Ep. 437 - Doing dirt in special operations

A lot of keyboard commandos talk about flying over to Iraq and bringing the fight to ISIS, but SOFREP writer Kurt Troter on the other hand is the real deal.  A former Marine, Kurt volunteered in fighting with the Peshmerga, and the group seems to be getting a taste of some long awaited recognition for their efforts.  Just recently, Norway lawmaker Himanshu Gulati nominated the group for a Nobel Peace Prize, which would be well deserved if they win.  We hear the latest on the Syria/Iraq region from Kurt, and him and Jack also discuss some of the funnier cultural divides they picked up on while over there.  Kurt is now a full time writer with the site, and has been pumping out some tremendous work for us.  You may also remember him from "Inside the Team Room: Peshmerga," which is available now for subscribers of SOFREP TV to check out. - http://sofreptv.us Jack Murphy also touches on some hard truth regarding the supposed trade of terrorists for Bowe Bergdahl back in 2014, which he believes to have been a disinformation campaign that not many are talking about.  You will not want to miss it.  We also check your emails sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com, keep 'em coming. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Feb 20181h 36min

Buck has been a friend to the website at large since around it's inception, but we've never brought him on for a full episode in studio, just the occasional quick update.  So it was cool to sit down with him and get into some interesting subject matter ranging from where the mainstream media gets things wrong, some of his heated debate moments over the years (on CNN in particular,) and also the major problem largely being ignored of the impact of Mexican drug cartels on the U.S.  Sexton's former job was working as a CIA analyst, so he also gives an interesting perspective on what makes a true subject matter expert. You can hear "The Buck Sexton Show" live from 6-9 PM EST through iHeartRadio, and it is also available through podcast.  Buck's newest side venture though, is his podcast "Shields High" detailing the battles that saved Western civilization.  As a history buff, Buck was inspired by the popularity of podcasts like "Dan Carlin's Hardcore History" to explore this same realm, but to give it some more attitude and flair.  We hope you give it a listen.  Be sure to check out BuckSexton.com, and follow Buck on Twitter @BuckSexton. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2 Feb 201856min

SGM Mike Vining is a man who has been there, done that, and lived to tell about it.  From attending OTC Class #1 (the first ever Operators Training Course for Army Delta Force) to being a part of the failed Iran hostage rescue mission Operation Eagle Claw, Desert One which resulted in the death of eight Air Force and Marine Corps crewmen, Vining has some very rich history that operators of today have benefited from tremendously.  We also get into Vining's job as a bomb disposal technician during Vietnam, and the story of him watching the demise of his teammate Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Foster in his heroic attempt to defuse a bomb during a rally featuring then Vice Presidential candidate Bob Dole at a rally taking place at an Illinois high school.  These stories may be heartbreaking, but it's great to see that Vining is in great condition himself and in good spirits.  He currently does work for the National EOD Association as well as the EOD Warrior Foundation, and enjoys traveling across the country with his wife. On this episode we also check your emails sent to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com, and answer an interesting question from an Australian listener about secrecy (or lack thereof) in the SOF community.  We also Throat Punch an idiot by the name of Gregory Salcido, as he used the platform he holds as a high school teacher as his soapbox to disgrace the U.S. military.  You'll also hear Jack's recap of SHOT Show, as well as the Women's March, and you won't want to miss that. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 Jan 20181h 48min

Steve Balestrieri, former Green Beret, and the editor/head writer of Hurricane Media site SpecialOperations.com joins us for the first time on SOFREP Radio.  Steve's been listening to the show a while, so it's long overdue that we bring him on.  As a self-described military history buff, he's really excited to be working on a current project filming veterans of WWII, The Korean War, and Vietnam.  It's important to him because we're losing a lot of these guys and many of them never told their story, including Steve's own father which he discusses.  If you or someone you know is a veteran of these wars and would like to take part in this project, he hopes to hear from you, email him at steve@hurricane.media. Steve also writes for PatsFans.com, so of course I had to let him boast about the upcoming Super Bowl.  Plus, on that note, Steve wrote an excellent piece titled, "The NFL, The National Anthem, and The President Make an Explosive Mix" about the kneeling protests from the unique perspective of both a veteran and an NFL sports writer.  It received some backlash, but as we discuss, that's to be expected when covering such a divisive issue in the media right now.  We also hear from friend of the show Gene Farnsworth.  So check it out, and enjoy! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Jan 201855min

Ian Scotto here back from Las Vegas, and let me tell you, the Hurricane Group house was packed with a lot of names familiar to you the listeners, and shit did indeed get rowdy.  From the SOFREP end of things we had Jack Murphy, James Powell, The Odyssean, Kurt Troter, and Alex Hollings.  And our friends from The Loadout Room and The Arms Guide there were Travis Pike, Erik Meisner, Rex Nanorum, Mark Miller, and Scott Witner.  Even more familiar names came out for the annual Team Room/Crate Club event including Frumentarius and Christian Prosser who you'll hear from. I start off sitting down at the house with Kurt, Travis, Erik, Mark, Scott, and Jens (A.K.A. Rex) and hearing about about their experiences at media range day.  You'll hear which firearms really impressed the guys, and some of the big names in attendance to the exclusive event including James Yeager, Instructor Zero, and regular on the podcast, Kris "Tanto" Paronto.  I'm then off to the Team Room event at Sierra Gold that couldn't have been more awesome.  What an experience meeting all of you who loyally listen to the podcast, I'm always humbled and impressed by our audience.  Be sure to keep your eyes on SOFREP.com and especially LoadoutRoom.com for more great content as SHOT Show 2018 continues on. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Jan 201844min

The first time that Danielle Bizier joined us on the podcast was in July as someone who regularly read the site, but we're proud to say that Danielle has now come on board as a full time writer and has been kicking ass and taking names.  Her experience working as a Counterintelligence Officer and Instructor with the DIA, and her educational background in East Asian Studies and Security Policy adds a unique perspective to the site.  You guys, the readers, seem to be greatly enjoying her work. On this episode we get into Danielle's article on CIA Officer Jerry Chun Shing Lee arrested on charges of unlawful possession of classified information, as well as her piece on the upcoming Olympics in Korea, "Dear Leader's Cheerleaders."  In domestic news, we also talk about the frightening false emergency text alert sent to the people of Hawaii.  Danielle has also been a proud member of Crate Club for some time, and talks about some cool stuff she's up to at Hurricane Media's gear review site, The Loadout Room.  If you missed the livestream and have some questions for Danielle, she'll be hosting the next upcoming Q&A for our Team Room members.  As for those making it out this year, SOFREP.com will indeed have a presence at SHOT Show in just a few days, so we'll see ya there! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Jan 20181h 23min

Andrew Wilkow, host of The Wilkow Majority on Sirius XM, has not only been a friend to SOFREP.com from it's inception, he's actually the reason I'm here producing and on-air for this podcast on some level.  We get into that, but more importantly, Andrew is here to promote his newest venture, that being his upcoming show on CRTV.  We break down the rising popularity of new media outlets like this one, as well as those he's a part of.  We talk about Andrew's Veterans Day Ride 2017, and his continued work to help the veteran community, as well as some of the under-reported stories related to the shady past of the Clintons.  Judging by the fact that he lost track of time shooting the breeze with us as you'll hear, we think he enjoyed coming on in studio for the first time. We announce the paywall coming down and what this means for SOFREP.com.  Jack also urges you to check out his latest "12 Strong" article.  We livestreamed this episode which you can check out on our Facebook and Youtube pages, and be sure to follow us on Instagram @SOFREPRadio for some behind the scenes stuff. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Jan 20181h 25min

One of the favorite writers of the site, James Powell stopped by the studio this episode, and we got into some hot topics.  For the newer listeners, James's background is as a former Marine and CIA intelligence officer, which he talked about more in depth the last time he was on for Episode 284.  We begin with the controversy surrounding former Navy SEAL and current Missouri Governor Eric Greitens's affair and alleged blackmail.  We then get in-depth about the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics taking place next month in PyeongChang, South Korea.  It's no doubt an interesting time to be having the biggest world sporting event in a region that the globe has their eyes on amid reckless statements by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.  We then discuss some recent severed ties between the U.S. and supposed ally Pakistan. I should also let you all know that Mr. Powell will be at SOFREP's 2018 Las Vegas party.  So if you're a Team Room member or Premium Crate Club member on the West Coast, we hope to see you there.  Sign up now however if you haven't yet, because RSVP is only open until Sunday (link is up at SOFREP.com.)  As always, any questions or comments, send them over to sofrep.radio@sofrep.com.  We're getting great feedback, but please help us where it counts the most, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts so we can continue to get our visibility up.  Thanks for your continued support. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 Jan 201849min