Best Global SOF Foundation Podcasts (2025)

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#E173: The Global SOF Imperative - Global Special Operations Forces Foundation President Stu Bradin (SOF Week 2025) 39:23

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11d ago39:23

39:23

For over three decades, retired Colonel Stu Bradin served on the front lines of some of America’s most critical Special Operations missions from Central America and the Balkans to Northern Africa and Afghanistan. He led Special Forces teams under fire, built NATO’s Special Operations Headquarters from the ground up, and ran multi-national, interage…

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#174: Opportunity From Need - Green Beret Foundation President & CEO Charlie Iacono (SOF Week 2025) 44:29

3d ago44:29

44:29

Supporting the Special Forces Regiment isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle. For over 15 years Green Beret Foundation has placed empowering Green Berets of every generation at the forefront. Creating opportunities from the unique needs of our Special Operators is the mission. Charlie Iacono is the President and CEO of Green Beret Foundation; a role t…

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#172: The Message No One Wants To Give...or Receive - Major General Gil Ferguson & Gold Star Daughter Dalia Munoz 1:04:24

24d ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Memorial Day isn’t about a long weekend and BBQs. It’s about honoring those who gave their lives in defense of America…and it’s about supporting the families they left behind. Across US Army Special Operations Command remembering the legacy and impact of the fallen is a daily duty. This Memorial Day, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Gil Fe…

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#171: World's Best Problem Solvers - Green Beret and PAM Jets CEO Ben Harrow 41:56

1M ago41:56

41:56

Green Berets are America’s best problem solvers. There’s no challenge too great and no solution that cannot be found. This mentality exists in service and beyond. Ben Harrow solved complex challenges as a West Point Lacrosse star, leading soldiers in Iraq, and as he joined Special Forces to be a Green Beret in the Army. Today he’s the President of …

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#170: Negotiating With Terrorists - Special Presidential Envoy For Hostage Affairs Ambassador Roger Carstens 1:14:21

2M ago1:14:21

1:14:21

America maintains a promise to its citizens. A promise to never leave them behind and stop at nothing to return them to American soil. Over 200 Americans are wrongfully detained or taken hostage each year across the globe. The Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs is responsible for bringing them home. Ambassador Roger Carstens served as t…

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S6 E10 - Xavier Scruggs - Control What You Can Control 53:49

2M ago53:49

53:49

What do the locker room and the team room have in common? A lot more than you’d think. In this episode, SOFcast host Matt Parrish sits down with Xavier Scruggs — former Major League Baseball player, ESPN and MLB Network analyst, and all-around grinder — to unpack the parallels between elite athletics and elite military service. From the grind of th…

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S6 E9 - Jim O'Brien - Leadership, Legacy & the Global Brotherhood of SOF 1:05:48

2M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

From dreaming of being a commando at eight years old to commanding the Special Forces Qualification Course, Colonel (Ret.) Jim O’Brien’s career is a blueprint for service, humility, and transformational leadership. In this episode, Jim sits down with SOFcast to unpack a lifetime in Special Forces — from chasing insurgents in the Balkans to shaping …

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#169: The Green Beret Dagger - Stroup Knives Founder Chris Stroup 30:50

2M ago30:50

30:50

Since 2002, graduates of the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course have been awarded the Yarborough Knife; an elite symbol of distinction, identity, and mission. Named after LTG William P. Yarborough, who was instrumental in solidifying President John F. Kennedy’s support of Special Forces, the blade was forged to mark the moment a soldier …

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S6 E8 - John Dailey — Forging the Foundation of MARSOC 1:04:33

2M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

🎙️ Before there was MARSOC, there was Det One — a hand-picked Marine unit tasked with proving that the Corps could integrate into U.S. Special Operations Command. And at the center of that mission was Force Recon Marine and plank holder John Dailey. In this episode, John joins SOFcast to talk about his journey from rural Virginia to becoming a team…

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#168: Precision Aviation Support - 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment COL Steve Smith & CW5 Pete Sullivan 45:23

2M ago45:23

45:23

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is America’s most lethal and versatile projection of combat power. When our Special Operations Forces require precision insertion, extraction and fire support, the pilots of the 160th deliver. Born from the need to develop an aviation regiment capable of anything, anywhere, anytime, the 160th SOAR is t…

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S6 E7 - Michael Rodriguez — Service With & Without a Uniform 1:16:23

3M ago1:16:23

1:16:23

🎙️ Green Beret veteran, father, artist, and advocate — Michael “Rod” Rodriguez has lived a life marked by deep service, both in and out of uniform. In this powerful episode of SOFcast, Rod shares his journey from multiple combat deployments to post-9/11 healing, and how his own traumatic brain injury and his son's military service redefined his mis…

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#167: The Legion Has Spoken - 5th Special Forces Group COL Gabe Szody & CSM Travis Esterby 1:03:54

3M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

The Special Forces Groups are where America’s Green Berets get to work. 5th Special Forces Group has been involved in every conflict, known and unknown, across the Middle East since its inception. Doing hard things isn’t considered an ask; it’s the standard. To dig into the mission of The Legion, Fran Racioppi traveled to Fort Campbell, KY to sit d…

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SOFcast Brief | The OA-1K Skyraider II: AFSOC’s Newest Weaponized Workhorse 37:31

3M ago37:31

37:31

🎧 In this SOFcast Brief, host Matt Parrish sits down with Maj. John Bendokas from Air Force Special Operations Command to break down the newest addition to the AFSOC arsenal — the OA-1K Skyraider II. Born from hard-earned lessons in places like Tongo Tongo and designed to support geographically isolated SOF teams, the OA-1K is a modular, cost-effec…

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SOFcast S6 E6: Angel Cortes — From the Streets to the Regiment 1:12:28

3M ago1:12:28

1:12:28

🎙️ From a childhood of poverty and violence in Los Angeles to the ranks of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Angel Cortes’ story is one of grit, growth, and relentless purpose. In this raw and moving conversation, Angel shares how he escaped gang life, found a new mission in the Army, and eventually became a leader in the Ranger Regiment — even after setba…

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#166: The Army Fitness Test; A Clear Set Of Standards - Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer & SGM Chris Mullinax 42:44

3M ago42:44

42:44

The Army physical training test has long been a measure of a soldier’s fitness for duty and for combat. For decades it’s been used as the benchmark upon which all other physical fitness has been evaluated. And for decades it has been hotly debated, modified and enhanced to best represent the current mission of the US Army. SGM Chris Mullinax has be…

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SOFcast Special Episode: “Moments That Matter” — Medal of Honor Panel at SOF Week 2025 1:01:58

3M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

🎙️ In this extraordinary SOFcast episode, we step away from the studio and onto the stage of SOF Week 2025, a premier joint conference co-hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global SOF Foundation. Recorded live in Tampa, this powerful panel titled “Moments That Matter” features three living SOF recipients of the Congressiona…

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#165: America's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Threat - Retired US Army Inspector General Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith 44:24

3M ago44:24

44:24

The biggest threat to America today is too often the one we think about the least. Nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare has been around for decades and the effects of an NBC attack on the homeland or American interests abroad is a very real scenario. Retired Lt. Gen Leslie Smith spent a career in the Army as a Chemical Officer. He served as th…

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S6 E5 - Rob Zackery — Calling the Fight, Building the Team 1:07:44

3M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

🎙️ From calling in airstrikes with Green Berets and Rangers to leading Airmen across the globe, Rob Zackery’s career as an Air Force TACP is one of purpose, adaptability, and impact. In this episode, Rob shares what it takes to step into any team room and earn trust — not by rank or reputation, but by performance. He reflects on his early combat de…

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#164: By All Means Available - Former Undersecretary Of Defense For Intelligence Michael Vickers 1:36:37

4M ago1:36:37

1:36:37

The directive given to our Green Berets is to win by All Means Available. To do so, requires a combination of ingenuity, understanding the environment, a clear plan and precision execution. Mike Vickers built a career on winning America’s shadow wars by All Means Available. Mike started his career as both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer…

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S6 E4 - Jariko Denman - Standards, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Regiment 1:17:15

4M ago1:17:15

1:17:15

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 4: Jariko Denman — Standards, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Regiment 🎙️ From being “the demon cadre” at RIP to advising Hollywood directors and embedded reporting in Kabul, Ranger veteran Jariko Denman brings unapologetic honesty and hard-won wisdom to SOFcast. In this wide-ranging episode, Jariko shares what made him choo…

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S6 E3 - Nick Lavery - Choosing to Fight Forward 1:05:16

4M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 3: Nick Lavery — Choosing to Fight Forward 🎙️ Few stories embody the spirit of SOF like Nick Lavery’s. The first Green Beret to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee, Nick shares his incredible journey of resilience, mindset, and service — and how his fight didn’t end with recovery. Now an author, speaker, and me…

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S6 E2 - Melissa Johnson - Accelerating Innovation for SOF 56:11

4M ago56:11

56:11

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 2: Melissa Johnson — Accelerating Innovation for SOF 🎙️ How do you rapidly deliver cutting-edge gear and tech to the world’s most agile warriors? USSOCOM Acquisition Executive Melissa Johnson joins SOFcast to pull back the curtain on how her team connects the team room to the tech world — fielding solutions faster, smart…

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Season 6 Premier - GEN Bryan Fenton & CSM Shane Shorter - USSOCOM Command Team 1:27:34

4M ago1:27:34

1:27:34

SOFcast | Season 6 Premiere: GEN Bryan Fenton & CSM Shane Shorter 🎙️ SOF is purpose-built for exactly what our Nation demands: unmatched agility, readiness, and lethality — fueled by our people. In this powerful season opener, GEN Bryan Fenton and CSM Shane Shorter reflect on leading U.S. Special Operations Command, the relentless pursuit of excell…

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#163: America's Only Special Forces - Green Beret Foundation Chairman Ken Tovo & Board Member Chris Robinette 18:26

4M ago18:26

18:26

Green Berets solve complex challenges in service because they’re informed. Yet when they transition out, the civilian world often leaves them looking for answers. The Green Beret Foundation stands ready to ensure our nation's most elite soldiers continue to succeed post service. From the sidelines of the Stars and Stripes Classic, the first ever la…

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#162: Break The System - Representative Jake Ellzey (TX-6) 47:28

4M ago47:28

47:28

Congress holds the power of the purse. The United States Government is the largest business in the world, but to conduct business - and national security - Congress has to approve the funds and the money. Representative Jake Ellzey is now a 3-term Congressman representing Texas’s 6th District. He’s a Naval Academy graduate, a helicopter and fighter…

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#161: Don't Bet Against America - Representative Don Davis (NC-1) 44:11

5M ago44:11

44:11

Veterans are once again dominating Congress. The start of the 119th Congress has 100 Veterans across both sides of the aisle. Veterans by and large focus on teamwork and getting results. To kick off the excitement behind the new Congress, Fran Racioppi spent a few snowy days on Capitol Hill with the members of the For Country Caucus; a bi-partisan …

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#160: Is The US Army Ready? 15th Sergeant Major Of The Army Dan Dailey 1:15:44

5M ago1:15:44

1:15:44

Readiness is the ability to close with and destroy any enemy, anywhere, anytime. The role of the Sergeant Major of the Army is to ensure readiness. Command Sergeant Major Dan Dailey was the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army and the youngest Soldier to ever hold the position. Today, he is the Vice President of Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Progr…

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#159: America Is Vulnerable - Representative August Pfluger (TX-11) 16:22

5M ago16:22

16:22

Threats to America are at an all time high. Our national security and law enforcement professionals have warned us. Our military leaders are preparing for anything and everything. Representative August Pfluger is the chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. He is now a 3-term Congressman representing Texa…

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#158: All or Nothing Won't Work - Representative Jason Crow (CO-6) 33:30

6M ago33:30

33:30

The job of America’s elected leaders is to get things done. The democratic process isn’t always pretty and almost never leaves everyone happy; but the effectiveness of our government and America’s stature as the world’s dominant superpower rest on Congress’s ability to find common ground on the issues. Representative Jason Crow served in the United…

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#157: War Is Failure - Retired Sergeant Major John McPhee 43:23

6M ago43:23

43:23

Serving in Special Forces isn’t supposed to be easy. In fact, becoming a Green Beret is rewarding because it’s supposed to be hard. If it was easy, anyone could do it; but not everyone can, or should, be considered elite. Retired Sergeant Major John McPhee is one of America’s most distinguished and experienced Special Operators. For decades he led …

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#156: Integrated Deterrence - Lt. Gen. E. John Deedrick, Former Commander 1st Special Forces Command & Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan 55:40

6M ago55:40

55:40

Retired Lt. Gen. E. John Deedrick served as the final commander of the Combined Security Transition Command –Afghanistan (CSTC-A). He also held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Security Assistance (DCOS SA) at the Headquarters of Resolute Support; the NATO mission in Afghanistan. He was the United States Military Representative to NATO and…

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#155: Veterans Don't Need Pity - University of Health & Performance Founder and CEO Matt Hesse 39:13

7M ago39:13

39:13

Transition back to civilian life is the biggest challenge our service men and women will face in their military careers. America invests millions in training our warfighters to be the most competent in the world. That investment shouldn’t end when the uniform comes off. The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation…

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#154: I Didn't Want To Be It - Leading Through The Boston Marathon Bombing - Boston Police Chief Daniel Linskey 1:49:12

7M ago1:49:12

1:49:12

Targeted violence, domestic terrorism and international terrorism are changing. In the past, America has been the victim of large scale coordinated attacks. Today, acts of mass violence are as simple as cars, fireworks and household items. On April 15, 2013 two terrorists blew up homemade bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three innoc…

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#153: Deter, Defend, Defeat - US Army Europe-Africa Command Sergeant Major Jeremiah Inman (80th Anniversary D-Day Series) 19:46

7M ago19:46

19:46

The United States Army invaded Europe in 1944 and has never left. America’s forward projection of its military was instrumental in the stabilization of Europe and the establishment of the world order that has existed since the end of World War II. A critical piece of American power is US Army Europe-Africa; a command responsible for over 37,000 sol…

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#152: Cancer Doesn't Care If You're A Bad**s - Team Maureen Board Members Daniel Linskey, Kelly Welch, and Dr. Emily Penick 33:37

8M ago33:37

33:37

The health of our military service members and our Veterans is always a top line issue. Many suffer from illness and injury as a result of their service; and most are believed to be at higher risk for chronic sickness. Some of which is fortunately preventable. Cancer is a top concern for much of the military community. To dig into the increased ris…

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#151: Strength Is Power - Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick 51:34

8M ago51:34

51:34

Voting is a foundation of democracy and key to American power, but also a process that can be ugly and divisive. In what many believe to be the most politically charged election period in modern history, Fran Racioppi took a few minutes to sit down with Congressman Rich McCormick, Representative for Georgia’s 7th district. Representative McCormick …

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#150: Supporting Green Berets Of Every Generation - Green Beret Foundation President & CEO Charlie Iacono 40:41

8M ago40:41

40:41

Charlie Iacono is the President and CEO of Green Beret Foundation. Almost two years into his tenure, Charlie is pushing the foundation, and its staff, to become the premier charitable organization supporting America’s most important asset; our US Army Green Berets. Charlie joined joined Fran Racioppi from what may be his biggest brain child yet; th…

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#149: AIRBORNE - US Army Golden Knights Lieutenant Colonel Andy Moffit & Command Sergeant Major Adam Breeding (D-Day 80th Anniversary Series) 32:44

8M ago32:44

32:44

Airborne operations were an essential component of the Allied invasion. And since D-Day, the US Army has stood ready to drop airborne forces anywhere in the world at any time. The US Army Golden Knights are America’s most proficient parachutists. Led at the time of this recording by Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel Andy Moffit and Command Sergeant Ma…

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#148: America's Grey War - Former Boeing Chief Security Officer and President of Hostage US Dave Komendat 1:26:55

9M ago1:26:55

1:26:55

National security isn’t led solely by government entities and the military. Public-private sector partnerships often drive many of our national security decisions. To dig into the importance of the private sector in defense of America, Fran Racioppi sat down with Dave Komendat; a 36-year Veteran of Boeing; one of the world’s largest defense contrac…

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Investing In America's Military Infrastructure: Jumping In With Arkansas Senator John Boozman 15:09

9M ago15:09

15:09

On Veterans Day we celebrate our military from every service and every generation. Freedom requires people of character to stand up for America…no matter the challenge. This Veterans Day, the Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performanc…

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Arkansas Is Open For Veterans: Jumping In with Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders 8:48

9M ago8:48

8:48

On Veterans Day we celebrate our military from every service and every generation. Freedom requires people of character to stand up for America…no matter the challenge. This Veterans Day, the Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performanc…

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#147: Hostage Diplomacy: Surviving Venezuelan Captivity - Former Wrongful Detainee Jose Pereira of the Citgo 6 54:30

9M ago54:30

54:30

Hostage diplomacy is an ugly game. For decades America’s adversaries have imprisoned US citizens in an effort to leverage diplomatic, economic or military advantage. These cases range from exaggerated charges, to disproportionate penalties, to outright lies. Each case is different. And each case affects both the lives of the incarcerated, their fam…

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Nobody Is Coming To Save You: Jumping In With Green Beret Scott Mann 26:09

10M ago26:09

26:09

Nobody’s coming to save you. It’s a simple phrase, but one that can mean the difference between success and failure. Elite performers know that when it’s time to take action, they need to be ready to execute with precision and without excuse. Scott Mann is a retired Special Forces Officer, the architect of Operation Pineapple Express, and a leader …

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Solutions Not Problems: Jumping In With Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) 17:33

10M ago17:33

17:33

Everyone has a top button item this election cycle. For some it’s the economy. For others its national defense or healthcare. For Congressman Tony Gonzales it’s the US southern border and immigration. Representative Gonzales is responsible for Texas’s 23rd district, a district that contains over 800 miles of the US-Mexico border, and by many accoun…

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#146: From Jedburgh To Green Beret - 1st Special Forces Command CSM David Waldo & CW5 Felix Mosqueda 44:32

10M ago44:32

44:32

The United States Army Special Forces command teams are composed of a commissioned officer, a warrant officer and senior non-commissioned officer. A model has evolved over time and is tributed with being a key component to success on the battlefield of yesterday and today. To break down just Army Special Forces balances strategy, experience and tea…

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Congress Supports Veterans: Jumping In With Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-1) 9:00

11M ago9:00

9:00

Supporting our veterans is a commitment that transcends politics—it’s a matter of national honor. In this episode, host Fran Racioppi sits down with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a 24-year Army Reserve veteran and representative for Iowa's First Congressional District. Together, they explore critical issues facing veterans today, includin…

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#145: Today's SOF Challenge - US Army Special Operations Command Commanding General LTG John Braga 1:04:46

11M ago1:04:46

1:04:46

Army Special Operations Forces are led by LTG John Braga, Commander of United States Army Special Operations Command. General Braga and Creator and Host Fran Racioppi stormed the Utah Beach Communication Bunker responsible for the coordination of German defenses and later the facilitation of the largest amphibious assault in history. From this icon…

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Choose Elite: Jumping In with Premier Lacrosse League Co-Founder Paul Rabil (Stars and Stripes Classic Series) 26:05

11M ago26:05

26:05

There’s a difference between the elite and everyone else. Elite by definition means superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society. Elite is not good. It is not great. It certainly is not above average. To be elite means you’re among the best. The Stars and Stripes Classic pitted America’s two most elite Special Operati…

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Toughness is 100%: Jumping In with West Point Lacrosse Head Coach Joe Alberici and Ben Harrow (Stars and Stripes Classic Series) 20:13

11M ago20:13

20:13

Toughness defines Special Operations and the sport of lacrosse. Toughness requires a person to deal with hardship, overcome difficult situations, persevere through mental and physical challenges. Toughness is one part natural, one part learned, and one part the result of consistency. To excel as a Green Beret, Navy SEAL or a lacrosse athlete, you b…

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Putting Players First: Jumping In with Premier Lacrosse League Co-Founder Mike Rabil (Stars And Stripes Classic Series) 19:38

12M ago19:38

19:38

The greatest entrepreneurial adventures take a lot of sleepless nights, a bias for action and a commitment to people. Starting a professional sports league is no different. As we gear up for the first ever Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi is joined by Mike Rabil, the co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League. Mike and his brother Paul, star…