The Combat Flags Podcast

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Michael Rock. Mike is a former US Army Tanker turned Green Beret turned pedophile hunter. After growing up with bad situations all around him, he chose to take a leap, and change his path in life. After medically retiring from the Green Berets in 2014 due to various injuries, he chose to work for a 3 letter agency and take down pedophiles with computer forensics. Through every hardship, Mike has learned to keep moving forward, and realize that all of the bad leads to the good, and to stay positive. He now resides in Reno, NV with his 3 kids, 2 dogs, and all of the adventures.

In this CROSSOVER podcast, Jason Piccolo (host of the Protectors Podcast) and I talk with  New York Times bestselling author and retired Special Forces Operation Detachment Officer Brad Taylor. Brad was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry.  Brad served for more than 21 years, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel.  During that time he held numerous Infantry and Special Forces positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron.  He has conducted operations in support of US national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations.His final assignment was as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC.  He holds a Master’s of Science in Defense Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, with a concentration in Irregular Warfare.  In 2011, Brad published his debut novel, One Rough Man, which was an immediate success and launched the Pike Logan series. Now with more than 15 installments and more than 3 million copies sold, the series has consistently hit the New York Times bestseller list. When not writing, he serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats for various agencies.  He lives in Charleston, SC with his wife and two daughters.The Combat Flags Podcast: U.S. Army Veteran and Founder of Combat Flags, Dan Berei, gets deep with active-duty service members and veterans to understand what brought them to serve in the United States military. The Combat Flags Podcast moves beyond war stories to chronicle and understand why some choose to serve when most others don’t. With veterans, we take the discussion a step further to uncover the good, the bad and the ugly about the transition from the military back to the civilian sector.The Protectors Podcast™: Hosted by Dr. Jason Piccolo, a 21-year federal agent, and military veteran. Jason interviews guests from best-selling authors to military heroes to every day "protectors". Protectors, they run toward danger.You can find Brad's books on his website, Amazon and other major bookstores:Website: https://bradtaylorbooks.com/Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/006288610X?tag=harpercollinsus-20And you can find Jason through his website and the Protectors Podcast:Website: https://jasonpiccolo.us/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-protectors-podcast/id1451895454Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RdEiF3TsPh3rjLzQyLTIb?si=a8b02d23929e46f4

Just a quick PSA in this week’s episode before taking a few weeks off for the holidays:I’m excited to share with you the 2022 Combat Flags Book Club! It's been a years' long dream of mine to share a collection of curated books for active duty military, veterans, family, friends and military supporters who are committed to learning more about the military experience (physical, mental and philosophical) and improving the lives of our nation's warfighters.At the end of this year you'll have a better understanding of the military experience AND engage with veterans in your life in a more meaningful way.It’s 100% free (minus the cost of the books, of course).Head to https://www.combatflags.com/pages/combat-flags-book-club to sign up for the club, to receive the reading guide and join the exclusive Facebook group for club members.

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ryan Hendrickson. Ryan served in the Navy, Air Force and Army, most notably as a Green Beret in the famed U.S. Army Special Forces. As a Green Beret, Ryan cleared the way for his twelve-man team while conducting combat operations against the Taliban. As the "tip of the spear," his role is to ensure the route taken by U.S. and Afghan troops are free of IEDs -- improvised explosive devices. Many soldiers do not survive their last step; those who do often lose at least one limb.While rescuing an Afghan soldier outside a mud-hut compound in 2010 -- knowing that he was in "uncleared" territory -- Ryan stepped on an IED with his right foot. The device exploded, leaving his foot dangling at the end of his leg.American soldiers losing a limb is an all-too-common occurrence. But what makes Ryan's story different is that after undergoing two dozen surgeries and a tortuous rehabilitation, he was medically retired but fought to return to active duty. Multiple skin grafts to his leg and right foot successfully reattached his lower leg, and he was aided in his recovery by wearing a new prosthetic device known as an IDEO (Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis). Once he passed a series of crucial physical tests, Ryan was able to rejoin the Green Berets within a year and physically perform his duties, redeploying to Afghanistan in March 2012.In 2016, he volunteered to return to Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. During a firefight with the Taliban, he risked his life under heavy enemy fire to rescue three Afghan soldiers cut off from friendly forces and return the bodies of two dead Afghan soldiers under the ethos that "no one gets left behind." For his heroic efforts on the battlefield, SFC Ryan Hendrickson was awarded a Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for valor.You can find Ryan’s book at https://ryanmhendrickson.com/,  Amazon and other major bookstores.

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ryan Hendrickson. Ryan served in the Navy, Air Force and Army, most notably as a Green Beret in the famed U.S. Army Special Forces. As a Green Beret, Ryan cleared the way for his twelve-man team while conducting combat operations against the Taliban. As the "tip of the spear," his role is to ensure the route taken by U.S. and Afghan troops are free of IEDs -- improvised explosive devices. Many soldiers do not survive their last step; those who do often lose at least one limb.While rescuing an Afghan soldier outside a mud-hut compound in 2010 -- knowing that he was in "uncleared" territory -- Ryan stepped on an IED with his right foot. The device exploded, leaving his foot dangling at the end of his leg.American soldiers losing a limb is an all-too-common occurrence. But what makes Ryan's story different is that after undergoing two dozen surgeries and a tortuous rehabilitation, he was medically retired but fought to return to active duty. Multiple skin grafts to his leg and right foot successfully reattached his lower leg, and he was aided in his recovery by wearing a new prosthetic device known as an IDEO (Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis). Once he passed a series of crucial physical tests, Ryan was able to rejoin the Green Berets within a year and physically perform his duties, redeploying to Afghanistan in March 2012.In 2016, he volunteered to return to Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. During a firefight with the Taliban, he risked his life under heavy enemy fire to rescue three Afghan soldiers cut off from friendly forces and return the bodies of two dead Afghan soldiers under the ethos that "no one gets left behind." For his heroic efforts on the battlefield, SFC Ryan Hendrickson was awarded a Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for valor.You can find Ryan’s book at https://ryanmhendrickson.com/, Amazon and other major bookstores.

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Jason McCarthy of GORUCK. Jason enlisted in the Army after 9/11 because of 9/11 and served in Special Forces in Iraq and the Sahel region of West Africa. In 2006, Jason's wife Emily was a Case Officer in the CIA working in French-speaking West Africa. Applying what he had learned in war, Jason built Emily a "go-bag", or "go-ruck" for her to keep in her vehicle and at home, ready to go at all times.Jason's commitment to the Special Forces way of life and the idea for a "go-ruck" led him to start GORUCK in 2008. It took over two years to design and manufacture the rucksacks and ensure they would thrive in both Baghdad and NYC - Green Berets were judge and jury of quality and functionality. In order to raise awareness for the gear, Jason started community building through physically grueling events based on Special Forces training called the GORUCK Challenge.Over 7,000 events and 150,000 participants later, GORUCK has become The Rucking Company, a people first organization centered around increasing global activity through rucking. strengthening communities, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In every way, the GORUCK community represents a bridge between the civilian and military worlds and there are over 365 Official GORUCK Clubs all over the world, accessible and open to all.

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Neville Johnson. Neville was born and raised in South Africa and at the age of 23, he left his home country to travel and work in the United Kingdom. In 2003 Neville joined the British Army and became an infantry soldier. He served seven years in the British Army and deployed on active duty to Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan.After he left the army, he worked as a private security contractor in the Middle East on numerous Unites States government contracts.Neville currently resides in New Zealand with his wife and three young kids. Neville is also a published author, with some of his poetry published in three books alongside the work of other veteran writers.The titles are, Sweeping Leaves in the Wind, Alone in a Crowded Room, and War… & After the anthology of poet warriors.

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with published author and poet, Cokie. Cokie, in his own words, is a vituperative redneck who spent his formative years in a seminary, then performed the obvious transition to military service. After doing bang bang things for pew pew people, he picked up a pen and discovered that it was significantly more convenient than the sword (at least regarding his wardrobe). Despite (or perhaps because of) multiple blows to the head, Cokie continues to use the Oxford comma. He lives in the midwest with his beautiful wife and children where he contemplates service to God and the absurdity of braille road signs.You can find him on instagram at @cokie_actualAnd you can find his collection of poems, “Where They Meet,” here: https://deadreckoningco.com/collections/books/products/book-where-they-meet

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Lexi Casiday. Lexi is a  Navy Veteran and jiu jitsu athlete. She joined the Navy in 2004 after escaping a verbally and physically abusive relationship and drug addiction. In the Navy, Lexi specialized as a Religious Program Specialist supporting Marines. After leaving the Navy, Lexi went on to again face drug addiction, alcoholism, homelessness, and PTS from domestic violence and military sexual trauma (MST). Today, Lexi is earning her master’s degree for Organizational Leadership, she trains Brazilian jiu jitsu at Combat Base McKinney, TX, under Professor Alan Shebaro, 4th Degree Black Belt under Professor Chris Haueter, and she is working to publish a book of OEF/OIF veteran’s artwork and creative writing. You can contact Lexi at: alexis.casiday@gmail.comAnd you can find Lexi on social media at:Facebook: Alexis CasidayInstagram: @Casiday

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Tyler Carroll. Tyler was born into a military family and reluctantly enlisted after a failed attempt at college. After being a Medic for US Army, he has since obtained a Bachelor’s in Business and is working on an MFA in Creative Writing. Between writing and running a business, Tyler is a husband, father, and firefighter in a suburb of Dallas, Texas.We cover a lot in this episode, from Tyler’s noted reluctance to enlist, to his battlefield injury in Afghanistan, his recovery and finding his way back in the civilian world.Check Tyler and Dead Reckoning Collective out here:Web: https://deadreckoningco.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deadreckoningcollective/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerjamescarroll/

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Johnny Raushi, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Johnny Slicks.Johnny Slicks was born John Raushi in Dec. of 1993 in NJ. He joined the Marine Corps at 18 as an Armorer and spent 4 years in active duty. In 2013, he married his high school sweetheart, Rebecca, and together they moved to Camp Lejeune, NC.John’s first unit was with CLB-2 where he adopted his first leadership traits. He then deployed with 2/2 on the BSRF-14. In 2015, he required serious knee surgery and during his recovery, he received orders to report to 10th Reg where he spent the remainder of his enlistment.In 2016, he saw his hair was thinning. He started looking at ingredients in the products he was using. After reading their lists of chemicals, he decided these products have to go.During his last year active, he decided to become a barber. He found he was more interested in researching ingredients and their purpose than cutting hair. He left barber school to pursue his interest in crafting grooming products with only organic ingredients.He found that formula creating was very costly and to purchase supplies, they started selling their plasma. After countless of failed attempts for a formula, he was finding it difficult to continue. But John finally finished The Organic Oil Based Pomade formula in June of 2017.In January of 2018, John and Rebecca found Nick and Ali Koumalatsos and gave them some products to try. On January 24th, just 6 days later, Nick called Johnny to discuss partnering. And March 6th, 2018, Johnny Slicks Inc. was officially launched.Johnny Slicks took off and became a 6 figure business in 1 year. That same year, 2018, Johnny began to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, which he would later obtain in December of 2020. With just over 2 years of operating time, on April 24th, 2020, Johnny Slicks had officially become a 7 figure business.Today, Johnny Slicks takes stance by sourcing only American Made to show support for the American people.John is also very passionate about living a healthy lifestyle through proper dieting, weight training, and getting outdoors. His creative outlets include; photography, writing, painting, and theoretical science. He chooses to never stop asking questions.Check Johnny and Johnny Slicks out here:Web: https://johnnyslicks.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyslicks/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyraushi/

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with George Bell, a former Psychological Operations Master Sergeant who retired in 2018 after 20 years of service.  We cover A LOT of ground in this podcast, including George’s combat jump into Iraq as Psychological Operations Specialist and how experiences on that deployment set the tone for the remainder of his impressive Army career.George has multiple deployments all over the world including Ukraine, Libya, and Uganda. Today, George  is a father, husband and the Vice President of Fieldcraft Survival. He is newly back in North Carolina where Fieldcraft opened a new facility in Aberdeen NC. You can find George on Instagram at @george.bell.jr and @fieldcraftsurvival

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Keith Dow. Keith is a proud father and a born New Englander, who has been writing ever since he could hold a pen. He spent 5 years on active duty in the US Army before being honorably discharged in 2013. He is currently completing his MSW and engages in a variety of advocacy and educational efforts to help veterans.Dead Reckoning Collective is a veteran owned and operated publishing company. Their mission encourages literacy as a component of a positive lifestyle. Although DRC only publishes the written work of military veterans, the intention of closing the divide between civilians and veterans is held in the highest regard. By sharing these stories it is their hope that they can help to clarify how veterans should be viewed by the public and how veterans should view themselves.In the podcast we discuss Keith’s upcoming collection of poems - Karmic Purgatory. If you’re interested, you can preorder the collection here: https://deadreckoningco.com/collections/books/products/book-karmic-purgatory

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Chris Strom, a former US Marine and retired sergeant with the NYPD Intelligence Division. In October 2007, Chris was recruited by the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), a government agency that devised top-secret strategies for combating IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the lead tactical debriefing officer, he participated in over 110 combat missions and 91 captures of high-value targets (HVTs) in southern Iraq and performed more than 200 battlefield interrogations. Chris is married with two children and lives in Roanoke, Virginia.You can find Chris' book, From Brooklyn to Baghdad, here: https://www.amazon.com/Brooklyn-Baghdad-Intelligence-Fights-Terror-ebook/dp/B07QLG15TB

In this episode of the Combat Flags Podcast I talk with Adam Lien, 14-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard and successful entrepreneur. We discuss growing up as an athlete, Adam’s unconventional Coast Guard career (which includes 9 deployments around the world with various partner agencies, DOD counterparts, and allied nations running counter-narcotics missions and training indigenous forces) and the founding of his now successful business - The Lift Box.You can find Adam on instagram at @tlb_ceo and the Lift Box at @theliftbox and www.theliftbx.com

Meet Scott Leeper. Scott is a former Marine (are Marines are former Marines? Once a Marine, always a Marine, right?). Scott joined up just before 9/11 and was at range week during Marine Corps Boot Camp when the planes hit.Scott went on to deploy twice to Iraq as a Marine, once during the initial invasion and later again in 2006.Following an other-than-honorable discharge, Scott found the structure and purpose he felt in the Corps suddenly removed. After a considerable amount of time bouncing from job to job, Scott found his renewed mission and passion: helping veterans reclaim their purpose and find renewed hope in the future.Today Scott is the founder of a nonprofit and life coach. Through these endeavors, Scott works with veterans to augment treatment with/through the VA using a technique known as Neuro-Linguistic Programming. You can find Scott at:alphalimacharlie.orgalphagrowth.org

Meet Justin Eichenlaub, United States Army Veteran and leather crafter.Justin served as a 35T - Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer and Integrator. Early on in his career, Justin was diagnosed with an incredibly rare heart condition that threatened to remove him from the Army. Following a successful surgery in a foreign hospital (where only his doctor spoke English), Justin went on to deploy to Afghanistan in 2011 for 12 months  where he maintained intelligence equipment to ensure Operators could produce actionable intel. Today, Justin is a husband, dog dad and entrepreneur.You can find him on instagram at @s.p.forge_and_leather and www.spforgeandleather.com

In this episode I’m joined by my dear friend Benjamin Breckheimer. Ben joined me on the very first episode of the Combat Flags podcast to share his extraordinary story of injury, depression and, most importantly, resiliency. Following a life changing IED blast in Afghanistan, Ben committed to himself to summit the highest peak on each continent.On June 13, 2021, Ben summited the seventh of the famed 7 summits, landing him a place in the history books as the first combat wounded veteran Purple Heart Recipient to summit each of the 7. In this episode Ben shares his perspectives on the positive aspects of the outdoors and how pushing your own limits can help make life more enjoyable and meaningful. Follow Ben on instagram at @benjaminbreckheimer and check out his website at www.benjaminbreckheimer.com.

From Akron, Ohio, to the battlefields of Iraq, Steve Downey has been from one end of the spectrum to the other. After his mom called his bluff as an 18 year old, Steve enlisted as an Army Combat Medic in 2005. Fast forward to a kinetic deployment to Iraq, Steve put his training and skills to the test. Layer on the loss of friends and lessons that stick with him to this very day, Steve’s journey to the man he is today is rooted in experience.Following deployment, he was transferred to Walter Reed Medical Center where he worked as a Transplant Coordinator Specialist. He would later use those skills in his transition to the civilian side.We cover a lot in this episode - from the Black Keys to faith - and learn the mark left on Steve by his military experiences and how he’s become a veteran advocate, loving father and husband.

In this episode I talk with Brian Andrews, Navy veteran and best-selling author. We talk about Brian's decision to join the military by way of ROTC, how he became a submariner with almost no engineering experience, and what his transition to civilian life looked like.Brian has had an unusual life post-service, becoming a best-selling author of military thriller books. Taking a key lesson from his time in the military, Brian teamed up with fellow writer Jeff Wilson to develop a series of books that are absolutely captivating.Brian teases their upcoming book - Sons of Valor - that officially launches on June 8. If you're a fan of Vince Flynn (the Mitch Rapp series) or Jack Carr (the James Reece series), you need to add this new series from Brian and Jeff to your summer reading list.You can find Brian:InstagramTwitterWebAmazon