Real combat stories from the military's elite. This podcast highlights the courageous, outrageous, crazy, and surreal experiences veterans recall from their toughest days in the foxhole, cockpit, and front lines. We interview JTACs, Special Operators (Delta), Special Forces, Jet Pilots, Combat Aviators, Infrantrymen, Marines, and vets from over 50 years of combat experience.Interviews touch on the toughest missions these vets faced, how they handled them, their first combat experiences, how they found their way to the military, and how they managed after leaving the combat behind.
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01:53 Introduction 08:12 The Impact of 9/11 17:04 Choosing the Aviation Path 26:37 The Competitive World of Aviation 30:02 Imposter Syndrome and Military Service 37:05 Pop Culture Influences 44:22 First Unit Assignment 44:56 Early Days in the Cavalry Unit 46:09 The Battle of March 23, 2003 48:00 Life in Germany and the Desire to Deploy 50:01 First Deployment to Afghanistan 54:25 Challenges of Command and Crew Rest 59:00 Navigating Leadership and Combat Decisions 01:23:26 Reflecting on a Tragic Incident 01:24:40 Sponsor Message: Protect Your Privacy with Delete Me 01:26:07 Making Tough Decisions in the Military 01:28:44 Transitioning to Civilian Life and the CIA 01:34:38 Starting a Podcast: Inspiration and Challenges 01:52:13 Highs, Lows, and Laughs of Podcasting 02:03:01 Future Plans and New Ventures
Surviving a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) Strike | DFC | A-10 Aviator | Kim "Killer Chick" Campbell
Saturday, September 20, 2025 • Duration 34:17
✈️ A-10 Fighter Pilot Combat Story – Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell
In this episode, we sit down with Col. Kim “KC” Campbell (USAF, Ret.), a decorated A-10 Warthog pilot and true combat veteran. Known by her legendary call sign “Killer Chick,” Kim shares her incredible story of surviving a surface-to-air missile strike over Baghdad and pulling off a harrowing emergency landing that few pilots could ever attempt. This is a raw, inspiring deep dive into leadership, resilience, and what it takes to fly and fight in one of the most iconic aircraft in U.S. Air Force history.
🎥 Deep Dive with Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell
This episode features none other than Col. Kim “KC” Campbell (USAF, Ret.), who has one of the coolest call signs imaginable. A decorated A-10 Warthog pilot, she survived a surface-to-air missile strike and pulled off a landing few pilots have ever faced in real life.
📞 Support Veterans Help Group
Go to: http://www.veteranshelpgroup.com
Or call: 855-233-6144 and tell them your buddies Ryan and AJ from Combat Story sent you.
Website & Book Pre-Order (“Darkhorse”): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/
🎧 Featured Content
Darin Kinder: Secret Service Agent & 9/11 Survivor Shares His Story of Courage and Resilience
Saturday, September 13, 2025 • Duration 01:33:04
In remembrance of the attacks on September 11th, 2001, we have a special guest on the show, and for the first time in our Combat Story community, we’d like to introduce Darin Kinder — Former Secret Service Agent • 9/11 Survivor.
Darin Kinder brings a rare blend of courage, clarity, and conviction from years spent navigating the world’s most high-pressure moments. As a former Secret Service Agent and survivor of the 9/11 attacks, he uses his story to help individuals and leaders live with bold purpose and unwavering resilience.
Author of Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man’s Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11, Darin invites listeners to reframe how they live—seeing everyday work not simply as provision, but as purpose in motion. His own experience, assisting, evacuating, and enduring on that fateful day, embodies the idea that courage is always a choice.
Darin’s story is one of heroism and humility—his actions during the 9/11 attacks earned him the Secret Service Medal of Valor. As the founder of Fierce Comms, based in Dallas, Darin empowers people to rediscover mission and meaning—not just in what they do, but why they do it. Through keynote talks and multi-session seminars, he challenges audiences to “get their suit dirty”—to choose the narrow, courageous path of sacrifice over comfort.
Join us as we sit down with Darin Kinder—a man who invites us to embrace the grit of life, unlock purpose in our work, and live courageously, even when the world tells us we can’t.
RH 2 SEP 2025: Ryan and Glenn on Russia, Guyana, SOC, Ceasefire Predictions and More
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 • Duration 03:57
🌍 Welcome to the RH Podcast! In this special preview, host Ryan Fugit sits down with Glenn Corn — a veteran of 34 years in the CIA, State Department, and U.S. Army. Glenn has served as a multi-time Chief of Station and senior intelligence officer, bringing decades of experience from the frontlines of national security and diplomacy.
Welcome to Combat Story. Today, I’m joined by retired Marine First Sergeant Randall Parkes—a parachute rigger in Recon, founding member of MARSOC, Drill Instructor extraordinaire, and now a leader in both real estate and defense tech—plus everyone’s favorite podcaster, the man who started it all.., Ryan Fugit.
Randall’s career spans from enlisting in July 2001 to a remarkable 20 years of service that took him to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa on four combat deployments. As a founding member of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, he helped shape the early years of Marine Special Operations and was named MARSOC Support Marine of the Year in 2011. He later became a Parris Island Drill Instructor, shaping the next generation of Marines, and commanded 97 Marines and Sailors during a CENTCOM deployment in 2017.
In his final active-duty role, Randall returned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, capping his service before retiring on September 30, 2021. Since then, he’s launched The Parkes Realty Group with his wife Heather—selling over $40 million in residential real estate—and now serves as Mission Operations Deployment Lead at Anduril Industries, helping drive innovation in modern defense technology. His academic credentials include a bachelor’s in Business Management (magna cum laude) and an Master of Business for Veterans, an innovative and one of its kind program from The University of Southern CA.
Randall’s combat stories are intense, unfiltered, and at times deeply personal—so much so that this is only part one of his Combat Story. We’ll be sitting down with him again in the future to share his incredible role in saving lives during the chaotic fall of Kabul, a moment that speaks volumes about his leadership, grit, and unwavering commitment to others.
Let’s dive in—here’s part one of our conversation with Randall Parkes.
1-36 Infantry in Ramadi & the Sunni Triangle | Ranger | Infantry School | 2x Author | Will Bardenwerper
Saturday, August 23, 2025 • Duration 01:32:41
Welcome to Combat Story. For the first time, I’m joined by my new co-host AJ Pasciuti as we sit down with Will Bardenwerper—former 1-36 Infantry and Civil Affairs Officer, Princeton grad, and acclaimed author.
Will shares his journey from a finance career in Manhattan, inspired to serve after 9/11 and the example set by Pat Tillman, to boots on the ground in the Sunni Triangle during a 13-month deployment in 2006. He opens up about the realities of war, the loss of close friends, and the challenges of Civil Affairs in Iraq.
After the Army, Will became a journalist and two-time author. His first book, The Prisoner in His Palace, offers a unique perspective on the American soldiers tasked with guarding Saddam Hussein. His latest, Homestand, explores the heart of small-town America through the loss of a minor league baseball team.
Will’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Harper’s, and more. I first met Will through Pat Fagan, a close friend from ROTC, and we touch on that connection in our conversation.
I’m also excited to welcome AJ as co-host—many of you will remember him from his standout guest episodes, where his firsthand experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hotspots brought unique insight and energy to our conversations. Having AJ alongside me as a regular presence will add even more depth and connection to the stories we share on Combat Story.
Let’s dive in—here’s our conversation with Will Bardenwerpe
Inside Trump–Zelensky Meetings: Secret Schedules, Russia’s Next Moves & What It Means for Ukraine!
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 • Duration 32:22
Get a daily intel brief delivered directly to your email (for free) covering all things Russia, China, Middle East, and more at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/
In this episode of the RH Podcast, former CIA officer 🎖️ Ryan Fugit and multi-time Chief of Station Glenn Corn (34 years at CIA) break down the high-stakes Trump–Zelensky meetings in Washington, DC 🇺🇸 following Putin’s Alaska summit 🇷🇺.
👉 Here’s what you’ll learn:
🔹 Why Putin skipped a key lunch with U.S. Treasury & Commerce officials 🍽️
🔹 What Russia really wants before agreeing to a ceasefire 🚫🕊️
🔹 Ukraine’s shocking openness to land swaps & the future of Crimea 🗺️
🔹 How the Russian Orthodox Church is used as a weapon of influence ⛪
🔹 Whether NATO membership for Ukraine is still possible 🌍
🔹 The threat of “gray zone warfare” ⚔️ (cyber attacks, propaganda & sabotage)
🔹 PLUS: Glenn’s hot takes on spies, Cold War movies 🎬, and what history teaches us about de-escalation 📚
💡 Packed with real intelligence insight you won’t hear in mainstream media. If you want to understand the future of Ukraine, Russia, and global security, this is a must-watch.
👇 Join the conversation in the comments – Do you think Putin will agree to meaningful guarantees, or is this just another stalling tactic?
📌 Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome & Introductions
02:00 – Trump–Putin Alaska meeting secrets 🕵️
06:00 – Security guarantees for Ukraine 🇺🇦
Generation Kill to MARSOC: Jason Lilley’s Combat & Personal Journey
Saturday, August 16, 2025 • Duration 33:54
In this unfiltered Combat Story episode, we go deep with Jason Lilley — Recon Marine, MARSOC Raider, CIA Global Response Staff, and co-creator of Savage Actual. Jason opens up about his path from a turbulent youth to serving in some of the most elite units in the U.S. military, facing the chaos of Iraq and Afghanistan, and building a new life as a creator and veteran advocate.
In this episode:
From family struggles to joining the Marine Corps
First Recon, Generation Kill, and the invasion of Iraq
Intense firefights in Fallujah and Afghanistan
Life in MARSOC and the CIA’s Global Response Staff
Losing brothers in combat and to suicide
Using humor and brotherhood to survive the worst moments
Creating Savage Actual with Patrick: gaming, military authenticity, and raw veteran stories
🌐 Connect with Jason:
Savage Actual YouTube: youtube.com/@SavageActual
Savage Actual Website: savageactual.com
Jason’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasonmlilley
Jason’s Instagram: instagram.com/reconraider79
In this episode, Jason Lilley shares his riveting journey from being a Marine grunt to working for the State Department and CIA. He details his intense experiences during the Iraq invasion, life-altering moments in Fallujah, and the camaraderie formed in the face of danger. Lily also opens up about his struggles with depression and finding purpose post-service, running a YouTube channel and podcast, Savage Actual. Watch as he discusses the highs and lows of military life and his ongoing journey to harness his experiences for a meaningful civilian life.
Timeline
00:00 Introduction
01:36 Personal Struggles and Joining the Marines
04:15 Combat Experiences and Reflections
13:48 HelloFresh Sponsorship
15:35 More Combat Stories and Reflections
18:24 Loss and Brotherhood
29:03 Savage Actual and Patrick
31:27 Would You Do It Again?
📌 Tags & Keywords:
Trump-Putin Alaska Summit: Former CIA Officers Break Down Looming Meeting
Join Ryan Fugit and Glenn, both seasoned former CIA officers 🕵️♂️, as they unpack the high-stakes Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska 🏔️—a pivotal moment for US-Russia relations and the Ukraine conflict. This timely episode dives deep into international diplomacy, geopolitical tensions, and the shifting dynamics of the global security landscape.
Get a daily intel brief delivered to your email at https://www.restrictedhandling.com/ to get a curated set of insights and reporting on Russia, China, Iran, the MIddle East and more from a national security perspective.
With decades of intelligence experience, Ryan and Glenn offer unparalleled insights into:
🔹 The strategic implications of the Alaska summit
🔹 The battlefield realities shaping negotiations 🪖
🔹 The symbolic significance of the meeting’s location
🔹 How this summit could influence NATO strategy and future diplomacy
You’ll also learn the hidden history of Alaska’s role in U.S.-Russia affairs, the motivations of key players, and the possible paths forward for Ukraine, Russia, and the West.
💡 Key Takeaways:
🤝 The summit is a rare, high-stakes opportunity for dialogue.
📍 Alaska offers strategic advantages, including fewer ICC challenges.
🎯 Russia’s tactics aim to strengthen their bargaining position.
⚠️ Risks remain for Ukraine in potential negotiations.
🪢 U.S. strategy must balance pressure with incentives.
🕊️ Diplomacy is essential—some conflicts can’t be won militarily.
💪 Ukrainian resilience will be a decisive factor.
Former CIA Officers Talk Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, China on Restricted Handling w/ Glenn Corn
Sunday, August 10, 2025 • Duration 51:35
🔥 New Podcast Drop! This exclusive crossover episode introduces my brand-new show Restricted Handling 🔒 — hosted by me - Ryan Fugit - and former CIA Chief of Station Glenn Corn 🕵️♂️.
🎯 Combat Story fans — don’t worry. That show will continue strong under decorated Marine Sniper & Recon Operator AJ Pasciuti 🦅. But if you crave deeper dives into intelligence, military operations, and high-stakes geopolitics, Restricted Handling is your new must-listen.
🕵️ What’s Restricted Handling?
In the Intelligence Community, “Restricted Handling” refers to certain intel only shared with those who absolutely need it. Here, you’ll get human-enabled + AI-powered daily briefings plus exclusive deep dives with former CIA officers into:
Russia 🇷🇺 & Ukraine 🇺🇦 war updates
China’s global ambitions 🇨🇳
Iran, Israel, the Middle East 🇮🇷
Espionage & spycraft 🕵️♀️
Military strategy & special operations 🪖
Geopolitical flashpoints 🌍
Big economic power plays 💰
These aren’t academic think pieces — they’re firsthand accounts from those who’ve operated in the shadows shaping global events.
💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:
🇺🇦 Trump’s evolving stance on Ukraine — and what it signals.
💰 Secondary sanctions targeting India and others to pressure Russia.
⚰️ The human and psychological toll of the Ukraine war.
🌏 Armenia’s pivot to the West and U.S. role in peace talks.
🇱🇧 Hezbollah’s political struggles in Lebanon.
🇮🇷 Iran’s limited ability to respond to recent conflicts.
📅 Chapters: 📌 Hashtags for Discovery:
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Combat Story, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqnKAUUOCDmJZPWrMf9NZ
Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sniper-vs-sniper-battle-killing-the-enemys-most/id1537933985?i=1000633686192
Urban Valor Facebook Feature: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanValor/posts/retired-marine-chief-warrant-officer-3-aj-pasciuti-recounts-being-in-the-middle-/602000529075284/
DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758
⚡ Subscribe for more Combat Story episodes highlighting the courage, resilience, and leadership of warriors who’ve lived it.
00:40 Introduction 00:59 Meet Darren Kinder: 9/11 Survivor and Secret Service Agent 02:47 The Story Behind 'Bury Me In a Dirty Suit' 07:17 Darren's Path to the Secret Service 11:06 Inside the Secret Service: Training and Missions 24:20 First Days in New York: Pre-9/11 Assignments 30:58 Isolation and Law Enforcement Collaboration 31:24 AJ Pesi's Story and New Book Announcement 32:46 Recounting 9/11: Initial Impact and Evacuation 35:59 Heroic Efforts and Personal Sacrifices 45:55 Surviving the Collapse and Aftermath 56:02 Reflecting on the Day and Moving Forward 57:06 Veterans Help Group Sponsorship 58:28 Divine Intervention and Final Thoughts 01:01:47 Evacuation Efforts on 9/11 01:02:37 Returning Home and Reuniting with Family 01:04:32 Receiving the Secret Service Medal of Valor 01:05:31 Serving on the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force 01:06:23 Protecting President George W. Bush 01:07:38 Reflecting on 9/11 and Ground Zero 01:14:29 Traveling the World with the Secret Service 01:18:40 Memorable Moments and Close Calls 01:24:06 Leadership Lessons and Personal Reflections 01:30:28 Final Thoughts and Farewell
00:00 Introduction 00:48 Introduction to Combat Story 01:12 Meet Randall Parks 02:59 Randall's Early Life and Military Beginnings 04:09 Joining the Marine Corps 13:31 Bootcamp During 9/11 33:41 First Deployment to Iraq 47:30 Loaded for Battle 47:52 A Close Call with a Civilian 48:45 Cultural Differences in Handling Disabilities 49:13 A Sergeant's Tough Love 49:37 The Reality of Deployment 50:57 IED Encounter and Aftermath 57:58 A Model Marine's Worries 59:10 The Impact of Movies on War Memories 01:00:10 Returning Home to Personal Turmoil 01:04:51 A New Assignment and a Change of Plans 01:07:21 Joining MARSOC 01:10:42 Deployment to Afghanistan 01:21:47 Facing the Taliban's Mortar Attacks 01:29:58 Spotting the Enemy 01:30:33 Engaging the Mortar Team 01:31:39 Aftermath and Reflections 01:34:32 The PX Gunny Story 01:43:58 Returning Home and Getting Married 01:44:53 Drill Instructor Duty 01:48:51 Challenges and Successes as a Drill Instructor 02:04:55 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Will is a graduate of Princeton University, where he majored in English. His book The Prisoner in His Palace: Saddam Hussein, His American Guards, and What History Leaves Unsaid was published by Scribner in 2017. He has had Op Eds and feature articles published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Harper's, Outside, Newsweek, The Spectator, The Hill, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Denver Post, Huffington Post, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Task & Purpose.
00:00 Introduction 00:43 Meet the Guest: Will Barden Warper 04:13 Will's Early Life and Education 08:34 The Impact of 9/11 and Decision to Serve 21:01 Joining the Military: Challenges and Training 28:54 The Mental Challenge of Military Training 29:40 Different Standards Across Military Branches 30:44 The Pressure of Military Exams 31:23 AJ Pesi's Story and New Book 32:44 Returning to Ranger School 35:03 Changes in Ranger School Over the Years 42:45 Deployment to Iraq: Initial Impressions 48:35 Challenges in Civil-Military Operations 52:45 The Reality of Combat and Civil Affairs 59:51 The Importance of Non-Kinetic Approaches 01:02:43 Sponsor Message: Protect Your Privacy with Delete Me 01:04:10 Honoring Fallen Comrades: Jason West and Travis Petr 01:08:47 The Impact of Tribal Relationships in Iraq 01:13:20 Writing and Reflecting on Military Experiences 01:16:31 The Story of Guarding Saddam Hussein 01:19:43 Exploring Americana Through Baseball 01:24:47 Final Thoughts and Reflections
10:00 – Land swaps, ceasefire debates & Zelensky’s position
14:00 – Russia’s use of the Orthodox Church as a weapon
20:00 – China, Taiwan & global security flashpoints 🌏
22:00 – Gray zone warfare explained
28:00 – Cold War movie lessons for today 🎥
31:00 – Final thoughts & what’s next
⚡ Don’t forget to:
👍 Like this video if you enjoy deep-dive analysis
🔔 Subscribe for more CIA-level insights into global security
📢 Share this episode with friends who follow world events
📌 Keywords: US-Russia relations, Ukraine conflict, Trump-Putin meeting, Alaska summit, NATO, international diplomacy, geopolitical tensions, global security.
🎧 Listen now for a gripping, no-spin breakdown of what’s happening behind closed doors—and what it means for the future of international power.
Time sensitive RH intel: join Ryan Fugit and Glenn, both veterans of the CIA, as they navigate the intricate landscape of international diplomacy and geopolitical tensions. This is a timely episode focused on the pivotal meeting between President Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, they explore the strategic implications for Ukraine and the broader global stage. Drawing from decades of experience, Ryan and Glenn provide an in-depth analysis of the current US-Russia relations, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the potential outcomes of this high-stakes summit.
Discover the historical context behind Alaska's role in this meeting, the symbolic significance of the location, and the potential impact on future negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, and NATO. As they dissect the motivations and strategies of key players, Ryan and Glenn offer unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing international leaders today.
Whether you're interested in the nuances of diplomacy, the dynamics of power, or the future of global security, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the forces shaping our world. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that goes beyond the headlines to uncover the realities of international relations.
The Trump-Putin meeting is a high-stakes opportunity for dialogue.
Alaska's location for the meeting is strategic, reducing ICC challenges.
Russia's battlefield tactics are aimed at improving their negotiating position.
There are concerns about Ukraine potentially losing ground in negotiations.
The U.S. must consider both sticks and carrots in its approach to Russia.
Diplomacy is crucial; not all conflicts can be resolved through military means.
The long-term impact of the war on both Ukraine and Russia will be significant.
Connect with Glenn at https://greatsouthbayinc.com/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
01:21 The Significance of the Alaska Meeting
04:36 Current Battlefield Dynamics in Ukraine
08:03 Negotiating Positions and Red Lines
11:33 Future Predictions and Strategic Considerations
15:03 The Broader Implications for Global Politics
18:18 Understanding Putin's Motivations
22:06 The Impact of War on Russian Identity
24:02 Vitaly Klitschko: A Leader in Times of Crisis
25:13 Navigating Diplomacy with Russia
29:41 The Importance of Dialogue and Negotiation
31:59 Strategies for Engaging Russia
34:46 Long-term Consequences of the Conflict
🕵️ Rising global espionage activity.
🪖 Wagner Group’s disruptive operations in Africa.
00:00 — Introduction: The Global Geopolitical Chessboard ♟️ 02:13 — Trump’s Ukraine Policy Shift 04:53 — Sanctions, Allies, and Economic Warfare 07:30 — Russia’s Economic Pressures 10:17 — The Politics of Summit Locations 14:22 — War’s Human Cost 16:16 — Armenia & Azerbaijan Conflict 20:27 — U.S. Peace Negotiations Role 26:06 — Middle East Power Shifts 31:44 — Hezbollah’s Declining Influence 34:26 — Iran’s Regional Weakness 40:12 — Espionage & Counterintelligence Battles 44:08 — Wagner Group in Africa