The Cadre Podcast

On this episode of The Cadre Podcast, Phillip sits down with The Cadre Lead Instructor and retired Recon Marine Steve Holland. It's been on our list since episode 13. Steve grew up in Riverside, CA, found structure in Boy Scouts, and wrote an eighth-grade paper about becoming a Navy SEAL that won his whole school district. A recruiter pointed him to Force Recon instead. He operated as a sniper for nearly his entire career before he ever went to sniper school, then went through as a senior Staff Sergeant and walked away as high spotter.

Whether you're a hunter getting ready for season, a precision shooter working on fundamentals, or thinking about a path into Recon, Steve's story is proof that process beats talent every time.

🎧 LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0WhBQn3hUE1XarAFwAd2OU?si=8cc5f61c6e814f79
🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cadre-podcast/id1806120823

🎯 TRAIN WITH US: https://www.thecadretraining.com
🎒 KIT: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources
📋 FREE DOPE CARD: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources

⏱ CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open: "I cannot come home"
1:08 Steve Holland, a year in the making
2:14 Growing up in Riverside and finding structure in Boy Scouts
4:15 The Navy SEAL paper that won the district
5:48 Skateboarding and learning not to quit
9:33 BB guns, trigger control and the Kentucky turtle pond
14:16 9/11 as a high school freshman
17:00 Why Force Recon instead of the SEALs
19:36 The four-minute mile and a recruiter who didn't lie
22:40 Meeting Joelle
26:50 Boot camp alongside Solo
30:14 SOI, camp guard and the recon screener
35:28 The snowboarding injury the week before BRC
42:07 Getting through BRC
44:39 The MEU platoon and learning from Dan
51:15 Capability over qualifications
51:55 First deployment: the call from Kuwait
54:54 The first IED and a platoon sergeant he'll never forget
1:00:38 First contact
1:01:40 Lance Corporal to Sergeant in one deployment
1:03:30 MARSOC stands up
1:05:04 "No cert. Shut up. Sit in the back."
1:07:49 Helicopter raids and where "HAF" came from
1:11:09 Missing Afghanistan and meeting Bumpus
1:14:54 BRC instructor: "crush bodies" mode
1:15:57 Instructor vs. teacher
1:21:45 The surprise fourth year
1:25:27 Sniper school as a senior SSgt: "shut up and color"
1:28:00 Teaching classmates the why
1:30:24 Qual day: spotting for half the class
1:31:41 Hodnett's quick wind: "This is magic"
1:33:44 High spotter and the Vortex binos
1:36:15 Reserves and standing up the Recon Sniper Course
1:40:24 Why the fire service
1:41:34 "Question everything"
1:42:41 "I know how to find targets"
1:45:36 Joining The Cadre
1:48:22 Building a following by teaching the why
1:53:18 Training local law enforcement
1:54:04 His son Hunter joins the Marine Corps
1:58:46 Advice to his 13-year-old self
2:00:33 Wrap-up and 2027 courses

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Phillip Velayo – https://www.instagram.com/velayo_0317
Jon Bumpus –  https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.jon
Steve Holland –  https://www.instagram.com/steve_haf
The Cadre –  https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.training

Precision Through Chaos.

Most hunters don't have unlimited range days or cases of ammo. They have jobs, families, and a few weekends before season opens. In this episode, Phillip Velayo, Jon Bumpus, and Steve Holland break down how the "time-poor hunter" should train when every round and every hour counts.

Between the three of them, you're hearing from former Marine Scout Snipers, instructors, and hunters who have taken game at distance with everything from 6.5 Creedmoor to solid copper in California. No theory for theory's sake — just what actually carries over from the range to the field.

In this episode, we cover:
- The "time-poor hunter" and why bigger calibers don't fix weak fundamentals
- ELD-M vs. ELD-X terminal performance — and what happens when you hit heavy bone
- Solid copper results at distance, including a 675-yard shot
- Is tripod shooting an advanced skill or a foundational one?
- Controlled range environments vs. uncontrolled field environments
- Glassing and target reference points — the most undertrained hunting skill
- Scanning patterns that keep your brain from filling in what isn't there
- A structured range plan for limited ammo: zero and trajectory validation in the first 20 rounds
- Building breaks through dry fire before live fire drills
- Training in cold weather and real-world conditions
- Multi-use gear, survival essentials, and why you still carry a hand call

Whether you're prepping for your first long-range hunt or trying to get back to your standard after an off-season, this is the framework for making limited training time count.

🎧 LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0WhBQn3hUE1XarAFwAd2OU?si=8cc5f61c6e814f79
🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cadre-podcast/id1806120823

🎯 TRAIN WITH US: https://www.thecadretraining.com
🎒 KIT: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources
📋 FREE DOPE CARD: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources

⏱ TIMESTAMPS
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Cold open: why every piece of gear needs more than one job
01:21 – The time-poor hunter: four range trips, 100 rounds
02:12 – Using a bigger caliber to cover weak skills (.338 Lapua on whitetail)
03:01 – 6.5 Creedmoor on elk at 420 yards
03:49 – ELD-M vs. ELD-X: real-world terminal performance
05:10 – ELD-M penetration up close and shoulder shots
07:25 – Solid copper at distance
09:13 – Breaking down a chaotic last-light mule deer shot
10:20 – Why four range trips won't build confidence
12:47 – A strong foundation brings you back faster
14:36 – Steve's year-round sustainment plan
17:50 – Garage dry-fire drills with your tripod
19:14 – Is tripod shooting an advanced skill or a foundational one?
21:56 – Wobble zone management
23:41 – Controlled vs. uncontrolled environments
24:44 – Shooting through sagebrush and micro-terrain
26:48 – "Do you know your knots?": performing without looking
28:20 – Engagement speed and reading terrain
31:03 – What you should be thinking in the first 30 seconds
32:06 – Jon's antelope from a standing tripod
34:06 – Limited-ammo training: dry reps, then one live round
35:52 – The non-negotiables: zero, chrono, confirm trajectory
37:22 – Building breaks and timed drills
38:46 – Train in the conditions you'll hunt in
40:46 – The most undertrained hunting skill: glassing
41:08 – Target reference points: the Frank Church muley
44:33 – Scanning right to left
45:41 – Gear management, ranging through vegetation, and anchor points
49:59 – 7 PRC recoil from field positions
52:13 – Rifle weight and knowing your limitations
57:02 – Best hunting cartridge: 6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor
59:34 – Is PEAK ammunition worth it?
1:03:18 – Shot placement and wobble zone
1:04:45 – Pack dumps and online critics
1:09:10 – Hunting-season pack minimums
1:12:04 – Hand calls, rear bags, and emergency food
1:14:20 – Why the InReach is always in the pack
1:16:49 – What's next: 2027 schedule and Texas courses
1:18:34 – Law enforcement curriculum and drone integration
1:20:40 – Phil's fall hunts and the Seven Devils team sniper match
1:21:52 – Training for sniper matches: holdovers and night operations
1:23:51 – Wrap-up

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Phillip Velayo – https://www.instagram.com/velayo_0317
Jon Bumpus –  https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.jon
Steve Holland –  https://www.instagram.com/steve_haf
The Cadre –  https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.training

Precision Through Chaos.

Join Phillip Velayo and Todd of Pac Mule Training for a deep dive into the fitness side of hunting and shooting, including everything most guys overlook until the mountain humbles them. Todd walks through his journey from human performance coaching into building specialized training programs for hunters and shooters, and breaks down why movement efficiency, rucking, and base testing matter more than raw strength. He gets into how to structure a 3 to 4 month training plan, how to track progress, how to dial in gear selection and load distribution for rucking, and how physical readiness ties directly into mental confidence and decision making in the field. Whether you're prepping for an NRL Hunter event, gearing up for a backcountry season, or just tired of being the limiting factor on your own hunts, this one is worth the full sit.

Listen to us on:
Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/0WhBQn3hUE1XarAFwAd2OU
Apple, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cadre-podcast/id1806120803
TRAIN WITH TODD: https://humanpredatorpackmule.com/
TRAIN WITH US: https://www.thecadretraining.com
DOWNLOAD OUR EQUIPMENT KIT: https://www.thecadretraining.com/kit
Download The Cadre DOPE Card: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources

TIMESTAMPS
0:00, Introduction to Todd and Pack Mule Training
4:50, Todd's Journey into Human Performance Coaching
10:11, The Importance of Base Testing in Fitness
14:53, Fitness and Decision Making in the Backcountry
20:14, Preparing for NRL Hunter Events
24:53, The Role of Mobility and Weight Management
30:06, Client Experiences and Training Programs
34:58, Collaboration for Comprehensive Hunter Training
37:52, Precision Rifle Shooting Mindset
40:49, Understanding Capabilities and Limitations
46:24, Rifle Setup and Personal Connection
51:37, Rucking Training for Hunters
1:01:31, Gear Recommendations and Packing Tips

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM:
Follow Todd: https://www.instagram.com/packmuletrainingco
Follow Phillip: https://www.instagram.com/velayo_0317
Follow The Cadre: https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.training
Precision Through Chaos.

#PrecisionRifle #LongRangeShooting #RifleTraining #NewShooter #PrecisionRifleTraining #TheCadre #BoltAction #PRSShooting #NRLShooting #RifleFundamentals #MarineSniper #LongRangeHunting #ShootingPodcast #RifleClass #PrecisionHunter #RifleGear #ScopeSetup #ProcessOverTalent #precisionthroughchaos

Join Phillip Velayo and Eric D'Oro of The Cadre for the long version of how Eric actually got here, including the parts that didn't go to plan. Eric walks through growing up in Pennsylvania, joining the Marines at 18 in the shadow of 9/11, failing sniper school, coming back for a second attempt, and breaking his ankle mid-competition before having to drop out. He gets honest about the feedback that broke him, the bureaucracy that pushed him out of the Marine Corps, and the messy transition through college, firearms instruction, and contracting. Whether you're a young Marine wondering if you'd survive the standard, a competitor trying to reframe your last bad match, or someone mid-career-transition, this one is worth the full sit.

Listen to us on:
Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/show/0WhBQn3hUE1XarAFwAd2OU
Apple, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cadre-podcast/id1806120803

TRAIN WITH US: https://www.thecadretraining.com

DOWNLOAD OUR EQUIPMENT KIT: https://www.thecadretraining.com/kit
Download The Cadre DOPE Card: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources

TIMESTAMPS
0:00, Introduction, Who Is Eric D'Oro
2:15, Growing Up in Pennsylvania, Family and Early Influences
8:40, Joining the Marines at 18, Powerlifting, Wrestling, and 9/11
15:20, SOI, Reclassing to 0311 and Volunteering for Recon
22:10, The Recon Training Injury, Surgery, and the Extended Timeline
31:45, Running the Sniper Screener
40:30, Walking Into the Platoon, Catching Up to the Standard
52:15, First Deployment to Australia, Mistakes and Feedback
1:04:50, Leadership, Trust, and Team Dynamics
1:18:25, Sniper School, Failure, and the Hazing That Followed
1:31:10, The KD Test and What It Did to Him
1:42:55, The Second Attempt, Broken Ankle, and Dropping Out
1:54:30, Reintegration, Leadership Frustration, and the Decision to Leave
2:06:15, Civilian Transition, College, and Firearms Instruction
2:14:40, Contracting, Teaching, and Finding the Work That Fits
2:20:05, Corey, Brianna, and Building a Support System
2:26:30, Health, Stepping Back, and Choosing Competition
2:32:45, Teaching With Lived Experience, NRL Hunter, and What's Next
2:38:20, Final Thoughts on Resilience, Stubbornness, and the Long Road

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM:
Follow Eric: https://www.instagram.com/ej_doro
Follow Phillip: https://www.instagram.com/velayo_0317
Follow The Cadre: https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.training

Precision Through Chaos.

Join Phillip Velayo and Andrew of Tenacity Firearms for a full breakdown of what it actually takes to build a high-end custom hunting rifle, get it in your hands fast, and run it with confidence in the backcountry. The conversation covers Tenacity's no-wait business model, the full component stack behind the Tenacity X, and the philosophy behind building a rifle system around how hunters actually operate in the field.

They walk through every layer of the build: the McMillan Mountain Hunter stock with integrated Arca and Picatinny rails, the Tenacity-branded Defiance Anti-X action, Proof Research and Hell's Canyon Armory barrel options, and TriggerTech's role in a reliable, adjustable trigger system. The discussion gets into cartridge selection strategy, why factory ammo availability matters more than most hunters realize, and how scope mount height influences your ability to run the rifle cleanly under pressure. Phillip draws direct parallels between competition shooting fundamentals and backcountry hunting performance, including what the pre-shot and post-shot process looks like when an animal is in front of you.

Whether you're specing your first custom hunting rifle, tired of waiting two years for a build, or looking for a modular platform that grows with your skill level, this episode gives you a blueprint for what a purpose-built precision hunting rifle should look like.

Listen to us on: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0WhBQn3hUE1XarAFwAd2OU Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cadre-podcast/id1806120803

TRAIN WITH US: https://www.thecadretraining.com DOWNLOAD OUR EQUIPMENT KIT: https://www.thecadretraining.com/kit Download The Cadre DOPE Card: https://www.thecadretraining.com/resources

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction | The Cadre x Tenacity Firearms Collaboration
2:12 - Custom Rifle Industry | Wait Times, Market Saturation, and the Tenacity Model
6:08 - Tenacity X Breakdown | McMillan Stock, Arca Rail, and Modular Design
11:47 - Action, Barrel, and Trigger | Defiance, Proof Research, and TriggerTech
17:25 - Cartridge Selection | What to Run and Why Factory Ammo Availability Matters
22:43 - Scope Mount Height and Modern Technique | Minimizing Rifle Influence
45:04 - Competition Shooting for Hunters | Why the Range Makes You Better in the Field
53:49 - Troubleshooting and Customer Support | Knowing Your System When It Matters
1:04:09 - Future Goals | New Configurations, Price Points, and Product Development

CONNECT WITH THE TEAM:
Follow Tenacity Firearms: https://www.instagram.com/tenacity_firearms/
Follow Andrew: https://www.instagram.com/andrew_whitney/
Follow Phillip: https://www.instagram.com/velayo_0317
Follow The Cadre: https://www.instagram.com/thecadre.training

Precision Through Chaos.