Paul Bruno, Historian and Author of 'The Original Jeeps'

On this week's podcast SOFREP senior editor and SOFREP Radio host Steve Balestrieri talks with Green Beret and Retired U.S. Army Colonel Mark Rosengard. Among other commanding roles, Colonel Rosengard served as the director of Task Force Dagger, the Special Forces unit and first American element in Afghanistan after 9/11. Colonel Rosengard was also the group deputy commander for 10th SFG and served in a number of countries. He finished his military career as chief of staff of SOCCENT. Colonel Rosengard talks about the first days in Afghanistan post-9/11 and how, despite a multitude of challenges, Task Force Dagger succeeded in its mission. He discusses the efforts to gain the trust of local warlords against the Taliban and how the American Special Forces had to negotiate and tread the differing and shifting allegiances of local and regional groups. All the while Task Force Dagger was hampered by a lack of intelligence and the technological limitations of the era, but received the support of a number of Afghans.Finally, Colonel Rosengard explains the difference between federal security and local autonomy and how the U.S. failed in understanding the importance of the latter for the Afghans. A better understanding of local autonomy could possibly have led to a stabler and safer Afghanistan both for the locals and the U.S.Tune in to another episode of SOFREP Radio and discover what America's finest faced to protect our way of life immediately after 9/11. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Touko 20211h 4min

On this week's podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host, Steve Balestrieri is joined by Fox & Friends co-host, author, and veteran Pete Hegseth.In a wide-ranging discussion, Pete talks about his path to journalism and his subsequent interactions with his former teammates. They also discuss Pete's political plans, his books In the Arena and American Crusade, and his adventurous swim across the Hudson River with 30 Navy SEALs.The two also touch upon America's foreign policy and the need to counter an ever-assertive China.In discussing the current state of American society, education, and the divisive ideas permeating large sections of the country Pete offers his views on how America can move forward and overcome its current state.Steve is then joined by SOFREP Managing Editor Sean Spoonts. The duo discusses their favorite Fox Nation programs and offers recommendations to our listeners.Tune in to another episode of SOFREP Radio and remember from May 24 to May 31 Fox Nation, in partnership with SOFREP, offers a free one-year membership to active-duty servicemembers and military veterans.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Touko 202158min

On this week's podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host, Steve Balestrieri talks with Jonathan Hancock a Marine veteran from 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment – The Magnificent Bastards – who walked 5,800 miles across the United States to visit fellow Marines and Gold Star families in a journey of healing.Jon's trek across the country and his interactions with the veterans, Marines, and Gold Star families was filmed, at first by himself and then by filmmaker Brian Morrison who joined him on the road. The footage became the critically-acclaimed documentary Bastards' Road.Steve and Jon talk about Jon's career in the Marines, his service with the 2/4 during the bloody Battle of Ramadi in 2004, his amazing journey across the United States, and the positive impact it had on those around him.Tune in to a sincere and entertaining episode of SOFREP Radio. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Touko 202158min

On this week's podcast SOFREP Senior Editor and SOFREP Radio host, Steve Balestrieri sits down with Michelle Black the author of Sacrifice, A Gold Star Widow’s Fight for the Truth.Michelle Black's husband, Bryan, was a Green Beret and one of four American soldiers killed in an ambush in Niger in October 2017 by ISIS terrorists.Steve and Michelle talk about her husband's life, the events leading up to the ambush, its aftermath, and the investigation surrounding it.Michelle and the families of the other team members were offered inaccurate and, in some cases, untrue accounts of the events that transpired on that day and leading up to the ambush. Her desire for truth led her to interview Bryan's team members and piece out the true story. And in the process, reveal the Army's ugly underbelly. Tune in to an intimate, honest, and revealing episode of SOFREP Radio. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Touko 202150min

In this special episode of SOFREP Radio, SOFREP Senior Editor Host Steve Balestrieri speaks with Clifford Chanin the Executive Vice President and Deputy Director for Museum Programs of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. They talk about the museum's collaboration with Discovery Channel on the upcoming documentary Revealed, The Hunt For Bin Laden.The show follows the 10-year effort to find Osama bin Laden. In cooperation with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s access to American intelligence and military personnel, the documentary reveals how President Barack Obama ordered the SEAL raid on Bin Laden's compound in Pakistan without being certain that was even there. The filmmakers interviewed President Obama, CIA Director Leon Panetta, mission commander Admiral William McRaven, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and, perhaps for the first time, the clandestine military planners, intelligence analysts, and members of the assault force, that pulled off one of the most stunning missions of the Global War on Terror.Revealed, The Hunt For Bin Laden debuts on the Discovery Channel Sunday, on May 2 at 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central time. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Touko 202149min

In this week's episode of SOFREP Radio, Senior Editor Steve Balestrieri talks with Rick Lamb.  The word "Legend" gets thrown around a lot but in Mr. Lamb's case, it is entirely apt. He joined the Army in 1978 under contract to become an Airborne Ranger directly and over the next 26 years, Rick served in both the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions, the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Group, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major.He also seemed to be a part of every significant combat operation of the late 20th century the Army was involved in including: Operation Eagle Claw (Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission); Operation Just Cause (Invasion of Panama); Operation Gothic Serpent (Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu); Operations Restore, Uphold and Maintain Democracy (Invasion of Haiti); Operations Joint Forge and Joint Guardian (Bosnia and Kosovo); Operation Enduring Freedom (Horn of Africa); Operation Iraqi Freedom.After retirement spend another 12 years working for U.S. Special Operations Command as a civilian culminating in a position as Operations Officer in the Center for Special Operations.Rick is a Member of the SOCOM Commando Hall of Honor, the Ranger Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the SOCOM “Bull” Simmons Award.He is the present Director of Military Relations for the Global SOF Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit works to build and grow an international network of military, government, commercial, and educational partners to advance SOF capabilities in confronting global and networked threats.If that is not the definition of a "Legend" then no definition for it can exist.Don't miss this episode of SOFREP Radio with Steve Balestrieri. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Huhti 20212h 5min

In this episode, Senior Editor Steve Balestrieri joins our resident expert on the Chinese Army, Mr. Dennis J. Blasko.Dennis served 23 years in military intelligence and as a Foreign Area Officer He served in infantry units in Germany, Italy, and Korea and in Washington at the Defense Intelligence Agency, From 1992 to 1996 he was an Army Attaché in Beijing and Hong Kong. Mr. Blasko is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and the Naval Postgraduate School. He is the author of numerous articles and chapters on the Chinese military, along with the book "The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century", second edition.  Join us as we discuss emerging trends in the People's Liberation Army of the Chinese Communists on this episode of SOFREP Radio with Steve Balestrieri. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Huhti 20211h 5min

Brad was with the Ranger Battalion at the Battle of Mogadishu in October 1993 and went on to spend 12 years with Delta Force. Now retired, he's killing it music with a band of veteran musicians made up of veterans, "Silence & Light." Brad is an accomplished guitar player and composer. These guys are putting out albums and donating the proceeds to veteran's charities too.Brad and his brother veterans are still serving and now SOFREP Radio has the pleasure of serving Brad and his story up to you.Don't miss this podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Huhti 20211h 3min