SOFcast

What happens to the operator when he becomes badly injured while deep in the jungle of a foreign country? Join retired Air Force Colonel John Alvarez with Senior Enlisted Leader CMSgt Greg Smith and Green Beret SGM Matt Parrish as they discuss the formation of “Special Forces with wings,” counter-narcotics missions in the 1990s, and John’s experience surviving a catastrophic helicopter crash in a piranha-infested Ecuadorian river. John describes his challenging journey back to the cockpit after becoming the first amputee to return to full combat flying status. He credits his family, teammates and generous civilian benefactors for his successful return to the Special Operations community. Today, he is a strong advocate for USSOCOM’s Warrior Care Program chartered with advocacy for the command’s wounded, ill, or injured service members and their families. We know you’ll enjoy hearing this compelling conversation about resiliency and the support network within the Special Operations community.

Do we need to fail forward as part of innovation? Is AFSOC the air arm of SOCOM or the SOF arm of the Air Force? Join SOFWERX director and retired MC-130 pilot Air Force Col. Leslie Babich with Senior Enlisted Leader CMSgt Greg Smith and Green Beret SGM Matt Parrish as they discuss SOFWERX’s mission of being a bridge for bringing industry-leading innovation to the warfighter.Leslie explains the three pillars of SOFWERX's teamwork strategy; discovering new technology, engage and create solutions between industry and the warfighter, and accelerate the delivery of the technology to the operator. Additionally, she discusses transition strategies from military to civilian life. We know you’ll enjoy hearing this conversation about bringing cutting edge technology to the special operator.

Do you keep your best performers closest to you or do send them the farthest away? The COVID environment has forced us into a remote, advise and assist paradigm, but is it effective? Join CMSgt Jared “Peaches” Pietras as he explains how good leaders must have a “heart to give back.” The career combat controller discusses training as always evolving and the importance of putting out current, factual training information to potential to special operations candidates.Additionally, SOCOM Command Chief Greg Smith, Green Beret SGM Matt Parrish and Pietras take shots from the field. They discuss work/life balance in the COVID environment, what makes a good officer in SOF, whether to let your best performers leave and is the SOF culture becoming risk adverse? We know you’ll enjoy hearing this conversation about these issues facing SOF.

What does it feel like when you are in a room and no one looks like you? Is the leader-follower relationship in an organization the singular most significant relationship to developing the organization’s culture? Join Green Beret COL Michael McLendon as he discusses the importance of mentorship both as a mentee and a mentor. McLendon emphasizes a diverse force will motivate the best and brightest from across the country to take the challenge and succeed in joining SOF.The 25-year Army veteran talks about the need for establishing partnerships at home and abroad synchronizing readiness in the battlespace. He stresses being a positive ambassador for SOF is essential developing these relationships. We know you’ll enjoy hearing his perspectives on leadership, diversity and strengthening partnerships.

Do tactical actions have strategic implications? Indeed, they do. Join SOF legend Rick Lamb talking about his experiences preparing for the Iranian hostage rescue mission, participation in the firefight in the Korean demilitarized zone, the Panamanian invasion, being wounded in Somalia during the Blackhawk down rescue and finally being a warrior diplomat in Haiti. The former Army Command Sergeant Major also opens up about how multiple deployments affected his personal life.The former Ranger and Green Beret is a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame, USSOCOM’s Commando Hall of Honor and the 2015 Bull Simons recipient for lifetime achievements in special operations. We know you’ll enjoy hearing his historical perspectives on the special operations community and as he delivers his “Soldiers Promise.”

Do we do enough to understand differing perspectives? Join Master Gunnery Sgt. Jay Root, a former Force Recon Marine who helped stand up Marine Forces Special Operations Command, explore leadership topics and competing perspectives. The MARSOC plank holder discusses the challenges navigating friction points, the importance of interoperability with International Special Operations Forces, and the battlefield injuries leading to his Purple Heart. We know you’ll enjoy hearing from one of the establishing members of MARSOC.

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing in the weeks following 9/11?  In October of 2001, Will Markham, one of the first Americans deployed into combat for the Global War on Terrorism, touched down in Afghanistan attached to a small Special Forces team. Listen to his first-hand account of how a joint team of adaptive special operators battled the Taliban.   CMSgt (Ret) Will Markham served an incredible career as an Air Force Combat Controller and Senior Enlisted Leader, but he also continues to serve the community post-retirement.  He discusses what brought him to military service, then to special operations, and what motivates him to continue to serve others daily.  We know you’ll enjoy hearing his lessons learned, leadership ethos, and thoughts on mentorship and growth throughout this episode. Thanks for listening and please like, subscribe, and review! Let us know in the comments who you’d like to hear from in future episodes! _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SOFcast is the U.S. Special Operations Command official podcast where we harness the power of storytelling to connect you directly to thought-provoking and unique perspectives from our force. Listen to members of America's elite special operations forces gather to discuss current issues. We believe that leadership is critically important at all levels, throughout every element of SOF and that leadership can be honed through hearing and understanding the trials and triumphs of others. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ #specialoperations #specialforces #military #sof #army #navy #marines #airforce #navyseal #sealteam #frogman #greenberet #ranger #marsoc #operator #tactical #theonlyeasydaywasyesterday #podcast

Special Operations Forces Truth #5: Most special operations require non-SOF supportHow does a female Naval flight officer describe her time working with Naval Special Warfare units? “I felt like as soon as I went into Naval Special Warfare ‘Do you perform? Do you put in the effort? Do you care?’ and if you have the tenacity and grit to make it happen people will respect that and so I knew I had to earn my place... The door might be closed for certain things, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t open it.” Our guest shares her experiences with NSW as special operations forces enabler and how the SOF community encompasses the support personnel that are behind the scenes. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SOFcast is the U.S. Special Operations Command official podcast where we harness the power of storytelling to connect you directly to thought-provoking and unique perspectives from our force. Listen to members of America's elite special operations forces gather to discuss current issues. We believe that leadership is critically important at all levels, throughout every element of SOF and that leadership can be honed through hearing and understanding the trials and triumphs of others. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ #specialoperations #specialforces #military #sof #army #navy #marines #airforce #navyseal #sealteam #frogman #greenberet #ranger #marsoc #operator #tactical #theonlyeasydaywasyesterday #podcast

Would you give up a day of skydiving to be a guest on our podcast? Major Frank Anello, Marine Forces Special Operations Raider did just that for this episode. “I was 100% sure either the bad guys were going to come back up the mountain and we were going to have a bad firefight or we were going to die of exposure. I was very sure we were in a bad place.” Challenges aren’t just downrange. They can be with a leader you don't agree with or dealing with mental health issues. Hear how these special operators dealt with the mountain top battles and the battles that are on the inside. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SOFcast is the U.S. Special Operations Command official podcast where we harness the power of storytelling to connect you directly to thought-provoking and unique perspectives from our force. Listen to members of America's elite special operations forces gather to discuss current issues. We believe that leadership is critically important at all levels, throughout every element of SOF and that leadership can be honed through hearing and understanding the trials and triumphs of others. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ #specialoperations #specialforces #military #sof #army #navy #marines #airforce #navyseal #sealteam #frogman #greenberet #ranger #marsoc #operator #tactical #theonlyeasydaywasyesterday #podcast

Shots from the field: Three special operations forces leaders take questions from SOF members from different units. Some of the topics we dive into include toxic leadership, how to navigate the grey, alcohol use within the SOF community and more in this episode of SOFcast. Join Command Chief Greg Smith, Sergeant Major Matt Parrish, and Sergeant Major Nate Griffin as they talk about how senior enlisted tactical decisions have a strategic impact on the ability to gain and maintain access and placement in the new and future operational environment. Do hands in your pockets really affect our ability to lead? Listen to find out... _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SOFcast is the U.S. Special Operations Command official podcast where we harness the power of storytelling to connect you directly to thought-provoking and unique perspectives from our force. Listen to members of America's elite special operations forces gather to discuss current issues. We believe that leadership is critically important at all levels, throughout every element of SOF and that leadership can be honed through hearing and understanding the trials and triumphs of others. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ #specialoperations #specialforces #military #sof #army #navy #marines #airforce #navyseal #sealteam #frogman #greenberet #ranger #marsoc #operator #tactical #theonlyeasydaywasyesterday #podcast