The Jedburgh Podcast

Unified Special Operations commands are critical for allied nations to maintain the advantage over our adversaries. A single command structure enables interoperability at every level, from communications and equipment to tactics and acquisition, ensuring partner forces can train together, fight together, and answer to a common mission.From the Global Special Operations Foundation Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Command Sergeant Major Warren Soeldner, a 10th SFG legend who now lives and works in Greece supporting the Global SOF community. Warren brought home the central tenet of modern allied warfare explaining that Special Operations Forces across nations solve problems together, build trust, and operate as one.He spoke about the importance of standing up capable national SOF commands, the evolving NATO environment and the realities of today’s threat landscape. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the long-term strategic pressure posed by China and Iran, Warren emphasized that modern conflict cannot be viewed through a single lens. War now spans diplomatic, informational, military, and economic domains, and Special Forces play a critical role in shaping outcomes long before conflict becomes visible.This discussion returns to what Green Berets have always done best: building capability in partners, understanding history and culture, maintaining discipline and professionalism, and quietly shaping global security in ways few ever see.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:41 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast2:48 Building Relationships Across SOF Allies5:38 Joint Unified Command9:15 Defining “By, With, and Through”12:38 Russia-Ukraine War Impact on NATO15:08 NATO Interoperability Gaps17:28 NATO’s Biggest Threat23:14 Students of History27:50 Special Forces in LSCO32:38 US Army Generations41:38 Defining the Green BeretQuotes“The whole theme for the week has been strength and unity.”“The dollar or euro goes a lot further for them when it’s a unified command.” “The threat isn’t waiting on 30 nations and their parliaments.”“It’s important that NATO know, fight, train together.”“When one country is using one standard and the rest of the countries are using another standard, resupply becomes a lot harder for that country.”“At the end of the day, we’re all out on the same battlefield and they’re seeing what we’re doing, we’re seeing what they’re doing.”“Russia is a huge threat right now. We may be getting to hyperfocused on that and forgetting other threats like China and Iran.”“We’ve lost that edge with the adversary. They have a long term plan. We don’t.”“It requires our Green Berets to be students of history.”“I came up in an era where we did two things: Unconventional Warfare and Foreign Internal Defense.”“First you had to learn the culture.”“When I look at Large Scale Combat Operations, do we need artillery anymore?”“In that isolation is where you finetune the skills that you need for that mission.”“There’s nothing special about being a Green Beret.”“I’ve always been a believer that the Green Beret is a symbol and it attracts greatness.”“At the end of the day, the Army’s job is to close with and kill the enemy.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

What separates war fighting from a warrior? Is it skill? Is it experience? Or is it something deeper that only reveals itself when it matters most?From the Pentagon, Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer and retired Command Sergeant Major Rick Merritt to discuss what it truly means to build and sustain warriors in the United States Army.CSM Merritt spent over three decades on active duty, including 25 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in every enlisted leadership position from rifleman to Regimental Sergeant Major. He conducted over 1,500 combat operations under Joint Special Operations Command and served more than five years in combat task forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. His experience spans the full arc of modern warfare.Together with the SMA, we unpack into the difference between technical proficiency and true warrior mindset, what commitment looks like when compliance disappears, and how leaders enforce standards without eroding trust. We explore whether resilience is built over time or revealed under pressure, and how purpose sustains Soldiers when motivation begins to fade.As warfare becomes more technical and systems driven, the SMA is challenging the force to ensure technology enhances the warrior. Future conflict will demand innovation and the technological edge, but victory on the battlefield will still be decided by human judgment, character, and leadership.This is a conversation about standards, commitment, mental toughness, and the responsibility of leaders to hold the line…not just to engage in the business of war fighting, but to forge warriors ready to close with and destroy our nation’s adversaries.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast4:40 Defining An Army Warrior14:02 Compliance to Commitment20:02 What Is The Army Culture?27:18 Why A Warrior Mindset Matters38:52 How to Lead the War fighting ProfessionQUOTES“I see a warrior as the reason why we do it.”“Make a difference with your presence. Otherwise, why are you there?”“A warrior is a way of life.”“Technology is not going to make up for the foundation.”“A warrior is one that is dedicated, disciplined, willing to go the extra mile, will fight for those left and right, and never quit.”“The best recruiters we have are our service members, our veterans.”“How much is enough of these key attributes to take a risk on you and bring you in and start developing the rest of that?”“There’s just some things about human beings that are going to be done on an individual’s basic timeline in life.”“It’s not normal for this generation.”“Combat readiness is a way of life.”“Although I took the uniform off, my oath didn’t go away.”“The guys on my team know that they’re in the right spot with the right people, with the right culture.”“You’re consecrated into this culture that I got to find when I retire.” “What makes that culture is character and character development.”“That probably makes the difference in the world is where our NCO core is compared to other countries.”“I’m a firm believer that the noncommissioned officer is the keeper of the culture.”“I think that was our biggest challenge in Vietnam.”“This profession, we hand you a machete and we say ‘Take that path.’”“Grit comes through hardship.”“At the end of the day, guys got to go on the ground.”“We’re struggling a little bit in that space.”“There’s no time limit on honorable service.”“What is better than being a company commander?”“Don’t be a pain in the ass. Be value added.”“This is a journey, not a destination.”“A legend is nothing but a man or woman who spent their life surrounding themselves with people better than them.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

War stories are easy to tell. There’s action, adventure, and good vs evil. For most Veterans their service isn’t defined or explained by their war stories. For most Veterans the story that is far most difficult to write...and to live...is the story they have to write themselves.In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Steven Grayhm, writer and director of Sheepdog, a film dedicated to telling the most difficult story of our Veterans. The story of what happens to us, our families, our friends, and those around us when the war stories fade, reality sets in, and the hard work must actually begin. Steven explains his 14 year journey to make Sheepdog, the thousands of hours he spent with Veterans of all walks of life, his embedment at VA hospitals across the country, and the reality of independent filmmaking; a blue collar process rooted in grit before the red carpet, where every dollar is raised face to face and every decision carries weight. The film confronts veteran suicide honestly while reinforcing a simple truth. Ending your life does not end the pain. It ends the possibility of it ever getting better.What drove Sheepdog was not an interest in war, but a responsibility to understand what happens after it. Steven and his team studied the realities of trauma, addiction, brain injury, generational differences between Vietnam and post 9/11 service members, and the long shadow that war can cast over identity and purpose. They went where the conversations were uncomfortable, where the answers were not clean, and where trust had to be earned. The result is a film that focuses not on combat, but on the war within. Veterans are not victims. Sheepdog recognizes that service members volunteered, took risk, and earned something that does not disappear when the uniform comes off. A Veteran’s perspective matters. Trauma exists, but it does not eliminate the responsibility of Veterans to continue their personal and professional growth post service. Sheepdog is a story about redefining purpose, about post traumatic growth, and about the courage required to take the first step forward when the path is unclear. It reflects the reality that transition is not a checklist, that no two experiences are the same, and that finding the right sense of mission after service is critical.Highlights0:00 Introduction3:42 Why make Sheepdog?12:40 Addressing generational differences16:38 The idea of perspective21:34 Losing morality29:52 Veteran Suicide37:43 VA resources1:03:40 Was it all for nothing?1:08:34 Hope for SheepdogQuotes“The hardest thing I ever have done wasn’t to become a Green Beret, it was to not be a Green Beret.”“They train you so well to do that job that you never really understand what the result of that job actually looks like.”“Whatever happens on the other side of this, I’m going to leave it there.” “One of the most challenging things in this journey of Sheepdog was getting it right.”“The warrior doesn’t get to choose the war they go into.”“It haunted me in my nightmares for years that crack in the sheep pen wall.”“The guys that I learned to be more worried about were the guys that smiled through the pain.”“I get very nervous when people wax poetically about suicide because it comes in all different forms.”“All the resources in the world can exist, but it doesn’t matter if you’re not willing to use them.”“Veterans are not victims.”“In the film you would see, no one feels sorry for themselves.”“I think we have to do better as a veteran to remove the victim mindset.”“If we could save a single life with this film, that would be the greatest Hollywood success story."Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

The speed of innovation has long been the difference between military success and failure. Countries and militaries that rapidly develop, deploy and evolve technology thrive. Those who lag…flounder. America, NATO and the world order are being challenged…and innovated against…at a faster pace than ever before. From the Global SOF Symposium in Athens, Greece, I sat down with Ryan Benitez of NATO DIANA to talk about how innovation, technology, and rapid capability development are shaping the future of defense across the Alliance.As the DIANA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ryan explains her work inside one of NATO’s most forward-leaning organizations. DIANA, the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, connects startups, researchers, and industry leaders to solve some of the most urgent challenges facing allied militaries. From emerging technologies to dual-use solutions, DIANA is helping NATO move faster, stay adaptable, and maintain an edge in an increasingly competitive global environment.Ryan also shared how her experience in the Navy and Venture Capital informs her approach to modern innovation, why collaboration between nations and private industry is more critical than ever, and how DIANA is empowering new ideas that can redefine readiness, resilience, and operational effectiveness to not only keep pace, but move faster than our enemies.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:37 Welcome to GSOF Europe3:06 Defining NATO DIANA5:25 Companies Supporting NATO9:23 Filling Technological Gaps11:15 Time to Technology13:44 NATO’s Leading Innovators14:57 Compelling Countries To Invest16:49 Is NATO behind Adversaries?20:21 Defining Readiness22:17 The Next Battlefield24:40 NATO DIANA FutureQuotes: “We needed to access the emerging technologies that innovators were putting together.”“Does this technology align with a critical capability need that an operator and user has brought to the table?”“Team is everything.”“Interoperability has different scales.”“The flavor of the month is Counter-UAS.”“The Special Operations community has always been early adapters of streamlined acquisition and innovation.”“We’ve seen the Netherlands do a lot.”“We’re keeping a pulse on the market and the demand signal.”“How can we help you with your innovation base?”“We’re seeing a lot of lessons learned in Ukraine. The innovation cycle there is weeks.”“The word defense used to not be top of mind. It is now.”“We need to make sure we’re acting as a bridge to the emerging technology market.”“Cost is going to become an issue.”“War isn’t front and center every day like it is in Europe.”“You’re going to start seeing our ability to really rapidly spin up.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Communication is the backbone of every military operation. How well our forces talk to each other across air, land, sea and space is what sets the American military apart from everyone else. Without communication leaders can’t lead, and militaries can’t win. From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Dr. Lisa Costa, a leading technologist, former Chief Information Officer for U.S. Special Operations Command, and the first Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for the U.S. Space Force, to discuss how innovation, cyber, and modernization are reshaping Special Operations across all domains.Dr. Costa brings decades of experience at the crossroads of defense, technology, and strategic innovation. From running one of the Department of Defense’s largest IT enterprises supporting elite global SOF operations to spearheading digital transformation efforts in the Space Force, she has helped architect the future of how our forces fight, communicate, and adapt.She addressed the evolving threat landscape, including cyber attacks, space domain challenges and why staying ahead through technology, data, and innovation is no longer optional. She emphasized the importance of agility, integration, and forward-thinking capability as the bedrock of a modern force ready for tomorrow’s missions.This discussion is about building advantage through technology, strengthening alliances across domains, and protecting America by ensuring the force evolves with the threat.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:36 Welcome to GSOF Europe3:15 USSOCOM CIO & Space Force's CTIO6:02 Communications Evolution8:51 DoD Civilian Workforce13:43 Special Operations LSCO16:41 SOF Space Cyber Triad19:24 The Space Battlefield22:17 Lunar South Pole24:35 War Today26:18 Combatting misinformation28:38 Defining AI30:22 Human in the loop31:33 Guardrailing AI Weaponization34:06 Advancing Time to Technology35:48 Citizen Based37:06 Ground Level Innovation40:46 Buying Commercial Resources45:10 The Next BattlefieldQuotes“I might be the only person wearing both a SOCOM and Space Force pin.” “Communications is absolutely critical.” “It has gone from big bulky equipment to a binary signal.” “Civilians are part of the force.” “I look at SOF as the tool and capability to prevent us going to war.”“The best battle space is the one we never have to put a boot into.” “There is not even a position, navigation, and timing capability on the lunar surface.” “Is it the person who discovered it or the person who gets there first?”“We’re fighting for data.”“It’s not there because we’re using AI.”“I do not define AI as just Large Language Models.”“There are going to be mission specific incidents where AI is going to have to be trusted to make that decision.”“Don’t sign up for Chinese AI.”“Operation Spiderweb was one pilot to every drone. That is not scalable.”“It’s going to have to take everyone.”“It comes down to the operational planners that are doing that risk assessment.”“I believe that we will rely greatly on commercial assets.”“There are areas of space that we have not taken advantage of.”“I hope that the future of the battle space is much more cognitive.”“I always put the operator in charge of a project, not a PhD.”“Always prepare for the next unknown mission.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Who’s more important? The operators on the ground or the aviators in the sky? It’s hard to seize the objective without boots on the ground; but if you can’t get to the objective in the first place, there’s no mission at all.The reality is that operators need aviators and aviators need operators. Green Berets and the pilots of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment share bonds that transcend their MOS and their mobility platform. Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, I sat down with Chairman of the Green Beret Foundation retired Lieutenant General Ken Tovo and Chief Warrant Officer Sean McCormick to talk about what it takes to build true interoperability between air and ground units, and why there is no such term as “more important.”Chief McCormick served as a lead pilot in the 160th SOAR after a career in 75th Ranger Regiment; he also served as General Tovo’s pilot while the General was the USASOC Commander. Their partnership and friendship provides a rare perspective on the leadership, trust, and relentless commitment that define Special Operations. Together, they shared how those experiences shaped their understanding of teamwork, mission focus, and the ability to take on any challenge. They also share an unknown secret about GBF’s upcoming POW/MIA recovery missions with Project Recover.The Stars and Stripes Classic is more than a lacrosse game. It’s a moment to honor the warriors who always step forward, the families who support them, and the community that preserves their legacy through the Green Beret and Navy SEAL Foundations. Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League for hosting another thrilling game. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:25 Service in the 160th SOAR4:57 Defining Interoperability6:15 Planning and Customer Centric in the 160th10:54 Building a SOF team14:08 Defining De Opresso Liber16:00 Honoring MACV-SOG18:30 Partnering with Project RecoverQuotes“It was a great honor, great experience, and a lot of good stories about that.”“Sometimes the most difficult and important part of a mission is actually just getting there.”“You are the RCO’s representative when you’re the LNO.”“We’re going to plan and rehearse as much as we possibly can before that mission takes place.”“You can’t be an expert if you do more than one thing.”“They’re problem solvers who figure out “What do I need to do to do what I signed up to accomplish.”“No matter what happens, you’re going to accomplish the mission.”“99% of the time, we’re working through a partner force to accomplish whatever our mission is.” “Even in our own community, a lot of what MACV-SOG did is really not even part of the history because it’s been classified until recently.” “58 Green Berets still are yet to be found in Vietnam from that era.” Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Lacrosse is a sport built on passion, precision, and community. It’s also a sport that defines service. Live from the Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Mike Rabil, co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League, to highlight the PLL’s partnership with the Green Beret Foundation and explore how the sport of lacrosse is intertwined with American Special Operators. A remarkable number of America’s Special Operators come from a lacrosse background. The sport builds toughness, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. The same qualities that define an elite operator and a key reason why so many lacrosse players serve in the military.Mike shares his vision for building the PLL into the world’s only professional lacrosse organization. Now in its seventh season, the PLL is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever, supported by partners who believe in the mission and the athletes who make it possible.Together, the PLL and the Green Beret Foundation are proving that sport can be a force for impact. This partnership honors the athletes, the warriors, and the families who give so much, and it strengthens the connection between two communities built on grit, excellence, and service.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:21 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic2:50 PLL Progression4:51 College to Pro8:32 Leading up to the Second S&S Game11:14 Lacrosse Discipline in Special OpsQuotes“50% of our games have been decided by just one goal this year.”“Now the pressure’s on us to make it worthwhile.”“These are the best lacrosse players in the world but some of the best athletes.”“To incorporate endurance, strength, physicality, and the hand eye, those are things as a tier one operator you need.”“Practice is the payoff for the eventual game.”“The community is actually bigger than we think, the game means something to people and it's actually been misbranded.”“They’re people of character.”“I think athletics in general will teach you a certain level of discipline, resiliency, and adaptability that become critical to your ability to succeed.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Romania is one of America’s key allies in the fight for Eastern Europe. Romanian Special Forces are critical to the success of that mission; and the partnership between United States Special Operations and our Romanian counterparts sits at the center of that strategy.From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Claudiu Dobocan, Commander of the Romanian Special Operations Forces, to discuss how Romanian Special Operations are combatting Russian aggression and holding the line in Europe.General Dobocan shared his perspective on strengthening SOF partnerships, advancing interoperability, and building modern capabilities that allow allied forces to operate seamlessly together. He spoke about Romania’s place within NATO, the importance of trust and shared mission across borders, and the need for Special Operations units to remain agile and prepared for the full spectrum of emerging threats.From combating hybrid threats to maintaining readiness alongside allied SOF elements, General Dobocan emphasized that success today depends on relationships, shared understanding, and the willingness to stand together in the face of uncertainty.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:26 Welcome to GSOF Europe 20253:21 Mission of Romanian Special Operations Forces8:45 Evolution of technology in SOF10:45 Eliminating Human-in-the-Loop?13:35 Changes in military tactics16:57 Romanian Special Forces Mission18:44 Why Join the Romanian Army?20:06 NATO Alliance Importance25:24 Leading against a Global ThreatQuotes“We were created by cooperation between Romanian Ministry of Defense and US SOCEUR.” “Interoperability, no one really talks about what that really means.” “Words carrying value carry meaning.”“Industry defines the speed of technological development.”“The strategic game changer is generative AI.”“I’m scared of the moment when everything is passed to AI.”“I don’t think swarming is going to be the next way of doing battle.”“Our mission is to be a strategic level instrument that helps with reaction to crisis and building partnerships and capabilities in the region.”“10th Group and 20th Group came around and showed us what right looks like so I signed up.”“It’s a tool that kind of prevents conflict.”“NATO is the umbrella under which we share a lot of things that otherwise we cannot discuss about.”“When you talk about the good work NATO has done, you have to talk about the standards.”“We have to be deterrent on our part, but capable to move from military assistance type of missions into a very kinetic one.”Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

America is not the only nation in a fight for freedom, stability, and security. International threats are complex, the missions are critical, and the operators leading them must think globally while acting locally.The Philippines is one of America’s longest strategic allies. From their geographical importance of World War II, to their front lines combating Chinese expansion in the Pacific, the military partnership between the United States and the Philippines is an important part of global stability. At the heart of this collaboration, is the Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A force that has been shaped by decades of counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and close partnership with America's Green Berets and Special Operations Forces.From the Global Special Operations Foundation Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with the Commander of Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor, to discuss the evolution of Special Operations in the Philippines, the lessons learned from years of conflict, and the country’s expanding role in regional and international security cooperation.General Villaflor shared his perspective on leading through complexity, building true interoperability with partners like the United States, and preparing the next generation of Filipino Special Operators to face an ever-changing threat environment.This episode is about partnership, professionalism, and the shared mission that connects Special Operations Forces around the world to defend freedom wherever it’s challenged.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:45 Welcome to GSOF Europe 20253:30 Mission of Philippines Joint Special Operations Command5:28 JSOC Commander Challenges8:21 Large Scale Combat Operations in the Philippines11:48 Building relationships in SOF15:54 Philippine Armed Forces Culture18:22 Interoperability in the Philippines19:33 Philippines’ biggest threat23:31 Future of JSOC PhilippinesQuotes“We’re a family.”“The Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was formally activated just last May.”“I am the force employer.”“The challenges will outweigh the positive impact of having JSOC.”“The engagement with the U.S. counterpart has been more aggressive than before.” “Our core mission is to work with other nations to achieve the combined goals of our nations.”“I’m very glad I was given the opportunity to train with foreign counterparts, especially the U.S.”“SOF are not only building trust, we are building family. We are family and we take care of each other.”“People mostly join the Armed Forces because of low economic status.”“I want to avail of the free education.”“We are always leader centered.”“We are now inculcating in our culture the word interoperability.”"Aggressive, illegal, dangerous, and coercive action of China is very visible in our country.”“It’s still all about the mindset, attitude, and discipline.” Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Few leaders have shaped the identity of America’s Special Forces more than President John F. Kennedy. In just three years as Commander in Chief, JFK redefined how the United States would fight, lead, and prepare for an uncertain world, one that demanded unconventional solutions and elite warriors ready to face any challenge.As the Cold War escalated, President Kennedy saw the need for a new kind of Soldier, one trained to think, adapt, and win in conflicts fought not only on the battlefield, but through influence, innovation, and resilience. His vision for military modernization gave birth to the era of Unconventional Warfare and cemented the role of the Green Berets in America’s national defense strategy.From his visit to Fort Bragg and the historic meeting with Brigadier General William Yarborough, to the moment he publicly endorsed the Green Beret as “a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, and a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom,” JFK’s leadership transformed Special Forces from a small experimental group into a cornerstone of American military power.Today, that legacy continues, honored each year at the JFK Wreath Laying Ceremony, carried forward by generations of Green Berets who live by the same principles of courage, creativity, and service that JFK saw as vital to the nation’s defense.From the USASOC History Office, Fran Racioppi sat down with two of the historians who’ve preserved and advanced this legacy; Dr. Troy Sacquety and Dr. Jared Tracy. Their work ensures JFK’s vision is never forgotten. We explored the strategic thinking behind Kennedy’s military modernization, the significance of the Green Beret endorsement, and why, decades later, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School still bears his name. We also discussed the legacy-building moment of JFK’s recent induction as Distinguished Member of the Regiment and the enduring symbolism of the annual wreath laying at Arlington.This episode is about vision, legacy, and the enduring bond between a President and the warriors he inspired - the Green Berets.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:58 Welcome to the USASOC Historians Office2:57 JFK and Green Berets5:34 USASOC Historian role & importance10:57 JFK’s vision18:11 USASOC capability in the 1960’s21:05 JFK’s impact28:24 DMOR induction33:54 A world with JFK?QUOTES“What really struck us was how great of a speech giver he was.” “The most important thing we could do is preserve the history of our organization.” “On any given day, I could be working on something that comes from 1774 to yesterday.” “Kennedy viewed the Army Special Forces as the natural fit to be able to fill that role.” “He’s very deliberate in wanting to make Special Forces a part of his program.” “Can we do this as a nation every time there’s a need to contain the spread of communism?” “During the Kennedy administration, the term Special Warfare was not very well defined at all.” “Without the Korean War, you don’t have the ability to do Special Operations in Vietnam.”“It’s part of the identity of Special Forces.” “Everyone assumes it was done. When we did the research and looked at it, we realized it hadn’t been.” “It serves as a reminder for soldiers that are in the Regiment today.” “What would history be like if Kennedy hadn’t been killed?”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast is an official program of the Green Beret Foundation.

There are few chapters in American military history as daring, secretive, and defining as MACV-SOG, the Military Assistance Command-Vietnam, Studies and Observations Group. A small band of elite Green Berets who operated deep behind enemy lines, often without acknowledgment, and always with extraordinary courage.These men were tasked with missions that had never been done before and might never be done again. Their work in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam forged the tactics, technology, and mindset that would become the DNA of modern Special Operations.But when they came home, many faced a different kind of battle. The Vietnam era brought with it a complex legacy, one of heroism and heartbreak, pride and pain. Some became business and political leaders; others struggled for decades to find peace. Yet through it all, the brotherhood forged in MACV-SOG never wavered.Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, we sat down with Doug Godshall and Jim Shorten, two veterans of MACV-SOG, to honor their service, preserve their stories, and remind today’s Green Berets what courage, sacrifice, and innovation truly mean.This episode is about the origins of Special Forces as we know them today, the unbreakable bonds formed in war, and the duty we all share to ensure that the lessons of MACV-SOG live on in every generation of those who don the Green Beret.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic3:06 Defining MACV-SOG5:54 Who were the partner forces?7:20 MACV-SOG Losses11:27 Why Become A Green Beret?14:42 Life Post-Vietnam19:35 Leadership Lessons from MACV-SOG22:54 Honoring MACV-SOG VeteransQUOTES“We had no identification that we were United States soldiers.”“MACV-SOG had the highest casualty rate of any US Army unit since the Civil War.”“We were very dedicated to the Montangards.”“We wouldn’t be alive but for our indigenous partners.”“Teams went out and didn’t come back. They were overrun upon landing.”“The Vietnamese War was highlighted by a lot of enemy infiltration into our ranks.”“Our generation wasn’t supportive.”“I’m one of those guys that likes to continue learning.”“You can never train up enough.”“You can be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it.”“I think the modern GWOT soldier has a lot of history to look back on and they're going to be better soldiers."“If you really want to run the mission, get all the training you can possibly get.”“We’re glad that you’re honoring us, but you’re honoring you and the rest of the Regiment as well.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

America maintains a promise to its citizens…we will never leave you behind. The realities of war and conflict challenge that foundational truth and today, regrettably, thousands of American service members remain missing in action; their stories untold, their families still waiting for answers. For most the reality that their loved one has passed has set in; but the promise to bring them home has never faded.Project Recover is dedicated to locating, identifying, and repatriating Americans missing in action. By combining historical research, advanced technology, and field expeditions across land and sea, they maintain America’s promise to bring closure to families and honor the legacy of those who gave everything for those they will never meet.To expand the reach of this mission, Project Recover and the Green Beret Foundation have formed a groundbreaking partnership committed to finding Special Forces soldiers still missing in action, reuniting them with their families and ensuring that the sacrifices of America’s Green Berets are never forgotten.Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Derek Abbey, PhD, President and CEO of Project Recover, and Charlie Iacono, President and CEO of the Green Beret Foundation, to announce this partnership and share how it’s changing what remembrance and recovery mean for the Special Forces community.This episode is about honoring America’s promise and supporting the families of our missing Green Berets, wherever their final resting place may lie.QUOTES“There’s no expiration on that promise.”“58+ Green Berets MIA’s in Vietnam and now less than 1,600 who are still missing, that’s a pretty significant number.”“We’re still working on cases related to World War II.”“This gets to the core essence of what Green Berets do.” “The work just doesn’t end in Vietnam. I think this is just the starting point.” “We always work with a sense of urgency and acknowledge time is not our friend in any of these cases.”“Green Berets are such incredible communicators, particularly with the populations they have worked with.”“When somebody goes missing, they hold on to hope.”“The vast majority of the American public have really no understanding that people are missing.”HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:44 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic3:26 GBF x Project Recover6:45 MIA Recovery Process9:47 Partnership Timeline14:27 Bringing Closure to FamiliesThe Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

Americans are valuable commodities. America’s adversaries know it and too often, when given the opportunity, our enemies kidnap, arrest and hold hostage Americans in an effort to get what they want. The United States Government maintains robust diplomatic and military programs to bring Americans home; but the process is often slow and bureaucratic. Bryan Stern isn’t waiting around for permission to act. He’s the founder of Grey Bull Rescue, a nonprofit that specializes in pulling people out of the worst situations on Earth including conflict zones, collapsed governments, and failed evacuations where no one else is coming. Since its founding, Grey Bull has led over 700 missions in more than 70 countries, rescuing thousands of Americans and allies left behind.From SOF Week 2025 Fran Racioppi sat down with Bryan to talk about what it means to lead through chaos. They broke down the rescue of 117 Americans from Afghanistan in 2021, how Grey Bull makes life-and-death decisions with limited information, and why Bryan believes the phrase “No American Left Behind” isn’t negotiable; for the government or its citizens.We also discussed the future of rescue operations. As global instability increases and our enemies get smarter, the need for fast, precise, off-grid capability is only going up. Grey Bull is filling a gap where the government can't move fast enough and showing what’s possible when the mission comes first.This episode is about courage, clarity, and acting when no one else can. Because leadership under pressure means getting the job done, no matter how impossible it looks.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:57 Welcome to SOF Week 20253:58 The Mission of Grey Bull Rescue8:03 How do you choose who to rescue?11:48 Government Entities Relationships15:56 Founding Grey Bull Rescue25:03 Making Bad Deals32:45 Finding The Next Battlefield47:21 Overcoming Fears of Taking ActionQuotes“Our mission is to rescue Americans and allies from denied areas, war zones, and natural disasters wherever the government is not.”“I answer to two people and two people only: God and the families of the people we’re trying to rescue.”"Bureaucracy doesn’t bleed. People do.” “I deploy knowing that the first idea I have I know will fail.”“I’m not trying to be in the way. I’m trying to help.”“I live every day like it’s September 12th.”“As an American, we move heaven and earth to get your back.”“We have never successfully negotiated with anyone.”“Right now, everyone should be deployed.”“We got the tools. We just have to think about the problems the right way.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business’s most complex challenges today through the technology of tomorrow.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does the Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

The war for information, influence, and decision making is paramount on today’s battlefield. Artificial intelligence is no longer a concept of the future; it’s essential for America’s national security and military dominance. From SOF Week in Tampa, Florida, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Green Beret and Co-founder of Accrete AI Government, Bill Wall, to talk about a fight most Americans never see.Bill is one of the leading voices redefining how we use AI and how our government is deploying it in the protection of America. Bill explains how Accrete’s Argus platform is actively being used to identify foreign ownership and control in U.S. defense supply chains, and how more broadly AI is helping analysts detect narrative warfare and influence campaigns before they spread.He shared how dual-use technology is shifting the battlefield, why algorithmic warfare is already here, and how Accrete is giving government agencies the tools to scale human insight without losing control. They also talked about the dangers of siloed innovation, the gap between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon, and what leadership looks like when you’re building tech that needs to work at speed and at scale.This episode is about changing how we think about war, technology, and leadership; and what it’s going to take to stay ahead in the next fight.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to SOF Week3:45 Artificial Intelligence Defined6:53 AI in War Fighting9:07 Machine Learning10:51 Drawing the Line with AI14:48 Defining the Next Battlefield18:27 Combatting False Narratives & Misinformation22:03 Public Private Partnerships24:29 Accrete in the Corporate World29:11 Regulating AI31:05 Why Army32:55 Innovation changing SOF37:20 Transition from SOF51:50 Accrete AI’s futureQuotes“Artificial intelligence is just using computers and data to think and reason the same way a human would, but just at a much larger scale and speed.” “Anywhere there’s a decisional situation and they’re overwhelmed by the amount of information they have to sort through, artificial intelligence should be there.”“Machine learning allows an algorithm or a program to continually absorb new data and learn from that data.” “Artificial intelligence empowers a human.”“We’re not engaging in the narrative battle. We don’t even know what’s being said.”“We don’t necessarily need the National Intelligence Community to tell us where our enemies are, they’re broadcasting it.”“Is artificial intelligence a general category of something that should have a governmental review on it or not?”“If you want to know where the next salifist, jihadist, preacher who’s going to lead an uprising in North Africa is, he’s on Youtube.”“In our community, there’s this ethos of being prepared for change and being able to take advantage of change as it happens.”“You are what you do. That’s how you identify your self worth and who you are.”“Something that guys have to think about is what their personal risk profile is.”“If you’re a checklist driven person that needs to be told what to do to understand your job, then entrepreneurialism is not for you.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business’s most complex challenges today through the technology of tomorrow.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second largest government agency. The Secretary of the VA has an operational responsibility to support our Veterans and a moral obligation to ensure that those who defend and protect American interests are returned from service as contributing members of society. To explore what it takes to transform one of America’s biggest bureaucracies, Fran Racioppi sat down with the Secretary of the VA, Doug Collins. As a former US and Georgia Congressman, and a Chaplain having served in both the Air Force and Navy, Secretary Collins knows what a Veteran needs and how to navigate Washington to get it done. The Secretary and Fran broke down the pillars of VA support: including the VA Health Care System, the Disability and Pension process, education support programs like the GI Bill and Vocational Rehab, the importance of Veteran-Owned Businesses, and the no down payment VA mortgages. Most importantly the Secretary shared his vision to stop Veteran suicide and why despite spending billions to reduce it over the years, we must forge a path that actually works. Fran has personally leveraged almost every single pillar of support the VA has to offer. And although it hasn’t always been perfect, Secretary Collins explains why the VA leads industry in many domains and how under his leadership the VA will be held to a defined standard of excellence. This episode is about bridging the gap between military service and civilian life, the responsibility the VA has in supporting our nation’s most important asset, and why Veterans are critical to American strength. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:48 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast7:06 Leading the VA11:09 VA Healthcare15:12 Reducing wait times18:20 Partnering with institutions20:20 Addressing Veteran suicide29:45 Disability Benefit Claims Process39:17 Education Benefits43:10 VA Home Loans43:57 VA Reduction in size49:41 Is Veteran Capitalized?Quotes“Everybody’s going to have a problem. I’m committed to fixing those problems.” “We’re the largest physical department in the government.”“Defense and VA are fraternal twins.”“60% of every time the phone rings at a Congressman’s office it’s about a VA issue.”“The VA’s not gonna be a whipping post for anybody anymore.”“There’s some things that the VA does better than private healthcare.”“No other hospital system in the world judges wait time. They judge on quality and how they get it.”“We’re the largest trainer of doctors in the country.”“The shorter the service time, the higher the risk for suicide.”“Are we getting them out of the DoD system in a way that we can help them?” “I don’t want a day to go by that a Veteran that needs help doesn’t feel like they have it.”“If you’ve just transitioned out, DON’T QUIT.”“The standard is we’re going to be excellent.”“I learn every day here and if you quit learning, you’re really in trouble.”“If you’ve been to one VA, you’ve been to them all. That’s the biggest lie that’s ever been out there.”“Is the word Veteran capitalized?”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does the Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Standards set the foundation for any professional organization. The baseline for professionalism in the US Army is Army Regulation 670-1; Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. This regulation dictates the standard for every Soldier, regardless of rank or position. AR 670-1 has long been a hot topic of discussion among Soldiers and leaders at every level; and too often left open to interpretation. Until now…At the direction of senior Army leadership, Army Directive 670-1 has been released to clarify these standards and provide shared understanding between Soldiers and leaders to know what ‘right’ looks like.To explain the changes and how they will affect every member of the Army, Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer, SGM Laurin Nabors and SGM Alex Kupratty. The SMA shares the “why” behind personal grooming standards and the importance of doing the little things that develop a culture of commitment from compliance. SGM Kupratty breaks down the definition of professional soldier from the experienced warriors of 75th Ranger Regiment to the new Privates of 4th Infantry Division. SGM Nabors provides the details on what’s changing, when and how the new standards are expected to be enforced. She also shares her journey from an Army Reserve heavy equipment operator to the halls of the Pentagon. This episode is about redefining what it means to serve in the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen and why development of a war fighting culture starts with how a Soldier presents themself each and every day.Highlights0:00 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:26 Army Directive vs Regulation in 670-15:30 Why Now8:49 Closing Gaps12:55 Changes to 670-121:08 Why Standards Matter28:25 Analyzing Data29:42 Beards34:30 Preparing soldiers38:10 Active Guard Reserve44:30 Joining the Ranger Battalion49:42 The Grace Period50:33 Daily HabitsQuotes“Part of the problem is our process is too slow.”“The first thing I had to figure out is are they educated?”“Do they understand the standards as they are written?”“Once you are emplaced in a leadership position, that’s where the commitment piece has to be rock solid.”"If you can’t do the simple things I’m asking you to do, how are you going to do the hard things in combat?”“We had to come in and really define “What is military appearance?”“It’s a direct reflection of your willingness to be compliant to a standard in your leaders.”“The why reinforces one uniformity.”“We’re part of something bigger than all of us."“Really understanding the generational differences that exist is arguably the most challenging thing that I found as a senior leader in the Army.”“I don’t think anybody knows what large scale combat will look like.”“The camaraderie that exists in that formation is unlike anything I’ve seen before.”“Leadership’s not about 'What did I do here today?' It’s 'What did I do for everyone else here to be successful?'"“You’re only as good as the time you put in.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Supporting the Special Forces Regiment isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle. For over 15 years Green Beret Foundation has placed empowering Green Berets of every generation at the forefront. Creating opportunities from the unique needs of our Special Operators is the mission.  Charlie Iacono is the President and CEO of Green Beret Foundation; a role to which he brought seemingly endless new opportunities for our Green Berets. From SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, FL, Fran Racioppi sat down with Charlie to discuss his priorities for the year, how the organization has grown over 44% and what it means to lead in the tasks you excel at. At the top of Charlie’s list is preparing for victory in this year’s 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic; the newest Labor Day tradition pitting America’s Green Berets against their Navy SEAL rivals on the lacrosse field. Hosted by the PLL, this year’s game is set to be even more physical, faster and sharper as the teams take the field in Philadelphia. Charlie and Fran also discussed how Task Force Tatonka is balancing mental, physical and spiritual health, why inducting President John F. Kennedy was a pivotal moment in Special Forces history, the growth of the Warrior Sportsmen program and new partnerships that are lighting the course for the remainder of the year.This episode is about giving back, creating opportunities for Green Berets to thrive, and laying a good stick on your rivals. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to SOF Week5:38 The 2nd Annual Stars & Stripes Classic12:08 Inducting JFK into the Special Forces Regiment16:55 Task Force Tatanka25:51 Warriors Sportsmen Program32:57 New GBF partners36:48 Looking forwardQuotes“We really live that first SOF truth, people are more important than hardware.”“In year two, the interest level of playing is through the roof.”“We are looking to help the Special Forces Regiment and the NSW Community to recruit the best athletes.”  “If we can win one recruit at a time, we’ll be totally fine.”“Everything in that evening that we experienced had a connection to the 35th President of the United States of America.”“If you run from the issues, they’ll eventually catch up with you.”“I look at needs as well as opportunities.”“My goal for this foundation is to be the preeminent leader in the things we can do exceptionally well.”“A big problem that we have is we just don’t get outside enough.”“It’s the camaraderie that’s built in those quiet moments.”“We need the support of the American people and industry to ensure that our mission can continuously be fueled.”“We really have to get ready for that next conflict.”“We don’t want anybody to buckle under pressure.”“The American people’s resolve to win has always been there since day one.”Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business’s most complex challenges today through the technology of tomorrow.The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

For over three decades, retired Colonel Stu Bradin served on the front lines of some of America’s most critical Special Operations missions from Central America and the Balkans to Northern Africa and Afghanistan. He led Special Forces teams under fire, built NATO’s Special Operations Headquarters from the ground up, and ran multi-national, interagency fusion cells in the heart of combat zones.But in 2014, Stu Bradin saw a different kind of threat emerging: disconnected allies, stovepiped intelligence, and fragmented Special Operations communities. He knew the next fight against cyberattacks, transnational crime, and terrorist networks would require something we didn’t yet have: a global SOF network. That’s why he created the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation (GSOF); the first nonprofit dedicated to uniting Special Operations military, government, and commercial partners across the world.Fran Racioppi sat down with Stu during this year’s SOF Week to talk about why he founded GSOF, what it takes to bring together over 60 nations and 85 industry partners, and how his experiences building NATO SOF HQ and leading interagency teams shaped the Foundation’s mission. They explored what elite leadership really looks like at the global level, the danger of operating in silos, and why SOF must evolve its mindset as rapidly as its technology.Stu also broke down how GSOF accelerates innovation, helps SOF units and partners connect in real time, and creates space for public-private collaboration that can meet the speed and complexity of modern threats to answer the hardest question of today; what must Special Operations become to win the next fight?This episode is about global leadership, unity of effort, and how one Green Beret’s post-military mission is helping shape the future of Special Operations across the world.Highlights0:00 Introduction2:02 Welcome to SOF Week3:17 Significance of Global SOF Foundation7:38 Prioritizing Small Businesses11:02 Defining the Next Battlefield19:00 NATO SOF23:05 American’s Propensity to Serve27:33 Winning the Next Fight30:55 Getting Equipment to Warfighters35:35 What it means to be a Green BeretQuotes“What makes us different is we’re international and we’re joint and nobody else is that way.”“Part of what you have to do as a SOF commander in the joint environment is unite your tribes.”“The innovation comes from small businesses.”“Most small businesses fail because of catastrophic success not catastrophic failure.”“If you’re wrapped in metal, you have zero probability of survival.”“You can’t just assume that your enemy is ignorant because they’re not.”“I wouldn’t want to be on the modern battlefield.”“Our deterrent is having the best partners we can.”“We back into wars, we don’t run to them.”“They’re going to be our future whether we like it or not, so we’ve got to make sure that they are armed to do the right thing.”“I think we need to give the NCO corps a lot more latitude.”“If people know you can get to them quickly, they have to calculate for that.”“At the end of the day, most of the stuff we’re fielding right now is not going to survive first contact.” “Ultimately, you have a less trained force.” “SOF, cyber, intel, information and economics. That’s how you’re going to win the competition fight.”“I just think this is the Special Ops time.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business’s most complex challenges today through technology of tomorrow.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Memorial Day isn’t about a long weekend and BBQs. It’s about honoring those who gave their lives in defense of America…and it’s about supporting the families they left behind. Across US Army Special Operations Command remembering the legacy and impact of the fallen is a daily duty. This Memorial Day, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Gil Ferguson and Dalia Munoz to share the story of the day that changed, and intertwined, their lives forever. The day SFC Pedro Munoz, Dalia’s dad, was killed in action. General Ferguson was the officer charged with informing her and her family of his death. Delivering a message no one wants to receive and no one wants to give. Dalia, her mother and her grandmother have never been the same.In this emotional tribute, Dalia and General Ferguson recount that grief-stricken January morning; the planning and preparation behind the casualty affairs process; and the shock, disbelief and sadness that suddenly overcomes a family. Regulation says the casualty officer and the family shall never meet again; which was the case until General Ferguson became the USASOC Chief of Staff, a role that put him in charge of the Protocol office, the office in which Dalia worked. Confronted with the biggest leadership challenge of his career, General Ferguson had to decide if, and how, to tell Dalia about their encounter years earlier. This episode is about service. It’s about leadership when it matters most. And it’s about what it means to live a life shaped by loss, and still find purpose on the other side. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s one to never forget.Special thanks to General Ferguson and Dalia for their openness and willingness to share the rare bond they hold. Thanks to the USASOC Historian’s office for hosting us. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:02 Welcome to USASOC4:01 The Importance of Memorial Day7:26 January 1st, 200511:31 Constructing a plan28:25 SFC Pedro Munoz32:30 Navigating Grief35:45 Dealing with loss of a Green Beret40:45 Reconnecting52:31 Gold Star Families56:25 Remaining a part of the Regiment59:59 Resources for Mental Health1:02:50 Memorial Day MessageQuotes“Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to stop, honor the fallen and take a moment to remember.”“It takes a deliberate effort to remember folks once there’s no one else in the formation who personally knew them.”“The Army does such a good job of preparing people for what they tell you is going to be a task for which it is impossible to actually really prepare.”“You don’t want somebody who’s an early riser waking up and turning on the news and finding out there’s a casualty, and then the next thing you know there’s people calling around and speculation.”“That’s the system. You deliver the message as the notification officer and then get off the X.”“Doesn’t matter how much you prepare, you’re not prepared.”“Everything you think you’ve known is completely shattered.”“You kind of only get one shot at things that you’re doing and so you have to do them well.” “The leadership has to be able to understand how to give the formation the room and the space to grieve, but also how to channel that grief into the next step, which is the requirement to potentially go out the door the next day.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

Green Berets are America’s best problem solvers. There’s no challenge too great and no solution that cannot be found. This mentality exists in service and beyond. Ben Harrow solved complex challenges as a West Point Lacrosse star, leading soldiers in Iraq, and as he joined Special Forces to be a Green Beret in the Army. Today he’s the President of PAM Jets solving aviation’s largest logistical problems. But the biggest challenge Ben ever faced was when he stepped on a land mine. Ben is a double amputee who nearly lost his life in Afghanistan. From the sidelines of the 2024 Stars and Stripes Classic, the first ever lacrosse battle between Green Berets and Navy SEALs, Ben joined Fran Racioppi to share his story. After months of surgery and being told he would never walk again, he took his recovery into his own hands. Ben explains the meticulous research he conducted, the doctors he challenged and the method he developed to ensure he would walk and move on with life. He explains his resiliency mindset, how he applied it to becoming a Green Beret, solving his recovery challenge and how it drives him in entrepreneurship today.Most importantly, Ben shows us that there’s nothing special about being Special Forces, you just have to want it more than anyone else. Watch, listen or read our conversation from Gillette Stadium and don’t forget to check out the rest of our series from the inaugural Stars and Stripes Classic as we gear up for the round two on September 1, 2025.Highlights00:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to Gillette Stadium2:42 We Met In Iraq7:40 Joining Special Forces9:25 What Separates a Green Beret12:27 Stepping on a Landmine17:23 The Rehabilitation Process21:05 Learning how to walk again27:55 The Most Challenging Part29:34 SF Guys Building a Business38:30 What’s NextQuotes“As an athlete and competitive person, I’ve always wanted to be on the best teams.”“That special mindshift puts that special in front of forces.”“Special Operations in combat, if there was a board game, we’re like chess masters and everyone else is checkers masters.”“My first thought when I stepped on that bomb was I got hit by a car.”“Part of the reason I think I was able to get out and start the process of figuring out how to walk again was I took myself off the pain meds so quick.” “I got injured as a 215 lb tactical athlete to waking up in the hospital bed weighing only like 130.”“The most challenging part was learning to have patience.”“As an entrepreneur, you try everything.”“That’s the biggest thing as an entrepreneur, being able to solve ambiguous problems.”“It’s better to execute an 80% plan at 100% than waiting to create a 100% plan and executing at 80%.”“My guidance to my team is consistently we don’t do everything, but we can do anything.” The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.