Third Deck Lounge

Jared was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps with 1st Battalion 6th Marines based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He joined the Marines in 2004 as Iraq ignited into all-out war. The Battle of Ramadi would forever change Jared’s life and set him down a path of strife and survival. From explosions and gun fights to blood clots and panic attacks, nothing is hopeless. He participated in the Battle of Ramadi (Iraq) as a designated marksman from 2006 to 2007 and as a Squad Leader in the Battle of Garmsir (Afghanistan) in 2008. After being honorably discharged in 2009 having served five years, Jared moved to Colorado and married in 2011. At the age of 30 he survived a serious stroke and details his struggle to overcome and recover both mentally and physically from everything in the past and the stroke itself. He has a bachelor’s in business and a Master’s in writing. From explosions and gun fights to blood clots and panic attacks, nothing is hopeless. Follow him @cold_steel_collective

Joe Leach was a 0352 with Weapons CAAT 1 from 2016 to 2020 and suffered a Motor Cycle accident shortly before EAS. Sam Hopper was a 0331 with Weapons CAAT 1 from 2015 to 2019 and both were apart of 3/6s deployment with the 24th MEU and were apart of Task Force 9.7 in Syria

Today on the podcast I spoke with Bijan Mehdiyoun, a prior 3/6 Radio Operator who shared his story during his time with 3/6 and CLB before his EAS and what transitioning was like for him. He shared his story of finding his footing among the adversity he faced throughout it all while joining the Reserves and how he ultimately joined the Navy Reserves, his journey becoming a Law Enforcement Officer, and the work he's doing to obtain his degree to further his career within Law Enforcement. I even shared my story with trying the Reserves at the end as well. Very interesting conversation for anyone that's getting out soon or has given the Reserves a thought.

Decided to read the first 30 pages out of the book "History of The Third Battalion Sixth Regiment, U.S. Marines" by Akers, Mac Ritchie, & Hurlbut, This book goes over the battle of Belleau Wood written by these three lieutenants in 1919 that recorded it on paper as it progressed. The book tells the story in a very candid way but not in a boring way and tells what each Company and the Battalion as a whole did from the time they formed state side to the end of the battle.

Rocco de Primo was a brand new squad leader with 3rd squad 3rd platoon India Company when he partook in the invasion of Marjah in 2010. This is his story of his deployment with his squad.

Joshua Forsythe was a Corporal Designated Marksmen, point man, and Team Leader with India Company from 2006-2009. During his time in 3/6 he deployed to Fallujah in 2008 with the battalion. After his time in the Marine Corps he began his journey in the outdoors doing everything you can imagine involving the outdoors. Very interesting for anyone that's an outdoorsman!

Lt Jackson Smith was the Platoon Commander of 3rd platoon India Company during the 2010 Invasion of Marjah and came onto the show to share his story.

Today on the show Matthew Rodriguez, a 0331 Lima Company Weapons Platoon machine gunner attached to 3rd Platoon, shares his story and experience from the invasion of Marjah during Operation Moshtarak in 2010. The stories shared with me during this podcast and from his personal notes written down from in the moment were incredibly raw and powerful.

Had a cool conversation with Miguel Sanchez-Sanchez a 3/6 Kilo Co Vet who is transitioning out of the Marine Corps and came onto the show to talk about his skills bridge that he was able to get into that will give him training for him to be able to work in IT immediately following his EAS.

Had an awesome conversation with Jonathon Benjamin, a 3/6 Corporal 0311 Vet Squad Leader with Kilo Co 3/6 3rd PLT 3rd SQD. We talked all about his work in law enforcement and as a SWAT Operator. It was a very interesting and informative conversation for anyone that is in the LEO field or is considering getting into the field!

Today on the podcast I spoke with Eric Nolan a prior 0311 with India Company who now is pursuing a career in the UFC and has already seen success in the CFFC. We talked about his fighting career and his daily life training and in college. Super interesting conversation for anyone that's a fan of his.

Had a cool conversation with 2ndBatallion2ndMarinesHistory about his Instagram page and some of the work that's gone into the posts. We also talked about his time in the Marine Corps and what he's up to these days.

From catching up to talking about random stuff including conspiracy theories this one was pretty fun to make with DD214_Memes!

Today on the show was William Fitzpatrick, a 3/6 0311 Squad Leader Kilo Company Vet well known throughout the Marine Corps professionally as "Fitzy Mess" for his rap music about his time in the Marines. We talked about his Marine Corps experience, his transition after EASing, his music and stories behind the songs lyrics, Jiu Jitsu, and what he's up to recently in his life Wild Land Fire Fighting! It was seriously a really cool conversation we both had a great time shooting the shit together!

Today my guest was Jason Georgetti a 3/6 Vet that was a 0341/Designated Marksman that served with 3/6 from 2000-2004 and participated in the Invasion of Afghanistan with 3/6 and talked about his first hand account on Kandahar Airfield. We talked about his job with Lockheed Martin, Jiu Jitsu, and just life in general. He even ran me through a Psychology Test and asked me a ton of interesting questions that put me on the spot! Overall it was an amazing conversation and I think you guys will really dig this one!

Today on the podcast I talked to Matt Schmidt who works in Cyber Security as a Penetration Tester in North Carolina. We had an great conversation where we discussed everything Cyber Security it was an awesome and incredibly interesting conversation! If you're unsure about a future career give this podcast a listen with an open mind!

Today my guest on the Podcast was Juan Leon who came on to talk about being a proficient 03 and all the different aspects that go into growing and developing that. If you're a new dude or even a senior looking to take a step back and see what you could be doing differently then definitely give this one a listen!

Today on the podcast I spoke with an individual who wanted to remain anonymous but regardless we had a great conversation about going to Army Green Beret Selection as a Marine and then ultimately his lateral transition into the Army to continue to pursue that. Awesome conversation for anyone looking to pursue this.

Today my guest on the podcast was Nolan Ricketts prior 0311 with 3/6 who came onto the show to shoot the shit with me about how life has been since we got out. We also talked about gear that we used that we think would benefit you guys for the field!

Today on the podcast my guest was 3/6 0311 Vet Angelo Marchini, who since his EAS several years ago is now a Certified Physical, Personal, and Group Fitness Instructor with a plethora of knowledge to share with you all! If you're someone that doesn't go to the Gym I strongly recommend you give this one a listen we made it to encourage dudes to get after it!