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7 of 7 | Kevin Robbins | From Detroit Streets to Green Beret: CSM Robbins Honors MSG Gregory Trent
The Vanguard Wall Podcast Presents: The Quiet Professional - The MSG Gregory Trent Series (Final Episode)
In this emotional series finale, Command Sergeant Major Kevin Robbins (ODA 3422) shares his perspective as a member of the sister team that fought alongside MSG Gregory Trent's ODA 3424 during their 2012 deployment to Afghanistan's Herat Province.
The Sister Team's Story: While MSG Trent's ODA 3424 conducted Village Stability Operations, Kevin Robbins' ODA 3422 ran Afghan Commando missions from the same area. These two teams from 3rd Special Forces Group weren't just co-located - they were brothers who trained together, laughed together, and ultimately faced the worst day of their lives together.
This Final Episode Reveals:
🎖️ The unique perspective from the sister ODA during that fateful July 31, 2012 🎖️ Kevin's journey from Detroit poverty to Special Forces leadership 🎖️ The 24-hour retribution operation - what happens when you attack America's elite 🎖️ Why Greg could "defuse any situation" even during 18-hour training days 🎖️ The crushing weight of continuing the mission for months after loss 🎖️ Kevin's heartbreaking answer: What he'd say if he could sit with Greg one more time Most Powerful Moment:
"I couldn't talk about myself. If I had any time with Greg, I'd want to hear everything that he used to say. I don't think I could ever look him in the face and say anything that's prideful to me, knowing that it's something that was taken away from him." - CSM Kevin Robbins The Complete Series Has Featured:
Episode 1: Dave Coloumbe ODA 3424 Team Captain Episode 2: Tim Bostion ODA 3424 18C Episode 3: Karl Hoover ODA 3424 Team Sgt and Senior 18D Episode 4: CSM David Waldo, 1st Special Forces Command CSM Episode 5: Dovid Berg ODA 3424 18E Episode 6: Mike Swenson ODA 3424 Tm Warrant Officer
Kevin's Final Thoughts on Greg:
"He was everything you would expect from a Green Beret... but then there was so much more. A thirst for knowledge, sense of humor, approachable, easy to talk to. He was the guy who could get everybody to lighten up and relax when they were stressed out." MSG Gregory Trent made the ultimate sacrifice on August 8, 2012, succumbing to wounds received while protecting his brothers in Herat Province. His team and their sister ODA stayed in country until November, carrying his memory through every mission.
This series celebrates not just how warriors die, but how they lived.
🎗️ Forever Remember: MSG Gregory Trent's legacy lives on through his daughter, his widow Beth, and every Green Beret who carries his example forward.
⏰ Watch the Complete Series:
The Vanguard Wall Podcast has brought together the men of ODA 3424 and 3422 to ensure Greg's story - and the story of all quiet professionals - is never forgotten.
This concludes The Quiet Professional: The MSG Gregory Trent Series. Thank you to all the warriors who shared their stories to honor their fallen brother.
This Episode is sponsored by
Alpha Country Training + Nutrition Click the link for 20% off https://thealphacountry.com/discount/Vanguard20 Or Use Code Vanguard20 Instagram @alphacountrytrainingnutrition
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🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
🎯 THE UNTOLD STORY FROM THE BATTLEFIELD Former Green Beret Warrant Officer Mike Swenson breaks his silence about one of the most devastating days in Special Operations history. On July 31st, 2012, his team leader and brother-in-arms Master Sergeant Gregory Trent was shot in Afghanistan.
💥 WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER:
The moment everything changed on that July day in 2012 What it's really like to call in a medevac for your wounded brother How elite warriors cope with losing someone in combat The weight of command when split-second decisions mean life or death Why even training for Special Forces can be deadly
🔥 EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS:
Behind-the-scenes of ODA 3424's final mission The reality of IED warfare in Afghanistan How 9/11 shaped a generation of warriors What happens when Special Forces teams get split up The brotherhood that lasts beyond the battlefield
⚡ MIKE SWENSON'S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY: From Long Island kid to combat engineer to Green Beret warrant officer - Mike's path to becoming one of America's elite warriors is nothing short of extraordinary. Ranger School, Sapper School, multiple deployments, and the kind of technical expertise that saves lives on the battlefield. But this isn't just another war story. This is about the moment when everything you've trained for becomes brutally real. When the helicopter with the red cross is coming in, rotor wash is blowing down, and you're carrying a real person - your brother - to that bird.
🎖️ HONORING MASTER SERGEANT GREGORY TRENT This episode is part of our special series celebrating the life of Master Sergeant Gregory Trent, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Greg was known for his razor-sharp wit, unflappable demeanor, and the kind of leadership that inspires men to follow you into hell.
📍 TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Mike's Background: From Engineer to Green Beret 12:50 - Taking Command of ODA 3424 25:30 - The Moment 9/11 Changed Everything 45:15 - Working Relationship with MSgt Gregory Trent 58:20 - The Day Everything Changed: July 31st, 2012 1:23:00 - The Image Burned Into Memory Forever 1:24:11 - Life After the Battlefield: Hunting, Fishing, and Finding Peace
🔔 SUBSCRIBE if you want more untold stories from America's elite warriors 💬 COMMENT below with your thoughts and questions for Mike 👍 LIKE this video to honor Master Sergeant Gregory Trent's memory
#GreenBeret #SpecialForces #Afghanistan #Military #Veterans #Brotherhood #WarStories #VanguardWall #MasterSergeantGregoryTrent #ODA3424 #Honor #Sacrifice #NeverForget This episode contains mature themes related to combat and loss. Viewer discretion is advised.
This Episode is sponsored by
Alpha Country Training + Nutrition Click the link for 20% off https://thealphacountry.com/discount/Vanguard20 Or Use Code Vanguard20 Instagram @alphacountrytrainingnutrition
Titan SARMS https://www.titansarms.com/?via=vanguard10 Click the link for 10% off Or Use Code Vandguard10 Instagram @titan_performance_llc
The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
🔥 The UNBELIEVABLE Journey You've Never Heard Before
Meet Command Sergeant Major George Fraser - the man who DEFIED every military stereotype imaginable.
From painting, playing guitar, and explaining satellite physics better than most engineers... to becoming one of America's most elite special operators with:
32 years of military service 21 years in classified special operations 6 years in combat zones across Iraq, Afghanistan & Syria 2 Legions of Merit, 14 Bronze Stars (6 for valor), 4 Purple Hearts Vice President of AllTru Non-Profit: https://alltru.com/ Featured in the Documentary Guerrera: https://alltru.com/guerrera
What makes this story INSANE:
Started as a "satellite nerd" who could paint and play music Went from homeless to leading 3,000+ personnel in the world's most dangerous missions
Commanded at EVERY level of Special Operations Survived severe TBI, PTSD, and multiple combat injuries Now helps veterans through his raw, honest approach to mental health
Most SHOCKING Revelations:
How he handled women in elite combat units (controversial take!) The moment he woke up from surgery with his hands around someone's neck Why 22+ veterans die by suicide daily and what actually works His brutal honesty about PTSD, psychedelics, and alternative treatments Writing two books including "The Last Bullfighter" - a story about facing mortality
This isn't your typical war story. This is raw leadership, real trauma, genuine healing, and proof that humans can overcome ANYTHING.
Dr Taylor Bosley Precision Wellness Group Full Hormone Optimization https://www.precisionwellnessgroup.com/contact Mention Vanguard20 for 20% off initial consultation
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Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguadwallpodcast@gmail.com
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
🔥 FULL EPISODE: Elite Air Force Combat Controller Wayne Hunter shares the most incredible military story you've ever heard.
From hitting a tree at 125mph and walking away, to knocking out 4 men in one night, to experiencing supernatural healings that defy explanation - Wayne's journey from MMA fighter to Special Operations warrior to spiritual powerhouse will leave you speechless. In this explosive episode, Wayne reveals:
✅ How he survived selection after failing 3 times ✅ Real combat stories from Syria deployment with Green Berets ✅ The moment everything changed in a parking lot ✅ Casting out demons from fellow warriors (caught on camera) ✅ Healing a child's scoliosis with X-ray proof ✅ Leading 125+ Special Operations warriors in supernatural ministry ✅ Standing against military vaccine mandates and winning
This isn't just another military podcast - this is a complete paradigm shift about faith, power, and what's really possible. Wayne Hunter is training the most elite warriors on earth in supernatural warfare.
From Outer Banks quarterback to Air Force Academy to Combat Controller to ministry leader - this story has everything.
🎯 Subscribe for more incredible warrior testimonies 🔔 Hit the bell for notifications
00:00 Introduction & Opening 03:24 Growing Up on the Outer Banks 12:00 Meeting His Adoptive Father Gary Hunter 25:00 High School Football Leadership 40:00 Walking Away from Air Force Academy 55:00 The 125 MPH Crash That Should Have Killed Him 1:10:00 Descent Into Violence & MMA Fighting 1:30:00 Return to Military - Combat Controller Pipeline 1:50:00 Dive School Hell - The Ultimate Test 2:15:00 Syria Deployment with Green Berets 2:45:00 Spiritual Rebellion & Marriage Problems 3:00:00 Suicide Attempt in Parking Lot 3:30:00 Spiritual Awakening & Bible Study 3:50:00 First Supernatural Healing Encounters 4:10:00 Casting Out Demons & Deliverance 4:30:00 Kingdom Operators Ministry Launch 4:50:00 Teaching 125+ Warriors Without Dependency 5:10:00 Ministry Philosophy & Impact 5:30:00 Leading Warriors in Faith 5:50:00 Final Challenge to Believers & Non-Believers
Alpha Country Training + Nutrition Click the link for 20% off https://thealphacountry.com/discount/Vanguard20 Or Use Code Vanguard20 Instagram @alphacountrytrainingnutrition
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Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguadwallpodcast@gmail.com
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
Max Martini (Saving Private Ryan, 13 Hours, Captain Phillips) sits down for his most RAW and HONEST interview ever. The Hollywood veteran reveals:
His $2 MILLION loss making a homeless veteran film Training with REAL Delta Force & Navy SEALs The TRUTH about Hollywood's treatment of veteran stories His stepfather's FINAL moments that changed everything Why he REFUSES to give his kids Hollywood connections
From losing everything to help veterans to training with elite operators, this is the untold story of Hollywood's most authentic military actor. Max opens up about his dual citizenship, raising kids in Hollywood, and the powerful moment that made him dedicate his life to veteran advocacy.
🎬 Films Discussed: Saving Private Ryan, 13 Hours, The Unit, Captain Phillips, SGT Will Gardner 🎖️ Charities: Warrior's Heart Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro 00:26 Growing Up: Italian Sculptor Father & Texas Cop Mother 04:00 How Private Ryan Changed Everything 13:00 Training with Delta Force in Iraq 27:00 Playing Mark "Oz" Geist in 13 Hours 39:00 Captain Phillips No-Script Nightmare 43:00 Creating SGT Will Gardner & Losing Everything 56:00 Stewart Margolin's Final Breath 1:03:00 Raising Kids in Hollywood
#MaxMartini #Veterans #13Hours #SavingPrivateRyan #Military #Hollywood #VeteranAdvocacy #NavySEALS #DeltaForce #ThirteenHours #CaptainPhillips #TheUnit #VanguardWall #MilitaryMovies #veteranstories This Episode is sponsored by
The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com
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Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguadwallpodcast@gmail.com
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
The man behind Betty Blue (The Unit), Master Chief Seaver (SEAL Team), and Bishop (Mayans MC) gets REAL about his journey from professional soccer player to Hollywood's most authentic military actor.
In this powerful conversation with The Vanguard Wall Podcast, Michael Irby drops truth bombs about: - His career-ending injury that changed everything - Training with real Delta Force operators for "The Unit" - Why he turned down SEAL Team to join Mayans MC - The brotherhood between him and Max Martini - Being profiled after 9/11 and landing "Flight Plan" with Jodie Foster - Why he refuses to pick sides in Hollywood's political games
"I'm not an actor. I'm a human being and this happens to be my job."
Watch as Irby reveals why military families stop him on the street 20 years later, his $500 leap to NYC that started it all, and the defining moment when his acting teacher said "You could make a living doing this."
This isn't your typical celebrity interview. This is raw, unfiltered, and authentic.
🎬 Full Episode Available Now 🔔 Subscribe for more authentic military & veteran stories
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🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
Meet Trent Seegmiller - the Air Force weather forecaster who hitchhiked into Afghanistan, survived intense firefights, and earned an award for Valor in combat. From looking 12 years old at 24 to building the entire Air Force Special Operations weather pipeline, Trent's story will make you laugh and cry.
He shares the heartbreaking loss of his roommate Q, his friendship with Medal of Honor recipient Robbie Miller, and how he went from forecasting weather to becoming a combat-tested warrior.
Now co-hosting the Ones Ready Podcast, Trent breaks the silent professional mold with humor while honoring fallen brothers. This is the story of brotherhood, survivor's guilt, and finding light in the darkest moments of war.
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
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🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
In Part 2 of Chris McCoy's unbelievable journey, we dive into the darkest chapter of his life - and the moment that changed everything.
After getting kicked out of the 75th Ranger Regiment for a drug offense, Chris lost everything that defined him. No ceremony, no thanks, no recognition - just "get out." What happened next will shock you:
💔 Lost his identity overnight - From elite warrior to nothing 🏠 Became homeless on Seattle streets - Living in the worst neighborhoods 💊 Spiraled into heavy drug addiction - Anything to numb the pain ⚔️ Multiple suicide attempts - Including discharging his weapon next to his head 👊 Countless street fights - Using Ranger training in bar brawls 🚔 Arrested for battery on police - Facing serious prison time But then everything changed with one question from a Vietnam veteran judge... Chris reveals the exact moment his life started turning around, the "guardian angels" who appeared when he had nothing left, and how he began the impossible journey from the streets back to respectability.
What makes this episode different: Chris doesn't sugarcoat the brutal reality of what happens when elite warriors lose their purpose. This is raw, unfiltered truth about addiction, mental health, and the veteran crisis that nobody talks about.
The turning point that saved his life will give you chills.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or suicidal thoughts, this episode shows there's always a way back. Always.
This Episode is sponsored by
Alpha Country Training + Nutrition Click the link for 20% off https://thealphacountry.com/discount/Vanguard20 Or Use Code Vanguard20 Instagram @alphacountrytrainingnutrition
Titan SARMS https://www.titansarms.com/?via=vanguard10 Click the link for 10% off Or Use Code Vandguard10 Instagram @titan_performance_llc
The Vanguard Wall Merch: ⬇️ https://www.thevanguardwall.com
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Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguadwallpodcast@gmail.com
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
Chris McCoy went from being kicked out of his house at 13 to becoming an elite Army Ranger in the 75th Ranger Regiment - but that's just the beginning of one of the most insane life stories you'll ever hear.
In Part 1 of this incredible two-part series, Chris shares stories you've NEVER heard before about: 🔥 His real friendship with Pat Tillman - not the sanitized version the media tells ⚔️ Growing up on the streets and being protected by 1% outlaw bikers 🎯 His journey from homeless teenager to elite Army Ranger 💥 The moment he decided to leave everything behind for Regiment 🏴☠️ Stories from the Deadliest Catch that didn't make TV
This isn't your typical military story. Chris pulls no punches talking about the brutal realities of his childhood, the criminal underworld that raised him, and how he clawed his way from rock bottom to becoming one of America's elite warriors.
What makes this different: Chris doesn't just tell war stories - he reveals how the same streets that nearly destroyed him actually prepared him for the brotherhood and violence of special operations. Warning: This episode contains raw, unfiltered stories about violence, addiction, and survival that some viewers may find intense.
COMING UP IN PART 2: Chris's fall from grace, his battle with addiction, living homeless in Seattle, multiple suicide attempts, and his incredible comeback story.
Subscribe and hit the bell - you won't want to miss Part 2 of the most insane life story we've ever featured. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Vanguard Wall Podcast Info
This Episode is sponsored by
Alpha Country Training + Nutrition Click the link for 20% off https://thealphacountry.com/discount/... Or Use Code Vanguard20 Instagram @alphacountrytrainingnutrition
Former Green Beret and Special Forces medic Johnny Wilson shares his raw, unfiltered story of service, loss, and redemption in this powerful 5+ hour conversation.
🎯 KEY TOPICS COVERED:
Special Forces training and combat deployments in Afghanistan
Surviving a devastating motorcycle accident and amputation
Overcoming phantom pain and prescription drug addiction
Life-changing plant medicine experience and spiritual awakening
Raising two children with autism
Coast to Coast Foundation - helping veterans heal
⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Introduction & Background 00:15:30 Growing Up in North Carolina 00:30:45 Joining the Military 00:45:20 Special Forces Selection 01:15:40 Green Beret Training & Q Course 01:45:30 Afghanistan Deployments 02:15:00 Transition to Civilian Life 02:30:20 Starting a Family & Autism Diagnosis 02:45:30 The Life-Changing Accident 03:15:45 Hospital & Medical Decisions 03:30:20 Amputation Decision 03:45:30 Addiction & Dark Period 04:00:15 Finding Help & Ketamine Treatment 04:15:45 Plant Medicine Experience 04:30:20 Spiritual Awakening & Forgiveness 04:45:00 Parenting with Special Needs 05:00:30 Coast to Coast Foundation 05:15:20 Marriage & Family Lessons
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
📩 The Weekly SSE (free intel brief): https://intel.thevanguardwall.com
🔗 Connect with The Vanguard Wall Podcast 🎥 YouTube (watch the full episode): https://www.youtube.com/@TheVanguardWall 🏪 Merch: https://www.thevanguardwall.com ⚔️ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheVanguardWall 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevanguardwallpodcast/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569106772297 📧 Connect/Sponsor: thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com
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Join us on the Vanguard Wall Podcast for an EXCLUSIVE interview with Major Jessica Yahn, a trailblazing U.S. Army officer who redefined elite military operations and now inspires the world through her nonprofit, Altru, and the powerful documentary Guerrera. From leading surgical strike missions with Special Operations Forces to providing internet to girls’ schools under Taliban control, Jessica’s story is one of courage, resilience, and impact. 🌟
In this episode, we dive into: Her journey from ROTC at UC Santa Barbara to commanding critical signal operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Behind-the-scenes of Guerrera, a documentary honoring women in combat and the sacrifices of CST operators like Jenny Moreno. The mission of Altru to empower the next generation of leaders, especially young women. Hilarious and heartfelt stories, like her Airborne School glasses mishap! 😅
💪 Support Altru’s mission: https://alltru.com 🎥https://dulcineaproductions.com 🎥 Watch Guerrera on Apple TV https://tv.apple.com/us/show/guerrera/umc.cmc.6asu6f0as9qc5s5uw4c01vmag 🎥Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DMSPQNZY/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Why Jessica Yahn’s Story Will Blow You Away 2:05 - Meet Jessica: From Military Brat to Special Ops Leader 9:20 - Growing Up with Five Sisters and a U-2 Pilot Dad 18:52 - Air Force Academy to UC Santa Barbara: A Free Spirit’s Journey 36:37 - First Duty at Fort Bragg: Leading in Iraq 1:03:16 - Cultural Support Teams: Women at the Tip of the Spear 2:12:25 - Guerrera: The Documentary That Changed Everything 3:09:08 - Altru’s Mission: Empowering Girls Worldwide 3:45:31 - Rapid Fire: Leadership, Courage, and the Future of Women in SOF 3:53:15 - Closing Thoughts: Why Time Is Our Greatest Asset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Vanguard Wall Podcast Info
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Dive into the raw, unfiltered journey of Martin Oviedo on The Vanguard Wall Podcast. From a fatherless childhood in San Antonio, navigating the shadow of his dad’s Mexican Mafia ties, to forging unbreakable resilience in the Marine Corps, Martin’s story is a masterclass in survival and purpose. Hear how he dodged rockets in Iraq with Blackwater, led high-stakes missions, and now trains heroes as a lead instructor for ALERRT and Oviedo Consulting. Packed with heart-pounding tales, hard-won wisdom, and lessons on mental health and family, this episode will hit you like a freight train. Share it, subscribe, and join the tribe—because stories like Martin’s don’t just inspire, they ignite. Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Stay safe, and if you can't be safe be violent.
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When Master Sergeant Gregory Trent was shot in Afghanistan in 2012, his teammate Dovid risked everything to save him. What happened next will restore your faith in American heroes.
This is the untold story of ODA 3424 - the Special Forces team that epitomized what it means to be a "quiet professional." For over a decade, these Green Berets carried the weight of July 31st, 2012 in silence... until now. In this episode:
How Dovid ran back into enemy fire to save his teammate Why Greg's picture still sits on Dovid's desk 12 years later The moment that haunts Dovid most from that day How one fallen hero's legacy continues to inspire warriors today The retribution mission that eliminated 200+ enemy fighters
"Greg could find the silver lining in any cloud and get everyone else to see it too." - David These men didn't just serve together - they bled together, fought together, and created bonds stronger than blood. This is more than a war story. This is a testament to the brotherhood that makes America's military the most lethal fighting force on earth.
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Natasha McCann rebuilt her life from a broken back to become a Western powerhouse. Through McCann Athletic Therapy, she transforms rodeo athletes’ lives with cutting-edge rehab. As War Party Ranch’s leader, she fuels community strength with cowboy grit. In this full Vanguard Wall Podcast episode, dive into her raw journey—ranch roots, brutal recovery, and unstoppable spirit. Subscribe for more epic stories!
Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguadwallpodcast@gmail.com
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
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Join us on the Vanguard Wall Podcast for an unforgettable deep dive into the life of Mike Edwards, a 75th Ranger Regiment icon with 18 combat deployments, earning a Silver Star, Purple Heart, and three Bronze Stars.
In this raw and riveting episode, Mike recounts his high-stakes missions with the elite Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC) and CIA Omega Teams, where he conducted clandestine operations alongside the nation’s most secretive units. Hear gripping stories of working with SEAL Team 6, leading over 700 fighters in the Horn of Africa, and surviving a near-fatal ambush in Afghanistan. As a RASP instructor, he shaped the next generation of Rangers, and as a Military Freefall Instructor, he taught warriors to strike from the skies with precision.
Mike opens up about the toll of war—physical scars, personal battles, and the rage that once defined him—until faith became his compass. Discover how his spiritual awakening led him from the chaos of combat to pastoring a digital flock, homesteading with his family, and discipling others through his YouTube teachings. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, redemption, and purpose, perfect for veterans, faith seekers, and anyone inspired by stories of transformation. Don’t miss out—subscribe, share, and join the journey! #RangerLife #FaithJourney #VanguardWall
Full Podcast Episode on Youtube https://youtu.be/J3xN4PnW_XM
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From six high-stakes combat deployments with the legendary 2/75 Ranger Battalion to confronting the darkest depths of alcohol abuse and family struggles, Jesse Kostecka reveals the raw truth behind a life defined by war—and the hard-won path to healing.
In this explosive interview, Jesse opens up about:
Losing his mother at a young age and how that propelled him into the Army The relentless demands of Ranger Regiment and completing six combat tours Supporting Tier 1 Special Operations units and running an indigenous partner force in direct action missions Battling addiction and facing legal trouble that threatened his entire career Stepping away from the military to rebuild his civilian life as a devoted father and avid outdoorsman Jesse’s story highlights the universal challenges of trauma, transition, and redemption—with a powerful reminder that no one has to face their struggles alone. If you’ve ever questioned your own resilience or wondered how to find hope in the darkest places, this interview will change your perspective.
Like, Comment, and Share to help us reach those who need to hear Jesse’s inspiring words on mental health, fatherhood, and forging a new sense of purpose after the uniform comes off.
Podcast Episode with Greg Burrill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MBPC6zvMd4&t=6s
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Get ready for a mind-expanding conversation with David Romero—an Air Force Academy track star turned rocket-program specialist, elite yoga instructor for Hollywood’s biggest names, and now a dedicated warrior for mental health. In this powerhouse episode of The Vanguard Wall Podcast, we explore David’s groundbreaking journey from launching billion-dollar Air Force projects to guiding veterans, first responders, and high performers through transformative healing.
Highlights
Epic Evolution: From biology major and track star at the Air Force Academy to innovating billion-dollar rocket programs -A Bold Pivot: Why he left traditional healthcare for alternative healing methods -Elite Instruction: Teaching yoga to celebrities and USC students, bringing mind and body into perfect harmony -Plant Medicine’s Power: Uncover how it impacts PTSD, trauma, and fuels the warrior spirit -Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science: Discover new approaches to pain management and recovery -Commitment to Vets: Serving on the Coming Home Project board, fighting to end veteran suicide
Join us for an eye-opening look at how plant medicine and holistic healing methods are reshaping the way we tackle PTSD, trauma, and the challenges of the warrior spirit. Get ready to challenge your beliefs about what it truly means to heal.
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In this riveting episode, we sit down with Greg Burrill—a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 who served across the globe in some of the most elite Special Forces units, including 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force). From multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to clandestine work and high-risk operations, Greg’s military journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Yet, like many veterans, he faced an intense battle with PTSD after leaving active duty.
Discover how Greg found an unconventional path to healing through plant medicine, specifically psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca, which helped him confront his darkest moments and reclaim his life. In this conversation, we explore the realities of modern warfare, the toll it takes on mental health, and the remarkable power of psychedelics to promote recovery and growth. If you’re curious about the untold stories of Special Forces missions and the potential of alternative therapies, this is one podcast you don’t want to miss.
Subscribe for more life-changing interviews, and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode!
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In this powerful episode of The Vanguard Wall Podcast, we sit down with Doron Keidar, an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Special Forces operator who deployed on October 7, 2023, to Gaza to repel Hamas attacks and has since conducted multiple operations in Lebanon and Gaza.
Doron’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to his nation. He has endured childhood abuse, the loss of his twin brother, and foster care, yet he rose to serve as an IDF active-duty soldier, Special Operations mobility operator, and long-time IDF reservist with the 98th Division and 35th Brigade.
Beyond the battlefield, Doron is a husband, father, and global advocate for Israel. Fluent in English and Hebrew, he shares firsthand insights on Israel’s fight for survival, security, and sovereignty. He also hosts The Doron Keidar Podcastand contributes to the I AM ISRAEL film project, shedding light on the realities of war and Israel’s future.
Doron also works with Cry For Zion, a movement supporting Jewish rights on the Temple Mount, using historical, archaeological, and biblical evidence to educate and inspire.
🔥 Topics Covered in This Episode: ✔️ Doron’s experience in IDF Special Forces & Special Operations ✔️ The Hamas attack on Oct 7, 2023, and the ongoing war in Gaza & Lebanon ✔️ The realities of combat & the toll of war ✔️ His personal struggles, including childhood trauma & losing his twin brother ✔️ His work as a global advocate for Israel ✔️ The future of Israel, Jerusalem & the Temple Mount
📌 Subscribe & Stay Connected
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In Episode 5 of The Vanguard Wall Podcast, we sit down with retired US Army Special Forces Team Sergeant Jeremiah Wilber. Jeremiah's distinguished military career spans service as a Military Policeman and a Green Beret in both the 3rd and 10th Special Forces Groups.
Jeremiah is the founder of the War Party Movement, a mission-driven company funding his nonprofit, War Party Ranch. Through this initiative, he tirelessly works to support murdered, missing, and indigenous women, as well as survivors of domestic violence, particularly on Indian reservations.
Beyond his advocacy, Jeremiah is an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and guide, balancing his passion for the wilderness with life as a cowboy when time permits. Join us for an inspiring conversation about service, resilience, and the fight to protect the vulnerable.
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In the riveting conclusion of our two-part series with retired ATF Special Agent Pete McCarthy, we dive deeper into the unseen sacrifices and intense challenges he faced during his legendary 33-year career. Pete shares the personal toll of living under relentless pressure, the high-stakes risks of infiltrating dangerous groups, and the impact of decades spent in the shadows. This episode goes beyond the action, revealing the resilience and courage it takes to walk away and rebuild. Don't miss this powerful insight into the life of an undercover icon.
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Dive deep into the life of Pete McCarthy, a seasoned ATF Special Agent who dedicated over three decades to battling crime from the shadows. With 29 years undercover, Pete infiltrated violent biker gangs, took down members of the Aryan Brotherhood, and led countless high-stakes operations that put him face-to-face with danger. From his roots as an Army Officer to his time as a Deputy US Marshal and a founding member of the ATF’s Enhanced Undercover Program and SRT, Pete’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and courage. Join us as we uncover the real stories behind the badges and learn what it truly takes to protect and serve.
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In Part 2 of our interview with US Army Ranger Dylan Truesdale, we dive deep into his life after the military and the unimaginable challenges he faced. After surviving two intense deployments to Afghanistan, Dylan’s fight wasn’t over. A devastating accident turned his world upside down, testing his resilience in ways the battlefield never could. In this episode, we explore how he fought through physical and mental recovery, rediscovered his purpose, and rebuilt his life. Dylan’s story is one of relentless grit and the power of the human spirit.
To find Dylan on IG @dylanctruedale
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A British kid lands in America 24 hours before 9/11. One month later, he's enlisting in the US Army. This is Kevin Garrad's story. Born in London, Kevin arrived in the United States just one day before the towers fell. While most foreign nationals were fleeing America, he ran toward the fight—joining the US Army as a British citizen and beginning a 14-year journey that would take him from the invasion of Iraq with the 3rd Infantry Division to earning his Green Beret with 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group.
Kevin was there at the very beginning—breaching the berms into Iraq, watching Special Operations teams flow through, surviving deployments that lasted 12-16 months (not the 4-6 month SOF rotations). He became a Master Breacher, served in Afghanistan, trained NATO forces, and witnessed the raw, grinding reality of conventional warfare that most people never see. But Kevin's story doesn't end with retirement. After leaving the Army in 2016, he crashed hard in Savannah, Georgia—dealing with TBI, PTSD, and the soul-crushing work of recruiting young Americans for wars he'd stopped believing in. His solution seemed crazy: sell everything and move to South Africa during COVID to become a wildlife conservationist.
🦁 Today, Kevin lives in the shadows of Kruger National Park, where the morning soundtrack is lion roars instead of reveille. He's traded IEDs for rhino poachers, urban combat for bush warfare, and founded Wild Works—a revolutionary program combining wilderness therapy with psychedelic treatment to heal combat veterans in the African wilderness.
The same hypervigilance that kept him alive in Iraq and Afghanistan now serves him when a six-ton bull elephant decides to inspect his morning coffee. He's tracking armed poachers through territory where leopards hunt. And he's discovered that sometimes the greatest mission begins after you take off the uniform.
🎙️ Subscribe for authentic warrior stories, mental health breakthroughs, and perspectives you won't find anywhere else. We're bringing you untold stories from the warriors who lived them.
🎯 FOLLOW Kevin Garrad: Instagram @wildwerx
Website: https://wild-werx.com/ The Vanguard Wall Podcast Info
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Part 1 of a 2 part interview. In this gripping episode, former Army Ranger Dylan Truesdale recounts his time as an RTO for the 3/75 Ranger Battalion during two intense combat tours in Afghanistan. Dylan reveals what it was like to work as part of a joint JSOC and OGA mission as part of an Omega Team, where every mission pushed the limits of skill, endurance, and trust. From high-stakes battles to covert operations, Dylan takes us inside the wire of the war zone, sharing untold stories of danger, teamwork, and the struggles personally and professionally that only combat can forge.
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🎖️ The voice you've heard across the internet. The heart you've never seen. Command Sergeant Major David Waldo - the top enlisted leader overseeing ALL five active duty Green Beret groups and two National Guard groups - delivers his most powerful interview yet in honor of Master Sergeant Gregory Trent, KIA Afghanistan 2012.
What CSM Waldo reveals:
His viral definition: "You're brilliant and you're compassionate. And you're lethal. But above all you love deeply... Sometimes you won't even notice that warrior love until there's chaos and 7.62 rounds ripping past breaking the sound barrier next to you."
Raw truth about the Q-Course: "We don't build character throughout our SFAS or our Q course. We don't build character, but we sure as hell define it." His message to struggling warriors: "Stop looking at the damn tree. Look where you want to go. If you can't see it, let's figure out what that is and take a chance on you."
The lighthouse promise to Gold Star families: "We owe it to the Gold Stars to be the lighthouse - there if you need us, there when you want us." Why Greg Trent was the "quintessential Green Beret" - focused on the task without expectation of credit
His heartbreaking story about a combat diver he tried to save who mentored younger soldiers even while battling addiction
"There are folks that focus on the task without the expectation of credit. That was Greg Trent." - CSM David Waldo Part of The Vanguard Wall's special series honoring Master Sergeant Gregory Trent and ODA 3424
⚠️ Heavy content warning: Mental health, addiction, loss of brothers #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #CSMWaldo #QuietProfessional #GregTrent #VanguardWall #MasterSergeantTrent --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Vanguard Wall Podcast Info
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🎖️ THE HARDEST STORY A SPECIAL FORCES MEDIC EVER HAD TO TELL Carl Hoover was the Team Sergeant and Special Forces medic who held his dying teammate in his arms. Master Sergeant Gregory Trent was shot in the head during a firefight in Afghanistan, and Carl - despite all his training - couldn't save him. This is Carl's story. Raw. Unfiltered. Heartbreaking. Carl was blown off a roof by an RPG earlier that deployment, suffered 7 days of amnesia, and earned a Purple Heart. But nothing prepared him for the day he lost Greg.
What You'll Hear:
The moment Greg was shot in the head during combat Carl's impossible decision as both medic and team sergeant Being "covered in blood, looking like a feral wombat" Carrying his 280-pound teammate through enemy fire Why the helicopters wouldn't come The brotherhood that got him through the darkness
"I look like a feral wombat right now. I'm talking like a freaking crazed beast. I'm ready to pick a fight with Mother Nature itself." - Carl Hoover This isn't Hollywood. This is the real cost of brotherhood.
Chapter 1: "The Team Sergeant Who Wasn't Supposed to Be" 00:00 Chapter 2: "The Worst 2012 Ever" 32:11 Chapter 3: "Blown Off the Roof" 32:19 Chapter 4: "The Day Everything Changed" 53:07 Chapter 5: "Impossible Decisions" 58:32 Chapter 6: "280 Pounds of Man Meat" 01:04:37 Chapter 7: "Feral Wombat" 01:09:45 Chapter 8: "What I Hadn't Done" 01:14:16 Chapter 9: "Retribution, Not Vengeance" 01:37:30 Chapter 10: "Healing and Remembering" 02:18:29
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more real military stories 👍 LIKE if this moved you 💬 COMMENT your thoughts below #SpecialForces #Military #Hero #RealStory #Afghanistan #Brotherhood #SpecialForces #Military #Hero #MilitaryLeadership #Combat #Brotherhood #Afghanistan #TrueStory #Veteran #Leadership #Sacrifice #Purple Heart #Medic #TeamSergeant #ODA #GreenBeret #Honor #Fallen #Memorial #warriors
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Episode 2 of 7 in the series of The Quiet Professional: The Master Sergeant Gregory Trent Story
In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Tim Bostion, best friend and teammate of Master Gregory Trent, as he shares intimate stories of their unbreakable bond forged through service, sacrifice, and brotherhood. Tim opens up about their friendship that began in 2010, their life-changing conversations under the Afghan stars during their 2012 deployment, and the devastating loss that forever changed their team.
From Greg's mentorship that pushed Tim to pursue education, to the Disney songs mixed with heavy metal in their workout playlists, to the final moments that tested the limits of brotherhood - this episode reveals the man behind the uniform and the legacy that continues to inspire. Tim's raw honesty about grief, survival, and the ongoing mission to support veterans struggling in darkness makes this a powerful testament to the bonds that transcend life itself. This episode is part of our series celebrating the life and legacy of Master Gregory Trent, honoring not just his service and sacrifice, but the profound impact he had on those who served alongside him.
Tim Bostion was Master Sergeant Gregory Trent's best friend and teammate on ODA 3424 when MSG Trent was fatally wounded in Afghanistan on July 31, 2012. In this deeply personal interview, Tim reveals the untold story of brotherhood forged in combat and the mentorship that changed his life forever. 🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
The real bond between Special Forces teammates who become family How MSG Trent mentored and shaped the next generation of Green Berets What it means to lose your best friend in combat The conversations under Afghan stars that defined a friendship Why Greg's legacy continues to guide veterans today
⚡ KEY MOMENTS:
00:00:00 - Meeting Greg: "I found the brother I never had" 00:08:38 - Greg forces Tim to pursue education: "You're going to sign up for college right now" 00:21:52 - The Disney songs and heavy metal: Greg's unique personality 00:36:45 - Under Afghan stars: "You need to see the big picture, Tim" 00:54:24 - July 31st: The day Tim was sent home and everything changed 01:07:49 - Breaking down alone: "It felt great to finally cry" 01:26:51 - The tribe that endures: Supporting veterans in dark places This is part of a 7-part series honoring the life and sacrifice of Master Sergeant Gregory Trent, featuring interviews with his entire A-Team and those whose lives he touched.
🇺🇸 MSG Gregory Trent served with distinction in the 3rd Special Forces Group and made the ultimate sacrifice for his brothers and his country. This series ensures his legacy lives on. #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #Afghanistan #Military #MSGGregoryTrent #ODA3424 #QuietProfessional #vanguardwallpodcast
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LTC Dave Coulombe (then Captain) commanded ODA 3424 when Master Sergeant Gregory Trent was fatally wounded in Afghanistan on July 31, 2012. In this exclusive interview, Captain Coulombe reveals the untold story of leading an elite Special Forces team through one of their darkest moments.
🎯 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: • The real dynamics inside a Green Beret A-Team • How Special Forces leaders make life-or-death decisions • What it means to command soldiers who become family • The village stability operations mission that changed everything • Why MSG Trent was irreplaceable to his team
⚡ KEY MOMENTS: 00:00 - Introduction to ODA 3424 08:15 - First impressions of MSG Gregory Trent 21:52 - "Greg was never about himself, ever" 45:30 - The mission that went wrong 1:02:15 - Leadership under impossible circumstances 1:18:45 - What Greg would want to be remembered for
This is Episode 1 of a 7-part series honoring the life and sacrifice of Master Sergeant Gregory Trent, featuring interviews with his entire A-Team and senior Special Forces leadership.
🇺🇸 MSG Gregory Trent served with distinction in the 3rd Special Forces Group and made the ultimate sacrifice for his brothers and his country. This series ensures his legacy lives on.
Support the Vanguard Wall Podcast and rock our merch www.thevanguardwall.com
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🚁 FROM THE COCKPIT TO REDEMPTIONGreg "Gravy" Coker flew 11 combat tours with the elite 160th SOAR Night Stalkers. What happened after the wars nearly destroyed him—until a controversial treatment changed everything.In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Greg shares:
✅ Flying classified missions into the world's most dangerous combat zones ✅ The PTSD, TBI, and addiction that almost took his life ✅ How ibogaine therapy pulled him back from the brink ✅ His guardian angel vision that saved him ✅ Why faith—not pharmaceuticals—became his greatest weapon ✅ The brotherhood we lost and the memories that keep us fighting
THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL MILITARY PODCAST.Greg's story proves that even when you're broken beyond repair, there's hope. His journey from the center of the universe (160th SOAR) to rock bottom to redemption is one every veteran, first responder, and struggling human needs to hear.🔥 Key
🎯 FOLLOW Greg “Gravy “Coker: Instagram: @Shiled91
Blades For Brothers: https://www.bladesforbrothers.com/
Death Awaits in the Dark Book: https://www.bladesforbrothers.com/product-page/death-waits-in-the-dark-softback Also available on audible and Greg narrated the book himself
0:00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 0:00:58 Welcome and Episode Overview 0:02:16 Greg Coker Introduction - The Hero Bio 0:05:55 Young Texas Kid to Warrior - Early Life 0:14:30 Joining the Army and Green Platoon 0:24:45 Flight School and Becoming an Aviator 0:39:08 Father Pins Wings - March 1990 0:52:20 160th SOAR Selection and Training 1:12:35 Meeting Leon Hansen - Delta Force Operator 1:28:40 First Combat Deployment to Afghanistan 2:07:00 Iraq War - The Wild West of 2004 2:32:24 March 19, 2004 - Helicopter 364 Shot Down 2:57:48 Survival and Rescue Mission 3:23:12 Recovery and Return to Combat 3:48:36 The Weight of War - Mental Health Struggles 4:14:00 Family Life During Deployments 4:39:24 Transition Out of Service 5:04:48 Leon Hansen Takes His Life - June 26, 2015 5:24:00 Finding Purpose Through Faith 5:42:54 Message to Veterans on the Edge 5:51:00 Ibogaine Therapy Experience 6:08:18 Liberty and Loyalty Foundation 6:18:47 Never Give Up on a Cowboy - Final Message 6:21:00 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action 6:27:32 Liberty and Loyalty Foundation Details 6:29:24 Charlie Crawford's Team Roping Event
🙏 Mental Health Resources: Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (Press 1) VETS Inc: vetsolutions.org Mission Within Text "HOME" to 741741
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: The views on ibogaine therapy are personal experiences. Always consult medical professionals. Ibogaine is not FDA-approved and is not legal in the United States.
🎯 FOLLOW Greg “Gravy “Coker: Instagram: @Shiled91
Blades For Brothers: https://www.bladesforbrothers.com/
Death Awaits in the Dark Book: https://www.bladesforbrothers.com/product-page/death-waits-in-the-dark-softback
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This is the most powerful story you'll ever hear! Tom Jones went from abused ward of the state to 7x Muay Thai World Champion, Marine Corps Honor Graduate, and author of "Becoming Quit Proof." His childhood trauma would break most people - but he turned it into his greatest superpower. 🎯 What You'll Discover:
How Tom survived horrific childhood abuse and turned it into strength The "Quit Proof" system that helped him become unstoppable His incredible feats: Running across America TWICE, circumnavigating Hawaii How he went from padded cell to helping Fortune 500 companies The Chuck Norris principle that changed his entire mission His Trusted Tribe program helping veterans overcome PTSD
This isn't just another success story - it's a blueprint for becoming unstoppable no matter what life throws at you. Tom's mission: "The more people you help, the more successful you'll be."
Dr Taylor Bosley Precision Wellness Group Full Hormone Optimization https://www.precisionwellnessgroup.com/contact Mention Vanguard20 for 20% off initial consultation
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Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguadwallpodcast@gmail.com #QuitProof #MarineStory #TraumaSurvivor #OvercomingAdversity #VeteranStory #MotivationalSpeaker #ResilienceTraining #VanguardWallPodcast #TomJones #BecomingQuitProof
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A 16-year-old mom. No father. A troubled Montana kid who didn't fit anywhere. Three days after graduation, he shipped out to become an Army Ranger—and almost quit before the war even started.
Retired Command Sergeant Major Mike Burke takes us inside the pre-9/11 Ranger Regiment—when money was tight, morale was low, and the mission wasn't clear. He shares the brutal truth about toxic leadership, nearly throwing his rifle at his platoon leader, and the moment Delta Force legend Josh Wheeler kicked down his door at 4:30 AM and changed his trajectory forever.
From that first chaotic Afghanistan deployment in 2002 to watching the Takur Ghar footage before shipping out, Mike pulls no punches about the fog of early GWOT operations, the Rangers who didn't want war, and what it really took to become the leader who would go on to command thousands across 14 deployments.This is the raw, unfiltered origin story of a warrior who survived bad leadership to become great leadership.
🎙️ Subscribe for untold special operations stories, leadership lessons, and the real cost of 24 years at war.
⚠️ Viewer discretion: Discussions of combat, trauma, profanity, and the realities of military service.#MichaelBurke
🎯 FOLLOW CSM(r) Michael Burke: Instagram @michael_s._burke @legendsofthe75th Website: https://legendsofthe75th.com
This Episode is sponsored by
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From a 12-year-old kid in Montana wearing hand-me-downs to Command Sergeant Major—this is the story of what happens when you almost lose everything, and the fallen hero who saved you one last time.
Command Sergeant Major Michael Burke (Ret.) served 14 deployments, completed 1,000+ combat operations, and rose from struggling private to the top enlisted ranks. But on October 22, 2015, when he learned his mentor MSG Joshua Wheeler was killed in action, everything came crashing down.
WHO WAS MSG JOSHUA WHEELER? Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler was a Delta Force operator and Ranger Regiment legend with 11 deployments. On October 22, 2015, he was killed during a hostage rescue in Hawija, Iraq—the first American KIA against ISIS. Wheeler charged enemy positions to protect his team and 70 hostages, earning the Silver Star posthumously.
For Burke, Wheeler was the man who believed in him when no one else did. The man who made him feel like he belonged. Because of Josh Wheeler, Burke served 22 more years. When Wheeler died, Burke reached his breaking point.
THIS EPISODE:
"I don't want to be on this earth anymore"—Burke's darkest moment
The therapy session that broke the dam
"I kind of broke my brain"—TBI, trauma, and childhood wounds
What would Josh do? The question that saved his life
"There's people who need you that haven't met you yet"
"I quit in my mind a million times. Just not today."
The Focus Framework: Leading with 3 priorities
From lacking empathy to making it your superpower
Veterans got veterans: Why peer support saves lives
Message to 12-year-old Mike in Montana: "Everything is worth it"
⚠️ Recorded on the 10-year anniversary of MSG Wheeler's death. Contains discussion of suicide ideation, PTSD, and trauma. Burke shares to save lives.
🆘 IF YOU'RE IN CRISIS:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Call/Text)
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
🔗 Michael Burke: @mike_s._burke or www.legendsofthe75th.com
"There's people that need you that don't even know you yet. You never go on a target alone. This is just a new mission—and we need you." — CSM Michael Burke
This interview will save lives. Share it.
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Bob Porras served 20 years in Delta Force before joining the CIA's Global Response Staff, where he spent another decade protecting intelligence operations in the world's most dangerous places. In this conversation, Bob shares the reality behind the headlines—from the Benghazi aftermath to evacuating the Tripoli embassy in 2014, earning the CIA's highest medal in the process.
This interview covers the sacrifices that come with a life in service, the broken training pipelines that put operators at risk, and what it takes to lead teams when failure isn't an option. Bob discusses his transition out of the CIA, why he started teaching tactical skills, and the personal costs of three decades at the tip of the spear.
Topics include: CIA Global Response Staff operations, leadership under fire, the Khost Bombings, Benghazi Attacks, faith and family through adversity, and building resilience after service.
Content Advisory: This conversation contains discussions of combat operations, wartime casualties, and the psychological toll of sustained operational tempo. Presented in documentary/educational context.
🎯 FOLLOW Bob “Ninja” Porras: Instagram: @Ninjabobsolutions Tik Tok: ninjabobsolutions7 Facebook: Ninjabobsolutions Website: https://ninjabobsolutions
This Episode is sponsored by
Dr Taylor Bosley 🌐 Fuel Your Momentum and Get started Now → www.precisionwellnessgroup.com 📲 Follow → @precisionwellnessgroup Because true strength starts from within — and optimal health is the edge you deserve.
🎯 The Vanguard Wall is powered by Hoplite Nutrition — built for those who run toward. No fillers, no fluff, just fuel built for the mission. Shop hoplitenutrition.com — code VANGUARD15 for 15% off + Subscribe & Save.
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Few operators earn the right to walk away from Delta Force on their own terms. Bob "Ninja" Porras did exactly that—after building a legendary career from nothing.
This episode covers Bob's journey from Los Angeles to becoming one of Delta Force's most respected operators. Starting as an Army engineer, he battled bureaucracy, survived Panama combat operations, earned his Green Beret, and fought his way into the Unit—the most selective special operations force in the world.
Bob shares what Delta selection really tests, the truth about peacetime military life in the 1980s, and the leadership lessons that carried him through two decades of combat rotations. From hostage rescue training to the opening chapters of the War on Terror, this is the story of a warrior who never stopped evolving.
Content Advisory: This episode contains discussion of military combat operations, wartime experiences, and deployment stress. All content is presented in historical/educational context.
If you're interested in military history, special operations, or leadership under pressure, this conversation delivers truth without the Hollywood filter.
Dr Taylor Bosley Grab your FREE Top 5 from Doctor Bosley PDF here → https://www.precisionwellnessgroup.com/ad-the-vanguard-wall-podcast 🌐 Fuel Your Momentum and Get started Now → www.precisionwellnessgroup.com 📲 Follow → @precisionwellnessgroup Because true strength starts from within — and optimal health is the edge you deserve.
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Want to sponsor the show? Email: ⬇️ thevanguardwallpodcast@gmail.com 🔔 Subscribe for more stories from America's quiet professionals 👍 Like if you want to see Part 2 (CIA GRS career) 💬 Comment your questions for Bob
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🔥 This is the story Hollywood doesn't want you to hear.
Cody Bobay went from being an alcoholic 13-year-old in a broken home to encountering God in a Navy barracks—and his entire life changed in ONE SECOND. Now he's fighting to take back Hollywood one film at a time. From nuclear warfare missions to battling depression, from marriage crisis to standing up against church criticism, from devastating rejection to launching a studio that refuses to bow to Hollywood's agenda—this conversation goes DEEP. If you're struggling with:
Pornography addiction Depression or suicidal thoughts Marriage problems Feeling like a failure Finding your purpose Being a better father Fighting for biblical masculinity
This episode is for you.
📍 CHAPTERS: 00:00:00 - Introduction: From Broken Home to Warrior 00:15:32 - Age 13: First Drink, Alcoholism & Chasing Acceptance 00:30:45 - The Dark Reality: Cheating, Fighting & Hating Himself 00:46:18 - Rock Bottom: Screaming at God in a Navy Barracks 00:51:03 - The Encounter: How God Changed Everything in One Moment 01:08:47 - Nuclear Warfare: Life on the E-6B Mercury Platform 01:28:15 - SERE School: Breaking His Neck & Cold Water Torture 01:42:33 - Blue Jacket of the Year: God Whispers the Answer 01:54:20 - Meeting His Wife: No Sex Until Marriage After That Past 02:08:44 - Year 7 Crisis: "You're Having an Emotional Affair with Work" 02:22:10 - Why Christian Men Stay Fat & Addicted (The Brutal Truth) 02:38:52 - Writing 700 Devotionals While Fighting Depression 02:51:16 - God's Call to Acting: "Would You Follow Me Into the Ocean?" 03:04:39 - Hollywood Rejection: 10 Final Callbacks, Zero Callbacks Back 03:18:24 - Fighting on Film: Breaking His Neck in the Ogden River 03:29:47 - Pastors Tried to Cancel Him: "You'll Never Speak Without Seminary" 03:44:11 - The Pornography Conversation Church Won't Have 03:58:35 - Raising Kids in Hollywood: Steak & Sex Dates with His Son 04:12:18 - I68 Studios: Taking Back Hollywood Without Asking Permission 04:26:40 - Final Word: Here I Am, Send Me
Navy veteran Cody Bobay discusses his military service, personal faith transformation, 19-year marriage, parenting philosophy, and career transitions into writing, speaking, and acting. Topics include military experiences, mental health, masculinity, family relationships, and creative pursuits. Long-form conversation covering service, personal growth, and life purpose. Interview by The Vanguard Wall podcast featuring veterans and their transformation stories.
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What do you do when you've lost everything—your family, your future, your will to live? For Matt Kuiper, founder of Desert Plunge, the answer came in the form of 38-degree water. This is the story of a man who went from two DUIs and jail time to building one of the fastest-growing cold plunge companies in America—and how he discovered that our darkest moments can become our greatest purpose.
Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 4:00 - Early Childhood & Christian Reform Upbringing 15:10 - First Antidepressants at 15 17:20 - First Drink: "I Cannot Wait to Do This Again" 30:50 - First DUI at 16, Second at 21 37:40 - The Day I Almost Died: 220 BPM Heart Rate 47:30 - Green Oaks Ranch: 6-Month Rehab 53:00 - Meeting My Wife in Rehab 1:09:00 - Relapse: Wife Kicks Me Out 1:17:00 - Rock Bottom & 90 Meetings in 90 Days 1:27:00 - Why Marriage is Worth Fighting For 1:37:00 - Becoming an Electrician: The Trades vs College 1:48:00 - 2019 Mental Health Crisis in Ecuador 2:01:00 - Cold Plunge Changed Everything 2:07:00 - Building Desert Plunge from Garage to Business 2:34:00 - Customer Service & Business Philosophy 2:51:00 - Plant Medicine: 5-MEO, Kambo, Ketamine 3:04:00 - Faith, Fatherhood & Breaking Cycles 3:19:00 - SSRIs, Big Pharma & Alternative Medicine 3:27:00 - Final Message: You Can Change Your Story
🎯 FOLLOW Matt Kupier: Instagram: @Matt_Kuiper, @desertplunge Website: https://desertplunge.com/
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On November 22nd, 2004, a photograph appeared on the cover of Time Magazine — a young Marine, 21 years old, face locked in a primal scream in the middle of the push on Fallujah, Iraq. That Marine was Eric Shelvy. And if you think you know where his story goes from there, you're wrong.
Eric grew up in St. Louis — Catholic schools, divorced parents, weekends riding in his father's police cruiser. He was the one kid in his elite Jesuit high school who didn't go to college. He enlisted in the Marines instead, deployed to Iraq twice, and on his second tour led men through house-to-house combat in Fallujah — the heaviest urban fighting since Vietnam.
What happened after is just as remarkable. Embassy duty in Moscow straight out of Fallujah. A posting to The Hague. A reassignment to Kuala Lumpur he didn't want — where he met a Ukrainian ballerina in an expat bar, barely speaking each other's language, and fell in love anyway. He fought embassy bureaucracy to get her a visa, married her, left the Marine Corps, joined the Diplomatic Security Service, became an ATF explosives specialist — and then walked away from all of it. Sold the house, bought a sailboat in Panama, and spent nearly three years crossing the Pacific with his family.
This is Part 1. It's not a war story. It's not a love story. It's a story about a man who has spent his entire life refusing to be put in a box.
Content note: Frank discussion of combat and loss of fellow service members. Documentary and historical context throughout.
Subscribe for Part 2 and follow The Vanguard Wall for more stories from people who have lived it.
Follow Eric Shelvy 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sailing.altair 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC3B0cJaRDBXbEMYwppOlAjQ
00:00:00 Intro: 00:06:57 St. Louis upbringing: Jesuit school + ride-alongs with a cop dad 00:18:23 Cop father in the streets: learning calm under chaos 00:25:32 The recruiter pitch: choosing infantry over the “normal” path 00:42:56 ASVAB & DEP: signing the papers and committing 00:47:20 Pre-boot jitters: cigarettes, nerves, “what did I do?” 00:49:36 Boot camp reality: receiving platoon + breaking you down 01:01:15 Becoming a Marine: discipline, suffering, brotherhood 01:07:56 To the infantry: Pendleton, forming the team 01:24:39 Landing in Kuwait: first taste of war & the unknown 01:29:30 Rolling north: vehicles, armor, and the invasion machine 01:30:16 Infantry squad anatomy: weapons, roles, how you actually fight 01:51:30 First real contact: RPGs and chaos on the move 01:57:59 First casualty: the moment war becomes real 02:03:30 Coming home changed: leadership and lessons carried forward 02:34:06 Combat mindset & fear: what guys admit after the fact 02:52:19 Promotion & pressure: stepping up as a squad leader 03:03:00 Leadership before the storm: LtCol Malay & “bad dudes in that house” 03:13:42 Quick break: resetting before the Fallujah story 03:14:10 Back to Iraq (Fall 2004): Camp Fallujah, Route Michigan, contractors bridge 03:55:07 Media spotlight: the build-up before entering the city 04:02:19 Photographer Max: living inside the platoon’s fight 04:34:52 Hardest decision in Fallujah: what command really means 04:56:44 The Time cover photo: what the frame didn’t show 04:58:47 When you realized it was on the cover: aftermath of the image
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Chane Jackson was told he'd never make it past eighth grade. A teacher gave him an "H" on a paper because an F wasn't low enough. He never made honor roll once.Fast forward: West Point graduate. 75th Ranger Regiment. Green Beret commander. Five combat deployments. Over 100 direct action missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Three Bronze Stars. Fluent in Arabic. And he never lost a soldier under his command—never fell back in a firefight. Not once.After retiring, Chane taught himself to code and became Director of Data Science for US Special Operations Command, managing AI systems for 90,000 personnel across 11 commands. Now he's building two businesses—D1 Training in Austin and Game Day Men's Health in Tampa—focused on optimizing human performance.This is a four-hour conversation about struggle, resilience, combat leadership, loss, and what it means to keep pushing forward when everyone says you can't.What we talk about:The childhood that shaped him—single mom, tough neighborhood, academic struggles that almost ended everythingHow a brutal West Point professor taught him the mental toughness that would save his life in combatRanger Regiment and learning what it takes to lead elite soldiersGetting his Green Beret and deploying to Afghanistan with ODA 3325Months of sustained combat in Kajaki—getting shot at on infill, firefights that never seemed to endThe day Master Sergeant Gregory Trent was killed (we covered Greg's story in a seven-part series with ODA 3424)What it's like holding someone's skull together while praying they make it homeLeading through loss while staying mission-focusedTeaching at West Point and mentoring the next generationTransition to tech—teaching himself data science and building AI systems for SOCOMWhy he left the military and started two franchisesD1 Training: athletic performance for youth and adults using cutting-edge technologyGame Day Men's Health: veteran-owned TRT and men's wellness clinic
Full conversation on The Vanguard Wall podcast. ⚔️Follow Chane Jackson
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What does it take to go from a self-described "nerdy drama club kid" to leading Green Beret teams in Iraq? And what kind of man walks away from a 20-year Special Forces career to pursue seminary? This is the story of Major Evan Perperis.Evan spent two decades in the US Army — Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, Special Forces Qualification Course, and four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East. As a Green Beret team leader with 5th Special Forces Group, he trained elite Iraqi Commandos in the heart of the War on Terror. He earned two Bronze Stars and four Meritorious Service Medals.But that's only half the story.When he wasn't downrange, Evan was running 24-hour obstacle course races, climbing the height of Mount Everest with obstacles for charity (raising over $25,000 for wounded warriors), competing as a professional OCR athlete with 100+ podium finishes, and authoring 10+ books on fitness and combatives.Then he made a decision that shocked everyone: he walked away from the military to become a Greek Orthodox priest.In this conversation, we cover:
His childhood and the moment 9/11 changed everything Six months in Ranger School and refusing to quit Leading platoons and ODAs in combat The emotional toll of deployment on family His extreme endurance challenges and athletic career Why he chose Orthodoxy and the priesthood Balancing warrior mentality with faith
This is a conversation about sacrifice, perseverance, faith, and what it means to truly live a life of purpose.
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Major Evan Perperis served 20 years in the US Army as a Special Forces officer with 5th Special Forces Group, completing Ranger School, SEER, Pathfinder, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. With four combat deployments to Iraq and the Middle East, two Bronze Stars, and four Meritorious Service Medals, Evan led Green Beret teams training elite Iraqi Commandos during the War on Terror. Beyond military service, he competed as a professional obstacle course racer with over 100 podium finishes, authored more than 10 books on fitness and combatives, and raised over $25,000 for wounded warriors through extreme endurance challenges. After two decades of service, Evan made the extraordinary decision to pursue seminary and become a Greek Orthodox priest. This conversation explores his journey from combat to faith, the sacrifices of military life, the emotional toll of deployment on family, and what it means to live a life of true purpose. Follow Evan's journey at www.UltraOCRman.com and find his books at www.TeamStrengthSpeed.com.
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He fought in Fallujah at 21. He carried a diplomatic passport in Moscow. He investigated explosives for the ATF. And then he walked away from all of it — sold his house, pulled his kids out of school, flew to Panama, and bought a sailboat.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Eric Shlevy picks up where the war ended and takes us through every chapter most people never get to hear: embassy life, the State Department, the ATF fugitive task force, and ultimately the decision to sail the world with his wife and two kids for nearly three and a half years. This episode goes deep into what it actually looks like to rebuild your identity after combat — not through therapy buzzwords, but through action. Through new missions. Through showing your kids that the world is bigger than anyone told them it was.
Eric talks about sailing logistics, homeschooling at sea, marriage on a boat with nowhere to escape, and the moment his daughter started talking about a life in the foreign service — at 16.
He also reflects on the Time Magazine cover, legacy, and what it means to secure your place in history without letting it own you. This is a rare story. And Eric is a rare man.
If this conversation moved you — share it with someone who needs it. That's the only way this reaches the people it's meant for.
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Follow Eric Shelvy 📸 Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sailing.altair 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC3B0cJaRDBXbEMYwppOlAjQ
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CW2 Kyle Steiner — 173rd Airborne, Korengal Valley combat veteran, and 7th Special Forces Group operator — joins The Vanguard Wall for a full-length documentary-style interview covering combat, resilience, and legacy.
Kyle Steiner was 20 years old when he deployed to Outpost Restrepo in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, one of the most dangerous places on earth, with Battle Company, 2nd of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. During Operation Rock Avalanche, he was called KIA over the radio after being struck in the head during an enemy ambush — and walked away. He later failed Special Forces selection, rebuilt, and crushed it the second time, spending 15 years with 7th Special Forces Group.
Today, weeks from retirement after 20 years of service, Kyle's mission has shifted — to raising sons who will become better men than him, a daughter who will never settle for less than she deserves, and answering the question that drives him: how do you pass on the values forged in combat without the trauma that came with them?
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction & Welcome 00:01:00 Kyle Steiner: The Full Story Read 00:04:27 Kyle Reacts to Hearing His Own Story 00:05:51 Military Brat to Small-Town Wisconsin 00:07:02 The SF Pamphlet That Launched His Dream 00:07:25 His Father's Hard Standards (And Why He's Grateful) 00:09:43 Oldest of Five: Family Dynamics & His Parents' Divorce 00:27:51 The 18X-Ray Program Explained 00:30:00 Basic Training: How He Became the Honor Graduate 00:37:50 Airborne School & the Band of Brothers Moment 00:39:55 SFAS First Attempt: Not Selected, Not Ready 00:54:55 Three Dark Months at Bragg Watching Others Leave 01:06:20 Italy: Assigned to the 173rd Airborne at Vicenza 01:07:39 Scout Platoon Struggles & a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy 01:12:20 The Command Team "Punishment" That Built Him 01:30:05 Joining Battle Company & the Road to the Korengal 01:45:00 Flying Into the Korengal Valley 01:51:00 Life at Outpost Restrepo: SAW Gunner, 1,600 Rounds, Daily Firefights 01:57:50 111 Firefights in One Month: September in the Korengal 02:19:20 R&R Leave: Going Home & Choosing to Walk Back Into It 02:21:31 "Combat Is Like Crack": The Adrenaline of War 02:31:30 Sebastian Junger, Tim Hetherington & the Restrepo Documentary 02:58:40 Sal Giunta: Before He Won the Medal of Honor 03:08:30 Operation Rock Avalanche & the First Major Casualties 03:22:27 The Headshot: Called KIA Over the Radio, Woke Up, and Ran 03:43:05 Coming Home to Italy, Meeting Julia & Choosing SFAS Again 04:05:00 SFAS Second Attempt: This Time He Was Ready 04:13:51 The Q Course, Earning the Green Beret & 7th Special Forces Group 05:13:18 Combat Dive School, HALO & the Hardest Schools in the Military 06:07:16 The Harder Fight: Fatherhood, Retirement & the Operator Mindset
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In August of 1968, Travis W. Mills was shot five times in a single engagement at FOB 4 — the deadliest night in the history of U.S. Army Special Forces. He survived. And then he went back to Vietnam. A Green Beret who served with one of the most classified units in American military history, Travis Mills sat down with The Vanguard Wall Podcast to document a story that couldn't be told for nearly three decades. Assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group and then to Military Assistance Command, Vietnam — Studies and Observation Group (MACV-SOG), Travis led small recon teams deep into denied territory along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, conducting cross-border operations into Laos and Cambodia during the most dangerous years of the Vietnam War. After surviving the FOB 4 sapper attack that left 16 Special Forces soldiers dead and over 30 wounded in a single night, he recovered aboard the USS Sanctuary — then returned to Vietnam, not as a patient, but as a leader. He was tasked with building the next generation of warriors, founding and commanding the MACV-SOG Recon Leader School, known as the One-Zero School. MACV-SOG's existence stayed classified for nearly 29 years. Travis carried that history quietly until 2001, when the unit was finally awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. In this conversation, viewers will hear:
What it was like to serve in a unit whose missions "officially weren't happening" A first-person account of the FOB 4 sapper attack — 16 SF killed in one night Why Travis chose to return to Vietnam after being wounded rather than rotate home The operational structure of MACV-SOG recon teams and the Hatchet Force What Travis witnessed in Vietnam that still shapes how he thinks about service today How he and his wife Bobby have stayed married for 62 years His message to the next generation considering military service
Watch the full episode and subscribe to The Vanguard Wall Podcast to hear more conversations that preserve the history of those who served.
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What does it take to fuel the most elite light infantry unit in the U.S. Army — and earn their respect doing it? Dr. Nick Barringer didn't just study performance nutrition, he built the standard for it inside the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Dr. Nick Barringer is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, Bronze Star and Legion of Merit recipient, Ranger-tabbed, airborne-qualified combat veteran, and one of the foremost authorities on tactical performance nutrition in the United States. He holds a PhD in Kinesiology from Texas A&M, co-authored the International Society of Sports Nutrition's position stand on Tactical Athlete Nutrition, and spent years embedded with the 75th Ranger Regiment as part of the Ranger Athlete Warrior (RAW) Program — one of the first human performance programs in all of Special Operations. He later served as Program Director for the Army Baylor Graduate Program in Nutrition and as an Assistant Professor at West Point. Most recently, he founded Salvo Gum, a precision-dosed performance caffeinated gum engineered for controlled alertness under pressure. In this conversation, you'll hear:
Whether you're a tactical athlete, a serious lifter, a first responder, or someone who simply wants to perform at a higher level — this episode will change how you think about fueling your body and protecting your mind.
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Websites: 🌐 www.DrNickBarringer.com 🌐 www.SALVOgum.com use code VANGUARD15 for 15% off
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0:00 Introduction & Welcome 0:03 Salvo Gum First Impression 0:05 Wrestling, Football & His First Nutrition Hack 0:07 The Clemson Strength Coach Who Changed Everything 0:09 9/11 and the Decision to Join the Military 0:19 The Army Dietician Pipeline & Getting Branched Wrong 0:21 The Paperwork Error That Changed His Life 0:28 First Deployment: Baghdad — Managing Media & Interpreters 0:30 How Rangers Recruited Him From a Combat Hospital 0:33 Airborne School to RASP in One Weekend 0:35 The Sergeant Major's Challenge: "We've Been Fine Without You" 0:36 First Days at Ranger Regiment — No Computer, No Desk 0:47 How He Earned Trust Inside the Regiment 0:49 Ranger School — The Graduation Reality Check 0:50 The RAW Program — Origin Story & Vision 1:03 What Supplements He Actually Pushed to Rangers 1:09 First Deployment With the Rangers — Baghdad Round Two 1:28 Texas A&M PhD — How the Creatine Obsession Started 1:32 Omega-3, DHA, and the Suicide Prevention Research 1:37 Vitamin D, Depression, and the Study He Built at A&M 1:53 Afghanistan Food Study — What He Discovered Shocked Him 1:59 Creatine & Sleep Deprivation — The Cognitive Research 2:06 Creatine Timing, Dosing & the Monohydrate vs HCL Debate 2:07 Creatine Myths — Kidneys, Cramping & What Science Says 2:13 Why He Put His 77-Year-Old Mom on Creatine 2:14 His Personal Supplement
The last C-17 lifted off Kabul's runway at 11:59 PM on August 30, 2021. The man who gave the order — and made the radio call "Math Safe" that officially ended America's longest war — tells the full story for the first time.
Colonel Alex Pelbath (USAF, Ret.) commanded SOUL-2, the only C-17 Special Operations unit in the world, and served as Air Mission Commander for the final flight out of Afghanistan. In this episode, he reveals the moment the Abbey Gate bomb went off, the suspected suicide bomber on his own aircraft, the Taliban press conference that Biden then agreed to, General Milley's coin he handed right back, and the bureaucratic fight that nearly grounded the last flight before it ever left the ground.
Born to a first-generation American family — his grandparents fled communist Hungary through a minefield in 1956, survived a Russian soldier's mercy, and spent a year in an Austrian refugee camp before an airlift brought them to America — Pelbath's story is a 65-year generational arc that ends with him commanding the largest airlift evacuation in modern history.
Over nearly 7 hours, he covers his entire career: growing up with a blind mother on a construction worker's wages, earning a last-minute wrestling scholarship to the Air Force Academy, flying 22 years of C-17 combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, a near-fatal black hole effect landing on NVGs that almost killed his crew, being hand-selected to brief the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, shaping two national defense budgets inside the Pentagon — and the full firsthand account of Kabul: the chaos, the failures of leadership, and the men and women who held it together when the generals couldn't.
Now running for Congress in South Carolina's 1st District, Pelbath explains why the same broken thinking that produced Kabul is still inside the building — and what he intends to do about it.
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Senior Master Sergeant Aaron Love — Air Force Pararescueman, 22 years, five combat deployments — is the first PJ ever on The Vanguard Wall. Fewer than 500 people have earned the maroon beret. The pipeline carries a 91% attrition rate — the longest special operations selection pipeline in the DoD.
In 2002, Aaron quit on a pool deck at Indoc. He'd made it through Hell Night. He said three words to an instructor and walked out. What followed was five years in aerospace physiology, waiting for a cross-training window. At a poker game with PJs, his friend looked him dead in the eye: "What the hell are you doing at this table?" He went home. His wife was feeding their four-week-old daughter. She said: "Put the packet in. But don't come home unless you graduate." He graduated.
In 2019, Aaron was standing four feet from the open door of a C-130 over the Gulf of Mexico when Staff Sergeant Cole Condiff was ripped from the aircraft. He ran dive operations for two days. Side-scan sonar returned two shapes that looked like parachute canopies with a body mass behind them. Divers went down. They were two boulders. Cole Condiff has never been found.
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CHAPTERS: (0:00) Cold Open: Aaron Love & The Cole Condiff Story (6:04) Aaron Joins the Show (8:34) What Is a Pararescueman? (91% Attrition Rate) (9:51) Growing Up in Barberton, Ohio (19:01) Ohio State, Factories & Hitting Rock Bottom (27:57) 9/11: "This Is My Generation's Moment" (29:05) Discovering Pararescue: The Air Force Recruiter (35:04) Air Force Basic Training: Lackland AFB (41:49) PJ Indoc 2002: Day One (49:22) Hell Night — Extended Training Day (53:32) "F*** You, I Quit." — The Decision That Cost Five Years (1:00:43) Reclassified: Aerospace Physiology & HALO Support (1:06:58) The Poker Game With PJs (1:09:33) "Pass or Don't Come Home" — His Wife's Ultimatum (1:13:00) Going Back: The Second Run at Indoc (1:40:48) Dive School & Earning the Beret (2:28:42) "The Only Spec Op You Need One Of" — PJ Identity (3:19:24) Pedro 66: Knowing the Men Who Died (3:32:45) "I Made the Decision to End My Own Life." (3:53:30) Konduz: Mike Cathcart & Dignified Transfer (4:09:00) "We Wrapped Him in the Flag Before His Brothers Walked In" (4:20:48) Are You Gonna Kill Yourself? I'll Be Awkward. (5:50:59) The Cole Condiff Stand-Down: Four Feet from the Door (6:05:30) "Get Me the F*** Out of This Aircraft" (6:21:42) Two Boulders. Cole Condiff Has Never Been Found. (6:31:55) Calling the Air Force Out in Front of 200 People (6:38:12) "I Was Hammered on the Plane Home. I Was Done." (7:16:00) Sobriety, DMT & Becoming Someone New (7:56:25) "The Black Pill Is a Lie. Have Hope."
CONNECT WITH AARON LOVE: Ones Ready Podcast → onesreadypodcast.com
Marine vet Johnny Raushi joined the Corps at 17 for a free skateboard sticker. Four years later he came home broke, picked up change in a gas station parking lot, and sold his plasma twice a week to fund the first batches of a pomade he was perfecting on his stovetop. That pomade became Johnny Slicks — an 8-figure American manufacturing company employing 30+ people out of a North Carolina facility, fully U.S.-sourced.
Asher and Raushi cover boot camp, the in-unit suicide that happened seconds after he walked away from his armory window, the Accutane spiral that nearly killed him, the six-day phone call with Marine Raider Nick Koumalatsos that turned a kitchen-table pomade into a brand, and his first book "23 Virtues in 23 Days" (Aug 2025).
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CHAPTERS: (00:00) Welcome (03:30) Growing Up in NJ and the Poconos (11:00) Faith, Questions, and the Church (22:30) The Recruiter and a Sticker (27:00) Bootcamp and Brotherhood (37:00) Marrying Rebecca and Camp Lejeune (41:00) The M9 Pistol Eureka Moment (51:30) Deploying With BSRF-14 to Romania (1:02:00) Losing His MOS and Earning It Back (1:17:00) Suicide in the Ranks (1:22:30) Knee Injury and Leaving the Corps (1:41:00) Hair Loss and the First Pomade (2:00:00) Selling Plasma and Picking Up Change (2:14:00) Six Days With Nick Koumalatsos (2:35:00) Hurricane Florence and Moving In With Nick (2:55:00) Scaling Johnny Slicks (3:15:00) The Accutane Spiral (4:00:00) Building an 8-Figure Business (4:30:00) Leadership and EOS (5:00:00) Plant Medicine and Healing (5:45:00) Marriage and Trust (6:15:00) 23 Virtues in 23 Days (6:30:00) Closing Thoughts
CONNECT WITH JOHNNY: johnnyslicks.com | IG: @johnnyslicks | @johnnyraushi
At Tora Bora in December 2001, Gary Harrington sat on one of the closest American observation posts to Osama bin Laden — close enough, he says, to watch the bombs he was calling in streak past the ridge sideways. Then the war handed him to the CIA, and he spent the next decade hunting the same enemy from the inside.
Harrington is the rare operator who wore the uniform six different ways: Marine Corps infantry officer, Marine Recon, the second officer ever to graduate the Marine Scout Sniper Instructor course, Green Beret 18-Delta Special Forces medic, Delta Force operator (ODA 572 / Task Force Dagger, Bronze Star at Tora Bora), and CIA case officer. Over nearly eight hours, he walks through the entire arc — from a poor childhood in the North Carolina mountains, to the caves of Tora Bora, to the cables of Benghazi — and the night on Black Mountain he says set the course for all of it.
It's a story about war, tradecraft, and the long road home: what the job cost him, the forgiveness it took to come back, and the line he uses for both halves of his life — "I wore wolf's clothing so long, I became the wolf."
In this conversation: • The 9/11 morning that turned him toward the war — and the climb to the OP above Tora Bora • Calling in strikes near bin Laden's position, the daisy cutter he says "did nothing," and why he believes the body was hidden • Nate Chapman, the first American killed in Afghanistan — and the helicopter Harrington was told not to get on • Standing up firebase Coast: warlords, duffel bags of cash, and the plot to take out Pacha Khan • Running smugglers in Iraq — and the hidden camera that confirmed Jessica Lynch • Hugging the Taliban to feel for suicide vests, and a black Toyota he walked away from two minutes before it detonated • The strike that answered the Camp Chapman bombing • Reading the Benghazi cables in real time — why he says "that was fire for effect" • Beirut, 1983: the barracks bombing, and the day he refused a U.S. ambassador's order • Delta Force selection on a broken compass — forced out on an unjust evaluation, then clawing his way back • The glowing light on Black Mountain at his lowest moment, and the words he says he heard: "Do not be afraid… I have a purpose for you" • Faith, forgiveness, meeting his wife Kim, and the mission behind Power Prudence
⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00:00 Welcome & introducing Gary Harrington 0:04:55 The Inner Ring: the drive to belong to the elite 0:07:10 Appalachian poverty, moonshine & a kid written off 0:25:38 The glowing bubble on Black Mountain 0:34:23 "I get paid to work out": becoming a Marine 0:56:59 Into 2nd Recon Battalion 1:09:48 Beirut, 1983: surviving the barracks bombing 1:14:52 Scout sniper instructor & crossing to Army Special Forces 1:36:23 The road to Delta Force selection 1:46:17 Delta selection: the broken compass & "I trained less" 2:02:11 The negligent discharge — the press check he skipped 2:16:00 Kicked out of Delta — & the commander who swore to end him 2:25:21 Clawing his way back into 5th Special Forces Group 2:35:35 Yemen, Ambassador Bodine & the USS Cole report the embassy killed 2:54:43 9/11: the diner, the second plane & turning toward war 3:16:12 Tora Bora: the climb to the OP & bombs flying past sideways 3:28:11 Why Bin Laden's body was hidden — & briefing McChrystal 3:45:03 Coast & Nate Chapman: the first American killed in Afghanistan 4:01:35 Warlords, duffel bags of cash & the plot to kill Pacha Khan 4:24:39 Running smugglers in Iraq: the hidden camera & Jessica Lynch 5:07:56 Hugging the Taliban to feel for vests — disrupting a suicide-bomber cell 5:29:34 A black Toyota, two minutes from death 5:33:19 The strike that answered Camp Chapman: "Predator, party of one" 5:52:07 Reading the Benghazi cables, CIA infighting & betrayal 6:39:39 The reckoning: faith, PTSD & "I became the wolf" 7:18:39 Power Prudence, situational awareness & "we're stained glass"
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