The Debrief with Jon Becker
Jon Becker
The Debrief with Jon Becker is a no-holds-barred conversational podcast on the leadership principles that govern the world’s elite tactical units. Featuring top military and law enforcement unit commanders from some of the most high-stakes fields, this podcast examines how to form and lead a highly effective team. After four decades spent working in tandem with top law enforcement and military units, Jon has gained invaluable lessons in leadership, teamwork, communication, and training. Now, he is sharing these lessons through conversations with some of these amazing team leaders. The goal of the show is to make us all better leaders, thinkers, and people. In each episode, The Debrief shares lessons in decision-making, training, personnel selection, and perseverance that apply to people from all walks of life. Our host Jon Becker, is an expert in tactical equipment; working with some of the world’s top-performing teams. The Debrief is Jon’s payback to the community, units, and leaders who trained him and helped make AARDVARK a success. With this show, Jon invites listeners to benefit from the same insights and stories that have shaped his career and how he views leadership. Learn more at thedebrief.live
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 18, 2026 • 1h 23min
Hostage Rescue with IED Threat
Greg Roy, a Maine State Police lieutenant and former SWAT commander, shares his tactical leadership in a 19‑hour hostage rescue with bomb threats. He discusses rapid multi‑agency coordination. He describes negotiator and bomb‑tech integration, sniper and entry dilemmas, and how command and rest cycles were managed during a sprawling, unpredictable crisis.
Mar 18, 2026 • 14min
DME-11 - HR with IEDs
DME-11 - HR with IEDs
Feb 25, 2026 • 1h 33min
K9/SWAT Integration with LASD-SEB
Canine integration into SWAT operations has evolved significantly, with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau leading the charge since the 1990s. In this episode, Jon sits down with John Montenegro and Steve Williams from LASD-SEB to examine their pioneering approach to K9/SWAT integration, where canines and operators function as a single team with complementary capabilities. Montenegro and Williams share tactical insights from decades of experience, debrief actual cases demonstrating effective canine deployment, and discuss lessons learned in building successful integration programs. Essential listening for tactical teams considering or refining their K9 integration strategies.
Feb 11, 2026 • 1h 23min
Taking Down a Serial Killer
Angelo Tavelli, SWAT team leader with years in patrol and specialty units, and Josh Brazzi, operations lieutenant and longtime SWAT commander, recount a high-risk nighttime mountain arrest that turned into a rescue. They talk tactics in rugged terrain. They describe communications failures, covert reconnaissance with night vision, the pursuit through thick brush, and lessons on medical readiness and equipment upgrades.
Feb 11, 2026 • 19min
DME010 - Arrest Warrant for Murder Suspect on Mountain Compound
A high-risk warrant served at a remote mountain compound raises questions about limited communications and covert versus overt tactics. Recon reports screaming and metal striking, forcing split-second decisions on timing and pursuit. The scenario spotlights planning for medical response, comms contingencies, and prioritizing life-saving actions under intense uncertainty.
5 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 33min
Legacy Revisited - James Kerr
Jon Becker sits down with author James Kerr to revisit his groundbreaking book "Legacy" and explore what makes the All Blacks the most successful sports team in history. With a win ratio approaching 80% over 125 years, this New Zealand rugby powerhouse offers invaluable lessons on building elite culture and sustained excellence.Kerr breaks down the actionable principles that create championship-level performance, from "sweep the sheds" to "no dickheads" policies. For tactical professionals, these aren't abstract concepts—they're direct translations from one warrior culture to another, providing practical frameworks for leadership and team building in high-stakes environments.
Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 52min
LAPD D-Platoon's Approach to Hostage Rescue
Jonathan Pultz, a 27-year LAPD veteran and D-Platoon element leader, shares his extensive experience in hostage rescue operations. He discusses the high operational tempo of D-Platoon, detailing how training under pressure sharpens skills and tactics. Pultz emphasizes the importance of crisis negotiation, containment strategies, and clear communication during critical situations. He recounts real-life operations, dissecting decision-making processes and lessons learned from challenges faced, including unique tactics used in recent rescues.
Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 54min
Improving Tactical Performance with Science
Guest: Dr. Nathalie PattynIn this episode, Jon sits down with Dr. Nathalie Pattyn, whose unique background spans medicine, psychology, research, and military operations. Dr. Pattyn discusses her unconventional career path from aspiring astronaut to emergency physician to tactical performance researcher, including her work in extreme environments like Antarctica and space research.The conversation explores how scientific principles can improve tactical performance for law enforcement teams. Dr. Pattyn shares practical insights on decision-making under pressure, stress management, and optimizing human performance in high-stakes situations—essential knowledge for SWAT teams and tactical operators seeking evidence-based approaches to enhance their operational effectiveness.
26 snips
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 41min
Beyond the Loop: Why Everything You Know About OODA May Be Wrong
Mark McGrath, a strategist and former Marine Corps officer, dives deep into John Boyd's OODA loop, challenging the conventional understanding. He emphasizes that the key to success lies in 'orientation'—a dynamic process of updating mental models through destruction and creation. The discussion touches on adaptive decision-making amid uncertainty, the role of cultural perspectives in situational awareness, and the importance of training that fosters innovation rather than rigid conformity. McGrath advocates for strategies that prioritize quality of orientation over mere speed.
30 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 27min
Barricade Erupts into Urgent HRT When Freed Victim Returns to Hostage Taker
Joel Anderson, Tactical Commander for the Washington State Patrol SWAT Team, and Bob Shaw, Patrol Sergeant with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department SWAT Team, dive into a gripping hostage situation that escalated from a homicide standoff. They discuss the tactical maneuvers needed to manage a domestic violence victim's return and the ensuing chaos. Key topics include the critical need for immediate action drills, the complexities of team coordination, and the profound lessons learned about rapid response in unpredictable scenarios.
