SOFspot – Details, episodes & analysis

We are honored to feature ADM (Ret) William H. McRaven in SOFspot Episode #70. He pulls from his legendary SOF career to share his views of leadership, the future of SOF, and the importance of international partnerships. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the greats!

ADM (Ret) William H. McRaven's Books:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/William-H.-McRaven/author/B000APSSE0?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Upcoming GSOF Events:

https://gsof.org/global-sof-events-listing/

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Chelsea sat down with Colonel (R) Jeffrey H. Fischer, a successful author of thrillers and an experienced journalist in international security with a 30-year military career. His service includes seven combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans, and he's taken inspiration and experiences from those deployments for his Curt Nover military fiction thriller series. He and his wife have also started a non-profit in Vienna called "Shelter2Service," training shelter dogs to support military Veterans living in Europe. 

They discuss all of that and more in this episode of SOFspot.

Buy Jeff Fischer's Books:
https://www.jeffreyhfischer.com/novels

Highlighted GSOF Events:

- GSOF Symposium Europe, 24-26 OCT, Brno Czech Republic
https://www.gsofeurope.org/

- Modern Warfare Week, 13-16 NOV, Fayetteville, NC
https://mww.gsofsymposium.org/

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It's our first REPEAT guest! Stu sat down with Dr. Seth Jones (also featured in Ep. 42) to discuss his latest book: "Three Dangerous Men: Russia, China, Iran and the Rise of Irregular Warfare." 

Seth talks about how the US is woefully unprepared for the future of global competition, and the threats presented by Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov; the deceased Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani; and vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia.

Who does he think is the most dangerous? You'll have to listen to find out!

Buy "Three Dangreous Men":
https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324006206

See Seth Live at the Special Air Warfare Symposium, 22-24 FEB:
https://saws.gsofsymposium.org

Partner Highlight: BRINC Drones
http://brincdrones.com

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We sat down with members of the Special Ops Survivors to talk about their organization, its mission, and the way they support the SOF Community. As an organization that supports the spouses of fallen special operators, they play a critical role in the lifelong service of SOF. 

Our guests were:

• LTC (Ret) Rob Neitzel, Vice Chairman of Special Ops Survivors
• Erik Krame, Executive Director of Special Ops Survivors
• Jackie Syverson, a Special Ops Survivor Spouse

We were honored to have them with us to talk about the importance of connection to the SOF community, Special Ops Survivors Programs, and how you can help support their mission.

Special Ops Survivors:
https://www.specialopssurvivors.org

World Wide Technology - Partner Highlight:
https://www.wwt.com

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Chelsea sat down with three men who have different experiences and perspectives with mental and physical health in the special operations community. She spoke to:

• COL Mark Ray,  Director of USASOC's Human Performance and Wellness program
• Dr. Phil Wagner, the Founder and CEO of Sparta Science
• Phil Gant, recently separated Special Forces and Director of Programs– Ft. Bragg for The Honor Foundation.

We talk about how the body needs to be treated as a system, what makes a special operator both physically and mentally, and what people can do to reduce physical or mental health issues.

Additional Resources:

• USASOC HP and Wellness: https://usasoc.hpw.agilesof.com
• Sparta Science: https://spartascience.com
• The Honor Foundation: https://www.honor.org
• Partner Highlight, Belcan Government Solutions: https://www.belcan.com/solutions/government-solutions/ 

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Join KaLea Lehman of the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative for a preview of some of the discussions and topics we have planned for our first virtual "SOF Team Room." She speaks with three of the event's speakers about SOF Legacy, relationships, and the future.

• Dr. Preston Cline
• Dr. Chris Frueh
• CSM (Ret) Rick Lamb

Register for this FREE virtual event here:
https://my.gsof.org/events/event-details/?id=8de575d1-ee23-ec11-b76a-0003fff84a36

Read "Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging" (Referenced Book):
https://www.amazon.com/Tribe-Homecoming-Belonging-Sebastian-Junger/dp/1455566381

Check out our Highlighted Partner, EY:
www.ey.com/en_us/government-public-sector

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Three men who were heavily involved in the birth of MARSOC share their views on the Command's founding: 

• Major General (Ret) Mark "Droopy" Clark: Served two tours with USSOCOM and Commanded MARSOC from 2012 to 2014 
• General (Ret) Bryan "Doug" Brown: USSOCOM Commander from 2003 to 2007 
• Lieutenant General (Ret) Dennis J. Hejlik: The first Commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) from 2006 to 2008

See the Video of the Story with Additional Q&A:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zedkXxdoSPg

Check out our Corporate Partner Highlight - ML Horizons:
http://www.mlhorizons.com/

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Today's episode features our President and CEO, Stu Bradin and MG (Ret.) Jaime Íñiguez Andrade (with brief cameos from Chelsea and Rick). MG Iñiguez was the first commander of Spain's Joint Special Operations Command. He joined us to talk about his personal history in Special Operations, as well as the growth and establishment of Spanish SOF. He's even written a book about the subject.

Buy MG (Ret.) Iniguez's Book:
https://www.eljardindeloscuriosos.com/libro/1273/las-acciones-no-(todas)-contadas-de-las-unidades-de-operaciones-especiales-espanolas/

Corporate Partner Spotlight - Cellebrite:
https://www.cellebrite.com/en/home/

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This Episode comes from our "SOF Story: Live!" on Joint Task Force (JTF) 510 in The Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines (OEF-P). It brings together four men who were there in the early 2000s as they discuss their experiences in the island nation. You'll hear from:

• LTG Retired Donald Wurster
• LTG Retired David Fridovich
• CWO 3 (Ret.) Donald Sikorski, and
• SGM (Ret.) Mike Bosco

For more content, watch the Full Video Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j5v6C_PaDs

Corporate Partner Highlight, ELTA North America:
https://www.eltanorthamerica.com/

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Stu and Chelsea speak with journalist and author Jessica Donati about her new book, "Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War." We talk about how she got to Afghanistan, what moments there impacted her the most, and what led her to write the book. She talks about the impact of the war on the soldiers (and their families) and what she sees for the future of Afghanistan.

Get her book wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore!

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Register for the GSOF 7th Anniversary Reception, 17 MAY in Tampa:
https://my.gsof.org/events/event-details/?id=bc093dd2-fac6-4a48-9eaf-58a9a7d47c79

Corporate Partner Highlight: Wickr:
https://wickr.com/

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