Eye on Veterans

We’re talking about Physical and Mental fitness with Army combat veteran entrepreneur, speaker, and Founder of Soldier Fit, training centers, Danny Farrar. He achieved success as a business owner, MMA fighter and endured events like the Pentagon on 9/11 and combat in Iraq. But we open with one of Farrar’s most challenging chapters- his childhood. Like he’s done for thousands of fitness clients over the years, Farrar preached lessons he learned from his past, the military and one vivid memory of almost getting choked-out during a mixed martial arts match. However, whether it’s a lesson from his life or an observation of society today, Farrar consistently helps people believe they can achieve anything. From fitness to career goals to just wanting to live a better life, Farrar gives the hard truth and often surprising advice. Farrar also shared how the ongoing wave of polarizing news stories; ICE, immigration, social media anger and political unrest, actually reveals a deeper issue within ourselves. And once we conquer it, “anything is possible”. Reach your fitness goals with Soldier Fit here: https://soldierfit.com/ Check out The Herd, Mindset Coaching here: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfarrar_theherd Get a daily dose of motivation from Danny on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danny.farrar1

We take a deep dive into the covert mission where Delta Force, Navy SEALs and the Night Stalkers of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment boldly extracted the notorious Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the US to face drug trafficking charges. Special Operations, Ranger, and acclaimed journalist Jack Murphy shares some fascinating insight. Murphy’s deeply classified and anonymous sources in the Intelligence and Special Operations community offer us a glimpse at how these operations are conducted. Murphy deftly examines covert mission tactics, the legal set up for the mission, the Trump administration’s admission of their desire to control Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. We also hear more about CIA sources on the ground, what may have turned them toward supporting the US strategy and how they cleared the way long before the strike was launched. Murphy also describes an interesting connection between Black Ops and the FBI’s elite counter-terrorism tactical unit, Hostage Rescue Team (HRT). We also dive deeper into the exfil timeline, the role of USS Iwo Jima, some key take ways about the use of Joint Special Operations forces and how this mission echoes the not so distant sounds of unresolved wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. For more incredible National Security reporting check out The High Side: https://thehighside.substack.com/ And to hear fascinating interviews with Special Operations veterans check out Jack Murphy and Dave Parke on The Team House Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTeamHousePodcast CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com

After a former Afghan ally attacked West Virginia National Guard troops in Washington DC, killing Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounding SSgt Andrew Wolfe, we’re hearing a National Guard veteran’s view of these deployments to major US cities, and the vetting process of allies seeking asylum. National Guard veteran and CEO of The Chamberlain Network, Chris Purdy has served both in Iraq, and with organizations to bring our Afghan allies to the US for their safety. Purdy offers a deeper look at the intended role of National Guard troops, the issues related to being assigned law enforcement duties, and the actual results of these deployments. Purdy shares his personal experience assisting Afghani asylum seekers who fought along US forces, and discusses missteps often made in resettling foreign allies. He also describes how The Chamberlain Network seeks to amplify veteran voices in an effort to solve many local and national issues . Learn more about veteran advocacy and activism from The Chamberlain Network here: https://www.chamberlainnetwork.us/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com

Simply put, Boone Cutler, was one of the most influential veterans of the post 9/11 era. His recent passing comes too soon but reminds us to remember the alarms he sounded for improving VA care and properly addressing mental health. Cutler called out Congress, DoD and VA for overloading vets with prescription meds while holding an outdated stance on cannabis. And he worked to save countless veterans from the suicide epidemic, through The Spartan Pledge. In this episode we hear rare conversations recorded in 2019, where we discussed his life, combat in Sadr City, Psy Op (Psychological Operations) tactics and the gripping origin story of his advocacy. We began at a saloon in Nevada, where Boone shared his family’s rich military tradition. Later we heard Boone’s miraculous, autobiographical story, recorded at his kitchen table, where we truly got to know the man behind those distinctive black sunglasses. The experiences he shared, would eventually be heard by Congress, and trigger the VA to address the over-prescribing of pills- an issue Cutler dubbed, “The Combat Cocktail”. He powerfully described the pharmaceutical link to the suicide epidemic and illustrated through his own difficult memories, how veterans can consider ending their life. Cutler’s story also revealed how he was one of the first vets to reveal the second order effects that stem from TBIs and blast injuries. He further shared fierce advocacy for cannabis, and offered vivid examples of how it effectively replaced the pain killers and heavy psychoactive drugs, which are still prescribed too often today. We finally dove into his love for his wife, family, veteran brothers and sisters, and how The Spartan Pledge, was forged as a battle plan to save veteran lives. There will never be another vet like Boone Cutler. I am honored to have known Boone and called him a friend. Till Valhalla my brother. More on Boone Cutler- his advocacy, and award winning books here: https://boonecutler.com/home/

This week we talk about Team Red White and Blue! We hear how this organization helps veterans nationwide find warrior fellowship through running, hiking, rucking, premiere national race events and even obstacle challenges like Spartan Races and the Tough Mudder. Army Intel Officer and outgoing Team RWB founder, Lt. Col. Mike Erwin and Special Forces Col. (Ret.) Mike Sullivan discuss Team RWB’s mission and their fascinating careers. Colonel “Sully” shares the athletic events planned in the coming year and we examine how these workouts replace the shallow digital connection with real life connections through running hiking and other national events. We also examine why physical training with buddies is crucial as veterans age. Find your fellow workout warriors with Team Red White and Blue and start training today: https://teamrwb.org/ SPECIAL VETERAN TRIBUTE: We recently learned of the passing of Army veteran Boone Cutler. Cutler was one of the most influential veteran authors and activists of our time. As a team leader with a Psychological Operations combat team on the deadly streets of Sadr City, Iraq, Cutler documented his experience and the associated trauma in the bestselling book “Voodoo in Sadr City”. After a mortar blast resulting in a TBI and other physical injuries sent him to Walter Reed he began the fight of his life. Based on his personal experience being overprescribed medications (to the point of overdose) Cutler shined a light on the VA’s “Combat Cocktail” scandal in ’07. He lobbied and forced a change in treatment which benefitted a generation of veterans. As GWOT combat vets revealed a troubling national suicide epidemic, Cutler again advocated for his fellow warfighters and founded the Spartan Pledge. This simple commitment helped prevent countless vets from taking their own life. We share audio from Cutler’s gripping interviews we recorded over the years, and we salute this inspirational veteran warfighter, Boone Cutler. Till Valhalla, brother See more on Boone Cutler here

Navy veteran Manuel Gomez has an awe-inspiring comeback story! In this episode he describes his unlikely journey and how he became the founder of Vet Phoenix, a nonprofit which helps incarcerated veterans recover, rehabilitate and create a bright future. For Manny, this struggle is personal- as he endured time in prison. From addiction, to crime, to living alongside LA gang members in solitary confinement, he transformed his life. He would eventually become a social worker, doctoral scholar and founder of an organization that transforms lives. We begin with a look back at his Navy service, and how prescribed medications sent him down a dark path. Gomez described how his addiction to prescribed meds fueled a darker addiction and eventually spiraled into crime, and being sentenced to prison. He shared vivid descriptions of prison life, solitary confinement, and how a Catholic radio station and hardened gang members inspired him to pursue a better path. He also recalled the emotional family moment when he dedicated his life to Christ, social work and a mission to mend spiritual wounds. Gomez describes his incredible rise after being released. He attended college earning a master’s degree, became an LA County executive and led programs for incarcerated vets, entered a Doctoral program and most recently launched Vet Phoenix. He shares how this innovative program helps justice-involved veterans get back on track and live a new life of meaning and purpose. He credits God for his success and is dedicated to sharing the unconditional love that inspired him to transform his life. Discover more and support Vet Phoenix here: https://vetphoenix.org/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans phil@connectingvets.com

It’s National Service Dog Month and we’re honoring the dogs from Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD). We talked with two veterans whose stories demonstrate how these dogs truly save lives. We begin with a look at the military service of Marine Corps Sgt Major John Ploskonka and Army Cavalry veteran and Purple Heart recipient Phil Bauer. Bauer shared memories of the Chinook helicopter crash which resulted in the loss of his leg and Ploskonka shares how life after the military became a struggle, as he grappled with suppressed childhood trauma. Both offered a glimpse of what it’s like living with anger, paranoia and constant anxiety. Until the dogs entered their life. They each described how these dogs respond to their unique needs and the astounding ways they can read their minds. We also hear a fascinating scientific theory about they’re capable of doing it. Check out Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities and donate to support programs like Project HEAL here: https://www.ecad1.org/