Welcome to Part 2 of Episode 256 on the Mike Drop Podcast, hosted by Mike Ritland, where we dive deep into the unfiltered world of elite military operators. In this gripping continuation, special guest Kevin Kent, a seasoned Navy SEAL veteran with a decade-plus of service in SEAL Team 5, opens up about his journey from BUD/S graduation in 2000 to nine deployments spanning pre- and post-9/11 eras.

Listeners will get an raw, insider look at the chaotic camaraderie of checking into the notorious "Hollywood" Team 5, navigating bureaucratic nightmares like unwanted assignments to Yuma and penalty box stints, and the high-stakes evolution of combat ops—from peacetime exercises turning into real-world Gulf boardings to the Wild West intensity of early Iraq invasions. Expect hilarious hazing stories, heart-pounding tales of seizing hydroelectric dams under fire, eerie encounters with radiation silos, and candid reflections on promotions, injuries, and the shifting tides of warfare that shaped a generation of SEALs.

If you're into authentic military history, operator mindset, and no-BS storytelling, this episode delivers the goods—perfect for veterans, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the SEAL ethos.

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Get ready for an explosive episode of the Mike Drop podcast, where we dive into the gritty, unfiltered life of Chief Special Warfare Operator Kevin Kent. With over two decades in the SEAL teams, Kevin’s story is a rollercoaster of high-stakes missions, near-death experiences, and lessons learned the hard way. From dodging tracers in the chaotic streets of Iraq during the 2003 deployment to navigating the wild aftermath of liberty incidents, Kevin’s journey is a raw testament to the resilience and grit it takes to thrive in the world’s most elite fighting force. His tales of camaraderie, chaos, and personal growth will pull you in and keep you on the edge of your seat.

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In Part 3 of the Mike Drop Podcast with former DEA agent Wes Tabor, the stakes get higher as Wes recounts his perilous assignment in Venezuela, a narco-terrorist haven under Hugo Chavez’s regime. From dodging Cuban and Venezuelan intelligence to operating solo in a hostile environment, Wes shares heart-pounding stories of undercover operations, evading assassination attempts, and targeting high-value cartel members in a lawless "Wild West" of drug trafficking. He also reflects on the personal toll of his 35-year career, the betrayal of corrupt leadership, and the relentless drive that fueled his fight against global crime. This episode is a raw, unfiltered dive into the sacrifices and adrenaline of a DEA agent’s life on the edge.

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In Part 2 of the gripping Mike Drop Podcast featuring Wes Tabor, a former DEA agent, listeners are taken deeper into the intense world of drug enforcement and high-stakes operations. Wes shares riveting stories from his recovery after a life-altering accident, his relentless pursuit of justice against the odds, and his experiences tackling major cases involving the Sinaloa Cartel and Hezbollah. From confronting criminals in the field to navigating the challenges of corruption within law enforcement, this episode dives into the raw realities of DEA work, including undercover operations, massive cash seizures, and the evolving threat of cryptocurrency in narco-terrorism. Expect unfiltered accounts of danger, sacrifice, and the moral fortitude that defined Wes’s career. Tune in for an unflinching look at the front lines of the war on drugs!

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Get ready for an unflinching dive into the world of drug enforcement on this episode of the Mike Ritland Podcast, featuring Wes Tabor—a 35-year law enforcement veteran who spent over two decades with the DEA, operating across the United States, Central America, and South America. With stints embedded alongside the CIA and authorship credits for his eye-opening book Infiltrate America (plus the upcoming Beyond Blurry Lines set for next summer), Wes doesn't hold back as he recounts the brutal realities of his career.

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In Episode 254, Part 3 of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland continues his conversation with former Green Beret Mark Gianconia, delving into the complex motivations behind the Iraq War and Mark’s post-combat transition.

The episode opens with a discussion on the murky intelligence surrounding weapons of mass destruction and the decision to invade Iraq, exploring whether it was a justified response to perceived threats or influenced by ulterior motives. Mark reflects on the chaotic post-invasion landscape, including his role in devastating airstrikes against the Iraqi military, navigating minefields, and managing volatile tribal factions in Tuz. He shares the emotional toll of combat, including feelings of guilt and fear, which led to his decision to leave special operations.

Mark’s career pivots dramatically as he becomes an instructor for the 18 Fox intelligence course, mastering geospatial intelligence and coding, which propels him into a tech career. He also discusses his book, One Green Beret, a cathartic effort to process his experiences, and his current role in geospatial technology, emphasizing AI as a tool rather than a threat.

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In this gripping second part of Episode 254 of the Mike Drop podcast, host Mike Ritland sits down with former Green Beret Mark Gianconia to explore his extraordinary career in special operations. Unlike many post-9/11 operators, Mark’s journey began in Kosovo, working alongside Russian forces in a vastly different operational landscape. Returning just before the 9/11 attacks, Mark shares his visceral reaction to the tragedy and how it propelled his unit into action.

This episode takes you deep into his covert missions in Iraq, including the daring Advanced Force Operations (AFO) infil via rental cars from Turkey and the intense Operation Viking Hammer against terrorist strongholds like Ansar al-Islam. Expect raw, firsthand accounts of unconventional warfare, coordination with Kurdish allies, and the chaos of combat in the early days of the Iraq War. From dodging mortar fire to orchestrating airstrikes, Mark’s stories offer a vivid window into the high-stakes world of special forces during a pivotal moment in history.

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Dive into this epic conversation on the Mike Drop Podcast with Green Beret legend Mark Giaconia. A 20-year Army veteran who traded infantry boots for Special Forces grit, Mark opens up about his raw reaction to 9/11—burning with jealousy as Fifth Group charged into Afghanistan, only to carve his own pinnacle in Iraq's brutal ops. But before the GWOT glory, he takes us back to the forgotten chaos of Bosnia in the late '90s, where peacekeeping turned into high-stakes intel gathering: embedding in remote villages, renting houses amid fresh war scars, and dodging tense standoffs with Serbian cops who grabbed their weapons at the sight of an American.

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In the gripping final installment of the Mike Drop Podcast with Chuck Hayes, a 40-year Navy SEAL veteran, we dive into the profound intersections of military discipline, spiritual awakening, and post-service purpose. Chuck reflects on the non-democratic nature of military life, the weight of command, and the responsibility to lead with trust and empathy. He shares a transformative near-death experience induced during a medical training course, revealing a cosmic perspective on life, death, and existence itself.

From encounters with divine laughter to haunting dreams and past-life regressions, Chuck unravels his journey through the psychedelic medicine, shamanic visions, and hypnotherapy—that reshaped his understanding of reality, faith, and human suffering.

Now, through his work with Soft Whisper, Chuck channels these experiences to help veterans and civilians alike heal from trauma, find purpose, and navigate the complexities of the human soul. This episode is a raw, mind-bending exploration of leadership, spirituality, and the eternal quest for meaning.

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Welcome back to Part 2 of the Mike Drop Podcast featuring Chuck Hayes, a 40-year Navy SEAL veteran whose career spanned from enlisted ranks to captain. In this episode, Chuck dives deep into the pivotal moments that shaped his post-9/11 journey, including the tragic loss of a teammate during training, the profound impact of September 11th on his career, revamping SEAL training for the Afghanistan theater, intense deployments as a task unit commander, kinetic operations against Taliban leaders, and candid reflections on the purpose, sacrifices, and outcomes of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Listeners will find raw stories of leadership under fire, hard lessons from combat, geopolitical insights, and thoughtful critiques on military strategy, national policy, and the human cost of endless conflict—delivering inspiration, introspection, and unfiltered truth from a warrior's perspective.

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