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Reconnaissance Man | Vietnam Before the War

James Lyle Steele

Before Vietnam became the war America remembers, James Lyle Steele was already in it. He was part of the original generation of Marine reconnaissance men, operating at the leading edge of a conflict that was still taking shape and already turning brutal. Poisoned bamboo. Booby traps. Hidden tunnels. Ambushes. Helicopter assaults. Men blown apart. The kind of war that did not care how prepared you thought you were. This episode is not a broad history of Vietnam. It is a firsthand account from a man who saw the war before most Americans even understood it had begun. Steele takes you into the uncertainty, the ingenuity of the enemy, and the constant reality that one wrong step could be your last. Created by investigative journalist Ashly McGlone in collaboration with the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation (MRF), and visually brought to life by Combat Story, Reconnaissance Man is a nine-part limited series following Steele’s extraordinary 30-year military career through Vietnam, the Cold War, and beyond.

Secret Green Beret Mission Before the Iraq War

Mark Grdovic

Before the Iraq War officially began, a different fight was already underway. U.S. Army Special Forces teams were operating in Northern Iraq, linking up with Kurdish fighters and preparing to open a second front against Saddam Hussein. They were building relationships, planning in uncertainty, and moving toward a mission that would shape the early phase of the war. In this episode, retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark Grdovic walks through that experience from the inside. From training for an unknown mission, to infiltrating Iraq, to fighting alongside Kurdish Peshmerga forces against Al-Qaeda affiliates in the mountains, this conversation captures what unconventional warfare actually looks like on the ground.

FBI SWAT Sniper: The Shot That Saved His Team | Jeremy Rebmann

Jeremy Rebmann

What does it feel like to make a decision that saves your teammates but stays with you forever? In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Jeremy Rebmann, former FBI Special Agent, SWAT Sniper, and author of "Send Me", to walk through the reality of high-risk operations inside the United States. This is a series of moments where everything is on the line. From searching for purpose and brotherhood early in life, to operating on FBI SWAT teams for over two decades, to making split-second decisions under pressure, this conversation gives a real look at what the job actually demands. “All I could think was… he’s going to kill my teammates.” What follows is instinct, training, and responsibility colliding in real time. We cover: FBI SWAT sniper operations explained Real hostage rescue and manhunt stories What happens in a split-second lethal force decision The mental and emotional impact after the mission Brotherhood, leadership, and life after service. Combat Story isn’t about headlines or highlight reels. It’s about understanding what actually happens in these moments. 🎙️ Guest Information — Jeremy Rebmann Jeremy Rebmann is a former FBI Special Agent and SWAT sniper with over 20 years of experience, including 21 years on an FBI SWAT team. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, he began his career in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations before transitioning to the FBI. He served as a SWAT operator, sniper, team leader, and instructor, working high-risk missions including hostage rescues, barricaded subjects, and manhunts. Jeremy is the author of Send Me: Chronicles of an FBI Sniper, offering a real-world look at elite law enforcement operations, team culture, and the weight of the job. 🔗 Find Jeremy Online: 📕 Book (Send Me): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D38DNXRN 🎧 Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Send-Me-Audiobook/B0D4WSM4V1 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fbi_sniper/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556807893533 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-rebmann-aa9191203 🔗 Website: https://www.fbisniper.com 🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy’s Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU 📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/ 👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758 Chapters: 00:00 FBI SWAT sniper split-second decision 01:09 Jeremy Rebmann FBI SWAT sniper introduction 02:30 What is an FBI Special Agent explained 04:44 Finding purpose and brotherhood in service 06:01 Air Force career and early leadership lessons 10:02 Transition from military to FBI career 13:07 FBI Quantico training experience explained 18:24 First FBI assignment and real case workload 22:01 FBI case overload and investigative reality 33:00 Burnout in law enforcement and leadership lessons 52:19 FBI SWAT selection and training process 56:32 First SWAT mission and real operational chaos 1:03:07 What swearing out a warrant means FBI 1:04:05 FBI response to 9/11 explained 1:15:31 FBI SWAT team culture and call signs 1:16:02 Glass Mountain sniper mission begins 1:27:45 Tracking a suspect in wilderness operation 1:42:00 FBI sniper shot that saved teammates 1:47:00 Aftermath of lethal force decision 1:53:00 FBI investigation and evidence process 2:14:15 Operation Delta Blues FBI takedown 2:31:38 Phase line yellow pre-assault preparation 2:41:10 Adapting mid-mission tactical decisions 2:48:09 How evidence solved a bombing case 3:14:03 Life after FBI and loss of brotherhood 3:18:36 Final leadership lessons and reflections If this episode gave you something to think about, drop a comment below. We read everything. Subscribe for more real stories from those who have lived it.

Marine Sniper: The Moment Incoming Artillery Changed Everything

“That’s when I realized this isn’t a children’s game. People get hurt.” In this episode of Combat Story, AJ sits down with former Marine Scout Sniper Alexander Lemons, a Bronze Star recipient who deployed during the Iraq War and later co-authored War Body: A Marine Sniper and the Hidden Violence of Modern Warfare. This conversation explores what combat really feels like for young Marines entering the war in Iraq — the chaos, the uncertainty, and the moment when the reality of war hits. But it also goes deeper, looking at the long-term consequences of modern warfare, from toxic exposure and burn pits to the physical and psychological toll that often appears years later. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Alex Lemons. In this episode we cover his path into the Marine Corps, the early Iraq experience, and the foundation of the story behind War Body. In Part 2, we dive deeper into his time as a sniper and the long fight after coming home. Note: This episode was filmed in December and plays out as a true conversation between AJ and Alex rather than a traditional interview, which gives it a more reflective tone than typical Combat Story episodes. This conversation goes far beyond typical war stories. Alex describes: • The moment incoming artillery made him realize war was real • What the Iraq invasion actually felt like on the ground • The chaos and confusion young Marines faced during the push to Baghdad • Why many veterans struggle with toxic exposure, PTSD, and long-term illness after war • The deeper responsibility veterans carry long after the fighting ends 🎙️ Guest Information — Alexander Lemons Alexander Lemons is a former U.S. Marine Scout Sniper and Bronze Star recipient who served multiple combat deployments during the Iraq War, including Nasiriyah and Fallujah. He is the co-author of War Body: A Marine Sniper and the Hidden Violence of Modern Warfare, a powerful look at the hidden physical and psychological costs of combat and what war leaves behind long after the shooting stops. 📖 War Body: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324066330 📰 Featured Article: https://www.hcn.org/issues/57-2/a-veteran-transforms-a-legacy-of-violence-into-a-campaign-for-restoration/ 🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy’s Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU 📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/ 👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758 Chapters 00:00 Incoming artillery in Iraq 02:40 Introducing Marine Sniper Alexander Lemons 07:15 Joining the Marines after 9/11 18:30 Iraq invasion and early combat experiences 32:40 Lessons from combat leadership 51:00 The hidden physical cost of war 1:20:00 The chaos of modern warfare 2:09:00 War Body and life after the Marine Corps Subscribe for more veteran stories and leadership lessons Combat Story explores the real experiences of warriors and how combat shapes leadership, resilience, and life after service.

Marine CH-53 Pilot on Iraq, Afghanistan & the Mission That Almost Ran Out of Power

A downed U.S. helicopter in Afghanistan. 45-knot crosswinds. No power margin. No second chances. On this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Isaac G Lee, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col, CH-53 heavy lift pilot with seven deployments and four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Isaac flew 140+ named combat missions, became a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), commanded a Marine helicopter squadron, and led one of the most dangerous recovery missions of the war — lifting a downed Night Stalker aircraft near the Pakistani border. We talk about: - Flying CH-53s during the Iraq invasion - Losing an engine in a hot landing zone - Brownout landings with zero visibility - What it takes to recover a downed aircraft under enemy threat - Working alongside Army Apaches and special operations units - The mental shift required to survive repeated combat deployments - Leadership when lives depend on you This isn’t just a helicopter story. It’s about responsibility, trust, and becoming the person the mission demands — and figuring out who you are afterward. Isaac also shares the leadership lessons behind his memoir Hangar 4, an unfiltered look at Marine Corps aviation, squadron culture, and the hidden cost of sustained combat operations. If you care about Marine Corps aviation, CH-53 helicopters, Iraq War combat stories, Afghanistan War missions, or leadership under pressure... this episode delivers. 🎙 Guest: Isaac G. Lee Isaac Lee is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. CH-53 pilot, Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI), and former squadron commander with seven deployments and multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the author of Hangar 4 and founder of Ready Room Consulting, where he teaches leadership drawn from two decades of Marine Corps aviation. 🔗 Connect with Isaac 🌐 Websites https://isaacglee.com https://readyroomconsulting.com 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/isaacgleewriter 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IsaacGLee 🐦 X (Twitter) https://x.com/isaacglee 🎵 Book Soundtrack Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4x13aD07eDCCwF5TaSNyfT?si=mKzXXaHZTNCtyHss-MPTvA 🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy’s Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU 📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/ 👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758 ⏱ Chapters 00:00 – CH-53 Downed Aircraft Recovery | Afghanistan Combat Mission 05:12 – Marine Corps Aviation Origin Story | From Texas to Flight School 14:08 – Marine OCS & The Basic School | Earning a Flight Contract 26:40 – Navy Flight School to CH-53 Selection | Becoming a Helicopter Pilot 41:02 – 9/11 & The Iraq War | First Marine Deployment 1:05:00 – Iraq Invasion Combat | Engine Failure in a Hot Landing Zone 1:17:30 – Brownout Landings & Combat Flying at Night | CH-53 Iraq 1:32:45 – Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) | Marine Aviation Elite Training 1:49:20 – 140+ Combat Missions | Iraq Surge & Afghanistan Operations 2:07:10 – Working with Army Apaches & Special Operations Forces 2:26:30 – Night Stalkers Helicopter Crash | Planning the Recovery Mission 2:39:50 – Zero Power Margin Lift | Recovering a Downed Helicopter 2:47:30 – 144 Named Operations | Marine Heavy Lift in Afghanistan 2:58:40 – Squadron Command | Leading a Marine Helicopter Unit 3:10:15 – Transitioning from Combat to Civilian Life 3:18:00 – Writing Hangar 4 | Leadership, Brotherhood & War

0321 Day Special Edition | Marine Recon Brotherhood, Gold Star Retreat, MRF & The “Recondo Hundo”

0321 Day is more than a date. It’s a gut-check, a brotherhood check-in, and a reminder that no Recon Marine (and no Recon family) is ever alone. In this Combat Story Special Edition, AJ Pasciuti sits down for a two-way conversation with Randall Parks (USMC, Ret.) the West Coast organizer of 0321 Day—to break down what the day means, why it’s grown into a tradition, and how the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation (MRF) directly supports Recon Marines, enablers, SARCs, and, most importantly, Gold Star families. You’ll hear the story behind the event’s partnership with Ballast Point Brewing, why the Recon community shows up so hard for each other, and how this annual fundraising push funds the Gold Star Family Retreat connected to the Recon Challenge at Camp Pendleton and a week-long retreat afterward. And yes… Randall also ropes AJ (and Sarah) into the most Recon fundraiser ever: The “Recondo Hundo”: 100 miles in 30 days (Feb 20 → Mar 21) to raise money for the MRF. Run it, walk it, bike it, swim it; get involved and bring someone with you. Support the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation: MRF website: reconfoundation.org Donate to the Recondo Hundo: support.reconfoundation.org/ajpasciuti Signup to participate in the Recondo Hundo: support.reconfoundation.org/https-support-reconfoundation-org-2026-recondo-hundo In this episode: - What “03” and “0321” mean in the Marine Corps - What the MRF (Marine Reconnaissance Foundation) does and why it matters - Gold Star vs Blue Star families and why Recon keeps them close - How 0321 Day grew from texts to a major event - The Recon Challenge and carrying a fallen brother’s name - The “Recondo Hundo” fundraiser and how to participate If you’re a Recon Marine (or served with Recon): On March 21, reach out to somebody and say: “Hey brother, I’m thinking about you.” That simple message can land heavier than you realize. West Coast Event details: 📍 Ballast Point – Little Italy (San Diego) 🕕 March 21 | 6:00 PM A night of camaraderie, community, and fundraising for the MRF mission. To attend you must RSVP: support.reconfoundation.org/https-support-reconfoundation-org-0321day-Ballast-Point Subscribe for more Combat Story: real conversations with warriors from every frontline; what combat feels like, what it takes to endure, and how it shapes life after the arena.

Inside the Classified B-52 Strike That Started Desert Storm | Operation Senior Surprise

Operation Senior Surprise

Before the first bombs hit Iraq in 1991, seven B-52s quietly lifted off from Louisiana on a mission so classified most of the crews didn’t even know it existed months earlier. On this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Trey Morris, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and former B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer, to break down Operation Senior Surprise, better known as Secret Squirrel, the 35-hour, 14,000-mile round trip strike that helped launch Operation Desert Storm. This wasn’t just another strike. It was the first combat use of GPS-guided cruise missiles, the longest combat mission in history at the time, and a test of endurance, trust, and leadership under pressure. We cover: - What it felt like to be awakened at 0300 knowing you’re about to start a war - The moment a B-52 lost an engine just minutes after takeoff - Flying radio silent across the Atlantic and through Egyptian airspace - Near mid-air collisions during night aerial refueling - Running dangerously low on fuel over the Mediterranean - Launching 35 precision cruise missiles that changed modern warfare - The brotherhood behind Doom 34—and honoring those who have “gone west” Col. Morris later captured the mission in his book Doom 34, a firsthand account of the classified strike that redefined how America projects power. This episode isn’t just about aviation or technology. It’s about solving problem after problem, earning the right to come home, and what happens when a team trains for years… and finally gets the call. If you’re interested in: B-52 bombers, Desert Storm history, military aviation, long-range strike, Air Force culture, leadership under stress, or the evolution of precision warfare—this one’s for you. 🎙️ Guest Information — Trey Morriss | DOOM 34 Trey Morriss is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and former B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer who flew one of the longest combat missions in history during the opening hours of Desert Storm. As part of Operation Senior Surprise, he helped execute a 35-hour, 14,000-mile strike that changed the future of long-range warfare. In his book DOOM 34, Trey captures the crew culture, leadership under pressure, and relentless problem-solving required to launch a war from the air...and make it home. 🔗 Find Trey Online: 📕 Book: DOOM 34 (Available globally — search “DOOM 34”) 🛒 Amazon: https://a.co/d/aR2IujP 📘 Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trey.morriss/ 📘 DOOM 34 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581295749907 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treymorriss/?hl=en 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treymorriss/ 🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy’s Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU 📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/ 👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758 Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code COMBAT at https://www.bubsnaturals.com/

From Iraq to Antarctica: What Combat Prepared Him For

In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Matt Cavanaugh, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, combat veteran, two Bronze Star recipient, strategist, endurance athlete, and living kidney donor, for a conversation about service beyond the battlefield and what it really means to choose the hard path when no one is watching. Matt is the author of Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before, a deeply personal book that traces his journey from West Point to Iraq, through grief, endurance racing, and ultimately a life-altering decision to donate a kidney to a stranger. The conversation begins with Matt’s experience in combat and leadership under pressure, but it quickly expands into something much deeper: - What service looks like after the uniform comes off - How grief, loss, and responsibility shape who we become - Why discomfort is often the clearest teacher - And how giving part of yourself, literally, can redefine purpose Matt shares the story of becoming a living kidney donor, donating to a stranger and kickstarting a donor chain that saved eight lives, including a fellow service member. Not long after surgery, he took on an extraordinary endurance challenge: 1K4D — One Kidney, Four Deserts — racing nearly 1,000 kilometers across Namibia, Georgia, Chile, and Antarctica, including temperatures reaching 131°F, self-supported, carrying everything on his back. This episode isn’t about bravado or highlight reels. It’s about, quiet decisions made, leadership measured in follow-through, the mental toll of endurance, grief, and responsibility, and how scars, physical and emotional, can become sources of strength. If you’re interested in combat leadership, post-traumatic growth, endurance mindset, service after war, or what real sacrifice looks like, this is a conversation that stays with you. 🎙️ Guest Information — Matt Cavanaugh | Best Scar Wins Matt Cavanaugh, PhD, is a West Point graduate and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel/Strategist who deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, earning two Bronze Stars and the Combat Action Badge. After the military, he became a living kidney donor who sparked an eight-life donor chain and has gone on to test his limits as an elite endurance athlete, including winning an ultramarathon across Antarctica. 🔗 Find Matt Online: 🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/mlcavanaugh 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlcavanaugh1 📖 Book — Best Scar Wins: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Best-Scar-Wins/ML-Cavanaugh/9781637747742 🌐 Book Website: https://bestscarwins.com 🔗 Personal Website: https://mlcavanaugh.com 🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story | Darkhorse AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy’s Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU 📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/ 👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758 Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at www.Babbel.com/ COMBATSTORY

10 Hours in Mosul: Outnumbered, No Air Support, Holding the Line

In this episode of Combat Story, Joe Troutman takes us inside one of the most intense and least-documented firefights of the Iraq War — a 10-hour urban fight in Mosul where Blackhawk Company, 1-23 Infantry, held ground without air support, under sustained RPG, machine-gun, and IED attacks. Joe served 18 years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a 13F Fire Support Specialist and Forward Observer, deploying multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan. From the early days after 9/11, through the birth of the Stryker Brigade, to the brutal street fighting that followed, Joe’s story captures what combat actually looks like at ground level — confusion, exhaustion, courage, and decisions made under fire. Much of this conversation centers on the events chronicled in Joe’s book, Gods of War: The Legend of Blackhawk Company 1-23 Infantry, including: - The first combat casualties in Stryker Brigade history - A catastrophic vehicle rollover on Blackhawk Company’s first patrol - The August 4, 2004 Battle of Mosul, where insurgents launched a coordinated, city-wide ambush designed specifically to destroy Stryker forces - Holding key terrain “at all costs” while outnumbered, undersupplied, and cut off - Leadership, brotherhood, and survival when everything goes sideways This episode isn’t about politics or strategy on paper — it’s about what it feels like to fight in an urban environment, to lose teammates before your first firefight, and to keep moving when fear, chaos, and responsibility collide. If you’re interested in modern warfare, infantry leadership, combat decision-making, or true war stories told by the people who lived them, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 🎙️ Guest Information — Joe Troutman | Gods of War: The Legend of Blackhawk Company 1-23 Infantry Joe Troutman, a U.S. Army combat veteran with 18 years of service and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s the author of Gods of War: The Legend of Blackhawk Company 1-23 Infantry, a firsthand account of combat and brotherhood from the streets of Mosul. 📘 Facebook (Personal): @joetroutmanauthor 📖 Facebook (Book): @Godsofwarbco123 📸 Instagram: @joetroutman_author 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joetroutmanauthor 🐦 X (Twitter): @JoeTroutman2 🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy’s Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU 📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/ 👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758

Why Laughter Matters in the Military: Michael D’Angelo and the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour

In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Michael D’Angelo — a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who turned a turbulent childhood, military service, and hard-earned life lessons into a career built on laughter and connection. Raised in a rough environment where stability was never guaranteed, Michael found in the Marine Corps something he didn’t have growing up: structure, purpose, and a way out. Serving as a Marine machine gunner, the Corps gave him direction — and later, perspective — on both pain and resilience. After leaving the military, Michael found a new mission through comedy, using humor as a tool for healing, truth-telling, and connection. He went on to found the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, bringing stand-up comedy directly to troops, veterans, and first responders across the country — meeting people where they are and reminding them they’re not alone. On this episode, we explore how the Marine Corps reshaped a young man searching for escape, how comedy became a second form of service, and why laughter might be one of the most underrated survival skills in the veteran community. While this episode doesn’t focus on combat experiences, it stays true to our core mission of uplifting veteran voices and exploring the many paths of service after the uniform comes off. And fair warning — this one is absolutely hilarious. You won’t want to miss it. 🎙️ Guest Information — Michael D’Angelo | Rapid Fire Comedy Tour Michael D’Angelo is a veteran comedian and creator behind the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, a mission-driven comedy experience supporting military morale, connection, and veteran communities through humor. 🔗 Find Michael D’Angelo Online: 🎤 Rapid Fire Comedy Tour: https://www.rapidfirecomedytour.org 📸 Instagram (Tour): @rapidfirecomedytour 🎭 Character Monologues / Skits: @skitmos 👤 Personal Instagram: @michaeltheangelo 🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy’s Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU 📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/ 👉 Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758

“A Shadow Dance”: A Marine Officer’s Story of Fallujah, War, and Understanding the Enemy

In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Elliot Ackerman—former Marine infantry officer, CIA paramilitary operations officer, journalist, and bestselling author. Elliot takes us inside some of the most intense moments of modern warfare, from the brutal urban combat of Fallujah in 2004 to special operations deployments in Afghanistan and later transitioning into the CIA. He walks us through a harrowing platoon-level fight where his unit was surrounded, badly wounded, and forced to blow their way out under fire—starting the day with 46 Marines and ending with just 21 combat effectives. But this conversation goes deeper than tactics and timelines. Elliot reflects on leadership under pressure, the mental toll of combat, and how war shapes identity long after the fighting ends. He also shares a remarkable story of sitting down years later with a former al-Qaeda in Iraq fighter—two men who once hunted each other, now trying to understand the same war from opposite sides. This is a powerful discussion about brotherhood, memory, storytelling, and why veterans become the custodians of history when wars end. If you’re interested in Marine infantry combat, Fallujah 2004, special operations, the CIA, or the deeper human meaning of war—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Elliot's Latest Projects: Huge congrats to Elliot Ackerman on his latest novel, Sheepdogs! A sharp, timely story that digs into power, loyalty, and the moral gray zones of modern conflict—and it’s already being developed for TV at Apple by Playtone and Tom Hanks. Grab a copy here 👉 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/775346/sheepdogs-by-elliot-ackerman/ Also, Big news from Elliot Ackerman and James Stavridis Their new novel 2084 drops this May—the final chapter in the 20xx series that began with 2034 (now being adapted into a film by Sony). A sharp, unsettling look at future geopolitics and a war set just around the corner. We’ll be having them on in the future to talk about the book—and the entire 20xx project. Check it out here 👉 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696978/2084-by-elliot-ackerman-and-admiral-james-stavridis/ Elliot's Socials: 📸 Instagram: elliot.ackerman 🐦 X: @elliotackerman

Special Operations Interpreter to United States Marine

In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Azad, known overseas as “Mike,” whose life represents one of the most extraordinary and unlikely journeys to come out of the post-9/11 wars. Born Kurdish in Baghdad, Azad was still a child when the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq began. His first exposure to Americans didn’t come from movies, television, or Western culture — it came from U.S. soldiers operating in his hometown, at a time when alliances were fragile and the cost of being seen as a collaborator could be fatal. Driven by curiosity, survival, and a desire to understand the forces shaping his country, Azad taught himself English one word at a time. That determination led him to become a U.S. military interpreter, where he served shoulder-to-shoulder with some of America’s most elite combat units, including the 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, Marine Special Operations, and multiple Navy SEAL teams — often in the most dangerous and remote areas of Iraq. His service earned him a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), a rare pathway granted to foreign nationals who risked their lives in support of U.S. forces. But Azad’s journey didn’t stop there. After arriving in the United States, Azad did something almost unheard of: he raised his right hand again, this time to enlist as a U.S. Marine, transitioning from interpreter to infantryman and formally joining the ranks to continue to defend the country he had already sacrificed so much for. Today, Azad continues to serve beyond the battlefield. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity at the University of San Diego, and works with the nonprofit No One Left Behind, advocating for interpreters and wartime allies who stood with U.S. forces and now seek safety, recognition, and support. This conversation explores war, loyalty, identity, immigration, service, and sacrifice, and asks a deeper question: What does it mean to belong to a nation you were willing to die for long before you were allowed to call it home? 🔗 Connect with Azad “Mike” Sleigher I/G: @azadsleigher LinkedIn: Azad Sleigher Website: To learn more about No One Left Behind visit https://www.nooneleft.org/ 🔗 Find AJ Online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ Personal Website & Book Pre-Order (“Darkhorse”): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqnKAUUOCDmJZPWrMf9NZ Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sniper-vs-sniper-battle-killing-the-enemys-most/id1537933985?i=1000633686192 Urban Valor Facebook Feature: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanValor/posts/retired-marine-chief-warrant-officer-3-aj-pasciuti-recounts-being-in-the-middle-/602000529075284/ DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758 Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code COMBAT at Bubsnaturals.com