Episode 495: SOFREP Radio classic with punk rock legend CJ Ramone

On this week’s podcast, Rad features James Rife and Craig Reed, both military historians and published authors. James discusses the tense geopolitical history between Ukraine and Russia going back a thousand years that laid the foundations for the invasion happening today.    Meanwhile, Craig analyzes the backbreaking mistakes that Russia has made thus far which has dragged on what was supposed to be a 3-day invasion into a protracted war now on its 6th month.    They look at the sweeping changes Ukraine enforced after the ease with which Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. After getting a taste of Western democracy and freedom, Ukraine’s now battle-hardened veterans, armed with cutting-edge weapons and tactics, have put up stiff resistance against their country's greatest existential crisis.   Grab a copy of James and Craig's book The Russia Ukraine War Factbook in the link below:   https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/the-russia-ukraine-war-factbook/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Syys 202253min

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Anthony Stephen Malone, a former Paratrooper in the British Army and former CIA operator in Afghanistan. He is the host of The Patriot Show, as well as the author of 4 books, including the Honour Bound series and his latest release called Hostage/Evacuation which details his capture by the Taliban. He shares the critical and apolitical role of the veteran community in helping move up to 400 families out of Afghanistan during the chaotic evacuation in 2021. He also sheds light on the brain drain happening there right now where educated young people simply do not want to be in a country governed by extremist Taliban.  There are many elements within Afghanistan that actually want the country to progress. More of the world needs to realize that leaving Afghanistan to devolve back into civil war and getting Western boots on the ground again is simply not in anyone’s interest. Connect with Anthony, learn about his advocacy to help fellow veterans by visiting his website: http://www.anthonymalone.me.uk/ Get a copy of Honour Bound Part 1: https://amzn.to/3CVEsi6 Get a copy of Honour Bound Part 2: https://amzn.to/3cHRZiKSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Syys 202247min

In this podcast, Rad features Master Sergeant John "Mad Dog" B. Melson, who served 3 years in the USMC and almost 17 years in the Army National Guard. After his service in the Marines and in the wake of 9/11, John tried to enlist again but found out that he had a tumor in his neck which was cutting off his blood flow.    He was in extreme danger and was faced with a difficult decision: undergo surgery that could kill him or do nothing and have less than 5 years to live. He chose to have a fighting chance and went under the knife. Against the odds, he survived and was given the chance to serve again in the National Guard to fight in Afghanistan.   He shares crazy stories of his 9 combat deployments, from popping smoke to signal the A-10 not to fire upon them in the middle of a firefight, to being left to fend for themselves during a Taliban assault. He is the recipient of 5 Bronze Star Medals, 2 Purple Hearts, and 4 Army Commendation Medals for Valor.   Check out John’s podcast Guts and Grit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guts-grit-great-business/id1516815054   Get a copy of Jessica Ainsworth’s latest book titled At What Cost on Amazon which features John’s foreword and an entire chapter on his story and the personal cost of war: https://amzn.to/3T0FSNQ  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Elo 20221h 5min

On this podcast, Rad features Gary Weaving, Founder and CEO of Forgotten Veterans United Kingdom (FVUK). A former Royal Engineer who served in Afghanistan, he started the charity in 2016 following his medical discharge from the British Army. Failure to get a correct diagnosis of his physical injuries led him to spiral down, abuse substances, and lose the will to live. He began posting details about his troubles on social media and was amazed by the response from fellow veterans going through similar difficulties. He started FVUK with his own personal funds to provide immediate and much-needed support for fellow veterans. To this day Gary does not take any payment or money from the charity for himself.  The mantra of their organization is "selfless commitment to others" and their goal is to give back purpose and hope to veterans forgotten by the system.   Connect with Gary and FVUK by checking out the links below: Website: https://www.forgottenveteransuk.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelflessCommitmentToOthers Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alone_Soldiers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Elo 20221h 20min

On this week’s podcast, Rad features Paul R. Bruno who has spent twenty years studying and writing about the early history of Jeep. He discusses the genesis of this iconic vehicle and its legendary ability to perform in basically any environment.  Paul tells the story of a little-known car manufacturer called Bantam and how, in their bid to avoid bankruptcy, aggressively developed the Jeep to the specified needs of the Army. With Bantam’s mechanical genius, they developed the first Jeep in just 49 days and it withstood the toughest tests the Army could throw at it.  Paul is the author of three award-winning books called Project Management in History: The First Jeep, The Original Jeeps, and The Original Jeeps in Pictures. Grab a copy of THE ORIGINAL JEEPS here: https://amzn.to/3zZNj0j Visit Paul's Website: https://originaljeeps.com/ Dispatcher Magazine: https://www.dispatchermagazine.com/books See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Elo 202249min

In this episode, Rad welcomes Master Sergeant (MSG, Ret) Howard “Mad Max” Mullen Jr., a 2013 Ranger Hall of Fame inductee among a long list of other achievements in the Army. A 26-year veteran, he was one of the most dynamic Ranger instructors to serve during the 1980s and early 1990s.  Max recalls his legendary mentors, how they set him up for success, and the physical and mental rigors of Ranger School. He shares his tours of duty overseas, especially in South Korea where he served in the DMZ, as well as the airborne invasion of Grenada when he dropped in to help secure the airport and save American students. Find out more about Max in the links below:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-max-mullen-87023a10 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max_mullenn/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Heinä 20221h 8min

In this episode, Rad welcomes back Charles Cunningham, a former military policeman in the Air Force, a local police officer, PA State Trooper, and a retired FBI Agent. He continues to story of David James Lindsey's trial and how one warrant officer systematically discredits every single one of Lindsey's war medal claims.    David was found guilty on 21 counts and was sentenced to 60 years in jail. He later died in prison and is buried with no honors in White Hall. Charles also shares stories of his career in the FBI where he became the special agent in charge of Richmond, Virginia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Heinä 202224min

On this week’s podcast, Rad welcomes Charles Cunningham who is a former military policeman in the Air Force, a local police officer, PA State Trooper, and a retired FBI Agent. He shares the amazing case of David James Lindsey, a bemedalled former Marine, Army NCO, and war hero, who ends up becoming a cocaine dealer in upstate New York.    Charles got hold of a ledger for David's crimes and this led him down a rabbit hole of racketeering, murders, possession of firearms and silencers, and drug trafficking. They go to trial. David takes a PTSD defense and had one of the most qualified psychiatrists declare that David has one of the worst PTSD cases he has ever seen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Heinä 202238min