On this week's podcast, I speak with former US Marine / Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officer / DEA Agent Bret Hamilton. Bret served in the US Marine Corps as a commissioned Officer. Bret deployed in the 1 st Gulf War. Bret left the Marines and, still having a willingness to serve, he joined the Charlotte–Mecklenburg Police Department as a Patrol Officer. After a couple of years, Bret applied and was accepted to join the DEA Drug Enforcement Agency. Bret worked undercover and worked throughout the US. In 2009, Bret became a member of the Foreign Deployed Advisory Support Team (FAST). Bret deployed to Afghanistan in 2010; he was promoted to team leader after his first tour. In 2011, Bret deployed for his second tour to Afghanistan, working with Task Group 66. On this deployment, Bret was shot in the ass. After Bret recovered from being shot, he deployed in 2012 for his third and final deployment to Afghanistan. There, he met and worked alongside Heston Russell team commander of November Platoon. Bret continued to work in the DEA and was the Agent in charge in the state of Alabama. Recently, an interview conducted with Journalist Mark Willacy was used in the case against Heston Russell. Willacy changed what Bret said in the interview. Bret actually said he had nothing but high praise for Heston and the Commandos, and they were some of the most professional soldiers he ever served with, not what Willacy stated that he never wanted to work with Commandos and Heston. This is a raw and honest account.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Bret Hamilton Editor: Kyle Watkins