Shawn Ryan Show #008 Retired Navy SEAL Tried for War Crimes Eddie Gallagher

welcome back to the Sha Ryan show this. is the final episode of 2020 and what a. hell of a year that's been huh right. yeah I think we can all agree on that to. kick things off once again thank you for. the massive influx of patreons we've had. coming to patreon if you're looking for.

tactical training if you're new at the. game and you're just trying to learn how. to use your new piece that's your spot. we keep the [ __ ] to a minimum. there's a ton of us over there it's not. all about the bling or the most. expensive [ __ ] that you've bought. it's just about how to become. proficient with whatever tool you picked. so head over to vigilance Elite. patreon if that's not your. thing and you don't mind leave us a.

little Christmas present head over to. iTunes leave us a one-word review even. if it's just one word it's not that hard. we'll link it below that helps us out. gets the show out to where it needs to. go so that everybody can hear. [Music]. it I mean the [ __ ] that we saw in that. deployment what is some of the [ __ ] that. you saw look we trying to wrecky a spot. and I look over and they had uh kids. heads little kids heads on the spikes. there was dead bodies all over the place.

we had our turp blown in half uh got. pulled into the master chief of trade it. um and said hey you're under. investigation they went and raided my. house he went to fight you know for our. country to prevent people from. terrorizing you know members of the. United States and then they take him and. they lock him up on American soil and. then they lay Siege to his home and. terrorize his wife and his children it's. pretty sick my my oldest son opens up.

the door they're all screaming at him. they're pointing rifles at my children. and they're saying put your hands up 8. years old with a gun in your face yeah. there's like two other people with. rifles and like the lasers are like. right on us so you wound up not guilty. yep and and what what did that I mean. bro the courtroom. erupted our next guest.

is a former Navy SEAL he was a sniper. he's a medic he's a. breacher and he was also tried for. murder only to be found innocent he's. the most controversial Navy Seal of our. times he's all over the news he needs no. introduction without further Ado please. welcome. 008 Mr Eddie Gallagher. [Music].

Mr Eddie Gallagher welcome to Tennessee. thank you for having me it's it's. awesome to be here yeah man it's a. pleasure to have you so um just a quick. introduction you know so you are. probably I would say it's a good chance. you are the most controversial name in. this in SE team history with actually.

without a doubt and uh yeah you know. you've been through hell and back you've. had teammates you know betray. you who went to court you know and uh. wound up not guilty and uh you know. another reason that I think you're so. controversial is uh president Trump. stepped in to your case not once but. twice and that has not happened um since.

I think Richard Nixon the uh M melee. Massacre yeah yeah 1968 mhm and um you. know with the election cycle and how. divided the country is right now it it. it put you in the Limelight even more. than you probably wanted to be yeah so. but so we're going to talk about all. that but first it is December and uh I. give. everybody a yes gift.

so this is the main reason I came out. here that's what I'm saying dude we give. some good presents oh my man I. appreciate it any. guesses uh could it be uh squishy soft. and Squishy guys it might be it might. be I don't want to ruin the uh the. Box Ed Calderone took the last one he's. the first guest to ever take the present. box.

oh I'm this is it's nice so we got the. we got the updated. version Oh. sick heck yeah brand new hat that's what. I'm talking. about so that you know Eddie you are a. sniper you're a. medic you're a seal.

you're a breacher but if there's one. thing you are not it's a [ __ ] escape. artist so. uh so I got you a extra handcuff key. dude a saw blade that will go through. metal and uh there's also a get out of. jail free card in there for Monopoly so. you know you know what my wife will. appreciate that for sure good you know. keep that in handy you know you might. need to use that sometime it's never. never out of the realm of possibility.

nice this is this is it right here. that's what I'm saying this is what I. was waiting for I should have sent you. some of those in prison but uh we didn't. have them yet but dude I appreciate that. brother yeah my. pleasure be rocking this hat today. sure so uh.

moving on you just wrote a book it's not. out yet I think you said it's still. under review but riew it should be. releasing soon man the man in the arena. from fighting Isis to fighting for your. own freedom and uh I can't wait to read. it I want to hit some of the topics I'm. hoping that you'll bring some stuff up. that's exclusive this podcast that's in. that book but uh when's the release date. on that so right now like you just said.

it's in DOD review um it's out of our. hands of when they're going to be done. with it uh they've had it for about two. and a half months I'm being optimistic. and saying I'm giv it about two more. months so I'm hoping that the release. date will sometime being first quarter. of uh 2021 hopefully uh March you know. April uh but we'll we'll constantly put. updates out um but right now it's on. pre-order um you can pre-order it and it. comes with a pre-order bundle uh you can.

go to Eddie Gallagher book.com and uh. with the pre-order bundle you'll get um. uh challenge coin and a note from myself. and Andrea and my wife and then you will. also get the book a month early before. it's actually out before everybody else. and it'll be uh signed by both myself. and my wife awesome yeah I pre-ordered. one and uh can't wait to get it if you. could just tell the people over at uh. you know the pagon or whoever's.

reviewing it to hurry the [ __ ] up that. would be great I'll drop your name over. there hopefully it'll speed up the. process right on man but. um you know your career in the SEAL. Teams uh to be honest with it seems like. up until the very last part like a. [ __ ] dream career I think you did. eight. deployments uh [ __ ] ton of combat time a. lot of Trigger Time and um.

I don't want to spend too long on your. childhood or anything actually I'd. rather Breeze through that you have some. really good podcasts out there. already um so I just want to start off. with Seal Team 7 Alpha platoon your last. deployment and you know from what I. understand you have you. have a a handful of combat deployments. before you ever even showed up there you. have multiple Awards with Valor which uh.

for you civilians that. means combat Trigger Time uh which you. were awarded for MH um you're a sniper. you're a breacher you're a medic you got. sailor of the year which is a very high. honor you know that means you're the. highest or the the the best seal at the. Seal team was that at Seal Team 7 that. was I got sale of the year for group so. all the West Coast oh [ __ ] one yeah.

that's a huge deal wow you got your own. parking spot yeah and I got a I got a. funny story about that too which uh well. we can get into later but yeah I. definitely got my own parking spot and. uh honestly I don't know how I made. group one sale of the year but you know. somehow I got picked for it you know I. had uh my best friend was my platoon. Chief at the time uh so he he did a good. write up for me which is how I think it. got pushed through but yeah oh whatever. you got it yeah that's.

cool and you. know am I missing anything oh yeah you. were ra the number one platoon Chief uh. Team seven and you took the worst rated. platoon uh and made it into the most. effective uh best uh highest rated. platoon at Team seven and in what a year. year and a half yeah um so and you were. only able to bring one guy with you uh I.

remember you saying you know you wanted. to stack the deck and you were trying to. bring some friendlies over and to a team. that was complaining about weak. leadership and you were told you were. only allowed to bring one guy with you. and and um so let's kick it off from. there Seal Team seven Alpha platoon. you're taking platoon. Chief getting ready to lead these men.

into mosul Y and their prior deployment. they were bitching about weak leadership. and now they have you with with a. magnitude of [ __ ] combat experience. yeah so I uh was just coming off um a. rotation out at uh the cre crisis. response element which was uh in UAE I. just picked up Chief and um I was given. the opport to do a platoon chief for the.

next. rotation um the master chief of the team. told me he was going to uh I was in. Charlie platoon at the time um and he. was going to take me out of Charlie and. put me in charge of alpha. platoon um the word around or everybody. knew that Alpha Team didn't do alpha. platoon didn't do so hot uh the last. rotation um nobody really knew knew why. I mean I didn't know any of those. guys um but that was pretty much just. the word that was put out and uh it.

showed you know when you when you saw. those guys perform um so once I was. given the opportunity to go over to. Alpha um you know I didn't I went over. there with no preconceived notions um I. wasn't going there like okay you guys. are a bunch of turds or whatever it was. everyone starting off on a clean slate. um because I didn't know. anybody um so I I took over I I sort of. uh.

entered that platoon pretty slow um just. sort of feeling it out. um the as you know like so when you come. back from deployment you're in. professional development phase that's. where everybody goes off to their. specialty schools um so the platoon is. never really fully together until you. start uh ulti. workup um but while I while during. prodev um I came up with a training. schedule um where we we were going to. work on the basics two three times a.

week um and I didn't care if the whole. platoon was there or not I was like well. you know do it with what we got right. now and then this gu filter and come. back from schools will just you know. enter the. training um it was not nothing sexy. about the training it was all just basic. um stuff when you know patrolling post. pre pre-op assault procedures um you. know two fourman room entries uh. starting at Basics going through um. which is good news see each other. building some cohesion yeah um seeing.

how everybody walks yep and uh the older. the third PL. tuners um at the time I think thought. that they. were too good for you know that I was. taking up their time by doing this basic. training uh and there was I didn't know. at the time but there was definitely a. lot of grumbling from these third B. tuners which is about there's probably. four of them so let's just take um let's.

just take all the like stuff that you. learned about them afterwards and just. like first impression how to go okay. first impression and one actually one. question I do have is you hit a. Crossroads before you took platoon Chief. and uh if I understand correctly and you. were going to go back to Green Team to. screen to go over to become a operator. of Dev group yeah or the other option.

was to take your platoon Chief slot and. you chose your platoon Chief. slot did you know the platoon you were. going to take over before you made that. decision no you didn't no um I had uh. called up uh my buddies over uh at. Development Group you know told them my. situation um what my options were I. still wanted to go over there my my goal. was to go. screen um they gave me the advice or.

like no take the platoon Chief spot um. you know I don't think there was much. going on or they weren't doing much at. the time um and I had I was pretty long. in the tooth when it came to my uh years. in service I think I was at 16 and a. half years at that point I had been. putting off doing picking up Chief or uh. taking any leadership roles just because. I wanted to maintain just be a shooter. um and door kicker but um you know my.

time my time had come and they were like. no you're going to do you know your next. stop is a leadership role uh so I I. decided to take that um you know but the. the downfall was once you do your. platoon Chief you can't screen to go. over there I mean that's like a hard. fast rule um so that was a huge decision. for me at that point but uh you know I. made the best one um I think for uh and. it was also good I made a decision for. my family as well um I didn't want to. my wife you know Andre would do whatever.

I chose to do but I knew she did not. want to move to Virginia Beach so that. was that was a big factor in there. too even after you found out what which. platoon you were taking over I had so I. had no qualms like at all about taking. over to that platoon um you know I I. learned early on that I I'm not going to. listen. to rumors or whatever of people's. reputations of platoon's reputation um I. was like you know what I'll go in there. there I mean they're all Team guys um.

and I'll see what I got like I said. everybody started off on a clean slate. um and honestly they were a bunch of. good like good dudes good operators um. you know after we started training. together and what I what I came to found. out is like their last leadership and. I'm not talking bad about them at all. but I mean I think it was pretty LAX um. there wasn't a lot of effort put uh into. getting better at your skillcraft it was. just like go through the motions and.

then we'll go on deployment um which to. me that's not you know we should always. be striving to be better uh. and you start doing that by working on. the basics of your craft and then go. from there yeah so that's like the. mentality I came in with I was like Hey. we're just going to start from the. bottom work our way up and especially. when you have we had about four new guys. uh two Jos um and then two enlisted new. guys um and you know you're only as good. as your slowest guys so I was like hey.

we got to bring these guys up to speed. as well there was only four new guys in. the whole yeah and that's the least. amount I've had um in all my other. platoons so why were these guys rated. the lowest or the worst platoon at Team. seven when you showed up what they told. me when I what the platoon told me um. after I got to know them a little bit. cuz I wasn't I wasn't going to like pick. like pick ad and be like why were you. guys rated last but you know eventually. it started coming out and a lot of it. was uh what they told me was due to.

their leadership um they blamed it on. their lpo their Chief and their OIC uh. saying that they you know none of them. got along. and that they didn't have good command. and control and you know it all went. downhill from there I guess um were. their tactics. Savvy yeah I mean they weren't they. weren't bad at all that's and that's. what I came to found out I was like as. soon as we started you know working from.

from ground up I was like these guys are. he's good to go you know they just I. think they just needed to have somebody. there that's like this is what our job. is this is what entails and we're going. to work at this uh and uh by the time we. had started work up you know a big uh. example of of it is we started work up. um our first block was. CQC um. and. usually what trade at the guys who run. QC will say is like you know the first.

platoon to come through from a team is. usually sort of a mess because they have. you know they're sort of figuring it out. real quick CQC is Close Quarters combat. so CQC is when you see a team of. operators kick a door in and and flood a. structure so just uh for that yep so. yeah trade at they you know they usually. and I saw it too like you know a platoon. isn't fully there yet you know they're. they're still getting used to working. together um I wanted to cut that out by.

making sure we busted our Aster on. prodev and when we showed up we were. pretty much a cohesive tight unit at. that point and it showed you know tryad. told me they're like you guys look like. you've been working together for you. know two years like this is this is the. best we've seen in platoon come for your. first block [ __ ] really yeah so you like. which was awesome I mean it was the hard. work paid off and I think the guys you. know whether if they were bitching about. it or not finally saw that they're like. oh we're actually doing awesome this.

time you know and that that continued. all the way through UL um so how long is. prodev nowadays prodev is it fluctuates. but usually it's still still around the. six month five to six month Mark um from. the time you get back from deployment to. where UL starts so in six months and in. UL or or. prodev the guys aren't even all together. so you took a team who's not even all. together until until the actual workup.

started and they're already [ __ ]. going from the worst Splatoon to. operating at the highest level at that. particular team yeah they're getting. high remarks from trade atad um which I. don't think they were used to from their. last you last go so they were you know. they were all riding pretty high I think. and feeling good which they should you. know they put in the work um big thing I. did during prodev is I took the new guys. and I had them go watch a team going.

through CQC or and I'd have them come. back and I was like you guys are putting. us through CQC you're in the rafters and. you're going to critique all the older. guys as they go through you know I had. them take notes of everything that trade. it was putting out and I think that was. a huge huge thing I mean some of the. older guys didn't like it at first. because they were like you know why are. these new guys critiquing us but it. built confidence in the new guys um I. think that's how they. they got up to speed real quick um and.

it also humbled which you know I told. him I was like you critique me you know. the OIC the chief everybody down I was. like there's no no rank here this is. this is about our craft so you know you. see something say something so we'll fix. it um so it it humbled everybody you. know guys that thought they were you. know above it all um and then it also. brought the newer guys up yeah I mean. [ __ ] you that's God damn that's good. call uh you crush the egos yeah right at.

the very beginning and that's what yeah. I think that's huge is take ego out of. the equation and it's uh you know you'll. flow better for. sure. yeah so uh yeah we went through work up. worth fine um work Up's about six months. um and we had no no issues during any of. that I think you know you had your kind. of minor bumps uh um I'm one of the J. got a safety violation or a couple.

safety violations which is not out of. the norm you know we we push the. envelope and training uh but I started. noticing like he he get the safety. violation and was very like I'm not. signing that this isn't right I. shouldn't get that uh which I've never. seen before um you know usually you get. handed something by trade it you're like. Roger that sign it and move on. um so that was sort of like a first. indic of okay you know the attitudes I I.

was dealing with but you know I pulled. him aside gave him a talking tun was. like you're sign this and move on it. doesn't this has nothing to do with you. as an operator like as long as you don't. make the same mistake we'll be fine you. know and so he did reluctantly but uh. there was definitely a little bit of. attitude there um but I you know I. didn't think anything of it. uh and uh we we ended up finishing work. up um. we knew from the ge-o or I knew from the.

Geto that I wanted to go deploy to. missou um when did the team find out. um the end of end of workup I believe is. when they officially were like this is. where you're going. um it's it was it's pretty designated. beforehand like this is where you know. this troop's going to S conom this. troop's going to Guam but that can. change at any time so if a troop is. messing up or platoon's messing up and.

they're like okay we're not sending you. guys to the hot spot like we'll send. somebody no another platoon that's got. their [ __ ] wired tight um we're going to. send them there instead so I mean your. your place can go at any time yeah um. it's sort of you know it's competition. based which I think the way it should be. yeah well I mean that's a pretty [ __ ]. good spot to go at that time um I had. done my homework uh beforehand um I had. one of my best friends was actually out. there well um in missou at the time uh.

from Team five so I was keeping in. pretty good comms with him sort of. getting a getting a read on like how it. was going to be you know by when it was. going to be our time to deploy uh and it. was it was looking good um you know they. they hadn't started clearing mul yet. until the very end of their their team. FES deployment and they managed to push. through the East Side um and uh we we. were going to come in and take the whole. west side which was all Urban and pretty.

massive Dam um so it was it was. definitely what we were you know what we. were wanting uh I mean was the team I. mean pretty fired up about. it the you mean the platoon yeah yeah. the platoon I mean everybody was on. board um and I let that I let that know. soon as I took over uh that that was my. intention was like we will go to the hot. spot wherever that's at like that's my. goal um I plan on being the best platoon.

here going to the best spot on. deployment and having a good deployment. um and everybody was on board you know. yeah I mean I would think they'd be. pretty [ __ ] stoked to have you know. they have weak leadership supposedly and. and then and then you come in a [ __ ] hot. operator with a [ __ ] metric [ __ ] ton. of combat experience to take it over. they were ranked the worst Splatoon now. they're the best Splatoon and uh you're. going to do exactly. what you signed up for which sounds like.

you know it's another dream deployment. yeah it should be you know any team guy. should be chomping at the bit to uh go. on a deployment like that. um so yeah we got uh we did we got. picked to go. um exactly where we wanted to go which. was awesome um it was our ourselves and. then another uh golf platoon which they. were from another troop they paired us. together and we were going to fall under. marso cuz they had uh control at that.

point um so we were just going to fall. under them and operate under uh. marock um so we started before we. deployed I started you know. communicating with uh the guys over. marso just seeing how they were going to. operate so we just have a good working. relationship with them um and it turned. out that the x or the co that was going. to be out there was actually when I was. with the Marines was uh one my EXO so we. knew knew each other no [ __ ] yeah it was.

a small world that definitely helped out. a b oh big time and he was this guy's an. awesome probably one of the best dudes. I've ever been around in the military I. mean I I pretty much idolized him when I. was 20 years old you know with the. Marines just a stud uh but yeah we um. ended up getting you know getting to go. where we wanted to uh everything was. fine no no issues um I think you know it. the typical issues near the end of.

um with you uh not UL but with the next. one uh s sit um you know near the end I. think you get a bunch of guys constantly. working together for a year and a half. um there's going to be little gripes. here and there um I started noticing. some of the guys bitching about on my. OIC uh you know that he talks too much. during debriefs or like this just. nitpicky little stuff um. which I wish I would have nipped in the.

butt right there um but I just took it. as like gu's just bitching. yeah uh but then uh we got on deployment. and we uh hit the ground running um you. know. I the um we. landed uh in herbal and ended up going. to we we the platoon. split uh one went to the mosle dam house. uh and then and um I forget the uh we.

ended up going to this Mansion I think. it was in. shaon and um that's where team five had. been operating out of their whole. deployment but right when we landed we. found out that we weren't even going to. be they're like nope you guys are going. living in missou at of fob and uh. operating out of there like right in the. middle of missou it's right on the. outskirts yeah I mean so we we drove out. to that fob to sort of uh get get our. eyes on it and seeing what gear we. needed to bring and yeah it was.

literally on the outskirts of I mean. they were getting mortared um you know. you could see the city you know burning. and getting bombed which you know not. too far away yeah um so it was yeah it. was pretty close um shitty living. conditions um they pretty much just took. over some houses and made it into a fob. no no real security I mean there was. some but it was uh it was just you know. pretty shitty living and just uh no.

showers no you know we had two portons. between you know three platoon and a. whole admin unit out there um but that's. you know that's what I expected I was. like that's whatever this is all we got. to live in yeah I mean that [ __ ] sucks. unless you're [ __ ] getting to do what. you want to do and then it doesn't. matter exactly yeah and it was I was. like yeah this is fine um we ended up. moving you know into the house that we.

were going to live in and it was it was. shitty it was like some squatters had. been living there for I mean there was. feces. everywhere so we cleaned that out and I. could tell um some of the guys were like. what the [ __ ] like pissed that we were. living in conditions like that uh but it. was like this is this is the way it is. you know um and it's not like conditions. that we haven't worked in in the past. you know doing vso and all stuff like. that.

um we definitely uh hit the ground. running but it was like a huge learning. curve. um we were doing triaa which is a vis. assist in a company um which I had never. done before in that. capacity um we got introduced to our. partner Force then pretty much the night. before we went out what were they. like they were ER emergency response. division um. they were a pretty they're a pretty.

massive partner Force I don't know the I. remember the exact number Iraqis yeah. they were. Iraqis but they were not vetted um so. there was a mix Mash of Iraqis with a. lot of Iranian influence oh [ __ ] um so. we were told you know to keep eyes in. the back of your head the whole time um. you know you can't really trust them. fully um but honestly like I met their. leadership and uh. um they I was fine it was good to go.

they were all about getting after it um. they were motivated to go clear um which. is wasn't I wasn't used to seeing that. you know I think a lot of times you're. partner forces you sort of got to work. work at it to get them to to work these. guys were ready to go um we were. told pretty much you. know you're going to go out with them. and advise and assist in the company and. that was pretty much like it and you're.

like okay uh and we were also told we. were not going to be allowed within 800. meters of the front line of Front Line. trace of where they were how many of. these guys were. there ERD probably. uh 5 600 five or 600 M and how many of. you guys are. there well just platoon was 24 and then.

we had two other platoon there but you. split them in half yeah so each of us. each platoon had uh their own Iraqi. officer which whatever rank they wanted. to give themselves uh but we would. coordinate with them and then they would. tell the guys in the front lines like. who were actually the ones Clearing. Houses and pushing through the city of. like hey this is where you should go or. this is what you should be doing holy. [ __ ] dude I was expecting you to say. like 20 30 guys 5 or 600 [ __ ] and.

that's you know I could be like strong. over estimating that by just by a little. bit you know it was hundreds of them uh. so you weren't really like with the. actual guys themselves on the front. lines you were back with the whatever. Leon they had with you um and our our. main. mission was to go out there and support. them through air um we had we all. carried AXS on us and we could you know. with the um ERD like one out of every.

five of them had a beacon on them that. we could follow them on see them on our. attacks and know their positions you. know so we'd be like okay that fire. team's there this fire team's there and. that not that that worked all the time. so an AAC can you describe that for uh. an AAC is pretty much just like a. handheld device you know looks like an. iPhone um and it pretty much gives you a. clear uh picture of the battlefield um. and and you can have your position your.

uh friendly positions on there and also. you know the Allies or the partner force. that you're with um you can track them. so that. way when you're dropping bombs or making. movements you know you're you're uh. there's a clear yeah um picture like. real time yeah real time like drone feed. looks like right yeah I didn't have that. [ __ ] when I was in no that's that's the. first time we we used it as well um but. we were we we boned up on it pretty good. before we uh got out there so each.

pretty much each operator had one um in. the platoon and AAC. uh so um the first like I said the first. couple weeks were like a learning curve. um we I would brief the CEO of marock. each night like this is where I'm going. tomorrow um they would approve it long. as it was like 800 M behind the front. line and then we would I would usually. pick a secondary and tertiary spot just. in case that didn't work out um but the.

uh first couple weeks we went out there. and um it was a uh it was a crazy sight. um it reminded me of like something out. of Brave heart to where we got out there. the Iraqis hadn't started clearing yet. they were like lined up in a line. Vehicles. tanks and then all you know mortors were. just like coming in from Isis Just. Landing all over the place and uh I was.

like okay what's the game plan here and. they were like go and they just started. driving into the City and you know IDs. going off and you're just sort of. watching it holy [ __ ] you're just like. okay this is pretty pretty legit yeah um. but then uh what we came to find out. is you know we would set up in this. position um and I at first I had the. whole platoon out you know so we were. going out.

with six Matt V's um and we'd all set up. in this position and you know there was. mortars going off everywhere and uh Isis. would fly drones over and so they would. they flew a drone over your position. they would just get your grid and next. thing you know mots are coming in you. know near you. so myself and my OIC Jake porier we. decided we're like you know what this. doesn't make any sense to have the whole. platoon out here where we have too much. of a big footprint here and somebody's.

going to get you know hit with a mortar. one day uh if we just have this have. everybody go out. so we decided to split the platoon up um. I would send I'd sent half plon back to. the mansion and mle damn house so they. could just chill rest and refit for a. week and then uh I kept half Bon out. with us and they would rotate week on. week off so that way guys were able to. go back and get a break and you know. we're getting a fresh set of guys um.

every other week that we're ready to go. um real quick uh just kind of like paint. the picture a little bit do you have an. estimation of how many Isis Fighters. were in mosul at that. time thousands thousands I I would say I. mean they. were yeah I mean it was I so moo was. like. I don't know three or four times the.

size of San Diego yeah so I mean they. had years like three or four years to. fortify that place um waiting for. exactly what was going on which is us. trying to come in there um so they I. mean it was it was pretty crazy to watch. they had intricate tunnels dug all over. the city that went for miles holy [ __ ]. they had. um I've never seen so many IEDs in all. my deployments I mean I mean they had.

them everywhere every parked vehicle you. might as like it was a v bid um they had. it ready to blow they had vbid. staged hundreds and hundreds and. hundreds of V bids staged all throughout. the city and [ __ ] we would push. through and we usually around noon we. called it vbid paloa um they would just. start coming out of the woodwork and you. just see them blowing up left and right. um and you know maybe like 10 12 a day.

you would watch go off what were they. targeting so they would Target the uh. partner forces so as the partner forces. are clearing. through Isis has you know it was like. drone wars in the air there was drones. all over the place and uh they would. have a guy sitting in the Ved which he. is welded in there he might might have. been in there for days um just waiting. and then they activate them through. comms or like turn your car on and this.

guy can't half time they can't see you. know everything is um looks like a Mad. Max vehicle um they have plates welded. onto every every piece of the car and so. they're directing them through comms you. know back up go forward take a right you. know they're going slow and then they'. be like okay put your foot on the gas. and now blow yourself up and they you. know Target you know they'd be guiding. them into wherever the partner forces.

were or us if they saw us we we came. pretty close to one um had one go off. about 20 yards from us damn these guys. got pretty high tech yeah it was. definitely a new environment um for me. because it was it was definitely like a. 360 and you know you're looking up in. the air and not not only down at the. ground for IEDs but you're now you're. looking up in the air for drones because. as soon as a drone flies over you're. like okay here come the MERS or they. have our position.

uh so it was uh it was different yeah. but it you know it was uh something that. we just adapted to along the way um and. that's when uh after about two weeks of. doing the rigar roll of going out there. picking a spot getting mortared you know. drone would fly over we would take Morts. until we're like okay this isn't safe. anymore we're going back uh became. pretty frustrating because it didn't. feel like we were making that big of a.

dent U or having that big of an impact. um at that time all we were doing was. just launching a puma and Reporting. enemy movement and uh so me and the OIC. talked and I was like hey um I'm pretty. frustrated with the way things are going. he was too I was like let's take more of. an offensive posture here I was like. this is what let's split the group up. when we go out I was like We'll go pick. our spot. um and then we'll go wrecky a a good.

building that we can get into and that. we were able to engage from um and so he. was like yep that sounds like a good. idea how were you rcking were you so we. would go out to our spot designated spot. and then I would take myself uh probably. three other dudes from Platoon along. with um maybe three or four partner. Force guys that I thought were good to. go um and we. would go on a little Patrol not too far. from you know the spot where we're at.

you know we. probably you know 2 300. M on foot were you guys gared up like. the locals or were you was no k out no. we were kitted out um patrolling just. like you know in the open it was. Daylight um but we were pretty far like. behind the front lines so we're still. 800 M so it's not we weren't going into. enemy territory but you always there's. there's always that chance yeah because. the front lines would fluctuate you know.

yeah Isis might take a huge step forward. one night and we show up the next day. and be like holy [ __ ] we just lost all. this ground overnight. yeah and there's [ __ ] thousands of. them throughout the city so it would be. nothing for you know somebody to [ __ ]. skate by exactly I mean that's the other. thing is when we drove in every day. there was I mean hordes hordes of women. and children and Men leaving fleeing the. city so we're literally driving through. hundreds and hundreds of people you know.

you don't know which one who's Isis and. who's. not it was it was chaos um but yeah so. we started splitting up the ele like the. elements so I would take a wcky element. up pick a good spot um that had good. advantage point of the uh. Battlefield come back grab all the. weapons uh Gustaf javelins whatever we. needed and then we would just send set. up an op in there for the day um and it.

ended up working out really well um we. started seeing really good effects good. effects from doing that the uh partner. forces were loving it um because we were. actually engaging um with them with our. organic weapons and not just the. air and what I came to realize is the. the partner forces would uh clear to a. certain point until and if they they. were. taking you know gunfire and they would.

just stop and they're like we're not. moving um until something they would. just be like blow this whole block up. drop bombs on it which we're not you. know like we're not doing that like well. then we're we're not moving and so what. I found out is i' go up like okay where. are you taking sniper fire from they're. like oh that building you know like okay. cool look at it like all right third. third level like yeah jab you know shoot. a javelin at it we jav it and they would.

all start cheering and start clearing. right on so uh javelin's a kind of it's. a missile launcher for those of you that. don't know yeah so they're ask so your. partner force your men are taking. they're getting engaged they're getting. shot out they're getting [ __ ] blown. up they're asking you to blow up a city. block and you say no which so you're. showing restraint there somebody that's. a you know accused of being a uh.

merciless killer your guys are getting. [ __ ] killed and you're telling them. that you can't you can't do what they. want you to do because innocent people. are going to [ __ ] die exactly yeah so. yeah um but once we we were able to. engage with the javelins which are uh. you know pretty precise and accurate um. they they loved it and they would just. start moving forward so that's how we. sort of kept them going every day um and.

the you know the command marot command. was like loving it you know we'd come. back and they're like you guys are. kicking ass like this is this is great. you know and the fact that we were. requesting to go out not requesting but. we were like we're going out every day. um we could have taken so we had three. platoon and we could have worked in. shifts to where you'd have go out one. day two days off um but me and my o were. like no we want to go about every day um. this is a golden egg of a deployment we.

want to get every every little bit out. of it we can um so you were tight with. with your OIC oh yeah yeah me and him. had a really really good relationship um. just an awesome dude um really good. officer but. also he was not. uh how to say this politely like not. like every other o where he thinks you. know like I'm I'm the officer and I'm in.

charge like he really like we bounce. stuff off each other and he listened to. me on a lot of things and was like okay. you know he's receptive yes big time um. and so yeah we that was that was thank. God me and him got along um and I think. that's what really. like helped us move forward to that. deployment um because we were on the. same page the whole time.

um the. uh so we started implementing those. tactics um you know breaking up and. doing the wrecky wrecky piece and um we. started getting deeper into the city um. and it got a little more hairier the. deeper we got in um the front line like. I talked about earlier started really. getting skewed a lot um because. the closer we got to Old mosul which is.

the little little city inside of mosul. which is like a the oldest city there is. there um you know it's from Biblical. times yeah they had that place locked. down like that was their isis's like. call like the Beehive you know and so. when we started bumping up against that. that's when the partner for like were I. mean they were getting swacked left and. right um [ __ ] so it and it out a little. hairy for us sometimes too we had our.

uh we had our turp was um blown in half. or uh by a some kind of rocket that was. shot at us um and uh it just got it it. started getting a little. too too dangerous I guess um and we made. the command made the call M was like. okay we're going to. switch um fobs and we're going to. go all the way to the North End of. Missoula and start clearing from that.

way um because either like the partner. forces aren't going to they're not going. any further um y so was it just uh was. it just team seven Alpha platoon andar. ele and team seven golf platoon so. that's what maybe like 50 [ __ ] people. well you also um you also had. uh other partner forces out there. dude it was it was a hodg podge of so we.

had. er um which we were partnered up with. you had um I forget the the name of the. other one it was like. uh yeah I forget their name but they. they were actually a vetted group um. which nsw was in charge of so there was. another platoon a Bravo platoon but they. were working under a whole different. they were working under nssw so they. were taking a whole different section of. mosul so you got to think.

like you know there's the whole west. side of mosul I mean it's massive so you. had Bravo platoon working with their. partner for us here us on the other side. working with ours and then you had a. contingent of like other random Iraqi. forces like fed pole which is their. police unit I guess they're also. clearing so what end up happening is. we're clearing through and we just. started conversing on each other um and.

how was the communication it was good. like with Bravo we we would you know. talk to them while we're out there and. we're like hey this is you know this is. where we are this is where you guys are. cool there was never any problem between. American forces now with the partner. forces like fed pole ERD and uh whoever. Bravo was with I forget their name that. got super hairy um you know our golf. platoon got lit up pretty bad uh B fed. pole just driving in one day um the.

whole other hve started getting shot at. um you know we'd. have green on Blues almost every other. day like not actual green on black they. weren't shooting us but they would shoot. at us because it was just it was hard. you could try to mitigate it as much you. can but eventually you know once we. started conversing on each other it got. real uh pretty hairy um so that's I. think the decision to move to the north.

was a was a good one um because it sort. of opened it back up again uh so we. packed up within 48 hours and moved to. the north side of mos and started. clearing from. there um that is actually the first day. the first day we started clearing from. there is uh the day of the the incident. um that became so famous um we. we uh you know it's sop we had a pres.

predesignated. spot um we went out and we were actually. a lot closer that day to the uh enemy. than we had been it was probably we were. probably like 300 300 400 yards from. them from this uh Village that they were. there was this little village or a town. or whatever you want to call it right. right before you get into the main Urban. part of missou that we had to go through. and we were told that the Isis was you. know they've been using that Village and.

they were all in there um and sure. enough we showed up that morning. probably around 6:37 in the morning um. picked a pretty good spot behind some. walls where the uh Matt V that the. turrets could see right over the. wall and yeah it was like a turkey shoot. they were I mean they were all out in. the open just walking back and forth. between Huts armed yeah um we waited we. sat there and watched them probably for.

about 10 15 minutes waiting for the our. partner for us to start actually. clearing through um which you know. typical Iraqi fashion they were just. taking their time um so we decided like. all right we're just going to start. engaging and we probably engaged these. guys for an hour um I mean it was it was. awesome everybody you know 50s were. going off snipers javs um and we pretty. much decimated most of the most of the. guys in there that Village before ERD.

started clearing no [ __ ] yeah how many. like how many guys do you think there. were in there in that Village total. probably 60 maybe 60 guys and how many. of you uh there was at the. time probably like 13 or 14 of us and. the partner force was partner Force L. gagging ass around yeah they were just. back there waiting you know as we're. engaging how much do you think you. thinned them out before they got there.

oh big time we thinned out most of them. before they even started clearing and we. let them know um I think that's what. they were waiting for you know we. finally were like hey why did you guys. do all the Dirty Work yeah which is fine. we were like yeah [ __ ] it we'll do it. yeah it's is uh thanks you know uh but. they they started clearing through um. really had no. issues um because everybody was pretty. much dead. um I mean do you think you you guys.

killed what 75% of them 80% I'd probably. say 80% or even higher maybe 90% of them. cuz they really had no they they went. through that Village pretty quick um we. had uh hell fired a couple buildings um. and actually the one one of the. buildings that we hell fired um is where. they dragged this Isis fighter out of. the partner Force as they cleared. through dragged him out and brought him. back to us um and that's where the whole.

debacle happened yeah you know uh I know. I said we weren't going to talk about. the uh the controversy but you know I. don't understand I watched this. documentary called The Gallagher effect. and uh put out by somebody on the New. York Times and they basically paint this. [ __ ] Isis fighter like some little. innocent little [ __ ] kid yeah and you. know one thing I just don't understand. how half of the nation can be so up in.

arms even if you did stab the [ __ ]. kid you know to death I mean here's a. journalist ripping you apart. when. 2014 they've got journalists on getting. b tv getting their heads like literally. saw off on [ __ ] television and then. they paint this [ __ ] kid like he's some. little innocent the poor little Isis kid.

yeah it's pretty disgusting they put. people in cages and burn them alive oh. yeah you know I mean the [ __ ] that we. saw in that deployment too not to like. whatever Sidetrack but dude. I haven't seen anything like that in any. any of my other deployments um you know. you always see like the atrocities of. war. and stuff you know innocent people get. killed it's just that's War um you know. civilian casualties on both sides uh.

what is some of the [ __ ] that you saw. that these guys were. doing um I think one of the first things. I saw um going through we ended up. pushing into this neighborhood and uh we. were driving. through and uh they had uh like a. playground in the middle of these like. apartments and they had like this fence. going around it and I remember getting.

out and like walking up look trying to. wrecky a spot and I look over and they. had uh kids heads little kids heads on. the spikes just sitting there um and. women. too there was dead bodies all over the. place so I I don't like it's hard to. even. put like I tell people that and they're. like oh yeah yeah but like no they.

nobody was cleaning up the dead as we. were pushing through so there was you. just like walking over either piles of. bodies that they just pile up or they. were just scattered through the streets. [ __ ] man so they were cutting little. kids heads off and sticking them on a. [ __ ] pole yeah um and then at certain. points we would be uh in certain areas. where there was like a field or some. kind of open space between us and Isis.

you know and it'd be they'd probably be. like 800,000 meters. away and um they would send hordes of uh. women and kids running over the through. the field towards us and then just mow. them down uh about halfway because they. were trying to draw us out or our. partner Force out to the open to come. help them um which uh a couple times. they succeeded you know the partner. forces they would try and run out and. help these you know women and kids and.

then they end up getting smoked too uh. but yet again you you held restraint. yeah it's well there's nothing I mean. and it's you know it's one thing to like. talk about it or you know like you know. I see it's funny to see like uh reports. on missou now or they do like these. documentaries and they they do like oh. there was horrific stuff that happened. but they don't go into detail about like. what horrific things they were doing you. know it's another thing to actually be.

there and see it going. on and um that's tough man I mean it. does it it emotion gets involved um you. know you're just like how can people be. doing this to and you can't [ __ ] do. anything yeah you can't you just sit. there and you're like okay well we'll. wait until we can push forward um they. would. also they were using our Roe against us. um they uh would chain civilians into uh.

buildings you know chain them along the. walls inside and then they would put. silhouettes on the roof of like with. weapons so then ISR would see it and be. like oh there's two dudes down there and. we'd end up dropping on the building and. then they would come out and use it as. propaganda against us like oh you see. what they just did uh you know it was. one big like Evil game they were playing. um. that's hard to do man to watch people. get mowed down I mean yeah it.

sucks. so yeah it's it's crazy to think you. know after this whole thing and like how. much the med you know half the media or. most of it tried to empathize with this. Isis Fighter um and you know I think NPR. just recently went they sent A team out. to Iraq and they interviewed this Isis. Fighters family they found him and they. were like. you know trying to be sympathetic and.

even the Isis spider's dad in the. interview which I was watching and was. like yeah he joined Isis I told him not. to like that's it you know it's uh it's. pretty black and white you know yeah. um but yeah the uh to see like you were. talking about to see the media just try. and twist it and well I'm just trying to. show like you want to talk about [ __ ]. restraint you know that's that's that's. hard to watch and uh I mean I can relate.

to it one of my biggest regrets is uh. was sitting in a sniper hide and we were. supposed to be killing anybody that blew. up a [ __ ] Convoy and it was in front. I was set up in front of a school with. my partner. and we were all ghillied up and these. kids [ __ ] came down and got out of. school they were probably about 10 12. [ __ ] years old. and pulled out a cell phone and you know. we [ __ ] called it in and uh they were. like don't [ __ ] do.

anything and you know that sounds weird. like oh who gives a [ __ ] they had a cell. phone well back in 04 05 nobody had. [ __ ] cell phones unless they were. getting ready to call something that was. going to detonate a bomb and sure as. [ __ ] you know I saw a [ __ ] Convoy get. blown up. and didn't do anything about it and. that's that's what I don't think people. get is like they think. civilians maybe think war is black and. white I'm like it's gray it's all gray.

that's that's where you have to live and. you got to make you got to make. decisions in that gray um you know it's. nothing you know like You' see guys like. even on this deployment or even. Afghanistan guys with Icom or whatever I. mean that's considered a weapon yeah you. know because they're communicating but. then it's on you as a shooter to make. that choice like okay is this guy. actually doing something on that icon or. or is he just somebody else and. sometimes that decision yeah you know it.

can be right or wrong but as long you as. long as you can live with it um I think. you do a bed at night knowing that you. did the right thing then y you should be. fine. uh yeah so yeah the um going back to. this they brought the Isis fighter in um. they brought him to you or you went to. him no they brought him to us and it was. very like confusing and chaotic when. they brought him back um the I was.

actually in another spot so I had moved. once they had cleared through that. Village I had uh moved my vehicle and. another one um to the flank sort of set. up like in an L to cover them as they. went through um so I was probably like. 400 yards away from the main element and. uh it came over the radio that hey I. think they they have an Isis fighter. here. um I was like all right check I was like. they're done clearing I was like we. we'll come back.

there uh went back and um you know. walked up there's a crowd around. him um a lot of guys from my platoon and. a lot of my rackis were around this guy. I walked up and he looked like he was on. death door um just out of it um and I. was like hey get the med bag and we'll. start treating this dude um and I wasn't. to be clear like I didn't give a [ __ ].

whether this guy lived or died yeah um. it was more of like this guy's here what. are we doing you know I I can't just. execute this guy that's not the right I. mean know I I would have it didn't it. wouldn't have mattered to me but I was. like get the med bag and we'll work on. him until he dies um and that's pretty. much it did you come over comms and say. everybody standof he's mine no you. didn't no I I said something to the. effect of like yeah just keep him there.

and we'll come back okay um the yeah. that whole thing they they somehow. coordinated to three of them and came up. with that same line um but then it was. just whatever they're. ridiculous the it was like two or three. of the. guys in trial said you know like oh he. said this but then and even their. buddies were like oh I didn't hear him. say that so it's it's all convoluted um.

but I did say you know hold him there. we're coming back um cuz I wanted to see. what we had uh but the guy was pretty. much on death. door so I got a medag uh walked up and. um I started assessing him um the the. Iraqi General was actually putting him. back on the they brought him in on a. hood of a Humvee and and they were. throwing him back on the hood of the hve. um just like willly Dilly I was like hey.

we'll we'll treat him we'll take care of. him he's like. okay uh left him there I assessed him he. had been think he had a either shrapnel. or gunshot wound to the left leg and he. definitely he wasn't breathing properly. so uh I did a. cke CED him um K had no issues uh got. missing in the tube and then by that. point two or the other medic and my. platoon had come over and started. assisting real quick just for the the.

audience and the listeners a cke is when. you cut a hole in somebody's neck so. that they can breathe yeah and uh you. know and when I was uh kind of doing my. research and they said that you had. stabbed this kid to death this poor. little Isis yeah young boy uh they said. you stabbed him to death and then I. found out that you CED him and I was. wondering if they SP. spun that because it would.

technically no they they didn't use that. no they they. legitimately um Craig Miller who was my. lpo lied and said I legitimately took my. knife out and started just going to town. on this guy's neck in front of everybody. which is a complete. lie um I cracked him and then the two. other Medics were there I just got up. and we at that point the Iraqi partner. force was like all circled around us um.

and I looked up they had phones so I. went and got the general and I was like. hey back these guys up and get them out. of here and tell them stop taking. pictures of us because they. were Infamous for they would take. pictures of everything over there and we. were like hey we don't want we didn't. want to be any of the pictures um so he. did so he was like you know back off um. clear everybody out I went back and at. that point they had already done uh two. chest tubes on them uh one was jacked up.

on the right side they messed that one. up but on the left they got a chest tube. in. him and um they just started doing other. procedures on him so at this point he. was pretty much like a live tissue lab. and so guys were who were interested in. becoming a medic one of the new guys. came up and were like yeah go ahead and. do an IO like it's pretty much like a. pig Lab at this point U and no there's. no issues what was going on like nobody. was like hey this is you know I'm. bothered by this everyone was on board.

um and uh the one of the new guys. started giving him a inner Aus um in the. chest plate um to try and get some. fluids in him they tried to give an an. IV he had no veins so they went. IO um and at that point I had walked. away again went and talked to the OIC um. he was just like what's going on with. that guy I'm like he's he's done you. know he'll be dead here or he is dead. already he's like okay um he was you.

know busy talking to the. jtac at that point and there was nothing. going on at this point so I think that's. another thing there was no firefight it. was pretty much they had cleared to that. Village and it was they were done for. the day. um so I had walked back and Corey Scott. who was at the head of the patient or. the Isis fighter not the patient but uh. he was like yeah he's done he's dead I. was like okay are you sure he's like. yeah I was like okay NE got on my knees.

I flicked him in the eye no response uh. think I gave him like a sternal or a. side rub nothing and then uh this is. where the story becomes what it became. is I took my knife out I just like poked. him in the side didn't break any skin. jabbed him no response put it back uh. and that was it it was so the reason is. doing that for the listeners. is it's just you're just confirming that.

he's dead yeah you know sternum rub. somebody's going to they're going to. move an ey tap you're going to see. [ __ ] their eyeball move you know and. same with a knife they're you're going. to get some kind of a re some kind of. response so yeah I did you know three. different things and I just wanted to. make sure this dude was dead and we're. not like leaving this guy barely barely. breathing. U so yeah he was done and that was uh. pretty much it we um you know all got up.

and I requested we actually requested to. go back to base because we're sitting. around doing nothing um we were told to. stay out there for the remainder to like. a couple more hours just to see if the. partner for us would clear anymore but. we we knew the partner Force Enough by. then and we were like they're not. they're not moving the rest of the day. they're done um but we stayed out there. and uh. that's when uh you. know board Team guys um were all sitting.

around they started messing with the. body uh which would I mean it was no. nobody was thinking anything of it at. the time yeah um my OIC came up and was. like hey since we have time we not do. anything do you want to reinlist because. I was planning on reenlisting that. deployment at some point and I I just. like other deployments I've been on i'. reinlist i' reenlisted out in the field. uh so I was like yeah let's we do it now. we got time um so we did a short little. reenlistment ceremony not over the body.

not like the body body wasn't even part. of it uh it was in the vicinity with. along with three other bodies that were. off to the left uh we were at I mean. that sounds like there's [ __ ] bodies. everywhere in the entire city so where. the hell are you even going to have rein. list out there whether's not a [ __ ]. body yeah it wasn't like yeah the body. wasn't even an issue or a thought in no. Rel listman thing so I reenlisted um and. uh got done with that.

and guys started coming down and they. were taking pictures they were doing. stupid pictures with the body um you. know onesie tws coming down just pretty. much [ __ ] off. yeah. um you know didn't think anything of it. at the time and then I even went over. there and took couple pictures with them. just [ __ ] around. um and uh the started uh a couple of. guys started flying the Drone they were.

playing games like seeing how low they. get you know drone to the body and. bounce it up and down and all all this. saying it right now sounds pretty [ __ ]. up but at the time it's like nobody you. know we were just like whatever we're. just waiting here uh I I think what. people don't [ __ ] understand is is no. human is supposed to experience this. kind of [ __ ] yeah and when the when that. [ __ ] that becomes the [ __ ] daily. Norm yeah you don't think anything of it.

and that's it's hard to explain to. people like you're in a completely. different mindset over there you know. people don't understand too is the. [ __ ] comedy like and I'm you know. that's how look go to a. firehouse go to a police station go to a. [ __ ] Seal Team go to a Marine base. and when when humans deal with trag. tragedy on on a regular basis the only. [ __ ] coping me mechanism that you. have is humor yeah and that humor gets.

[ __ ] dark but the important thing is. you you're finding something you know. what I mean to to to kind of keep your. [ __ ] mind going exactly yeah if you. can't laugh about it then you know have. have fun while you're in chaos then. you're going to be pretty miserable. uh so yeah guys were [ __ ] off and uh. then it was time to go home you know we. went back to base. um I went came back debriefed uh the day.

uh the body wasn't brought up during the. debrief you know uh then went and got a. workout did did a little workout and. uh after the workout I walked in to a uh. a meeting that was going on with the lpo. and everybody below um and every got you. know real quiet when I walked in and I. was like what's going on what's up uh. nothing was said everyone sort of like. dispersed well then uh Corey Scott came.

up to me after ID walked out and he was. like hey. uh there's guys have some issues with. the uh pictures that we're all taking. today and I was like okay um what's the. problem they're like well some of the. guys are scared that the you know. they're going to get in trouble for. taking pictures or that they're going to. be you know out there and I was like all. right well then just delete them like. it's pretty simple solution uh he was. like all right so he he walked off then.

Craig Miller my lpo came to my room and. pretty much emphasize the same thing to. me like hey some of the guys or have. issues with the uh pictures and I was. like all right I was like bring all this. Senor E6 is in uh I brought him in and I. was like what's the issue here um same. thing was brought up by the pictures and. there was a uh TC burn who was one of. the Medics had a helmet cam on you know. during the whole thing and I was like. okay I was like so I don't understand.

what you guys are stressing about I was. like don't you know show the pictures. anywhere or delete. them uh we came to an agreement and uh. it was like just delete you know was. like you guys have issues then delete it. delete everything and we'll move on and. like nothing was done wrong but like you. guys think you're going to get in. trouble or stressing about it then. delete everything they're like okay um. the problem is some of the other guys. didn't want to delete them um they were. like I'm I don't have a problem with. this at. all uh but you know I thought the issue.

was resolved it was everyone was like. went on their merry way and like okay. wasn't brought up ever again did you. think anything you know anything of it. no with the team cohesion or these guys. didn't like you or I already knew at. that point I was pretty well aware that. two of the guys didn't like me um Dylan. delay and uh doton Tolbert they. I could just tell from body language and. the way they like you know interacted. with me that they didn't like me but you.

know and all honesty I didn't really. like them too much but it was this was a. job I'm like you know we have a job to. do I'm not going to let uh personal. things get in the way here. uh but I could tell yeah that they. didn't there's something about me they. didn't like you know um you could just. you know you walk into a room you're. like all right what's going on here um. um but uh I think at that point.

because I don't know if that that that. was what fractured or whatever but. uh the pictures or any of that was never. brought up again you know the rest of. the ployment I think what was what. started happening is. uh you know the we kept working and it. got busier um you know we were going out. all the time and I. had uh one of the guys in my platoon. come up to me and was like hey um I. think we're working too much um you know.

we're tired and I was like okay um let's. have another meeting and I want to hear. it you know and the the I pulled the. senior sixes again in and the complaints. I heard from that meeting were I don't. have time to work out um you know the. workloads too much you know. or it was sort of petty complaints to me.

where I'm like dude this is a deployment. and not only that I have you guys on a. week on week off rotation I'm like. you're getting a whole week back RNR I'm. like myself the. OIC have been are staying here the whole. time and we're not complaining or. whatever I'm like the workload is not. going to change and I just let them know. that it's like we're going to be going. out like you guys have a week. to go back and rest and refit and come. back out there should be no excuses you. know um they didn't take that I don't.

think too well um didn't say anything to. my face but I could tell they were. like okay um you know our complaints. didn't get us anywhere uh doltan Tolbert. was screening to go to Green Team when. we got back so he came up to me and was. like I I'm pissed because I don't have. enough time to work out to get ready for. Green Team uh I was like okay I. literally was like I will I understand. CU I completely understood I was like. you know that's a big thing you um I was.

like I'll take you off some of the the. Ops so you have time uh he's like okay. so I took him off you know the next two. days of Ops and was just like hey you. you can chill and work out and I came. back the next day and then he was pissed. that I took him off the Ops and that I. was saying I was punishing him uh and at. that point I didn't know what to say to. him I'm like dude you just just told me. that you didn't want to like go out I'm. trying to help you out to go work out. and now you're saying I'm punishing you.

I was like I can't where's where's the. you. know where when are you going to be. content you know like yeah and that's. that's just the kind of attitude I was. sort of trying to deal with and honestly. like as a leader I was having a hard. time uh with it as far as I've never. been around guys who were complaining. about going out into combat or like. actually getting to do the job um. so I mean. I I don't know if I dealt with it in the. right way I didn't I didn't know how to.

deal with it I was just like this we're. going to keep going the ad Mission first. um you know and I mean what the [ __ ] are. you supposed to do tell the United. States of America hey we're not going to. uh take mosul because uh we need to. [ __ ] work out guys yeah you know my. butt's starting to Sag a little. bit yeah [ __ ] I mean but honestly that. was like the dilemma I was in to where I. didn't know you know what to do as far. as you know I I had called my sea I'm.

like dude these guys are [ __ ]. bitching you know about this and he was. just like tell him to stop being a bunch. of [ __ ] you know I was like all right. exactly so I'm I'm doing the right thing. then uh but yeah I think from that. meeting on it just started you know. fracturing like I think guys were these. guys that were saying they were tired. and didn't want to go out they started. really being a toxic group and started. trying to get the rest platoon you know.

to go against me but it was all this is. all done behind the scenes um I had no. idea like any of this was really going. on until after the fact how early was. this in the deployment and um this was. probably 4 months in what was it a. six-month deployment seven seven mon but. six it was six months of straight work. and then the last month we had nothing. cuz Miss was clear um so which was good. it was like to me I took that as a month.

of like decompression before you go home. which I told the guys I'm like dude this. take this month to. like work on yourself get ready to go. home you know this is it was a busy. deployment uh but yeah it was it was six. months of straight work so around the. fourth month I think is when the guys. really. started not not not the whole platoon. I'm talking start picking it up picking. up sign these four guys were really. working to you know turn the platoon.

against me um were they all on the same. team you said you had broken the team up. into two yeah so these guys were all in. the same same team same group um all Liv. together in the same room the whole so. they had plenty of time. to conspire commiserate you know yeah. you know in goes on you know um and it. was probably around the fifth month. is when I really the end of the fifth. month is when I really like found out.

just how bad it had gotten um I was. living with so my I roomed with uh the. OIC in one of the Jos M um I asked to. use the J's phone one day to call back. to the uh Shak on house to have them. bring up some gear whatever when they. came and rotated out he was like threw. me his phone and I looked at it you know. pulled up who I was going to call and a. text thread came up and I saw my name. like all through it so um naturally I. was like what's this started reading it.

and this guy was like we're [ __ ] sick. of working for Eddie he's going to get. one of us killed like he's making us go. out too much uh he's too aggressive like. just a list of complaints this guy was. you know and just talking [ __ ]. um so I read that and I was like what. the [ __ ] is this I mean it sort of took. me by surprise um I pulled the Jo in I. was like dude what is this and he you. know pretty much got white like oh I I.

don't want I don't have anything to do. with it and I was like well obviously. they're texting you these things I'm. like so you knew this was like there's. some discontent going on I'm like why. don't you just bring it to me and he he. completely you know I don't want. anything to do with it um so I decided. to I didn't know what to do um I was. pretty pissed so I you know went and. worked out and thought about it and I. was like you know what I'll just remove.

this this guy send him to another. platoon and you know rotate him out with. another guy that wants to be here and I. had guys the whole deployment calling me. knocking down the door trying to get you. know augment us because we were doing. the most. work uh so I called back and let him. know I'm like hey man uh pack your [ __ ]. you know I'm going to send you over to. Delta I'm going to get somebody else. over here take your spot um that didn't. go over well that turned ended up being. like he was pissed.

uh so I had one final meeting with the. e6s the day the next day uh my OIC calm. me down um was like dude I know you're. pissed just let's all go talk and hash. us out which was the right call uh so we. drove we actually called off an OP or. like going out so we could settle. this drama and uh I drove we drove up to. the shayon.

house and. um I pull up there and it's all the. accusers so it's Craig Miller delay. Dalton uh Corey Scott and uh this other. guy who ion I won't mention because he's. still active duty and he actually did. the right thing um I went and talked to. him I walked in the house they were all. standing there looking at me me and I. was like called the guy into a room and. uh sat him down was like hey let's.

emotions off the table or trying I was. like let's just talk and hash this out. what's going on like I like I don't. understand why you know your complaints. or like what the issue is here and uh we. had a good conversation for about 10 15. minutes and it what it came down to was. you know the guys were what he was. telling me is the guys were rotating. back for rest and refit for a week and. then they were commiserating and. creating this hate Circle and it was all. you know everything was my fault was all.

directed at you yeah which I completely. understood I was like dude that's not my. first rodeo I make usually when guys get. tired or whatever leadership gets blamed. uh for some you know they're they want. to point the finger a [ __ ] about. something which is completely normal um. so you know we talked about it and he. came you know he was like dude I I. realize what you know we're working. we're working ourselves up here um and. uh you know I explained some tactical. things I was doing um to him and he was. like no that does make sense and I'm.

like this is why we're doing this um he. was like no I got it um and that was the. end of it I was like dude let's just. finish this deployment out I I did tell. him I was like dude you are going to. like do some [ __ ] Duty for the week. because you're texting the Jo here. talking [ __ ] about your Chief uh I was. like so I had him doing like Supply runs. for a week you know but that was it were. they pissed at the the O see at all so. while I was in this meeting with this. guy the O my OIC was out with the rest.

of the guys and I guess they were all. trying to get him to turn on me they. were like you know. he's they told him I was manipulating. him uh that I he's not really in charge. that I am um I mean this is coming from. E5 E6 is to you know an officer uh the. Jake immediately chewed him out told him. you know shut the [ __ ] up um that you. know he had we had a good working.

relationship that I you know and that he. was pretty pissed that they were they. were pulling this like mutinous type. crap you know and he was uh he put them. in their place I didn't I wasn't there. to witness it but I heard about it which. is I mean I respect Jake for doing that. you know for standing up um and so I. came out after that after that meeting. and uh pretty much pulled the rest of. the guys in I told him to go ahead and. get everything off the I was like get it. off your chest I was like what else I'm.

like why are you guys so [ __ ] angry. um and then it came out uh delay was. like we heard you called you called us a. bunch of [ __ ] and you called us. cowards and uh I was like yeah I did say. that they're like yeah well we're. [ __ ] pissed about it um and this is. where they told me they're like we've. all been together for three this is our. third platoon you're the new guy like. whatever we like we're together they.

said that straight to my. face so as a like as a chief I was like. I was pretty worn out by this point. dealing with the drama dealing with this. petty [ __ ] that I didn't think I'd have. to deal with on a deployment um I just. looked at him I was like you know what. man I was like I apologize I'm like I. apologize for calling you guys [ __ ]. and cowards all right I was like let's. just get over this crap and move I was. like if that's what you guys are really. mad about then let's just move on and uh.

finish this deployment out strong you. know we' had a good deployment we're. being very successful I was like this is. all this is doing is just dragging us. down this little petty thing we got. going on they all agreed um they're like. yeah you're right okay we shook hands uh. I'm like all right we'll move. on unfortunately I moved on or tried to. and they kept their little circle going. um which culminated to when we came back.

from deployment and that's when I found. out that they were uh still spreading. little rumors about me. um I had. uh I had gone home on the first flight. on deployment as well which wasn't a. easy call um there was you know you. usually rotate out three different. flights um and then usually the chief is. supposed to stay to the end do turnover. go out in the last flight I had. uh some personal problems at home with. uh my kids um Andrew was having rough.

time um and uh to be honest I was. [ __ ] over being around yeah some of. these guys so she has Andrea had never. asked me to come home once early from a. deployment no matter what was going on. but she was like I'd really appreciate. it if you got home you know quicker or. sooner and so I made the call I called. my uh Mass chief was like dude this is. what's going on he's like yeah no. worries go home on the first flight he's. you know everything's good to go um so.

when I left on that first. flight these guys really turned it on. because I was no longer there and. started going to the OIC and like really. trying to hammer home like dude [ __ ] him. like you know he was manipulating you. the whole time the whole thing all over. again yeah um how did you find that out. my OS told me he uh he came. back on the third flight and um he was. like Hey man and he pulled me aside or.

we just talked and he was like dude this. is what these guys were. doing uh he was like they were even so. my wife had taken a picture of my me and. my kids like you know reuniting. deployment reuniting whatever you know. hugging each other posted it I mean they. were using those pictures like look at. he's home with his family and we're not. like he shouldn't be home like using all. this crap uh to stir things up um. luckily my oicc he told me he was like I. they had me going for a second uh but.

he's like this isn't right you know this. none of this it's all [ __ ] um so. that's when uh and I had also. heard I had got back on the first. flight and nobody was really back at the. team just yet um you know guys were. still coming in from everywhere they. were. deployed so there was like handfuls of. guys back and I had a couple guys come. up to me and they were like hey man like.

there's a couple dudes in near your. platoon who were saying some [ __ ] about. you and uh I was like what are they. saying you know he's like well they said. that you're tactically unsound you're. too aggressive uh that you're dangerous. and all that I was like okay you know. yeah heard that you've already been. [ __ ] proven time and time again yeah. but then they were like they also said. you're a thief and that's when I was. like what and like oh yeah they said you. were stealing from. everybody that set me off to where I was.

like I've never been called a thief. before um nor did I steal from anybody I. was like so this needs to be addressed. um and i' heard it from it probably two. or three people different people at that. point so once the whole platoon was back. I called them in for a. meeting um and you my myself OIC. everybody and um. I was like dude came in and you got to. think like more than half platoon has no.

clue that this any of this drama is. going on they're if they do they don't. think it's as bad as it is um so you. know the Hun and there sort of like. what's this meeting about um I was like. Hey ranks are off I was like I want to. know like what's going on here like what. I was like I've been called you know. told him everything that I'd heard um. and I was like I've been called a thief. I was like I want to know right now what. I stole from somebody I was like because. I've never stolen anything from anybody. and I was like so if I somehow did I.

want to either fix it or if it's rumors. that you guys are starting I want to. squash. it uh nobody said a word for about two. minutes and I told him I was like listen. I've already heard it enough times let's. just get it out uh Doon. tobert was like okay will you stole a. Red Bull at a refrigerator six months. ago and I looked at him and I was. like what and he's like yeah you stole.

somebody's Red Bull six months ago a Red. Bull yeah I was like out of the platoon. fridge and uh I didn't know what to say. to that I was like. dude I don't know if I took somebody's. Red Bull or not 6 months ago out of the. platoon fridge where everybody goes in. and just grabs whatever uh but um I was. like tell me that's not why you guys are. calling me a thief um he's like well.

that caused a huge issue I was. like okay um well I was like I can't. either confirm nor deny if I took a Red. Bull or not I don't remember I was like. please tell me there's something else. you have something more concrete that. you guys are calling me a thief on. um the uh what was the Tom mcneel who. was the J that I live with the whole. deployment. um he didn't say anything but Dalton. tobert again was like you didn't pay. somebody for a haircut you got it didn't.

pay somebody back for a haircut that. they uh paid for I got one hair one. haircut that deployment near the end and. Tom McNeil paid for it CU me and him. went together so I looked at Tom and I. was like hey he's right I didn't pay you. back for the haircut I was like I'll. I'll go get the money out of the ATM. Tom's like no no no it's not a big deal. I don't I don't care I was like well. obviously you do if this guy's talking. for you you know this has been talked. about before it must be an issue uh I.

was like tell me there's something else. and there was nothing um Craig Miller. said uh he stated that I stole. sunglasses and I um was like I don't. have them and he's like well I have them. back now and so I was like well how did. I steal them and he's like well I wrote. it on the board that somebody stole them. and all of a sudden they appeared the. next day I was like so you're putting. that on me and he was like yeah I was. like well but I didn't steal him man you. know um and that was pretty much the end. of that meeting where I was like dude.

you guys need to cut this [ __ ] out like. stop spreading this I was like I don't. know what's gotten into you and I told. them I was like you guys need to. decompress like it was a hectic. deployment you guys need to go chill out. take whatever this two weeks of leave. block leave you have and just you know I. was like we need to talk somebody talk. to somebody but I was like this isn't. gonna this isn't going to help anybody. you guys keep spreading this hate. um they all were like you know the rest. of platoon I think was confused on what.

was going they were just like what the. [ __ ] but these. guys you know some of them not of their. head like okay we get it but dton. tobert he was like staring daggers at me. um when I said this and so I looked at. him and I was like or I was like we can. go to the fight room which is that trade. at and I was like and let's just fight. it out I was like if you you guys I'm. like you guys don't like me I don't. [ __ ] like you personally I was like. ranks are off I was like we can just go. get it out that way and then go on our.

merry way if that's where you guys want. to go um I was like I'll fight every one. of you one after the other and I was. like and you'll kick my ass but I was. like I think it'll we'll feel better at. the end uh nobody said a word you know. dlon just like looked down at the ground. I was like all right then I don't want. to hear [ __ ] and I was like I'm still. your Chief and if you guys need help. with anything and I did help them out. with their next Duty stations you know I. was like I'm not holding anything. personal here I was like but I did tell.

Craig and them I was like dude I'm not. like your buddy I was like especially. after this you guys accuse me of all the. [ __ ] and spread lies about me like we're. not hanging out or anything but uh I. will help you out in your career if you. need help going to your next station or. assignment. um that uh. they went from that meeting and went to. the command and told them like doton and.

Craig that I had threatened to assault. them um that I was threatening their. lives because I invited them to go to. the fight room and uh settle it that way. um and that's where I mean they they. started from there and then the the. escalation of allegations started I mean. it went from that I was too dangerous. you. know blah blah blah all the other crap.

with the tactics then after you know. he's a thief and then it escalated too. now he's like trying to come after us. which. wasn't far from the truth I wasn't even. thinking about them yeah uh the command. actually when Craig and them came up to. them and started giving them these. complaints they were like hey he's too. dangerous it's tactics are this and this. like so the command's like okay well. give me some of the tactics he was doing. I think this was my uh Tu Commander was.

like I want all right what was he doing. that was so dangerous give me an example. they're like oh he used us as bait he. was trying to get us killed so like I. was like okay well then give me an. example and this is the examples the. example they gave me like well we were. on a roof getting shot at by a sniper. and. he uh had one of us put our helmet on a. stick and put it you know up at a over. the wall so we could see where the fire. was coming from and they were.

like yeah that's been a tactic that's. been used yeah forever like did they. make you put your own grape up there. like your own head head and he's like no. and he was like well what's the issue so. they really had no like they were coming. with these complaints with no nothing to. back them up they were just I mean the. more they tried to explain it the Dumber. they sounded um and the command just. told them the same thing I did like it. sounds like you guys need to go. decompress like it sounds like you know. you guys need to go chill um they were.

like well he's a thief and then my T. Commander is like what was he stealing. and they're like oh he took power powers. out of a care package uh that wasn't. his and I think my two Commander's like. this all seems pretty Petty and uh if. you take that up with the chief's mess. then like if you you know which they. never did cuz it was all. Bs but uh they came back three different. times to my T Commander with the same.

complaints and I think my Tu Commander. got fed up and was like. listen is there something valid here why. do you guys keep coming back and saying. stuff like did this did he do any low. act violations or anything like that no. they denied it three different times. they're like no nothing like that he's. like well then if there's nothing like. that then go [ __ ] de impress like he. got number one Chief out of the team. he's you know doing marlock had nothing.

but good things to say about him like we. don't understand why you guys are coming. with this BS unless there's something. valid and uh they got pretty frustrated. at that I guess um and they about four. months later is when they came back and. they're like oh we have something like. four [ __ ] months mhm yeah and uh. they and what we came to find out is you. know afterwards they were conspiring. over text messages like figuring out a. plan like I mean you could see it in all.

their text messages like we need to make. sure our story is water tight so no one. could poke holes in it like this and. this they were having little meetings. you know uh and that's when yeah for. about four months later Craig Miller. went to the TU Commander again who was. now he was at a different command so. everybody was probably scattered around. everyone was scattered off you know to. different commands um. and that's when uh yeah he came to them. and was like okay we have something and. he was like what is it and he's like oh. he stabbed a prisoner and my Tu.

Commander was like okay well are we're. going to Route this up you sure you know. like yeah and that's where it I mean it. skyrocketed from there it's like. they they went and reported it to these. guys went and reported to NCIS uh called. NCIS themselves and told them that. I had murdered an Isis prisoner and. that's when it just went off the rails. uh you know ncas got involved um this.

guy agent War Pinsky who was the lead. agent D you couldn't have put a a worse. actor in this whole situation I mean he. uh he pretty much came just to give you. like an example or context the first. interview he did like hadn't even done. started investigating the case. he brings in Craig Miller um and the. first thing he says is this is a black. and white open and shut case we already.

know we got him so go ahead and say. whatever and you guys aren't going to. get in trol over anything that you did. so it was like gave these guys car. blanch to just spew out whatever they. wanted [ __ ] so basically what with. Pinsky did is he formed a prosecution. and then did the investigation you know. did it completely backwards before we go. on with that just heading back yeah you. when you took that platoon over you had. one guy that you brought in which.

sounded like he was your boy your. right-hand man your. lpo. and he got transferred to another. platoon because that Chief got shot in. the chest correct yes did he live he did. yeah dude uh that guy's an animal that. got shot in the chest yeah big old. Indian um is that when you started to. see maybe the wheel fall off and that's. a good point man um I'm glad you brought. that up so I did have Craig Miller was.

not my lpo um during workup or any of. that I had uh this other guy who was was. my right-hand man awesome awesome guy. awesome operator um and he picked up. Chief right before we deployed um but uh. he you know the team or the command was. like he's going to stay with your plon. cuz usually like if someone picks up. Chief they're not going to have two. Chiefs in the same platoon they'll move. him somewhere else um at least that's.

the way they did it on that West Coast. for a little bit um but uh they were. like yeah he's going to stay as your lpo. the whole deployment you know which I. was thankful for I mean that guy he was. an awesome lpo um just had a good good. read on the dudes and he would also come. to me if there was anything like right. away like hey man guys are bitching. about this or they're wondering about. this and we would address it you know uh. but yeah about month and a half into. deployment Bravo platoon yeah their.

Chief got shot in the chest um and they. uh were needing a chief. so I sent my lpo over there to mosul too. yeah um so my lpo went over there and. that's when Craig Miller had stepped up. as lpo and that is actually where I. think. things started to take started going. down because. Craig was best like really good buddies.

with all the other senior e6s and I. think he found he found it difficult to. detach himself as an lpo and not just. like a friend peer you know so it was. the guys were coming to him with. complaints or and whether they were. Petty or not and he was instead of like. coming to me and being like hey he was. keeping it to himself and sort of just. encouraging it you know yeah um and all. that was you know after the fact. obviously that I found most of this out.

or I had you know an idea some of it was. going on but not to the extent no. confirmation no and I wasn't really. worried about digging into it uh I was. focused on just going out I mean. that's that's the one uh one of the. downfalls I'll say like that I that. happened me and my o both admitted it to. the platoon like you know. we were too focused Mission focused and. just like worried about going out every. day and we apologize if we didn't we.

weren't like focused on how you guys. were doing I guess you know it. was um it could have done a better job. at that um but that's yeah that's just. my where my mindset was at the time so. we're getting ready to take a break. before we head into the NCIS. investigation and and in the courts and. everything but I do have two questions. and one. is do you get personal.

satisfaction out of killing the. enemy and. two do you respect the. enemy I respect the enemy for sure I. mean I. respect they. especially Isis going through I mean. they. were I mean the I respect their will I. respect their will to fight I respect. how.

they're you want to talk about loyalty. yeah that's a [ __ ] loyal Bunch right. there and they're willing to die for. their ideology how [ __ ] up it is it's. to me it's impressive to watch guys blow. themselves up on a daily basis off off. an idea you know. uh do I get personal. satisfaction I don't know how to answer. that without sounding like a psychopath.

but like or however I was painted. because now I I find it hard nowadays to. answer questions like that because of. just how I was painted but yes I get. personal satisfaction of taking evil off. this Earth um I would say that's a valid. answer yeah I do I don't know anybody. that I've worked with or myself that. doesn't yeah and you know I respect the. [ __ ] out of too I hate them I [ __ ]. hate them but you know when you get down. to it it's [ __ ] another man that's.

yeah standing up for what he [ __ ]. believes in which to be honest with you. is more than you can say. about 99% of the people that live in. this [ __ ] country that's the truth. right there yeah and that's that's where. that level of respect comes in for them. you know because at least they're stand. they're standing up for something it. might be on the wrong side at least. doing. it and you know if if you would asked me. that. question before all this mess I would.

have probably been like [ __ ] yeah like I. get complete satisfaction out of it um. which I do but uh I think just because. of the ri roll everything I went through. now it's like now you have to be. political yeah not even like political. but also like just the Judgment you know. like I was I've been painted as this war. criminal. psychopath so therefore I'm always like. well if I answer it truthfully then. people like oh you are a [ __ ] yeah. crazy bastard where it's like I'm I'm.

not but yeah I do get personal. satisfaction out taking evil off this. Earth and killing the enemy just like a. firefighter gets personal satisfaction. about putting out fires you know yeah. it's it's my. job. well thanks for the honesty on that note. let's take a [ __ ] break all right.

well my fire is kind of. suck but my gummy bears. don't head over to vigilance lead.com. buy yourself a bag of Gummy. Bears and if your fire suck.

too get yourself a vigilance Elite. beanie Keep Those Grapes. warm enjoy the show. all right so we're back from the break. and uh she just had a hel lacious.

deployment and your task unit Commander. told the boys to get a hold of. NCIS so just rewinding real quick. um this [ __ ] is just blowing my mind. that um from the era that I was in and. every other guy that sat in that [ __ ]. chair across for me this would have been. a dream deployment so it's it's it's um. you know for whatever it's worth I I.

would have loved to have been in a. [ __ ] platoon like that doing that. mission and uh everyone that I know uh. from what you're saying in your account. would have given anything to been a part. of that. so um I mean that was some [ __ ] man yeah. it was an awesome deployment um probably. one of my better ones for sure like just. action wise and work-wise um and you.

know that's what I had I had told these. guys you know that same pretty much. speech I was like you know guys will. give their right not right now to be. where you're at uh you know and you guys. are sitting here bitching and. complaining about going out too much. like that's ridiculous uh that's is that. is that Seal Team wide now is that like. how the community is no okay no no well. that's good to know no and that's I want. you know I made sure I I try to get that. point across like the first interview I.

did um like the actions. of these four to five individuals do not. in any way like replicate what what the. feelings are in the community as a whole. I mean most of the guys that are out. there just like you and I would were. banging down the door trying to get in. on that deployment everybody wants to. get in the fight every wants to go on. the the hot deployments with the good. ones um I just think. these four individuals you know they're. just it's just a different different.

breed of uh I you know it's and I'll. tell you this like I've tried to wrap my. head around it like how did these guys. like get to this point and how why did. they go to this you know level to like. come at me and I'll never be able to. figure it out honestly like I can come. up with try and come up with as many. excuses as possible for them or like oh. maybe it's cuz they were tired or they. were this or that and everything that. they did nothing justifies their actions. at all um and it's not it's not in my.

DNA or I'm sure it's not in your DNA to. ever pull some [ __ ] like this where. you're like oh I don't like this person. so therefore I'm just going to do stuff. to take him down and possibly send him. away for. life especially another teammate you. know well moving. on what happens when uh they tell the. boys contact NCIS So they were uh pull I. think they were pulled into a little. meeting um and they were pretty much.

told like if you guys want to move. forward with this here's the number to. NCIS um and so these guys contacted. NCIS uh my Tu Commander went and. reported it up the chain of command that. this was told to him. um they the headshed um above him which. was at group one I think it was a group. one Jag. told him is there anybody willing to. come forward and say they saw this um he.

said yeah I don't know um went back and. he's like are you guys willing to come. forward um and at that time not all of. them were uh they weren't on board Craig. Miller was like well I'll come forward. and say it um but they were like we need. you know if this really happened we need. more people to come forward. uh they you know they got I think. so at that at that same time when the. the command Jag was telling them to come. forward they were already talking to. NCIS as well uh so it was like this.

discombobulated um who reported what you. know and I think that that became a. whole another piece of drama later on um. which they tried to charge my Tu. Commander with uh obstruction of justice. or hiding it whatever not reporting it. um which is he did um but once they they. called NCIS themselves and were like you. know we have this case or whatever um. that's when it started went off the.

rails um I was pulled in around that. time and told that I was under. investigation um officially uh it came. out on the command uh whatever they call. it um the blot whatever it goes out to. all of nsw um and it said that I was. being investigated for uh laws of armed. conflict is that is that how you found. out I was pulled into the Master Chief's. office um this is. actually uh I got pulled into the master.

chief of trade it. um he uh he's out now but uh he he. pulled me in and said hey you're under. investigation um for low act violations. I asked him what were what is it like. what's the lowak violation he's like he. told me he couldn't tell me he couldn't. talk to me about it um wasn't I you know. he's like I'm not going to talk to you. about it and um I asked him what I. should do uh I was like I've never been.

in a situation like this and he was like. no I I can't tell you anything um which. was pretty disappointing uh but. then one thing I remember he said to me. uh before I left his office is he looked. me straight in the eye and he said if if. you did what they're saying you they you. did you need to come out out and fess up. to it now and own up to it and I was. like I don't even know what you're. saying I did he's like you know what it. is and you need to fess up to it uh and.

that's when uh I I shut the door to his. office and told him I was like dude I'd. been on I knew this master chief I'd. been on offs with him before um I'd seen. him pull some sway [ __ ] and I was like. you know I've never judged you or. anybody else for their actions uh and I. appreciate if you didn't judge me. especially when I don't even know what's. going on right now um and I'd appreciate. some help you know but if you don't have.

anything helpful to say then just shut. the [ __ ] up like don't talk to me then. you know uh so I walked out of there and. that's when I I went to my buddy uh. another another operator and asked him. what I should do and he gave me the name. of uh his lawyer um who I contacted he. told me I should contact him just in. case this thing went off the rails which. it did uh but yeah I called him and just. sort of had them set up on the side um. waiting to see if anything.

happened damn yeah um the um once I so. once I got told I was put under. investigation I was immediately started. I got pulled out of um I was the sca. senior enlisted adviser over at sa um. Urban combat trade it I got pulled from. that position thrown into an office with. no job no responsibility just to to come. report each day um that lasted for about. a month and they pulled me from there. and sent me to supply uh across the.

street where there's no seals um there's. a one seal Master Chief in charge but. the rest are um you know support um and. admin guys and uh that's when I I mean I. had already known it was like this isn't. going well but then once you sort of get. pulled away from the teams in general. and thrown in a supply you're like okay. this is this is where they send the [ __ ]. Birds. um so from there I I went to talk to the. group one master chief um I want I want.

to know what was going on um which was. Steve Ward at the. time uh that he refused to talk to me. but I went over there on my own um and. sort of forced a meeting with him um was. like. hey he said the same same line to me I'm. not going to talk to you about anything. um you know don't bring up anything to. me and all I told him was like the stuff. that's being said isn't true um that I. suggest they did some internal.

investigation of their own before they. further this uh and I that I told him. this will be the biggest black guy in. the. community if he keeps progressing this. way are these guys did you have personal. relationships with all these guys or I. knew so I. knew uh you talking about the master. Chiefs yeah I knew them yeah like I. didn't uh I hadn't done platoons with. them or anything but small community. like you know them they knew who I was. too uh you know there. was nothing personal like where they.

would have something against me or I had. something against them like not that I. know of anyways uh but it was definitely. weird the way that everybody sort of you. know hands off like you're on your own. um I got told by a m another master. chief that I was pretty much I had to. look at it as I was on an island all by. myself and I had to swim my way back if. I wanted to come back and no one was. going to help me uh and that's after I.

heard that that was like the honest. truth uh and I was like okay um and I. was like I'll swim my way back then. damn yeah so it was it was pretty uh. disheartening um you knew it was NCIS at. this point oh I dealt with NCIS in the. past I mean and this is what's funny is. like I I was brought up in the teams. obviously it was like day one [ __ ] like. don't trust NCIS they're you know. they're always out to bag a seal um.

they're always trying to find something. to take a seal down um and I they. actually my first platoon when I was a. new guy they took my my platoon Chief uh. off a deployment um just came up swooped. him halfway through and he was gone um. for some I don't even know some BS that. didn't even happen but. I I had dealt with him like very. minimally just like in that case and. then uh this nothing like this though um.

it's so when I knew they were involved I. I didn't know I had no. uh no idea just how [ __ ] up those guys. were like what a clown show um they were. you know and I pretty much you know got. firsthand experience just seeing how. they operated. and when they. uh well I'll get to the point where they. they raided my house but yeah they they.

pretty much. um they started the. investigation uh I think in late April. of uh. 2018 and. um I had no idea just how extensive they. were investigated like all I was told. was an investigation no one had ever. come and talk to me this is like so this. is like a year after the actual yeah. after the after the deployment the kid. yeah the kid that was May of 2017.

correct so this is about a year later um. you know I I obviously was told I was. under investigation but no one was. saying a word to me. um and uh I was sitting in supply for. however long a month month and a half um. no job that you know I I'd show up and. there was nothing for me to do so I took. it upon myself at that point I was like. okay. well I'll just start prepping for.

retirement or like maybe I'll get out I. don't know so I I started taking classes. on a transition I went to the honor. Foundation which is like a transition. type program to just see what's like out. there in the civilian world and prep you. uh I started putting in for uh Intrepid. spear which is like a branch off of Niko. um for um TBI and everything else like. that I had uh been recommended to go. after that deployment um I've been you.

know taking enough blasts at that point. that they were like hey you know just. get checked out um and that's pretty. much protocol now like before you retire. it's like I want to go get checked out. and you know get n full head to body. scan uh or head to toe scan because as. we know during our career I don't report. anything I didn't you know you suck. everything up and uh my medical record. was pretty thin. um so I started all that process while I. was in Supply and it was still nobody.

you know nobody was blocking me from. doing that um but nobody was saying to. me either and in around in June I get a. phone. call at home uh from somebody at Supply. one of the Chiefs that worked there and. he had me that the EXO wanted to speak. to me in the following morning um EXO. was a seal and that I hadn't met with. him yet and he just wanted to have a. face to face with me U since I was. attached there which made sense to me I. was like okay you know whatever uh got.

up the next morning went there um showed. up you know at his office 15 minutes. prior in. uniform and uh knocked on his door and. um he cracked it open looked at me told. me to wait a second shut the door and. then about a minute later he opened it. and there was probably five to six NCIS. agents in there um I walked in and they. you know flashed their badge told me. that they uh were going to take me to.

for some interrogation um question me um. and um they started you know pulling. everything out of my. pockets at the time I didn't you know I. I played it cool I was just like you. know I was pretty pissed but uh I knew. if I had reacted in any negative way. wasn't going to look good so I was like. okay just like compliant but what pissed. me off is they a handcuffed me for.

nothing I was like why do I need to be. handcuffed I'm going they're like oh. it's protocol it's not protocol you know. they handcuffed me and paraded me around. in front of the whole Supply command um. damn you know for a shame Factor because. once somebody sees you in handcuffs they. like oh this guy did. something um had you done any research. on what on what you should be doing to. prepare for what might happen the. investigation um all I knew was I mean.

what I had been told since day one like. I want my lawyer you know I'm like I'm. not talking to him uh one bit but other. than that no I hadn't done anything else. um you know the lawyers that I had on. standby there was no like nothing was. being told to me at the time so there. was really nothing to go on it was like. I just know I'm under investigation and. they were like okay well we'll just see. where this leads um it could go nowhere. or you know it could go the way it went. and once they they pulled me they drove.

me across the 32nd Street which is um. another navy base there um across the. bay from Coronado which is where the. NCIS little headquarters is and they. they brought me in there and put me. that's the major base in San Diego right. yeah um they put me in the interrogation. room um just like something you see out. of the movie you know had the little. see-through glass thing there. and um they sat me down tried to be all. buddy buddy with me like hey man like.

we're just you know we've heard some. things and uh you're being you know just. accused that's the first time I heard um. you're being accused of uh murder um and. I knew better than to I wasn't even. going to start having a conversation. with them I just was and I was polite to. him I wasn't a dick I was like hey I. even said that I was like I don't want. to be a dick to you guys but uh I want. my lawyer like before I say anything and. uh they were like oh okay and I was like.

you know can I call him you know can I. call him they had my. phone they were like yeah just give us. his give us his number and we'll call. him um I gave it to him they both walked. out shut the door and that was it for. seven hours um no one came back I think. twice somebody knocked oh cracked it. open to see if I needed a piss but um. seven hours seven hours from well i' say. like at 8:30 in the morning.

till 4:00 or 5 in the afternoon I don't. I can't remember exactly when they let. me out and they told you you were being. charged for murder they didn't tell me I. was being charged with anything they. just said that I had been accused. accused of of murder of murder for did. you have any idea what for they said it. was on the prior deployment. that mosle deployment um and that's it. that's all they really said to me um and. then once I told them I wanted my lawyer. they.

left when they told you that and they. told you it was the last deployment did. you have I mean it sounds like you guys. got a [ __ ] down to trigger time yeah is. there any specific no in that scary um. part of it. was you know I think you kill enough. individuals you know an employment you. can be like well this could be any one. thing and not saying that we murdered. anybody but you know yeah you don't know.

you don't know what what's being said I. had heard enough rumors up to that point. and I heard some I mean the teams is. like one big sewing Circle um so I had. guys obviously coming up to me like oh. these guys are we heard this I mean I. heard they heard I was stomping babies. out uh it was like it went from like the. most. craziest rumors to the most like mundane. I mean that's why you know Andrea coin. coined the term I think it was like from. Red Bulls to war crimes you know it was.

it just everything that and everything. in between and uh so I I had no real. concept of like or idea what they were. actually saying I did you know or What. scenario that I was supposedly involved. in. um uh so. once they locked me in that they kept me. in that. room um you know I had no idea what was. going on but uh while I was in that room.

they went and raided my house uh they. raided my cage my car which was at the. team they went everything. um and they also they sent. a I don't even 20 to 30 man SWAT team to. my house um and uh the crazy this is the. crazy thing is when they were taking me. over to that interrogation room I asked. them I was in the back of the car. handcuffed I'm like how long is this. going to take and they're like why I'm.

like because my wife's not home she's at. a lunch or like a brunch with a friend. and I was like my oldest son is leaving. and I need to be back by I think it was. like 1:00 cuz my youngest son's there I. specifically remember this as those two. looked at each other like and they're. like oh no yeah we we'll get you out. you'll be done by then I was like okay. well as I'm being you know I'm in that. office with no. phone uh wondering like what my kids are.

going to do uh they were actually. raiding my house during that time. um. they my uh youngest son was downstairs. watching. TV um my oldest was still in bed old old. uh he had just turned 18 and your. youngest uh eight years old at the time. um the. way they both like have described me. what happened is you know my my youngest. was watching TV we have a big window.

that looks out into the street in our. living room he looked out the window and. saw guys with automatic weapons coming. up to the house in like a train you know. um he said he saw a guy in the window I. think with a gun which he's eight years. old he ran upstairs. um got my oldest son woke him up um and. was like there's guys with guns outside. um my oldest. son don't get the [ __ ] out of his room.

or you know was like whatever you're. thought he was just being kooky uh and. he started crying and was like no. there's guys with guns like you you need. to go look so my oldest son walked. downstairs and he said uh he could see. somebody out of the window and um when. he opened the door there was uh a guy on. his knees with a gun to him pointed at. him and then two guys with other guns. pointed at his head the 8-year-old no.

this is my 18-year-old and my 8-year-old. standing behind him crying um they're. yelling at uh my oldest son to get his. hands. up um which he did and um then they were. like when you need to come outside now. you know this is all my oldest son is. like doesn't know what's going on um and. he calmly was like well can I put my. hands down to open the door and they. didn't know what to do they he said they. just sat there like trying to figure out.

how how to actually conduct a [ __ ]. raid or um so these guys uh oh they were. this is the first house they ever raided. yeah you know and the crazy part is is. they these are all NCIS agents they had. an FBI agent somewhere in the mix. because they wouldn't they would not be. able to conduct that raid without an. adult there present so that's what they. used like they had an FBI guy there like. being like Oh I'm overseeing this um but.

that's I mean that doesn't show you. anything these guys can't even conduct. raids without an adult presence so they. don't do anything stupid. um they ended up pulling my kids out in. the middle of the street in their. underwear um by this time the neighbors. you know are all looking out seeing this. go on they have my whole street every. Avenue to my street barricaded off um. you know it looked like I was a cartel. member um so they yanked an 8-year-old.

kid out of your house at gunpoint and. threw his ass in the front yard in his. underwear for everybody to see yeah and. left them there for a while um and just. they started lay Siege to my house. now my wife is Andrea she's down the. street probably like two miles at a uh. breakfast place having brunch with a. friend she gets a phone call from my. daughter who my daughter was in in Ohio.

at the time um with her uh biological. dad and uh so one of the neighbors had. called my daughter a girl that was our. neighbor and was like there your. brothers are outside with guns pointing. at their heads and their underwear like. and there's people all over the streets. with guns holy [ __ ] so my daughter was. like calls my wife and she's like I just. got a call from so and so and this is. what's going on and you know all this is.

probably like crazy they were just like. what and so my. wife gets up and she's like I got to go. um races try races home um and she said. that she tried to pull up in her. neighborhood everything was blocked off. um she somehow got a call from one of. the NCIS agents. and she was like I'm I'm coming home and. they they opened it up and let her. through um she parked and then they.

immediately started interrogating my. wife uh it brought her into a van I. think um and just started asking her all. sorts of questions uh you know and you. had no idea this [ __ ] was going on no. idea that any this was going on um my I. think it was my youngest son at asked. one of the NCIS agents why they were. there um and they pretty much said he's. your dad's a murderer or he's being like. told told the kids that I'm being like.

charged with murders Pretty much telling. my kids I'm a murderer which is insane. to me why you would tell somebody's kids. that when you don't have anything you. know at that. point uh and then um you know my wife. pretty much told him to screw off and in. some form or fashion was just like I'm I. have nothing to say to you uh and then. she went in and watched them pretty much. take everything out of my house uh you.

know took all my kids electronic. equipment took anything they could damn. um they found going through my. garage just like any other team gu. garage I have all my kit bags and [ __ ]. in there so they were pulling out I you. know magazines that are high Capac. magazines for California and pretty much. being like Oh got them on this uh I had. a this is actually pretty funny I had a.

um a dummy grenade of the blue body in. one of my kit bags yeah they called EOD. and said I had a live grenade in my. house so EOD I guess rolls up to my. house and come to find out it's. literally a dummy grenade and they're. like this is you know just to give you. an idea how incompetent these [ __ ]. guys are um you know the best thing I I. think I heard my wife say is uh when. they were you know they'd been there for.

hours and she's just like watching them. go through all of our [ __ ] and take it. and she told me she's like they all look. like it was just a bunch of beta male. like dudes like just you could tell like. these [ __ ] guys have no idea what. they're doing um and one of them came up. to her and I don't know if he put his. hand on her shoulder like did something. it was like this must be really hard for. you you what's going on right now and I. guess she told me she looked at him and. she's like you have no [ __ ] clue what. we go through in this community she's.

like you think this is [ __ ] hard. she's like you're out of your mind like. get the [ __ ] hurry get your [ __ ] get the. [ __ ] out you know yeah uh so they you. know dispersed I have no clue that this. is going on uh get they come back in the. interrogation room finally and they're. like hey all right you can go um at this. point I'm like just [ __ ] BN out just. from sitting there for so long wondering. what's going on I I come. out they had my phone and they're like.

we're keeping your phone um I was like. all right and they're like do you I was. I said can I call my lawyer or I think. it was either my lawyer or my wife and. they're like oh yeah um they gave me my. phone I put the code in and then they. yanked it out of my hand and they're. like you can't have it and uh that's how. they got into my phone um. and right before I left the NC office. one of the agents this little turd uh. Brian Frank he actually testified at my.

trial he's in there all kitted up it. looks like he's like this little kid. playing Airsoft he looks right at me and. he's like hey when I was walking on he's. like I saw your wife today and I turned. and looked at him like what and he's. like yeah I saw her and I didn't I was. like okay like what the [ __ ] are you. talking about I just walked out like. little did I know you know until I got. home that they had pretty much laid. Siege to my house so they're [ __ ]. taunting you yeah everything they did.

was to taunt me and try and get me to do. something so they could be like we got. them I mean it. was at that point I had no idea but it. became more evident as this whole. nightmare went on but. um uh I got. home and that's when you know my my wife. and kids were in the living room just. like what the [ __ ] and uh yeah that's. when we knew I was like dude this has.

gotten real you know like what is going. on um I went into the command the next. day. Furious um went demanded to talk to the. group on mass Chief again. um usually we take phone calls on the. show but uh this time we happen to have. your son and your wife here and. so I'm going to bring him on and we're. going to get their firsthand account of. the.

raid so Ryan yeah do you remember when. the police came to your house uh I did. um it was uh I forgot what day it was it. was on a weekend it was like a Saturday. and um he was gone my dad was gone at. work and my mom was at a photo shoot and. my sister was in Ohio I was my brother. and I was watching TV and I heard a. pounding on the door and someone was. like yelling it out so I opened the. curtain and there's a ton of people with.

guns outside how many people there was. about 15 people 15 people and there was. like cars blocking the entrance to the. like cuz it was a three Street and they. were blocking the entrance like it was. our house that was blocked like we. couldn't get out and um I went upstairs. and I was telling my brother like I was. crying that there's people outside with. guns and it was funny because he was. like if it's your friends with Nerf guns. I'm going to hit you so hard so he goes. outside and we're both in our underwear.

and there's guys that with guns and um. how old were you I. was eight or seven and so I walk outside. and there's people like there's a guy. camped with a shotgun like by the side. and then there's like two other people. with rifles and like the lasers are like. right on us they have their lasers. shining on like and they were like. decked out with armor and stuff and. there's like a guy with a thing like to. knock down our door and um we these. people made us go in a car and we waited.

for like 30 minutes and they were in our. house like taking everything and like. there's people everywhere what did they. do when you open the door or they open. the door um my brother did and what. happened when the when the door opened. uh there was like five like like all. everyone's yelling like get out of the. house get out of the house house and. yeah were they pointing their guns yes. at you mhm where were they behind the. Cars and Stuff what about the guys in. the door um they were.

like less than a foot away and like the. gun was like right at my head so it was. it was really close so you're 8 years. old and you had a whole team pointing. gun at your face in your underwear yes. and they made you go outside in your. underwear yeah did they hold a gun on. you while you were in in the front yard. in your underwear um there was a couple. people that were but most of them went. inside to go inspect the house and like. move they were moving all the furniture.

and like they didn't like it was dumb. were they asking you questions no they. were I think they were asking my brother. questions. and then like yeah we sat in a car for. about 30 minutes and um since my sister. was in Ohio my her friend she was. calling her and calling her and texting. her that like there's a SWAT team at my. house like and we're in a car and my mom. didn't know it was going on he my dad he.

was like like he was somewhere and he. wasn't able to contact us or anything. so do you think they knew that your dad. wasn't home no they knew they did know. yeah they knew that they. like I don't know what was happening but. all I knew was they knew he wasn't home. and they were trying to scare us and. they wanted him to do something I don't.

know but did they scare you yeah I was. scared I'll bet 8 years old with a gun. in your face yeah and your underwear. well thanks for sharing Ryan I. appreciate it. mhm well thanks for coming on Andrew I. appreciate it thanks for having me uh so. we just got your son's account of the. NCIS raid and uh I just wanted to get. kind of where you were what it felt like.

what it was like when you showed up at. home to see your 8-year-old son and uh. and your 18-year-old son in the front. lawn with their underwear on at gunpoint. by the NCIS yeah so it was June. 20th uh. 2018 um an unb to us our house had been. being cased for weeks by NCIS and we. actually had a neighbor that was working. in tandem with NCIS I think he thought.

he was some type of uh Matt Damon. informant type character from the movie. so he had started to report our. movements and Report different things. and he had also informed them that we. were going to be moving um so NCIS had. been watching us watching our movements. and so that day I had left the house um. I was leaving to go to meetings and I. had work um work meetings uh Eddie had. already left to go to work and it just.

seemed like a normal day um we left the. boys at home travin was still asleep who. was our 18-year-old at the time um Ryan. would have been 8 and so he was at home. he was up he was just like watching. cartoons and I went to my first meeting. um and it was actually with a girlfriend. um since we were leaving we were kind of. having one last get together um and I. was at the table and my daughter had. called me but my daughter was not home. my daughter was actually in. Ohio and she called me asking where I.

was and I was like I'm I'm with my. friend like what's going on and she. sounded very worried and she's like Mom. she's like the neighbor girl just called. me there's police everywhere and the. boys are outside of the house like. they're in their underwear and I'm like. what what are you talking about so I. just like got up left the table jumped. in my car and as I'm driving I'm trying. to like call my neighbor and it just.

kept on going to voicemail and voicemail. and voicemail and finally by the fourth. time I think I called she picked up the. phone screaming and so my neighbor my. next door neighbor is on the phone. screaming and she's like they've got. your kids they've got your dogs they're. everywhere and I'm like who is this who. is it damn and and she's like screaming. on the phone saying this is their mother. this is their mother and I'm hearing. someone screaming back at her saying get. off the phone get off the phone get back. in your house so I'm in full like what.

is going on freaking out what did you. think do you have any idea no I had no. idea well we lived in point llama which. is kind of like Point llama military. housing uh we lived at The Village at. NTC so it's kind of like a thorough Fair. between like rose crayons which is a. very busy street and also Harbor and we. have a lot of homeless so in my mind I'm. like is there like a homeless person or. a bum like in my you know garage or. something like what are they doing I. didn't know it was even NCIS I had no.

clue once I found out what was going on. I got another call from a blocked number. and the woman was like we are from NCIS. we're at your home uh tell us what kind. of car you're driving they had the. streets barricaded they had the streets. barricaded they had people in full. militia riot gear they had people staged. and set up like they're going to war and. I'm so when I come through there's like. seven to eight black you know armored.

vehicles in front of my home and there's. people just like spurting out everywhere. out of my garage out of my front door. and my son had only turned 18 2 to three. weeks prior which they also knew and so. they took advantage of the fact that. Eddie was gone I was not there and they. gained entry through an 18-year-old that. just woke up so when I got to the home. they actually pulled me into a vehicle. and started a question me but what I. found out later was Eddie had already.

been apprehended he was at work they. came they got him and they threw him in. a room for seven hours they denied him. legal counsel so there was no Navy SE. threat there so you didn't need to lay. Siege to my house with two children in. it in that fashion why do why do you. think they showed much force for an to. terrorize us and intimidate us and to. convince people that you know we did. something wrong and that's exactly what. happened that's it worked because you.

don't go to that level and then people. just were like oh my gosh it has you got. you guys had to have done something yeah. and so it worked so they had Eddie he. did not know the whole day what was. going on he did not know that our home. was being raided so if you think of the. psychological Warfare that they started. at that moment to entrap him in an. office building and then basically did. not tell him all day what they were.

doing it was just a form of. psychological warfare on him because he. went to fight you know for our country. to prevent people from terrorizing you. know members of the United States and. then they take him and they lock him up. on American soil and then they lay Siege. to his home and terrorize his wife and. his children on his own land I mean it's. it's pretty sick yeah um what they did. so that was Eddie's story what was. happening to him while this was. happening to us but what I found out.

later from the boys was that Ryan was. actually sitting kind of in a chair like. this watching TV and looks out the. window and sees people with guns and. like battering rams lining up at our. door and you can imagine an 8-year-old. he starts freaking out he runs upstairs. he tells my son who's in bed asleep in. at this point that there's people with. guns at the door and so my oldest is. just like dude what are you talking. about he's thinking it's maybe. neighborhood kids with Nerf guns or. something and Ryan's being Ryan but then.

Ryan starts to break down in tears and. so my son gets up obviously and is like. okay they walk downstairs my oldest son. opens up the door and so there's a main. door and there's a screen door and um. they're all screaming at him they're. pointing rifles at my children and. they're saying put your hands up and. they're also simultaneously saying open. up the door so if you can imagine the. level of bush League that this operation. is so my son's like do you want me to.

put my hands up or do you want me to. open the door and they're like do you. give us permission to enter put your. hands up and so he basically gets pulled. out into the street along with my son. and their underwear and they're just. paraded right into the you know middle. of our housing complex and then they all. just rush in and that was the start of a. 7h hour raid on our home I just want to. you know I'm sorry that you and your. family had to go through that and um I. just want to tell you you are a strong.

motivated effective and just amazing. human being and uh I mean the campaign. that you started from scratch and and. what it turned into I mean if it wasn't. you know for you then you'd still be in. there so I mean what an example you've. said and hell of a job so thank you yeah. thank you for coming on I appreciate. it all right.

so you're going to talk to the master. chief at the command after your house. just got R yep so I went in um demanded. to talk to him he came. over to supply um sat down with me and. another master chief that was in charge. of supply and uh I was like what you. know I was pissed I was like my house. just got raided my kids were pulled out. a gunpoint yesterday what the hell's. going on um why aren't you guys like at. this point I was beyond I think I was.

beyond frustrated um because nobody had. been talking to me at this point now my. family was getting they involved my. family and started you know they're. putting my family to [ __ ] which I. don't I have a line that everybody. knows you can mess with me all you want. like you know I might fight back I might. not I don't know but you mess with my. family like that's it you know um and. that was pretty much well known through. everybody that knew me in the community. like that's when my family is what. matter to me the.

most so I was I was definitely uh beyond. pissed off um the group on mass Chief. Steve Ward told me that. uh he's like denied knowing anything. about it which is [ __ ] and uh then. he told me that if I had any issues with. it that I should go talk to a. chaplain and that was the only thing. advice to get I was like that's what you. have to say to me right now is that I. can go talk to a chaplain about what's.

going on he was like yeah and he's like. oh and one more thing and he slid a. piece of paper across the table I had. picked up E8 or got selected for E8 and. uh he was like you're not going to pick. up E8 um we're going to hold it off. until this whole investigation is over. with um and that he had me sign it and. at that I wish at this point I didn't. sign that but I didn't give a [ __ ] at. that point I was like I don't care I.

like here yeah. um and that was it he left um and I. think you know as you can expect that. raid spread like wildfire through the. community oh yeah you know and of course. the the dummy grenade they found in my. garage got spread into they found five. hand grenades and blah blah blah like. just escalates as the telephone game. passes through the teams. uh did you have any friends at this. point yeah I mean I had I had my my but.

you know my brothers my teammates that I. was talking to but it's very. hard you know what can they do yeah. they're they're almost like dude this is. [ __ ] up and they're anybody that I. talked to that I was what I was going. through automatically got scared. themselves and they were like dude. what are they going to do to me you know. if I you know step in and say something. it's um that's how they drive fear into. you know especially with raiding your.

house like that I mean that what that. does is there was no reason they they. could they could have easily walked up. knocked on the door and got the job same. job done they did it for that reason. because they want to put shame onto you. they want and it worked the neighbors. our neighbors were like cuz we went and. asked them afterwards like hey did you. happen to videotape any of that or and. they're like we're not like that you. they don't come and do that to you. unless you did something yeah and it so.

it it worked and then uh it also what. they do it to drive your family apart. too they hope that you know they cause. enough stress onto your wife or onto. yourself that you guys start going at. each other and then one of you flips on. each other starts you know doesn't help. out but you know obviously that didn't. work with us but um that's I've seen. that happen enough heard enough stories. of that happened enough times when I was. in the brri that I mean it's all for a. purpose of why they do those things. um but yeah at that point you know I had.

talked to my buddies about it and they. were all just like. dude they had no advice or anything they. were just like dude this is [ __ ] up. just like you know we were thinking um. but that was pretty much the the. deciding point for me that I was getting. out I'm like I'm getting out you know um. you know I felt that point betrayed uh. just sort of just left hung out to dry. um I had a couple of buddies that were. Master Chiefs at that point that were.

told me exact thing they like they are. railroading you um like this is what's. happening they're just hanging you out. to try uh why why do you think they're I. think it was to protect what it well. what it comes down to is they're. protecting the institution right the nsw. um anything. that's brought out in the public Arena. or in the media that is bad against. nssw they would rather just dispose of.

whatever that problem is than actually. put up with it and fight back you know. they're like because they don't want any. stains at all and that's I mean that's. due to the fact of how big nsw has. gotten over the years with all the. success that we've had I think they you. know a l with success come comes with. comes uh public scrutiny yeah you know. so any little thing that happens you. know anything that says seal on it gets. pointed back to nssw and they're like oh.

what's this so obviously if there's a. murder they're like we're just going to. [ __ ] hang this guy out to dry instead. of actually looking into this because. this looks bad on the. institution damn that's and that's a sad. part I mean it's a sad reality of what I. found out you know it's there's a. difference between Expendable and. disposable um I I'm Expendable like I. that's that's part of the job but I'm. not [ __ ] disposable like you just. don't you can't just throw me away. because you feel like this might look. bad on you or your career um picking up.

three stars so I think that was a big. driving force of why the headshed um. like group one or the Admiral really. didn't look like never they never talked. to me once still haven't never talked to. those guys and why they came down on me. so hard um you know they were just like. we're just going to make an example out. of this guy and that's. it. um at that point I was getting you know.

I decided to get out uh we had already. bought a place a house in Florida um so. I moved my family down down there uh I. think like two weeks after the raid um. drove across country moved them in and. then the plan was I was going to come. back to San Diego go and geobatch until. my retirement date and just uh fly back. and forth and just finish out my. career um they waited NCIS waited until. I came back from Florida um got back to.

San Diego and I got accepted into the uh. TBI Treatment Center which is uh. Intrepid. spear. um started going to that I was in uh. about the beginning of. September. and was going through that nothing was. being said to me still um was doing my. thing and then on September. 11th. um the my old sea um Brian alawi and two.

Mas showed up to the intreped. center and told me that uh they were. going to take me away that they were. ordered to take me away to the brig um. [ __ ] I was like in shock and I was like. why they couldn't tell me why we don't. know like the Admiral Admiral green and. Comal Ros Bloom just signed off on it. and they W they want us to take you. there um and you.

know at that. point I remember looking at I was in the. room with three of them and I did think. for I was like I'm about to start. fighting right now like this is you know. I was going through all sorts of. scenarios in my head um but I decided. again to remain calm I was like you know. doing anything stupid is not going to. help. situation I let them handcuff me and put. me in a. van um and the two masas drove me to the.

brig um I had no idea where the brig was. I thought it was something on a ship. still I was like where are you guys. taking me um it was to uh myar U Marine. Corp air. station um they had a pretty those two. guys had a pretty good idea of well they. were what they were telling me was. they're like oh you'll be out in a week. you'll be out of the break in a week and. I was like well how does this how am I. going to get out in a week they're like. oh they have a hearing for everybody.

that goes in there their first week and. they that decides whether or not you. should stay in there or be let out I was. like. okay um either way I was I was. like I I was like in survival mode at. that point I was like I don't know what. the [ __ ] going on. um they they took me first before we. went to the brg we went to a a medical. uh place on Miramar to make sure I was. healthy enough to get put in the brri.

they did like a full checkup on me um so. I'm sitting in handcuffs in the medical. place with families everyone staring at. me um and uh they did the full checkup. and then took me to the. brig and as soon as I got in the brig is. when I was like dude what the [ __ ] like. there was. probably 8 to 10 guards who met me just. me for intake they all treated me like I.

was Jason Bourne um each of them were. like posted up like every time I moved. like I was about. to do something um the first thing I I. got check when I was getting checked in. they asked you do you know what you're. in for in here for for or while you're. here and I at the time I was like sort. of jokingly I was like killing Isis and. they're like yeah and I was like okay.

like I was joking but they're like no. that's why you're here um and uh that. was all that was said to. me I got told the CEO of the break came. down told me. um that you know it doesn't she. saw my service record or whatever and. she's like it doesn't matter in here um. you're not technically a prisoner but. you will be treated of how you you will.

be treated as good as you treat the. guards I'm like okay I you know I told. her I was like ma'am I'm not here to. cause any trouble I I should be getting. out of here in like three days this is a. big mistake like whatever's going on. here they threw me in solitary. confinement right off the bat for three. days why just just to get in your. [ __ ] head yeah um put me in there I. wasn't allow out of that cell for three. days not even I think they let me shower.

once but the every time they move me at. that point they Shackled my arms and. legs so it was like uh you know even. from my cell my solitary cell to the. shower was probably 10 ft and they have. to Shackle me arm like take me down. there put me in there it you're a seal. yeah and that's all what it came down to. um I finally got that little hearing. that they were talking about about six. days in and that's when I knew that I.

was [ __ ]. um because I really had no at this point. I have no clue what's going on um you. know I'm just sort of trying to figure. it out as I. go uh they have this hearing my lawyer. when the lawyer that I had on standby. showed. up and um that's when I first saw the. prosecution um and they had the NCIS. agent come or.

Pinsky and literally I went in there and. the pro they have a uh it's not a judge. they just appoint some officer on base. to come in and act as the judge and he. just decides whether you stay or can get. out um the prosecution got up and pretty. much let loose a flurry of. just crazy allegations for about 10. minutes they called.

me they called me everything from a. murderer a drug mule that I said I beat. my wife um that I'm danger to my kids uh. I'm a fake Christian um a fake Christian. yep they said that oh he goes to church. but he really doesn't practice what he. like it like making crazy statements. like that like that's uh and I'm telling. you I sat there listening to this how. the [ __ ] is that even relevant they.

brought up all sorts of like [ __ ]. because all they were trying to do was. like taint my who I am as a person I. guess which it would that was probably. one of the craziest moments just hearing. them say this [ __ ] and I can't like not. allowed to say anything back um the. lawyer that I had at the time wasn't. stopping them from saying it he was just. like like it's like he'd heard this all.

before you. know um then the uh a NCIS agent got up. and said his whole piece um was like. pretty much just regurgitated whatever. this you know the prosecution said um. said that I you know murdered you know. this Isis Fighter um they had the. picture at that time they like here it. is look at him you. know uh and then the main reason why. they kept me in is because the the.

second prosecutor got up and pretty much. went over every qualification I had. every school that I'd been to everything. I'd done in my career but used it as. like it's a b like against me it's a bad. thing and that was why they could not in. good conscious let me out because at any. moment I could do anything um you know I. could escape to somewhere and disappear. at what point did Andrea find out that. you were in prison uh.

probably the second day um or maybe that. night I I you're allowed one five minute. phone call which they weren't even going. to give me but I uh luckily I remembered. it in my cell and I was like Hey I want. to call uh I called my lawyer um told. him what happened and I told him to call. call my wife and let her know um so I. think they they kill they might have. called her that first. night second. day but my lawyer told me right off the. bat he was like there's no there's no.

bail system in the uh uniform code of. military justice so he's like you're not. unless they let you out you're not. getting out um and that's pretty much. after that uh hearing that we had they. deemed that was too dangerous to let out. oh and one other. thing this. is so one of the guys in my platoon Josh. BRS um one of the accusers who was my.

neighbor he lived four houses down from. me. um had no idea this guy was even like. really involved with the other accusers. um in my platoon he was I didn't even. give him any thought you know and I I. even saw him all the time like a head. nod like what's up uh he was staking my. house out for NCIS the whole time um for. NCIS So he was pretty much.

a volunteer NCIS agent um so he was. feeding them information letting them. know my whereabouts you know when I. worked out when I did what. uh and he also so they got him to write. a letter. which they read off at that hearing. saying that I was stalking him and that. I. walked my dogs past his house every day. and was scaring his family so that was.

like a huge Factor they were like oh and. he's stalking one of the guys in his. Splatoon which was complete like I when. I read that letter when we were in that. hearing I'm like that was like another. punch in the face like what like this. dude's I'm stalking him like and I had. no idea this guy was involved. um but yeah that was that was it they're. like you're not you're not leaving um. until your court date uh which was which.

was undetermined at the time I hadn't. even been charged of anything yet um so. I just sat I sat in uh the. brri for. about two months at that point um not so. you when you're in the brg you can't all. the phone calls are recorded there's. they have two prison phones there that. you split between 60 people um you're.

not allowed on the phones until after. 5:00 p.m. to like 900. p.m. um if you want to use a phone it. cost a butt ton of money uh it's some. ridicul like every minute some. ridiculous. charge and all the phone calls are. recorded and comes in weekly and takes. all my calls they're or whoever they're. investigating and listens to them so you. know I was told right away don't say. anything over the phone uh when you talk. to your family don't talk about the case.

because they'll just they'll pick apart. any little thing you say and try to use. it so I mean phone calls were pretty. rough like back and forth Just because. at that point there's only so much you. could talk about without it like coming. back to like the nightmare so we it was. uh it was tough um to be able to sort of. communicate what was going on cuz Andrea. started fighting back right when they. threw me in there is when she pretty. much was like [ __ ] this and she started.

a Grassroots campaign to like put the. truth out about what was going on she. wrote a letter to the community um. asking for help from everybody did she. get any she did she go well behind the. scenes like people that were like dude. we want to help but um when it came down. to like help from. foundations nothing nothing they were. like nope how were people.

helping uh people I mean it was all my. boys that i' you know prior platoon. whatever reached out and they're like. dude we'll write character witness. whatever you need character witness. statements this and this what else can I. do but at that point I mean there's not. a there wasn't a lot guys could do. except write character witness statement. or but she or you know go around and try. and advocate in some way which is. difficult to do but she was just more. calling it out like there's like they. threw him away in prison for not like he.

wasn't doing anything you know which is. the truth like I wasn't a threat to. anybody um and she was just like let him. out so he can be with his family and. defend himself against this uh and they. just ignored her completely uh the. command did uh. um so she started she started the. Grassroots campaign on her own um. decided to she has she has a background. in marketing and business and stuff you. know doing stuff with uh helping um.

spouses get businesses off the ground. and she just took the tools of what she. knew from that and was like I'm applying. it to this and pretty much started a you. know uh started an Instagram page and. all that to like get the word out about. what was going on and throughout the. process I mean she gained quite a. following a lot of people which is it. was amazing to see um but I had no real. idea that all that was going on you know.

like I knew she was doing certain things. but certain things couldn't be said over. the phone um damn I guess you know I. remember when that was all going on. and damn to think that you had no. [ __ ] clue in there you know yeah how. big it had gotten and all the news. stories and everything I mean yeah it. was uh it was a shock when I got out. like I had seen I knew she was going she. went on the news eventually.

um and we had one TV in there in the uh. in the Pod and you're only allowed to. watch CNN in there uh I think they do. that for like torture purposes but it's. if you had a cool guard what you could. get him to change the channel um. so I think once I you know I knew she. was going to be on so like I begged one. of the guards I'm like dude and so he. turned it you know and I got to watch. her on Fox News uh but I had no real.

idea like I don't think I could grasp. how big it had gotten until I got out. and I was like holy [ __ ] she did a hell. of a job yeah dude she's a hell of a job. yeah she's the hero her and my brother. both my brother's also uh another one. that's dude he both of them the dynamic. duo the two heroes in my book um they. dropped everything and just worked their. asses off to get the truth. out um but yeah like so when I was about. two months in is when I finally got um.

the. charges so these are your uh charges. right here the first three of. them specification premeditated murder. and that Chief Special Warfare operator. Edward R Gallagher US Navy Naval special. Warfare group one on active duty did at. or near mosul Iraq on about 3 May. 2017 with.

premeditation murdered a wounded male. under the care of the said s so. Gallagher by means of stabbing him in. the neck and body with a. knife when you. showed up and that Isis fighter was. laying there. the do you have any [ __ ] idea this. [ __ ] was going to come out like this no. not in a million years not one bit and.

then basically it goes on to you. murdered an old man you murdered a young. girl mhm and but. these there was one that was an fistan. if I remember. correctly that wasn't a uh a charge that. was they were looking to charge me with. throw that on there but they again that.

was all on hearsay from the accusers who. weren't even in the teams at the time. that went down wow yeah and then there's. there's actually I think Eight Pages of. this and. uh everything from murder. to little bottle of uh tramol that they. found yeah but yeah they throw so pretty. much the way it works for which I you. know we found out the military judicial.

system is they have the main charge. which is premeditated murder and then. they can get just a laundry list of. other charges and it's like spaghetti. they just throw it all at the wall and. they'll just see what sticks none of it. has to have any Merit they'll just. charge you with it and be like okay. we'll see which ones we can get them so. the more charges they have on you then. when you go to court the more likely. they are to get you on something did all. the charges come at once or did they.

just keep adding more and more and more. they added the uh two uh murder charges. the extra ones The Old Man and the. little girl um at my article 32. so to explain that um the article 32 is. like a civilian equivalent of a grand. jury um just with the military so you go. up there the prosecution. presents their case or what they have at. the time and then the judge rules. whether to proceed with those to court.

marshal or not or some other form of you. know punishment or whatever else um. while at that article. 32 they they were you know presenting. all the other charges or trying to you. know get them to go to court Marshal. they had uh the NC agent take the stand. again and just regurgitate everything. uh we requested that the accusers come.

and take the stand on my article 32 um. because we're like we want to hear it. from them um because I as I I said that. and I said the whole time I'm like these. guys are lying did you know how many. people at that point yeah I knew uh who. who the uh I had already read I got a um. binder full of evidence so I got to read. all of their NCIS interviews I got to. watch their NCIS videos I knew. everything that they had said and I I. was like they're I knew I was like.

they're [ __ ] lying and they have. lied you could tell that they had tried. to like get a story together but then. once they got separated into little. interrogation rooms NCIS they couldn't. keep their stories the same so there. were so many. discrepancies and big ones um that. that's why I was like I want them to. take the stand um right now which the. judge and the prosecution denied they're.

like oh there's no need for them to come. up here and say anything the NCIS agent. is just regurgitating what they said so. that's good enough interesting um going. back to the The Old Man and the girl. did so was that just hearsay because I. could find a whole lot of yeah so this. information this is what happened with. the old and the girl. uh and you got to like bear with me on. this because it sounds as stupid as it.

sounds. um Josh. friends during his NCIS. interview told agent War Pinsky. that um he had seen a little girl get. shot um which we all saw you know kidss. get shot that the point. but and that he thought Isis had done it. but now he thinks that I did it and so. aent War Pinsky was like well did you. see him do it he's like no I wasn't in. the same building as him but so and so.

another guy in my platoon told me he saw. Eddie do it and he'll so they called. that person in and that person's like I. have no idea what you're talking about I. never said that once and I never saw. Eddie shoot any little kids so what they. did is they took so and so's testimony. and just hit it and they were like just. gave him Josh friendes straight up just. straight up hit it um didn't fit the.

agenda nope and they did that's the. common theme throughout my whole thing. is they had they hid every piece of. evidence that would have been like this. is all [ __ ] they just if it didn't. fit their agenda of the prosecution they. just tried to bury it somewhere um so. that the little girl got thrown on oh. this is the other thing that's just. going to blow your mind. uh so the old man um is actually has. some truth to it uh but look a guy from. my platoon came and.

testified um at my trial and was like I. was with him and that was that was an. actual [ __ ] that he shot and not no. man um and it was a Justified shooting. and he even said he had an argument. afterwards with one of the accusers that. day when when that accuser tried to be. like oh I think that guy was unarmed and. he was like no he was armed I was there. with him you know watched the whole. thing and that's you know yeah got. pretty much thrown.

out um but uh the judge at my article 32. ruled that the two murder charges the. little girl and the old man should not. go to court Marshal he was like there's. and he even said he's like there's not. enough evidence here this is all off. here say. little did I know that the judge really. has no control of what goes to court. Marshal the command common Rosenbloom. overturned the judge's ruling and was. like no you keep those charges on there.

holy [ __ ] so my own. command was like even though there's no. evidence here just keep them on there. and so that's how I went to court. Marshal with those three three murder. charges now are these videos of these. guys their interviews with NCIS are. these the same ones that the New York. Times got their hands on yeah but they. spliced them up how did they get their. hands on those. uh because I mean it sounds like it's. you know such a sensitive.

investigation so who the [ __ ] released. that to the New York Times the. prosecution and uh warcom why did they. do that to paint me um in a bad light to. went to help wi over I mean for exactly. the reason that we're here talking about. it so this doesn't [ __ ] make sense to. me because you have what sounds like. almost an entire [ __ ]. Community saying that you're guilty of.

of murdering murdering an Isis fighter. which makes no [ __ ] sense to me uh. and a little girl and an old man and. then a whole list of U you know basic. misdemeanor [ __ ] charges it sounds. like I don't understand the the and and. and you say that they were coming at you.

hard because they they you know they. wanted to protect the institution yeah. so they wanted to protect the. institution but yet they leak the. [ __ ] videos to the New York Times. which because of the entire [ __ ]. world knows yeah cuz at that time so. they didn't leak all that information. out at first it wasn't. until uh my wife started really fighting. back and getting a bunch of people you.

know behind us that now I think the. command felt like okay there's we're. losing this battle let's pull this. number right here and the prosecution. the prosecution was leaking stuff to the. media from the gecko um we tried to call. him out on it two to three times during. our uh motions hearings like it was it. was so blatant and so bad that uh the. media was putting out evidence or like.

before we even got it no [ __ ] yeah so we. would be like how is it that this is. being printed in the newspaper last. night and we haven't gotten this. evidence yet and the pro this is and. this is how they investigate things in. the the judicial system there with the. military the judge will be like okay. yeah that is disheartening to hear that. this is happening prosecution we want. you to look into this and see who's. doing it prosecution comes back the next.

day like we looked into it we don't know. who's it's not us and that's it it's. move on yeah and so that that was. happening over and over. um they you know they leaked everything. to do exactly what what was done to. slander me in the media because it it'll. drive you know when they go to the court. Marshal the jury will be tainted already. and everyone's going to have a. preconceived notion you know that I'm.

I'm guilty and that just helps them win. their case uh so yeah I mean that was. that was going on pretty much the whole. time but I had again I'm locked up I am. I'm not seeing any of these crazy. articles that are coming out um I'm just. hearing about them from my brother my. wife over the phone or like people that. came and visited me um would say you. know there's pretty shitty articles. coming out about you and it's it's not. good yeah um I had no idea like what. really was being.

said. um but yeah you got you got to think too. man like they added those so they didn't. have those old man and the woman on. there at first okay but they had the. they had the the NCS interviews where. all that [ __ ] was said they added those. two on because they were getting the. same reaction on of everybody that you. just gave like he murdered an Isis. fighter like who [ __ ] cares yeah.

they're like okay we're not winning. people over like that what are the two. most uh you know. um controversial things we can get him. he murdered an old old man and this is. the best thing I I murdered an old man. on Father's Day that's what they were. putting out it was Father's Day when I. murdered this old man and then I. murdered a little girl that right there. drives some emotion I mean even if I. heard like somebody kill a little kid. I'd be like dude what the [ __ ] you know. that's that's messed up so they knew.

like that would drive people to be like. this dude is a monster this dude is. crazy uh and you know they just went. from there uh and they just continue to. smear me um you know every chance they. got and it was all just like false. misinformation that was being put out. um you know I I try to explain it to. people like my case is sort of like. um almost like a false rape case to. where it's like a girl comes in it's.

like oh I got raped last. night but when really she just had sex. with a dude that made a mistake it does. that dude is screwed no matter what just. that one allegation is like even if he's. found innocent at the end but it sounds. like throughout W throughout the entire. Community um I've heard you say that you. know they were they were counseling guys. for wearing the fre freti shirts anybody. that talked about it was going to get.

counseled I. mean it was an active campaign big time. like straight up legitimate active. campaign the Commodore oh here's oh this. this another story um my mom and dad um. flew from Maryland out to see me to. visit me when I was locked up uh I think. like the first month I was in. there you know came in and saw me had. visitation on the weekend um they didn't.

know what to do they were like. distraught uh my dad is a retired. lieutenant colonel he was like well I. want to go talk to your command and find. out what the [ __ ] going on and I was. like yeah go you know go ahead um they. went to group one waited there for um. you know they got there at 6:00 in the. morning waited until the Commodore came. in um The Commodore refused to speak to. them and uh Mass Chief.

Ward and the uh command Jag talked to. them and this is the exact words that. were told to them they told my mom and. dad if you knew what we knew about your. son you'd want him locked up for life. and they just left him with that didn't. tell him anything else. like who the [ __ ] would say that to. somebody's parents you know even if even. if you had all the evidence and you knew. like he's guilty why would you put.

somebody's parent like say a statement. like that to somebody's parents you know. it's but they had nothing and they were. just actively trying to screw me this is. where this is the other crazy thing is. the Commodore. was going around went around to each. team while I was locked up and had all. calls with every seal each command and I. was told this but through M by multiple. seals from each team it's the same. speech he.

gave that I was guilty that nobody. should better support me nobody should. support me and this is the worst this is. the kicker that he'd seen the video of. me doing said act and that I was it. showed I was. guilty no [ __ ] he said that to each. command to so now you got to think man. like I mean that's not only is that. unlawful command influence but you are. straight lying to everybody and uh you.

know there there was that this video the. rumor of the video was what really. turned you know made everybody question. like oh is there a video like does it. show it no there was no this is the. video where where I come up and I. that's it like that's the only video um. but he lied so that video was not. allowed to be shown to anybody at the. time because it was part of evidence. right uh there was I forget what the. word is for it where you can't show the. evidence did the video really shut off.

do you ever seen that video uh I saw it. was part of TC Burns helmet cam I mean I. saw the video Once the evidence was. presented to me you never saw before. then you didn't have uh no not really I. never paid really attention to it I knew. TC had his helmet cam on and that was. like the big discussion uh where it was. like hey just if it bothers you delete. it or whatever you know the pictures um. but this is what's funny is there is a.

fulllength video of everything that. happened that whole day I he had his. helmet came on the whole day um it just. so happened. to show just me coming up and then. shutting off and doesn't show anybody. else now TC's one he was one of the like. got in with the accusers um and he. pretty much gave up everything to NCI is. like oh. here's here's everything right here so. they either spliced it up or like cut it.

off at certain points so it didn't show. anybody else you know doing any medical. treatment or anything like that I mean. it's and that's the big question. everyone's like why does the video shut. off or stop I'm. like ask the accusers that ask NCIS that. I wish it would show the whole thing. like it would vindicate me even more but. they deleted it and there was there is. deleted actual deleted files that video. which we brought up in trial like why. are these I mean they're there but why. are they gone why can't we watch them.

what did happen after you were there you. know obviously cuz you're in the video. what happened after that camera shut off. is that when you cracked him yeah I was. starting to so that camera shut off. right when uh I was doing my initial. assessment of him and then I pretty much. qued him after that um and then all the. other treatments that were done which TC. did the chest tube and everything else. that was done to him it would have just.

shown that we we pretty much medically. treated him to. death there are some. uh pretty controversial texts that you. sent and uh I'm just going to read them. I've got a cool story for you when I get. back I got my night skills on and then. another text thread that says good story. behind this got him with my hunting. knife yeah now I did listen to uh you.

say that those. were there was a whole another thread. that that um they basically Cherry. Picked a couple of things out what else. was in that thread so the knife skills. and just the knife thing uh so the one. was like got him cool story behind this. got him a honey knife that was to one of. my best friends another team guy um he. would you know text we could text back. and forth while we're on deployment the. whole time and uh he would you know. check in periodically uh like High House.

deployment going what's going on there. is it you know and I was like dud this. deployment is awesome like giving him. updates um just like this is a pretty. epic one uh and that. day was uh I fig it was like two or. three days after the incident um my dog. guy who was in the platoon sent me the P. that he sent me that picture of me with. you know posing with the body and the. knife as like I'm talking to my best. friend and I was like oh [ __ ] and that's.

why I just sent him that like cool story. behind this one got him like a joke and. he was. like it's a joking thing. which to the I that is. the that right there was the worst and. best piece of evidence the prosecution. had really it was obviously the worst. because it doesn't look good it's like. well here it is right here but if you go. ahead and zoom in and really inspect. that picture yeah there's no blood.

anywhere on me there's no blood on the. knife they did a DNA test everything on. that knife nothing came back um except. that it had been touched had some Iraqi. like it had been touched by an Iraqi at. some point which is like yeah it was we. were in Iraq for s. months so like when it came down to it. they were like dude. there's you know yeah that text was. stupid to send they te they tested the. [ __ ] out of the knife oh dude nonstop.

and they came it was nothing um why was. the knife out did you cut his clothes. off or uh that was the one I I jabbed. him with to see if he had any stimuli. left in him or was alive and then uh it. was just a St I pose for stupid picture. you know it was like just being whatever. um the person you sent that to did they. bring him in no didn't even talk to him. once they didn't even talk to him no. never called him never I mean that's.

because they knew like if you follow and. my my one of my lawyers went through. this in the trial like if you go ahead. and look at the rest of the text thread. like it's not there's no admitting to a. murder here or being like Oh I did it's. just series of [ __ ] jokes you know. of just dark humor I get it we talked. about it earlier you know but uh and you. don't have to answer this but who'd you. send the text to no he's active duty.

Roger that. yeah okay yeah. well so that [ __ ] got thrown out then. yeah the uh which ones the the text it. got I mean they got read in my trial. yeah it was I mean it's all I mean it's. definitely doesn't look good it doesn't. make me look good uh so yeah they kept. that and they kept I mean they would. keep reading those in the trial and like. you know look what he said uh yeah um.

but it's like I I me like dud you could. go through you take any team guy's phone. go through every text message he sent. and you can pick you can charge anybody. with you know with anything uh you know. not making excuses for you can take. anybody's [ __ ] phone in the whole. world and they'll find something to. charge your ass. exactly um so yeah those I mean like I. said those were the best and worst piece. of evidence that the prosecution had the.

whole time and believe me I was [ __ ]. my pants I was like dude I was like why. did I send like if I could just go back. in time and just not you know do that. but it happened and. uh you know it actually ended up being. good for us cuz cuz it was like dude. look at the picture where and this is. where Craig Miller's. lies like got the best of him is. uh he during his NCIS interviews had.

said that I had you know stabbed. him uh by he was either by the collar. bone or the neck um maybe like once or. twice um never mentioned seeing any. blood or anything like that it was just. like oh he just stabbed him well. when he gets to trial he goes on the. stand and. completely. changes like he's like oh I saw him he. knelt over him started jamming the knife. into his neck and knife started pumping.

out of the prisoner's blood or. prisoner's neck like uh he called it. baby vomit it looked like baby vomit. coming out of his neck when he said that. and I was just sitting there listening. to him I was. like you're done like you just [ __ ]. yourself. because not only is that not true but. now that I mean you can go ahead and. look at my clothes on the pictures like. if it was really pumping out and I'm. sitting there I'd have blood all over me.

yeah and you know because I already you. know none of that was true I was I think. that really he [ __ ] himself pretty. good on that one um but he you know. that's with those guys they got up there. a lot of them got up there and tried to. either overemphasize her story or change. it up a little bit you know. um and it. just did the fighter even have that much. blood on him he had um a pool of blood. like right over his right shoulder right.

here and that's what they were saying is. that came from the neck wound or. whatever but in reality if you look at. it the messed up chest tube that was. done you can. see I think this is what I think where. it came from is that it was bleeding out. and it was just going under his armpit. and pulling up there um oh cuz they had. a failed attempt yeah okay yeah so they. went to the other side yeah and because. it wasn't that blood's not there from. the cke it was a clean. cke so that's the.

only way I can see that blood being. pulled up there but of course you know. they were trying to say it was. from me stabbing him in the neck but. this is the other thing so there's three. guys that only said they saw me stab. them at first so one said I stabbed him. in the neck one said I stabbed him in. the ribs and then the other one said I. stabbed him both like but they all had. different versions of where I had. stabbed them or not uh and in the end.

only uh one of those Craig Miller was. the only one who went up there and the. other two were like no we we were this. isn't true um and they refused to. testify. Jesus I had. uh one of the guys when I was in prison. came and visited me. um one of the accusers and uh I sat down.

with him and he straight up told me was. like this is all a lie this all this got. out of our hands and we don't know what. to like we don't know what to do and I'm. sorry this happened to you one of the. accusers came to visit you in prison and. told you that this was all a lie mhm and. he was sorry yeah yeah what I mean what. what the [ __ ] was your reaction to that. um at that point.

uh I looked at him and was like I I mean. I was like dude I apprec at that point I. was like dude I appreciate you like. coming in here and let you know stand. being a man and letting your tongue the. truth I was like but and he straight up. told me he was like dude I the NCIS is. now hasn't trapped everybody that's. involved like well if you go back on. your story we're going to throw you in. prison um so he was like I don't know. what to do uh and I told him I was like.

dude I can't tell you what to do because. I'm in here but I was like you. know I'm going to be going away for a. life if it's like this is [ __ ] up but. I stood up and I looked at him and I was. like I forgive you and I hugged him and. went back to my cell and then um he. left and then about you hugged him.

mhm. yeah I didn't know like I. was you got you got to think man like at. that point I already knew these guys. were you know were lying and I had sort. of. I had a moment when I was in the in the. brave we can go over to where I just got. levity and. like I was good um but. uh after he came in um you know I hugged.

him for you know it's like I forgive you. um and then about two and a half weeks. later another one showed. up same like I don't know what to. do um has all gotten out of hand um I. did the same thing man just like. dude I hugged him I was like dude I I. forgive you guys man but I you know I. told him I was like just think about my. family U what they're going through and.

they were like you know we're going to. try and make this right uh but I was. like at that point I was like don't tell. me any like I don't want to hear what. you're going to do or not do I was like. I'm already enough [ __ ] as it is I don't. need to hear anything. or what what you guys are doing with I. mean you guys started this mess so U but. that was I mean that those were two. crucial moments for me because I mean I.

was like [ __ ] did that I mean did that. feel did it feel. good it did uh you know it's so when I. was when I was locked up man like I the. first probably two months I was [ __ ]. having like it was bad I was just losing. my mind I mean I wasn't like out in the. open losing my mind so everybody could. see it but I would sit in my cell and. just like you know I was like in my own. head freaking out uh I couldn't control.

the situation you know just like any. operator you want to be able to have. control and like be able to fix any. problem or deal with it and there was. nothing I could do man like I was. literally helpless um. wasn't in control of anything and then I. had a pretty uh eye openening. conversation with my wife on the phone. um where at that point I still thought I. still thought there was some hope that. the command was like going to come.

through for me you know like dud this is. how brainwashed I was um or you can call. it you know loyalty to a fault where I. was like there's no [ __ ] way they're. doing this to me like I couldn't process. it um and my wife she was like I want. you to listen to me real closely she's. like I sat there and waited for you the. past however many years while you. deployed over and over you left us over. and over um you constantly told us you.

were doing a righteous thing and we. believed in you and that's why we stuck. around and waited for you every time to. come back we put up with everything the. teams has thrown at us because you told. us it was the right thing to do and we. believe in you she's like no I want you. to listen to me she's like. the command is against you she's like no. one's coming to get you you don't have. any control you or you know you're on. all you have is me your brother and. whoever you know couple other people.

that are here fighting for you she's. like you need to get that out of your. head right now that anybody's coming to. help you from the. command and after that conversation I. like it was hard to hear you know and I. went back to my cell and sat there for a. little bit and uh I got down on my hands. and knees man and I like talked to God. out loud and was just. like take this from me like like I you. know I can't deal with it. um no I just like you're in control and.

whatever happens happens like it's this. is in your hands um you know it pretty. much was just like that's it and I'll. tell you what man like I got up walked. out of my cell and I felt like the. weight of the world was off my shoulders. I was like. and it that's not to say it was like on. Easy Street the rest of the time but. like that right there I mean you know. and I would talk to God every night and. just be like dude help me to get through. tomorrow you know um and he did it was.

it's like I physically felt it it was uh. it was pretty insane so I think by the. time those guys had come uh and like and. I think that was God you know they came. and they were like straight up like we. di uh I to at that point I was like dude. I can't like sit here and get angry. anymore you know I was [ __ ] wore out. uh but I was like dude thank God you.

know that they've come to their senses. you know you were in prison for 9 months. right mhm what did your I mean I'm. assuming you told your attorneys or you. told Andrea you know that you had two of. the accusers come out and uh you know. yeah come clean what did the attorneys. say. um my I had I think I had my old. Attorneys at that point and they were. like well they were like you shouldn't.

trust them like this is how I was being. told that they were still working for. NCIS and they were just really just. trying to get stuff out of me um which I. didn't believe I was like that doesn't. uh I just didn't believe that that's. what they were doing uh but that's what. my old set of lawyers were trying to. tell me uh but then once my new set of. lawyers came on they were like what the. [ __ ] okay and they ended up talking to. them um talking to those those two and. uh one of them was Cory Scott who went.

and Fest up to the. murder so if I remember correctly you. did say that a lot of the prison guards. were kind of. coached by NCIS to to try to get you to. snap um what kind of [ __ ] were they. doing. so yeah they were. told so it was I didn't know it was. happening at first but like anytime.

somebody visited me anytime I had like. any kind of interaction where I had to. speak through somebody through a glass. or wherever I would get strip. searched like butt naked you know lift. up your nut sack do all this crap and I. thought that was like you okay they. don't do that to everybody that's. so they were doing that to me a bunch at. first um and then they would randomly. I'd be sitting down um they just. randomly like get up search me um then.

go toss myself cell. um uh they were constantly [ __ ] with. me uh with my visitation they would they. wouldn't let me have visitation. sometimes um or tell me like certain. people weren't allowed to visit me. um and uh it became pretty evident like. the other prisoners were actually like. dude they are we haven't seen this like. they're messing with you um and I was. like all right well one of the guards. finally came up to me there's a couple.

cool there there was there were some. cool guards in there um that were. definitely like this is [ __ ] that. you're in here uh but they were like hey. man you're. NCIS um they they were like somebody. some enlisted guy from your. command was in here and they're telling. they're having meeting every the guards. have a meeting every morning before they. go on shift and they're like make him. snap today like keep [ __ ] with him. until he does something and uh once he. told me that I was like I I was laughing.

I mean there's nothing nothing in that. brg is scary I mean yeah there's a bunch. of [ __ ] putsy E5 you know kids so I. was like dude all right and I just. treated it as a game I was like every. time they would do something uh you know. I had this one time this gunny sergeant. who was an. MA he like stripped me naked and then. was having me do stupid [ __ ] like pick. up your boots now do this now bend over.

and do this as I'm naked and I'm looking. at him like. bro like what's I know what you're doing. man like let's just give it a rest and. he was like you know you got all up in. my face like what the [ __ ] do you mean. what I'm doing and like are you getting. smart and I was like dude I just smiled. I was just like hey man thanks for your. thanks for your service bud you know. great job on the warant ter your your. contribution and just walked out like. it's all you could really do is just. keep it to yourself because that's.

that's what they wanted they wanted me. to do something uh they even. had um the prosecution was getting other. prisoners to try and befriend me or you. know get me to say stuff and to take. lesser sentences for them so like if you. get Eddie to say something we'll cut. your sentence in half or we'll do this I. mean that it was pretty rampant uh you. know the other prisoners were coming up. and telling me these things um and all.

of it is like you would think like this. shit's illegal yeah no I mean I brought. it up to my lawyers my lawyers brought. it up in court and it's. like yeah okay move on. how how did you wind up getting the new. lawyers. um that's another like act of God is. uh you know Bernie Carrick yeah so. Bernie Carrick who I didn't know uh read.

one of those smear articles about me and. literally was like something doesn't. seem right here um he made some phone. calls down to uh I think the Pentagon. some seals that were working there I was. like what what do you know about this. guy Eddie um what's going on with this. and they told him that uh they didn't. hadn't worked me personally but that I. had a very good reputation from what. they've heard and that this doesn't seem. right either uh and that there's.

something fishy going like they just. were like there's something's not right. about this uh so he ended up connecting. with my wife reached out and was like if. there's anything you need um let me know. um and he started asking questions about. the legal team that we had at the time. and he was like what are they do for you. tell me what their you know what's their. plan of action which they had none um. and uh it wasn't probably until a couple. months down the road when Bernie. initially had contacted my wife that we.

were F like my or Andrea was like we got. to get rid of these guys and Bernie's. like I have uh my lawyer standing by. ready to like help you guys out um Tim. parlor and that's. who this is It's so nutty cuz I didn't. didn't know Tim um at that point all I. was doing was just listening to Andrea. she was like if she was like this is the. best route I'm like then do it done you. know so she's like I talked to this guy.

Tim um he seems like a legit lawyer. she's like I think we should hire him I. was. like okay uh I talked to the I talked to. him on the phone for five minutes and he. was like I'm coming up there to see you. he was he's from New. York um I after I had fired Phil or no I. fired. kobby um first and I kept Phil stack. house on um just for some continuity.

because he had already been on the case. Tim flew. out and uh first time I saw him it was. definitely not what I was expecting he. was uh you know you're hear a New York. lawyer like you I'm expecting like this. H you know high power suit high power. tie walking in but Tim is like just this. big old looks like a football player. just massive dude uh you used to be in. the Navy was an officer in the Navy um. and uh that was it man what he it was.

like a 180 like as soon as he took over. it was dude he knew more about the case. after taking it from in 48 hours than my. two other lawyers did and they'd been on. it for 5 months he was [ __ ] oh dude it. was insane to watch and then to go to. the courtroom with him like the first. courtroom appearance I had with him was. like holy [ __ ] I have a lawyer like he. was fighting back like calling the. prosecution out and everything uh I mean. it was awesome you know he it's uh that.

was definitely like some divine. intervention and then um Mark mucasey uh. was. my other lawyer I had and that uh he was. one of's he is one of the president. president Trump's lawyers um but he had. nothing to do with anything he knew. Bernie Carrick um you know I grew up. knowing Bernie and was just talking to. him one night and was like dude I saw. this what's up with this Navy SEAL say.

like this doesn't this looks [ __ ] up. and Bernie's like dude I'm helping them. and uh he said he's like we'll tell them. I'll offer my services like if they need. help because this is jacked up and um of. course once that was like told to me. like hey this guy Mark be Casey said. he'd help you and he's one of Trump's. lawyers I'm like well yeah like why. wouldn't I want yeah you know that so. ended up hiring him as well and dude it. was it was definitely like an awesome.

dream. team that I had um at what point did. Trump get involved for the first time. the first time uh he got involved was uh. when I was locked up the. um uh. my wife and brother had uh hooked up. with Congressman um Duncan Hunter and. Congressman Ralph Norman um and. they um obviously my wife had been on. Fox and Friends a couple times at that.

point or once and she knew that that's. the president watches that religiously. every day um so she was pretty much got. on there and was like this is what's. going on and I think that got his. attention and then uh you know he didn't. do anything at first but then we got we. got 50 over 50 congressmen to sign um a. petition or whatever saying to let me. out of pre-trial confinement so I could. properly defend myself well God damn I'm. glad he uh didn't label that portion.

fake news. yeah he uh yeah so like all he did. is um which that was a crazy day like I. got told and by this. point we had a lot of people people. promised stuff that just didn't weren't. come wasn't coming through you know it. was definitely an emotional roller. coaster of like oh this is this person's. getting involved you know we've been. told the president was going to get. involved like four times at that point. you know it was was always like a crap.

shooter you and I wasn't putting you. know I knew my wife was doing a lot of. work but I I wasn't getting my hopes up. to just be like the president of the. United States as you're back yeah yeah. um same SP pitched yeah and so like I. walk I was walking to uh Chow lunch and. one of the guards the female guards. walked by me and she was like giving me. a weird look and I was like what's up. and she's like are you you're getting. out today and I was. like no and she's like what the.

president just tweeted about you on TV. and said that you're leaving and uh I. was like what the [ __ ] he's like are you. serious she's like yeah. so by the end of that day man they they. [ __ ] came in they were like prisoner. G stand up like you're out of here and. uh I so this is the this is the crazy. part all he tweeted was to get me out. he's like get him out of confinement so. he can properly defend himself for trial. didn't say like he's guilty or not.

guilty um he just said because of his. prior service he you know he has a right. to a fair trial a right to a fair trial. um the command Rosen. Bloom I get let out of the brg. like not even let out I'm like checking. out they sent an MA down there um and. pretty much took me from the brig and. then threw me in a uh Barracks room with. like restriction on steroids or I wasn't.

allowed out of the room I wasn't allowed. a TV I was I wasn't allowed anything it. was like I was still in the brg still. had to be in the same. uniform and I had to get escorted if I. wanted to go eat cuffed and everything. no no cuffs that was the one like I just. but I just sat you know sat in that room. for an. extra month and a half so it was N9. months in prison it was no it was uh 7. and a half months in prison and then a. month and a half in this room but the.

judge ended. up uh adding that on to my he was like. you guys he pretty much told the command. he was like what you guys are doing to. him is confinement just like the break. like so he just just added that on to my. he's like he's pretty much served 9. months in the break from because it was. ridiculous I mean the command my my. family would try and come visit me this. is when I was in the barracks they would. command would deny them like my wife and.

kids um like no you can't see him unless. we we say you can during these hours so. it was pretty much like I was still. locked up uh just now it was almost I. don't want to say worse but it was like. I was by myself in a room now I wasn't. seeing anybody you know um they had a a. guard on post outside my door at all. times. um yeah it was St it was just stupid. talk about the phone.

call from the president no they brought. you a phone to make a call that had no. service oh yeah. so um we threw we had to throw we had to. put together a complaint when we back to. court saying that um what the commodor. and the Admiral were doing to me was tan. himount to confinement and that I still. I basically they weren't following the. president's orders I still wasn't. allowed to talk to my legal team I still. I had no no communication with anybody.

so therefore how could I properly defend. myself uh so the judge told the. prosecution like he said uh I'm not. ordering you to do this because I can't. but I suggest you guys. get him a phone so he can contact his. lawyers and so the command shows up. about a week later nothing took their. time and they're like here here's your. phone it was like. some you know 1994 like Samsung uh that.

had no service they locked I I could. only call my lawyer and my wife and I. think my. brother um you know I wasn't allowed to. dial anything else out but which didn't. matter because the phone had no service. so they gave that she the command Jag. gave that to me and then they gave me a. laptop with no. internet no nothing and uh they're like.

you can't have this laptop in your room. we're going to they locked it in another. room in the barracks so if I wanted to. go use it to go look at any evidence I. had to have a whoever they had from the. command watching me standing over me. watching in or like watching me do this. which is a violation in itself you know. I'm looking at my own trial stuff like. yeah uh we brought that up to them after. they gave me the phone I brought it up.

to uh the command actually the the Jag. that gave it to me I was like hey my. phone doesn't have any service and she. just looked at me and she's like too bad. and walked off I mean they knew what. they were doing yeah um they were just. block I mean they were blocking me from. being able to defend myself at every. turn and it wasn't until um the. prosecution finally got caught uh. cheating and spying is where I was led. out of confinement um that was the.

judge's. remedy so they the. um as soon as Tim and Mark and all them. got together as a legal. team um the prosecution sent them an. email this is a check as plack was a. prosecutor um and on that email it was. just some random email too it wasn't. nothing of like significant importance. but on there was a tracking Beacon at. the bottom um it's like an embedded.

virus and luckily my Tim my lawyer. caught it um because he had a case two. cases ago that dealt with it the same. thing and he saw it and he emailed back. and was like tell me this isn't what I. think it is and got no response from the. prosecutor he's like dude they looked. into it found out it was spy like they. sent them. spyware so that became a whole another. like side issue of my trial so then we. had to bring that up.

like this is violating I don't know how. many of my rights uh was that uh was so. that Beacon was that an attempted breach. or did they breach no they didn't it was. so if he would have clicked on that. Beacon it would have been been a full. breach what what did the beacon look. like it was the symbol for the. um the RSL the the. um pry much the the command that the. that the prosecution falls under it's.

their symbol uh but there's something. like about it that Tim was like this. isn't right uh and yeah it turned out. they prosecutor sent that Beacon to my. whole legal team including all you know. my civilian lawyers. um the lawyers that were representing my. OIC uh the Navy times because the Navy. times had just started writing articles. that were actually looking good for me. because that the Navy times was uh his.

name is Carl pry who was writing all the. Articles he started doing some digging. of his own into what was going on and. started finding out the truth like this. is these dudes are [ __ ] lying and he. started writing articles that you know. insinuating or saying like hey man this. is maybe this isn't what we think it is. and the prosecution didn't like that um. so they sent them a track and Beacon as. well so that's to the media now we're. violating the media's rights um so it.

became a real big deal um and we thought. that I mean it was a good chance that. case was going to be thrown out over. that um because in a civilian Court it. would have been thrown out hands down um. but their remedy was. they and this was a complete surprise um. this was pretty much an awesome day um. we went in just to talk. about the spying Caper and all that. stuff and. uh at the end of the that day the.

judge like so nonchalantly was just like. all right um you know due to the fact. that I think you violated some of his. rights I'm just I'm letting Eddie. Gallagher Go free or out of confinement. and it was like I couldn't I was like. what the [ __ ] and my wife was like in. she like jumped up screaming like you. know and that was it I got to go be with. my family until trial um which trial was. like I think at that point a month off.

um but that was uh that was a big day. like just to be able to go see my wife. and kids um I went flew home you know. for like two days and then came back and. all we did was prep for trial from that. point on so you go to trial and you need. to explain to all of America how an. entire [ __ ] Seal Team or actually an. entire seal Community has turned against. you and you need to prove your. innocence I mean were you ready to do.

that at that point were you confident. that yeah uh I. mean I had confidence in my legal team. uh you know I knew I knew they. had they had done their due diligence I. mean they worked their asses off all the. way up till trial preparing for it. um and I like I knew. the I had the truth on my side that's. what I was like dude I have God and the.

truth on my side and I'm going into it. with that mindset and uh cuz at that. point so much corrupt [ __ ] had happened. I was like I definitely wasn't putting. any faith in the justice system or like. that they were going to do right by me. so I just had to have faith you know in. God that it was going to work out and. then I trusted my legal team I had full. trust in them um and so we went into it. with that attitude I mean it was like we.

were every day I went to trial was like. going into like an almost like an OP you. know how many days was the trial oh was. like two and a half weeks two and a half. weeks every day yeah. it was. uh it was nuts um you know it's and it's. not like anything you. see out of a Few Good Men or Rules of. Engagement like the the courtroom is not. you know made of Rich mahogany wood and.

like it's dude it's a piece of [ __ ]. courtroom like shitty carpeting like. nothing there's barely any room for uh. people in the back and they fill those. seats with media those are the first. people that fled in and then any. supporters I had were told to like wait. outside or you know they put like an. extra room for them somewhere else I. mean I barely thank God they let my mom. and dad and wife in there and brother. but uh dude it was it's a circus um you.

know the media was there it was you know. I'd pull in every. morning uh with with Andre and my. brother and that's they're like little. vultures man they're waiting and they. come up to the car and they're all. around you and you just got to. like open the door and I just would walk. into the courtroom you know there're. shouting all sorts of questions at you. um but once I you know once you're in. the courtroom it's like game on uh and I. just. kept a straight face the whole time I.

wouldn't look at the jury the jury so. jury you know we started off the first. day with jury selection which is a whole. process I had no idea how like intricate. it was. um they have like 20 jurors showed up at. first uh and you can so in the military. justice. system there's no like um not everybody. has to vote the same you know like in.

the civilian world like everyone has to. be not guilty or guilty it's not that. way in the military justi system it can. be like you know five people voted. guilty four people voted not guilty. therefore he's guilty [ __ ] there was a. seal on the jury yep did you know. himm yeah that's uh yeah he. uh so he was one of the jury so there. was three seals originally on the jury. um. but one of them who I knew he was smart.

enough to be like get me the [ __ ] out of. here he came up with some excuse and you. know I'm doing something classified so. he got off the other two were from. warcom um one of them said right away. like they had to fill out answers on a. paper that he thought I was guilty and. that's what he would find me so they. were like all right you're. gone uh straight up lied um they asked.

him if he he knew. me um he said nope um he'd been to my. house five times I know I know him I. know his wife or his ex-wife uh. and uh he lied and said that he had. never talked to me he said he uh I think. he said that he saw me in the gym one. time or whatever that was it is this is. this. [ __ ] yeah I I mean he's the dude's. been at my house it was crazy dude he uh.

like straight up lied and was like no I. don't know so when he did that we had to. go back and so we had to deliberate on. who to pick you know like who we're. going to kick off and that was like a. big point of contention because I went. back I'm like dude's [ __ ] lying but. then they were like oh is he lying to. like help you and I was like it does and. we came up with the like it doesn't. matter like we have to have integrity. and yeah we got to kick him off but the. problem was we went back and the number.

the jurors that we wanted was seven. that's like my lawyers were like we have. to have seven jurors it's whatever. lawyer math they have um and we started. kicking so I kicked all the officers off. I was like get rid of them that we kept. one Navy officer and uh by the time we. got down to like we were at seven Jers. and uh my legal team was like just leave. them on and then we were like. dude what the [ __ ] and they're like we.

are not going to six like he's staying. so we left him and then uh come to find. out he was try actively trying to find. like get everybody find me guilty uh so. I had six Marines on the jury and they. were all like this is all [ __ ] like. they because I guess after the trial my. my lawyers and the prosecution go back. there and talk to the jury to think to. get like what were you guys thinking and. the Marines were just like dude. everybody was lying like there's no way.

and um was like no like I think he's you. know he said something to my lawyers. like dude I think that guy tried to find. you guilty and um I didn't believe it at. first either I was like no [ __ ] way. until this idiot did a whole post on. Facebook the next day like a [ __ ]. rant on Facebook about how I was really. guilty but this and this and this and. posted it on.

uh yep posted that [ __ ]. on that right there I was. like I was like first off dude like you. have to be a complete [ __ ] [ __ ] to. you're on the jury and now you're. posting [ __ ] on social media like and. second I'm like dude you lied and I. didn't you know I didn't say anything. about it but now I'm like dude and. there's enough I've had enough people. talk to him after the fact and there I.

mean I've had two guys who were like. good buddies with him they're like dude. [ __ ] that guy like after I talked to him. he's he's completely he was at warcom. and he'd been tainted I mean they were. like he's guilty they were you know they. were telling everybody that and. uh God damn yeah dude it gets it's nasty. it's. like and that's that's the crazy part. yeah it's um holy [ __ ] so uh God damn.

that's that's wow yeah it's it's wild it. gets the level of like corruption and. like. just nasty stuff that people that were. tainted you. know it's I would never believe it. unless [ __ ] a man so what what what. was the turning point in court I mean I. know it but yeah um I think you know the.

turning point in court for the media and. everybody else was you know obviously. Corey Scott um who was the one of the. prosecutor's main witnesses that you. know he was going to get up there and. you know what the prosecution thought. was like he was going to get up there. and be like oh you know he stabbed him. and um he got up there and completely. was like no I'm the one who killed him. uh but.

uh you know that was like the big oh. [ __ ] moment that you know everybody. talks about but to me that wasn't the. the whole trial was a turning point for. me what uh I mean it was you didn't know. he was going to do that. so I mean do I would love to see her. facial expression when he gets on the. stand and says I'm the one that [ __ ]. killed him I can tell you it look just. like this you didn't D make a freaking.

move. because I at that point there had been. so much [ __ ] that had gone on in this. case like ups and downs and twists and. like to me when he said that I mean I. was like oh [ __ ] but I was like here's. another monkey wrench like where's this. going to go you know um. and it went exactly the way I thought. like they didn't care that he said that. they were like we're still charging him.

with pre like it was like yep we'll just. dismiss him um you know after he got. when he said that the prosecution got up. and just straight attacked him and was. like you're a liar you lied and then. they would all they did was attack with. every other witness like Cory Scout's a. liar and so it's like dude that was your. main witness yeah um you know I that. definitely was a turning point in the. case for the prosecution and I'm sure. the jury they're probably like dude. these prosecutors are so [ __ ] up uh.

but to me it was like watching every. every one of those dudes get up on the. stand. was it couldn't have gone any better. yeah I mean I knew they were [ __ ] up. like I knew they had told so many lies. but dude I it was even worse than I. thought watch them get up there um Craig. Miller was Pro Craig Miller to me was a. big turning point. he he was he just complete [ __ ] got. like like we I talked about before.

changed the whole story about blood. spurting out um then he was making up. lies that didn't even happen like it was. not about that day um he was talking. about blowing down on a wall which that. never like didn't even exist uh he even. said that he had put hands on the Isis. dude and like was kicking him down that. never happened I mean it was it was. really odd the [ __ ] that they were like. lying about they really hadn't know no.

relevance to charging me yeah but I. think they had told so many lies at that. point that they either they thought some. of it was the truth or they just. couldn't keep up um and it showed I mean. even the media they were sitting in the. back like especially when Craig Miller. was testifying and they were first off. they were like how is this guy a Navy. SEAL like he's an idiot and they're like. how do the prosecutors even call this. guy up it's it was that bad um wow you.

know he got flustered finally my lawyer. was asking him enough questions he then. he all of a sudden got the case of he. got a case of Amnesia and then all of a. sudden couldn't remember anything you. know um and it's the same with uh every. other you know delay and Tolbert their. two stories about shooting the old man. they didn't match up at all um they were. talking about the same guy but there was. like one guy fired you know said they. fired warning shots one said they didn't. uh you know it was just this.

discombobulated mess. um on your uh mini documentary that uh. your buddy at the New York Times made uh. he he said did well for starters did was. Andrea and Ryan and uh your other sons. did they go every day to court no they. they did did they really just show up. the one day was that just a coincidence. that was yeah and. that's yeah I mean I'll give it to the. New York Times and then for trying to.

put that together but uh yeah we my so I. had all three of my kids were there um. at the Airbnb that we were using as when. the trial went on and uh you know we. were coming back every day and of course. that's all that was being talked about. back there my family was staying there. and so my two older kids Trev and ABA um. they were like hey can we go and I was. like I no problem with you going you. know me Andre both like if you guys want.

to go um so they that's how they showed. up that day um like had nothing to do. with Cory Scott or what was said that. day um it just happened to fall on that. day all right but I mean that's the. that's the first question the media. asked when we came out of walking out of. court that day. um uh Andy Dyer from the Union San dieg. Union Tribune instead of like the big. bombshell that somebody else just. submitted to the murder his his question.

was how could we in good conscious take. our two kids to a trial that shows dead. bodies like there's pictures of dead. bodies in there and you're gonna let. your kids watch that and I wasn't. allowed to talk you know but dude Andrea. lit him up like it was it was awesome uh. she was just like you know we don't hide. our kids from Evil we don't hide them. from what you know their dad does and. you. know that's the that's the question you.

have yeah it was they they would try and. pick at anything try. and demonize you so you wound up not. guilty yep and and what what what that I. mean that uh did you still have the uh. Stone Cold stare when you heard. that no I think uh. well d That's I it's hard to explain. that moment um because it would it was.

just uh it was crazy yeah you know they. we closed our case uh you know. prosecution went Clos our case defense. went close our case and they were like. all right you know. jury's going to deliberate um it took. them about a day and a half um that. was crazy day like just waiting um for. them to come back and uh yeah when they. finally did it was it was like Hey the.

jurries got their decision and it was. you know real quick got into the. courtroom um they really didn't yeah I. didn't hit me until like I was like. sitting there waiting for them to come. out I was like this is it. you know like oh [ __ ] yeah B man [ __ ]. yeah they called him in and then you. stand up at attention as they come in. I'm just staring Straight Ahead um and. it's like no time wasted they're like. read them off and uh the crazy part is. they don't read they weren't reading the.

charges like you know for premeditated. murder for this it was like charge one. specification two so I had no idea like. which ones they were talking about so. they were like not guilty not guilty not. guilty not guilty so there was that one. and I remember like as they were reading. them off I wasn't even hearing it I mean. my heart was like felt like it was. coming out of my chest and it was just. like you know ringing in my ears. uh and uh once they got done reading.

them I was like [ __ ] like which one was. like guilty of and my Tim my lawyer. grabbed me and he's like it's the. picture you know and like hugged me and. dude it was like bro the courtroom. erupted I mean everybody was crying uh. it was pretty nuts it was uh I mean you. saw team I mean Team guys flowing in. just balling like grabbing me uh it was. pretty epic like I was I think I was.

just like in shock you know people just. like grab me like hugging me and uh you. know my wife was everybody was balling. my lawyers all my lawyers are crying. just I think everybody was so happy you. know cuz like everybody had put so. much like time and effort and just you. know people believed in that case like. it was it meant a lot to him yeah so. yeah it was it was nuts um and then uh. yeah I went right from.

there went and got sleeved up I went. right I drove right to the tattoo parlor. uh it was uh and of course the media. turned that one into a Heyday you know. said something like Navy SE gets. acquitted and goes right to getting. alcohol and tattoos or something it was. like some crazy article they wrote but. what' you get I had so I had no tattoos. um at all through my whole career so the. first one I got was uh well.

actually first one I got you know Mike. Martin yeah so he you know he passed. away um during my whole thing but he. snuck in when I was in the er's from had. me confined he came in on a Saturday and. snuck in uh with the silencer tattoo gun. and tattoo the U my bone frog on my back. and then my wife's. name right there and then uh after my uh. trial [ __ ] yeah it's [ __ ] badass oh.

yeah it was he's such an awesome guy. um and uh yeah after the tattoo I the. first thing I got was my wife's eyes. with like the flag wrapped around it and. then pretty much this whole arm is. dedicated to my wife wife and then my. kids that's awesome man yeah it was uh. you know I never like thought about. getting tattoos or like it was always I. was like there's got to be something you. know that has to have like real meaning. behind it and that was it for me I'm.

like dude this if this isn't it then I. don't know what. is so yeah went and uh did that. um you know I had the uh I had to go. back for my sentencing for the picture. um which they threw the book at me big. time uh I think I'm the first person. ever to get sentenced to a court marshal. for taking a. picture uh but yeah they they pretty. much turned that into you know they try.

to turn that into a war crime yeah which. it's not uh you know it's not I don't. think it's in good taste but uh it's not. a war crime other that if that's the. case. then there's been tons of war criminals. in the military since the beginning of. the P you know camera yeah you know it's. but whatever you know they wanted to get. their pound of flesh out of me um I. think the Navy was definitely they were. pissed embarrassed um and then they came. at you again then did not stop yeah um I.

uh after the trial I went back to work. thinking like just like I talked about. that mass Chief had said you swim your. way back and I thought that's what I had. done like went through the gauntlet was. like I'm back showed up I was like I'm. ready to go back to work they were like. you're banned they Banned Me from all. the teams uh the bases and they stuck me. in Supply down at another base again um.

and they said uh you know it was the. same deal like report there every. morning um I wasn't allowed to put in my. retirement. because the punishment for uh my court. Marshal hadn't like been officially gone. through yet I had to wait for like some. Admiral signature which they said could. take months um so I just had. to you know show up and not do anything. uh and so all I did at that point I was.

like I'm going I had so much leave uh. like I never took it so I was like I'm. just going on I would I would go back to. Florida uh and spend time with my family. and then come back you know every two. weeks come back and be like okay what's. you know what's going on um it was they. were block they were completely blocking. me from getting anything done um I was. not allowed to go to I was still I still. belong to trade at but I wasn't allowed. to go there uh so all of my paperwork.

everything I needed was there and but I. wasn't allowed to access it so it it was. just a stupid game that they were. playing with me um the command would toy. with me like group one Mass chief be. like oh we need to you to move all your. stuff out of your cage into this conx. box and then next week I'll move it out. of that conx box over here like it was. just stupid. stuff and um you know. I I was.

pissed but my lawyer and a couple other. people would advis me they were like do. not do any like if they're [ __ ] with. you just let them [ __ ] with you like. don't give them any reason um. to come you know come after you. anymore so I played it cool the whole. time um and then uh that's when I got. the uh phone call from the president uh. I was coming back from Florida back to.

San. Diego and I landed in San Diego and I. got a te a call from my lawyer saying. hey if there's a weird phone number that. comes up pick it up and uh it's like why. and he's like just do it and I like all. right and sure enough it was one I think. it said it was from Egypt and so I. picked it up and yeah it was the. president United States and the vice. president um on the phone and uh. they he called and was like listen.

um I'm calling to tell you that you're. I'm I'm going to let you retire or. you're going to retire as a chief uh. with everything that you've earned over. the past 20 years because uh the. punishment they had tried to give me is. I was going to retire as a E1 an. E1 yeah and that's what I don't think. anybody really knows is because they had. thrown the book at me and they sentenced. me. to uh four months in the brg which I.

already served almost triple that uh or. over twice that um but because you get. that 4 months that's automatic reduction. that you w um and so I would have. it would been like 20 years never. existed yeah um so he was like that's. not happening um I'm letting you retire. as a chief and uh with everything that. you've earned you know and then he. talked to me about I mean this he knew. more about my case then I think most.

people like he knew all the intricacies. of everything that had happened um all. the crap the prosecution had pulled I. mean he was disgusted by it he was like. you know he's like we don't treat our. war Fighters like this he's like this is. not not all I'm president you know he's. like you don't throw away hardore. Fighters uh and he's like so I'm you. know thank you for your service and I'm. going to let you out with or let you get. out with everything that you earned um. and then he you know really made a bunch.

of remarks about my wife how amazing she. is and how why she's a reason that he. was even involved um that he was he's. was like she's a remarkable person to. watch uh fight you know he's like I. forget what he said he said. uh you know she stands she's a good. salesman she stands by her product and. she's like that product is you you know. and. so talked to him and both the vice. president just I I was you know in shock.

you know what are you going to say phone. I just sat there and listened to them. and thanked them over and over and um. yeah so that they were going to pull. your seal Trident too well that's so. after I get off the fun with them. I go into work the next day and I go. right to trade at where I'm banned from. I drive right on I'm like dude [ __ ] this. I walk in and I'm like hey I want my. paper like all all I wanted was my. paperwork to put my retirement in which. they were not giving me I go up to the.

uh third deck walk into the admin and uh. it you would have thought I walked in. with a shotgun I mean it was all admin. people in there and they all like. stopped what they're doing and they're. like oh my God and I literally was like. Hey I just need this this and this and. I'll be out of here you know and they. were like oh you know they're all. helpful they're like definitely. and the mass chief of trade it comes. walking. out sees me and uh it was so awkward he.

was like oh what's up and I was like hey. how's it going he's like oh and then he. walks back in his office and shuts the. door and I'm like okay comes out about. 30 seconds later completely different. demeanor like bowed up gets in my face. and is like who gave you authority to. even come in here like you're not like. just being a complete douchebag and he's. like you're not allowed in here I don't. know what you think you you know what.

makes you think you can walk up in here. and I just turned and looked at him was. like you know he cuz he said who gave. you the authority to come here and I. looked at him I was like the president. of the United States when he called me. yesterday I was like get the [ __ ] out of. my face he looked his face was like and. he like walked back into his office and. I like I had it at that point I was like. dude yeah [ __ ] you [ __ ] all of you guys. um I was like you my paperwork I mean. the admin people were cool I had no.

problem with them but. just him and then the co of trade at. comes walking out this is literally this. happened I turn he comes walking out of. his office looks at me and then goes. back in his office office and shut your. door like these are grown ass Navy Seals. we're talking about here and I'm like. dude are we like really you know. but either way I I left there I didn't. go back I just got everything I needed. um and uh I go back to supply to put in.

for retirement and I get notified by. group one they call me you're like oh uh. yeah you're not you can't put that in. because now we're going to take you to. try to review board and we're pulling. your bird. um man they just wouldn't [ __ ] allow. to go you couldn't make you couldn't. make it up. I literally sat down with the group one. Master Chief and had to have like I. tried to have like this heart-to-heart. talk with him I'm like dude I get it you.

guys are coming after me like I'm public. eny number one I was like but do you. know what this looks like like the. president just said I could retire and. just let me go and now you're coming. after me again I was like this looks. like you're giving the middle finger to. the president of United States and I was. like you do understand that and he was. like no no no that's that's not what. we're doing I was like okay I'm like. that's what it's going to look like but. I I welcomed they were like you're going.

to go to the Trident review board and I. welcomed it I was like fine I was like. I'll go I was like because that is the. first and only time you guys have ever. offered to hear my side of the story and. if it has to be in front of a trident. review board and I I'm able to talk to a. bunch of senior enlisted and give my. side I welcome it I was like even though. I already know there's a predetermined. outcome that you guys are going to pull. my bird but if that's what it takes you. know and uh I went and reviewed so when.

you have a try and review board you can. go and review the evidence uh beforehand. to see what they're going to you know. bring up and I was going to trial all. over again I mean it literally was like. I had never been to trial they were just. like all the charges again um which I. was like okay but uh literally the next. day the president steps in again and. tweets I wake up to a tweet that said.

you will not be taken his. Trident uh get back to work. like dude I mean and so I walk into work. the next day and I'm. like you know what are you gon to do now. you know what's and uh they told me they. were like oh no no we're still pulling. your Trident and I was like okay you. know I I don't know where this is going. but it's like it's not going to end I. mean you're going up against the.

president yeah which that's on you you. know but they they never ended up doing. it they tried um and uh we ended up. fighting back pretty hard to where they. they were going to take my Trident my Tu. Commander's. Trident my oic's. Trident um anybody that. testified on my behalf they were just. going to pull their. Trident um but they end it all ended up. getting dropped wow yeah but it was like.

that to the very last day uh when I got. my retirement ID just constant trying to. like Target me in some way man that is. [ __ ] sad dude yeah it was super sad. uh um and it the sad part is like. watching the guys in the community um. who were not you know they were all. coming up to me like dude this is. [ __ ] you know like they were all on. my side but they it was a very like. looking over your shoulder type of yeah.

and it's. uh yeah it was pretty bad I mean adal. green he's gone I know out of that seat. now but dude he I mean they got rid of. the secretary of the Navy over this yeah. well that was uh that was. another so I think I got hammered pretty. good um because I spoke out against. Admiral green right when I was on active. duty people were like I mean even other.

seals like oh you shouldn't have done. that's whatever I don't know what they. conduct them becoming or you know but at. that point I had I mean they had done so. much stuff to me yeah I was like dude I. don't give a [ __ ] anymore uh and uh Fox. News was like ask me to come out I was. like done and I flew out over the. weekend flew in on like a Saturday and. um I was fired up I was like ready to.

start putting people on blast and uh my. lawyer was like don't do it don't. mention anybody's name because you're. still in active duty and they could. still charge. you um but when I went in there. um I had evidence I had already evidence. that the secretary of the Navy was. meddling in my case I had an. email um that somebody gave me that he. was he he personally was reached out to. organizations and told them not to. support me uh which why is the Secretary.

of Navy reaching that low into something. uh wow but I put went I went on Fox News. and I put that on blast I was like this. this and this I put emal gre's name on. blast I was like dude I don't care um. and then. within 3 hours after the interview the. SE everyy was relieved um which I'm not. saying it was because I went on there. but I think you know maybe it might have. had a little something had a little. something to do with it yeah uh so I.

mean and then he got caught going behind. the secretary of defense is back yeah. so he didn't do himself any favors. before we uh you know close the book on. this this chapter I do have one question. and uh you were going to get a silver. star for that deployment mhm do you know. what that was for. um yeah. uh I mean I saw the so the way it was.

explained to me and this is I didn't. know I was being put in for it Silver. Star well the Silver Star for those of. you that don't know is the. third the the third from the. top yeah award best combat award you can. get it's it's a I mean yeah it's uh I. mean it's a big deal for guys that that. you know get them I mean um and I had no. idea that I was being put in for one.

until we got back from that deployment. and the only way I found out was because. one of these junior junior guys said it. they were like oh well you you got put. in for silver store and I was like what. like yeah that's and so I went and. talked to my OIC and uh T Commander like. yeah we ran up we recommended you for. one and it was. for um at the first it was for multiple. AXS um because they changed and I can't.

keep up with the awards system but they. changed it from doing one act valorous. act to multiple acts and then now they. change then they changed it back to just. one act again uh. um the write up I got for it was uh you. know we we were in a position uh and we. started. getting shot at pretty good shot up uh. we had taken PKM and all sorts of fire. um and I had requested the the Matt V's.

to pull up on this bridge and light up. where we were getting the shot. from. um they. didn't they wouldn't do it uh because. they were like it's you know we're. taking. fire so I ran I ran down I was at the. third story of building but it was like. open I was running down through bullet. fire whatever sprinted across the. field which this is I'm just read this.

from the right up it all you know to me. I'm like I don't uh it doesn't sound as. crazy but like I uh yeah I jumped across. ran across the field jumped in the mat V. pulled it up onto the bridge. hammered down on that building that was. we were taking fire from and then uh got. out ran across the field again taken. fire grabbed the javelin went up uh ran. up to the third deck again and then. engaged and uh smashed to the enemy phys.

um that and the fire Subs sued or. whatever Jesus dude all by herself yeah. holy [ __ ] but it's it dude it sounds. like. like it's believe me to me it wasn't. that crazy you know it was like but that. was like the one write up they did it. for um and whatever it when I got my uh. that was the funny thing when I got my. award finally when I could. retire I I was like you know processing.

it through with the admin guys and the. admin guys like dude I've never seen. this before and I was like what and he's. like come look at this they had Whited. out the SilverStar. and wrote bronze with v and Pen are you. Shing me I still have it and I'm like at. that point I was like dude I don't even. care like I I don't care like I think. you know rewards are here and are there. man I think. there's people that get them that don't.

deserve them and I think there's people. that don't get them that do deserve them. I and it's a cross in between so I don't. put any like whatever well just for. reference I think it's Metal of Honor. Navy cross SilverStar yeah so pretty big. [ __ ] deal man but you know well let's. take a break. [Music]. yeah there's a lot of people looking for. land these.

days as we continue to. uh lose our. freedoms so we're on our way to look at. a piece of property. out in the middle of nowhere and uh this. particular piece only sits on an acre. and a half I believe 1.5. [Music].

Acres all right Eddie we just got back. from the break and um I just wanted to. bring up we were talking about the book. on the break and uh that QR code thing. you were talking about I think yeah is. amazing I've never seen that in a book. and uh if you don't mind just in a brief. description like give everybody a. rundown of what that's going to be like. in the book yeah um so the way I wrote. the book is um obviously it's from my.

point of view of everything that. happened uh I have you know chapters in. there from my wife um my brother and uh. I think my lawyers have a you know. chapter in there there's a couple other. people that were involved. um but obviously the book is from my. point of view um I wrote it in such a. way that the reader you know can see. everything that my family went through. um and then everything that happened at. the trial but it's going to be it's up. on the reader you know I wanted to write.

it in such a fashion that the reader can. make his decision at the end whether. they think I'm guilty or not or what. decision they would made if they were. the jury so the only way I could do that. is I put uh you know to do it honestly. and not just from my side I put QR codes. in the book so as you're reading it um. like if you're reading about the trial. and you're like okay you don't believe. like certain things I'm putting in there. or you want to know more you can click. on the QR code and you can listen to all.

the trial audio um you can listen to uh. or watch all the NCIS videos um and you. can see it all like I'm not hiding. anything it's uh you know put everything. out there and so by the end of the book. you can make your decision on what you. would what you. would find me as as jury member um. that's amazing yeah I tried to write it. in that fashion I can't wait to to get. my hands on it and and the like the cute. the fact that you put the original Court.

audio in there and and and by just by. scanning the QR code so it's like oh if. you don't believe me then yeah I want to. be as transparent as possible you know. there was. enough um you know during my whole the. whole trial and everything else I mean. the media put out enough stuff that was. completely uh bias um against me um and. they spliced you know certain things uh. to make me look evil and I'm like I'm.

not going to do that I mean yeah there's. there's going to be things in that QR. code that don't make me look good. because they you know they dug through. my life but I you know I'm not going to. hide I don't have anything to hide you. know I'm not a angel uh you know I'm try. to be a good person but I'll just put. everything out in the open yeah well. moving. forward uh this will be the last segment. I just want to talk about um kind of. your transition which uh holy [ __ ] man I.

I can't even [ __ ] imagine uh what. that was like you know most guys just. have to you know not just have to but. you know dealing with uh the the. post-traumatic stress and and trying to. figure out what the [ __ ] you're going to. do and and uh you know not being able to. feed the addiction to the adrenaline and. all that [ __ ] coming into play on top of. you what you were dealing with.

um it's amaz it's a miracle that you got. through it and uh that you're still. sitting here and then after that uh. we'll talk about you know what you're. doing now with the PIP hitter Foundation. which which I think is [ __ ] amazing. but um. yeah. um so you did eight deployments and just. the just your last deployment uh you saw. more [ __ ] than most people will will. ever see in a lifetime and uh even even.

more than a lot of other operators in. one deployment and um you know kind of. talking with the online you had brought. up that. there were other deployments that were. that were you there was more action and. um you. know you saw a lot of. death you saw a lot of trend uh uh you. saw a lot of traumatic [ __ ] I'm sure.

you've lost more friends than you can. count and you have. killed a lot of of bad bad guys so what. about guys that you've saved from being. a. medic um yeah I mean. we just I mean just this last deployment. uh one I was on our EOD guy got shot um.

you know he was up on the rooftop. setting up some charges uh for some uh. loopholes and you know one random shot. rang out um tagged him in the leg and. and uh we managed to pull him down uh. myself and another medic worked on him. uh you know he he's actually back. operating um now um just good dude but. yeah we you know ended up working on him. um and having the Buddy carrying back to. uh you know the um Rally Point which we.

had stay pre-staged uh but I mean that's. you know on prior deployments you know. you work on guys. or partner forces all the time um. whether they're you know shot or I mean. most time I've worked on a lot of. partner Force guys um that have been you. know blown up or shot up pretty good um. it just comes with the job of being a.

medic and it's just you know one of the. qualifications U how many guys do you. think how many men do you think are. still alive because of the fact that you. patched them up. um Counting Team guys or and also any. human life that you I would say probably. like 20 to 25 maybe um just that's what. I can think of the top of my head um you. you're thinking you know we also take.

care of you know when we were doing vsso. uh vill ability operations out in. Afghanistan you're taking care of the. villagers nearby would do like medcaps. bring them in and you know the they. don't have the stable you environment we. have here so that you know they're. bringing you these kids that are you. know got dragged I remember I remember. this one kid got dragged by a a horse. you know um he had be like five or six. years old and they brought him in and I. mean his whole scalp was gone peeled off.

um we worked on him ended up metab. backing him and saving him. um and just there's that's you know. that's the one part of uh going over. there you know taking the war aspect out. of it um you know when you start helping. the actual civilians over there and. they're you know they're stuck in a war. zone that and they're not you know.

taking part in it but they're just stuck. there and helping them out definitely. gives you like you know a feeling of. satisfaction or gratification like. you're you're actually doing some good. you know yeah. amidst all the violence and everything. else like being able to take care of. like you know some female or even like. you know pregnant women over there they. came and saw us and we' we'd help them. out uh but just be able to. like take care of them and send them on. their way you know as do as best you can.

it it makes you feel good yeah like. you're you're doing something good in. the world have you ever have you ever. thought about the [ __ ] magnitude of. the fact that there's you just estimated. 20 20 20 guys that you saved and I'm I'm. and it's more than that because you just. brought up a Med Cap but in combat. there's 20 human beings walking on this. [ __ ] Earth that wouldn't be here if. it wasn't for you being. there that's pretty like amazing [ __ ].

yeah it's uh I mean you you never think. of it like that you're just you're just. doing your job you know um that's part. of what you know being a medic it's just. uh helping other people out um but yeah. it's when you take a you know step back. like you just did and look at it in the. big picture it's uh it's pretty awesome. feeling you know yeah it's pretty. [ __ ] amazing dude yeah but uh. well did you did you even have time to I.

mean deal with no post-traumatic stress. while all the other [ __ ] was going on in. in court and with the NCI or not at all. um and uh it it's uh it was pretty crazy. because you know I was at that TBI. clinic trying to get you know um at. Intrepid uh. spear um getting worked on um you know I. had multiple I've had multiple.

concussions um you know throughout my. career and you know when I got there I. hadn't reported a lot of them or some of. them were just half ass reported so when. they really started digging deep into. everything that's been going on I it was. pretty eye opening and be like oh [ __ ]. you know this is what I've done to my. brain um and then they bring back the. scan and show you like you know this. this is what's you know part of your. brain looks like from all the the blast. it's uh it's pretty eye opening but you.

know I didn't have any I got pulled out. of that clinic and thrown in prison so I. didn't have any uh real time to. like treat myself or take care of myself. and um I remember going you know while I. was locked up I had uh buddies visiting. me and other team guys and they they. were constantly you know checking up on. me and being like are you okay and I you. know like any typical team guy I'm like. I'm [ __ ] fine you know um I'm good. and I was I was good at the time because.

I was in fight mode um you know during. that whole process I think my I was just. focused on like fighting you know for my. freedom and getting out um I really. wasn't worried about any other the. ramifications um and it it really didn't. hit me until uh I got out um you know. even the last day you know I think I was. telling you about it at dinner last. night uh you know I. hadn't during that whole time I didn't I. hadn't processed everything that was.

going on it was just every day was a. fight um and the day that I went and got. my retire my ID uh retired ID you know. was by myself it was very just like went. in they were like here it is and you're. gone you know thanks for coming out um I. went back to my truck and I just sat. there and I let it I mean I just started. balling. uh by myself in my truck it was it was.

like everything just started dumping out. of me uh and I. was it was more of. a Bittersweet um cuz I didn't I didn't. want to get out you know that I that job. I love that job um I mean it was my. religion for 20 years um and to leave. like that was not the way that I had. ever pictured it or planned it um but it. was also like I was glad it was over you. know I was glad I was going back to my.

family uh to start a new chapter um but. once I got home uh I was probably I was. good for a couple months I think you. know just sort of s it's like the I. guess the honeymoon phase of getting out. um but once I started writing the book. it everything sort of Came Crashing Down. on Me. uh I went into like some pretty dark. spaces you know just going rehashing.

everything that had gone on I hadn't you. know taken the time to sort of unravel. everything that had happened to me and. my family uh so once I started rehashing. everything and having to like really dig. you know go into the details everything. that happened and it was so much that I. couldn't even remember half the [ __ ]. yeah uh went on but uh you know I was. get I got angry um I think that's the. only emotion I had for a while was just. like anger and. frustration um you know my Andrea saw it.

my wife saw it my kids saw it uh you. know I'd come down from working on the. book and I'd just be in a dark space uh. wouldn't talk to anybody um. and you know thank God I have I'm tell. you the only reason I'm halfway like. good now is because my wife uh you know. she's my rock and she's like she told me. she's like you know you need to deal. with whatever's going on and she's like.

it's not just with the book or what. happened it's like your career you know. everything that's you know you've been. through and uh because I think when. you're going through you know and I try. to explain to people how it is you know. in the teams or it's like you're on a. train going 120 miles an hour all the. time and any traumatic event that. happens you whether you lose you know a. teammate or you know something else you. see some atrocities it just goes in the.

Caboose you don't even you're like yep. throw it back there and just keep going. well once that 120 M train stops guess. where that Caboose is coming it's going. to come crashing right into. um so that ended up happening uh so I. went you know Andrew and I talked. and you know I focused on the focus was. just doing the book but it was also. taking this year to like get treatment. um and really fix myself and make myself. a better person to be around uh and just.

you know and that's that's the right. thing to do um it's you know she sent us. a Andrea sent us a list of the. treatments that you went through and. that is a that's a pretty [ __ ]. extensive long. list I mean and I feel dude I I feel. blessed that I even got to go to those. treatments you know and it was through. the uh you know seal Future Foundation. um those guys reached out to me right. away and they were like listen whatever.

you need um hit us up uh I went got all. my blood work done right off the bat um. and that was a pretty another eye-. opening thing when they came back and. told me you know everything that I was. loow uh my body had you know they're. like yeah your if your brain's not. working properly the rest of your body. is going to pay for it and um so I was. low on a lot of stuff they hooked me up. with uh a lot of like supplements um got. me on trt which my testosterone was low.

uh and then um I went and did hbot. treatment which is uh the um. I forget the what hbot stands for uh but. pretty much you go into a uh it's like. going down a depth you're going into um. the dive chamber um the hyperic chamber. yeah hyperic chamber they take you down. and I did about 65 treatments of that. did you uh find that effective I did um.

you know it's not the end all Beall but. I definitely felt uh better afterwards I. wasn't feeling the effects during it um. I was s that was sort of frustrating but. about 2 weeks after it like a fog had. been lifted a little bit so the science. behind that correct me if I'm wrong is. they take you down um to depth and it. because the blasts have kind. of loosened up the membrane on your. brain correct yeah and so basically when.

they go down to depth in the in the. hyperbaric chamber they're it's con it's. compressing that all back together I. think that's kind of like in uh in D ter. scientific as we're going to get and. dummy terms uh I can't explain it any. better than that either like it's yeah. it pretty much helps you uh it supposed. to heal your brain they've been they've. been doing it for years with uh NFL. players and they're just now seeing that. uh this treatment is doing wonders for.

guys that are coming out of our. profession um who've taken multiple. concussions or like they call them. little mini concussions over and over uh. and they're seeing a lot of good effects. from it um I recently just got actually. my dad is a uh you know retired. lieutenent Colonel he was a Desert Storm. um and you know he was I actually got. him to go down and do it and like seeing. I mean the big change when he got done. with it as well I mean it's you can see.

the they had the positive changes and. the effects that it has on on people um. so it I definitely got a lot out of that. um and then I you know dealing with I. still had this. like weight on me uh it felt like you. know where I would still go into these. dark you know just places or just angry. um and I couldn't figure out you know I. knew it was going on um and I I'll tell. you like that's having podcasts like.

this or any other seals are doing. podcast they when they have their guests. on and guys talk about the stuff they go. through and they're vulnerable and able. to be like hey this is what I went. through and uh it helps like it helped. me a lot to be able to listen to those. guys because I'm like. okay I'm not the only one feeling like. this uh and then it just gave me the. self-awareness to be like I need to I. need to do something about it and I'm. just not going to sit here and be angry. and.

miserable I'm like I want to I want to. change you know I want to be different. um so I went uh and did this pretty. um not invasive but uh. it was different uh plant medicine um. it's called. iigame is this is this when you went to. Mexico yeah so it's through uh the vet. um program um and it's Amber and Marcus. Capone run it um and they uh flew me out.

to Mexico and you take this Iva game um. it's just a pretty powerful. hallucinogenic um kind of like I Wasa is. this like is this soloc cybin no okay so. this iig comes from like a tree bark uh. it's I think and I I don't want to mess. this I think it's they said South. America um which you know certain tribes. use it um as like a write a passage when.

they you're you know they take it and. like to become a man or like to find. your your your purpose um but uh they'. come to find out that this medicine is. like they also used it to treat um. addicts um so they use it for heroin. addiction any kind of addiction they. were using to treat patients and they. were finding that it was working um and. then they started to now treat vets you. know guys who have massive you know tbis.

or PTSD uh or and which also we know. comes along with addiction problems you. know alcohol abuse pills everything else. and they're I mean they're finding out. like it's doing wonders it's almost like. you know a game changer for a lot of. guys uh so I had talked to a couple. buddies that had already done it um you. know they sort of explained it to me but. even when you haven't done it and you. have you know people explain it to you. you're like I was still I was nervous. about it um but Andrew and I talked.

about it and we she was on board you. know and so I went down there and um. yeah it was it was a game changer for me. um it. it um what's the process like down there. so they you go down there um you just go. to this house and they have uh doctors. on you know there um they have like this. nurse or and she's also a shaman uh she. prepares the medicine um they you know.

everything is done with like reverence. they they're very professional about it. they have uh people watching you 247. while you're on it um they hook you up. with EKGs just so they can monitor you. how do you take it it's uh in capsule. form how long does it. last 10 hours 10 hours yeah and it's. intense um it's super intense you so. what we did is um and actually it was on. your last podcast uh he sort of T pretty. much exactly how he said it um you go in.

there you write your intentions of what. you want to get out of it um you know um. I so I I wrote down like you know I just. want to be happy again uh I want to feel. like innocent again like you know sort I. look at my kid you know Ryan who's you I. see he's just an awesome kid laughing. and just happy I was like dude I want to. feel like that again you know and not. have this burden or whatever you want to.

call this weight on me um and I wrote it. down on a piece of paper uh and then you. throw it in the fire and then you take. the medicine and they lead you upstairs. to a a room with beds you just lay down. on the bed you put a uh one of those eye. covering sleep masks. on and you just wait um until it kicks. in and uh how long does it take it mine. took a while to kick in so I I was there. with three other guys um are you guys.

all in the same room yeah so they were. all on beds and everyone's in there so. monitoring us uh they play like you know. real chill music um and I mean. everything is like to make you. comfortable um but those guys I could I. could hear that they had kicked in like. some of them are throwing up um because. that's sometimes what happens uh so I. was getting pretty frustrated I was like. dude you know did I get a bad dose or. what's going on but then uh yeah all of. a sudden it's like ringing or buzzing.

started happening and it and I can feel. it come up the back of my spine and like. it feels like the back of your brain is. just explodes and you. are it was like 10 hours of like I got. went into space um you know I was like. actually like in space around you I. could see the stars and you actually. feel like you're there you know it's. like this is actually going on um but.

what's crazy about the medicine is. you're I could literally if I wanted to. take my eye mask off I'd know where like. I'd be conscious to be like okay I'm in. this room. you know but then I'd go back to it um. back to you know in space but. uh you know it was it really it started. off super intense At first I felt like. the bed was trying to like Buck me off. and like it was flying all over the room. but uh I just remain calm and like. worked on my breathing um just to like. chill and then pretty much I watched a.

whole real of My Life um I watched. myself being born um watched myself as a. child growing up all the way uh you know. I forget how far it went but. um it what it did for me is you know um. it just made me really appreciate you. know what I had uh which was my family. um and just I mean stuff that I think I.

was like overlooking you know because of. the everything that had happened and um. it just you know I came out of it like. that's with this like weight off me um. and just like a feeling of Peace um and. it just gave me like a foundation. to you know if I start feeling a certain. way I can bring myself back to that. place uh a lot easier than I could have. before the medicine damn when did uh so. you're basically you were accessing.

memories that you hadn't access forever. it was insane and then this is this will. trip you out like this this is hard to. explain to people so I mean it sounds. crazy but. uh I was watching so you're watching. it's almost like a old film of yourself. and. then at some point during it I started I. was watching my dad as a little child. and like him growing up and then how you. know him with his dad uh and it was I.

mean but it was like actually you're. you're like dude this is actual foot. like [ __ ] but it was like I was. accessing my dad's memories um which. sounds insane um and I know like you. know people listening like what the. freak but I mean I it was nuts well you. know I did some research on this [ __ ]. and um we not [ __ ] but this stuff is. like still cybin in particular and and. uh I I can't remember the exact. percentages but I think they say you can.

only access 10% of your brain or or. human beings can only access 10 or 20%. of their brain it's a small amount and. uh when the psoc side. hallucinogenic uh takes effect it like. literally unlocks the rest of your brain. which gives you access to all these. memories and and is the way I kind of. understood it but yeah it's that's. pretty much how it felt like it just act. like the rest of your brain has woken up.

and you it just starts bringing back or. you start seeing all these memories that. you don't even know you had um I mean. stuff when I was little I mean they were. they were actual memories but like you. know i' when I was four years old like. walking into the store with my mom like. holding her hand or it was actual like I. was watching that go on uh it was it was. pretty crazy um was it first person or. was it like you were watching no it's. like you're watching um it's like right. in front of you and you're watching like.

old film you can see yourself yeah so. I'm seeing myself and whoever's with me. uh through it and then you it was like. if you wanted to stay stay on a certain. memory and be like okay I want to dive. into this and see what you you could do. that um but it was it was almost like uh. like if I didn't want to I was like oh I. don't need to see that I could just. scroll through my you know to the next. film um it was it was crazy wow and then. each the film that I was seeing which.

was gnarly and I didn't think about this. till afterwards it all had burnt marks. like like it had been singed around the. end ends of the film and I think that. was you know cuz part of the intentions. you know cuz we threw in the fire and it. was like showing me you know this is. what you wanted to get out of this and. this is why we're showing you. this so it's D it's you know the way. they they do it it's not and that's you. know I think people if certain people. are like oh I don't know about that like.

they treat that medicine with such. reverence and they do it in such a. professional manner I mean that's how. guys are getting a lot out of it it's. not guys aren't just going down there to. take this and be like Oh I'm tripping. out like it's done for a certain uh. purpose you know to help guys heal and. then you after you take that you do. another drug called 5 Meo. DMT um which is a uh which is actually. pretty crazy it's poison from a toad uh.

so they have you smoke that um and that. is supposed they call it the handshake. so when you do the Ia gain it pretty. much shows you. everything that you know you want to get. treated or worked on right so you you. come out of that like okay I just got. shown all this stuff and you're trying. to process it then when you do the 5 Amo. DMT it's like a handshake like you're. like oh my gosh okay now I understand. you know um it sort of like releases. everything um and I like I got out of.

that like I had a lot of uh obviously. you know anger and um you know I was. holding on to you know even the guys. that these accusers you know that was. you know I angry about that um and uh. you know it's one thing just you know I. I was like I forgive you know some of. those guys and um but you know the human. nature and me I was still holding on to. some some stuff and.

uh it just it gave me the realization. like I came out of it and I'm like you. know what like there's no reason to be. like me being angry at those dudes or. like you know have this hate like all. this doing is hurting me right like. those dudes I mean they they proved. exactly what they were you know I had. called them cowards on deployment cuz. they had acted like it and then I think. they proved to the world exactly what.

they were and uh you. know I've been asked like oh what you. know if you saw one of them what would. you do and I'm like. dude nothing I was like there's nothing. worse that can be done to those guys. than what they did to themselves so this. this treatment put you a peace with all. that [ __ ] I would say like not I and I'm. not I'm not going to say like 100%. because you know if I depending on what. mood I'm in and if something is brought.

up you know I. might start getting a little irritated. by it but uh it gave me the tools to. like realize like that's happening and. be like you know what that that none of. that matters so when you said you took. the second drug and it just released. everything it released what like the. emotion or things just made sense or. it's hard to explain so you. uh when you take that the or the 5 Meo.

DMT you inhale it in for I think 10. seconds and hold it for 10 and let it. out and you you know they have you on a. bed and you literally fall back into the. bed but when after you take the uh drug. it's you don't feel like you don't hit. the bed you just keep falling and you're. just. going it's a it's a pretty scary feeling. but they you know they prep you. beforehand are like hey just trust it uh. don't you know try not to fight it just.

they tell you just to let go and so. that's I mean I did exactly that I just. let go and it you keep falling but. eventually it brings you to. this this this place uh where I it's. hard to explain like I saw it was like. these pink and blue hues and it was just. like you feel nothing but love like it's. like the most intense love you can feel. uh and you're it's the way I can explain. it because I'm a Believer and I you know. believe in God in Christ like I feel.

like it brings you closer to God and. Christ like you feel like his love and. just how much he loves you and everybody. else and you're just like it just helped. me come to realization like dude all. this baggage and all this crap that I'm. holding on to or that's bother me like. none of that matters like it's fine you. know like you're going to be okay and. you have all these people that love you. like I have my wife my kids you know all. my my teammates my friends like you have.

all of this so why are you focused on. everything else like be appreciative of. everything that you have uh in front of. you and so that's what it. that's what it did for me you know and I. think it for it for each different. person it does something different. depending on what your intentions are. going into it that's [ __ ] amazing. yeah it's uh it was it was a game. changer and then um I went. to after that I was you know good and.

then uh I went to another um Retreat. which is almost a similar feeling but no. no drugs or anything it was uh called. operational restored Warrior. um they take you up to the mountains in. Colorado uh there's probably and you. don't they don't tell you anything about. it uh before you go they're just again. like just trust it um so I went up there. for 4 days and you are pretty much at. this uh you're at a ranch it's like. pretty desolate nothing around and it's.

all very spiritual uh based and. they they uh you know have you go over. everything it's they it's all veterans. um who are not doing too hot uh a lot I. mean I felt when I went there I was like. dude I'm doing pretty decent compared to. some of these guys I'm here with uh but. they pretty much heal guys there. spiritually um you know they and it's. not what like you know they're not like.

oh Jesus God is what you know it's very. it's based around you know God and Jesus. and but they it's it's almost like. you're in a spiritual battle constant L. um and that's like they explain to you. like you know the negativity that we. have or especially with you know us when. we get out and we like you know there. voices in your head that are telling you. like you know to get pissed off at. certain things like that's all you know. whether you want to call it the devil or. like he's trying to get in your head to.

he wants you to be in like this negative. space like that's where he wants you and. then they give you the tools to be like. you know that's not that's not where I'm. supposed to be um you I'm better than. that and they give you the tools to. fight back against that you know it was. it did a lot I mean that that was a big. big thing for me too I came out of there. feeling a lot better um and then my wife. actually did one for um they do one for. uh female vets as well and then spouses. so Andrea went just recently and uh she. came back and the same thing she was.

like it was amazing wow um so that was. really. cool do you think it has to do a lot. with just checking out I mean I'm. assuming there's no no phones there's no. [ __ ] social media text phone calls. anything from the outside world just you. and you know nature that God created. without any of the oh that definitely. has a lot to do with it I mean it's the. same thing with the Ia gain too they. take everything away from you so you. have not like there's no distractions at. all and I think I.

mean that's. the the both those treatments that's. sort of the hard thing to overcome. because you at the end of them. everybody's feeling like I feel awesome. you know I'm ready to go back into the. world and like start crushing it uh but. I think the reality is you got to know. like hey you're going back. to pretty much what America like or not. America but uh you're going back to the.

world back to social media back to you. know the news back to all the negative. information that's just constantly being. pushed at us and I think you just got. got to know before you do that like hey. you know these things are out there and. there's some there's stuff every day. that's going to try and take you down. that's going to try and get you in a. negative mindset um and you just got to. be self-aware to be like okay I. shouldn't be watching this or I. shouldn't be reading these comments um. it's not doing anything for me you know. and you know I think that's that's.

always going to be a struggle um to. trying you know to fight against uh but. as long as you I think as long as self. aware um and you you have the tools to. be like okay I this shouldn't be. bothering me or I'm not going to let. this bother me right now um that's. that's what that those places give you. um and I. think I mean that's I think it'll help. tons of guys if you know I think that's. what guys should be going through um you. know I'm all about the plant medicine um.

especially as you know you know the VA. and the big Pharma that's I won't even. [ __ ] go to the VA yeah they just want. shove pills down your throat and you. know be like oh then of course once that. pill starts having bad effects they just. add more pills on to fight those effects. and before you know it you know guys are. on like 15 different medications then. they wonder why guys are blowing their. brains out you know they're like oh it's. like dude because all that [ __ ] it's all. one big money-making process for them um.

yeah and you know this this plant. medicine if it if it's as like invasive. as people want to think it is or not. invasive but uh sort of out of the. ordinary um and just but if it's getting. guys off pills off alcohol off you know. helping them out I'm all about it and I. mean I've seen the positive effects of. it uh on hundreds of guys so I know it's. working you know back to the VA I mean I. hate to go down a negative row while.

we're trying to be positive here but you. know it just [ __ ] makes sense for him. to overmedicate because the minute a. veteran drops dead guess what that's. more money us G's [ __ ] bank account Y. and so it is not in their best interest. to give veterans the care that they. [ __ ] need nor does you. know sorry but I don't think the. majority of America gives a [ __ ] you. know we the VA has been [ __ ] up. forever yeah it will always be [ __ ] up.

it's never it's never you know a top. discussion in politics and um and um so. I I [ __ ] refused to go yeah I don't I. went there when I got out I went and. checked into the one near me uh just to. like register and um and I'll tell you. what like the people that work there. like the lady I talked to nothing. against her at all like she's. like super nice and was like okay and.

she this it was the crazy part is uh. went and she started going through my. record and she stopped and just like. they're not used to dealing with soft. individuals at all and she was like oh. my gosh like I haven't seen something. like this in a long time and I'm like to. me I'm like well that's me and all my. friends are just you know that's all. we're used to being around so you're. like there's nothing out of the ordinary. but they don't know how to treat. um individuals that come out of the soft.

community and and like what they've seen. uh or like what they've dealt with and. the first thing they do is just like oh. take these you must be depressed take. these antidepressants or like cuz you. tell them like what how you're feeling. or like what symptoms and it's you know. it's all because of TBI or stuff like. that but they automatically start. treating it for oh you must be depressed. or you must have this and that's when. they start putting you on these. medications um you know they tried to. give me give me some and I was like no I.

don't want any pills um and they almost. in a way try and force you like why. don't you want these pills like you. should be taking them you should be on. this I I mean I had to they were calling. me a couple times like do you want them. do you want us to send you them and I'm. like no no you know why are you you know. trying to push this on me uh and then. when they ask you what you're doing so. she was like what are you doing if. you're not taking pills what are you. doing to like help and I'm like you know. plant medicine I was like I'll smoke.

some weed you know something and they're. completely against all that you know. they're like oh well you know that's uh. well if you're if you're doing that then. we can't help you yeah like okay well. then that's the why I'm doing it so you. yeah I'm telling you this is helping me. and you're [ __ ] telling me it's not. helping me and you want to give me you. know it's backwards you know. um but yeah I mean that's I'm I'm glad.

and I think that's why these foundations. like seal Future Foundation um the uh. maybe seals fun like just well these are. the ones that I know cuz coming from the. seal Community I mean they have really. taken an interest in forming Alliance to. help because they're seeing that you. know guys aren't getting the help they. need um when they get out and so that's. their main mission is to help guys when. they get out and get them back on their. feet mentally who who what's the name of. that organization it's the Navy SEAL. found or not no not Navy SEAL Foundation.

um seal Future Foundation seal Future. Foundation it's run by uh Johnny Wilson. okay um awesome guy I went to buzz with. him he's that's his mission in life is. to help guys when they get out and to. get them back on their feet mentally uh. and physically and spiritually uh and so. I mean I think he started off that. Foundation to help get guys jobs when. they get out but what he found out is I. mean you can take you know the best.

operator and when he gets out and be. like get him a job at Golden Sachs or. something you know he he's still not. going to be doing good yeah you know. nothing you have to treat you know you. have to fix yourself before you can. start moving on it's what they're. finding out so it's good you said you. smoke weed sometimes MH yeah how much. does that help uh it helps big time like. you know if. it's uh if I start feeling anxiety um.

and it's crazy like the little things. that'll set me off or like get my. anxiety going which it's almost. frustrating to where I'm like dude am I. feeling like this over you know this. little thing right now like it's working. me up uh it'll help me you know just. bring me back down the level and be like. everything's good you know and I don't. you know you're not smoking it and I. think there's a big misconception on uh. the whole you know marijuana and they've. done so much forward progress on that.

now like they have certain things where. you can take it and you're not high. you're not like oh I'm you know but. you're just calm and relaxed and it's. you know just helps you sort of. uh you know even. out so yeah I'm I'm all about it I'd say. the same thing man I um when I started. when I used to live in Florida and it. was legal there I it took my doctor. forever my doctor outside of the VA to. talk me into doing it and uh you know I.

was like I'm not doing this [ __ ] this is. you know I need to [ __ ] stay on task. and and uh and then and then uh I. finally tried it and it was like [ __ ]. life changing for me and uh it's funny. like I didn't uh you know I started. doing it like Andrea she knew you know. that I was going to try it but that's. how I knew that it was helping um. because she was like I noticed a. difference like you're more chill you.

know and I'm like good then it's working. yeah I wish uh you know I'm a. conservative I know whatever but that's. one thing I can't [ __ ] stand about. you um the right side is they're so. anti- marijuana and it's like if you. [ __ ] [ __ ] would you know come out. of Washington and actually do some. research and talk to you know the some. of the guys that are doing this and how. it's helping them maybe you would change. your [ __ ] mind yeah I think yeah.

that's and there's also a big push. against it because big Pharma runs. everything you know and they're that's. why they don't want to Legalize It know. it'll get people off pills. y yeah anyways but uh man it sounds like. you. were extremely proactive coming out uh. and getting yourself up to par. before not that you didn't hit a [ __ ]. alltime low when you're in prison but I.

mean you know the fact that you hit the. ground running it was like all right. that's done I mean did Andrea push you. to start. going to these programs oh yeah um. she she pretty much put the orders down. right when I got out like you're not. doing anything this year like I don't. cuz I I was already like all right what. am I going to do next like get a job do. you know whatever my I was going to plan. on Contracting I mean that's that was my.

next go-to before like all that mess. happened I was already on my way to you. know do what you what you have done um. and uh that was a no-o now because. obviously my face has been plastered. everywhere. so she was just like that's it like. you're you need to chill out um and she. knew it was going to be rough for me you. know um she was like you know I'd be. chewing the carpet after a month of. being in the house which did happen uh.

but it was we were both on board with. you know like all right let's just get. these treatments done this year let's. focus on fixing you and then we can move. on 20 21 will be more like what are we. going to do you know our Ventures uh and. I'm glad you know I'm glad I did it uh. you know it was I'm stubborn at times uh. for sure gave her a hard time about it. but uh you know I'll tell you what man. and like I said before it was from. listening. to podcasts like yours or other guys.

when guys come on and start talking. about their issues. like it g it gave me it was almost like. I wrei it before I got out I was like. okay this is what I should be looking. out for you know at this and eventually. i' you know start feeling that way or. have the same issues as some what these. guys were talking about so I knew right. then I was like okay this is you know. those guys had talked about the dark. Road they went all the way down to where. you know they had a gun in their mouth. I'm like I don't want to get to that. point you know like I could and it's.

very easy to like I could go to that. point real quick if I just like keep on. this Nega mindset and just be pissed off. um then you know I don't want you know I. have look at my kids and my wife I'm. like I don't they don't deserve that. they've put up. with you know 20 years of service of me. being gone all the time um and you know. losing losing friends who are like my. kids uncles like you know watching them.

get put in the ground like they've been. through enough to where I'm like they. don't need to deal with me when I get. out and be my all the problems that now. are happening so I was like I need to. fix myself quick um just so I can be a. good husband and father and move on [ __ ]. man well it looks like it's it's working. I mean so far it's it's going all right. you know [ __ ] I mean but it doesn't end. and that's the I think that's the other. thing is. like the the problems aren't they don't.

go away you know it's not like you're. fixed and you know our job has you know. uh consequences and and those will be. with you for the rest of your life um. but just as long as you find tools how. to deal with them um you know but they. they're never going to go away yeah but. as long as you can uh find ways to deal. with them and get through it I think. that's that's the key yeah you know. being with every uh being through. everything you've been through and just.

the fact that you said you know that the. [ __ ] job has lifelong. consequences you have a son who um uh. obviously really really loves his dad. and looks up to you um a lot um it which. is really cool to see and we kind of. talked a little bit and um it sounds. like he either wants to join the. military and uh kind of go down the path. that his dad did MH or go to. space would.

um would you want Ryan joining the. military and going down your. path. um yeah it's that's the I mean it's it's. not what I want um but if that's what he. wanted um I'd be behind him 100% uh you. know I I treated like my dad treated. with me like he was never you know. pushed me to join um but my family has a. very uh deep like every everybody has.

most of the males have served um in the. military and usually they're careerists. uh so I I think you know I ended up. joining just. it was whether genetics or whatever like. I just just pushed myself towards that. path um without my dad or anybody I. actually went and did it without telling. anyone uh with Ryan um you know yeah he. he wants to be a seal uh that's all he's. grown up with since he was a baby you.

know he's been he hung out at the teams. as a child non-stop I would take him. into work all the time he loved being. around the guys uh he has definitely. definite attitude for it. um unfortunately uh but yeah he if he. wanted to do that I'd be 100% behind. them um you know and I I've told people. this. like uh you know I know the consequences. of the job and I'm hoping you maybe by. the time he joins they'll have it. figured out or they can mitigate some of.

the stuff that we went through um just. as far as like. the the all the blast you take during. training and all that um but then again. I don't think there's a there's a way. around a lot of that um yeah uh yeah I'd. be 100% behind him man if that's what he. wanted um I'd rather him go to space. though for. sure keep him on the astronaut path. uh but yeah I have nothing against kids. I mean I dude I wouldn't give back my 20.

years for nothing you know um despite. the last two years. it's like I like I said before that was. just a few bad you know Bad actors in. the whole big scheme of the military um. so you know I'm proud of my service you. know I'm glad I did it um I got to be. around what I think are the greatest. individuals I'll ever be meet on this. Earth uh just guys that are there's. something to be said like to be around.

guys like that that just you're. constantly striving to be better you're. constantly striving to be as good as a. guy next to you yeah and and whether you. know it or not he's doing the same thing. he's trying to strive to be as good as. you and you're constant I mean it's hard. to find that anywhere else. no so it's hard to find anybody that'll. just do their [ __ ]. job over the top. yeah yeah so I. mean it's.

uh yeah to answer your question yeah I. would have no problems with him joining. at all right on. man so what are you doing now tell us. about the the PIP header foundation and. and how it's started where it's at where. it's going yep so we have the so right. now um you know the book is finished. it's in DOD review um and then the B big. project we've been working on all year. is the PIP Pitter Foundation uh we got. that up and running uh.

in April or May um and it was been slow. going due to the uh the vid um this year. but um. we decided to start it pretty. much near the end I mean we had talked. about like we got to do something cuz. after we saw behind this curtain that we. didn't know existed which was the you. know military justice system if you want. to call it that um you know I saw a. bunch of guys when I was locked up who. shouldn't be there um granted there are.

guys that belong in there for sure but. there's a a number of dudes I mean a lot. larger than people. would like to hear about that just got. caught up in the system and are being. unjustly incarcerated uh due to the. corruptness of how the system entraps. people um and it's not talked about you. know it's sort of hidden um nobody. really knows about it um so when I was.

going through when I was actually locked. up you know we came to the realization. like okay this this happened to us you. know for for a reason like we didn't. understand what at first um until we. started seeing I started seeing other. people uh these kids in my position uh. that are don't have any help they didn't. have the help that I had uh they didn't. have an Andrea Gallagher or Sean. Gallagher you know my brother to get. behind them or a family to get behind.

them and fight with them you know a lot. of people don't have that they're not as. lucky or as blessed uh and so we're like. you know what we need to we need to be. that for you know these people um so. that's the purpose of the foundation uh. is we pretty much raise money um and. then people can uh go to our site and. fill out a a grand application um and we. tell them to be as thorough as possible. um about their case about what they're. going through um and I have a awesome.

board uh board members I have um you. know Rob O'Donnell it's a prior law. enfor m u awesome Mark mu Casey's on. there one of my lawyers um I have. another team guy on there Carl. higgy um Joanie Marquez and Tommy who. worked for uh Congressman Duncan Hunter. and as a board we review each case uh. once a month we take all the cases. review them and then we you know decide.

yay or nay like we're going to help. these people um and uh once we like yep. we'll do it then we'll we end up you. know talking to the individual um and. seeing what they need and what we. provide is if they need uh money for. their legal defense you know provide. that or we know how stressful it is. going through something like that so. provide emergency relief funds for their. family uh because you know when you're.

going through a stressful situation like. that uh you know you're paying for. lawyers you're also you know it causes. all this undue stress in the family um. so we sort of try and take some of that. away um and just so they can get through. it and then we also uh will do advocacy. um if they want it you know some people. obviously like no I don't want my name. any like okay you know but if people. want to be advocated for and like hey do. you want do you want us to help get the. word out about what's going on with you. then we'll do that for them as well um.

and then we you know we help active duty. law enforcement and First Responders uh. [ __ ] man how long have how long have you. been doing that uh we so we got it our. nonprofit approved in like April or May. and we've pretty much been helping guys. and girls. um probably for three months now holy. [ __ ] so we're are you uh how's funding. so far it's been rough uh obviously due.

to this year you know doing some. funraising but uh you know it comes in. every once in a while we we. uh obviously because of the co and you. can't go do a lot of fundraising um. stuff like that but uh we you know we. put out mailers and you know the people. that are generous and you know just the. Patriots of this country will donate. whatever they can and and every little. bit helps um so and that money is going. directly I mean we're helping people out.

now so once we we see that money it's. going to a family or a service member or. an officer right away to help them out. um. yeah we're hoping next year you know. we'll start be able to build uh more of. a base of funds and start uh be able to. help more people that's solid man yeah. it's good and that's dude. that's super gratifying uh you know do. getting the nonprofit started and all. that was I had nothing to do with that.

was a lot of administrative [ __ ] that. I'm I can't even handle so like Andrea. like and uh the board uh we have Dina. cruden who's also the uh executive. director she's amazing um they pretty. much got everything going uh got. everything approved and then you know. once we started actually helping people. and you know having guys call me and. being like dude I just got you know. whatever $1 thousand Grant from you guys. and you have no idea like how much I. needed that at this time like that right.

there I'm like dude that's that's why. we're doing this that's awesome man um. so it's yeah it's good it's uh it gives. us a purpose you know it gives me a. purpose um which is I think one of the. number one things is hard to find when. once you get out is trying to find. another purpose to like how you can. serve. and luckily you know we have this so do. you have any idea how many uh guys are. out there that uh are are in the middle.

of a situation like. yours um. there's off the top of my head right now. I can you know I can come up with like. eight eight. mhm how do you decipher. whether cuz potentially you could be if. you made a wrong decision you could be. helping somebody that yep you know is an. actual [ __ ] criminal MH so how do you. I mean you said your lawyers on there.

yeah how do you kind of determine so. that's why we ask people when they F the. grant to be as thorough as possible um. like with everything and if they they. fill out a grant and there's you know. we'll look through it pretty you know in. detail and we're like all right there's. some information missing here and we'll. reach out back and like hey you know can. you fill out some more just because so. we can get sort of an idea um most of. the time you know you can tell when. someone's getting screwed or someone's.

getting [ __ ] like and there is always. that chance you know you're like okay. we're going to help this person maybe. they are guilty but. uh you know if if we're we're looking at. a person's case and this is just my from. my point of view when I'm looking at it. I look at how they're being treated. through the process and if I you know. start seeing the same things that was. done to me what I've seen done to other. guys um in just the in the unjust way. they do things I'm like right away I'm.

like okay guilty or not guilty this. person's not getting due process yeah at. all like he hasn't even he or she hasn't. even had a chance to like speak out or. say their side they're just. automatically guilty until proven. innocent you're helping them get the. right to a free trial yeah I'm helping. them get and that's the thing like we. you know if it ends up being like okay. we help this person they go to trial and. they're found guilty well okay you know. but I did my due diligence to help that.

person and like take the stress off them. and their family until that point you. know um you know I'm not a jury member. we're not that's we're not there to like. say whether you're guilty or not guilty. we're just here to help you through the. process and just take as much stress off. you as possible uh and you know help you. actually the only rights that you have. during a situation like that are the. ones that you can afford yeah service. members and law enforcement don't make. enough money to buy you know to hire.

good attorneys so we're that's where we. come in and we're like hey we'll help. you fund so you can have have a good. attorney and uh actually have a Fighting. Chance that's [ __ ] awesome dude yeah. it's it's a definitely a gap that's. missing in um you know helping or. service I'm glad that we're feeling it. yeah I mean I didn't you know had it not. been for what you went through I mean I. don't I don't think anybody would know. no you know and that's the other reason.

we started it too um you know the amount. of people that got. behind myself and my family during and. my whole thing like the the Patriots. that got behind us and I. mean I had people reaching out you know. left and right like you know we're. supporting you whatever we can do I mean. these people I don't know any of these. people these are people from all over. the country I mean that right there I'm. like. we we have to give back you know we we. got all this support from all these.

people we have to give something back I. mean we can't just like okay yeah we're. done like thanks it's like no that's not. how it works it's you pay it forward you. know um so like I feel I almost feel. like it's our duty to be you know to be. doing this. yeah so on top of the nonprofit what. what do you see yourself doing in the. next 5 years and what what are you. hoping to accomplish and um so I. actually I recently uh I think it was. like about a month and a half ago two. months ago I um went out with uh TSI the.

shooting Institute um just volunteer to. come along and help uh teach they they. did a trip where they went and taught uh. some uh SWAT guys and I think some Air. Force guys out in Texas so I tagged. Along on that just um to see how I I. would like it or see how it would feel. and I like I I loved teaching I love. teaching those guys uh you know tactics. um I just felt like I was at home you.

know again doing it um so I think I'm. I'm looking to do something like that. next year um I want to do it locally. where I live and just be able to uh. instruct and shooting um and hopefully. tactics um you know if I can get a kill. House nearby um do some training like. that um that's in the enany stages right. now but that's what I plan on uh. hopefully doing next year um and I also. I hooked up with um a company Precision.

tactical uh they make you know all sorts. of firearms um and they uh just awesome. individuals um and they built so they. built a gun um around me they let me. pick out all the parts you know just. exactly how I would want to how I'd want. to have it and they uh we're going to be. selling those um here soon um so we'll. see how that goes right on yeah you got. a picture of it uh yeah I do Co we'll. post it up top I appreciate that yeah.

man yeah well uh good luck with teaching. there is definitely no shortage of. people wanting tactical training with. the current state of the country right. now I can [ __ ] guarantee you that. [ __ ] I'll be picking your brain for sure. so but um well man I kind of want to. wrap this thing up it's been a long. podcast and it has been a [ __ ] honor. having you sit across from me and and. and share your experience and everything. and you've already answered this but I. want to properly ask you um even though.

I already know the answer but with all. the [ __ ] that you've been through and. the what seemed to be the entire. Community trying to ruin your very. existence for doing what America asked. you to do would you [ __ ] do it all. over again in a heartbeat yeah. I I love that job um that was it's hard. to like that's all I ever wanted to do. you know once I got got into the teams.

that was it man like it I loved every. bit of it and I don't have like. when uh you say like you know the entire. Community like it's not the you know the. entire Community wasn't against me it. was just some individuals in the command. like the guys themselves man like you. know they I knew most of them had my. back you know they they couldn't come. out and say it right right then but I've.

had enough phone calls um from guys you. know congratulating me and just that. they were supporting me the whole time. and. um you know the teams are made up from. the enlisted you know the enlisted is. what makes the teams the guys the. shooters you know in the platoon not the. not the headshed not the guys in charge. of warcom you know they might make the. decisions but they'll never be able to. change how the culture you know they can. try as much as they want but Team guys.

are Team guys and as long as we have. them in the in the platoon it'll stay. similar to why we you and I joined yeah. well I just want to say man once again. it's been a [ __ ] honor having you. here. and I can't [ __ ] imagine what that. felt like to go through all that and um. and it's just really awesome to see. where you're at now and see you doing. well and and uh and helping the next. guys help helping the Next Generation.

coming out and and. and you're just a solid [ __ ]. dude dude I appreciate it you are too. man I'm glad I came out here it's an. honor to be out here and like your. podcast is is exceptional and I'm glad I. got to be on it thank you.