army Special Operations veteran Scot Spooner speaking: https://www.nratv.com/series/patriot-profiles/episode/patriot-profiles-season-3-episode-11-forward-march

Kevin Tretter:

https://warriorwoven.com

https://www.instagram.com/warrior_woven

Dan Brown:

The Dangerzone Podcast on Sound Cloud, ITunes, and YouTube.

https://www.instagram.com/danielthebarbarian

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

On for this week’s podcast is a 20-year veteran of the Army Special Operations Command is the owner of Storm Tactical Consulting Fred. Fred served as a Special Forces Medic for a number of years before trying out and getting selected to serve as an operator in a Special Missions Unit. We discussed the oversaturation of the tactical training industry, and some of the core principles of being an effective gunfighter i.e. mastering the basics. We talked about combat medicine and the evolution of trauma protocols as the wars progressed.

I wanted to get Fred’s take on leadership. He shared a story of a time in Fallujah, Iraq where his Special Forces ODA could have easily avoided an ambush, but due to poor leadership, they walked right into one. Recently I’d listened to a popular podcast on iTunes where the host talked about how ISIS shocked everyone and kind of popped up out of nowhere. This couldn’t be further from the truth so Fred and I discussed a man named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi who is the ideological founder of ISIS but was killed in 2006 in Iraq. His followers have continued on the path set forth by him and in recent years we’ve seen the rise of the Islamic State.

Over a long career, Fred has served as an Assaulter, Breacher, Sniper, Human Intel Specialist, and finishing up as a Dog Handler. We touched on PTSD and TBI to close out the episode.

0:00-Intro

2:30- Storm Tactical Consulting

3:37-The oversaturation of the tactical training industry

6:00-Mastering the basics, muscle memory

7:44- Fred’s background 20 years of service as an 18 Delta Green Beret Medic, and later as an operator in the Army’s Special Missions Unit

12:48-Special Operations Combat Medics Course(SOCM) Combat Trauma, Special Forces Medical Sergeant(SFMS) Dentistry, veterinary care, public sanitation, water quality, and optometry. TCCC

17:00-Great leadership

20:55-Story of an avoidable ambush in Fallujah, Iraq under poor leadership

31:38- Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the rise of the Islamic State

38:15-Assaulter, Sniper, Breacher, and a dive into Special Operations Dog Handling

53:39-Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD

Storm Tactical Consulting:

http://stormtacticalconsu.wixsite.com/stormtactical

https://www.instagram.com/storm_tactical_consulting/

Global Recon:

www.Globalrecon.net

https://www.instagram.com/igrecon

https://www.instagram.com/blackopsmatter

www.twitter.com/igrecon

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

Chantel Taylor:

https://www.instagram.com/mission_critical

https://www.instagram.com/altern8rv