SOFREP Radio

Celebrating Purple Heart Day last August 7, Rad sits speaks with Daniel Gade, ret. Army Lt. Col. and two-time Purple Heart recipient to discuss how he has turned his life-altering injuries into a mission to help his fellow veterans overcome their personal struggles after military service.Daniel enlisted in the Army in 1992 and graduated from West Point in 1997, subsequently serving over 25 years as an Armor officer. During his deployments in Iraq, Daniel served as a tank company commander where he led more than 120 fellow service members into hostile territories.On January 10, 2005, Daniel's humvee encountered a roadside bomb while en route to a meeting with local tribal leaders. The explosion caused significant injuries to his legs and abdomen, resulting in the loss of his right leg. Daniel was evacuated to Baghdad and then to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and recovery.Determined to not let his injuries define him, Daniel has since gone on to compete in a 140+ mile Iron Man, and now works to give back to his fellow veterans– serving as an Advisory Council Member at America's Warrior Partnership (AWP), where he focuses on enhancing veterans' lives through the coordination of local services.As AWP celebrates their 10th anniversary this year, their veteran-led team has served more than 60,000 veterans nationwide. Daniel would love to share more about his incredible journey with you, and how AWP is working to help service members in need.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10 Aug 202444min

#1 New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Brad Thor returns to Sofrep Radio to introduce his latest high-octane thriller, "Shadow of Doubt". This summer thriller follows the next adventure of America's top spy Scot Harvath as he gets entangled in a whirlwind of double agents, international intrigue, and heart-stopping chases.   Harvath is forced to choose between his conscience and his country as he navigates between a shadowy Russian defector, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous Norwegian operative, and a lone French agent who stumbles upon a conspiracy so explosive it could ignite a global firestorm.      Get a copy of "Shadow of Doubt": https://amzn.to/3LRxuOv   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Aug 202444min

Dan Pace is a former Special Forces company commander and battalion executive officer (XO) of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He is also the author of "It Was What It Was," a book detailing his experiences and the challenges faced by his unit during their deployment in Baghdad as part of the 1st Infantry Division's "Surge" Brigade.   Pace discusses moral injury and how it is a product of cumulative and accumulated damage. It is difficult to address but must be nipped early because of the danger it poses to the integrity of the entire organization. Ethics matter and should be at the forefront of training, as the difference between a person being alive or dead is just one trigger pull away.    Get a copy of "It Was What It Was": https://amzn.to/3SmxgTb   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-clubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Jul 202451min

Mark Valentine is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a combat veteran F-16 pilot who served for over 25 years. Today, he is the President of Global Government at Skydio, a leading U.S. drone manufacturer. Despite his vast experience flying combat jets, Valentine admits that in today’s battlefield, drones impact results in ways that new jets or missiles cannot.   As autonomous drones become more sophisticated, they now make far fewer errors compared to their human operators. However, in actual combat where lives are on the line, the humans behind the drones must face a deeper question about the desensitization that happens when a soldier uses a drone thousands of miles away, like a video game, to take another life.   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-clubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jul 202455min

Dave Brown is an outstanding former Navy SEAL known for his small stature but immense determination. Standing at just 5'3", he was always underestimated, both by high school bullies and Navy recruiters, yet he remained undeterred and locked in on his goal to serve.   Despite being initially dismissed due to his size, Brown's persistence and resilience led him to pass the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, even running with two stress fractures during "Hell Week." He graduated with BUD/S Class 115 and served with Underwater Demolition Team 21 and SEAL Team 4. His deployments took him across Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.   His memoir, "And Goliath," tackles the human side of being a Navy SEAL. Especially in Brown's case, where his physical limitations seemed to doom his dreams, "And Goliath" chronicles the willpower he needed to tap into his potential for success, overcome perceived limitations, and come out at the end as an inspiration to all current, former, and aspiring special operators​.   Get a copy of "And Goliath": https://andgoliathbook.com/   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-clubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Jul 20241h 1min

Sean Hagerty is a 25-year veteran of the US Army, serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment before being selected and assigned to a special operations unit at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Among his accolades over his decorated career are 3 Bronze Stars. Hagerty is also the author of 'Jones Point'.   'Jones Point' is a military-informed thriller about Dane Cooper, a special operations soldier who goes on a quest for revenge when his daughter gets abducted. His life would gain purpose again when a mysterious cabal offers him a path to redemption. The story intertwines his personal struggle with his efforts to investigate other cases of grieving parents, all while avoiding detection by an FBI agent and a dedicated team from the Virginia Bureau of Investigation.    Get a copy of 'Jones Point': https://amzn.to/3xzWCpC    Learn more about Sean Hagerty: https://authorseanhagerty.com/   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Jul 202444min

Jesse Fink is the author of 6 books, including 'The Youngs,' 'Pure Narco,' 'Bon,' and his latest book, 'The Eagle in the Mirror'. Fink shares his incredible literary journey that saw him spend a decade chronicling AC/DC, delving deep into Pablo Escobar's cocaine empire, and most recently, uncovering the secrets of Dick Ellis, the top spy of MI6 during World War 2.   Ellis is a controversial figure, accused of being a triple agent—allegedly working for the Allies, the Nazis, and the Soviets. Fink discusses how the Americans recognized Ellis's contributions, yet his reputation suffered in the aftermath of the war. Nonetheless, Ellis played a pivotal role in the formation of the CIA, the premier agency in global intelligence and counterintelligence today.    Get a copy of 'The Eagle in the Mirror': https://amzn.to/3XF0Neg   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Jun 202453min

Jared Shepard is the Founder of Warriors Ethos, a nonprofit that helps veterans transition from military to civilian life, and the CEO of Hypori, the creator of a solution for secure communication in contested environments using cellphones bought off host nation markets.   Shepard reflects on his time in the military and how mentorship guided him towards IT instead of following the path of an infantryman. This life-changing choice led him to where he is today. He emphasizes the importance of seeking mentorship and helping others, especially when it is inconvenient, as that is when it truly matters.   Learn more about Warriors Ethos and Hypori:   - https://www.warriorsethos.org/   - https://www.hypori.com/   Join the SOFREP Book Club here: https://sofrep.com/book-club See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Jun 202453min