SOFREP Radio

In this episode, Rad welcomes Master Sergeant (MSG, Ret) Howard “Mad Max” Mullen Jr., a 2013 Ranger Hall of Fame inductee among a long list of other achievements in the Army. A 26-year veteran, he was one of the most dynamic Ranger instructors to serve during the 1980s and early 1990s. 

Max recalls his legendary mentors, how they set him up for success, and the physical and mental rigors of Ranger School. He shares his tours of duty overseas, especially in South Korea where he served in the DMZ, as well as the airborne invasion of Grenada when he dropped in to help secure the airport and save American students.

Find out more about Max in the links below: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-max-mullen-87023a10

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_mullenn/

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In this episode, Rad welcomes back Charles Cunningham, a former military policeman in the Air Force, a local police officer, PA State Trooper, and a retired FBI Agent. He continues to story of David James Lindsey's trial and how one warrant officer systematically discredits every single one of Lindsey's war medal claims. 

David was found guilty on 21 counts and was sentenced to 60 years in jail. He later died in prison and is buried with no honors in White Hall. Charles also shares stories of his career in the FBI where he became the special agent in charge of Richmond, Virginia.

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On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes Charles Cunningham who is a former military policeman in the Air Force, a local police officer, PA State Trooper, and a retired FBI Agent. He shares the amazing case of David James Lindsey, a bemedalled former Marine, Army NCO, and war hero, who ends up becoming a cocaine dealer in upstate New York. 

Charles got hold of a ledger for David's crimes and this led him down a rabbit hole of racketeering, murders, possession of firearms and silencers, and drug trafficking. They go to trial. David takes a PTSD defense and had one of the most qualified psychiatrists declare that David has one of the worst PTSD cases he has ever seen.

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On this podcast, Rad welcomes Maj. Fred Galvin who served as commanding officer of the first unit that MARSOC deployed to combat in Afghanistan. He is the author of A Few Bad Men and he shares the chilling story of being ambushed by a car bomb and being framed for war crimes they did not commit.

He recounts how they were unwanted guests to their command and the underlying selfish philosophies of his commanders. The media storm that followed the attack got them booted out of Afghanistan and even back home, despite being exonerated by the court of inquiry, they were publicly shamed for supposedly getting away with murder. Fred is fighting back and letting the people know how the military is abusing its power and letting others take the fall for their mistakes.

Get a copy of A Few Bad Men: The True Story of U.S. Marines Ambushed in Afghanistan and Betrayed in America: https://amzn.to/3amnmOv

Connect with Fred via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-galvin-27270116/

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On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes Mark Nutsch and Jim DeFelice. Mark served as a Green Beret and led one of the first Special Forces teams into Afghanistan after 9/11. Mark was trained in unconventional warfare, from using foreign weapons to adapting to riding on horseback. He recalls an amazing scene of their local allies on horseback charging against columns of Taliban tanks and leading his team through the harshest conditions just to survive.

Jim is the author or co-author of sixteen New York Times bestselling books, including American Sniper, Everyman a Hero, and Swords of Lightning which he co-wrote with Mark. He shares some of the tales he learned from Mark, notably the fascinating mix of civil war-era and high-tech warfare that transpired during Mark's mission. He is a winner of the Army Historical Foundation Award for his writing and lives in the Hudson Valley.

The story of Mark and the 12 horsemen of ODA 595 is dramatized in the Hollywood movie 12 Strong.

Get your copy of Swords of Lightning: https://amzn.to/3bJpxMv

Check out Horse Soldier Bourbon in the links below:

Book website: http://swordsoflightning.com/

Horse Soldier Bourbon website: https://horsesoldierbourbon.com/

Horse Soldier Bourbon YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HorseSoldierBourbon

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On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes back Brad Thor, former member of the Department of Homeland Security's Analytic Red Cell Unit and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 21 books, including his latest thriller called Rising Tiger. Brad discusses how in-depth he went to get every detail right, from getting the military ranks of the Indian armed forces accurately to depicting the horrific medieval skirmish between the Indians and Chinese in 2020 which served as the opening to the book. Brad explores the geopolitical tension between the two nations and also shares interesting tidbits on cross-referencing characters from other authors' books, learning how to fashion an IED out of garbage, and why a 9mm is the preferred gun in an actual gunfight.

Get a copy of Rising Tiger: https://amzn.to/3OD6WzJ

Reach out to Brad Thor:

Website: https://bradthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradThorOfficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradThor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realbradthor/ 

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On this special episode, SOFREP's Editor-in-Chief Sean Spoonts features Brad Thor, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, former member of the Department of Homeland Security's Analytic Red Cell Unit, and sought-after keynote speaker on future terrorist threats. They are joined by Brandon Webb, SOFREP's publisher, former Navy SEAL sniper, and himself an author of a dozen books, as well as John David Mann, co-author of over 30 books including Brandon's memoirs. 

Brad shares his creative process, from experiencing as many of his settings as he can to never using an outline to keep the magic of storytelling alive. John then updates on Finn's saga that started in Steel Fear and how the mystery around him will take readers to Iceland next. They comment on the geopolitics of the US, China, Russia, and India and share funny anecdotes on Cold Fear's cover photo. Finally, they give tips to aspiring writers about reading what you love and writing as an intentional decision. 

Visit Brad Thor's website: https://bradthor.com/

Get a copy of Rising Tiger: https://amzn.to/3xFoKDL

Get copies of books by Brandon Webb and John David Mann:

Cold Fear: https://amzn.to/3mZh0aw

Steel Fear: https://amzn.to/3N4dOFk

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On this podcast, Rad features Cameron Hanes, endurance athlete, backcountry bowhunter, owner of Keep Hammering, and author of the bestselling book Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering.

Cameron shares his passion for bowhunting and the hard work and intentionality needed to become the ultimate predator. He discusses the deep respect he has for the animals and reminds us that the food we eat comes at the sacrifice of another living being. He comments on the food wastage issue that in the U.S. and how this goes against the values of true hunters who live aligned with nature. Cameron also gives his insights on the almost beautiful death by a perfect arrow shot versus the violence of a gunshot.

Get a copy of Endure: https://amzn.to/3aXMoDt

Cameron's Website: https://www.cameronhanes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronrhanes/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Connor "The Controller" Matthews, former Air Force combat controller and current MMA featherweight holding a 5-0 professional record. He shares the high-risk job of combat controllers, including performing HALO and HAHO jumps, and the need to be a strong runner and swimmer to survive this role. 

Connor talks about the highly technical role of air traffic controllers and how to secure airfields. Being a lifelong athlete, Connor made a natural transition into MMA after life in the military. He shares his background in martial arts and his confidence in making it big in the UFC.   

Reach out to Connor through the following links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-matthews-b3440b152/

Website: https://www.controllermma.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontrollermma/

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On this week’s podcast, Rad interviews Mike Lamonica, Chief Master Sergeant who retired as Chief Enlisted Manager for the 720th Special Tactics Group at the Air Force and current Vice President of Architecture and Engineering for Optiv. 

Mike recalls his missions as a combat controller and the extreme danger of his job and talks about the significance of the rock in building character and teamwork during the pipeline. Mike and Rad go through the jargon of combat controllers as they have a unique language.

Mike shares some advice for aspiring combat controllers. He also tells the story of his Bronze Medal and how the Combat Control Association takes care of their specific needs as veterans. 

Reach out to Mike and the Combat Control Association through the following links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lamonica-27273315/

Combat Control Association: https://combatcontrol.team/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.