SOFREP Radio

Stuart Steinberg is the author of "This Is What Hell Looks Like: Life as a Bomb Disposal Specialist During the Vietnam War." Not only was Stu an EOD, but following that he got his law degree, and became an attorney. Not just any attorney but he specialized in capital murder investigations. As if this wasn't enough, in 2009 Stu went to Afghanistan and served with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime as an adviser to the Afghan Police. There he trained personnel in counter-narcotics operations along the border with Iran. What drives someone to take on such dangerous positions? Stuart blames it on the adrenaline rush. You'll hear him go in-depth on all of this, which is detailed much further in his memoir, and we suggest that you pick it up. From there we get into a huge piece of news being circulated. BuzzFeed News Reporter Aram Roston released a piece yesterday morning titled "A Middle East Monarchy Hired American Ex-Soldiers To Kill Its Political Enemies. This Could Be The Future Of War." The piece discusses in detail former special operations veterans being hired in Yemen to take out political targets. One of the men shown in the piece has a blurred out face, but former Delta operator Dale Comstock has now publicly acknowledged that this is him. Dale is a friend to the show, and as many of you know, a student of Jim West. Because of this connection, we're excited to say that Dale will be on with us next episode, and you will not want to miss it. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Okt 20181h 38min

When legendary thriller author Vince Flynn passed away in 2013, Kyle Mills was hand-chosen with the nearly impossible task of carrying on the Mitch Rapp series. Not only did Mills deliver with his first book in the series "The Survivor," but three years later and with three additional Rapp books under his belt, Mills has put out another #1 New York Times best-seller with 'Red War." Prior to carrying on where Flynn left off, Mills wrote some excellent novels, and with his father's background as an FBI Agent, it's no surprise that Mills continues coming up with scenarios for his counter-terrorism operative protagonist.  In this interview you'll hear Mills discuss the writing process along with what inspires him. "Red War" is heavily influenced by our current situation with Russia. The fictional Russian President in the book (heavily based around Vladimir Putin) is dying but grasping to power. The U.S. uses Mitch Rapp's expertise to exploit the situation in their favor. We hope that you pick it up, and be sure to visit Kyle online at KyleMills.com. You can also follow Kyle @KyleMillsAuthor. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Okt 20181h 9min

We're joined this episode by Joseph LaFave. Joseph is a journalist for TheNewsrep.com with a focus on how conflict impacts the global marketplace. Joseph has a background as an EMT in Florida and also worked as an engineer for Lockheed Martin. On this episode we hit on several different topics LaFave's writing on which led to some interesting discussion. He has an upcoming multi-piece series in the works regarding a National Guard unit training for JRTC, the Army's premier combat training center. It's an interesting topic because I often get emails sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com regarding National Guard, and it's admittedly not something we focus on heavily. So it's great to get up to date on some of this awesome work. We then talk about some of Joseph's recent pieces including "Ebola continues to spread, threatens economies of the DRC and Uganda," and "Why are oil prices up? Several factors." The latter piece heavily focusing on how Iran sanctions have made a noticeable impact. Glad to be back on Youtube this episode for your viewing pleasure as well! Along with the new website SOFREPRadio.com, we are also now on Spotify, and have an app that will be out in the coming days. Follow Joseph on Twitter @LafaveJoseph, and look out for more great work from him on Newsrep. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Okt 201859min

Our recent Best of Army Special Operations episode got a tremendous response, and because of that, I got a lot of you asking for a Best of Navy SEALs episode. Well here it is! In the history of this show we've had Navy SEALs of many different eras join us and tell us their story, so here are just a few favorites of mine from the past couple of years. Compiled for Episode 393 we have Brent Gleeson, Jack Carr, and Ryan Zinke making in studio appearances. Ryan Zinke's interview was especially cool because he was out with his co-author Scott McEwen promoting his memoir "American Commander." Just a couple of months following that book tour, Zinke became U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Also on this episode is a short clip of Frumentarius giving his take on the difficulty of BUDS VS the difficulty of actually serving as a SEAL. A lot of different perspectives on this one from several guys who wore the Trident. Be sure to check out our new website at http://SOFREPRadio.com Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Okt 201850min

Our guest this episode is Justin Carroll, a former MARSOC operator with an impressive background in privacy and security operations with USSOCOM. In the modern age, cybersecurity and evaporating privacy are of huge concern for virtually everyone, and Justin gives us some expert analysis on what all people should be aware of, and what's coming down the pike. We talk about smartphones, social media, and even the future consequences of modern technology in the hands of a tyrannical government. Justin has written a great deal about these subjects, and his latest co-authored book titled "ComSec" is a must read. Justin also hosted on The Complete Privacy and Security Podcast, but tells us he's currently more focused on his latest venture, the Across the Peak Podcast. Beyond these pressing topics, you'll also get a look into Justin's time with MARSOC, and it's rare we get a guest on from the newest branch of special operations. We also respond to an email regarding China sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com, give our analysis on President Trump's recent comments of "falling in love" with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, and why we found them to be very disturbing. We also talk about the latest Medal of Honor Recipient Ron Shurer being in the fight for his life battling lung cancer.  Friends and family have set up a GoFundMe to help pay these costs for the Green Beret war hero, and we encourage you to give back. With that, we have just added a Facebook page for the podcast at facebook.com/sofrepradio. Be on the lookout for a new website devoted to the show as well as a new app. GoFundMe for Ron @ https://www.gofundme.com/help-ron-keep-up-the-fight Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Okt 20181h 43min

We are honored to be joined this episode by Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Mike Lampe, a man whom Jack Murphy describes as the grandfather of Air Force Special Operations. Mike’s military career began in the Army in 1968 during Vietnam, but not long after, he transferred to the Air Force where he spent the rest of his 30-years of decorated service. Mike has many accolades, awards, and served in many different capacities including his time as a Special Tactics Team Leader On this episode, we get into the first half of Mike’s military career, but we plan on extending an invitation to do a second part because there was too much history to cover in one episode. In the second half of Mike’s military career he crossed paths with another legend in the community and favorite of the podcast, Sergeant Major Mike Vining. We look forward to hearing all about that eventually. Mike is currently involved in helping with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. In addition to our featured interview, Jack Murphy reacts to a recent clip of Defense Secretary James Mattis giving a concise response regarding the concept of women in combat roles. Don’t miss this one! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

28 Sep 20181h 46min

If you come to this podcast for war stories about operations that have never been heard before, you're in for an action packed listen on this one. Mark Giaconia is a former Green Beret with 20 years of service to his country. He has a new book out titled "One Green Beret" which focuses on his service from 1996-2011 in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq, serving alongside members of the Peshmerga as well as the Russian Spetsnaz. A focal point of the book is Mark serving in Operation Viking Hammer, an unconventional warfare operation with the mission of taking out Sunni Muslim insurgents known as the terrorist group Ansar al-Islam. He also speaks of the gruesome details of being exposed to suspected chemical weapons, having to take hair samples of dead terrorists, and gives a philosophical take on war from his own perspective. Mark has since made the transition from warfare to making a living in technology as the Senior Director of Radiant Solutions. He discusses how he started to make this transition while serving in the military. After you listen to this, be sure to pick up "One Green Beret" available now on Amazon. Also, follow Mark on Twitter and let him know what you thought of his appearance @GiaconiaMark. In addition to that, Jack Murphy discusses his latest article "Mattis: US Troops can remain in Syria to ensure stability." It is Jack's belief that Mattis is being pushed out for the more neo-conservative John Bolton. Listen to find out why Jack has made that inference. It's an episode with a lot of excitement and also reflection that you do not want to miss. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Sep 20181h 23min

Mike Crosby served as a Navy Commander, but his current fight is one of making veterans aware of prostate cancer. As a prostate cancer survivor, he saw some of the issues at the VA not taking the necessary steps in preventing this killer that is currently the #1 diagnosed cancer in the VA healthcare system. Veterans are in the high risk category for prostate cancer, and between screening, early detection, and alternatives to traditional surgery, there are a lot of components to fighting this cancer. Mike discusses with us the Veterans Choice Program and why it is something that veterans should absolutely be taking advantage of and enrolling in now. Mike currently is the founder & CEO of Veterans Prostate Cancer Awareness.  Check out their website to learn more. Also on this episode we answer a listener email sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com regarding Indian special operations, and cover some of the latest news on Newsrep including an update on Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 (this was the flight hit by a missile, not to be confused with Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, the disappearance that took place four months prior.) Jack also talks about a fake account that went by "Bagram Babe" on Twitter exposed to not be living in Bagram at all. Hear the full story on this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Sep 20181h 19min