Shows
Controversy & Clarity#1--Jonathon Yenny_Part II*The challenges of getting Weapons Co, 1/8, to HKIA*Weapons’ initial taskings and missions*The challenges of operating North and East Gates*Operating in support of the LAR company at East Gate*Frustrations working with allied and partner forces*Gunnery Sergeant Zachary Kapinus interacting with the Taliban at East Gate*The famous picture of Gunny Kapinus lifting a baby over a barbed-wire wall*The ethical and moral challenges of extricating people from the crowd without creating more chaos*Creative ways to extricate American citizens fr...2025-05-021h 24
Weird Crap in AustraliaEpisode 349 - The Connell Murders Part 2 (1978-1979)A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia.Become...2025-02-1051 minWeird Crap in AustraliaEpisode 349 - The Connell Murders Part 2 (1978-1979)A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia.Become...2025-02-1051 minWeird Crap in AustraliaEpisode 348 - The Connell Murders Part 1 (1978-1979)A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia....2025-02-0346 minWeird Crap in AustraliaEpisode 348 - The Connell Murders Part 1 (1978-1979)A mother and her two young children vanished from their home in Baulkham Hills, New South Wales, in August 1978. Their disappearance quickly turned into a horrifying crime that shocked the nation. The family had been abducted, taken on a terrifying journey north before meeting a brutal and senseless end. What followed was a desperate manhunt, a tense standoff, and a case that remains one of Australia's most chilling acts of violence.Join Holly & Matthew as they explore the tragic murders of Valda, Sally, and Damien Connell, and the impact this horrific crime left on Australia....2025-02-0346 min
Controversy & Clarity#9--Jonathon Yenny_Part IIn this episode, we discuss the following topics.*Jon’s experiences as a weapons platoon commander with 3/7 in Afghanistan. *His mindset and training approach for Weapons Company for the 24th MEU workup *Building trust as a weapons company commander with the battalion commander and operations officer*Building trust within his company *The company’s operations and training before HKIA *Indications and warnings that Weapons Company would deploy to HKIA *Getting th...2024-11-301h 20
Controversy & Clarity#8--James Sladden and Ben ConnableIn this episode, we discuss:
*The timeline of major events of the Battle for the Irpin
*Three occasions where the Russians nearly won the battle
*The role of Ukrainian volunteers and civilians
*The role of small unit leaders
*The artillery fight
*The challenges of researching and writing operational military history
*James and Ben’s research approach
*The lack of government support in the US and UK fo...2024-10-111h 38
Controversy & Clarity#7--Everett KozlowskiIn this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*What a combat engineer platoon does as part of a battalion landing team
*What it was like joining BLT 1/8
*Building trust between Everett’s platoon and BLT 1/8
*Everett’s advice to platoon commanders looking to build trust between units
*His platoon’s training plan for the 24th MEU workup
*Responding to complaints from Marines about a high-tempo schedule
*The platoon’s experiences on the 24th MEU pri...2024-08-092h 21
Controversy & Clarity#6--Joshua Jonesia (Part Two)In this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*Josh’s joining 1/8
*Differences in morale and culture between units in the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions
*The current culture and unit pride in 1/8
*Recent controversies involving Third Battalion, Sixth Marines
*The challenges and benefits of leading HKIA vets in his squad
*Winning the 2nd Marine Division Annual Rifle Squad Competition and Marine Corps-Wide Rifle Squad Competition
*How winning the competition affirmed Josh’s iden...2024-07-191h 41
Controversy & Clarity#5--Joshua Jonesia (Part One)In this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*Josh’s experiences with squad leaders up to this point in his career
*How these leaders influenced him
*His experiences going through the reconnaissance training pipeline and serving with 3rd Recon Battalion
*His decision to leave the recon community and the shame he felt as a result
*Josh's deployments with the 31st MEU
*The “golden nuggets” of leadership he took from his first squad leader...2024-07-131h 13
Controversy & Clarity#4--Andres RodriguezIn this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*Andres’ operational experiences before joining 2/1
*The organization and strength of Weapons Company, 2/1, at the beginning of its deployment with the SP-MAGTF-CR
*The company’s deployment prior to heading to HKIA
*When the Afghanistan mission first appeared on the company’s radar
*Managing Marines’ expectations in the run-up to deploying to HKIA
*Preparing to leave for HKIA
*Weapons Company’s first day at HKIA
2024-06-141h 45
Controversy & Clarity#3--Fred Smith In this episode, we discuss:
*Mr. Smith joining 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, in Vietnam and assuming command of his platoon
*His staff NCOs, especially SSgt Richard Jackson and Gunnery Sergeant Alan Sora, and other Marines and Sailors who deeply influenced him
*Coping with the loss of subordinate leaders and advice on dealing with such losses
*Combat decision-making
*The challenges of returning home from war and transitioning to the civilian sector
*The Ken Burns’ documentary series The Vietnam W...2024-03-2955 min
Controversy & Clarity#2--Connor O'BrienIn this episode, we discuss:
*Connor's time with Marine Security Forces
*Corporals Course
*Serving in 1/7 as a squad leader and overcoming the stigma of Security Forces NCOs
*The Advanced Infantry Marine Course
*Connor’s deployment to Darwin, Australia
*Keeping Marines in a forward-deployed mindset
*What excited Connor most about being a squad leader
*What concerned him most
2024-03-141h 31
Controversy & Clarity#1--Matthew MelaoIn this episode, we discuss:
*Matt's decision to join the Marine Corps
*His experiences at boot camp and the School of Infantry-East
*His experiences with squad leaders up to this point in his career
*How well the Marine Corps is preparing him to be a squad leader
*The Advanced Infantry Marine Course
*Matt's experiences as a team leader, assistant patrol leader, and acting squad leader
*What ma...2024-02-2356 min
Controversy & Clarity#19--David GlantzIn this episode, we discuss:
*Col Glantz’s Vietnam service
*How his experiences in Vietnam influenced him as a military historian and researcher
*What led him to study the Nazi-Soviet War
*The Army’s Art of War Symposia from 1984-1987
*How the Soviet Army and US Army defined doctrine (move???)
*The case for an operational level of war
*The introduction of the operational level of war to US Army...2023-11-304h 03
Deep RootsBonus Episode - Patrick's StoryIn this episode, we introduce you to a participant who may have heard a reference in our series so far. While you've heard from various incredible individuals on this podcast, today's guest brings a unique summit accent that we could not share.This is Patrick's story...baLORE media created this podcastShow Producer and Editor: Niall Killeney TaylorDon't miss out on the exciting adventures of Deep Roots Season 4! Follow Damien and the show on Instagram to stay updated:- Damien's Instagram: [Follow...2023-10-0219 minDeep RootsDid the Group All Make it to the Summit?Welcome to Deep Roots Podcast, where we explore the incredible journeys of individuals who have faced the challenges of nature's most formidable landscapes. In Episode 8 of Series 4, we delve into the captivating summit stories of Darren, Frank, and Marie. This episode marks the thrilling conclusion of their journey in this series, with a new adventure unfolding as Damian takes on the mountain for the second time.As our intrepid explorers ascend higher, the mountain shows no mercy at the summit, revealing its unforgiving nature. Each day's descent, however, unveils an increasing variety of breathtaking and more...2023-09-2920 minDeep RootsThe Epic Summit That Will Leave You BreathlessIn this episode of Deep Roots Podcast, join us on an incredible journey as we follow Damian's quest to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro. Discover the physical and mental challenges he faced, the emotional revelations along the way, and the extraordinary accomplishments achieved by him and his fellow adventurers.Key Highlights:Damian's initial thoughts and preparations before embarking on his Kilimanjaro expedition.The relentless struggle with altitude and its impact on both body and mind.The profound moment when Damian realized the true motivation behind his climb: his family at home.Max's awe-inspiring achievement of reaching the summit...2023-09-2724 minDeep RootsOvercoming Fears, Finding Connection, and Reaching New HeightsIn Episode 5 of Series 4 of Deep Roots Podcast, our host embarks on a transformative expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro. At the outset, he grapples with a sense of disconnection but gradually finds his footing amidst the stunning backdrop of the mountain and the camaraderie of his fellow adventurers. The episode delves into the emotional and physical challenges faced during the ascent, with a particular focus on conquering the daunting Barranco Wall and acclimatization. Our host reflects on the significance of this journey, admitting that it may not be deeply meaningful but is undeniably important. He values the connections he's formed...2023-09-2227 minDeep RootsGo Slow, Go Slow, Go SlowThis episode is a rollercoaster of emotions and altitude as our host shares his personal journey through the heart of East Africa's mountainous backbone. Join us as we explore the stunning 19th-century maps showcasing Kilimanjaro's splendor, the two towering summits, Kibo and Mawenzi, and the mesmerizing landscapes that unfold beneath the cloud cover.Show Notes:- The episode captures the challenges of acclimatization and the unique experience of trekking at high altitudes.- Our host shares his struggles with sleep and altitude sickness, providing an authentic and raw perspective on the journey.2023-09-1823 minDeep RootsAltitude, Adversity, and African HospitalityIn this episode of Deep Roots Podcast, we join our intrepid host on Day 2 of his journey, as he embarks on an epic adventure to Shira Camp, the second stop on his challenging route. Amidst the stunning landscape of clouds and majestic peaks, he shares his remarkable experiences and insights.The episode kicks off with a humorous quest for phone signal amidst the wilderness - a testament to the modern traveler's determination to stay connected. Our host's vivid description paints a picture of endless clouds and distant peaks, creating a sense of awe in the listeners.2023-09-1514 minDeep RootsThe Illness, the Ancient Rainforest and First Steps to the Roof of AfricaIn this episode, our host Damian shares his first-day experiences from the base camp, providing a firsthand account of the sights, sounds, and challenges faced on this epic journey.As the sun sets over the base camp, Damian paints a vivid picture of their surroundings. With 12 tents and 3 toilets, the camp is a temporary home for 16 adventure enthusiasts, including Darren, Marie, and Frank. Damian introduces us to the diverse group of trekkers and sets the stage for the connections and stories that will unfold throughout the climb.The day's hike led them through...2023-09-1114 min
Controversy & Clarity#18--Kendrick KuoIn this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*What drew Kendrick to study military innovation
*How he defines military innovation
*What conventional wisdom says about military innovation
*How innovation differs from adaption
*Some recent historical examples of military innovation
*Whether military innovation fails more often than it succeeds
*Popular instances of military innovation in the West
*Kendrick’s essay “Dangerous Changes: When Military Innovation Harms Combat Effectiveness”
...2023-09-081h 16Deep RootsDouble Ascent: Kilimanjaro Challenge Begins & Meeting the TeamIn the first episode of Deep Roots Season 4, host Damien sets the stage for a new adventure and challenge: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro not once, but twice.He shares the history of Kilimanjaro's discovery and the myths and legends surrounding it. Damien is joined by three fellow adventurers: Frank, Darren, and Marie, each with their own unique reasons for taking on this challenge.Frank, who is unprepared and unexcited for the climb, decides to embrace the adventure without overthinking it. Darren, based in the Netherlands, sees this as an opportunity to have his own story...2023-09-0836 min
Controversy & Clarity#17--Aaron Reep (Voices of HKIA Series)Please visit: www.oarfoundation.org
In this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*Aaron’s thoughts on the two-year anniversary of Copperhead Company’s arrival at HKIA
*His experiences as a rifle platoon commander with the 26th MEU and combat advisor with TF Southwest and how these influenced the way he led at HKIA
*C/1/8’s deployment with the 24th MEU prior to heading to HKIA
*The company’s training and preparations for the NEO
*TDGs an...2023-08-262h 44
Controversy & Clarity#16--Lee Bowden (Voices of HKIA Series)Link to Operation Allies Refuge (OAR) Foundation
OAR Foundation’s Instagram handle: OARfoundation
Lee’s Instagram handle: Leer_Bow
In this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*The skills and missions of EOD Marines
*How Lee’s previous five deployments shaped the way he led and made decisions at HKIA
*The people and organization of Blackbeard's EOD Section
*What Lee’s 2021 deployment with the 24th MEU looked like before heading to HKIA
...2023-08-141h 59
Controversy & Clarity#15--Erik VillardErik's Social Media Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Erikhistorian
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikthehistorian
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikvillard/
In this episode, we discuss the following topics.
*How Erik became a military historian
*Roleplaying games as training for military historians
*Which military historians influenced Erik most
*Becoming a digital military historian
*The creation of Vietnamwarhistoryorg
*What Erik’s ideal training for future...2023-08-043h 07
Controversy & Clarity#14--Hayden Gamarra (Voices of HKIA Series)In this episode, we discuss:
*Hayden’s experiences in 2/10 before joining the 24th MEU
*Becoming a battery XO as a second lieutenant
*Easy Battery’s experiences with the 24th MEU prior to HKIA
*Initial indicators that the MEU might head to HKIA
*Easy Battery’s training and preparations for HKIA
*The challenge of knowing when to “flip the switch” of aggression and when to turn it off
*Assuming command of Easy Battery
2023-07-142h 10
Controversy & Clarity#13--Nicholas ReynoldsIn this episode, we discuss:
-What drew Col Reynolds to studying history
-The value of history for the military professional
-Avoiding traps and pitfalls in studying and using history
-Studying at Oxford
-German General Ludwig Beck
-Doctrine in the German army (1914-1945)
-How the Marine Corps used history while Col Reynolds was a company-grade officer
-His time as a student at The Basic School (TBS)
...2023-06-162h 17
Controversy & Clarity#12--Tanner Champlin (Voices of HKIA Series)In this episode, we discuss:
-Tanner getting assigned his squad before deploying with the 24th MEU
-What the deployment looked like before heading to HKIA
-His reaction to the news that the MEU would deploy to Kabul
-His understanding of the situation in Kabul before touching ground in HKIA
-Tanner’s first days at HKIA
-Clearing the airport of civilians
-Working with the Taliban
-Gate operations and the chall...2023-05-261h 32
Controversy & Clarity#11--Ben ConnableIn this episode, we discuss the following:
-Ben’s forthcoming book on modern ground combat
-The lack of definitions of the terms “character of war” and “nature of war”
-The “debate” on FD 2030
-The supposed massive changes touted in modern warfare, like drones
-Ben's research methods and case sample set
-Coding cases
-The problem with how the US military records modern cases of military operations
-The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale...2023-05-191h 31
Controversy & Clarity#10--Jordan Eddington (Voices of HKIA Series)In this episode, we discuss:
*What an infantry battalion operations officer does
*How Jordan’s experiences at 2nd LAR, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, and 1/8 influenced how he fought the battalion prior to HKIA
*The 24th MEU's deployment prior to heading to HKIA
*The exercises done in preparation for HKIA
*The original plan to conduct the NEO
*Where Jordan thinks he could have done a better job of preparing the BLT for HKIA
*Communications challenges between the BLT and supporting units
2023-04-281h 58
Controversy & Clarity#9--Robert NellerIn this episode, we discuss:
*The experimental and intellectual predecessors of FD 2030
*The frequency of structural change in the Marine Corps
*General Neller's dislike of the term “near-peer”
*Vertical vs. horizontal structural cuts within organizations
*The removal of scout snipers from infantry battalions
*His views on the debate on Force Design 2030
*Stand-in forces
*The role of air, sea, and land access in FD 2030
*The general’s thoughts on the war in Ukraine and the future of war 2023-03-3159 min
The Brian Moylett PodcastDamien O'Donoghue - Glasgow Warriors Senior Athletic Performance Coachhttps://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Get your copy of my new book today!My instagramWe chat about;How he got into pro rugbyWorking his way up from the bottom of Munster RugbyLearning from Alred Walters, who went onto Leicester Tigers and South Africa rugby, the SpringboksHow injured players are treatedhttps://amzn.to/3XZPASc - Get Your copy of my new Book today!Glasgow Warriors preseason team around Dennis Rodman.2023-03-191h 09
Controversy & Clarity#8--Richard HarrisonAmazon link to Richard's book: https://amzn.to/42bM9Lx
In this episode, we discuss:
*Where the idea of Soviet high commands came from
*How they were structured
*The commanders who led them
*The role and influence of commissars in the high commands
*The Soviet capture of the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin Island
*The high commands post-World War II
*The relationship between Soviet naval forces and the high commands
*What Richard found new and surprising in his research
*What...2023-03-091h 10
Controversy & Clarity#7--William Dean Long (Part 2)-Dean’s experiences as a student at The Basic School (TBS) and Infantry Officer Course (IOC)
-His time as a platoon commander and executive officer with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines
-Dean’s deployment to Afghanistan
-How the enemy in Afghanistan differed from those in Iraq
-Some of his leadership failures and successes
-When people reach their breaking points on deployment
-Serving with then-Capt Jonathan Frerichs
-His advice for current and future platoon commanders on preparing for and winning in combat
-Serving as a comp...2023-02-111h 58
Controversy & Clarity#6--William Dean Long (Part 1)*Where Dean’s interests in military matters come from
*How well the Marine Corps excites and educates Marines in military history, specifically Marine Corps history
*How to interest Marines in military history
*What led Dean to join the Marine Corps and serve in the infantry
*Where Dean first learned about the 9/11 attacks
*Dean’s time serving at Marine Barracks Washington (MBW)
*His advice to first-term infantry Marines at MBW
*Dean’s time in 3/4 including the First Battle of Fallujah
*His advice for team and sq...2023-01-242h 31
The Amber DugoutEpisode 4. Part 1 - Players - Owen Sexton, Damien O'Driscoll & Paddy RyanOwen, Damien & Paddy chat about the dressing room banter growing up playing with Kilbrittain. They talk about early training influences from the likes of Mícháel Holland, John Regan, Pat Deasy, Mick Donovan and Damiens father, Kieran O'Driscoll, as well as the players they looked up to from that era. Owen chats about playing senior football for Cork and Damien and Paddy talk about playing with Farranferris and trying to reach the bar that was set ten years earlier by Dan O'Connell. Recorded April 19th '222022-12-261h 02
Controversy & Clarity#5--Conner Fuller (Voices of HKIA Series)In this episode, we discuss:
*Connor’s Marine Corps career before joining the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
*What his deployment was like prior to the HKIA mission
*The training Connor received in preparation for HKIA
*The organization of CLB 24
*Connor’s reaction to learning about the HKIA mission
*His understanding of the situation on the ground before arriving at the airport
*Connor’s first day at HKIA
*His reaction to learning that the Marines were working with the Taliban
*Processing evacuees and th...2022-11-291h 10
Compelled Dual1.1 - Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas
ARC I - The Unquiet Grave/Little Runaway - Episode 1
APRIL, 2018 - The world as we know it has changed, and two siblings from Las Vegas, Nevada are about to find out just how much. Kaelen and Damien O'Connell aren't very well-equipped to navigate a world full of fey, ghosts, monsters, and everything else dredged up from the collective imagination of humanity and made real - it's not even the amnesia. They're just like this. In this first episode of Compelled Dual's single-player, co-GMed foray into Monster of the Week by Evil Hat Games: Kaelen wakes up from a long na...2022-10-312h 36
Controversy & Clarity#4--Nick Rossovskij (Voices of HKIA Series)In this episode, we discuss:
*Bravo Company’s deployment with the 24th MEU prior to heading to HKIA
*Its training and preparation for the HKIA NEO
*The company’s reaction to hearing it would go to HKIA
*Nick’s understanding of the situation on the ground before arriving at HKIA
*Bravo Company’s first day at HKIA
*Its role in clearing the airfield of civilians
*The enemy fire 1/8 received
*Nick’s reaction to learning that the Taliban would assist in the evacuation
*Bravo Company’...2022-09-2358 min
Moments in LeadershipMajGen Dale Alford: Advice and Insights From a 37-Year-Long Career in the Marine Corps-A Follow-up to Episode 14Just a few hours before he packed up his home and set off to Georgia to retire, Major General Dale Alford sat down with me to offer his final thoughts on his 37-year-long career in the Marine Corps. Listen in as we discuss some of his most noteworthy lessons learned as well as the key things emerging leaders need to know to be successful in their career. MajGen Alford reflects on the leadership traits and habits he developed throughout his time in the military, the decisions that led to his success (and struggle), and how y...2022-09-1253 min
Controversy & Clarity#3--Devon Sanderfield, Nathaniel Baker, and Michael CarreiroIn this episode, we discuss:
*What the Infantry Battalion-Experiment (IBX) is
*Alpha Company’s structure and rank-billet requirements
*How the company is supposed to conduct Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations
*Grumbling from some of the enlisted leaders over the new rank-billet requirements
*Lt Carreiro’s experience in A/1/2 so far including what’s surprised him most
*What it’s like having Sgt fire team leaders and SSgt squad leaders
*The expanded platoon and company headquarters elements
*The rifle squads’ two-fire team construct
*Advice for...2022-09-091h 44
Controversy & Clarity#2--Dustin Casey (Voices of HKIA Series)In this episode, we discuss:
*Dustin's deployment prior to heading to Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) including the training he received in preparation for the non-combatant evacuation operation there (NEO)
*His reaction to the news that his company was heading to HKIA
*His understanding of the situation at the airport before arriving
*A/1/8’s first day at HKIA, 14 August 2021
*The events of 15-16 August and A/1/8’s struggle to clear the airfield of civilians
*Dustin's reaction to learning that the Taliban would assist with the evacuation
*A/1...2022-09-021h 11
Controversy & Clarity#1--Samuel McGrury (Voices of HKIA Series)In this episode, we discuss:
*Alpha/1/8’s deployment prior to heading to Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) including the training it did in preparation for the non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO)
*Sam’s reaction to the news that his company was heading to HKIA and how his Marines were informed
*Sam’s use of TDGs set at HKIA in preparation of the NEO
*His understanding of the situation on the ground before arriving at HKIA
*A/1/8’s first day at HKIA, 14 August 2021
*The events of 15-16 August and A/1/8’s...2022-08-261h 53
THE DEEP COVER SHOW with Damien DynanTHE DEEP COVER SHOW with DAMIEN DYNAN : Tuesday AUGUST 16TH 2022THE DEEP COVER SHOW with Damien Dynan: Tuesday AUGUST 16TH 2022 www.thedeepcovershow.com
Tonight – Super cute, Super sexy, Super cheeky?
Why don’t Men wear Lingerie?.., with Jules Parker
&
The Remarkable Life of Patrick O’Connell… The Irish Man Who Saved FC Barcelona with Sue O’Connell…
Up on our Eyes & Movies & TV - Johnny Richardson joins me to review NOPE CINEMA 2022 & RESISTANCE-1942 AMAZON PRIME 2022
followed by Movie Moment in Movie History: DANCES WITH WOLVES
Also Global News Radio 640 from Toronto Patrick Malkin & Author Bill O Riordan live on the What if, t...2022-08-161h 47
Controversy & Clarity#13--Herman Stacy Clardy III*The battalion commanders Clardy had as a company and field-grade officer and how they influenced him on how he views and practiced battalion command
*What makes an ideal battalion commander. What makes a battalion commander from hell
*The single most important thing battalion commanders do or should do for their unit
*How Clardy’s time teaching at The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course influenced his preparations for and practice of battalion command
*What a light armored reconnaissance (LAR) battalion is and how it differs from an infantry battalion
*Cl...2022-07-223h 20
One Less Die(One Less Die) Episode 6: Tales from the Harddrive - Grumblehammer EsotericaGrumblehammer Esoterica
"Far in the North, away from prying eyes, the Damien Wraithe Academy sits. This institution and others across the world have stood as the keepers of many supernatural secrets. All the while teaching those few capable of using the occult and arcane powers. They safe guard and guide the next generation of Belief Casters: mages and shamans of all walks. It’s a strange, hidden world out there, dwelling beneath the mundane. Someone's gotta keep things secret and safe, the world’s just not quite ready for it… yet."
- Dean Grumblewitz... the Dean of Damien...2022-06-2834 min
Controversy & Clarity#12--Seth FolsomLiner Notes
*The battalion commanders Folsom served under and how they shaped the way he views and practices battalion command
*What makes an ideal battalion commander
*What makes a battalion commander from hell
*The single most important thing battalion commanders do or should do for their unit
*Where the battalion commander’s place should be on the battlefield
*Characteristics of the best and worst battalions
*Common mistakes new battalion commanders make
*Folsom’s experience as a company commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and...2022-05-062h 13
Controversy & Clarity#11--Scott HelminskiIn this episode, we discuss:
*Scott’s enlisted experience and its effects on how he views on leadership, command, and warfighting
*Scott’s experience as an artilleryman, his understanding of fire support, and how these things may influence how he commands his battalion
*Scott’s two deployments with Second Battalion, Eighth Marines, and how these experiences have influenced him as a leader
*His time at the School of Infantry-East and the similarities and differences between serving in a battalion in the operating forces and one in the supporting establishment
*Scott’...2022-04-291h 26
Controversy & Clarity#10--Richard HarrisonIn this episode, we discuss:
*How the Germans and Soviets organized their forces in and near Ukraine on the eve of Operation Barbarossa and the principal senior commanders on each side
*Why the Southwestern Front put up a stouter resistance against Army Group South than did its counterparts against Army Groups North and Center
*The Uman encirclement and what this defeat meant for the Soviets
*The likelihood of a Soviet soldier captured in 1941 surviving until 1945
*The 3-month siege of the city of Odessa
*The capture of Crimea2022-04-161h 30
Controversy & Clarity#9--Prit ButtarIn this episode, we discuss:
*Why Hitler wanted Ukraine
*How the average Ukrainian viewed the Soviets and Germans on the eve of Operation Barbarossa and how these perceptions changed over the course of the war
*How fighting in Ukraine went for the Soviets during Barbarossa
*The First Battle of Kiev and the largest battle of encirclement and capture of prisoners in the history of warfare
*The Enormity of the war against the Soviet Union
*The German massacre of Jews at Babi Yar
*The effect of...2022-04-082h 09
Controversy & Clarity#8--Gerald NosichIn this episode, we discuss:
*What is critical thinking and isn’t
*Some of the most common misconceptions of critical thinking
*The relationship between critical and creative thinking
*How critical thinking relates to divergent and convergent thinking
*The relationship between critical thinking, logic, and problem solving
*Gerald’s take on the Dunning-Kruger Effect and whether critical thinking can serve as an antidote to it
*Whether some people seem more predisposed to thinking critically than others
*If there are ways we can predispose young men...2022-03-252h 10
Wax QuizzicalZoe Coombs Marr with evangelical pastor Chad Baylore (Damien Power) and Berlin performance artist Gunter (Oliver Coleman)This week comedian Zoe Coombs Marr is back to try to improve on their old score by answering questions about budget airlines, manchego and Spike Milligan.They're helped by this week's brains trust Pastor Chad Baylor, and evangelical American preacher (Damien Power) and Gunter Pershpunkinstaff, a Berlin based performance artist and film maker (Oliver Coleman).Hosted by Kyran Wheatley.The Leaderboard:* Matt Stewart 10/10* Tim Hewitt 10/10* Lloyd Langford 8.5/10* Lou Wall 8.5/10* Ivan Aristegueita 8/10* Prue Blake 8/10* Kirsten Drysdale 8/102022-03-2242 min
The #BruteCastPanel on "Rapid Wargame Prototyping for Crises"As part of our special focus on #Russia and #Ukraine, #TeamKrulak brought you our first panel event of 2022 with a unique group of individuals focusing on a unique topic. How does wargaming help when the problem is a rapidly unfolding crisis in a fluid environment, such as the Russian build-up near Ukraine, when an off-the-shelf option, or deliberately designed wargame, isn’t readily available? This is what our panel discussed, examining the challenges of rapidly developing a wargame framework for a dynamic crisis, the specific aspects of the crisis near Ukraine that decision-makers and policy framers would want to si...2022-02-101h 00
Controversy & Clarity#7--Michael PeznolaIn this episode, we discuss:
*Col Peznola’s education and training as a young officer
*Col Peznola’s take on what “blocking and tackling” and “the basics” means in a tactical sense
*His experience attending the Army’s Cavalry Leaders Course and what he learned from being around soldiers
*When Col Peznola first heard about what would later be termed maneuver warfare
*His time as an instructor at The Basic School (TBS)
*Who the “maneuver warfare instigators” in the TBS bullpen were
*How the curriculum at TBS had changed...2022-02-052h 12
Controversy & Clarity#6--Lindsay MathwickIn this episode, we discuss:
*Lindsay’s experience as a student at The Basic School (TBS)
*Her reaction to being assigned as a logistics officer
*Her initial impressions of her first unit, 9th Communication Battalion
*Her first year-long deployment to Iraq and experiences with “push” logistics
*What it was like working for a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
*Lindsay’s unusual experience serving first as the assistant battalion logistics officer, then as the battalion logistics officer, and finally as a truck platoon commander
*What a day in the 9...2022-01-211h 40Wax QuizzicalChris Ryan with Real Housewives stan Meat Boot (Ben Russell) and Zeus (Damien Warren-Smith)This week comedian Chris Ryan takes on The Saturday Paper Quiz about the largest land-locked country, champion sports players and deep and meaningful quotes by the first lady of the USA.She's helped by the Brains Trust: Meat Boot - A rogue agent and deadly criminal to some and savior and hero of the people to others, Meat Boot has left the mercenary world behind and is now president of The Real Housewives International Appreciation Society (Ben Russell), and Zeus - God of lightning and Sky (Damien Warren-Smith).Hosted by Kyran Wheatley.2022-01-1839 min
Controversy & Clarity#5--Elizabeth and Robert BjörkHappy New Year, everyone!
In this episode, we discuss
*How the Björks define learning
*The difference between learning and performance
*The retrieval effect
*The relationship between forgetting and learning
*Some thoughts on why humans are terrible at predicting what they know vs what they don’t know and how well they think they’ll perform vs how they’ll actually perform
*How accessing memories changes them in our brain
*How our recall is highly dependent on contextual cues
*The myth of musc...2022-01-071h 26Wax QuizzicalNat Harris with the ghost of Gavroche from Les Misérables (Michelle Brasier) and Medusa (Damien Warren-Smith)This week Comedian and 2021 Golden Gibbo winner Nat Harris takes on The Saturday Paper Quiz!She's helped by the Brains Trust: The ghost of Gavroche from Les Misérables (Michelle Brasier) and the Greek Godess Medusa (Damien Warren-Smith), who both have superb french accents.Hosted by Kyran Wheatley.The Leaderboard:* Matt Stewart 10/10* Tim Hewitt 10/10* Lloyd Langford 8.5/10* Lou Wall 8.5/10* Prue Blake 8/10* Kirsten Drysdale 8/10* Annie Louey 8/10* Rob Mills 8/10* Vidya Rajan 8/10* Geraldine Hickey 8/10 D...2022-01-0434 min
Controversy & ClarityThe Ghost and General Smith: The Complete StoryIt's finally here: The complete audio version of The Ghost and General Smith, a chilling look at one potential future for the U.S. Marine Corps.
2021-12-2433 min
Controversy & Clarity#4--Ryan GilchristIn this episode, we discuss:
*Gunner Gilchrist’s advice to his past self, Private First Class Gilchrist
*What Infantry Training Battalion-East was like when Ryan attended as a student in 2003-2004
*What Ryan’s first unit (Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines) was like
*Ryan’s deployment to Karma, Iraq—what the experience was like and what he learned from it
*How Ryan attempted to get his Marines to adopt a population-focused approach to counter-insurgency when he was a squad leader and platoon sergeant
*Fox 2/2’s operations in Iraq2021-11-192h 22
Controversy & ClarityThe Ghost and General Smith - Chapter 5 and EpilogueIn this episode, we conclude the tale of The Ghost and General Smith.2021-11-1007 min
Controversy & ClarityThe Ghost and General Smith - Chapter 4In this episode, we continue the tale of The Ghost and General Smith.2021-11-0309 min
Controversy & ClarityThe Ghost and General Smith - Chapter 3We resume our tale of The Ghost and General Smith with chapter 3.2021-10-2906 min
Controversy & Clarity#3--Dilan Swift*What Dilan learned about company command from his time as a combined-anti-armor platoon commander and company executive officer
*What he learned about company command from his company commanders
*Dilan’s thoughts on what makes the ideal company commander and why
*What makes the company commander from hell
*The challenges and opportunities (leadership and otherwise) Dilan encountered in commanding a weapons company
*How Dilan attempted to get his lieutenants to interact competently and confidently with other leaders in the battalion
Dilan’s philosophy of command and how it work...2021-10-021h 50
Controversy & ClarityThe Ghost and General Smith - Chapter 2We continue "The Ghost and General Smith," a fictional--and frightening--look at the future of the U.S. Marine Corps.2021-09-3006 min
Controversy & ClarityThe Ghost and General Smith - Preface and Chapter 1This episode includes the preface and chapter 1 of "The Ghost and General Smith," a fictional--and frightening--look at the future of the U.S. Marine Corps.
For the written version, please visit:
https://www.themaneuverist.org/post/the-ghost-general-smith-preface-and-chapter-1-by-scott-weibling-jordan-miller-and-matt-tweedy
2021-09-2409 min
Controversy & Clarity#2--Zachary SchwartzIn this episode, we discuss:
*What Zach learned about company command from his time as a platoon commander
*What he learned about company command from his company commanders
*Zach’s thoughts on what makes the ideal company commander and why
*What makes the company commander from hell
*How Zach’s experiences as an instructor at The Basic School shaped his view of company command, his preparations for it, and execution of it
*What a U.S. Marine Corps weapons company is, how it differs from a rifle comp...2021-09-232h 02
Controversy & Clarity#1--Ryan AyerIn this episode, we discuss:
*Ryan’s experience with company commanders up to this point in his career
*The factors that distinguished the good from the great company commanders in Ryan’s battalion
*What Ryan learned about company command while serving as a rifle platoon commander, combined anti-armor platoon commander, battalion assistant operations officer. and battalion operations officer
*The qualities of the company commander from hell
*How Ryan’s experience as an instructor at The Basic School, to include his time as the head of the Instructor Education Program, shaped...2021-09-191h 13Wax QuizzicalJan Fran with Rhys Nicholson circa December 2019 and the Reverend Hol E Christ (Damien Warren-Smith)This week Jan Fran takes a short break from dispelling and dissecting misinformation on ABC TV's Question Everything to have a go at the Quiz from the Saturday Paper.She's helped by the Brains Trust - a preacher from the deep south of the USA, The Reverend Hol E Christ (Damien Warren-Smith), and an innocent Rhys Nicholson from December 2019, who is getting ready for his international 2020 tour.Hosted by Kyran Wheatley.The Leaderboard:* Tim Hewitt 10/10* Prue Blake 8/10* Rob Mills 8/10* Vidya Rajan 8/10* G...2021-09-0733 min
Controversy & Clarity#11--Rick AtkinsonIn this episode, we discuss:
*The role that Rick’s father played in his son's interest in the US Army and military history
*The role that Rick’s time living in Germany had in his decision to write about World War II
*Rick’s interest in a career in the Army and his declined appointment to West Point
*What led Rick to leave the Washington Post to pursue military history
*What Rick means when he calls himself “a recovering journalist”
*What led Rick to writing Crusade, his book on th...2021-06-042h 11
Controversy & Clarity#10--John SchmittIn this episode, we discuss
-The emphasis (or lack thereof) placed on self-study, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving during John’s time as a junior officer
-The four priorities of lieutenants when John served in the 2nd Marine Division
-On then-Major General Al Gray making maneuver warfare the official doctrine of the division
-The Marine Corps’ approach to warfighting before it adopted maneuver warfare
-The influence that Captain W.L. Smith had on Lieutenant Schmitt
-Some hypotheses on why maneuver warfare seems harder to practice in garrison
2021-04-152h 16
Controversy & Clarity#9B--James McDonoughIn this episode, we discuss
-The US Army’s individual replacement system in Vietnam
-McDonough’s experience serving as the aide to the commanding general of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam
-McDonough’s thoughts on how technology has extended senior leaders’ ability to overexert influence or command on small units
-How McDonough’s Vietnam experiences shaped his approach to command
-Some of the mistakes McDonough made as a platoon leader in Vietnam
-The decision-forcing case The Farmer: its inspiration, development, and use with US Marines
-What it...2021-04-082h 44
Controversy & Clarity#9A--James McDonoughNote: This is part one of a two-part discussion. The conclusion will be released shortly.
In this episode, we discuss
-The Strategic Hamlet Program (SHP) in Vietnam and the role of the 173rd Airborne Brigade in that effort
-How US platoon positions used in the SHP made enticing targets for the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army
-The layout of McDonough’s platoon position and the terrain surrounding it
-McDonough’s assessment of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, as well as the South Vietnamese Regional Forces and Popu...2021-03-261h 44
Controversy & Clarity#8--Sebastian BaeIn this episode, we discuss
-What drew Sebastian to the Marine Corps and the infantry in particular
-The persistent public view of the Marine Corps as an all-infantry force
-The future of the ‘Every Marine a Rifleman’ ethos
-The wearing away of front lines and rear areas in modern-day warfare
-What Sebastian’s Marine Corps boot camp experience was like
-Sebastian’s thoughts on changing bootcamp
-His experiences at the School of Infantry-East
-What it was like serving as a reserve enlisted infantryman
-T...2021-03-192h 37
Controversy & Clarity#7B--Tim Barrick(This is the conclusion to our interview with Colonel Barrick.)
In this episode, we discuss
-The work Barrick is doing with wargaming and force design at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab
-The differences between wargaming for education, wargaming for analysis, and wargaming for training
-Assassin’s Mace, an operational wargame designed, developed, and used by the Warfighting Lab
-How Assassin’s Mace is currently being used beyond the Warfighting Lab
-Barrick’s favorite wargames
-The differences between educational wargames, decision-forcing cases, and tactical decision games
...2021-03-112h 14
Controversy & Clarity#7A--Tim BarrickNote: This is part one of a two-part interview with Col Barrick. The conclusion will be released shortly.
In this episode, we discuss
-Barrick’s early military training and educational experiences at the US Naval Academy, The Basic School, and the Army’s Armor Officer Basic Course
-Barrick’s thoughts on the reaction course at Officer Candidate School
-The sandtable tests that Barrick underwent at the Armor Officer Basic Course
-Barrick’s experiences with FMFM 1 Warfighting and the Marine Corps Warfighting Skills Program as a company-grade officer
-The deg...2021-03-092h 11
Controversy & Clarity#6--Charles Edward White In this episode, we discuss:
-What first attracted Chuck to military history
-How he came to study Scharnhorst and the Prussian military reforms
-Some of Chuck’s work at the United States Army Infantry School and the 21st Theater Army Area Command in Germany
-What led Chuck to joining the Army
-Chuck’s interactions with Major Richard “Dick” Winters of Band of Brothers fame
-What Chuck’s experiences as a student at West Point were like
-Chuck’s criticisms of West Point today
-The inspirat...2021-02-052h 19
Controversy & Clarity#5--David FurnessIn this episode, we discuss:
*Furness’ experience at The Basic School (TBS) as a student in 1987
*The degree to which the philosophy of maneuver warfare was present at TBS by that point
*What the Infantry Officer Course (IOC) was like as a student
*Furness’ experience as a TBS instructor, including learning how to teach maneuver warfare
*Why teaching at TBS and IOC saw the greatest professional development of his 34-year career
*What the atmosphere of TBS was like upon Furness’ return to the school as an instructor
...2021-01-291h 47
The #BruteCastWargaming PanelThis #BruteCast featured a wargaming panel of practitioners across the many different wargaming communities. Join Andrew Reddie, James Fielder, Damien O'Connell, and Sebastian Bae as they discuss their myriad experiences in using wargames for training, education, and analytics.
The panelists provided a number of resources for those interested in learning more, which are included below:
https://eduwargaming.org/
https://paxsims.wordpress.com/
https://www.mors.org/
https://www.guwargaming.org/
GUWS YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw0nVuQu5KoHv0kFiC9yX4Q?view_as...2021-01-261h 27
Controversy & Clarity#4B--Nick Galvan(This is the second half of a longer podcast. Also, we experienced sound quality problems while recording this episode, so we apologize in advance!)
In this episode, we discuss:
*How Nick found his way to DFCs
*Nick’s experience of watching a DFC taught about his own combat experiences
*Green-eyed Ghosts, the first DFC that Nick designed, developed, and facilitated
*Nick’s first time teaching Green-eyed Ghosts and the reception it received
*The need for case facilitators to honor the facts of the case and describe its even...2021-01-221h 30
Controversy & Clarity#4A--Nick Galvan(Note: This is the first half of a longer podcast. Also, we experienced sound quality troubles recording this episode, so we apologize in advance!)
In this episode, we discuss:
*What’s changed and what’s stayed the same in the Marine Corps since Nick enlisted in 1999
*The enduring phenomenon of “Old Corps” vs “New Corps”
*The role that social media plays in perpetuating this dichotomy
*Social media’s general effects on the Marine Corps
*Nick’s experience at recruit training and the School of Infantry-West
*His views on the...2021-01-222h 09
Controversy & Clarity#3--Dathan ByrdIn this episode, we discuss:
*What the Marine Corps was like when Dathan enlisted in 1998
*Dathan’s journey to decision-making, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence
*A sense of what the Marine Corps infantry experience was like before 9/11
*The focus on uniformity, structure, and discipline that Dathan observed during his early years as a Marine
*The dangers of compartmentalizing training and education
*The experience of serving on MEUs in the late 1990s/early 2000s
*Why the Marine Corps is attempting to “reembrace” maneuver warfare and concepts like c...2021-01-122h 20
Controversy & Clarity#2--Dale AlfordIn this episode, we discuss:
--Alford’s experiences as a platoon commander in Operation Just Cause
--His experiences in Desert Storm, including seeing the effects of Allied airpower and artillery on Iraqi forces
--The organization of Task Force Tarawa in Operation Iraqi Freedom I
--The virtues of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force
--Alford’s experiences with commanding a light armored infantry platoon
--How Alford and a cobra detachment commander worked together to create an air-ground cavalry team while on a MEU
--Alford’s experiences afloat
...2021-01-011h 57
Controversy & Clarity#1--Adam DuVallIn this episode, we discuss:
*Adam’s experiences with Marine expeditionary units (MEUs), including his thoughts on how to keep Marines engaged and developing as warfighters throughout a MEU deployment
*What it was like joining a unit of combat veterans as a new Marine
*Adam’s first combat deployment: Ramadi, Iraq
*What it was like being attached to the Army during the deployment
*The disconnect in intensity between Adam’s own combat experiences and the combat stories he had heard from more senior Marines in his unit
*The hi...2020-12-242h 44
Midnight Double Feature - A Film PodcastSpecial Feature - Interview with Sean O'Connell: CinemaBlend Managing Director, ReelBlend Co-Host and Author of ‘Release the Snyder Cut - The Crazy True Story Behind the Fight to Save Zack Snyder’s Justice League’Joe & Anthony Russo, Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Kevin Feige, Edward Norton, Jamie Lee Curtis, Damien Chazelle, Sam Mendes. These are just some of the people that our guest on this episode has had the chance to be in the same room with. On this episode, we're joined by Managing Director of CinemaBlend, Co-Host of the ReelBlend Podcast and author of the recently-completed book 'Release the Snyder Cut - The Crazy True Story Behind the Fight to Save Zack Snyder's Justice League'. We want to thank Sean again for taking the time to join us here o...2020-07-171h 09
Controversy & Clarity#10--Neil McCoyIn this episode, we discuss:
-How Neil views training and education
-How the Marine Corps seems to focus more on training enlisted Marines over educating them
-What professional military education (PME) was like when Neil joined the Marine Corps
-The lack of PME he experienced as a young Marine in the fleet
-Where Neil’s interest in PME began
-The influence that the Infantry Small Unit Leaders Course had on Neil
-Neil’s initial reaction to working with me (a non-Marine civilian)
-Why Neil...2020-07-161h 40
Controversy & Clarity#9--Vanya Eftimova BellingerIn this episode, we discuss:
-How Vanya found her way to reading, writing, and teaching military history
-The importance of reading any text in the context of its writing and publication
-The fascinating story of how Vanya came to write about Marie and Karl von Clausewitz
-The process of researching and writing her book on Marie
-The backgrounds of Marie and Karl and their relationship
-How Karl was “so out of Marie’s league”
-How much of Marie’s hand we see in On War and his...2020-07-091h 20
Controversy & Clarity#8--William WoodsIn this episode, we discuss:
-Woods’ definition of professional military education (PME)
-The need for all leaders in a unit to emphasize PME
-The purpose of PME
-How PME in the Marine Corps changed from the early 1970s to the early 1980s
-What good PME programs look like
-The lack of emphasis of PME in the Marine Corps in the immediate years following Vietnam
-Woods’ exposure to maneuver warfare and interactions with then-Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol) Mike Wyly at Amphibious Warfare School (AWS)
-How LtCo...2020-07-031h 31
Controversy & Clarity#7--Stuart BrittonIn this episode, we discuss:
-How Stuart got into studying Russia
-Stuart’s childhood interest in military history and the books that have influenced him most
-What led Stuart to translating books on the Eastern Front
-The prolific work of Colonel David Glantz, US Army (ret), and how he helped get Stuart his “big break”
-What are the key roles and responsibilities of a translator and editor of Russian military history
-The excellent Great Patriotic War website “I Remember”
-Stuart’s role models and inspirations when it come...2020-06-252h 02
Controversy & Clarity#6--Tony ZinniIn this episode, we discuss:
-How Zinni defines professional military education (PME) and the purpose behind it
-Why we tend to focus more on formal PME over informal PME
-The need for commanders to provide PME to their units
-Zinni’s experience facilitating PME as a unit commander
-Zinni’s use of decision games as teaching tools
-How decision games might feel threatening to some commanders
-Creating an open learning environment in your command
-Laying down ground rules for PME sessions
-The...2020-06-181h 52