SOFspot

We are honored to feature ADM (Ret) William H. McRaven in SOFspot Episode #70. He pulls from his legendary SOF career to share his views of leadership, the future of SOF, and the importance of international partnerships. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the greats!ADM (Ret) William H. McRaven's Books:https://www.amazon.com/stores/William-H.-McRaven/author/B000APSSE0?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueUpcoming GSOF Events:https://gsof.org/global-sof-events-listing/Support the show

Chelsea sat down with Colonel (R) Jeffrey H. Fischer, a successful author of thrillers and an experienced journalist in international security with a 30-year military career. His service includes seven combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans, and he's taken inspiration and experiences from those deployments for his Curt Nover military fiction thriller series. He and his wife have also started a non-profit in Vienna called "Shelter2Service," training shelter dogs to support military Veterans living in Europe. They discuss all of that and more in this episode of SOFspot.Buy Jeff Fischer's Books:https://www.jeffreyhfischer.com/novelsHighlighted GSOF Events:- GSOF Symposium Europe, 24-26 OCT, Brno Czech Republichttps://www.gsofeurope.org/- Modern Warfare Week, 13-16 NOV, Fayetteville, NChttps://mww.gsofsymposium.org/Support the show

The Global SOF Team is BACK in your pod-feed! After a year-long hiatus from SOFspot, we're returning with all new episodes. A lot has happened for Global SOF since Summer '22, so Stu, Meaghan, Chelsea, and Jenn got together to discuss just what HAS happened over the course of the past year. From SOF Week to growing the team to policy education, we hit on everything you should know as members of the Global SOF community.As always, you can learn more about the Foundation at www.gsof.org.Support the show

In this episode, we discuss military family building and fertility issues. While we DO talk about freezing sperm samples, more importantly we discuss the breadth of the family planning issue in the SOF community, how it's impacting retention, and what policy changes Congress needs to make to support our Special Ops families. Our experts today come from the Military Family Building Coalition and Legacy:Ellen Gustafson, MFBC Co-FounderKaty Bell Hendrickson, MFBC Co-FounderJohn Crowley, Legacy Military AffairsListen to hear from these three experts about this issue and why it's so important that we support their efforts to change US policy on military fertility options.--------Military Family Building Coalitionhttps://www.militaryfamilybuilding.orgLegacy https://www.givelegacy.com/military/https://www.givelegacy.com/nsw/Blue Star Family Survey Resultshttps://bluestarfam.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BSF_MFLS_Results2021_Family-Building_03_10.pdfEVENT - GSOF Symposium Europehttps://www.gsofeurope.orgEVENT - Modern Warfare Weekhttps://mww.gsofsymposium.orgGlobal SOF Partner Highlight - CAE USAhttp://cae.comSupport the show

In this episode of SOFspot, GSOF President and CEO Stu Bradin talks to Toby Harnden, an author and journalist who was awarded the Orwell Prize for Books in 2012.He also wrote "First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11," which was published in Sept 2021 and tells the story of Team Alpha, an "eclectic band of linguists, tribal experts, and elite warriors who were the first Americans to operate inside Taliban territory after 9/11."Listen on to hear about what inspired Toby to write the book, how he got to know the team, and what it took to get the interviews and details that tell this important story.Buy the Book:https://www.amazon.com/First-Casualty-Untold-Mission-Avenge/dp/0316540951/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=GSOF Partner Highlight: Kymeta Corp.:https://www.kymetacorp.comRegister for the SOF Imperatives Forum:https://my.gsof.org/events/event-details/?id=04ba9634-1647-ec11-a3ee-0003ff66d8d0Support the show

In this episode, we continue our series of interviews with experts in Ukraine. Oleksandr "Sasha" Danylyuk, who we also interviewed in Episode 61, is back to give more updates on the war in Ukraine, what he thinks it will take to end the war, and the extreme actions he expects the Russians to take against his nation.Learn more about our Sustaining Partner, Peraton:https://www.peraton.comSee our Global SOF Ukraine Hub:https://gsof.org/ukraine/Register for Upcoming Global SOF Events:http://gsof.org/eventsSupport the show

In this episode, Stu chats with author John Pomfrets and COL (Ret) Fred Hart about the actions and inspiration behind "From Warsaw with Love," Pomfrets' latest book. COL (Ret) Hart was part of a daring mission in which Polish SOF rescued him and 5 other Americans from Iraq in 1990. Pomfrets tells the story, along with many more that set the scene on the relationship between the US and Poland.Listen on to hear some of the story, and get your copy of "From Warsaw With Love" to read the rest...Buy the Book:https://www.amazon.com/Warsaw-Love-Forging-Unlikely-Alliance/dp/1250296056Corporate Partner Highlight:https://news.northropgrumman.comGlobal SOF Events:https://my.gsof.org/upcoming-eventsSupport the show

In this interview, which we recorded on March 17th, we speak with MG (Ret) Mike Repass. He's the former commander of Special Operations Command - Europe, and he's also on our Global SOF Advisory Council.Our CEO and President Stu Bradin spoke with him to get details on some of the lesser-known stories behind the war in Ukraine. They discuss the high-value natural resources that exist in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis that is building with Ukrainian refugees, and how he sees the war unfolding.Listen for our conversation with MG Retired Mike Repass.-------Global SOF Ukraine Info Sharing Hub:https://gsof.org/ukraine/ Corporate Partner Highlight: Ciscohttps://www.cisco.comSupport the show

As the war in Ukraine continues, our Global SOF team is adding interviews with regional experts to our podcast schedule, including today's guest: GEN Riho Terras.GEN Terras is the former Chief of Defense for Estonia and is currently a Member of European Parliament. He spoke to Chelsea about the current state of the war, why the Russian approach is failing, and what the US and other Partner Nations can do to provide the needed support to stop Vladmir Putin.Corporate Partner Highlight: Maxarhttp://maxar.comGlobal SOF Ukraine Info Hub:https://gsof.org/ukraine/ Support the show

Due to current events, SOFspot will feature periodic interviews with subject matter experts on the War in Ukraine. Today's guest was Oleksandr "Sasha" Danylyuk, chairman of the Ukrainian Center for Defense reforms and a member of Ukrainian government inter-agency platform for countering hybrid threats.In this discussion, we talk about the will of the people of Ukraine, past and present tactics of the Russian Military, and the behavior of Vladimir Putin.Corporate Partner Highlight - CACI:https://www.caci.comSupport the show

It's our first REPEAT guest! Stu sat down with Dr. Seth Jones (also featured in Ep. 42) to discuss his latest book: "Three Dangerous Men: Russia, China, Iran and the Rise of Irregular Warfare." Seth talks about how the US is woefully unprepared for the future of global competition, and the threats presented by Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov; the deceased Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani; and vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia.Who does he think is the most dangerous? You'll have to listen to find out!Buy "Three Dangreous Men":https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324006206See Seth Live at the Special Air Warfare Symposium, 22-24 FEB:https://saws.gsofsymposium.orgPartner Highlight: BRINC Droneshttp://brincdrones.comSupport the show

We sat down with members of the Special Ops Survivors to talk about their organization, its mission, and the way they support the SOF Community. As an organization that supports the spouses of fallen special operators, they play a critical role in the lifelong service of SOF. Our guests were:LTC (Ret) Rob Neitzel, Vice Chairman of Special Ops SurvivorsErik Krame, Executive Director of Special Ops SurvivorsJackie Syverson, a Special Ops Survivor SpouseWe were honored to have them with us to talk about the importance of connection to the SOF community, Special Ops Survivors Programs, and how you can help support their mission.Special Ops Survivors:https://www.specialopssurvivors.orgWorld Wide Technology - Partner Highlight:https://www.wwt.comSupport the show

Chelsea sat down with three men who have different experiences and perspectives with mental and physical health in the special operations community. She spoke to:COL Mark Ray,  Director of USASOC's Human Performance and Wellness programDr. Phil Wagner, the Founder and CEO of Sparta SciencePhil Gant, recently separated Special Forces and Director of Programs– Ft. Bragg for The Honor Foundation.We talk about how the body needs to be treated as a system, what makes a special operator both physically and mentally, and what people can do to reduce physical or mental health issues.Additional Resources:USASOC HP and Wellness: https://usasoc.hpw.agilesof.comSparta Science: https://spartascience.comThe Honor Foundation: https://www.honor.orgPartner Highlight, Belcan Government Solutions: https://www.belcan.com/solutions/government-solutions/ Support the show

Join KaLea Lehman of the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative for a preview of some of the discussions and topics we have planned for our first virtual "SOF Team Room." She speaks with three of the event's speakers about SOF Legacy, relationships, and the future.Dr. Preston ClineDr. Chris FruehCSM (Ret) Rick LambRegister for this FREE virtual event here:https://my.gsof.org/events/event-details/?id=8de575d1-ee23-ec11-b76a-0003fff84a36Read "Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging" (Referenced Book):https://www.amazon.com/Tribe-Homecoming-Belonging-Sebastian-Junger/dp/1455566381Check out our Highlighted Partner, EY:www.ey.com/en_us/government-public-sectorSupport the show

Three men who were heavily involved in the birth of MARSOC share their views on the Command's founding: Major General (Ret) Mark "Droopy" Clark: Served two tours with USSOCOM and Commanded MARSOC from 2012 to 2014 General (Ret) Bryan "Doug" Brown: USSOCOM Commander from 2003 to 2007 Lieutenant General (Ret) Dennis J. Hejlik: The first Commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) from 2006 to 2008See the Video of the Story with Additional Q&A:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zedkXxdoSPgCheck out our Corporate Partner Highlight - ML Horizons:http://www.mlhorizons.com/Support the show

Today's episode features our President and CEO, Stu Bradin and MG (Ret.) Jaime Íñiguez Andrade (with brief cameos from Chelsea and Rick). MG Iñiguez was the first commander of Spain's Joint Special Operations Command. He joined us to talk about his personal history in Special Operations, as well as the growth and establishment of Spanish SOF. He's even written a book about the subject.Buy MG (Ret.) Iniguez's Book:https://www.eljardindeloscuriosos.com/libro/1273/las-acciones-no-(todas)-contadas-de-las-unidades-de-operaciones-especiales-espanolas/ Corporate Partner Spotlight - Cellebrite: https://www.cellebrite.com/en/home/Support the show

This Episode comes from our "SOF Story: Live!" on Joint Task Force (JTF) 510 in The Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines (OEF-P). It brings together four men who were there in the early 2000s as they discuss their experiences in the island nation. You'll hear from:LTG Retired Donald WursterLTG Retired David FridovichCWO 3 (Ret.) Donald Sikorski, andSGM (Ret.) Mike BoscoFor more content, watch the Full Video Here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j5v6C_PaDsCorporate Partner Highlight, ELTA North America:https://www.eltanorthamerica.com/Support the show

Stu and Chelsea speak with journalist and author Jessica Donati about her new book, "Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War." We talk about how she got to Afghanistan, what moments there impacted her the most, and what led her to write the book. She talks about the impact of the war on the soldiers (and their families) and what she sees for the future of Afghanistan.Get her book wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your local bookstore!----Register for the GSOF 7th Anniversary Reception, 17 MAY in Tampa:https://my.gsof.org/events/event-details/?id=bc093dd2-fac6-4a48-9eaf-58a9a7d47c79Corporate Partner Highlight: Wickr:https://wickr.com/Support the show

In episode 52 of SOFspot, we share excerpts from two of our recent "SOF Stories: Live!" In the first half we listen in on Operators who participated in Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama in 1989/1990. They talk about the roles they played in the mission and some of their favorite memories.Like what you hear? The full story is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kylz1E2yuQIn the second half we jump in on our SOF Story about the Rescue of Slate 46, one of the most famous rescue missions of Operation DESERT STORM. Listen in as the Air Force operators discuss their memories of that rescue mission in Iraq.Want to hear the rest? The full story is here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW52m7gRt8Y-------Corporate Partner Highlight:https://wickr.com/Support the show

The Frogman Swim is an annual 3+ mile swim across Tampa Bay that takes place every January to raise money for our friends at The Navy SEAL Foundation. This year our own Chelsea Hamashin swam it herself, assigned in honor of SOC (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, so she shares her experience and talks to several folks involved with the swim:- Chris Irwin, Director of Communications at The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF)- Kurt Ott, NSF Ambassador and Director of the Frogman Swim- Glenn Paige, NSF Ambassador and Board Member, Frogman SwimmerAnd her dad, Lloyd Hamashin, even makes a brief cameo!Link to Donate to Chelsea's Swim for NSF:https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/2021-tampa-bay-frogman-swim/chelseahamashinMore on the Navy SEAL Foundation:https://www.navysealfoundation.org/donate/Global SOF Event: GSOF Symposium - US:https://us.gsofsymposium.org/HomepageGlobal SOF Imperatives for 2021:https://gsofimperatives.org/Fundraiser for The Honor Foundation:https://www.classy.org/event/thf-or-the-next-course/e317671Support the show