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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. What they built in those early months would shape the opening phase of the war. In this episode, AJ Pasciuti sits down with retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark Grdovic, a Green Beret who led missions alongside Kurdish Peshmerga forces against Al-Qaeda affiliates in the mountains. This conversation follows the full path, from early training and deployments, to the moment everything changed after 9/11, to the long preparation for a mission that had no clear timeline and no guaranteed support. Mark shares what it looked like to plan in uncertainty, build trust with partner forces, and lead small teams in high-risk environments where decisions carried immediate consequences. You'll hear how Special Forces teams executed a 570-mile infiltration into Iraq, fought in complex terrain, and helped create the conditions for the northern front to succeed. He also reflects on leadership, responsibility, and the realities of unconventional warfare that rarely make it into the broader narrative. This is a story about more than combat. It's about trust, preparation, and what it takes to operate in the space between intent and execution. If you're interested in Special Forces, the Iraq War, unconventional warfare, or leadership under pressure, this episode gives you a grounded, firsthand perspective.   🎙️ Guest - Mark Grdovic  Mark Grdovic is a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret who worked alongside Kurdish fighters in the early days leading into the Iraq War. His story offers a rare look at unconventional warfare, partnership on the ground, and the human side of conflict before the world was watching. 🔗 Find Mark Online: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-grdovic-pmp-5668b357 📕 Book (Those Who Faced Death): https://thosewhofacedeath.com   🎙️ Host  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/  

What does it feel like to make a decision that saves your teammates… but stays with you forever? In this episode of Combat Story, AJ sits down with Jeremy Rebmann, former FBI Special Agent, SWAT sniper, and author of Send Me, for a raw conversation about what really happens inside high-risk operations. Jeremy spent over two decades in the FBI, including 21 years on SWAT, operating in some of the most dangerous environments in domestic law enforcement. From hostage rescues to manhunts to split-second lethal force decisions, he lived the responsibility of being the one others rely on when things go wrong. This conversation goes beyond the action. It gets into the moments behind it. From tracking a suspect through rugged terrain… to the instant a rifle comes up and there's no time left to think… to the weight that follows after the mission is over. This is an honest look at the reality of the job. We cover: What FBI SWAT operations actually look like The mindset of a sniper making life-or-death decisions How training takes over when there's no time to think The emotional and psychological impact after a shooting Brotherhood, identity, and what happens when the job ends Jeremy also shares insights into the investigative side of the FBI, where the mission is not just to win the fight, but to find the truth and bring justice the right way. This is a conversation about responsibility, restraint, and the cost of doing the job well. If you've ever wondered what it's really like behind the scenes of elite law enforcement, this episode gives you a perspective few ever hear. 🎙️ 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. He served as an operator, sniper, team leader, and instructor, working high-risk missions across the United States. He is the author of Send Me: Chronicles of an FBI Sniper, where he shares an unfiltered look at the realities of the job, team culture, and life after service. 🔗 Find Jeremy Online: 📕 Send Me (Book): 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 

Former U.S. Marine Scout Sniper Alexander Lemons joins AJ to talk about Iraq, the confusion and chaos of the initial invasion, and the hidden damage war leaves behind. A Bronze Star recipient and co-author of War Body: A Marine Sniper and the Hidden Violence of Modern Warfare, Alex brings a raw, thoughtful perspective to combat, leadership, toxic exposure, and life after service. In this episode of Combat Story, AJ and Alex unpack Alex's path into the Marines, what it felt like to enter war as a young infantryman, and how those early experiences shaped the questions that would later become War Body. This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation, focused on his early life, Iraq, and the foundation of his story. Part 2 goes deeper into his path as a sniper, the long-tail health fight, and what veterans, leaders, and civilians should understand about the unseen costs of modern war. A note for listeners: this episode was filmed in December 2025 and has a slightly different feel than the usual Combat Story format. It plays more like a true conversation between AJ and Alex than a traditional interview, which gives it a more personal and reflective tone.   🎙️ 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

A downed U.S. helicopter in Afghanistan. Forty-five knot crosswinds. No power margin. In this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Isaac G. Lee, a retired U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 heavy lift pilot with seven deployments and multiple combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Isaac flew more than 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 with almost no margin for error. We talk about: Flying CH-53s during the Iraq invasion Losing an engine in a hot landing zone Brownout landings with zero visibility Working alongside Army Apaches and special operations units The surge years and nonstop named operations The mental shift required to survive repeated combat deployments The cost of leadership on families at home This conversation goes beyond tactics. It explores responsibility, identity, the "robot mode" many combat leaders adopt, and what happens when you finally step away from the machine. Isaac shares the deeper story behind his memoir Hangar 4, a candid look at Marine Corps aviation, brotherhood inside Hangar 4, and the transition from warfighter to civilian leader. If you care about Marine Corps aviation, CH-53 helicopters, Iraq and Afghanistan combat stories, 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  

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.

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 hadn't known it existed months earlier. In 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—nicknamed Secret Squirrel—the 35-hour, 14,000-mile strike that helped launch Operation Desert Storm. This wasn't just another bombing mission. It was the first combat use of GPS-guided cruise missiles, the longest combat sortie in history at the time, and a zero-fail test of endurance and leadership. Minutes after takeoff, Morris' aircraft lost an engine. They nearly collided during night aerial refueling. On the return leg, they ran dangerously low on fuel over the Mediterranean. What followed was problem-solving under pressure, trust inside the cockpit, and a culture that demanded accountability when it mattered most. Morris later captured the full story in his book Doom 34, but this conversation goes beyond aviation. It's about earning the right to come home—and honoring those who have "gone west." If you're interested in B-52 bombers, Desert Storm history, military aviation, long-range strike, or leadership under stress, this episode is for you.   🎙️ Guest Information — Trey Morriss | DOOM 34 | Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel | Former B-52 Electronic Warfare Officer 🔗 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/ Ready to stop paying more than you have to? New customers can make the switch today and for a limited time, get unlimited premium wireless for just $15 per month. Switch now at www.MINTMOBILE.com/combatstory  

In this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Matt Cavanaugh, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, combat veteran, strategist, endurance athlete, and living kidney donor, for a conversation about what service really looks like when nobody's watching. Matt is the author of Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before, and his story goes far beyond combat. We start with his experiences in Iraq and the weight of leadership under pressure, then move into the harder-to-talk-about parts of life after war: grief, identity, responsibility, and the quiet choices that shape who we become. Matt shares why he decided to become a non-directed living kidney donor, donating to a stranger and helping spark a chain that saved eight lives, including a fellow service member. Not long after surgery, he took on an endurance challenge called 1K4D (One Kidney, Four Deserts) — nearly 1,000 kilometers of self-supported racing across Namibia, Georgia, Chile, and Antarctica, including moments where the heat hit 131°F and the margin for error disappeared. This episode isn't about highlight reels. It's about follow-through. It's about choosing discomfort for the sake of others, and what it takes to keep going when the "why" has to be bigger than you. If you're interested in combat leadership, post-traumatic growth, endurance mindset, or service beyond the battlefield, this conversation will stick 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      Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at www.Babbel.com/COMBATSTORY  

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  

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/ 👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758  

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 effective. 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.

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?     To learn more about No One Left Behind visit https://www.nooneleft.org/    Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals.  For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code COMBAT at Bubsnaturals.com

The Second Battle of Fallujah — also known as Operation Phantom Fury — was one of the most intense urban combat engagements fought by U.S. forces since Vietnam. In this gripping documentary, real Marines, soldiers, and corpsmen recount the chaos, courage, and sacrifice that defined Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004. This is not a scripted Hollywood war story. These are the firsthand voices of men who fought house to house, clearing buildings block by block in what became a defining moment of the Iraq War. Through raw interviews and authentic battlefield audio, this film captures the human side of modern warfare — the camaraderie, the fear, the humor, and the heartbreak that only those who lived it can truly describe. At its core, Battle of Fallujah II is a story of brotherhood under fire. The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (India Company) and their brothers from 1/8 and other units share what it was like to face an enemy that called Fallujah home — an insurgent stronghold fortified by foreign fighters, Al-Qaeda extremists, and jihadists determined to die there. From the first breach through the city's northern berm to the final house cleared along the Euphrates River, the battle tested every ounce of discipline, endurance, and faith these men had. You'll hear the personal accounts of hospital corpsmen risking everything to save wounded Marines, snipers like Tony Scardino and Chris Kyle trading shots in the same building, and infantrymen recounting split-second decisions that meant life or death. The film also revisits the leadership and sacrifice of officers and NCOs who never came home — men like Maj. Sean Sims, Capt. Ed Iwan, and Sgt. Maj. Cavaiani, whose courage inspired those still fighting. Each memory in this documentary is seared with authenticity: The claustrophobic streets filled with traps and ambushes. The roar of tanks and AAVs breaching into the city. The eerie quiet before dawn as Marines wrote what they called "death letters" to their families. The moment when a platoon found itself isolated and surrounded, fighting for survival until air support could reach them. Battle of Fallujah II goes beyond tactics and timelines. It's about what happens after — how these veterans carried the memories of their fallen brothers, how they grappled with loss, and how they continue to honor those who never made it home. This film also examines the broader historical context: the political timing after the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the symbolism of reclaiming Fallujah from Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and the strategic shift toward large-scale urban warfare. For many who served, Fallujah became their generation's Normandy — a defining battle that shaped the course of their lives and the legacy of the Marine Corps. Throughout the documentary, voices like Elliot Ackerman, Travis Greenwood, and Justin Oliver bring depth to the narrative — reflecting on leadership, moral complexity, and what it means to serve in a fight where the lines between survival and sacrifice blur. The film does not glorify war. It reveals it. From the grit of medevac missions and sniper overwatch to the quiet moments of remembrance years later, this is the raw, unfiltered story of those who stood shoulder to shoulder in one of the fiercest battles of the modern era. 🎖️ Featuring: Elliot Ackerman | Travis Greenwood | Tony Scardino | Scott Prill | Justin Oliver | Chris Kyle | Doc Pell | and the Marines of 3/5 India Company 📅 Timeline: November 2004 – Operation Phantom Fury 📍 Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq 💬 Themes: Urban warfare and military brotherhood Sacrifice and survival in modern combat PTSD, resilience, and life after war Firsthand veteran testimony and oral history The human cost of the Iraq War Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to joindeleteme.com/ COMBAT and use promo code COMBAT at checkout.  Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Preparing for Battle 03:00 – The Enemy's Stronghold 05:00 – The Invasion Plan and Forces Assembled 07:00 – Into the City: Breaching the Berm 09:00 – Snipers and Scouts: Eyes of the Battle 12:00 – Letters Before Combat: Facing Mortality 13:00 – The First Casualties 15:00 – Chaos and Courage in the Streets 17:00 – Mechanized Assault on the Government Center 20:00 – Snipers and SEALs: Chris Kyle's Overwatch 23:00 – Corpsmen in the Crossfire 27:00 – House-to-House Combat 30:00 – The Cost of Brotherhood 36:00 – "Be Advised, There's a War On" 41:00 – Holding the Line 45:00 – Breaking Through: The Candy Store Stronghold 50:00 – Urban Hell: Five Hours, 400 Meters 55:00 – Acts of Valor and Survival 1:00:00 – The Medal of Honor Fight 1:05:00 – Aftermath: A City in Ruins 1:10:00 – Reflections and Legacy 1:15:00 – The Human Cost of War 1:18:00 – Why We Fought 1:20:00 – Closing Thoughts: Remembering the Warriors   #BattleOfFallujah #Fallujah2004 #IraqWar #USMarines  

This is an invite to watch the Premiere of a Combat Story special episode titled Dauntless Courage focused entirely on combat stories taking place during the Battle of Fallujah II. To join the premiere later today, go to YouTube at https://youtu.be/iO0-BJXWWJE and click notify me. The Premiere starts on Nov 8 at 8pm EST / 5pm PST. Ryan and AJ will be in the chat watching the video live with everyone, including other Marines who fought in Fallujah!

In this incredible episode, Mark Wales, a former Australian SAS officer, opens up about his military journey. From his initial days in the Australian infantry to transitioning into the elite Special Forces, Mark reflects on his most pivotal experiences, including dangerous combat missions and the mental and physical toll of war. He shares intimate details about his service, his motivation to join Special Forces, and the challenges of losing friends in combat. Mark's story isn't just about the highs of military life; it's also about the realities, the struggles with PTSD, and the transition back to civilian life. He talks about what it means to have the courage to face adversity, the bonds formed between soldiers, and how he now uses his experiences to inspire others as a corporate speaker. A must-watch for anyone interested in the warrior spirit, leadership, resilience, and the human side of combat.   🎙️ 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. 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.   Find AJ Online: 📸 Instagram: /ajpasciuti 📘 LinkedIn: /angelo-pasciuti 👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn 👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast  👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature:   / 602000529075284  👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders   Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Ryan's Linktree 🔗 Merch: Bonfire Store 🛒 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory 📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial Link 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle   Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction to Mark Wales 00:57 Joining the Special Forces 01:42 Life After the Military 05:30 Combat Experiences and Near Misses 09:35 Dealing with Loss and Grief 16:42 Mental Health and PTSD 19:43 Reflections and Traditions 23:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

Sponsored by Veterans Help Group — supporting veterans navigating VA benefits. In this incredible, unconventional story, Nate reveals how he discovered his life's purpose by taking a radical leap of faith. In 2004, feeling adrift and disturbed by the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan, Nate knew he had to do something. Rejected by countless NGOs due to his lack of a college degree and "special skills," he refused to accept "no" for an answer. With nothing but determination and a bold elevator pitch, he bought a plane ticket to Chad and found a way onto a UN flight to the refugee camps. Despite being interrogated by local authorities, Nate's perseverance paid off, and he was put to work—an experience that transformed his life in ways he never imagined. This powerful, two-month journey ignited Nate's passion for service and ultimately led him to enlist in the U.S. military. A must-listen story about the warrior spirit, rising to the occasion in a time of crisis, and choosing action over complacency.   🎙️ 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.     Find AJ Online: 📸Instagram:   / ajpasciuti 📘 LinkedIn:   / 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/4aqn 👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast 👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature:   / 602000529075284 👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders Find Ryan Online: 🎙️ Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory 🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats 🛒 Email [email protected] 📸 Instagram @combatstory   / combatstory 📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com 📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial ✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle 📘 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Nate's Journey to Darfur 02:10 Challenges and Experiences in Darfur 04:30 Joining the Military: From Darfur to the Army 14:49 Family Reactions and Early Military Days 29:25 Special Forces Training and Deployment 35:04 Reflecting on Physical Fitness and Aging 36:26 Deployment to Iraq: A Journey Through History 38:19 Experiences and Challenges in Iraq 40:36 The Complexities of War and Foreign Policy 46:34 First Missions and Initial Encounters 57:49 Training and Selection of Iraqi Soldiers 01:03:41 Balancing Military Service and College Football 01:06:47 Internships Abroad and Early Deployments 01:07:01 Experiences in Afghanistan 01:07:17 Combat Encounters and Reflections 01:09:36 Returning Home and Transitioning to Football 01:10:10 Balancing Military and Football 01:11:02 Challenges of Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 01:23:19 Veterans Help Group and Support Systems 01:28:09 Merging Vets and Players (MVP) Initiative 01:33:05 Personal Reflections and Future Plans