Fred and I discuss some but not all of these aspects of fitness

1. Functional Necessity in the Military
Combat readiness: Military service often demands physical strength for tasks like carrying heavy gear, enduring long marches, and surviving combat situations.
Resilience under stress: Strength isn’t just physical. Psychological toughness—mental discipline, courage under fire, emotional control—is critical in high-stakes military environments.
Leadership under pressure: The ability to protect and lead others often falls under the banner of “strength,” reinforcing traditional masculine expectations.
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2. Traditional Masculinity and Protection
Protector role: Across cultures and history, men have been cast in the role of protectors—of family, tribe, or nation. Strength is a symbolic and practical tool for fulfilling that role.
Initiation into manhood: Many societies historically associated male coming-of-age rituals with demonstrations of strength, courage, and endurance—traits honed in military contexts.
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3. Brotherhood and Discipline
Strength builds respect: In masculine military culture, strength is often a marker of competence and earns respect among peers.
Shared hardship: Going through intense physical and mental trials bonds men. Strength, in this sense, becomes both a personal virtue and a social glue.
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4. Psychological Archetypes
The warrior archetype: In many psychological and mythological traditions (like Jungian psychology), the “warrior” is a central masculine archetype. It represents discipline, courage, and strength used in service of a higher purpose.
Masculinity as responsibility: Strength is not just about dominance—it’s about shouldering responsibility, enduring hardship, and protecting others.

https://www.vincentroccovargas.com/

https://www.instagram.com/vincent.rocco.vargas/

Vincent “Rocco” Vargas was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. After several years of college baseball, Vincent enlisted in the US Army and went on to serve 3 combat deployments with 2nd Battalion of the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. After 4 years of active duty service to his country, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and continues his service until retirement. In 2009 he became a Federal Agent with the Department of Homeland Security, and was a Medic with the Special Operations Group.

Vincent is currently an entrepreneur, actor, writer, author and producer. Previous film credits include: Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace (2020-Actor and Co-Executive Producer), Not a War Story (2017-Self and Executive Producer), and Dads in Parks (2016-Self and Writer).

Most recently, Vincent was a writer on season 5 and played ‘Gilly’ on the #1 cable television series “Mayans MC” for FX.

When time allows, he also is a motivational speaker that focuses on Veteran advocacy, Leadership, Military transition and motivating youth audiences. Vincent is married with 8 kids

https://mind4survival.com/

Brian Duff  is a former member of the 75th Ranger Regiment and founder and host of the Mind 4 Survival podcast. As a lifelong preparedness advocate, Brian helps preparedness minded people gain the confidence and skills necessary to protect their family’s and loved ones when it matters most. Brian’s prepping experience began in high shcool and kicked into gear with his time as a paramedic in South Central Los Angeles. Following his time as a firefighter-paramedic and Army Ranger, Brian spent over a decade deployed in non-permissive environments around the globe with both Blackwater, and as a employee of the US Department of State, where he oversaw the Department's security forces in both Baghdad and Basrah, Iraq. After his time overseas, Brian returned to the Washington DC area where he oversaw a 2 billion dollar government security program. With his time in DC at a close Brian went on to become the Director of Training for North American Rescue’s tactical medicine training program. Now, Brian’s focus is to make disaster preparedness mainstream with his Mind4Survival podcast and social media efforts. Brian is project management professional certified, and holds a bachelor’s degree in security management along with a master’s in business administration.

Fred and I discuss the GWOT, service and meander while trying to stay on point!

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My interview with Fred
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqa17LExnAM

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We had some sound issues, but we are so glad that Steve came on!

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My interview with Fred
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Steve on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/zane_dogs/

Steve at Zane Dogs
https://www.zanedogs.com/?

Steve “Zane” Stoops spent the last 19 years as the Senior Combat Assault Dog Trainer (CAD) for the United States Joint Special Operations Command-JSOC, assigned to the 1st SFOD-D, located at Ft. Liberty, NC (retired January 2024.) He and a very small and exclusive group of Special Operators are innovators and developed many K9 training philosophies utilized today by the most elite SOF tactical working dog programs throughout the world. Steve actively handled these dogs in numerous combat situations facing fire fights, suicide bombers, and IEDs.
A veteran of 14 combat deployments, Steve was also requested by and assisted Naval Special Warfare units in Iraq. During this time, Steve also played a crucial role in the development of the following CAD programs worldwide:
~ Conducted the initial training course for Army Ranger CAD program.
~ Selected and trained the CADs and Handlers for the elite British Special Forces, traveling to England to instruct at the inaugural K9 course for both British Army and Naval Special Operators and their dogs.
~ Selected and trained the dogs for the Danish Jaeger Corps, traveling to Scandinavia to conduct training events.
~ Stood up a K9 program in a combat zone by importing dogs into the zone for the Kurdish Counter Terror Group (CTG).
~ Assisted the German KSK with their CAD program and was co-located with them on a combat deployments.
~ Assisted the Norwegian SOF Dog program in Afghanistan.
~ Stood up the CAD program for the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, selecting and training the K9/Handler teams on a multi-week training course.
Prior to working for Special Operations, Steve stood up and supervised a protection dog program in Afghanistan for Afghan President Hammed Karzai (2002.) Thereafter, Steve stood up a detection dog program in Tirana, Albania, for the Albanian National Police (2003.)
Steve’s K9 career started while serving 15 of his 20 years as a Police K9 Officer in Anderson, Indiana, after serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Security Specialist at U.S. Embassies throughout Europe and South America. While a K9 Officer, Steve was a SWAT Team member, SWAT Dog handler, and a veteran of hundreds of K9 deployments. He experienced numerous violent encounters with suspects including Officer involved shootings and edged weapon attacks and was responsible for numerous narcotics seizures with his K9s. Steve received four Combat Crosses for valor and was awarded an Outstanding Citizenship Award by President Clinton for his work in K9 developing a nationwide anti-drug program for elementary students, “The Puppy Patrol.”
Steve has taught dozens of K9 seminars throughout the country and is a qualified Subject Matter Expert in the United States Federal Court System regarding Police K9s .

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I present here my views on the importance of performing rituals, and how making coffee daily can bring a measure of calm. The need for ritual is a basic human instinct. Though it varies from place to place performing rituals is a feature known to all human societies. Rituals may include complex worship rites, rites of passage, oaths of allegiance, sporting events, and may be as simple as preparing a morning cup of coffee.

The English word “ritual” comes from the Latin ritualis, “that which pertains to the rite (ritus). Much has been written on what rituals are and have been and there really is no limit to the kinds of actions that may be incorporated into a ritual.

Rituals simply help us stay connected to the infinite. Whether we use special words or gestures, whether we comb hair like the Spartans did before battle, whether it is done communally or in solitude, it comes down to performing some kind of structure that lets us feel connected to the universe.

Rituals add depth and drama to our lives and are important to enact as each action performed provides a focal point from outer distraction. By implacing ourselves into the moments of the ritual we are displacing, in some sense of the idea, chaos from our life. We are achieving attunement and bringing ourselves into a place of harmony. Preparatory activities induce a feeling of being in control in moments where we may feel uncertainty. Rituals may reduce anxiety or boost our confidence

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My interview with Fred https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqa17LExnAM

post written by Eugene Nielsen

Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the children of fallen military personnel, first responders, foster children, caregivers, and Title One schools.

https://www.childrenoffallenheroes.org/

https://www.instagram.com/childrenoffallenheroes/

During World War II, the United States implemented coffee rationing as part of the broader war effort and conservation measures. The rationing of various goods, including coffee, was necessary to ensure that essential supplies were available for the military and to support the war economy.

Coffee had become an integral part of American culture and daily life, with many people relying on their daily cup to start the morning. However, during the war, transporting coffee beans from coffee-producing countries became difficult due to shipping disruptions caused by enemy action. Additionally, other priorities in wartime industries limited the availability of resources needed for coffee production and distribution.

https://silenciocoffeeco.com/blogs/history/u-s-coffee-rationing-in-world-war-ii

We discuss the brand, rituals, mindfulness, coffee, our products and leadership. We also discuss having guests and doing live episodes. I just loaded this. I will start adding time stamps, shortly.

https://silenciocoffeeco.com/

https://www.instagram.com/silenciocoffee/

0:00 Intro to brand agenda
10:25 We offer high quality coffee for less than most brands; we don't mark up unreasonably
20:00 Mindfulness
25:31 Swag
26:46 Guests, Leadership, Books
35:29 Website Blogs with articles to read on movies, military, how to make coffee, etc.
46:00 Rituals and awareness and the importance of structure and coffee
53:00 How did Fred and I meet?
58:00 Our roles
1:04 Give us constructive criticism; good or bad is helpful

Donavon Riley is a Lutheran pastor, conference speaker, author, and contributing writer for 1517. He is also a co-host of Banned Books and Warrior Priest podcasts. He is the author of the book, “Crucifying Religion” and “The Withertongue Emails.” He is also a contributing author to “The Sinner/Saint Devotional: 60 Days in the Psalms” and “Theology of the Cross”.

In this episode we are joined by Fred's son, Freddy junior. We have an open discussion with a loose agenda, and discuss Fred's role as a father and soldier, and how those played into how he parented his children, particularly his son Freddy Jr. We also discuss some aspects of masculinity and men's roles in the family, and community.

John Dailey is a former member of the experimental MARSOC Detachment 1 who was hand selected to create the Marine Raider sniper program. Prior to Det 1, John served with the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines Surveillance and Target Acquisition platoon and 1st Recon Battalion. He is the author of Tough Rugged Bastards.

John's sites
https://www.jadailey.com/
https://jdailey.substack.com/
https://rtfu.substack.com/

The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Garrisoned at Pope Field, North Carolina, it is the U.S. Air Force component of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). The unit's webpage describes it as "the Air Force's special operations ground force".

As the Air Force's Tier 1 unit, the 24th STS provides special operations airmen to the Joint Special Operations Command, including Pararescuemen, Combat Controllers, Special Reconnaissance, and Tactical Air Control Party personnel. 24th STS members are also trained to conduct classified and clandestine operations such as direct action, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance. 24th STS members conduct some missions on their own, but are mostly known as enablers to the Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (a.k.a. Delta Force) and the Navy's Special Warfare Development Group, or DEVGRU (a.k.a. SEAL Team.

The Special Tactics Squadron is the oldest of the U.S. military's special forces groups, dating to World War II, before the U.S. military adopted a widespread special operations doctrine.

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Fred YouTube

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Mike

https://www.instagram.com/wefightmonsters/

Mike YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@UCFn_EN18w3Z4a0DaPhGfZBA

This is my original interview with Fred back in 2021. Fred spent most of his career in Special Operations, serving as a Green Beret Medic before joining the Army Special Missions Unit, where he served as an Assaulter and a Sniper. Listen to this YouTube on Fred’s experiences in combat, including dealing with suicide bombers on target, conducting hostage rescue operations, and working with allied Special Operators, including the British SAS, Australian SASR, and Polish GROM

In his own words, “I’m retired military and spent 20 years in the US Navy. I was a member of SEAL Teams Three and Five as well as the Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWC) where I did a tour as a SEAL instructor. I taught firearms, tactic’s and explosives on basic and advanced levels to other SEAL team members. During this time I also became certified as a Master Training Specialist. After completing my tour at NSWC I returned to SEAL Team Three and deployed to Iraq. In summary, I completed 6 over sea’s deployments to South East Asia and the Middle East. After leaving military service I began contracting for the CIA performing a position depicted in the movie 13 Hours In Benghazi. I did this work for 7 years, completing approximately 1000 clandestine operations; In the process, I became relied upon as a tactical operations expert for the country of Afghanistan. In 2014, I was awarded the Agency Seal Medal for my role during a hostile attack on CIA personnel. In 2015, I started a company known as Red Frog. Initially, I provided Active Shooter response solutions for schools and law enforcement officers. In 2016, my focus transitioned to soley providing tactical training for law enforcement tactical teams conducting seminars, force-on-force and live fire training. In 2017, I also began training military and civilians in basic and advanced use of firearms. During this time I also periodically performed private security work. In 2020, I started a new company known as High Value Target LLC. A new training paradigm was created based upon principals consistent with modern neuroscience and what science has uncovered about how we learn and react under extreme stress. The 3D targets are advanced training aides which significantly enhance the quality of training.”

0:00 Intro and Fern's career
33:18 CIA base attack
1:02:42 High Value Targets
1:12:36 Post GWOT career

https://www.instagram.com/frogman_monk/

https://highvaluetarget.com/