Global Recon

GRP 55-First and foremost I want to send my condolences to the family of Senior Chief Petty Officer Scott Cooper Dayton, 42. Dayton is the first American service member to die to fight the Islamic State in Syria was a decorated and highly experienced Navy explosive ordnance disposal specialist.

On with me for this podcast is Australian SAS Major Dr. Dan Pronk. Dan did multiple deployments and was the regimental medical officer for both 2 commandos and SASR (Special Air Service Regiment). Dr. Dan completed his medical schooling on an Army scholarship and served the majority of his military career with Special Operations Units, including four tours of Afghanistan and over 100 combat missions. Dr. Dan was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service for his conduct in action on his second tour of Afghanistan. We discuss bleeding control, how to treat internal bleeding, and prolonged field care. Major Pronk is the Medical Director for Tac Med Australia which provides training for civilians, military, and police tactical units in Australia. Below is an excerpt from the podcast:

John: Can you share a deployment story with the audience?

Major Pronk: We'd been given the role of hitting a target in a known enemy stronghold. We went in with a significant force. The 160th SOAR dropped us in. We decided we'd land right on target and assessed that we would get engaged once we hit the deck. We ripped off the back and ran towards this target village. We had our compounds of interests pre-designated and within 30 seconds of landing, we got engaged by machine gun fire. We didn't sustain any serious casualties on the first night. We stayed on target for over 48 hours. It was near constant combat. They were probing us to assess where we were at. The second day we got into close quarters combat. Sustained some casualties but nothing too serious. We had a small detachment moving forward to clear a couple of machine gun positions. One our guys stepped on an IED. We put together a quick reaction force and got to them. I and another medic worked on him, unfortunately, he didn't make it. We lost our mate there. A fantastic warrior.

GRP 54- We have a special guest on for today's podcast. Dave Maynard is a lead instructor at Warfighter Academy, and a retired U.S Navy SEAL who made it into the Teams in 1972 just missing the Vietnam war. Dave left the Navy after a couple of years as the SEALs were downsizing after the war. During this time, he worked repairing Navy ships as a contractor, as well as working in different capacities in the realm of tactical development for Fleet Training Center. Once the Global War on Terror kicked off Dave became a contractor for the U.S Government's Global Response Staff. Below is an excerpt from our conversation.

John: You made it into the SEAL Teams right as the Vietnam war was winding down. Can you talk about what joining the Navy was like for you? You worked as a government contractor during the GWOT. What was that like?

Dave Maynard: SEALs at the time weren't as popular as they are today. After completing basic, I went on to BUDs (SEAL Selection). I had all of these legendary SEALs around me. In the first week of training somehow my name got mixed up with a trainee who got drunk, run the main gate, did a bunch of crazy things. My proctor was a guy named Chief Estok walked up to me. He is the last person in the world you want to cross paths with. He says "Your nothing but a dirt bag, and I'm going to make sure you never pass this training". (Laughs)

I know you've seen the movie 13 hours in Benghazi where the Chief of Base was a goofball. I never saw that. The Chief of Base that I worked with were stellar and backed us 1000 percent. I was working with the best guys in the world. We worked closely with the British SAS we had quite a crew there. Those were some of the best times.

GRP 53- Co-hosting for today's podcast is British Army Combat Medic Chantel Taylor. On for this podcast is retired USMC veteran Donny O'Malley. Donny is a combat veteran and has created VetTV. "VET Tv will be a streaming television network that functions exactly like Hulu or Netflix. It will be filled with all the shows that you’ve joked about with your buddies since the day you joined.

We make shows that accurately recreate the post 9/11 veteran experience and we do it in the most realistic, offensive, and hilarious way possible. To fill up this network with shows that you want to see, we need your support and your vote, because if we don't fund this network, no one will." The deadline for the Kickstarter campaign to make you pledge will end tomorrow night Wednesday, Nov 16th.

This is the first time ever a platform like this has been created so I highly encourage all of the shows listeners, and my followers on social media to contribute to this campaign. The link to do so will be accessible by clicking the post link below. Here is an excerpt from the episode.

John: Donny you've recently retired from the Marine Corps, but you've got a lot going on with jumping into starting this company. Can you talk about your time in?

Donny O' Malley: I joined on January 09 and got out in 2015. I joined when I was 25. It made for a very different experience for me as a Marine and as an Officer. I was coming into a very battle-hardened, salty, seasoned Marine Corps. All of the way down to the fucking Supply Clerks who were in convoys getting into firefights and blown up. Everybody had been to war. Coming into that was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I respected everybody. I was honored to walk into such a battle hardened Marine Corps. I wouldn't say I'm all hardcore battle hardened. I will say that I was never phased by my combat experiences. I was meant to do that job. Meant to go to war.

I felt the happiest and content that I've ever felt in my life was in the midst of combat. Till this day I feel like I would never have that feeling again.

GRP 52- On for this episode is Donald Lee, and Griff Griffin from Combat Flip Flops. Both are former Army Rangers with multiple combat rotations. Co-hosting is British Army Combat Medic Chantel Taylor. Combat Flip Flops is a very interesting company that makes Flip Flops in Afghanistan, and other products in places like Lao's in southeast Asia. From now till the end of the month you can get a 20 percent discount upon check out just enter the coupon code "Global Recon". They are also having a veteran’s day sale from Wednesday till Friday. 20 percent off site wide coupon code “WELOVEVETS”.

Today being election day we get into politics, some of the causes and effects of war and what is viewed as the best way to combat poverty which is really a big reason for a lot of the people fighting over in the middle east. Not each enemy fighter is a fanatical jihadi in a lot of cases fighting is the only way they can earn money. We talk about contracting, the transition out of the military and most importantly the consequences of wearing socks with Combat Flip Flops!

Griff talks about a time that while on a rotation into Iraq a coordinated attack was launched on a checkpoint and using drone footage they were able to follow the perpetrators of the attack back to their safe houses. An operation was immediately launched in which they captured those responsible for the attack. When asked why they did what they did one of the men stated simply it's a way to earn money.

GRP 51-This is the longest episode we've done. Just under three hours of madness is the best way to describe it. Co-hosting is British Army Combat Medic and author of "Battleworn" Chantel Taylor. Along with Tim Kolczak from the Veterans Project, and Tyler Grey. Tyler served for several years within Army Special Operations before he was wounded while on an operation that nearly cost him his arm. We talk about his injury, the recovery process, PTSD, Flame Throwers, MACV-SOG, suicide bombers and much more. Below is an excerpt from the episode:

Chantel: At that time, you had all of this going on around you. Obviously, people needed to carry on with the mission. We all learn self-aid then buddy aid and care under fire. Were you the only one injured?

Tyler Grey: As soon as it happened I had extreme pain in my arm. I had a feeling it wasn't there. I couldn't see anything. I was on my knees feeling around for my arm but I couldn't find it. There was a massive fight going on around me. There had been 3, or 4 people shot outside of the house. We went in and a guy got shot to the left of me. I got blown up and a guy to the right of me got blown up with me. Another guy came in the room then got blown out of it. It's so cliché to say. I hate to say it but it's like everything's in slow motion, well motherfucker yeah it was in slow motion (laughs).

John: If you're going to build a bridge to connect the veteran community with society you would need people to build the bridge on both ends, and meet in the middle. It could really make things work. We have a huge community of people who support the military. Talented driven people who can bring a lot to the table. With the podcast, and social media, articles, what Tim's doing with the Veterans Project, through veterans telling stories with movies, or books. It can help bring the right people together and build this bridge the right way. We spoke about the differences between the way warriors were treated in the past and now with what can be perceived as a negative aspect of it. At the same time, we have made progress and can utilize these tools that are at our disposable. Send questions or comments to [email protected]

GRP 50- Army Major Dalton Fury lost his battle with cancer a few days ago. It's a tremendous loss for his family and for the country. Maj Fury was a commander for a Special Missions unit and is the author of "Kill Bin Laden". You will be missed, sir.

Co-hosting for Today's podcast is Army veteran Tim Kuzack who created The Veterans Project. The Veterans Project is a comprehensive photographic essay detailing the lives of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom combat veterans and their return to civilian life. The project focuses on the many challenges surrounding their reentry into "polite society" and realistically depicts their lives profiled in both photographic and interview formats. On with Tim is Bert Kuntz an Army Special Forces veteran with multiple combat rotations. Below is an excerpt from the episode.

John: Bert you're a veteran of the Army Special Forces. How long were you with the Army? and was all of that with Special Forces?

Bert Kuntz: I joined in 2002 and separated from the Army in 2011. Just about 10 years. I came in on the 18 x-ray program which is designed to bring guys in off the street. I originally wanted to join the Airforce, but then I met some Special Forces guys and decided I wanted to become an 18 Delta (Special Forces Medic).

John: If any guys struggling to make the transition or anyone out there imagine if you're putting 40 plus hours per week into your business, or idea there's no limit to what you can achieve. If you attempted to climb a mountain and took it one step at a time. One day at time. There's no limit to what you can achieve.

Bert: John you just said my favorite line of my entire life. I say to myself what you just said. The only thing you can control today is the amount of effort you put into the person you want to be and the work you want to do. Transition into the civilian life is not easy. The amount of effort you put into it whether it's taking out the trash at McDonalds or being a Neurosurgeon vets are doing all of that and everything in between.

GRP 49- We have a very special episode for you guys today. Co-hosting this episode with me is Chantel Taylor. Chantel is a British Army veteran where she served for 12 years as a Combat Medic with multiple deployments and was involved in some heavy fighting in southern Afghanistan.

Our special guest for this episode is Navy SEAL veteran Ray Mendoza, and Army Ranger Mike Baumgarten. Ray served for over 16 years 13 of those were as a SEAL, and Mike served for 10 years all with Ranger Regiment and has 10 combat deployments. Ray and Mike are producers for a show airing this veteran’s day on the History channel called "The Warfighters". Since 2001, the Army Rangers, the Navy Seals and the Green Berets have been fighting the War on Terror. It remains the longest war in American history. For the past 15 years, they have been at the tip of the spear, honorably risking their lives for their country and one another. “The Warfighters” is a harrowing and impactful portrayal of the triumphs and sacrifices the United States Special Operations Forces have endured on the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq.

We talk their careers in the Army and Navy respectively, as well as PTSD and issues facing veterans. Below is an excerpt.

John: One interesting aspect of veteran suicide and PTS is this isn't something new. There's evidence of this existing throughout almost every conflict in the history of the world. In WW2 they called it shell shock, in Vietnam, they had a different term for it. With this age of connectivity and with so many guys coming home from such a prolonged period of warfighting. The reality of it is going to seep into everyday life for civilians. As a society, we ask these questions of ourselves. How can we approach this? I think now with the culmination of everything that's happened we are closer to cracking this nut than ever before.

Mike: There are more resources devoted to it. The understanding has been expanded. In the Civil War, they called it Lonely heart syndrome. Understanding that it's not just a feeling. It's a physical change to that person's brain. When you go to war you need to understanding the effects. If there was a greater understanding of the price I feel like there would be more deliberation into putting America's sons and daughters into harm's way without realizing that you need to have the infrastructure to take care of them when they get back.

GRP 48- Rest in Peace to Army Special Forces Staff Sgt. Adam S. Thomas, 31, was killed by an improvised explosive device while on foot during an operation against the Islamic State in eastern Afghanistan, defense officials said. I'd like to have everyone send prayers and positive energy to retired Special Missions Unit Major, and author of "Kill Bin Laden" Dalton Fury. The Major is battling through a tough situation and we want him and his family to know that we support him.

Back on the podcast is Dan, the owner of Combat Flags. James a Marine Corps Combat Veteran of Iraq, and Mike a Special Forces Green Beret and veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq. We discuss Combat Flags, the careers of James, and Mike during and post-military. Mike works for an organization that fights child sexual exploitation, and James is a full-time Firefighter. We talk combat, PTSD, military specialties, and helping war fighters when they come home. Below is an excerpt from the episode.

John: James can you talk about your experiences in the United States Marine Corps?

James: I and my friend John joined the Infantry. My friend Alex joined the Combat Engineers. Josh joined Intel. We all got deployed to different units. While I was in training down at 29 Palms I got a Red Cross message and my friend John was killed in action in January 2005 in Iraq. He was in the battle of Fallujah. I was able to get home for his funeral. We deployed to Iraq. Our op tempo was through the roof. Running patrols in and around Haditha Dam. We Ran patrols near the Syrian border.

We got called for a High-Value Target. Hit the house and didn't find a thing. The Mosque gave a call for prayer. The hair stood on the back of our necks. Something wasn't right. A round hit right between me and my buddy. We were on the outer cordon team. Headed back to our trucks. Saw a flash to my right and an RPG landed about a foot from where I was standing. I finally came to. I see tracers flying everywhere. I ran behind this pile of rocks. I realized that things didn't feel right. Had a hot piece of metal in my mouth, and I couldn't talk. Tried calling for help. I put my gun up scanning for targets. Our Corpsman ran 100 yards over open grounds to get to me. I tried to get up and when I got up they shot me right in my knee.

GRP 47-Co hosting for this episode is retired Army veteran, Nick Betts. I interviewed Stu Pearson a retired British Army soldier who served for 20 years with 3 Para. The Parachute Regiment is an elite British Infantry Battalion that has been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Stu was on a rotation to Southern Afghanistan and was tasked with protecting the Kajaki Dam which provided power to a large number of people in the region.

A Para sniper saw enemy activity that was out of effective targeting range so they planned to move to a concealed position closer to the enemy. En route to this position the sniper who was leading the movement stepped on a landmine. They'd walked right into a minefield. The Para's quickly stabilized him. They'd chosen flat ground not far so the MEDEVAC helicopter could extract the Para Trooper. While clearing the path Stu Pearson stepped on a landmine. Seven men were seriously wounded at Kajaki. Three of them lost legs, while Corporal Mark Wright, of the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, suffered fatal wounds. The 27-year-old, just two months away from his wedding to Gill Urquhart, died after displaying bravery so ferocious that he would be posthumously awarded the highest of honors, the George Cross. Three of his comrades were also decorated for gallantry.

Nick and I had a conversation with retired U.S Army Special Forces veteran David Pavlick. Pavlick is the CEO of Arsenal Democracy which specializes in Aerospace/Defense Research and Development. He served in Special Forces for 12 years with multiple deployments. David and Nick are both qualified Snipers.

GRP 46-First and foremost I want to send my deepest condolence's to the family of FDNY Battalion Chief Michael J. Fahy who was killed in the Bronx, New York today. Chief Fahy died responding to a reported gas leak from a house which subsequently exploded killing the Battalion Chief and wounding several others. He served for 17 years and was considered to be a rising star within the Fire Department. At the end of the episode, I added some audio as a small tribute.

On for this episode is retired 3/75 Army Ranger Medic, and author Leo Jenkins. Leo served with Ranger Battalion for several deployments and played a role in the rescue and recovery effort of the fallen SEALs from the ill-fated Operation Red Wings. We discuss Leo's current lifestyle as a modern day nomad who travels from country to country mixing it up with the locals. It's a lifestyle and way of thinking Leo's embraced that really helped him deal with his post-military struggles. We discuss his involvement with a unique organization called The Team 5 Foundation which deploys to high-risk locations globally teaching medicine and treating the local population. Leo recently deployed with Team 5 and we discuss what that was like. Below is an excerpt from the episode.

John: One of the pictures you took, to me was an iconic image showing Rangers taking IV fluid in a rush to find the missing SEALs from Operation Red Wings. You guys were on your movement moving through harsh terrain in very hot weather.

Leo Jennings: I think I started lines on five, or six of our guys during those four days. These aren't guys coming off the couch. These are guys who maintain a very high level of fitness. Dudes were taking IV's but quitting was not an option. Guys really sucked it up because they knew that fellow U.S service members were out there in harm's way. Even if it was to recover their bodies those guys from those units will walk until their feet are bloody nubs. Let's keep this going until all of these Americans are recovered. Never shall I leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy. That's the most important thing. If you're a little bit hot or tired you suck that up and drive on.

Send questions, or comments to [email protected]