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Roughly 10,000 more U.S. sailors and Marines are headed for the Middle East with the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Makin Island, as the buildup around Iran grows. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 21 OCTOBER 2026 The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious group, with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are headed for the Middle East and expected by the end of November, joining the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington. Mike Ritland breaks down what the added carrier and amphibious package signal to Iran, what a Marine Expeditionary Unit brings that air power can't, and why any move toward troops on the ground would change the cost of this war. Also covered: Iran keeps hitting ships in Hormuz even as Gulf oil exports climb back above pre-war levels, why oil is still over $100 a barrel, the administration's shift on Russia and Ukraine, and reports that Elon Musk pushed to slow the military version of Starlink that Ukraine relies on. Will resumed strikes on Iran bring…

In this episode, retired U.S. Army veteran Tom Spooner discusses his 21 years in the 82nd Airborne, 7th Special Forces Group, and Delta Force, and how he was an alcoholic who still crushed it in the 82nd. He explains how a sponsor, a notebook, and a very different idea of God helped him get sober. He also covers the Gulf War, going through Delta selection right around 9/11, and the 2006 mortar strike that left him with an undiagnosed brain injury, along with the moral injury that came with it. The conversation also explores Iran, whether the Iraq War was worth it, and the work Spooner is doing now as co-founder and president of Warriors Heart. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to an Israeli air base that hosts U.S. tankers and fighter jets, as the U.S. and Israel discuss resuming major combat operations against Iran. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 20 OCTOBER 2026 Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, with UAE officials present, according to Axios. Mike Ritland breaks down why a trip like this usually means plans are already in motion, why any decision lands on U.S. troops in the region first, and whether the U.S. should finish the job in Iran now or keep up the economic pressure. Also covered: Iran's claim that it shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper over the Strait of Hormuz, and Britain sending fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia after a Houthi missile strike killed dozens of Yemeni soldiers. Finish the job in Iran now, or keep the pressure on and wait? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates?…

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz reopens only if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and leaves the region, as attacks on ships near the strait hit a record for the war. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 19 OCTOBER 2026 Iran's foreign minister laid out Tehran's conditions on Sunday: lift the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, lift oil sanctions and end hostilities, while an Iranian army spokesman said the strait opens when U.S. forces leave. Mike Ritland breaks down whether the blockade still serves the goal of a non-nuclear Iran, and what it costs to keep U.S. sailors in range of drones, fast boats and mines while the war drags on. Also covered: the State Department's warning to Americans across the Middle East as the Houthi-Saudi fight widens, the airman killed in a rappelling demonstration before the Navy-UTSA game, and the rioting sweeping France. Is the Hormuz blockade still worth it? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates?…

Iran's new defense minister, a veteran of its missile program, says the U.S. will take casualties if strikes resume, as new details emerge about the Kuwait attack that killed six American troops. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 18 OCTOBER 2026 Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, a U.S.-sanctioned veteran of its missile program, as defense minister, and his first message was a threat aimed at American troops in the region. Mike Ritland breaks down why that threat deserves attention, and what the Kuwait strike that killed six U.S. troops says about the countermeasures still protecting our bases. His take: it's not a reason to back off, but leadership can't leave gaps in force protection again. Also covered: two more tankers burning in the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Iran disagree on what hit them, $10 gas and $110 oil, and President Trump's order exempting Russia from new sanctions as Washington looks for relief at the pump. Are U.S. bases in the region better protected now than they were in…

Iran just attacked a record number of ships in the Strait of Hormuz while U.S. forces wait in range, and the Pentagon is openly talking up the MOAB for Pickaxe Mountain. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 17 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the record week of attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz, the talk of using the MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast) on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, and Iran's threats to expel U.S. forces from the region. Mike's take: the MOAB is the wrong tool for a deep bunker, the bunker buster is built for that job, and announcing the target for months only gives Iran time to prepare. Meanwhile tens of thousands of American sailors and Marines stay in range while we wait out negotiations and the midterms. If we're going to do it, do it, and stop talking about it. Also covered: France sending troops and air defenses to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks mount, Iranian state media's claim that the U.S. asked permission to strike Pickaxe Mountain, Russia's attacks on Ukraine's power…

U.S. officials say the military has built plans to drop the 21,600-pound MOAB on Iran's nuclear sites if the war resumes, with Trump saying no strikes before the Nov. 3 midterms. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 16 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the Pentagon's MOAB strike plans for Iran and whether hitting the same targets again will work this time. Mike asks the question the headlines skip: if last summer's strikes knocked Iran's nuclear program back years, why are U.S. crews being asked to hit Pickaxe Mountain and the same sites again? He says the back-and-forth on timing helps nobody, and the smartest play is to say nothing and let the troops do the job. He also responds to viewer comments comparing the B-2 leak to the Hegseth Signal chat, drawing the line between intentional and careless. Also covered: Trump kills the Fort Hood execution livestream, Ukraine defies the U.S. on refinery strikes and the unconfirmed claims about Starlink, an OpenAI suspect with ties to Saudi Arabia, a new…

U.S. Navy sailors pulled the crew off an Iranian-linked spy boat watching American warships in the Gulf of Oman, then attack helicopters fired missiles and set it ablaze. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 15 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the strike on Iran's spy boat and why boarding it first was worth the risk. Mike has done boarding and maritime operations in the region, and he explains the trade-off: pulling the crew off first is a treasure trove of intelligence, but a boat rigged with explosives can turn into another USS Cole the moment sailors step aboard. He also takes on President Trump's claim that a leak of B-2 departure times let Iran see a raid coming, and asks whether leakers should face the firing squad. And he says it plainly: Iran and the Houthis are sinking ships and hitting Saudi targets while the U.S. waits for the Nov. 3 midterms. Take the gloves off, or bring the troops home. Also covered: a Ukrainian special forces veteran on trial for blowing up the Nord Stream pipeline (and…

President Trump says a decision on Iran is coming "very soon," the Pentagon has asked for new strike options, and Iran is reportedly fortifying its nuclear sites. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 14 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down what a second round of U.S. strikes on Iran would look like and who would be flying it. With the USS Abraham Lincoln gone, a fresh set of pilots and crews would carry out any new strikes. Mike asks the hard question: if Iran still has bunkers to fortify after months of strikes, why did the U.S. pause? He says the lesson learned in blood in Iraq and Afghanistan applies here: if you're going to do it, give the troops the mission and the support, and let them finish the job. He also bets the timing lands right before the Nov. 3 midterms. Also covered: how drones turned the Houthi threat into a real danger to U.S. ships and bases, a Tim Kennedy update, Britain's intelligence agency bracing for Iran and Russia, and new research showing AI models that can copy themselves onto…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 13 OCTOBER 2026 The Houthis are warning of a "swift and painful response" if the U.S. joins Saudi strikes in Yemen, and American troops across the Gulf are already within reach. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the Houthi threat and whether striking them now would put more U.S. troops in danger. Mike explains why the U.S. held off on Iran during the Iraq War, even with proof Iran was helping kill American troops, and why the same math applies to the Houthis today. With the Pentagon's Iran war toll now at 21 U.S. service members dead and 865 wounded, he asks every viewer a hard question: is this fight worth it, and would you say yes if it were your son or daughter? Also covered: retired Green Beret Tim Kennedy shot in a Congo ambush and the shadow war of private contractors, Europe deporting migrants back to the Taliban, and the bipartisan pushback on Trump's Russia-Ukraine energy deal. Should the U.S. hit the Houthis now, or let Saudi Arabia handle it? Tell us in the comments.…

Roman historian and creator of The Roman Pattern, Jeremy Ryan Slate, breaks down the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and the troubling parallels to modern America. From corrupt political leaders and the execution of Rome's most capable generals to military decline, currency debasement, and failing institutions, Slate explains how one of history's most powerful empires weakened from within. He also explores Julius Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, military loyalty, and the warning signs he believes America is repeating today. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 12 OCTOBER 2026 A Houthi strike on Riyadh’s airport killed an American, the attacks haven’t stopped, and President Trump says the U.S. “may” join Saudi Arabia’s fight. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down what the Houthis mean for the war with Iran and why the U.S. response has been so quiet. Mike doesn’t think the American was targeted for being American, but he says the Houthis’ escalation demands a response if the goal is to crush Iran and its proxies. Then Iran says it’s done answering Washington and threatens undersea cables, data centers and AI facilities. Mike explains why undersea threats fall squarely in Naval Special Warfare’s lane, and whether Tehran can actually deliver or this is more “Baghdad Bob.” Also covered: Trump’s push for a Russia–Ukraine energy ceasefire as senators call his export plan illegal, the rush to fix things before the midterms, and Gov. Newsom’s reversal on wealth taxes. Should the U.S. go after the Houthis now? Tell us in the comments 👇 Subscribe…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 11 OCTOBER 2026 The soldiers chosen for the Fort Hood shooter’s firing squad may have no way to opt out, and the Pentagon still wants the execution livestreamed. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down how military firing squads work and why he thinks this one should be volunteers only. The last U.S. military firing squad, in January 1945, was drawn from the condemned soldier’s own regiment. Mike believes survivors and unit members would easily fill the 5–12 spots by volunteering, and that forcing anyone to pull the trigger is the wrong call. He also explains why livestreaming the execution hands extremists propaganda. Also covered: a Houthi strike on Riyadh’s airport that killed an American, and Trump saying the U.S. “may” join the fight. A U.S. fighter jet disabled a blockade runner in the Gulf of Oman. Mike asks whether the Iran blockade is working and whether crypto is keeping Tehran funded. The New York Times reports rising threats against public officials in both parties. The…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 10 OCTOBER 2026 The Pentagon says the Fort Hood shooter will face a firing squad on December 3rd — and that the execution may be live streamed. Mike's read: nearly every veteran weighing in says the same thing. Carry out the sentence, but turning it into broadcast content is a line this country shouldn't cross. Alonzo Lunsford, the former staff sergeant shot seven times that day who plans to witness it in person, put it best: there's nothing glorified in the smell of blood and gunpowder. Also in this one — former Green Beret Tim Kennedy reportedly shot in an ambush in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a former New Zealand SAS operator killed in the same operation, and the larger question of whether American foreign policy should be running through contractors at all. CENTCOM looks to be moving on Iran faster than the public timeline suggested. And the Wall Street Journal reports a deal for hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel to bring fuel prices down before the…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 09 OCTOBER 2026 The New York Times says the Iran war was supposed to show off American power and has done the opposite. B-1 bombers are pulled out of Britain, bases across the Gulf are closed, and carriers are being resupplied from 2,200 miles away. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland, who served in Iraq, breaks down why seven months of war have left Iran's regime replaced but not weakened, and what he thinks winning should actually look like. Mike's take: decades of U.S. bases and troops in the Middle East haven't made the region more stable. Look at Iraq and Afghanistan. Reaching the stated goals in Iran would take a World War II-style invasion and occupation. His answer is to bring every U.S. troop home, close the bases, and force Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the rest of the region to deal with Iran themselves. He also asks the question few pundits raise: if Iran is that determined to get a nuclear weapon, why haven't Russia or China handed it one? Also in this episode: the FBI stops a…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 08 OCTOBER 2026 The New York Times says the Iran war was supposed to show off American power and has done the opposite. B-1 bombers are pulled out of Britain, bases across the Gulf are closed, and carriers are being resupplied from 2,200 miles away. Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland, who served in Iraq, breaks down why seven months of war have left Iran's regime replaced but not weakened, and what he thinks winning should actually look like. Mike's take: decades of U.S. bases and troops in the Middle East haven't made the region more stable. Look at Iraq and Afghanistan. Reaching the stated goals in Iran would take a World War II-style invasion and occupation. His answer is to bring every U.S. troop home, close the bases, and force Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and the rest of the region to deal with Iran themselves. He also asks the question few pundits raise: if Iran is that determined to get a nuclear weapon, why haven't Russia or China handed it one? Also in this episode: the FBI stops a…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 07 OCTOBER 2026 France leads both papers again, so Mike skips ahead to the stories that matter here. The headlines: according to the New York Times, a Yemeni general warned weeks in advance that the Iran-backed Houthis were about to push along the Red Sea coast, and the U.S. and Saudi Arabia stood by. Vice President Vance is pressing Iran for a meaningful reduction in its nuclear capability to end the war, while Iran's president calls the talks meaningless. Germany arrested its former foreign intelligence chief on suspicion of espionage and treason, and a former CIA officer pleaded guilty to exposing a top-secret source to a foreign government. Tennessee is weighing its next step after Christa Pike survived a failed execution. And President Trump says he's considering suspending the federal gas tax as diesel hits a record national average. Mike's take: he has a theory about why the U.S. didn't help Yemen. If the Houthis take the whole country, it may be easier to fight them head-on than…

Former DEA Special Agent Steve Murphy—credited with taking down cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar, serving as a technical consultant for Narcos, and co-authoring Manhunters—sits down with Mike Ritland for an in-depth conversation. After watching the hit series depicting Murphy’s career, Ritland explores the real-life history behind the story, diving into the operational friction, the uncredited role of U.S. special operations like Delta Force and SEAL Team 6, and the harsh realities of combating the Medellin Cartel on the ground. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 06 OCTOBER 2026 The biggest story today wasn't on either front page. Mike pulls in an AP report: soldiers seriously wounded in Iranian drone strikes say the military's medical system failed them. One soldier had a damaged artery that put him at risk of a stroke. He was sent to barracks and told to schedule outpatient appointments. Another waited more than four months for MRI results after having shrapnel removed from his head. Also in today's papers: Saudi and Yemeni forces are pushing back against the Houthis around the Red Sea port of Mokha. Germany and France are pushing the EU to get tough on Chinese trade. The FBI arrested a California woman accused of acting as an unregistered agent of China. Russia is investigating a death at a Siberian infectious disease lab. Brazil's right wing had a surprise surge. Superpowers are racing to put nuclear reactors on the moon. High interest rates haven't slowed the AI boom. And the DOJ is tightening visa screening for birth tourism. Mike's take:…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 05 OCTOBER 2026 The Journal and the Times split again today, and Mike gives the edge to the Times. The headlines: the U.S. is moving its B-1 bombers out of the UK over security concerns. Investigators say authorities in three countries missed chances to keep the FlyDubai attacker out of the cockpit. President Trump repeated a promise of $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans win the midterms. A new White House task force has 120 days to report on the risks and opportunities of AI. Russian oil assets are now part of the Ukraine peace talks, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the table. Phoenix teenagers are running an illegal weapons pipeline into Mexico. AI is getting better at predicting breast cancer risk. And China is worried its citizens are relying on AI too much. Mike's take: if the U.S. is pulling bombers out of the UK, one of our closest allies, then Iran's reach is a bigger problem than anyone's admitting. He wants Republicans to win the midterms, but he still calls…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 04 OCTOBER 2026 A long one for Sunday. There's no Wall Street Journal today, so Mike covers the New York Times and then shares the story many of you asked for: his path back to Christ. He starts by setting the record straight. After hearing from viewers, Mike walks back his comments on the Cornell case. He says he was guilty of the same rush to judgment he warns against, and he'll wait for the facts. He also shares what viewers in France told him the coverage of the riots there is missing. The headlines: protesters in canoes outside Chief Justice John Roberts' home in Maine. AIPAC has raised $233 million for the midterms. A report says President Trump directed $20 million in taxpayer money toward TV ads. Binance founder Changpeng Zhao's new role advising governments on crypto after his pardon, and his company's business ties to World Liberty Financial. And a Times opinion piece asking whether Democrats can win back religious voters. Mike's take: protest all you want where officials work,…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 03 OCTOBER 2026 The Saturday papers split again, and this episode includes something new: a private intelligence summary from Mike's friend Max at Asylum Security, a former SEAL sniper who now works in executive security. It's not classified, but it comes from serious sources, and it covers threats that never make the front page. The headlines: Russia is pushing migrants across Latvia's border as a tactic against the West. Student protests over school conditions have turned violent across France. The U.S. added a lower-than-expected 29,000 jobs in September. Chinese officials' unusual requests at a recent summit are raising new questions about Xi Jinping's health. DHS is paying local police departments for help with immigration arrests. And the Wall Street Journal reports that more voters dislike both parties than in any recent election. From the intel brief: Iran is reviewing retaliation options that reach beyond the Middle East, tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, cyber…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 02 OCTOBER 2026 A busy front page to close out the week. The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal split today, so Mike covers both. The headlines: the Pentagon is sending a third aircraft carrier strike group and more Marine Corps ships to the Middle East, adding roughly 10,000 troops to the region. OpenAI and Anthropic are spending to influence the midterm races and shape AI rules. Teachers and students warn that Google's AI push in schools is hurting learning. The FlyDubai captain who was stabbed by his co-pilot is being hailed for saving Flight 1073. Also covered: the Cornell case dominating social media, Tennessee halting executions after an inmate survived two doses of lethal injection, OpenAI firing researchers who shared information with an AI safety group, a global bond selloff, and high rates freezing the housing market. Mike's take: a third carrier group on top of an already heavy presence isn't just a show of force; he thinks it signals something may be about to happen,…

MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 01 OCTOBER 2026 Both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times led with the same two stories today. The first: after more than 23 years and $1.7 trillion, the U.S. has closed its last major military base in Iraq, ending what critics call America's forever war there. The second: on FlyDubai Flight 1073, a pilot stabbed the other pilot and tried to hijack the plane, sending it into a terrifying nosedive before passengers and crew subdued him. Also in today's papers: Iran is linked to a foiled attack on a British air base that houses American troops, the Pentagon is creating a new command for autonomous warfare, and BMW plans to use AI to shrink its workforce. Mike's take: as someone who served in Iraq and lost brothers there, he asks the hard question: was it worth it? He argues that toppling Saddam removed the one force keeping Iran in check. That opened a power vacuum that fueled ISIS, emboldened Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, and set off a refugee crisis that has reshaped…

WANT MORE MIKE DROP? Become a Mike Drop YouTube Member and get closer to the show with exclusive members-only content, bonus access, and perks you won’t get as a regular subscriber. 👉 Click “JOIN” below the video to become a member. Former Navy SEAL Captain Bradley Geary joins Mike to reflect on 25 years in Naval Special Warfare—from SDV missions and DEVGRU to commanding BUD/S. They dive into leadership, modern warfare, faith, family, and the three-year battle with the Navy that pushed Geary to the point of being willing to give up his rank, his career, and even his SEAL Trident in order to stand for what he believed was the truth. See the unreleased photos and NSW Command 100-page Report: : https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/uw65fld4719wbl0hmcf70/ABo2Fsa7EygD8n6Dtvtr0I0?rlkey=ny7z5ax3t4oq2j7s8c6px78zp&st=5p4qroi5&e=1&dl=0 If you like this, click subscribe, like and share with a friend. ---------- Support Bradley Geary http://www.hardmindsoftheart.com/ https://thekeynoteagency.com/speakers/brad-geary/…

Former F-15E Strike Eagle combat pilot and U.S. Air Force Thunderbird number two Ryan Bodenheimer — founder and host of Max Afterburner — joins me exactly 25 years after 9/11, the day that sparked his entire career. We cover his 70 combat missions and 300 combat hours in Afghanistan, a near air-to-air engagement with an Iranian jet, losing his best friend in pilot training, a hypoxia incident that nearly killed him on the Thunderbirds, and multiple unexplained UAP encounters. Then we get into Iran — Ryan spent years building actual U.S. war plans against the IRGC, and now he's watching that exact scenario unfold in real time. If you like this, click subscribe, like and share with a friend. ---------- MIKE DROP PATREON Watch ad free never before seen content at https://patreon.com/mikedrop WARRIOR DOG FOUNDATION These dogs served when we needed them most—now it’s our turn. Help Warrior Dog Foundation provide lifelong care for retired military and law enforcement K9s by donating today.…

Former Diplomatic Security Service special agent and attorney Ryan Dalton joins Mike to discuss his career investigating human trafficking, protecting U.S. officials overseas, and his investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Ryan explains why, after reviewing released Epstein files, prison records, and other anomalies surrounding August 2019, he believes the evidence raises the possibility that Epstein left his cell alive. He also shares what happened when he traveled to Little St. James as part of his ongoing investigation. If you like this, click subscribe, like and share with a friend. ---------- Support Ryan Dalton https://closedhorizon.com https://epsteinisntdead.org https://www.instagram.com/spokedriver ---------- SPONSORS HELIX Get 120-night sleep trial at https://helixsleep.com/mikedrop TRUE NUTRITION Get 20% off on your first custom protein blend with code mikedrop at https://truenutrition.com/mikedrop MIKE DROP PATREON Watch ad free never before seen content at https://patreon.com/mikedrop WARRIOR DOG…

Retired Secret Service Special Agent Darin Kinder recounts surviving 9/11 from inside the World Trade Center, entering the North Tower to help people evacuate, and escaping the collapse of the South Tower. He also shares stories from his 25-year career, including counterterrorism work with the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, protecting President George W. Bush, and how those experiences ultimately shaped his faith and mission after leaving the Secret Service. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Former Navy SEAL Jonathan Wilson sits down with Mike Ritland to share his path from getting kicked out of the Naval Academy to fighting his way into the SEAL Teams and deploying to Iraq. He opens up about combat, taking a life, rediscovering his faith, the toll his career took on his family, his own struggles after service, and the mission that ultimately led him to help other veterans navigate transition and mental health. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Air Force Special Operations JTAC veteran Conan Higgins joins the show to break down what a Joint Terminal Attack Controller actually does on the battlefield—and why he believes air power could have changed the outcome of missions like Operation Red Wings. Conan deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Philippines, earning two Bronze Stars for combat action, while simultaneously serving as a Washington State trooper, undercover narcotics detective, and SWAT team leader—all while finishing law school. Today he's the president of an international law firm based in D.C., advising security, defense, and risk consulting clients in 19 countries across six continents. We get into calling in airstrikes under fire, the raw power and vulnerability of close air support, and his blunt take on where the current strikes on Iran could be headed. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final part of this conversation, Tony Mayne shares the story he says he's never told publicly before—the loss of his soldier Hing Shaw to an IED, and the impossible decisions made in the seconds and hours that followed. Tony also opens up about being forced out by a medical board, the fight to stay in uniform, and the calling that led him to build Ranger transition and ministry programs for the veteran community. The conversation closes with reflections on accountability, faith, retirement, and what it truly means to give back after a life of service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Part 2, former Army Ranger Tony Mayne takes us deep into the objective and execution of the Haditha Dam mission—one of the most heavily defended objectives of the early Iraq War. Tony details the harrowing overnight drive through the desert, the ambush that nearly cost his team everything, and the unique cooperation between Rangers and Delta Force on the ground. From there, the conversation follows his path from enlisted squad leader to commissioned officer, the personal cost of extended deployments to Ramadi, the loss of a close friend to an IED, and a career-altering hearing waiver that nearly ended his time in uniform. It's a candid look at leadership, sacrifice, and the toll of nearly two decades at war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Retired Major Tony Mayne joins the podcast to walk through 12 years in U.S. Special Operations Command, including nine years in the 75th Ranger Regiment's 3rd Battalion, where he took part in the regiment's historic combat parachute assault into Afghanistan after 9/11 and later jumped into Iraq — completing eight combat deployments in support of the Global War on Terror and earning induction into the 2024 Ranger Hall of Fame. We go deep on the night of October 19, 2001, standing in the door of a C-17 as one of the first U.S. Rangers to parachute into Afghanistan, and the fight for Haditha Dam, where his vehicle broke down mid-assault and later got caught in an ambush on both sides of the road. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final part of this conversation, Mike Sarraille recounts the base attack in Jalalabad where he served as Joint Strike Force commander, dismantles the conspiracy theories surrounding Extortion 17, and shares the story of Guardian dog Bart's final act protecting his handler Jet Li. He then breaks down his transition out of the military, the founding of Talent War Group, and his current role at Overwatch Mission Critical, before diving deep into the booming and controversial world of AI data centers. The episode closes with the story behind the record-breaking 7-continents-in-7-days skydiving mission and his reflections on purpose after service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Part 2 of this conversation with Mike Sarraille picks up inside the deployments that followed Ramadi, including the chaotic quick-reaction mission into Sadr City alongside a hastily assembled team from two different SEAL platoons. Mike breaks down the brotherhood built with Army infantry on the ground, the Sunni Awakening, and why he believes the Iraq War was ultimately a policy mistake despite the valor shown by the troops who fought it. He also opens up about the line he drew when ordered to move his men into an unnecessary risk, his transition to DEVGRU, the reality of Green Team versus BUD/S, the night Adam Brown was killed in Afghanistan, and the devastating loss of Extortion 17—including the brutal process of notifying the families left behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike Sarraille breaks down his path from getting kicked out of college to Force Recon to Navy SEAL to DEVGRU. He talks Delta vs DEVGRU, deploying to Ramadi with Task Unit Bruiser, and standing three feet from Michael Monsoor the day he died saving his team. Also covers DEVGRU selection and why he thinks the Iran conflict is repeating Iraq's mistakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final part of this Mike Drop conversation, Prime Hall traces his path from military transition into deep psychological healing. He details his first 5-MeO-DMT experience, a profound "hard reset" that showed him both the devastating and the redemptive paths his life could take, and how it launched an unexpected connection to Mike Tyson and Tyson Ranch. Prime opens up about the harder road that followed—relapse, medication struggles, and losing two close friends to suicide within days of each other—and how ayahuasca, integration therapy, and a structured approach to plant medicine helped him rebuild. The conversation closes on his new book, Permission to Heal, his work in the firearms tech space, fatherhood, and his personal relationship with faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Prime Hall returns for Part 2 of this Mike Drop conversation, taking listeners deep into his time as a Marine Raider deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He recounts the brutal June 14th, 2012 ambush where two of his closest teammates were shot, the insider attack that nearly killed him weeks later, and the invisible wounds—traumatic brain injury, hearing damage, and psychological toll—that followed him home. Prime also weighs in on the Charlie Kirk shooting, drawing on his own firsthand experience witnessing a similar gunshot wound in combat. The episode closes with his medical retirement, the unraveling that came with it, and the first steps toward healing through ayahuasca. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike Ritland sits down with Prime Hall — former Marine Raider, Marine Corps water survival instructor, co-founder of Deep End Fitness and Operation Resilience, founder of the Underwater Torpedo League, and recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Bronze Star, and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Prime is also the author of "Permission to Heal: Redefining Strength for Warriors, Athletes and High Performers" and features in the upcoming documentary "Air Hunger." In this episode, Prime opens up about being dropped into a Village Stability Operations post in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the insider attack that changed his life, and how 5-MeO-DMT and ayahuasca journeys became the turning point in a healing process he now shares through his book and work with veterans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final part, Mike LeBlanc explains why Ukraine has become a real-time preview of future warfare, where robots and drones now do most of the fighting and over 80% of incoming Russian drones are stopped before impact. He breaks down the political reasons Russia hasn't crushed Ukraine, the underexplored frontier of subsurface warfare exposed by Iran, and why he believes autonomy—not new weapons types—is the true turning point in combat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Part 2, Mike LeBlanc details how a chance call pulled him away from a private equity offer and into Silicon Valley, where he co-founded Cobalt Robotics before launching Foundation Future Industries. He walks through the brutal early days of building a robotics startup, a company crisis over fabricated sales contracts that forced him to overhaul the business, and the pivot into humanoid robots for the Department of War. The conversation turns to real combat testing in Ukraine, the ethical debate inside his own company over weaponizing robots, human-in-the-loop safeguards against battlefield mistakes, and why he believes America—not China—will lead the humanoid robotics race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Former Marine Corps officer, Harvard Business School graduate, and entrepreneur Mike LeBlanc spent 13 years in the Marine Corps, including back-to-back deployments advising Afghan forces, service with First Recon, a joint special operations task force in Bahrain, and a Pentagon role evaluating emerging military technology. After leaving active service, he founded Cobalt Robotics and later co-founded Foundation Future Industries. In this episode, we dig into his early days advising Afghan forces, including a green-on-blue attack just 30 days into his deployment after an Afghan soldier saw news coverage surrounding the “Innocence of Muslims” film. We then shift into his work building humanoid robots and why he believes they could eventually replace American troops in some of the battlefield’s most dangerous roles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final part of this conversation, Major John Spencer breaks down the discipline he's built his career on: urban warfare. He explains why cities are the most complex environment any military can fight in, why the U.S. lacks real expertise in fighting underground, and how history's most costly urban battles keep repeating the same avoidable mistakes. He closes by discussing what he sees as the next frontier of warfare — the world beneath our feet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Major John Spencer is a retired U.S. Army officer who served 25 years in uniform, including two combat tours in Iraq as an infantry platoon leader and later as a company commander during the Battle of Sadr City. In this part 2, he describes taking command of a company hours after it was devastated by an Iranian-backed rocket attack, and explains how he rebuilt a broken, stop-lossed unit into one of the most requested companies in his battalion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Major John Spencer is a retired U.S. Army officer with more than 25 years of service and is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on urban warfare. In this conversation, he breaks down the conflict with Iran, challenges popular predictions about escalation, and explains why war remains inherently human, political, and unpredictable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final part of this conversation, Derek Janisch talks about rebuilding his life after prison — reconnecting with his ex-wife in Hawaii, moving back to California, and starting over as a father, husband, and businessman. The conversation closes with a deep dive into faith, free will, and how his time in jail shaped a worldview built on second chances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Derek Janisch spent a decade in the SEAL Teams, deploying to Afghanistan and the Philippines, before his life came apart at home. In this part 2, he talks openly about the affair that ended his marriage, the arrests that followed, and the night on a Humboldt County cannabis farm when a dispute over money ended with him being shot in the chest. It's a raw look at what happens when a warrior's nervous system has nowhere left to go, and how one man found his way back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Derek Janisch took PKM and RPG fire in Afghanistan and walked away alive. Years later on a California cannabis farm, an argument over $3,000 put a bullet in his chest. In this episode he breaks down both nights, the firefight that should have killed him and the one that almost did, plus the recovery, the scar people mistake for a war wound, and how he ended up back in California teaching shooting at the Outfit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final part of this conversation, Nic McKinley traces his path from private personal recovery work to founding DeliverFund, and delivers a hard-hitting breakdown of the forces enabling child trafficking in America today. He names Roblox CEO David Baszucki's own words on predators and minors, connects the Epstein files to a broader pattern of political silence, and lays out the exact mechanics—burner phones, anonymity loopholes, and smartphone adoption—that turned trafficking into a scalable market. Nic closes with concrete policy proposals and a direct challenge to parents and everyday listeners on what real accountability looks like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nic McKinley returns for Part 2, picking up right after his time as a Pararescue instructor and walking through his recruitment into a specialized CIA unit. He details the grueling 30-day vetting process, the shooting standards that eliminated seasoned special operators, and the small-team tactics that shaped his work overseas. Nic recounts high-speed chases, joint operations with elite military units, and his rise to Country Team Leader in a nuclear-armed nation—before revealing the two pivotal moments that first exposed him to child trafficking and set him on the path toward founding DeliverFund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy