Global Recon

GRP 45-My guest on for this episode is retired Green Beret Medic Sergeant First Class Michael Rodriguez. Michael spent 21 years in the US Army with his first deployment to Somalia with the 10th Mountain Divison, to his last deployment to Afghanistan with the 7th Special Forces Group. We discuss Special Operations medicine, the advances in technology as a result of war. First Sergeant Rodriguez was medically retired due to sustaining several TBI's (Traumatic Brain Injury) from IEDs.

He sits on President George W. Bush's Military Service Initiative Advisory Council which engages in a wide range of activities that support veterans. Last but not least he's the Cheif Ambassador at the Green Beret Foundation. Below is an excerpt from the episode:

John: Now for the Special Operations medical course the individuals going through are Rangers, SEALs, or Green Berets it's a course that all SOF attends. Was it like that during those days?

Sergeant First Class Rodriguez: It was. The way it was when I went through it was two courses. Special Operations Combat Medic(SOCM), and then Special Forces Medical Sergeants Course(SFMS). We had PJ's , Ranger Medics, and SEALs go through SOCM. The only people who went on through SFMS the more advanced stuff were 18 Delta's Green Beret Medic's or they would send back seasoned SEALs the IDC's (Independent Duty Corpsman) those guys were seasoned veterans going through that portion. Now it's a bit different but there's still somewhat of a distinction for the 18 Delta's.

GRP 44-9/11’s Fifteen Year Anniversary, Major Rusty Bradley, Counterinsurgency by Global Recon

GRP 43- For this episode I had two different conversations with two very interesting individuals. The first conversation is with former British Army Combat Medic Chantelle Taylor. A former Combat Medic she had a remarkable career in the British Army. Renowned for being the first British female soldier in history to engage and kill an enemy combatant at close quarters, she was the lead medic supporting an infantry fighting company during prolonged combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Chantelle is the director of tactical medicine within Spectre International/FVEY Group. She is an ambassador for GBV UNCOVERED an international online think tank dedicated to improving the medical and psychological care available to the survivors of sexual gender-based violence [GBV] in the world's conflict regions. Taylor transitioned into diplomatic security and for a further four years she undertook the role of primary protection officer for the Australian Ambassador to Iraq. Currently she specializes in the provision and effective implementation of medicine in unstable or hostile regions. We discussed her career as a medic, and post military as a defense contractor working in war zones. We also discuss combat medicine, women in combat, and a variety of other topics.

The second conversation I had is with Aaron Epstein. Aaron is the president of an organization called the Global Surgical Medical Support Group. This unique organization provides medical training, and support to the Kurdish military, and Kurdish civilian population in Northern Iraq, as the continue to battle ISIS. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”-Chinese proverb. Very popular aid organizations go into Iraq, drop some limited supplies, take some photos then leave. GSMSG is the exact opposite of that. They train the Kurds, so that they are no longer needed in the conflict zone. Enjoy.

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GRP 42-On this episode I have former Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) solider Wes Kennedy. CSOR traces its unit’s roots to the first American, Canadian Special Operations unit which was a joint unit called the “1st Special Service Force”. Wes is the author of “Sports Vision Training for Shooting Performance”. We talk a little about the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). We talk fitness, and mindset. Wes runs a company that helps prepare military athletes for the rigorous Special Operations selection programs across the globe.

An article has come out recently written by Sean Naylor in the New York Times where the Airforce has developed some new technology to help them clean up old drone footage. During Operation Anaconda special reconnaissance units were tasked with heading up into the mountains, and identifying enemy fighting positons in order to call in air support. A highly respected Navy SEAL operator is being bashed on social media because the Airforce is claiming that him and his unit left behind John Chapman an Airforce Combat Control Technician (CCT). The new technology isn’t 100 accurate to say for certain that Chapman was still alive.

The facts are the SEALs along with the CCT were out numbered, out gunned, and taking casualties. Senior Chief Petty Officer Slabinski assumed Chapman was killed during the initial gunfight in which several members of the small team were shot, and wounded. They made the call to leap down the mountain under fire, and commence what would become a 6 hour running gun battle in order to break contact. Slabinski’s actions that day kept the SEALs alive, and his teammates have the highest praise for him. I am disappointed with the level of arm chair quarterbacking that’s taking place on the internet over this issue.

GRP 41-On for this episode is former US Navy SEAL Corpsman, and Sniper Kevin Lacz. Kevin is the author of the New York Times best selling book The Last Punisher: A SEAL Team THREE Sniper's True Account of the Battle of Ramadi. Kevin was apart of a Sniper element with US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. We talked about what its like going through BUDS which is the selection course for Navy SEALs. We talk Ramadi, mindset, SOF Medics, and some history. Below is an excerpt from our conversation.

John Hendricks: The book is basically about your experience during a rotation to Ramadi. The insurgency moved from Fallujah to Ramadi. A very dangerous place. You were deployed with Chris Kyle, and he was a close friend of yours.

Kevin Lacz: That 2006 deployment was the most pronounced out of my deployments. You’re right Ramadi at that point in time was kind of the epicenter of the insurgency in Iraq. It was also primed to be the template for the surge. We deployed in April 06 in support of the the 1st, the 502nd, the 36, 38 Marines in a new campaign to win hearts and minds. We supported them. We were mainly there to support them from a couple of different platforms. One was direct action missions.

Presence patrols. Working with the Iraqi security forces patrolling daytime, and night time in these areas. The third was the Sniper element which proved to be the most effective. One of the gentlemen in our platoon was Chris Kyle. That deployment our platoon had over 230 confirmed kills, and Chris had 101 of those. Task unit together had 330 confirmed kills. That’s not airstrikes, rifle mainly sniper.

GRP 40- Dan, the owner of Combat Flags, and US Army veteran joined me for our 40th episode. We discuss the role of a PYSOP (Physiological Operations) Solider, OEF-P, and his company Combat Flags. Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines is a lesser known campaign to rid the Philippine’s of Islamic terror groups. We discuss the situation there, and what the Pilipino government is doing to counter the threat. Dan’s company Combat Flags, create these beautiful American flags put together using the uniforms of veterans from all branches. It’s really awesome work, and Combat Flags donates half of the money to Stop Solider Suicide. Below is an excerpt from the episode.

John Hendricks: During the height of the Iraq war, now in Syria, and Iraq people who are critical of the war efforts would say things like we’re out there fighting farmers, and things like that. Which is very far from the truth. Apart of the truth is what removing Saddam from power was lifting that stringent, and strict security measures that kept out these transnational terrorist organizations out. What ends up happening is now you have fighters from Chechnya, the larger middle east, and Africa. In the Philippine’s was it Pilipino terrorism, or was it international groups operating there?

Dan: The Philippines falls within South East Asia, and it’s an Archipelago nation. The terrorist activity predominately takes place in the southern Philippine’s. Back in the mid to late 70’s this group called the Moral National Liberation Front (MNLF) started to take hold, and open up these insurgent training camps. The MNLF had an internal coup, and split off into a separate group called the Moral Islamic Liberation Front. These camps really paved the way for what I was working with, and what guys who preceded me were working with. Throughout the years there have been thousands of Jihadist who were trained there, and going to Pakistan, Iraq, you name it. I liked to refer to it as the minor league of terrorism.

That’s where the terrorist goes, get there training, and when ready for the big leagues they get called up, and head out to the middle east. These training camps in the 70’s, 80’s, and early 90’s were pumping out guys left and right. Some of the more notable folks who came through the Philippine’s during the 80’s was Osama Bin Laden’s brother in law. Another guy named Ramsey Yousef, who was one of the primary architects of the World Trade Center bombings in 93. A more contemporary guy named Khalid Sheikh Mohammed he’s one of the big guys from the 9/11 attacks. He was a former secretary of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. These groups gained ground pretty quick, and have been causing havoc on the southern part of the Philippine’s through bombings, and kidnappings.

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GRP 39- On for this episode are two guest who I had two different conversations with. The first guest is SGT Bryce Mahoney. SGT Mahoney served from 2001 until 2007. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and E. Co 51st Infantry LRS (Long Range Surveillance). SGT Mahoney holds a Purple Belt in Royce Gracie BJJ, and is a father of 3. We discuss combative systems, his time deployed in combat, and a little politics.

The second conversation I had is with Sikh Major Kamal Kalsi. Major Kalsi is a doctor, and entered the Army via a health Professions Scholarship Program. He comes from a long line of military service with members of his family serving in the Indian, British, and American militaries. Sikh’s have a strong warrior ethos’s, and history as warriors fighting oppression in they’re history. Below is an excerpt from my conversation with SGT Mahoney.

John Hendricks: Can you share a war story, or something that stood out to you during your time in the military?

Bryce Mahoney: Sound, and tradition, and things like that resonate. I was unfortunately present when Edmunds, and Stonesifer the first two Ranger casualties of the Global War on Terror were KIA. We were in Oman at this base. They got us all together, and brought they’re caskets through the hanger that we were all in. To have those two caskets there, and all of us reciting the Ranger Creed, there was this echoing of the Ranger Creed that was so intense. It was so resonating. Anytime I hear the Creed I can visualize being in that hanger, looking at those two caskets, and realizing that whatever I do its going to be so that they’re death’s are not in vain. Its something that’s stuck with me forever.

GRP 38- On this episode I have the privilege of having a conversation with retired Special Forces soldier turned professional football player Nate Boyer. Nate served this country for 10 years. All of his time in the military was spent as a Green Beret on active duty, and then in a National Guard Special Forces unit. Nate’s story is truly inspirational, and he continues to serve his fellow veterans by contributing to veteran programs, and initiatives which are absolutely awesome. Below is an excerpt from the episode:

John Hendricks: Nate, lets talk about what you were doing before the Army, and then what led you into the Army.

Nate Boyer: I didn’t understand much about service, and sacrifice. I went over to Darfur on the boarder of Sudan, and Chad in sub-Saharan Africa. I did some relief work over there for a couple of months. It was over there that I gained my sense of patriotism. I became very proud of what we had here. I gained some perspective on what its like in the world. When I came back I had this feeling that I wanted to go fight for those people in those places that didn’t have someone to protect them. I came back and signed up with an 18 X-ray contract to go become a Green Beret.

John Hendricks: That’s awesome. That relief work what does it consist of?

Nate Boyer: It’s a long story to be honest. I wasn’t even supposed to be there. I tried to apply to these different organizations’ that were over there, and they turned me down because to them I didn’t have anything to offer. I was like man I’ll do anything. Pass out food rations, assist in the medical center. What ever you need. I was like alright we’ll F you I’m going over there anyway. I bought a plane ticket, and showed up bullshitting my way onto the camps. The people in the camps were enamored by the fact that an American would leave what we have to go help over there. The kids were always asking me questions. They all figured I was like best friends with 50 Cent or something.

GRP 37-On this episode we have three guys back on the show. G from Zulu Foxtrot. G is a Marine combat veteran with rotations to Fallujah, and Ramadi in Iraq during some of the worst fighting. Jason Economos is a MACV-SOG unit historian, and the author of an excellent novel on SOG called “Gentle Propositions”. Back on is a Global Recon fave Mike Stahl who is from the first generation of Special Forces Green Berets. Mike served in Vietnam on a Special Forces A-Team, and went on to become a team leader in the ultra secret MACV-SOG recon teams. Below is an excerpt from the episode:

G: The idea, or concept of SOG, did that start from the military itself? Or was that the politicians saying we have an issue and we need to deal with it?

Mike Stahl: “Well G, you got to go back to the “Bay of Pigs” when the CIA screwed up that, and they decided to turn all active military operations over to the military. Then you’ve got Kennedy giving us the Green Beret, and giving us that mission. It came out as a need, even though our rules of warfare said we were restricted to fighting strictly ground war within south Vietnam. As we talked about with the enemies massing on the other side of the border you’ve got to know what’s going on. Smarter minds prevailed, and we bypassed Congress. Even we were restricted by only going only within 7 miles across the border.”

John Hendricks: G, I know you were in Iraq during the earlier stages. Fallujah, Ramadi those were pretty bad areas at the time. I know you guys were getting into a lot of contact. A lot of ambushes. I’m not sure if IED’s were as widespread at the time. Was that something you guys were dealing with?

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GRP 36-On this episode I have Tu Lam ret Special Forces SGM, and owner of Ronin Tactics back on the show. Tu is a martial artist, hand to hand combat instructor, and a blade expert. We are hosting ringed blade seminars here in New York City the first weekend of August. Sat August 6th will be held at Cross Fit Giant in Edgewater NJ. We’re hosting two sessions per day. The first will be from 1-4 pm, and the second from 5-8 pm. Day 2 will be held at Brooklyn Athletic Club in Williamsburg Brooklyn same time slots. On this episode we discuss some of the methodology, and how Tu has evolved as a martial artist during his 22-year career as an operator. Below is an excerpt form the episode

John Hendricks: When you talk about training the blurred area’s and I was out in Colorado I saw the way you were flowing, and I noticed you have the same philosophy for handling a pistol, handling a rifle, handling a blade. Is that a similar philosophy without giving away too much information, if your entering a room you have your sector of the room to secure, but at the same time if you enter a room your veering off to the left, but there’s a guy on the right I’m sure you guys have some type of methodology to where you can get him even though he’s in your peripherals.

Tu Lam: Yeah its funny you say that. In CQB when I first started my training in counter terrorism when we explosive breach, and enter a room each one of us as a guy on the teams we move into a certain point in the room. There’s going to be times when a guy should have gone left, and he went right. Things happen in combat. As a senior guy, as a martial artist, as a commando you have to be able to process that data. Like water, move. He should have gone right, and he gone left your able to process that data and go right. Picking up those gaps when it needs to be picked up. It’s the same with fighting. If you throw a punch, and I parry that punch and you throw another you leave an opening because I parried that punch. I’m going to either block or I’m going to expose that opening.

Any questions, or comments send an email to [email protected]. www.globalrecon.net