GRP 185-De Oppresso Liber: My Conversation with Special Forces Officer Francis Racioppi

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify(Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

Francis Racioppi, the host of the Jedburgh podcast, is joining me for this week's episode. Francis, a former Green Beret and infantry officer, served multiple tours to Iraq and Africa. Through discussing the complexities of the conflict in Iraq and leading men on the battlefield, Francis gives excellent insight into the bigger picture.

He spent time in Africa looking at different forces and assessing what groups could be turned into special operations units to combat radical terrorism on the continent—founder of FRsix, where he advises businesses and leaders seeking to improve themselves, their teams, and organizations.

Main Takeaways

• The Jedburghs 

• Infantry 

• Complexities of the Iraq War

• Army Special Forces

• Africa

• Leadership

Check out Francis's company and podcast:

https://frsix.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jedburgh-podcast/id1558608802

This episode is sponsored by 4 Patriots, a survival food company. You can visit ⁠⁠www.4patriots.com⁠⁠ and use the code RECON for 10% off your first purchase. 

Connect With John Hendricks

⁠⁠www.globalrecon.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.instagram.com/igrecon ⁠⁠

Music provided by Caspian:

⁠⁠www.caspian.band

GRP 184- Always Faithful Always Forward: The Story of Marine Raider Nick Jones

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify(Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

We hear the story of Nick Jones, a retired Marine Raider and recipient of the Navy Cross, for his bravery. Jones shares his experience serving in Afghanistan in the infantry and later in Iraq as part of the Marine Special Operations, where he engaged in direct combat against ISIS. He also discusses the toll that special operations can take on family life and the importance of supporting veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. Jones's story is both inspiring and eye-opening, providing listeners with a glimpse into the dedication and sacrifice required of those who serve in the military.

Main Takeaways

• Joining the Marine Corps

• Marine Expeditionary Unit

• Scout Sniper Platoon

• Afghanistan 

• Iraq 

• ISIS

• Navy Cross 

Visit Nick Jones foundations website:

http://www.talonsreachfoundation.org

This episode is sponsored by 4 Patriots, a survival food company. You can visit ⁠⁠www.4patriots.com⁠⁠ and use the code RECON for 10% off your first purchase. 

Connect With John Hendricks

⁠⁠www.globalrecon.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.instagram.com/igrecon ⁠⁠

Music provided by Caspian:

⁠⁠www.caspian.band

GRP 175-Inside the War Against ISIS: A Soldiers Journey From The Italian Military To A Kurdish Special Unit

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available.

GRP 175-Inside the War Against ISIS: A Soldiers Journey From The Italian Military To A Kurdish Special Unit

We hear from Alex Pineschi, a veteran of the Italian Mountain Troop who served a Kurdish Special Unit and spent five years fighting ISIS in Iraq. Pineschi worked counter-piracy operations in Africa as a security contractor before traveling to Iraq to help train troops in their fight against ISIS. He would eventually join a newly formed Special Operations unit and participate in several major battles, including the first phase to retake Mosul. This podcast provides a unique and insightful perspective on the ongoing fight against terrorism as an ideology. Pineschi owns a tactical training company and runs courses in Northern Italy and Switzerland.

We discussed western volunteers joining the war against ISIS and going to fight in Ukraine. We also talked about Alex's difficult transition back into Italian society and much more. Tune in. 

Main Takeaways 

• Italian Military 

• Working counter-piracy 

• Training Kurds in Iraq

• Joining a Special unit

• War Tourist

• The ideology of terrorism 

• Transition back into society 

Get a copy of Alex Pineschi's book, visit his website, and follow his social media:

⁠⁠PESHMERGA: FACING DEATH - The First-Hand account of the Italian volunteer that fought ISIS⁠⁠

⁠www.APTAC.it⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

This episode is sponsored by 4 Patriots, a survival food company. You can visit ⁠⁠www.4patriots.com⁠⁠ and use the code RECON for 10% off

Connect With John Hendricks

⁠⁠www.globalrecon.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.instagram.com/igrecon ⁠⁠

Music provided by Caspian:

⁠⁠www.caspian.band⁠

GRP 174-Big results Require Big Ambitions-A Conversation with HRT Operator Greg Shaffer

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, (all users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

Greg Shaffer, an author and retired FBI agent is joining me for this week's podcast. Shaffer spent ten years in the Coast Guard and twenty years at the FBI, working in various roles. He served as an Operator at the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), conducting operations around the globe. He spent several years working on a joint task force in a counter-terrorism role. Shaffer finished his career coordinating security for major sporting events in the Dallas, Texas, area.

We discussed his time working on the D.C Sniper case in 2002, where HRT Operators arrested the perpetrators. Shaffer explains why HRT deployed alongside the military's Special Mission Units to Afghanistan and Iraq. We also touched on Greg's time working on counter-terrorism investigations across Asia. Greg founded the Shaffer Security Group, providing various services, including training and security. Tune in

• Working drug seizures in the coastguard in south Florida alongside the DEA

• Joining the FBI

• Working in the San Franciso Field Divison on a drug and gang Task Force

• Joining HRT

• Working the D.C Sniper case

• Deploying overseas and working alongside Delta Force in Iraq

•  Working Counter Terrorism investigations at the National Terrorism Center

• Designing security for large-scale events

Get a copy of Greg Shaffer's book: 

Stay Safe: Security Secrets for Today's Dangerous World

Greg Shaffer: www.shaffersecuritygroup.com

@Shaffersecuritygroup on all social media platforms

This episode is sponsored by 4 Patriots, a survival food company. You can visit www.4patriots.com and use the code RECON for 10% off

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/igrecon 

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspian.band

GRP 173-First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11 With Toby Harnden

You can access the full episode on Apple Podcast (Apple users), or Spotify, and Anchor (Android users). Be sure to like, share, subscribe, and download the episodes. Thank you. 

Joining me for this week's podcast is a veteran foreign correspondent and author of First Casualty: The Untold Story Of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11 Toby Harnden. Harnden is a Royal Navy Veteran from the United Kingdom and has spent years covering wars in conflict zones worldwide. We discussed his journalism career, and he cut his teeth in Northern Ireland, covering the conflict there. He's also spent time in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The initial American response to the 9/11 attacks was a secret eight-man CIA squad called Team Alpha. Team Alpha rode into battle on horseback alongside the Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum. Mike Spann, an ex-Marine and member of Team Alpha, was the first American killed in combat in Afghanistan. We discussed his book in detail, including the role of Delta Force, The British Special Boat Service, and Army Green Berets in routing Al Queda during the early days of the war. Plus many more topics. Tune in.

         Main Takeaways

• Early Naval career

• Working with the Norweigan Navy

• Covering the conflict in Northern Ireland

• Imprisoned in Zimbabwe

• Alpha Team

• Mike Spann

This episode is sponsored by Ten Thousand, a men’s training brand.

Visit www.tenthousand.cc and enter code Global Recon for 15 % off

Connect with Toby Harnden 

www.tobyharnden.com

Connect With John Hendricks

www.globalrecon.net

www.instagram.com/igrecon 

Music provided by Caspian:

www.caspian.band