Real combat stories from the military's elite. This podcast highlights the courageous, outrageous, crazy, and surreal experiences veterans recall from their tou...
Fallujah II Reunion 3/5 Marines 20 Years After the Battle | Combat Story at the End WIll Bring You To Tears
Today is a special edition of Combat Story where former guest and retired Sniper and Force Recon Marine AJ Pascuiti invited us to spend two days with the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, some of America’s finest, as they reunited 20 years after the infamous Battle of Fallujah II in November and December 2004. This episode was designed to be seen on video so feel free to head over to YouTube to watch it here. Special thanks to AJ for organizing and bringing this together for these Marines from Darkhorse. It’s amazing to think of these men who just walk the streets today with their families like any other American but were once the men we sent into the arguably the hardest fighting of the post-9/11 era to clear rooms and buildings for days on end against a determined enemy. Thank you to the Marines of 3/5 for what you did in 2004 for the rest of us. Semper Fi.
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Tactical Submarines | Launching Missiles and Torpedoes from Subs | 30 Year Navy Vet | Rob Peters
Today we have a Combat Story first as we hear firsthand from Rob Peters who spent almost 30 years in the Navy on submarines from the mid-1990s to just this year. Rob served on five different subs and commanded twice. In this episode we cover some of the different types of subs, the training, and the mission sets, to include special operations forces support and delivery, attack parameters, missile launches and more. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat at AuraFrames.com. Use code COMBAT at checkout to save! We found Rob thanks to a former guest and forever friend of the show Todd Opalski, the Marine sniper and recon operator invited into Delta. He and Rob met in an unusual way and Todd, a decorated combat leader himself at the highest level, suggested I interview Rob not just for some unique and humorous insights from a life underwater, but also for the leadership experiences and learnings Rob shared with Todd. That’s high praise in my book. With that, please enjoy this deep dive into the deep ocean of submarines with Rob Peters. Check out our Combat Story Newsletter at www.combatstory.com/newsletter Find Rob Peters: Instagram: bubblehead_hikes Youtube: bubblehead_hikes Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story: 🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory 🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ 📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory 📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial 📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 00:00 Intro 00:46 Meet Rob Peters: A Navy Submariner 01:48 The Unlikely Meeting of Rob and Todd 02:58 Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail 08:36 Rob's Military Background and Family Influence 10:21 Joining the Navy and Discovering Submarines 15:10 Submarine Training and Challenges 27:23 Understanding Submarine Operations 37:29 Qualification Process for Submarine Officers and Enlisted Personnel 40:09 Roles and Responsibilities on a Submarine 41:13 Watch Rotations and Qualifications 42:17 Submarine Systems and Operations 45:32 Practical Jokes and Hazing on Submarines 47:44 Missile Launch Procedures and Experiences 56:00 Challenges of Operating a Submarine in Rough Seas 01:12:13 Training and Preparation for Submarine Missions 01:22:33 3D Battle Space and Torpedo Mechanics 01:24:46 First Command Experience 01:26:43 The Burden of Command 01:28:49 Lessons from a Near Miss 01:36:45 Funny Mishap Stories 01:44:30 Integrating Women on Submarines 01:53:52 AI and the Future of Submarines 01:57:31 Reflections on a Military Career
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Syria Analysis and What’s Next from CIA Senior Intelligence Service and Diplomat / Former CIA Chief of Station Glenn Corn
Welcome to a breaking-event interview on the extraordinary and rapidly unfolding developments in Syria, covering late November to the present. In this special episode, we’re joined by retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service Officer and former State Department Diplomat Glenn Corn. This conversation is part of The Mad Minute — Glenn’s series delivering sharp geopolitical analysis and expert interviews on critical global issues. Glenn brings unmatched expertise to this discussion, with over three decades of service in the US government, including assignments in Turkey, Russia, and extensive work on Middle Eastern affairs and counterterrorism. If you're curious about Glenn's remarkable career, we previously explored his experiences in both the CIA and State Department on Combat Story. In today’s episode, we dive into the key events leading to Assad’s departure from Damascus, the swift advances of HTS and SDF forces toward the capital, the broader implications for regional players, and what strategic moves the US should consider next. Now, let’s get into this essential analysis with Glenn Corn. Check out our Combat Story Newsletter at www.combatstory.com/newsletter Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story: 🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory 🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ 📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory 📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial 📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 00:00 Introduction to the Breaking Event 01:16 Timeline of Recent Events in Syria 02:57 Key Players and Their Roles 03:52 Russia's Strategic Moves 04:44 Understanding Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) 07:17 Demographics and Historical Context 08:55 Implications for Regional Stability 13:10 Potential U.S. Strategies 17:59 Challenges and Opportunities 25:58 Global Interconnections and Final Thoughts
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Navy SEAL w/ 7 Deployments | Author of Warrior to Civilian | Rob Sarver
Today we have a fantastic Combat Story with former Navy SEAL Officer Rob Sarver. Rob had more fun than most on his path to becoming a SEAL, originally with a detour as a surface warfare officer that he very skillfully managed to curtail, and leveraged a really interesting network to get a shot at the Teams. This episode is chalked full of both great stories from down range but also really practical explanations for getting ahead and succeeding, much of which has made it into his book, Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero’s Journey. In this episode, Rob covers some amazing stories of ingenuity in combat like using innertubes to float quietly on an assault to using copper wire to make two different radio sets compatible for field use. And despite Rob’s obvious successes from attending the Naval Academy to his time in the Teams and then graduating from Wharton and working in Private Equity, he also hits on the tougher moments, covering tough topics of loss, fear, and desperation, including losing someone on day one of a deployment. Don’t worry, though, there are plenty of laughs and hilarious anecdotes like the story behind the phrase ‘moderation is for cowards’. With that, please enjoy this Combat Story with Rob Sarver. Check out our Combat Story Newsletter at www.combatstory.com/newsletter Find Rob Sarver Online: Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero’s Journey (Link: Hachette Books: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/robert-sarver/warrior-to-civilian/9781538769966/ Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Civilian-Field-Manual-Journey/dp/1538769964) Author Site - https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/robert-sarver/ Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story: 🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory 🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ 📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory 📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial 📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Introduction to Combat Story 01:03 Meet Rob Sarver: Navy SEAL Officer 01:37 Rob's Journey to Becoming a SEAL 02:19 The Book: Warrior to Civilian 03:54 Rob's Military Background and Early Life 09:31 High School Adventures and Military Aspirations 14:06 Academy Life and Challenges 15:25 Path to the SEAL Teams 22:49 First Deployment Experiences 29:18 BUD/S Training and Beyond 35:16 Reflecting on Early Military Experiences 36:22 First Mission and Initial Challenges 36:56 Language School and Unexpected Adventures 38:41 Deployment Stories and Combat Encounters 41:19 Leadership and Team Dynamics 42:33 Loss and Resilience 44:43 Bronze Star with Valor: The Story Behind the Honor 48:53 Creative Tactics and Overcoming Obstacles 01:01:14 Transitioning to Civilian Life 01:01:42 Writing the Book: Purpose and Process 01:09:19 Seeking Help and Finding Balance 01:12:57 Memories and Reflections 01:14:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Combat in Iraq with ODA 043 | Special Forces Team Sergeant | Grit to Glory Author | Darrell Utt (Round 2)
On today’s episode we sit down for round two with Darrell Utt in an episode that is chalked full of combat experiences from his time in 2006 in Iraq and then some stories from his time in 2007 which, one day, will hopefully be a sequel to his book that’s coming out shortly: Grit to Glory. If you didn’t catch round one last week, Darrell grew up in a really tough home where he stopped his mother from shooting his father at one point and vividly remembered watching his mother walk out of the home for the last time. He found his way to the Army and became a Green Beret, serving in a host of different places but was able to serve as a Team Sergeant for the first time in 2006 taking a fairly junior team into Iraq. We left off at the very beginning of 2006 where he had just relieved one member of his team on arrival and was almost relieved himself, given a second chance by the commander. Their first successful mission is nothing short of amazing and made for the big screen so sit back and relax as you hear some amazing Combat Stories! Check out our Combat Story Newsletter at www.combatstory.com/newsletter Find Darrell Online: @darrell.utt on Instagram darrell-utt on LinkedIN Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Connect with Ryan & Combat Story: 🔗 Ryan’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/combatstory 🛒 Merch Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/ 📸 Instagram: @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory 📘 Facebook: @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial 📖 Learn more about Ryan: https://www.combatstory.com/aboutus 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle Show Notes: 00:00 Intro 00:55 Introduction to Combat Story 01:15 Meet Daryl Utt: Green Beret and Master Sergeant 03:28 First Combat Mission: A Significant Capture 04:24 The Honey Trap Operation 15:34 Executing the Plan: Daylight Hit 28:34 Morgue Day: A Heart-Wrenching Experience 44:03 The Day Everything Changed 45:00 Dustwind: A Soldier's Worst Nightmare 46:23 The Al Qaeda Rat Nest 57:16 A Mission Denied 01:12:28 The Grit Code: Principles for Life 01:15:33 Courage is Contagious 01:22:08 Book Release and Future Plans
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.
New Zealand