Ryan Fugit - The Story Behind Combat Story
About This Episode
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Fugit — former Army attack helicopter pilot, CIA Directorate of Operations officer, and host of Combat Story and Restricted Handling — for an inside look at a life spent on the front lines of America’s wars and intelligence operations.
Ryan shares raw and insightful stories from his time flying AH-64 Apache helicopters in Afghanistan and from his years conducting global operations with the CIA’s Directorate of Operations. From the intensity of combat to the complexity of modern intelligence work, Ryan reflects on the lessons, challenges, and defining moments that shaped his approach to leadership, resilience, and purpose.
We also discuss his transition from public service to leading trust and safety investigations in Silicon Valley, and how his experiences inform his mission to protect people from harm in the digital age. Ryan has now created the Restricted Handling podcast featuring daily, curated insights and news on Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East and more with weekly deep dives with Ryan and former CIA legends about what's going on in the world of geopolitics, international security, and military and intelligence operations. Subscribe for FREE daily insights at www.restrictedhandling.com.
About Ryan Fugit: Ryan is the creator and host of Combat Story, a podcast that captures the firsthand accounts of combat veterans, and Restricted Handling, which explores authoritarian activity and international security through conversations with world-class experts. Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com
Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.
Chapters:
Chapters
- 0:00Intro
- 01:53Introduction
- 08:12The Impact of 9/11
- 17:04Choosing the Aviation Path
- 26:37The Competitive World of Aviation
- 30:02Imposter Syndrome and Military Service
- 37:05Pop Culture Influences
- 44:22First Unit Assignment
- 44:56Early Days in the Cavalry Unit
- 46:09The Battle of March 23, 2003
- 48:00Life in Germany and the Desire to Deploy
- 50:01First Deployment to Afghanistan
- 54:25Challenges of Command and Crew Rest
- 59:00Navigating Leadership and Combat Decisions
- 01:23:26Reflecting on a Tragic Incident
- 01:24:40Sponsor Message: Protect Your Privacy with Delete Me
- 01:26:07Making Tough Decisions in the Military
- 01:28:44Transitioning to Civilian Life and the CIA
- 01:34:38Starting a Podcast: Inspiration and Challenges
- 01:52:13Highs, Lows, and Laughs of Podcasting
- 02:03:01Future Plans and New Ventures
