Global Recon

GRP 149-My guest for this podcast is Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Ronald Shurer. Ron passed away due to complications from Lung Cancer on May 14th, 2020. He was 41 years old. I want to extend my condolences to his wife, Miranda, his two boys, my buddy Ryan, his teammates, and co-workers from the Secret Service. Ron deployed twice to Afghanistan as a Medic in the 3rd Special Forces Group with ODA 3336. During his second deployment, while conducting an operation in the Shok Valley, Ron and his teammate Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Matthew O. Williams were both awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their actions during combat. We discussed the Battle of Shok Valley in detail. Ron, would eventually separate from the Army and join the Secret Service, where he served for a decade. Ron was a special person. I enjoyed recording this show with him. We intended to sit down and record a second show at the studios here in Manhattan once COVID was contained. Rest in peace, brother. John Hendricks:

Joining me for this week’s podcast is a retired Marine Special Operations Task Force Commander Fred Galvin, and Army veteran, gold star wife, and current spouse to a MARSOC Raider Destiny Draher. On January 1st, 2019 Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Negron, Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Draher and Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet were assaulted by a drunk former Green Beret working as a civilian contractor in Erbil, Iraq during a night out. One of the Marines threw a punch back knocking the contractor out. The entire incident is caught on camera. The Marines took the contractor with them back to base while Eric Gilmet who is a Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman treated him. He ended up choking on his vomit and unfortunately died four days later. The commanding General of MARSOC has completely alienated these Marines and they are not getting a fair shot at justice. We discuss in full detail how the command isn’t concerned with finding out the truth and has already made up their minds about the case. Our three MARSOC Wa

Joining me for this week’s podcast is Author and Navy SEAL, Will Chesney. Chesney served for three years at SEAL Team 4 before screening and being selected to serve as a Tier 1 Operator. He has deployed multiple times as a Dog Handler and Operator until he was medically retired after getting blown up in Afghanistan. The book is the story of Will and his SEAL dog Cairo. Cairo served with Will for multiple rotations, including after getting shot by an enemy fighter wielding an AK-47. Cairo was with Will on Operation Neptune Spear. This was the Operation that killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. We discussed Will’s recovery, Navy SEAL Dogs, and his new book. Enjoy. Get your copy of No Ordinary Dog here: https://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Dog-Partner-Teams/dp/1250176956/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1588207447&sr=8-1 John Hendricks: www.globalrecon.net www.instagram.com/Igrecon www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast Music provided by Caspian: www.caspian.band

Joining me for this week’s podcast is author and veteran of the war in Syria, Ed Nash. Ed is a civilian from the United Kingdom who spent his early 20’s traveling the world. He would eventually go on to work with the Free Burma Rangers(FBR). The FBR is a volunteer organization led by a former American Special Forces Officer, which provides aid to civilians in war zones around the globe. After a few stints with the FBR as an information officer, Ed went on to join up with the Kurds in the fight against ISIS in Syria. Initially, he was to work in an information/media role. One thing led to another, and he went on to deploy into combat as a Designated Marksmen or as some of the Kurds called it the Sniper unit. We discussed his time in Syria, what it was like returning home to the U.K., and much more. Enjoy. You can check out Ed’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Sniper-Ordinary-Brit-Against/dp/B07FM4KSTP/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 John Hendricks: www.globalrecon.net www.instagram.com/Igrec

GRP 145-Defender That Shall Not be Seen My guest for this week's podcast is Tomer Israeli. Tomer is A veteran captain of the Israeli Defense Forces with over 20 years of both combat and instructional experience. He began his army career in the Sayeret Matkal - '92 Yuval which is Israel's Tier 1 counter-terrorism unit. He later served as a team member in a special recon team (Sayeret Golani - Orev '92 Dotan). As a reserve officer, Tomer led his team at a special forces recon unit deep behind enemy lines during the Second Lebanon War (2006). He went on to join the Israeli Secret Services the Shin Bet. We discussed some of the histories of Israeli Special Forces and Intelligence operations, the complexities of the issues between Israel and Palestine plus more. Tomer runs a tactical training company called Israeli Tactical. Enjoy. Check out Tomer here: https://www.israelitactical.com John Hendricks: www.globalrecon.net www.instagram.com/Igrecon www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast Music provided by Caspi

GRP 144-Wherever you go, go with all your heart: A MACV-SOG Team Leader at war Co-hosting for this podcast is retired Chief Warrant Officer and 20 year Navy SEAL veteran Ron Mahrs. Our guest is Dr. Henry Thompson. Thompson served for 21 years in the United States Army in various leadership roles. He began his career as a Green Beret joining MACV-SOG running recon operations during the Vietnam war. Dr. Thompson became the 1-0 or team leader of Recon Team Michigan, taking over the team from a good friend of mine named Mike Stahl, who was wounded on an operation. The casualty rate for SOG was over 100 percent. They are the precursor to today’s Tier 1 units. This episode is a rare treat as you get a long time Tier 1 SEAL to sit down with an experienced SOG Team leader and me. Enjoy. Henry Thompson: https://www.hpsys.com/HPS_Index.htm www.instagram.com/hps_ceo Ron Mahrs: www.theoperatorfoundation.com www.gethingroup.org www.instagram.com/theoperatorfoundation John Hendricks: www.globalrecon.net www.instagram.com/I

Joining me for this week’s podcast is former CIA counterterrorism officer Dan Gabriel. He served at the Agency for a decade until the killing of Osama Bin Laden when he decided it was time to pursue another passion of his: Film making. The film “Mosul” is entirely in Arabic. Written and directed by Gabriel, it shows the journey of a journalist from Bagdad as he documents the retaking of Mosul from ISIS. Ali Mula embeds with the Iraqi Special Forces as they fight ISIS house to house, and street by street. The film highlights charismatic leaders of different militia that have come together to fight ISIS. It’s fascinating. We discussed the film, Dan’s career, terrorism, and counter-terrorism as it relates to the middle east and Islam. Enjoy. You can follow the film’s official page here: www.instagram.com/mosul_film You can follow Dan on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/danpgabriel Follow John Hendricks https://anchor.fm/globalrecon www.Globalrecon.net https://www.instagram.com/igrecon https://www.instagra

GRP 142-The Operator Foundation: The story of Ron Mahrs A Counter-Terrorism Operator Joining me for this episode is Ron Mahrs. He served in the Navy for 27 years with over 20 as a SEAL and 15 as an operator at the counter-terrorism organization. Ron founded the Gethin Group and The Operator Foundation both providing unique services to veterans with Gethin, and gold star families with the Foundation. Mahrs, deployed into combat 14 times in a tier 1 capacity where he served at various levels of leadership. We discussed the time he spent deployed with the Army’s Special Missions unit, the importance of cross-training with allied nations tier 1 organization, leadership and selecting operators plus much more. Enjoy. Follow Ron Mahrs below: www.theoperatorfoundation.org www.gethingroup.com www.instagram.com/theoperatorfoundation www.instagram.com/gethingroup Follow John Hendricks www.Globalrecon.net https://www.instagram.com/igrecon https://www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast www.twitter.com/igrecon

GRP 141-Easy Day: A conversation with Navy SEAL Jason Higgins On for this week’s podcast is former Navy SEAL and owner of Easy Day Hemp Jason Higgins. Jason served as a SEAL for nine years before rotating into a government security job. It wasn’t until his transitioning out of combat where he started to experience difficulty. During this process, he hit personal lows and realized he needed to make a change. Using natural remedies including Yoga, Cannabis, and hemp he was able to overcome his issues. He went on to form a company with a fellow SEAL called Easy Day Hemp. Higgins is the CEO and they offer a wide variety of CBD based products including products for K-9’s as his teammate was a dog handler in the SEAL Teams. Enjoy. Follow Easy Day Hemp: www.easydayhemp.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/easydayhemp Follow John Hendricks www.Globalrecon.net https://www.instagram.com/igrecon https://www.instagram.com/globalreconpodcast www.twitter.com/igrecon https://www.facebook.com/GlobalReconPodcast/

Joining me for this week’s podcast is Hussain Abdul-Hussain. Hussain is the bureau chief for the Kuwaiti Daily and has been a journalist covering the middle east for over 20 years. His childhood was spent between Iraq and Lebanon. I first took notice of Hussain when he countered the narrative of the mainstream media in the immediate aftermath of the Soleimani killing by translating the Arabic news reports coming out of Iraq. We discussed the killing of Soleimani, the Iranian nuclear deal, the misrepresentation by the mainstream media, and many other topics. Enjoy. 0:00-Intro 4:12-The initial reaction to the killing of Soleimani 7:47-Misrepresentations by the mainstream media 22:20-The people of Iran are countering the pro-Iranian government propaganda pushed by western media by large scale protest 26:50-Soleimani was not an official in a foreign government You can follow Hussain on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/hahussain?s=20 www.Globalrecon.net https://www.instagram.com/igrecon https://www.

Joining me for this week's podcast is Andrew Coussens. Andrew is an author and has written two books. His first is "A failed State," and his second is "Relapse." Andrew served in the U.S. government security services for 21 years. He began his career working with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, where he worked his way up to an Aerial Interdiction Unit Leader. He later spent time working with the agency's BORSTAR unit, conducting search and rescue operations all along the border. The 2002 winter Olympics was the first major event held inside the U.S. post 9/11. Andrew worked security with the Department of Interiors National Helicopter Rescue units. A few later, he would be recruited to work security and counterterrorism for OGA (Other Government Agency), where he would deploy 21 times, including spending years in hostile environments where he and a small team were the only Americans in country. Upon leaving government service, Andrew worked as a consultant for The Activity Group. A company started by former

GRP 138-For this week's podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Fred Burton. Mr. Burton is one of the world's foremost authorities on security and terrorism. He oversees Stratfor's analysis of global security developments. Before joining Stratfor, Mr. Burton served as a counterterrorism agent with the U.S. State Department from 1985 to 1999. Mr. Burton was deputy chief of counterterrorism at the Diplomatic Security Service, where he was in charge of preventing and investigating attacks against diplomatic personnel and facilities. During his 14-year career, Mr. Burton was involved in many high-profile investigations, including the search for and arrest of Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind of the first World Trade Center bombing, and the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Fred is a New York Times Best Selling Author. We discussed his fourth book, Beirut Rules: The Murder of a CIA Station Chief and Hezbollah's War Against America (Penguin Random House, 2018) recounts the 1980s kidnapp

GRP 137-Deeds not Words: A discussion with a Canadian Tier 1 Sniper Joining me for this week's podcast is Jeff Depatie. Jeff served in the Canadian Army before going to selection for their Tier 1 Special Forces unit JTF2. Serving for over a decade as an Assaulter, and Sniper Jeff saw combat across the globe. During the emergence of ISIS, the JTF2 were some of the first western forces on the ground, engaging ISIS on the battlefield. We discussed the common ancestor of American and Canadian Special Operations, the "First Special Service Force," or "Devil's Brigade." The FSSF was a joint unit between the two countries, taking on some of the most dangerous missions during WW2. Canadian Snipers hold several of the world's longest kill shots ever recorded included a 3500-meter hit. We discussed the dynamics and culmination of years of cross-training with the British SAS and American Special ops that led to the skills Canadian long gunners now possess. Jeff now runs a company that puts civilians through a spec

Joining me for this week’s podcast is Nims Dai. Nims grew up in Nepal before joining the famed Gurkha's. The Gurkha Brigades recently celebrated 200 years of service in the British Army. Upon returning from a combat deployment to Afghanistan Nims, decided to go on selection for British Special Forces. Upon passing selection he would continue to serve as an operator in the SBS for another 10 years. In 2016 on pre-deployment leave Nims took out a loan from the bank and went to Nepal to climb Mount Everest. During his climb, he rescued a climber at 8,000 meters. Within 4 days of completing the climb, he was conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. Nims is an extraordinary mountaineer who is currently making history. He’s summiting the 14 mountains on earth that are over 8,000 meters in 7 months. The current record for this feat is held at 8 years. We discussed the history of the Gurkhas, his time in the military, and his record-breaking climbing which he close to completing. Enjoy. You can help support Ni

GRP 135-Wherever you go, go with all your heart: A Special Missions Operator at war - We have a very special guest on for this week’s podcast. Joining me on today's episode is retired, Sergeant Major Jamey Caldwell. SGM Caldwell began his career as an Army Ranger before he went to selection to join the Army’s Special Missions Unit. On September 11th, 2001 he was forward deployed overseas. Within the coming weeks and months, his unit would be amongst the very first Americans to enter into Afghanistan. They were tasked with killing Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden was tracked to the Tora Bora cave complex which is apart of the Spin Ghar mountain range in eastern Afghanistan. Caldwell would deploy into combat 14 times over the following 14 years in the war against terrorism. We discussed selection, leadership, mindset, and many other topics. Enjoy. You can find Jamey on all social media platforms @1minuteout www.1minuteout.com Follow Global Recon below:   www.Globalrecon.net https://www.instagram.com/igrecon htt

My guest for this week’s podcast is retired Navy SEAL, Andy Stumpf. Andy is the host of the Cleared Hot Podcast. He’s also a sponsored Base Jumper and Skydiver. We walked through his career in the Navy including his time as an Operator at SEAL Team Six. While conducting combat operations in Iraq Andy was shot at close range by a terrorist with an AK-47. Several Americans were badly wounded during this operation. We talked about his long road to recovery, becoming an officer in the SEAL Teams, leadership, and several other topics. Enjoy. This episode is sponsored by War Dragons War Dragons is a 3D, Real-Time, Strategy video game – right on your phone. For the month of July, War Dragons are partnering with Stack Up, an organization dedicated to bringing military personnel, veterans and civilian supporters together through a shared love of video gaming. War Dragons will match all donations made through the link in the game between July 4th through July 31st, up to a maximum of $10,000. Donors will also get

Joining me for this week’s podcast is former British Special Forces Operator James Glancy. James served for a number of years in the Royal Marine Commandos where he deployed into different areas around the world including Afghanistan. After a few combat deployments he went onto Special Forces selection and joined the Special Boat Service. During his operational service in Special Forces he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Since getting out of the military Glancy has hosted shows on the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. He’s a director of conservation charity, Veterans 4 Wildlife, where he focuses on the preservation of endangered species and combating the global trade in shark fins. We discussed the history of Special Forces, the role of the Royal Marine Commandos, and many other topics. Enjoy. This episode is sponsored by War Dragons War Dragons is a 3D, Real Time, Strategy video game – right on your phone. For the month of July, War Dragons is partnering with Stack Up, an organization dedica

On with me for this week’s podcast is recently retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Rutledge. Rutledge has had a unique career path having served for 30 years in the United States military. He entered the Navy as a Search and Rescue crewmen deploying around the world in that capacity. He later became a Navy SEAL where he served for 8 years. He’s always had a passion for flying. After serving in the SEAL Teams Mike went on to serve as an Aviator in the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). The “Night Stalkers” are the best helicopter pilots in the world. They were born out of the failure of Operation Eagle Claw in which Army Special Missions operators attempted to rescue American hostages in Iran. Mike is an extremely humble warrior who deployed into combat 15 times. We discussed history, the warrior mindset, women in combat arms and many other topics. This is a gem. This episode is sponsored by War Dragons War Dragons is a 3D, Real Time, Strategy video game – right on your phone. For th

This week’s podcast was recorded in July 2017 with Kurdish fighter Joanna Palani. Joanna is currently in prison in Denmark due to their laws against Danish citizens traveling to Syria to fight. Joanna’s family is from the western region of Iran. She was born in a U.N refugee camp in the desert of Ramadi, Iraq. 
 Growing up there were sections of the road her brother and his peers traversed en route to school that was littered with IED’s. During a commute to school, he was killed by a roadside bomb. Eventually, her immediate family moved to Denmark where she spent several years living before dropping out of college to go join the uprising in Syria. If you want to hear from a woman on the ground this is a must listen. 

 This episode is sponsored by War Dragons. War Dragons is a 3D, real time, strategy video game – right on your phone. For the month of July, War Dragons are partnering with Stack Up, an organization dedicated to bringing military personnel, veterans and civilian supporters together through a s

On for this episode is author and former U.S Navy SEAL Remi Adelake. Remi has a unique story growing up in Nigeria. Shortly after his father passed away his mother moved him and his brother back to the Bronx. Growing up poor and in a violent section of NYC he learned the ways of the streets at an early age. It wasn’t until years later where he was working undercover as a SEAL that he realized some of those tough lessons learned in the South Bronx helped him stay alive in combat. Since making his transition out of the Navy Remi has worked in Hollywood as an actor and has published his first novel Transformed: A Navy SEAL’s Unlikely Journey from the Throne of Africa, to the Streets of the Bronx, to Defying All Odds. We discussed many topics to include the unconventional warfare approach, how it’s been successful in combat, and how it can be applied to fixing broken communities within the United States. Enjoy 0:00-Intro to Remi’s early life in Nigeria before moving to the Bronx 28:00-Becoming a HUMINT (Human