SOFREP Radio

Greg Walker, an investigative journalist on the NewsRep.com, author, and former member of several Special Forces Groups joins Jack for a breakdown of former Green Beret turned Sandinista David Baez along with an in depth conversation regarding mental health in the military.  Walker gives a complete breakdown of the fascinating story how a Nicaraguan turned American citizen ended up as a Sandinista.  Following the insightful discussion of Baez, Jack and Greg delve into the issues behind veteran suicides.  They talk about the importance of mental health, what steps could be taken to help a soldier in need, why they feel resources are lacking to help veterans and provide some advice to anyone with suicidal thoughts. Before Greg joined the show, Jack shared his intrigued with David Baez and discussed a great piece written by Robert Fisk on the Douma 'gas' attacks.   Dennis asks Jack to share a few thoughts on Memorial Day and if there is a proper way to honor those who gave their lives for this country.  Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast, and check out Greg's piece on veteran suicides along with other great articles at thenewsrep.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Mai 20191h 20min

Jeffrey Hess, author of "No Salvation" speaks with Jack & Ian about his novel inspired by actual events that took place in 1972 aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.  The novel details how African-American sailors faced difficulties while trying to obtain higher ranked positions within the Navy, despite a lower requirement for enlistment.  Hess describes the riot about the USS Kitty Hawk in October of '72 and how Commander Porter was able to finally diffuse the situation.  Hess shares why he wrote about an issue as controversial as racial inequality in the military as well as what inspired him to get into writing in the first place. In addition to Jeffrey joining the show, Jack breaks down his appearance on CNN's The Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin after John Walker Lindh was released from prison after serving 17 of his 20 year sentence.  Jack shares his disappointment regarding former CIA officer turned DC Comics writer Tom King and his Batman story line.  Before Ian reflects on his 7 years with the program he breaks down the trailer for the latest Terminator movie, Terminator: Dark Fate.  Ian then shares some of his fondest memories working on the show, what he's going to miss, and what the future holds for him.  From everyone here at SOFREP Radio we can say, Ian you will be missed but we wish you the best of luck on all your future endeavors.  Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast, let us know what you think of the show.  You can follow Jeffery Hess on Twitter & Instagram. Be sure to pick up his novel when it goes on sale Memorial Day. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Mai 20191h 5min

Remi Adeleke, author of "Transformed: A Navy SEAL’s Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds" joins the show to discuss his life from birth to now.  How he assimilated going from Nigerian royalty to hustling on the streets of the Bronx.  What movie peaked his interest in the SEALs and who helped him enlist in the Navy.  Adeleke describes the hardships he faced during BUD/S and how he was able to overcome.  He shares his experience as an African-American in the Middle East and how the military could better provide information about the experience with more African-Americans to hopefully increase enlistment. Despite acting in both movies and television, Adeleke sees himself as an author first and foremost, and ends the interview with a passionate thought on fellow SEAL Eddie Gallagher's potential pardon from President Trump. Along with a great interview from Remi, the guys react to the New York Times article written by former guest of the show, Dave Philipps about the possibility of President Trump pardoning more servicemen, including Navy SEAL, Eddie Gallagher, of their accused war crimes.  Over the weekend, former WWE Diva, Ashley Massaro passed away and Ian reads an excerpt from an affidavit where she describes being raped by a Marine while on an overseas trip for the WWE.  Jack was excited to share the news that his article on Special Forces Detachment A is up on Newsrep, completely unredacted.  Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast, let us know what you think of the show.  You can follow Remi Adeleke on Twitter & Instagram @RemiAdeleke. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Mai 20191h 37min

"War Story" is a novel about a U.S. Marine and an Iraqi Defense Forces Lieutenant Colonel coming together to achieve the same goal. Author and painter David Richardson, a Marine combat veteran, gets into the inspiration behind this book with us, and the deeper themes he hopes to present to the reader about man's fascination with war since the beginning of time. You'll hear how Richardson drew from his own life in imagining this book, and we were glad to have him join us in studio. It was also very cool to hear that Richardson's friends who are listeners of the podcast gave him the nod to get on with us. In addition to this in-depth interview, we get into your emails sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com. A lot of outstanding feedback thus far from the listeners for Jack's new book, "Murphy's Law." We also dig into the current U.S. administration's growing hostility towards Iran. One of our listeners connects some dots to this foreign policy situation, and Murphy writes about this in-depth in his recent piece on Newsrep, "America's War Drums Beat for Iran." Check it out. Be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, let us know what you think of the show, and also check out David Richardson's art on his website at DERichardson.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @DrichWarStory to let him know what you think of the book after you pick it up! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Mai 20191h 25min

We start off this show with Vicki Behenna, mother of 1st Lt. Michael Behenna, reacting to the recent news of the pardoning of her son by President Donald Trump. Behenna served slightly under 5 years of a 15 year sentence in Ft. Leavenworth for the killing of terrorist Ali Mansur Mohamed. Michael has always maintained that he acted in self-defense. Michael appeared with us back on Episode 88 (available on SOFREPRadio.com) when he was released, and this closes the chapter of a very dark period for the Behenna family. They are very thankful that President Trump made this a priority and that so many people raised enough attention to bring this issue to the forefront. Vicki hopes to see the same outcome for other men still serving time for questionable offenses that she believes are good men. Next, we're joined in studio by former Green Beret and author of "Separating From Service: The Mental Health Handbook for Transitioning Veterans," Eric Burleson. We have a very frank discussion about the many issues that veterans face when leaving the military, and how for him, some of these issues stemmed from hardship outside of life in combat. What's unique about this book is that Eric takes a deep dive into the neuroscience behind why veterans face the particular issues that they do when coming home to a very new life in so many aspects. Follow Eric on Twitter @Eric_Burleson, pick up the book, and proceeds from the Kindle edition will be benefiting the family of a friend and fellow Green Beret killed in action. This was a very important podcast and you'll hear Eric get into some dark areas that many would be afraid to reveal. So, major kudos to the work he is doing in helping his fellow vets. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Mai 20191h 30min

Last week, many of you heard our interview with Michael Ames discussing his book "American Cipher: Bowe Bergdahl and the U.S. Tragedy in Afghanistan." Well, so did Matt Vierkant, a man who personally got to know Bowe Bergdahl when they served together in Afghanistan prior to Bowe's sudden disappearance. Matt decided to read the book as well, and felt that there were some discrepancies he wanted to rebut, and as a friend of the show, we're always glad to have Matt come on and join us. Matt feels the book is biased in taking the side of Bergdahl, someone he views as an unstable and unreliable source, and that there are still many unanswered questions that we regrettably may never know. We had a thoughtful discussion with Matt just like we did with Ames, and hopefully this will give you, the listener, a better idea of a very puzzling piece of American history. Next guest on this episode is our friend Marine Corps Major Fred Galvin. On a more recent appearance with Galvin, we hinted at a future show discussing China in-depth, and here it is. Galvin spent time in China as a Marine, and a lot of time in Asia at large while serving his country. We get into the future of the communist superpower, and issues including China's social credit system and the deadly importation of Chinese fentanyl to the American market. We also get into more recent troubling news out of Asia as missiles were launched from North Korea to South Korea. Lots to ponder on this episode as we look into the future of the world. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Mai 20191h 34min

Retired CIA Officer Thomas Pecora is back on with us this episode as we celebrate the release of his book, "Guardian: Life in the Crosshairs of the CIA's War on Terror." If you haven't already listened to Thomas on Episode 410, you'll get a refresher on what the book is about, and from there we get into the many areas he's operated in from Bosnia to the Philippines. He has some excellent action-packed stories for us, including his time working with Special Forces legend Billy Waugh. He discusses the frustration in getting this book through the review process and the long road it took for "Guardian" to finally see a release. It's here now, pick it up, and if you're in the Milwaukee area, be sure to check out Thomas's book signing on May 14th @ 6PM taking place at spy-themed restaurant and bar, SafeHouse. Let him know what you thought of his appearances on SOFREP Radio! We also celebrate something else this episode, and that's the full pardon of 1st Lt Michael Behenna by President Trump. Behenna's case is one I personally followed for years while the young man was stripped of his freedom in Ft. Leavenworth after killing known terrorist Ali Mansur Mohamed in an act that he maintained was one of self-defense. Shortly after his release in March of 2014, we had Michael join us back on Episode 88, and it brings me joy in knowing that his name has now fully been cleared by our President, and that he can move forward in his life. Beyond that, we get to your emails on this one, and feel free to keep those coming to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com. As always, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, and follow us individually on Twitter @JackMurphyRGR and @IanScotto. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Mai 20191h 30min

Kenneth Steiger served a Special Agent in the FBI from the 1980's until 2006, and was assigned to major cases in organized crime like the Colombo family. He even worked on the famous case of the largest Ponzi scheme in history with Bernie Madoff. We really get the lowdown on mafia crime in New York City from Steiger, and you do not want to miss it. Also on this show, Steiger gives his take on what he sees as a massive politicization of intelligence in more recent years, and from there we get into the highly publicized cases of Trump and Russian collusion, as well as Hillary Clinton's private email server. We discuss how things have changed from the days of primitive wiretaps, to threats made publicly on social media. We rarely hear from those with a background in the FBI on here, so it was a real privilege to sit down in studio for this nearly two-hour discussion. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Mai 20191h 46min