Lieutenant Colonel Jason Smith retired from the US Marine Corps on 1 Sept 2016 after 22 years of service. He joined the Marine Corps in January of 1995 after graduating from Louisiana State University. As an infantry officer, Jason commanded Marines at every rank during his service, including two combat deployments to Iraq as a company commander. He was in charge of Marine Corps recruiting for the state of New Jersey from 2007-2010… Go to Episode
Ep. 322 – David Hollis (U.S. Army / Author, ‘Damn Hooligans’)
David Hollis grew up in a small town in eastern Oklahoma that was little more than a fuel stop along Interstate 40. At the age of seventeen, he resolved that his escape from the purgatory of middle America would be to join the U.S. Army. Throughout his Army career, David served in tough units, completed challenging leadership and tactical training courses, deployed to five countries, and led 189 combat missions… Go to Episode
Ep. 321 – Dan Kostrzebski (U.S. Army Special Forces / Author, ‘No One is Fatherless’)
Dan Kostrzebski was born and raised in rural western New York State. His humble, small-town beginnings blossomed into a noteworthy 40 years of military and government service. While working his way up the enlisted ranks, Dan served in various Military Occupational Skills, including Military Police, Ordinance, and Special Operations, finishing his military career with the infamous 5th Special Forces Group. Dan’s service in Special Operations took him to the Middle… Go to Episode
Ep. 320 – Ayman Kafel (U.S. Army / Author, ‘The Resolute Path’)
Ayman Kafel survived civil wars in Africa and Lebanon before immigrating to the United States in 1988. After witnessing the horrors of September 11, 2001, Ayman enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2005. While there, he conducted over 30,000 miles of combat patrols and military missions. He coordinated and worked with various units in the Army due to his ability to speak Arabic. After… Go to Episode
Ep. 319 – John Doolittle (U.S. Navy SEALs / USSOCOM)
After an inter-service transfer and cross-commissioning from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Navy in 1992, John Doolittle transferred into the Navy. From 1996 to 2017, John was assigned to various SEAL Teams and conducted multiple deployments throughout the European, African, Pacific, and Middle East theaters of operations. Most of his Navy career was focused on our military’s reaction to 9/11; a busy time for John and his family…. Go to Episode
Ep. 318 – Dan Schilling (U.S. Air Force / Black Hawk Down)
New York Times bestselling author Dan Schilling, Lt. Col., USAF (ret.) spent more than 30 years in special operations, primarily as a Combat Controller and Special Tactics Officer, but began his military service as an infantry paratrooper. His numerous combat, clandestine, rescue and humanitarian missions have taken him around the world and include Operation Gothic Serpent, popularly known as Black Hawk Down, where he is credited with saving the lives… Go to Episode
Ep. 317 – Jason Pike (U.S. Army / Author, ‘A Soldier Against All Odds’)
A decorated combat veteran with multiple deployments, LT. Col. Jason Pike, served 31 years in the US Army including nine years overseas in five countries. Jason earned over 30 service awards & badges and his diversity of Army jobs, assignments, and schools from age 17 to 48. His book A Soldier Against All Odds compiles all his life events in an inspiring storytelling format with the ups and downs of a life in uniform. With a… Go to Episode
Ep. 316 – Allison Jaslow (U.S. Army / CEO, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)
Allison Jaslow is an Iraq War Veteran, nationally-recognized veterans advocate, dedicated public servant, and the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). A former Army Captain, Allison was branched as a Quartermaster Officer which in the Post-9/11 wartime environment meant she’d quickly become a multi-functional logistician, including becoming a guntruck platoon commander on her first deployment to Iraq. She served two combat tours in Iraq from 2004 –… Go to Episode
Ep. 315 – Jamie Efaw (U.S. Army / The Commit Foundation)
Jamie Efaw graduated from West Point with a BS in Psychology in 1993. He retired from the Army in 2019 and transitioned from the Army using the resources of the COMMIT Foundation. Jamie’s military assignments include numerous jobs with Army Engineers, serving as a professor at West Point, and various jobs within Psychological Operations. Jamie was selected for command at the company, battalion and brigade levels and served at nearly… Go to Episode
Ep. 314 – Aubrey McDade (U.S. Marines / VP of Programs, Tomlinson Center)
Aubrey McDade served in the United States Marine Corps for over 18 years on active duty, until he was medically retired. For his actions in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004, Aubrey was awarded the Navy Cross; becoming the 2nd African American to receive the award since Doris Miller of World War II and the first African American to receive the Navy Cross post 9/11. Aubrey currently serves as the Vice President… Go to Episode