In this captivating episode, we have the extraordinary privilege of sitting down with MSG (R) Leroy Petry, a true American hero and recipient of the Medal of Honor. Leroy takes us on a profound journey as he shares his remarkable experiences during his time in the esteemed 75th Ranger Regiment.

Throughout the conversation, we gain a profound understanding of Leroy's immense impact on the Special Operations community and his relentless commitment to giving back. His dedication to serving his country and his fellow service members shines through every word.

The discussion delves into pressing societal issues and the challenges that currently plague the military. Leroy fearlessly addresses these concerns and offers thought-provoking insights on what steps need to be taken to rectify these issues before they have dire consequences.

One of the most poignant moments of the episode is when Leroy walks us through a deeply personal and intimate account of the heroic actions that transpired on the day he was awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor. His narrative is gripping, emotional, and serves as a testament to the incredible bravery displayed by Leroy and his comrades.

This episode is an absolute treasure trove of wisdom, courage, and inspiration. Leroy Petry's words resonate deeply as he shares his invaluable insights and experiences. Prepare to be moved and inspired by the extraordinary journey of one of our nation's greatest Americans, Leroy Petry.

Video Leroy Talks about in the Episode: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DrVK3PQZgg

Find Leroy on social media: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leroy-petry-3298b8a9/

In this podcast episode, we are joined by CSM (R) Adam Nash, who has served in all the Ranger Battalions and recently retired as the 4th Infantry Division CSM. We discuss his time as the 2/75 CSM and how his Senior NCO newsletter, Sage Rants, indirectly led to the creation of the Legends of the 75th. We also touch on the significance of capturing the stories and experiences of Senior NCOs.

Adam shares his humble beginnings and how he joined the Army to avoid taking out college loans. He fell in love with being a Ranger and the exciting experiences that came with it. We also explore some of the more lighthearted moments of being a Ranger in the 90s and some of the silly things they did.

We delve into how we grow as leaders to meet the expectations of our organizations and the mentors who helped shape Adam's career. Despite feeling inadequate compared to other Rangers, he learned to lead with a mindset that elevated the entire organization.

Adam shares his experiences leading efforts on Objective Rhino, where his squad was assigned to breach the first compound. It was a pivotal moment that made him realize what it meant to be in combat. Despite the seriousness of the situation in Afghanistan, Rangers still found ways to be humorous.

We also talk about the Best Ranger competition, in which Adam participated three times and won once. He shares his journey and what the event means to him.

Adam emphasizes the importance of using the talk of formations to elevate the entire organization, both inside and outside of the Regiment. He believes in recognizing that others may be smarter, faster, or stronger and using that as motivation to achieve more.

••Finally, a correction is made regarding LTC John Staeheli, who was actually Mike's commander in Cco 2/75.

In this episode, LTC (R) Glick shares his journey of serving in the Ranger Regiment and other special operations groups. He has accomplished amazing feats during his military career and his post-military career is no less impressive. He has published articles in Havoc Journal and Forbes Magazine and has consulted with multiple professional athletic teams. He has also authored two books, "A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown" and "Meditations of an Army Ranger: A Warrior Philosophy for Everyone."

JC talks about his upbringing and how he was drawn to serve his country. Once he arrived in the Ranger Regiment, he was impressed by the talent of the leaders he found himself surrounded by. They discuss how the Ranger Regiment drives individuals to become better and how a willingness to take risks and innovate is what keeps the organization at the forefront.

Being a good leader requires humility, recognizing that you are not the best, just the best available, and that others have a lot to teach you. When you approach leadership with a willingness to learn from everyone, you can continuously improve your leadership abilities.

Reflection is another topic of discussion in the episode. The importance of reflecting on past experiences, quantifying lessons learned, and making plans for the future is emphasized. It's through reflection that we can become better versions of ourselves and add value to others.

If you haven’t checked out Ranger Essential Coffee Company, you need to do it! 

https://rangeressentialscoffee.com

In this episode, General Garrett discusses his experience serving in Ranger Regiment and the Army. He reflects on the honor of serving and how excited he was to wake up every day and be a part of it. As a young Platoon Leader, he faced a steep learning curve and a small margin for error. General Garrett attributes his success to certain mindsets and people, and we also touch on issues surrounding race and their impact on his drive to succeed.

General Garrett shares one of his biggest disappointments, which was not being selected to return to Ranger Regiment as a Battalion Commander. He emphasizes the importance of Squads in the army and how this lesson was instilled during his time in Ranger Regiment.

We also delve into the unique experience of Platoon Live Fires, as well as General Garrett's personal connection to the military through his family - his son currently serves in Ranger Regiment and he himself is the son of a division CSM.

After retiring from the military, General Garrett reflects on what he misses and the people he loves in and out of uniform. He shares his current focus on giving back to the military and staying engaged in various activities.

In this episode of Legends of the 75th, we finally sit down with the elusive Daryl Thies to talk about his experiences in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Even if you haven't personally met Daryl, you have likely been impacted by the leaders he mentored or the initiatives he led while working in the Regimental Headquarters.

We begin the episode by discussing the frustrations Daryl experienced growing up in 2/75 in the 1990s and feeling passed over during conflicts. However, everything changed after 9/11, and we reflect on how naive we were during that time and how we should have been more careful about what we wished for.

Daryl shares his experiences during the early days of the war in Afghanistan, where he and 1B set up numerous firebases that would become critical hubs throughout the conflict. Following that deployment, Daryl unexpectedly found himself moving to the Regimental headquarters, which he initially found frustrating. However, he soon realized that this position was instrumental in his development as a leader and played a crucial role in the modernization of the 75th.

We also hear about Daryl's time leading Bco 3/75, taking over after the deployment where they seized Haditha Dam. He discusses how the mental health of his fellow Rangers was affected and how this drove their training. Although not being there for that fight was a struggle, Daryl learned a lot from his time as 1SG.

Throughout the episode, Daryl emphasizes the critical role that NCOs play as the foundation of the 75th Ranger Regiment. He shares stories about the NCOs who made an impact on his career, including Justin Vienne and the shenanigans that surrounded a 4th of July party.

Finally, we discuss how loss can help us focus our efforts on the future and learn from mistakes to prevent them in the future. This 80-minute conversation with a Ranger Legend is incredibly valuable, and we consider it one of the best episodes we have recorded for Legends of the 75th.

Find Daryl: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryl-thies-875b214b/

Link to the Hardest Place by Wes Morgan The Hardest Place by Wes Morgan 

In this episode of the podcast, we start off with retired Colonel Kevin Owens discussing his early experiences in the Ranger Regiment and how they formed the basis of his entire career. He emphasizes the importance of proving oneself every day when assigned to the Regiment, as it requires individuals who embody this mindset to keep up with its demanding pace.

We then delve into the evolution of the ROP/RASP process over the years and how it has led to a more professional force. Specifically, we discuss the 8-week RASP 1 process and how it equips young Rangers with the fundamentals of shooting, moving, and communicating.

Colonel Owens also shares his experiences as the 2/75 Battalion Commander during 9/11, including the emotions he and his battalion felt during those trying times. He reflects on having to decide which company would deploy first and how some leaders made that decision easier. Additionally, he discusses the early days of the deployment and the disappointments that came with it.

We also take a lighter turn and talk about some of the less significant decisions made at the senior level that were a big deal at the time, but we now realize were inconsequential in the long run. Throughout the episode, there are plenty of laughs, and we throw some friendly jabs about our time together in 2/75.

Lastly, Colonel Owens shares the leaders who motivated and inspired him throughout his career.

Reconnect with Kevin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-owens-72253929/

In this episode of the podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Curt Donaldson, the 19th Regimental Command Sergeant Major. Yuma Barnett generously allowed us to use his studio for the recording. With 21 deployments in the Global War on Terrorism under his belt, Curt brings a wealth of experience and insights to the conversation.

We start by discussing the purpose of the podcast and how it serves as a bridge between the past and present, connecting members of the Ranger family. Curt shares his own journey to becoming the RCSM and reflects on what draws individuals to the Regiment and the mindset that drives them.

Curt then discusses his experiences serving outside the Regiment, including how training is different and the challenges of NCOs leading training events. He also shares his time as a PSG and the fast-paced nature of the missions, which he compares to playing heads-up football. He reflects on the NCOs he mentored throughout his career and the impact they had on his growth as a leader.

We also delve into the incredible work of the Nightstalkers, who consistently support multiple operations and fly into dangerous targets to provide medical support and extract casualties.

Looking back at over 20 years of the Global War on Terrorism, Curt reflects on how the Regiment has evolved and why it is important to maintain its standards. He shares the changes he witnessed and implemented to keep the tradition of the Regiment alive. He also shares about his  emotions and planning involved in closing the bases in Afghanistan.

Overall, this episode offers a unique and valuable perspective on the Ranger Regiment and the experiences of its members.

Connect with Curt:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-donaldson-9a77516a/

https://www.facebook.com/curtis.donaldson.397

https://www.instagram.com/curt_d_d/

In this episode, we recorded in Yuma's studio where he hosts the podcast "Leading with Vulnerability." Yuma is also a professional photographer, and you can book an appointment with him through this link: https://barnettmultimedia.art/.  It was an honor to work with this Ranger Legend as he explores a new craft.

We started the episode discussing Yuma's thoughts and emotions surrounding his retirement from the Ranger Regiment. We talked about how he joined the Army and became a Ranger, how 9-11 changed everything in the Regiment, and his experiences in the early days of the GWOT. Yuma shared about the feeling and focus that he had during helicopter rides into target, and how that feeling was something he knew he wanted to do for the rest of his career.

We also discussed leadership positions in the Regiment and how they were integral to our development as Rangers and leaders. Yuma specifically talked about the Ranger Phalanx program, which focuses on setting up Rangers for their transition out of the Army. Through this program, he realized that he wanted to focus on post-Army, including starting the podcast, Leading with Vulnerability, which focuses on vulnerable moments in life and how they can lead to the best parts of our lives.

Connect with Yuma on the social media:

https://www.instagram.com/leadingwithvulnerability/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuma-barnett/

In this episode, we talk to SFC (R ) Gabriel Huft. He originally planned on joining the Marines, but after being denied a waiver, he decided to join the Army and pursue becoming a Ranger. However, before going to Ranger Regiment in 1997, he first served in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Gabe and our host, Mike, first crossed paths in 1999 while Gabe was still a specialist. Gabe shares his experiences as a supply guy during the tight budgets of the late 1990s, and how that changed as the War on Terror began and resources became more readily available. We also delve into the evolution of equipment, specifically ladders, and how it took years to get ones that suited the needs of their operations.

Even as a supply guy, Gabe found himself on many missions with the platoons, including one called Objective Reindeer during the invasion of Iraq where he was tasked with casualty collection. He reflects on the changes he has observed in the Ranger Regiment over the years, noting that while things may change, the expectation of discipline remains constant.

Gabe also discusses his decision to retire from the Army and how it was a difficult transition period as he grappled with losing the identity that had defined him for most of his life. He is open about his struggles post-military and how his faith has helped him through it.

Connect with Gabe:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-h-814a03117/

In this episode, we discuss the impressive career of CSM (R) Doug Pallister who has spent a significant amount of time in and out of the Ranger Regiment. We explore how this has shaped his leadership and perspective, as well as his experience in preparing to jump into Haiti. 

Doug Pallister also shares his time working at HRC for the Ranger Branch, where he was able to recruit talented individuals into the Regiment. As a Ranger Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant, he shares his insights on training and mentoring Rangers, many of whom go on to become great leaders themselves. 

He shares with us how he was influenced by many great leaders throughout his career and talks about the early days of the GWOT, how the Ranger Regiment evolved, and how it became the go-to force for many missions in combat and operational environments. 

Finally, he discusses how Rangers have had a tremendous impact on the larger Army and how they have made it a better force. He believes this continues after our service and can lead to continued impact in the world as Rangers. 

Connect with Doug: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-pallister-00b65212/

https://www.facebook.com/doug.pallister