Dan Kostrzebski was born and raised in rural western New York State. His humble, small-town beginnings blossomed into a noteworthy 40 years of military and government service. While working his way up the enlisted ranks, Dan served in various Military Occupational Skills, including Military Police, Ordinance, and Special Operations, finishing his military career with the infamous 5th Special Forces Group. Dan’s service in Special Operations took him to the Middle East and East Africa, along with...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 321
Ayman Kafel survived civil wars in Africa and Lebanon before immigrating to the United States in 1988. After witnessing the horrors of September 11, 2001, Ayman enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq in 2005. While there, he conducted over 30,000 miles of combat patrols and military missions. He coordinated and worked with various units in the Army due to his ability to speak Arabic. After returning from war and being medically discharged from the military, Ayman decided t...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 320
After an inter-service transfer and cross-commissioning from the U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Navy in 1992, John Doolittle transferred into the Navy. From 1996 to 2017, John was assigned to various SEAL Teams and conducted multiple deployments throughout the European, African, Pacific, and Middle East theaters of operations. Most of his Navy career was focused on our military’s reaction to 9/11; a busy time for John and his family. John’s last duty station in the Navy was at U.S. Special Operation...
Apr 25, 2023•2 hr 13 min•Ep. 318
New York Times bestselling author Dan Schilling, Lt. Col., USAF (ret.) spent more than 30 years in special operations, primarily as a Combat Controller and Special Tactics Officer, but began his military service as an infantry paratrooper. His numerous combat, clandestine, rescue and humanitarian missions have taken him around the world and include Operation Gothic Serpent, popularly known as Black Hawk Down, where he is credited with saving the lives of a Ranger and Team Six SEAL while under he...
Apr 18, 2023•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 317
A decorated combat veteran with multiple deployments, LT. Col. Jason Pike, served 31 years in the US Army including nine years overseas in five countries. Jason earned over 30 service awards & badges and his diversity of Army jobs, assignments, and schools from age 17 to 48. His book A Soldier Against All Odds compiles all his life events in an inspiring storytelling format with the ups and downs of a life in uniform. With a straightforward account of one man’s journey, he inspires audiences...
Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 317
Allison Jaslow is an Iraq War Veteran, nationally-recognized veterans advocate, dedicated public servant, and the CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). A former Army Captain, Allison was branched as a Quartermaster Officer which in the Post-9/11 wartime environment meant she'd quickly become a multi-functional logistician, including becoming a guntruck platoon commander on her first deployment to Iraq. She served two combat tours in Iraq from 2004 - 05 and then again from 2007-...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 316
Jamie Efaw graduated from West Point with a BS in Psychology in 1993. He retired from the Army in 2019 and transitioned from the Army using the resources of the COMMIT Foundation. Jamie’s military assignments include numerous jobs with Army Engineers, serving as a professor at West Point, and various jobs within Psychological Operations. Jamie was selected for command at the company, battalion and brigade levels and served at nearly all echelons in the military. Jamie now works for the non-profi...
Mar 28, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 315
Aubrey McDade served in the United States Marine Corps for over 18 years on active duty, until he was medically retired. For his actions in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004, Aubrey was awarded the Navy Cross; becoming the 2nd African American to receive the award since Doris Miller of World War II and the first African American to receive the Navy Cross post 9/11. Aubrey currently serves as the Vice President of Programs alongside LaDanian Tomlinson at the Tomlinson Center. The Tomlinson Center establishe...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 314
Brady Myers joined the U.S. Marines at 18 and served as an Infantry Mortarman. After leaving the military, Brady worked as a private security contractor and pursued a career in law enforcement. After leaving law enforcement, due to the political climate, Brady found his passion in the recruiting space. He is the Director of Recruiting for Corehire, a veteran owned business that places veterans and former first responders with business clients across the United States. Brady is also the Foreman a...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 313
Major General Patrick Donahoe, US Army Retired, culminated more than 33 and a half years in uniform as the Commanding General of the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning. He entered the retired rolls on January 1, 2023. General Donahoe served as a career Armor and Cavalry Officer and served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kuwait, Jordan, Germany and Korea as well as throughout the United States. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze S...
Mar 07, 2023•2 hr 25 min•Ep. 312
Jacob Edwards started his professional career in 2003 as a Combat Engineer/Sapper in the United States Marine Corps. Jacob served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant from the Marine Corps Reserves in 2009. In 2010, he was hired as a civilian Combat Skills Instructor to help support requirements for military troops deploying to hostile/austere environments. In 2012, he transitioned to an advisor based training command and within one year rose to the ranks of Assi...
Feb 28, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 311
Heidi Langbein-Allen is an author and the daughter of a former soldier in the German army. Heidi wrote a book titled, 'Save The Last Bullet - Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army'. The book is a story of how her father was taken away by the Nazis at thirteen years old during World War II and sent off to fight in the German army for the Third Reich against the Americans. https://www.heidilangbeinauthor.com/ Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.hazardground.com/sponsors Shop A...
Feb 21, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 310
While growing up in San Jacinto, CA, Jeremy Stalnecker's only goal in life was to leave home and join the Marine Corps. This dream was finally realized with an active duty commission in 1999. While in the Marine Corps, God was working in Jeremy’s life to turn his heart toward full-time ministry. Just one month after returning from Iraq, Jeremy became a staff member of his home church at Coastline Baptist in Oceanside, CA. Here he gained ministry experience that would equip him for the further le...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 309
Jim Morphew spent ten years in the U.S. Coast Guard and ended it as an MK 3 - Machinist Technician, 3rd Class. From drug busts to ventures out into sea with the Coast Guard, Jim joins the Hazard Ground Podcast to share his journey and experiences. Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.hazardground.com/sponsors Shop Amazon ! As an Amazon Associate We Earn From Qualifying Purchases...You Know The Deal! (Paid Link) Help grow the show! Spread the word, tell a friend!! Subscribe, rate...
Feb 07, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 308
Daniel Lombard, is a U.S. Army combat veteran, co-founder of Project Refit, and current student of Psychology at Rowan University. He was named one of South Jersey's men of the year in 2021. Daniel was a team leader and participated in over 150 combat missions. During his military career, he was involved in two IED explosions. The worst of his injuries were TBI and PTSD. https://www.projectrefit.us/ Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.hazardground.com/sponsors Shop Amazon ! As ...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 307
Jon Macaskill is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL Commander turned consultant and mindfulness and meditation teacher. During his 24-year Navy career, he served in multiple highly dynamic leadership positions from the battlefield to the operations center and the board room. Jon served in Iraq, Afghanistan, off the coast of Somalia, and in Panama. After retiring, he served briefly as the Deputy Executive Director for the veteran nonprofit, Veteran’s PATH. He now runs a podcast called 'Men Talking Mindfuln...
Jan 24, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 306
Chad Russell is a former U.S. Marine who left the Marine Corps as a Sergeant. Serving in the corps for four and a half years, Chad served three different deployments to Iraq. Chad's journey involves a personal story of a flag he lost on his deployment that he would later find again and eventually be able to bring it back home. Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.hazardground.com/sponsors Shop Amazon ! As an Amazon Associate We Earn From Qualifying Purchases...You Know The Deal!...
Jan 17, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 305
Charlie Faint served over 27 years in the Army’s Infantry and Military Intelligence branches. After graduating from Georgia Military College and commissioning through the ROTC program at Mercer University, he did his Infantry time in the 101st Airborne Division and served two tours with the Second Infantry Division in Korea after his Military Intelligence transition. Charlie also completed seven combat tours and served operational assignments to Hawaii, the Philippines, Egypt, and the Republic o...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 304
Colonel (Ret) P.J. Dermer’s active-duty Army career spanned 30 years and was spread over a breadth of challenging spectrums, including national levels of the U.S. government and multiple international hazardous duty and combat tours. Extending his energies to his post-military career, P.J. has worked veterans’ issues across the spectrum. He is a member of the Wounded Warrior Program, Mission Continues, and Team Rubicon. In 2020, after five years as a volunteer for a U.S. NGO recovery organizatio...
Jan 03, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 303
Mark Campbell graduated from Fordham University and has been in the U.S. Marine Corps for over 26 years in both active duty and the reserves. During his time in the Marines, Mark has had two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. He is currently still serving in the corps as the Amphibious Operations Planner for the National Defense University (NDU) Center for Applied Strategic Learning (CASL). He harnesses his many years of experience and diverse background to build and execute war games f...
Dec 20, 2022•53 min•Ep. 302
Renford Ligon is a US Army Special Forces “Green Beret” Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (MSG Ret.) with 25 years of experience. A proven track record during many national level crisis events while serving as a US Army Special Operations Senior Operator and Military advisor (Contractor) previously assigned Central and South America worked years supporting the Global War on Terror (GWOT). Renford completed several military schools during his 20 year tenure as a Special Operator. Renford is working...
Dec 13, 2022•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 301
Brian Hester enlisted in the Army as an infantryman in 1990, completing his first assignment with the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. He went on to serve in roles based in North Carolina, Louisiana, Maryland, Hawaii, South Carolina and Iraq, fulfilling numerous leadership responsibilities and completing three tours in Iraq, two tours in Afghanistan and one tour in Kosovo. Hester holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Excelsior College and has completed multiple military education c...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 300
Mark “Matz” Matzeldelaflor grew up exploring the wilderness in the backwoods of New Hampshire, camping, hiking through the mountains, and climbing trees until the weekend after high school graduation when he joined the Navy to become a SEAL. He served in combat deployments to Baghdad and Ramadi, Iraq, and trained the West Coast SEAL Teams in combat skills before leaving active duty service in 2009. Mark would go on to co-found a fintech startup in the foreign currency space, earn a Bachelor of A...
Nov 29, 2022•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 299
Former Green Beret Nate Boyer returns this week to the podcast with a specific purpose: to discuss the film that he wrote, directed and starred in titled "MVP." Boyer co-founded his non-profit MVP (Merging Vets & Players) with Jay Glazer of FOX Sports to bring together combat veterans and former professional athletes as they both share a bond of the tough transition when the uniform comes off. The movie takes us through the story of how Merging Vets & Players got started and is based on ...
Nov 22, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 298
David Truesdale has worked very closely with military members and military units, spending about 27 years in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. David had combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as deployments around the world; working in Counter Intelligence and Counter Terrorism. At certain points in his career, David was in charge of military troops and military units. David is also the co-founder of the Warrior Spirit Project, which provides trauma-informed yoga and meditat...
Nov 15, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 297
Tomas Cruz served in the U.S. Army for over 25 years and deployed to Kosovo in 1999 as well as to Iraq and Jordan over his military career. Tomas claims he was a soldier that thought he could take care of everything on his own and had all the answers until it all came crashing down on November 3rd 2010, the day that changed his life. He felt he could not handle the pressure of doing everything on his own and "One" person stopped him from not being able to tell his story today. Now, Tomas focuses...
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 296
Mary Tobin is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and the New York Institute of Technology. Mary is a proud combat Veteran, having served 10 years in the United States Army as a communications officer, including two combat tours in Iraq. She currently serves in the Biden-Harris administration as the Senior Advisor for Wounded Warrior, Veteran, and Military Family Initiatives at AmeriCorps. https://americorps.gov/ Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.ha...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 295
Keith Parry is a native of Palmerton, Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1989, spending 30 years in the military. Keith spent the latter half of his career in the special operations community within the Marine Corps. He has seven deployments in the War on Terror and four additional deployments, all overseas. Keith currently works for the state of Texas and is an ambassador on The Honor Foundation. honor.org Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.hazardground.com/spon...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 294
Amy Forsythe started her military career as an enlisted Marine Combat Correspondent working as a military journalist while on active duty and in the Marines Reserves before becoming a Navy Reserve Public Officer in 2010. Amy served five combat tours over the past 20 years and won many awards for her reporting while deployed as she covered combat operations and military exercises in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Guam, Sri Lanka, Malaysia Romania, and Poland. She recently released her first book ...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 293
Earl Porter joined the military at the age of 17 as a 4-year Army ROTC scholar and would go on to spend 10 total years in the military. Earl is a former Army captain and was also a Ranger, spending time in both active duty and the guard. During his service, Earl had deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Post-military career, Earl got his law degree, works in commercial real estate and also established a non-profit organization called 'Something Outta Nothing', a project of the non-profit toughest...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 292
