The Jedburgh Podcast

Epizódok

• #201: Coaching America's Best - Army West Point Head Coach Joe Alberici and Naval Academy Head Coach Joe Amplo 27.06.2026 21p

  For one day, the rivalry shifts from the battlefield to the lacrosse field. Green Berets. Navy SEALs. America's most elite special operations forces compete with the same intensity, discipline, and commitment to excellence that defines their military careers. But when the final whistle blows, the score becomes secondary to the brotherhood.Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Army Head Coach Joe Alberici and Navy Head Coach Joe Amplo just hours before the teams took the field. While the rivalry between Army and Navy is one of the greatest traditions in sports, both coaches know the game has always represented something much bigger than winning. Every practice, every workout, and every lesson on the lacrosse field is preparing young men and women to lead under pressure, overcome adversity, and serve their country with honor.Our conversation examines how service academy athletics develops leaders ready to fight and win our nation’s wars. Coach Alberici and Coach Amplo explain why competition, accountability, and resilience are not just traits of great athletes - they are the same qualities required to lead in combat.As kickoff approaches, the focus shifts from strategy to mindset. Compete relentlessly. Trust your training. Focus on the next play. Because whether it's on the lacrosse field, on a Special Forces ODA or SEAL platoon, success is built on discipline, accountability, and teammates who refuse to let each other fail.Army and Navy compete to make each other better because one day these young men and women will stand together in defense of America. Highlights:0:00 Introduction2:02 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic2:39 Preparing for the Game5:34 Playing at USMA & USN14:01 Ownership & Accountability17:03 Pregame MessageQuotes:“The excitement and desire to be a part of this again from the community was incredible.”“My number one job is to keep you from yourself.”“I have such a love, respect, and aberration for a young person just to be looking at these academies.”“Both of our institutions uncover the best version of the human being that’s inside.”“They have to be good humans who contribute to society because even their military service is going to end at some point.”“You’re always looking to mentor.”“Great leaders hold themselves to the higher standard as consistent as they possibly can.”“The best leaders hold each other and others to that standard consistently.” “Each day we tell a young man we’re trying to build you a masterpiece.”“Before you hold others accountable, you got to hold yourself accountable.”“Go back to the basics.”“Let’s just make sure we’re getting onto the next play.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #200: We Play To Win - US Army West Point Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis 19.06.2026 31p

  The United States Military Academy at West Point is the foundation of the US Army. Along the cliffs, through the halls, and on the fields America’s best and brightest are trained to lead not just soldiers, but America. But behind the tradition and pageantry, West Point understands that athletics of any level create disciplined warriors prepared to lead in any situation. In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Tom Theodorakis, Director of Athletics at West Point, to discuss how one of the most respected athletic programs in the country directly supports the mission of the United States Military Academy and helps develop the next generation of Army leaders.With more than 30 Division I programs and over 1,200 cadet-athletes, Tom explains what makes Army West Point different from every other program in college athletics. Cadet-athletes are not just balancing Division 1 sports and rigorous academics; they are simultaneously preparing to become officers in the United States Army where they will lead soldiers and shape national security strategy for decades to come.We discuss the demanding reality of being a cadet-athlete, the recruiting process, and what it takes to attract elite competitors to an institution built around service before self.Tom also addresses the realities behind funding Army athletics, correcting the misconception that the program is fully government funded, and explaining how external support and partnerships help sustain the mission of Army West Point Athletics.Finally, we discuss the opportunities available to cadet-athletes after graduation, including pathways to world-class and professional athletics, and most importantly serving as officers in the United States Army.Highlights0:00 Introduction2:09 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:43 Athletic Director Responsibility6:01 Recruiting Athletes to West Point8:31 Competing at the D1 Level11:14 Funding Athletics12:06 NIL Impact13:08 Defining Sustainability14:04 West Point Cadet-Athlete Experience18:18 West Point Pro Athletes19:58 Coaching Cadet-Athletes22:54 Creating Warriors25:26 Defining Success26:50 Cadet to LieutenantQuotes:“It’s very humbling and also a tremendous responsibility .”“We want to win. If we’re going to keep score we want to win.”“That atmosphere of winning is something that’s paramount.”“We need to continue to just recruit and put ourselves on the biggest stage possible.”“We want to make sure to create the best area, the best resources for our athletes to just grow.”“The idea is that when someone comes here, they say ‘they care about athletics.’”“We need to continue to be innovative.”“We sell not the transactional experience, but it’s the transformational experience.”“What are we doing now to make sure we’re in a good position in the future?”“This place is about challenging our athletes.”“Every cadet here is an athlete.”“The key word here is ‘path.’”“You have to fully embrace this place and love this institution.”“You got to win too. Results matter.”“These are all things athletics can teach you on the field.”“There’s so many things that we do here at West Point that now more than ever help us.”“That’s the best part of the job.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #199: America's Contingency Corps - XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General Lieutenant General Gregory Anderson 12.06.2026 48p

  Modern warfare is no longer defined by who has the biggest force, but by who can adapt the fastest. The battlefield is changing in real time through artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, and the speed of information. But even in the most advanced operating environments, victory still comes down to disciplined leaders, trusted teams, and soldiers prepared to make decisions under pressure when everything is on the line.The responsibility for America’s rapid response to any crisis belongs to the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps.From their headquarters at Fort Bragg, NC, Fran Racioppi sat down with Lieutenant General Greg Anderson, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps, to discuss how he is preparing America’s Contingency Corps for combat in an increasingly dangerous world.Leading more than 80,000 soldiers across the 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and 101st Airborne Division, and other subordinate commands, LTG Anderson explains how the Corps balances readiness, speed, and innovation while maintaining the fundamentals that have always defined military success.Our conversation explores the role of Noncommissioned Officer, the importance of mastering the basics, and why leadership development remains America’s greatest asymmetric advantage. We also discuss the integration of conventional and special operations forces, the concept of compound warfare, and the difference between interoperability and true integration on the battlefield.LTG Anderson breaks down the Corps’ push toward innovation through initiatives like the Joint Innovation Outpost and experimental exercises that incorporate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making into operational planning. But even as technology changes warfare, he makes one thing clear; there must always be a human in the loop.Highlights0:00 Introduction2:17 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast4:01 The role of XVIII Airborne Corps9:57 Empowering NCOs14:58 Joint Innovation Outpost19:00 Speeding the Acquisition Timeline22:53 Keeping A Human in the Loop25:41 Integration vs Interoperability29:13 Guiding the Tactical Level Leader32:48 Compound Warfare Today37:22 Generational Warfighting Differences42:00 The XVIII Airborne Corps Formation45:04 Daily HabitsQuotes“What operational problems do they expect us to solve for them?”“If I’ve got a strong team…we’ll typically prevail.”“Certainly what I’ve learned of any value has come from non-commissioned officers that raised me up.”“The role of the non-commissioned officer is to become the technical tactical experts in the application of violence at the tactical level.”“What are we doing to get the NCO corps to that point where they are the Army?”“How do we use advanced computing to allow us to make decisions more informed and faster than our opponents?”“The advantage of war fighting is not replacing humans with machine decision making. It’s now creating superhumans that are enabled by it.”“Interoperability is our ability to work together in an efficient, effective manner.”“Compound Warfare is the blending of regular and irregular capabilities to create a host of dilemmas for your enemy.”“You’ll never be able to tell that tactical level leader when things are going to change and shift if you haven’t done the operational level rigor.”“My role as the general is not to solve the problem or be the hero that comes in, but to think and understand the problem we’re trying to solve.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #198: One Last Last Trip To Vegas - Major Jeff Toczylowski's Letter To Family And Friends 04.06.2026 16p

  Some people don’t just pass through your life. They leave a mark that stays with you long after they’re gone. Not because of what they did in a single moment, but because of how they lived every day, how they showed up for people, and how they made others feel.From the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Pam Patton and Tom Schneider to honor the life of Major Jeff Toczylowski, a Green Beret whose impact on the people around him is still felt nearly two decades later. A letter Jeff left to his family and friends in the event of his death defines the character of a Green Beret; a warrior and a man who cared more about others than himself. Jeff’s last wish…take everyone to Vegas to celebrate his life.Today, his legacy lives on through the annual memorial golf outing in his honor, now approaching its 20th year. What started as a way to cope with loss has become something much bigger. A reunion. A celebration. A community built around a single person who continues to be the common thread connecting hundreds of people who gather not to mourn, but to celebrate a life well lived.Join the Green Beret Foundation and all of Toz’s family and friends this August 1st, at the Five Ponds Golf Course in Warminster, PA to celebrate his service and support all Green Berets past, present and future.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:48 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic2:27 Who was MAJ Jeff Toczylowski5:47 The 20th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament8:51 Vegas Time13:19 Honoring Toz’s LegacyQUOTES“He literally lived every day like it was his last…to the fullest.”“He impacted a lot of people.”“It really is like a reunion.”“The celebration of life is really why everybody comes back.”“It changed him forever.”“No matter what’s going on in life, be good to the people around you and live each day to the fullest because today could be it.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #197: The Evolution Of The Green Beret NCO - CSM(R) Rob Abernethy 27.05.2026 59p

  Green Berets are built over time. Special Operations Truth #3: SOF cannot be mass produced. America’s most elite warriors are developed through experience, through leadership, and through the responsibility of developing others. This is the job of the Special Forces Noncommissioned Officer.In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Command Sergeant Major Rob Abernethy to dissect the evolution of the Green Beret NCO, and their officer counterparts, to show how that development shapes the effectiveness of Army Special Operations and national strategy.CSM Abernethy served nearly four decades in the Army and across special operations from a junior 18E communications sergeant, to the Command Sergeant Major of US Army Special Operations Command and United States European Command. Rob breaks down the role of the NCO as the backbone of the Regiment, the importance of regional alignment in building partner forces, and where Special Forces fits into military strategy from the pre-9/11 period, through the Global War on Terror and into today’s Large Scale Combat Operations.We also explore the rapid evolution of technology and the challenge of integrating new tools without losing the fundamentals of leadership and warfighting. From artificial intelligence to modern battlefield systems, Rob emphasizes that technology must support the force, not replace the mindset that defines it.Finally, after retiring as one of the longest serving Green Berets in the Army, CSM Abernethy shares his perspective on transition after service and his current role continuing to develop soldiers through his work at AUSA.This is a conversation about leadership, evolution, and the responsibility to prepare the next generation of Green Berets for the fight ahead.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:00 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast5:20 From junior to senior NCO on an ODA15:31 Role of the Team Sergeant18:52 The culture of a Special Forces team25:02 Importance of Regional Alignment32:08 Bridging the generation gap43:14 American Military Technological Advantage49:00 Biggest Threat to America52:18 Remembering ServiceQUOTES“The average age on the teams was much older.”“Nobody says, ‘Hey, I’m going to join the Army and my goal is to be a sucky soldier.’”“The Team Sergeant is one of the most critical parts of the team.”“Over time, what you do is build confidence with the team.”“The Officer’s success is really the Team’s success and the Team’s success is based on the Officer.”“Our confidence as a Team Sergeant needs to be projected through the team leader.”“You have to have a lot of confidence in the team you’re selecting.”“The administrative stuff makes a difference.”“The little things absolutely matter.”“The more astute you are to the environment in which you’re going to operate, the better you’re going to be.”“In the next 10 years, it’s going to be phenomenal what we actually bring to the battlefield because AI is going to make us that much better.”“The Department of War is crushing the acquisition process now.”“Our relationship with our NATO allies has been strong and needed, and still will be needed.”“One thing that stayed consistent was my desire to be good, to be an expert, and lead by example.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #196: Iran, Military Housing & Unifying Congress - Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) 14.05.2026 36p

  The conditions service members live in directly affect Military readiness and national security. It’s the responsibility of Congress to authorize military funding to ensure the warfighter has what they need in combat and at home. Every decision impacts the strength of the force and their families.In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Representative Mike Levin, who serves California’s 49th District and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs to discuss the policies and decisions shaping today’s military bases. From investments in infrastructure at Camp Pendleton to broader oversight of Veterans Affairs, Congressman Levin outlines why improving living conditions, facilities, and support systems is essential to maintaining a ready and capable force.Our conversation explores the responsibility of leadership to develop a culture where reporting substandard conditions is encouraged. We also discuss the broader role of Congress in overseeing military operations, and the importance of transparency, strategy, and accountability when American forces are deployed.Congressman Levin shares his perspective on the war with Iran, his views on the need for checks and balances, and the growing divide that has made bipartisan governance more difficult. He emphasizes that strong institutions require leaders willing to put mission over politics and to ensure that the constitutional framework guiding military action is upheld.This is a conversation about leadership, accountability, and the systems that support those who serve. It is about ensuring readiness not just on the battlefield, but across the entire force.Highlights:0:00 Introduction1:53 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:19 California’s 49th District6:34 Improving Military Housing14:25 Status of the Iran War19:37 Is Iran A Direct Threat To The US?22:08 Iran’s State Sponsorship of Terrorism25:20 Negotiating with Iran28:41 Bridging the GapQuotes:“It is imperative that we treat our veterans and military families with absolute respect.”“We’ve got real issues with barracks.”“We’re not looking for the Ritz Carlton. We’re just looking for a decent place.”“The average member of the military needs a decent place where they can live.”“The challenge is the lack of clarity about what they’re being asked to do.” “They didn’t brief us on what the plan was going to be.”“It’s a war that is unauthorized. It is a war without a clear exit plan.”“What damage have we done to our allies around the world? A lot.”“We know less today than we did before the war began.”“The question is whether or not the military has actually made it a worse problem or has it actually ameliorated the problem.”“The Iranians have been a horrible regime.”“I don’t think the President has enough people around him telling him what he needs to hear, not what he wants to hear.”“Use of military force should be last resort always.”“I am personally never going to see the other side as my enemy. I see them as my political opponent.”“Running the United States is not an easy challenge.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.
• #195: Setting The Record Straight - Secretary Of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins 01.05.2026 53p

  There is a steady stream of headlines shaping how Veterans view the Department of Veterans Affairs. Disability benefits are being cut. The VA is being privatized. Programs are disappearing. That is the narrative. But is it the reality?In a social media environment driven by clicks, likes, and engagement, information spreads fast, and too often no one stops to ask whether it is actually true. When it comes to healthcare, benefits, and the systems Veterans rely on, the facts matter.In this episode, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins joins Fran Racioppi to address those concerns directly and bring clarity to what is actually happening inside the VA. This is not a surface level conversation. It’s a direct response to the questions Veterans are asking right now.We break down the proposed disability rating regulation enforcement that rocked the Veteran community, what it was intended to do, how it was misinterpreted, and why it was withdrawn within days. We discuss the rollout of the VA’s electronic health record modernization, what’s working, what still needs to improve, and how it will impact care moving forward.Secretary Collins also addresses the reality of community care and the claims surrounding privatization, clarifying how the VA will always deliver and fund care for Veterans. We talk about workforce challenges, hiring, and the responsibility to ensure Veterans are receiving timely and effective support with a right-sized VA staffing level.The conversation also focuses on one of the most critical issues facing the Veteran community: suicide prevention. With the majority of Veterans not currently engaged with the VA, the approach must evolve. Outreach must expand, accountability must increase, and programs must show measurable results.Finally, we cover housing stability through VA home loan programs and the responsibility to ensure Veterans have real options to maintain their homes, but also understand they have a personal responsibility for the financial decisions they make.This conversation is about clarity and accountability. Because at the end of the day, the mission is simple - deliver results for Veterans.Highlights0:00 Introduction2:31 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:31 Dispelling Disability Rating Misconceptions10:43 Running A Wartime VA16:24 Electronic Health Record Modernization20:09 Is the VA Privatizing Healthcare?27:51 VA Employee Moral34:22 Cutting the VASP Program39:06 Preventing Fraud43:13 Veteran Suicide PreventionQuotes“No one that already had a disability rating was ever going to lose anything.”“I take full responsibility.”“Nobody’s getting judged differently.”“We’re the largest integrated healthcare system in the country. We don’t act like it.”“There’s no plan for privatization.”“80% of all new doctors go through the VA in some form.”“Privatization is thrown around to scare employees and veterans.”“We’re never going to privatize. Definitely not under my watch. And there’s no mechanism to privatize.”“There are people invested in a broken system.”“I have to compete for doctors and nurses with every hospital in the country.”“Our problem was we had too many people in the wrong places.”“What are you doing that’s stupid?”“60% of death by suicide by Veterans have not had any contact with the VA.”“The VA many times was more concerned about itself than we were about actually finding metrics for the veteran.” “Capitol Hill has become more driven by the five minute YouTube clip.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #194: Small Business Is Big Business - US Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs 24.04.2026 55p

  99% of all US businesses and almost 46% of American employees are, or work for, a small business. Although a small business is defined as having less than 500 employees, American small businesses are responsible for over 88% of net job growth. That means that America's economy, and the world's economy, rest on the backs of small businesses.  The Small Business Administration plays a critical role in the success of small businesses; including those owned and operated by American Veterans. From business planning, strategy design, funding and specialty certification programs the SBA is one of the primary pillars creating and supporting economic impact.In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Bill Briggs, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, to break down the SBA’s 3C’s and a D: Capital, Counseling, Contracting and Disaster. Deputy Administrator Briggs explained the real challenges business owners face, especially around cash flow, capital access, and navigating competitive marketplaces. He shared the history of the SBA and its grounding in the Small Business Act of 1953, when the post war period identified that small businesses are not only important to the global economy, but they are crucial to America’s national defense. 200,000 service members transition each year from the military into the civilian sector. Some will start businesses as entrepreneurs. Others will enter the workforce. All will need counseling, support and a system designed to give Veterans access to opportunity and the chance to succeed post service. Finally,  we address how the SBA is improving accountability, cracking down on fraud, and ensuring programs are delivering real results for those they are designed to support.Highlights0:00 Introduction2:16 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast4:01 Small biz is big biz4:57 SBA Team8:13 Access to Capital11:58 Counseling Resources16:14 Access to Contracts22:01 Disaster Loans25:33 The Formation of the SBA27:16 Made in America Loans29:54 Working Families Tax Cut Bill33:10 Stopping Fraud35:51 Importance of Service39:08 Boots to Business52:02 Daily HabitsQuotes“We’re taking it to the next level in terms of right sizing, streamlining, and improving the overall performance of the agency because the mission is so important.”“Access to capital is one of the top three issues that are always facing small businesses.”“What we’re trying to do under this administrator and this President is trying to improve our systems to scale and deploy more capital effectively with our lending partners and investors.”“I always say to people you have to have that education before you walk in to try to get that loan.”“Your job is to compete to solve the mission, not to say ‘I’m a certification, I deserve something.’”“Having a competitive, innovative national small business ecosystem is not only part of our economic security but our national security.”“We’re trying to bring back American manufacturing .”“Our priorities are manufacturing, critical technology, and food production and technology.”“Our economic agenda is centered on fair trade, tax cuts, deregulation, and energy dominance.”“There’s something for everyone in the Working Families Tax Cut Bill.”“We have a zero tolerance policy for fraud.”“The day you start your business is not the day you get paid.”“We’re overhauling how we deliver our boots to business.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #193: Progressive Traumatic Brain Injury - Silver Star Spouse Bianca Baldwin and Silver Star Mother Fran Wesseling 14.04.2026 30p

  Service is an honor and a burden carried by more than just those who don the Green Beret. Service is borne by the family that stands in the shadows every step of the way. Through training, deployments, uncertainty, the highest highs and the lowest lows, it’s the family that waits for their Green Beret to return. From the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Bianca Baldwin and Fran Wesseling, the spouse and mother of Major Darren Baldwin; a Green Beret who came home from combat, but was never the same. Darren’s journey began at the United States Military Academy, where he played lacrosse and built the foundation of discipline, teamwork, and commitment that would carry him into Special Forces. During a deployment, Darren was forced to return home early due to what initially seemed like minor health issues. Further evaluation revealed lesions on his brain, marking the beginning of a long and uncertain fight. Diagnosed with Progressive Traumatic Brain Injury, Bianca and Fran answered a family’s hardest call to service. They shared with me the critical role a family plays in the success of a Green Beret, why strength is important, and how caregiving gives hope to the wounded and their loved ones. Darren passed away from his combat-related illness, and to honor his life, Bianca and Fran carry forward his legacy through the MAJ(R) Darren Baldwin Silver Star Families Support Fund and through the support of the Green Beret Foundation, ensuring that other families will never fight alone.This episode is about the service of a family during, and after that of their Green Beret. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:51 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic3:38 Who was MAJ Darren Baldwin10:14 Silver Star Families Fund15:02 Progressive Traumatic Brain Injury22:20 Resources AvailableQUOTES“Both of my boys slept with a lacrosse stick.”“He had a dedication and grit that goes beyond most.”“Ultimately deeply grateful that his legacy and memory lives on.”“It was like trying to make a right of a wrong.”“That’s kind of how our story started and my story as a caregiver.”“I was always his wife but became his 24/7 caregiver.”“The vast majority of people, including the military, don’t even know what Silver Star families are.”“The fund provides all kinds of medical equipment and new technologies.”“It’s difficult and thankless work to be a caregiver.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #192: SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show - Gold Star Father Frank Viola 31.03.2026 23p

  Cars aren’t just a mode of transportation. They’re a passion. An image. A lifestyle. For many families, they are the bond that brings together father and son. For Frank Viola, cars are the legacy of his son, Green Beret SSG Alex Viola.  Alex graduated as a Green Beret in 2011 and then went on to get his Combat Dive Certification. In September 2013, his team deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On November 17, 2013 Alex lost his life to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while on dismounted patrol.After the loss of their son, Frank and his family faced the unimaginable challenge of how to move forward. The answer came from something Alex loved deeply: cars. Alex was a true car guy, and restoring vehicles with his dad was one of the ways they spent time together.What began as a simple idea to honor Alex’s memory turned into the SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show. The first event was held in freezing weather with modest expectations, but the community showed up, raising twenty thousand dollars that first year alone.Today the event has grown into something far greater than anyone imagined. Nearly four hundred cars fill the lot each year, and the show has raised nearly seven hundred thousand dollars to support charitable causes, including the families of Green Berets through the Green Beret Foundation.Host Fran Racioppi sits down with Frank Viola to share how this fundraiser is more than impressive horsepower and jaw-dropping donations. It’s a powerful story of resilience, community, and how one family's determination not only honors a fallen hero but has also remarkably reunited their own distant family members and created a new, unbreakable bond with Alex’s former Green Beret teammates.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:57 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast2:22 Who was SSG Alex Viola?6:11 Why a Car Show?10:05 How loss brought the family together12:34 Alex’s Team16:03 The 2025 Show17:02 Working with the Foundations18:36 Advice for Future Green BeretsQuotes“Alex was a father’s dream of a son.”“His whole thing was to be out there in the ditches with the guys.”“Alex was a car guy.”“In a million years, we never expected anything like it.”“We have a goal of reaching $1,000,000 in donations.”“There’s been some of my cousins that I’ve never met, but because of this, now we’re really close.”“They’re like our own kids.”“Losing Alex was probably the worst thing that could ever happen to any parent.”“It’s just been a win win all the way around.”“They know we’re always going to do the right thing.”“The whole theme of both organizations is supporting the families of fallen and wounded warriors’ families.”“I don’t think that anyone can just become a Green Beret. You have to be a special kind of person.”“It’s either you have it or you don’t.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #191: Last General Standing - Final Commander Of The Afghan National Army, General Haibatullah Alizai 20.03.2026 1ó 12p

  In August 2021, the world watched in disbelief as Afghanistan collapsed, leaving two decades of sacrifice, hope, and war in question. America’s longest war, forged in the aftermath of 9/11 and costing thousands of lives and billions of dollars, ended in chaos, confusion, and the swift return of the Taliban. But what truly happened in those final, frantic days? Who held the line until the line was irrevocably gone?In this exclusive interview, host Fran Racioppi sat down with General Haibatullah Alizai, the final Chief of the Afghan National Army, now living in exile. General Alizai offers a raw, firsthand account of the challenges, the political decisions, and the human cost that led to the nation’s swift downfall. From the initial hope sparked by the post-9/11 intervention to the crushing weight of the Taliban's propaganda machine, he confronts the harsh realities faced by Afghan forces and the devastating decisions that altered the course of history.Discover the candid perspective of a warrior who fought for a country that no longer exists. General Alizai speaks on loyalty, the pervasive impact of corruption, the strategic failures that enabled the Taliban's resurgence, and his powerful message to the American service members who served alongside him.War provides Warriors perspective. Is it possible to reclaim what was lost? And was the 20-year commitment truly worth the cost? Dive into the complexity of war, the human reality behind America’s longest conflict, and the future of a nation still searching for stability in the shadow of the Taliban. This is the untold story of the Afghan Army's last stand.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:51 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast5:11 Afghanistan, 200119:23 America’s Goal In Afghanistan28:51 Afghan Sentiment30:00 Taliban Propaganda36:39 Taliban Today43:30 US Soldiers in Afghanistan49:29 Can Afghanistan be reclaimed?52:51 Leaving Family59:20 Future of AfghanistanQuotes:“You have to have a steel-made ass to be in the Army.”“Kunduz collapsed in September 2015 because coordination was poor.” “We are not going to sit. We are going to solve the problem.”“In the last five days of collapse, I became the Chief of the entire Army.”“I believe the Americans came to Afghanistan to punish their enemies who coordinated the attack in New York.”“Who else has fought more than Afghans for freedom.”“They started with chopping heads.”“The poppies became popular during the first Taliban term.”“They all became strength points to the Taliban and weak points to us.” “When we really understood what was going on, it was a bit too late.” “The only thing the Taliban is still doing is brutality.”“Before the US came to Afghanistan, there was a civil war.”“Now we have thousands of warlords in Afghanistan.”“We lost thousands of people and all those lives were dedicated to support the humanity and democracy the right way."“Have we left something unfinished?”“We should find a way to finish the unfinished business.”“The Taliban has destroyed the Afghan history and honor.”“The Taliban are 10 times more vulnerable than 2001.”“Next is change. It has to happen.”“It will be a question that will bring hesitation.”“I believe we are just a whistle away from bringing the change in Afghanistan.”“What country in the world can do everything on their own?”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by Onebrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #190: Building The Unified Global Special Operations Alliance - CSM(R) Warren Soeldner 13.03.2026 51p

  Unified Special Operations commands are critical for allied nations to maintain the advantage over our adversaries. A single command structure enables interoperability at every level, from communications and equipment to tactics and acquisition, ensuring partner forces can train together, fight together, and answer to a common mission.From the Global Special Operations Foundation Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Command Sergeant Major Warren Soeldner, a 10th SFG legend who now lives and works in Greece supporting the Global SOF community. Warren brought home the central tenet of modern allied warfare explaining that Special Operations Forces across nations solve problems together, build trust, and operate as one.He spoke about the importance of standing up capable national SOF commands, the evolving NATO environment and the realities of today’s threat landscape. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the long-term strategic pressure posed by China and Iran, Warren emphasized that modern conflict cannot be viewed through a single lens. War now spans diplomatic, informational, military, and economic domains, and Special Forces play a critical role in shaping outcomes long before conflict becomes visible.This discussion returns to what Green Berets have always done best: building capability in partners, understanding history and culture, maintaining discipline and professionalism, and quietly shaping global security in ways few ever see.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:41 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast2:48 Building Relationships Across SOF Allies5:38 Joint Unified Command9:15 Defining “By, With, and Through”12:38 Russia-Ukraine War Impact on NATO15:08 NATO Interoperability Gaps17:28 NATO’s Biggest Threat23:14 Students of History27:50 Special Forces in LSCO32:38 US Army Generations41:38 Defining the Green BeretQuotes“The whole theme for the week has been strength and unity.”“The dollar or euro goes a lot further for them when it’s a unified command.” “The threat isn’t waiting on 30 nations and their parliaments.”“It’s important that NATO know, fight, train together.”“When one country is using one standard and the rest of the countries are using another standard, resupply becomes a lot harder for that country.”“At the end of the day, we’re all out on the same battlefield and they’re seeing what we’re doing, we’re seeing what they’re doing.”“Russia is a huge threat right now. We may be getting to hyperfocused on that and forgetting other threats like China and Iran.”“We’ve lost that edge with the adversary. They have a long term plan. We don’t.”“It requires our Green Berets to be students of history.”“I came up in an era where we did two things: Unconventional Warfare and Foreign Internal Defense.”“First you had to learn the culture.”“When I look at Large Scale Combat Operations, do we need artillery anymore?”“In that isolation is where you finetune the skills that you need for that mission.”“There’s nothing special about being a Green Beret.”“I’ve always been a believer that the Green Beret is a symbol and it attracts greatness.”“At the end of the day, the Army’s job is to close with and kill the enemy.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #189: Building Army Warriors - Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer & CSM (R) Rick Merritt 27.02.2026 52p

  What separates war fighting from a warrior? Is it skill? Is it experience? Or is it something deeper that only reveals itself when it matters most?From the Pentagon, Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer and retired Command Sergeant Major Rick Merritt to discuss what it truly means to build and sustain warriors in the United States Army.CSM Merritt spent over three decades on active duty, including 25 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in every enlisted leadership position from rifleman to Regimental Sergeant Major. He conducted over 1,500 combat operations under Joint Special Operations Command and served more than five years in combat task forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. His experience spans the full arc of modern warfare.Together with the SMA, we unpack into the difference between technical proficiency and true warrior mindset, what commitment looks like when compliance disappears, and how leaders enforce standards without eroding trust. We explore whether resilience is built over time or revealed under pressure, and how purpose sustains Soldiers when motivation begins to fade.As warfare becomes more technical and systems driven, the SMA is challenging the force to ensure technology enhances the warrior. Future conflict will demand innovation and the technological edge, but victory on the battlefield will still be decided by human judgment, character, and leadership.This is a conversation about standards, commitment, mental toughness, and the responsibility of leaders to hold the line…not just to engage in the business of war fighting, but to forge warriors ready to close with and destroy our nation’s adversaries.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast4:40 Defining An Army Warrior14:02 Compliance to Commitment20:02 What Is The Army Culture?27:18 Why A Warrior Mindset Matters38:52 How to Lead the War fighting ProfessionQUOTES“I see a warrior as the reason why we do it.”“Make a difference with your presence. Otherwise, why are you there?”“A warrior is a way of life.”“Technology is not going to make up for the foundation.”“A warrior is one that is dedicated, disciplined, willing to go the extra mile, will fight for those left and right, and never quit.”“The best recruiters we have are our service members, our veterans.”“How much is enough of these key attributes to take a risk on you and bring you in and start developing the rest of that?”“There’s just some things about human beings that are going to be done on an individual’s basic timeline in life.”“It’s not normal for this generation.”“Combat readiness is a way of life.”“Although I took the uniform off, my oath didn’t go away.”“The guys on my team know that they’re in the right spot with the right people, with the right culture.”“You’re consecrated into this culture that I got to find when I retire.” “What makes that culture is character and character development.”“That probably makes the difference in the world is where our NCO core is compared to other countries.”“I’m a firm believer that the noncommissioned officer is the keeper of the culture.”“I think that was our biggest challenge in Vietnam.”“This profession, we hand you a machete and we say ‘Take that path.’”“Grit comes through hardship.”“At the end of the day, guys got to go on the ground.”“We’re struggling a little bit in that space.”“There’s no time limit on honorable service.”“What is better than being a company commander?”“Don’t be a pain in the ass. Be value added.”“This is a journey, not a destination.”“A legend is nothing but a man or woman who spent their life surrounding themselves with people better than them.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #188: Veterans...Not Victims - Sheepdog The Movie Filmmaker Steven Grayhm 20.02.2026 1ó 15p

  War stories are easy to tell. There’s action, adventure, and good vs evil. For most Veterans their service isn’t defined or explained by their war stories. For most Veterans the story that is far most difficult to write...and to live...is the story they have to write themselves.In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Steven Grayhm, writer and director of Sheepdog, a film dedicated to telling the most difficult story of our Veterans. The story of what happens to us, our families, our friends, and those around us when the war stories fade, reality sets in, and the hard work must actually begin. Steven explains his 14 year journey to make Sheepdog, the thousands of hours he spent with Veterans of all walks of life, his embedment at VA hospitals across the country, and the reality of independent filmmaking; a blue collar process rooted in grit before the red carpet, where every dollar is raised face to face and every decision carries weight. The film confronts veteran suicide honestly while reinforcing a simple truth. Ending your life does not end the pain. It ends the possibility of it ever getting better.What drove Sheepdog was not an interest in war, but a responsibility to understand what happens after it. Steven and his team studied the realities of trauma, addiction, brain injury, generational differences between Vietnam and post 9/11 service members, and the long shadow that war can cast over identity and purpose. They went where the conversations were uncomfortable, where the answers were not clean, and where trust had to be earned. The result is a film that focuses not on combat, but on the war within. Veterans are not victims. Sheepdog recognizes that service members volunteered, took risk, and earned something that does not disappear when the uniform comes off. A Veteran’s perspective matters. Trauma exists, but it does not eliminate the responsibility of Veterans to continue their personal and professional growth post service. Sheepdog is a story about redefining purpose, about post traumatic growth, and about the courage required to take the first step forward when the path is unclear. It reflects the reality that transition is not a checklist, that no two experiences are the same, and that finding the right sense of mission after service is critical.Highlights0:00 Introduction3:42 Why make Sheepdog?12:40 Addressing generational differences16:38 The idea of perspective21:34 Losing morality29:52 Veteran Suicide37:43 VA resources1:03:40 Was it all for nothing?1:08:34 Hope for SheepdogQuotes“The hardest thing I ever have done wasn’t to become a Green Beret, it was to not be a Green Beret.”“They train you so well to do that job that you never really understand what the result of that job actually looks like.”“Whatever happens on the other side of this, I’m going to leave it there.” “One of the most challenging things in this journey of Sheepdog was getting it right.”“The warrior doesn’t get to choose the war they go into.”“It haunted me in my nightmares for years that crack in the sheep pen wall.”“The guys that I learned to be more worried about were the guys that smiled through the pain.”“I get very nervous when people wax poetically about suicide because it comes in all different forms.”“All the resources in the world can exist, but it doesn’t matter if you’re not willing to use them.”“Veterans are not victims.”“In the film you would see, no one feels sorry for themselves.”“I think we have to do better as a veteran to remove the victim mindset.”“If we could save a single life with this film, that would be the greatest Hollywood success story."Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #187: NATO Leading Innovation - DIANA Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Benitez 13.02.2026 28p

  The speed of innovation has long been the difference between military success and failure. Countries and militaries that rapidly develop, deploy and evolve technology thrive. Those who lag…flounder. America, NATO and the world order are being challenged…and innovated against…at a faster pace than ever before. From the Global SOF Symposium in Athens, Greece, I sat down with Ryan Benitez of NATO DIANA to talk about how innovation, technology, and rapid capability development are shaping the future of defense across the Alliance.As the DIANA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ryan explains her work inside one of NATO’s most forward-leaning organizations. DIANA, the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, connects startups, researchers, and industry leaders to solve some of the most urgent challenges facing allied militaries. From emerging technologies to dual-use solutions, DIANA is helping NATO move faster, stay adaptable, and maintain an edge in an increasingly competitive global environment.Ryan also shared how her experience in the Navy and Venture Capital informs her approach to modern innovation, why collaboration between nations and private industry is more critical than ever, and how DIANA is empowering new ideas that can redefine readiness, resilience, and operational effectiveness to not only keep pace, but move faster than our enemies.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:37 Welcome to GSOF Europe3:06 Defining NATO DIANA5:25 Companies Supporting NATO9:23 Filling Technological Gaps11:15 Time to Technology13:44 NATO’s Leading Innovators14:57 Compelling Countries To Invest16:49 Is NATO behind Adversaries?20:21 Defining Readiness22:17 The Next Battlefield24:40 NATO DIANA FutureQuotes: “We needed to access the emerging technologies that innovators were putting together.”“Does this technology align with a critical capability need that an operator and user has brought to the table?”“Team is everything.”“Interoperability has different scales.”“The flavor of the month is Counter-UAS.”“The Special Operations community has always been early adapters of streamlined acquisition and innovation.”“We’ve seen the Netherlands do a lot.”“We’re keeping a pulse on the market and the demand signal.”“How can we help you with your innovation base?”“We’re seeing a lot of lessons learned in Ukraine. The innovation cycle there is weeks.”“The word defense used to not be top of mind. It is now.”“We need to make sure we’re acting as a bridge to the emerging technology market.”“Cost is going to become an issue.”“War isn’t front and center every day like it is in Europe.”“You’re going to start seeing our ability to really rapidly spin up.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #186: Communication Wins Wars - Former Chief Technology And Innovation Officer at USSOCOM & US Space Force Dr. Lisa Costa 05.02.2026 50p

  Communication is the backbone of every military operation. How well our forces talk to each other across air, land, sea and space is what sets the American military apart from everyone else. Without communication leaders can’t lead, and militaries can’t win. From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Dr. Lisa Costa, a leading technologist, former Chief Information Officer for U.S. Special Operations Command, and the first Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for the U.S. Space Force, to discuss how innovation, cyber, and modernization are reshaping Special Operations across all domains.Dr. Costa brings decades of experience at the crossroads of defense, technology, and strategic innovation. From running one of the Department of Defense’s largest IT enterprises supporting elite global SOF operations to spearheading digital transformation efforts in the Space Force, she has helped architect the future of how our forces fight, communicate, and adapt.She addressed the evolving threat landscape, including cyber attacks, space domain challenges and why staying ahead through technology, data, and innovation is no longer optional. She emphasized the importance of agility, integration, and forward-thinking capability as the bedrock of a modern force ready for tomorrow’s missions.This discussion is about building advantage through technology, strengthening alliances across domains, and protecting America by ensuring the force evolves with the threat.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:36 Welcome to GSOF Europe3:15 USSOCOM CIO & Space Force's CTIO6:02 Communications Evolution8:51 DoD Civilian Workforce13:43 Special Operations LSCO16:41 SOF Space Cyber Triad19:24 The Space Battlefield22:17 Lunar South Pole24:35 War Today26:18 Combatting misinformation28:38 Defining AI30:22 Human in the loop31:33 Guardrailing AI Weaponization34:06 Advancing Time to Technology35:48 Citizen Based37:06 Ground Level Innovation40:46 Buying Commercial Resources45:10 The Next BattlefieldQuotes“I might be the only person wearing both a SOCOM and Space Force pin.” “Communications is absolutely critical.” “It has gone from big bulky equipment to a binary signal.” “Civilians are part of the force.” “I look at SOF as the tool and capability to prevent us going to war.”“The best battle space is the one we never have to put a boot into.” “There is not even a position, navigation, and timing capability on the lunar surface.” “Is it the person who discovered it or the person who gets there first?”“We’re fighting for data.”“It’s not there because we’re using AI.”“I do not define AI as just Large Language Models.”“There are going to be mission specific incidents where AI is going to have to be trusted to make that decision.”“Don’t sign up for Chinese AI.”“Operation Spiderweb was one pilot to every drone. That is not scalable.”“It’s going to have to take everyone.”“It comes down to the operational planners that are doing that risk assessment.”“I believe that we will rely greatly on commercial assets.”“There are areas of space that we have not taken advantage of.”“I hope that the future of the battle space is much more cognitive.”“I always put the operator in charge of a project, not a PhD.”“Always prepare for the next unknown mission.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #185: Air To Ground Integration - Retired LTG Ken Tovo And Chief Warrant Officer Sean McCormick 09.01.2026 23p

  Who’s more important? The operators on the ground or the aviators in the sky? It’s hard to seize the objective without boots on the ground; but if you can’t get to the objective in the first place, there’s no mission at all.The reality is that operators need aviators and aviators need operators. Green Berets and the pilots of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment share bonds that transcend their MOS and their mobility platform. Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, I sat down with Chairman of the Green Beret Foundation retired Lieutenant General Ken Tovo and Chief Warrant Officer Sean McCormick to talk about what it takes to build true interoperability between air and ground units, and why there is no such term as “more important.”Chief McCormick served as a lead pilot in the 160th SOAR after a career in 75th Ranger Regiment; he also served as General Tovo’s pilot while the General was the USASOC Commander. Their partnership and friendship provides a rare perspective on the leadership, trust, and relentless commitment that define Special Operations. Together, they shared how those experiences shaped their understanding of teamwork, mission focus, and the ability to take on any challenge. They also share an unknown secret about GBF’s upcoming POW/MIA recovery missions with Project Recover.The Stars and Stripes Classic is more than a lacrosse game. It’s a moment to honor the warriors who always step forward, the families who support them, and the community that preserves their legacy through the Green Beret and Navy SEAL Foundations. Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League for hosting another thrilling game. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:25 Service in the 160th SOAR4:57 Defining Interoperability6:15 Planning and Customer Centric in the 160th10:54 Building a SOF team14:08 Defining De Opresso Liber16:00 Honoring MACV-SOG18:30 Partnering with Project RecoverQuotes“It was a great honor, great experience, and a lot of good stories about that.”“Sometimes the most difficult and important part of a mission is actually just getting there.”“You are the RCO’s representative when you’re the LNO.”“We’re going to plan and rehearse as much as we possibly can before that mission takes place.”“You can’t be an expert if you do more than one thing.”“They’re problem solvers who figure out “What do I need to do to do what I signed up to accomplish.”“No matter what happens, you’re going to accomplish the mission.”“99% of the time, we’re working through a partner force to accomplish whatever our mission is.” “Even in our own community, a lot of what MACV-SOG did is really not even part of the history because it’s been classified until recently.” “58 Green Berets still are yet to be found in Vietnam from that era.” Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #184: Building Elite Warriors - Premier Lacrosse League CEO Mike Rabil (2nd Annual Stars & Stripes Classic) 30.12.2025 13p

  Lacrosse is a sport built on passion, precision, and community. It’s also a sport that defines service. Live from the Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Mike Rabil, co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League, to highlight the PLL’s partnership with the Green Beret Foundation and explore how the sport of lacrosse is intertwined with American Special Operators. A remarkable number of America’s Special Operators come from a lacrosse background. The sport builds toughness, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. The same qualities that define an elite operator and a key reason why so many lacrosse players serve in the military.Mike shares his vision for building the PLL into the world’s only professional lacrosse organization. Now in its seventh season, the PLL is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever, supported by partners who believe in the mission and the athletes who make it possible.Together, the PLL and the Green Beret Foundation are proving that sport can be a force for impact. This partnership honors the athletes, the warriors, and the families who give so much, and it strengthens the connection between two communities built on grit, excellence, and service.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:21 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic2:50 PLL Progression4:51 College to Pro8:32 Leading up to the Second S&S Game11:14 Lacrosse Discipline in Special OpsQuotes“50% of our games have been decided by just one goal this year.”“Now the pressure’s on us to make it worthwhile.”“These are the best lacrosse players in the world but some of the best athletes.”“To incorporate endurance, strength, physicality, and the hand eye, those are things as a tier one operator you need.”“Practice is the payoff for the eventual game.”“The community is actually bigger than we think, the game means something to people and it's actually been misbranded.”“They’re people of character.”“I think athletics in general will teach you a certain level of discipline, resiliency, and adaptability that become critical to your ability to succeed.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #183: Defending Eastern Europe - Romanian Special Operations Forces Commander Major General Claudiu Dobocan 17.12.2025 31p

  Romania is one of America’s key allies in the fight for Eastern Europe. Romanian Special Forces are critical to the success of that mission; and the partnership between United States Special Operations and our Romanian counterparts sits at the center of that strategy.From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Claudiu Dobocan, Commander of the Romanian Special Operations Forces, to discuss how Romanian Special Operations are combatting Russian aggression and holding the line in Europe.General Dobocan shared his perspective on strengthening SOF partnerships, advancing interoperability, and building modern capabilities that allow allied forces to operate seamlessly together. He spoke about Romania’s place within NATO, the importance of trust and shared mission across borders, and the need for Special Operations units to remain agile and prepared for the full spectrum of emerging threats.From combating hybrid threats to maintaining readiness alongside allied SOF elements, General Dobocan emphasized that success today depends on relationships, shared understanding, and the willingness to stand together in the face of uncertainty.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:26 Welcome to GSOF Europe 20253:21 Mission of Romanian Special Operations Forces8:45 Evolution of technology in SOF10:45 Eliminating Human-in-the-Loop?13:35 Changes in military tactics16:57 Romanian Special Forces Mission18:44 Why Join the Romanian Army?20:06 NATO Alliance Importance25:24 Leading against a Global ThreatQuotes“We were created by cooperation between Romanian Ministry of Defense and US SOCEUR.” “Interoperability, no one really talks about what that really means.” “Words carrying value carry meaning.”“Industry defines the speed of technological development.”“The strategic game changer is generative AI.”“I’m scared of the moment when everything is passed to AI.”“I don’t think swarming is going to be the next way of doing battle.”“Our mission is to be a strategic level instrument that helps with reaction to crisis and building partnerships and capabilities in the region.”“10th Group and 20th Group came around and showed us what right looks like so I signed up.”“It’s a tool that kind of prevents conflict.”“NATO is the umbrella under which we share a lot of things that otherwise we cannot discuss about.”“When you talk about the good work NATO has done, you have to talk about the standards.”“We have to be deterrent on our part, but capable to move from military assistance type of missions into a very kinetic one.”Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.
• #182: Special Operations In The Pacific - Philippine's Joint Special Operations Command Commander Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor 05.12.2025 23p

  America is not the only nation in a fight for freedom, stability, and security. International threats are complex, the missions are critical, and the operators leading them must think globally while acting locally.The Philippines is one of America’s longest strategic allies. From their geographical importance of World War II, to their front lines combating Chinese expansion in the Pacific, the military partnership between the United States and the Philippines is an important part of global stability. At the heart of this collaboration, is the Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A force that has been shaped by decades of counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and close partnership with America's Green Berets and Special Operations Forces.From the Global Special Operations Foundation Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with the Commander of Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor, to discuss the evolution of Special Operations in the Philippines, the lessons learned from years of conflict, and the country’s expanding role in regional and international security cooperation.General Villaflor shared his perspective on leading through complexity, building true interoperability with partners like the United States, and preparing the next generation of Filipino Special Operators to face an ever-changing threat environment.This episode is about partnership, professionalism, and the shared mission that connects Special Operations Forces around the world to defend freedom wherever it’s challenged.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:45 Welcome to GSOF Europe 20253:30 Mission of Philippines Joint Special Operations Command5:28 JSOC Commander Challenges8:21 Large Scale Combat Operations in the Philippines11:48 Building relationships in SOF15:54 Philippine Armed Forces Culture18:22 Interoperability in the Philippines19:33 Philippines’ biggest threat23:31 Future of JSOC PhilippinesQuotes“We’re a family.”“The Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was formally activated just last May.”“I am the force employer.”“The challenges will outweigh the positive impact of having JSOC.”“The engagement with the U.S. counterpart has been more aggressive than before.” “Our core mission is to work with other nations to achieve the combined goals of our nations.”“I’m very glad I was given the opportunity to train with foreign counterparts, especially the U.S.”“SOF are not only building trust, we are building family. We are family and we take care of each other.”“People mostly join the Armed Forces because of low economic status.”“I want to avail of the free education.”“We are always leader centered.”“We are now inculcating in our culture the word interoperability.”"Aggressive, illegal, dangerous, and coercive action of China is very visible in our country.”“It’s still all about the mindset, attitude, and discipline.” Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.