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

From dreaming of being a commando at eight years old to commanding the Special Forces Qualification Course, Colonel (Ret.) Jim O’Brien’s career is a blueprint for service, humility, and transformational leadership.In this episode, Jim sits down with SOFcast to unpack a lifetime in Special Forces — from chasing insurgents in the Balkans to shaping the next generation of Green Berets. He shares powerful lessons from time in Iraq with partner forces like El Salvador’s elite troops, reflects on the enduring influence of mentors like Tim Norris and Joe Dawson, and opens up about passing the torch to the next generation, including his two sons, both now infantry officers.Jim’s story is about more than tactics or titles. It’s about showing up, serving others, and doing the basics right every time.Whether you’re in uniform, raising one, or leading a team of any kind, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🎙️ Before there was MARSOC, there was Det One — a hand-picked Marine unit tasked with proving that the Corps could integrate into U.S. Special Operations Command. And at the center of that mission was Force Recon Marine and plank holder John Dailey.In this episode, John joins SOFcast to talk about his journey from rural Virginia to becoming a team leader in Det One — and how that experimental unit would ultimately pave the way for what we now know as Marine Raiders. He shares how the Recon community bridged the gap into SOCOM, how his team picked their operators by reputation and character, and what it meant to fight for validation in the early days of the GWOT.Now a civilian shaping the next generation of Raiders, John reflects on the formation of the MARSOC training pipeline, the difference between institutional memory and adaptive thinking, and why “tough, rugged bastards with hard feet” still matter in tomorrow’s fight.This is a story about standing something up from scratch — and then standing by it for two decades. Listen now.#SOFcast #QuietProfessionals #MARSOC #ForceRecon #VeteranVoices #SpecialOperations #Leadership #JohnDailey #DetOne #RaiderHeritage

🎙️ Green Beret veteran, father, artist, and advocate — Michael “Rod” Rodriguez has lived a life marked by deep service, both in and out of uniform. In this powerful episode of SOFcast, Rod shares his journey from multiple combat deployments to post-9/11 healing, and how his own traumatic brain injury and his son's military service redefined his mission.Rod reflects on the power of storytelling, the burden of unseen wounds, and how art, policy, and advocacy became his new battlefields. From serving on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to leading the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, he shows how special operations values translate to national service, community impact, and legacy.This is about endurance, accountability, and continuing to lead long after the fight.The uniform may come off — but the mission never ends. Listen now.#SOFcast #QuietProfessionals #MichaelRodriguez #GreenBeret #GWOTMemorial #VeteranVoices #ServiceAfterService #SpecialOperations

🎧 In this SOFcast Brief, host Matt Parrish sits down with Maj. John Bendokas from Air Force Special Operations Command to break down the newest addition to the AFSOC arsenal — the OA-1K Skyraider II.Born from hard-earned lessons in places like Tongo Tongo and designed to support geographically isolated SOF teams, the OA-1K is a modular, cost-effective platform built for armed ISR, precision strike, and close air support — especially in austere environments.From collapsing the traditional “air stack” into a single, multi-role aircraft to landing on rough terrain with just a small team, the Skyraider II is purpose-built for irregular warfare. Maj. Bendokas explains how AFSOC is fielding this platform, training the next generation of aircrew, and thinking differently to meet the complex demands of tomorrow’s fight.Whether you’re boots on the ground or tracking strategic shifts in SOF aviation, this one’s worth your time.The future of Armed Overwatch is here. Listen now.#SOFcast #SkyraiderII #OA1K #AFSOC #SpecialOperations #QuietProfessionals #AirPower #IrregularWarfare

🎙️ From a childhood of poverty and violence in Los Angeles to the ranks of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Angel Cortes’ story is one of grit, growth, and relentless purpose. In this raw and moving conversation, Angel shares how he escaped gang life, found a new mission in the Army, and eventually became a leader in the Ranger Regiment — even after setbacks, doubters, and near-fatal exits.Today, Angel’s mission is still about service. Through his business OG Pumpkin, he’s built a community that gives back to veterans and low-income neighborhoods. He co-leads Defense Strategies Group, bringing tactical skills and life lessons to a new audience. And when a friend’s wife faced kidney failure, Angel didn’t hesitate — he gave her a kidney, proving once again that leadership and selflessness don’t end with the uniform.This is a story about refusing to let your past define you, fighting for your future, and inspiring others to do the same.Keep going. Listen now.#SOFcast #QuietProfessionals #RangerRegiment #OGPumpkin #Resilience #Leadership #VeteranVoices

🎙️ In this extraordinary SOFcast episode, we step away from the studio and onto the stage of SOF Week 2025, a premier joint conference co-hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global SOF Foundation.Recorded live in Tampa, this powerful panel titled “Moments That Matter” features three living SOF recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor:Sergeant Major Pat Payne, U.S. Army RangerMaster Sergeant Earl Plumlee, U.S. Army Green BeretCommand Sergeant Major Matt Williams, U.S. Army Green BeretModerated by SOFcast host Matt Parrish, the conversation goes far beyond battlefield heroics. The panelists reflect on the defining moments that shaped their leadership, the burden and responsibility of the Medal, the foundation of trust within elite teams, and the enduring importance of character, resilience, and mentorship. They didn’t seek recognition. They simply answered the call when it mattered most.This is a rare opportunity to witness living history — and to hear from warriors who continue to lead and inspire, long after the fight.Lean in. Learn. Share this with someone who needs it.#SOFcast #MedalOfHonor #QuietProfessionals #SOFWeek2025 #USSOCOM #GlobalSOF #MomentsThatMatter #SpecialOperations #ARSOF #USASOC #specialforces #ranger #greenberet #VeteranVoices

🎙️ From calling in airstrikes with Green Berets and Rangers to leading Airmen across the globe, Rob Zackery’s career as an Air Force TACP is one of purpose, adaptability, and impact. In this episode, Rob shares what it takes to step into any team room and earn trust — not by rank or reputation, but by performance.He reflects on his early combat deployments, including Afghanistan in 2001, the push-pull of old-school and new-school warfighting, and how humanity often shows up in the unlikeliest places. As he climbed the ranks, Rob talks about shifting from trigger-puller to team builder, what real leadership requires, and why creating the right environment matters more than any title.Now a leadership consultant and advocate for underserved youth, veterans, and incarcerated populations, Rob continues to serve — by investing in people, one conversation at a time.Earn trust. Share lessons. Lead with purpose. Listen now.#SOFcast #QuietProfessionals #TACP #Leadership #SpecialOperations #VeteranVoices #HumanMoreThanHardware

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 4: Jariko Denman — Standards, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Regiment🎙️ From being “the demon cadre” at RIP to advising Hollywood directors and embedded reporting in Kabul, Ranger veteran Jariko Denman brings unapologetic honesty and hard-won wisdom to SOFcast. In this wide-ranging episode, Jariko shares what made him choose the Ranger Regiment, how strong leadership shaped his path, and why the right first team can make or break a career.He opens up about the pressure of sustaining elite standards, the toll of years at war, and the challenge of transitioning to civilian life. Whether discussing hazing, mental health, or finding freedom through creative work, Jariko reminds us that service is hard for a reason — and life after it can still be forged with purpose.This is a story about legacy, growth, and continuing to earn it, even when the uniform comes off. Earn your place. Then pass it on. Listen now.#SOFcast #RangerRegiment #QuietProfessionals #VeteranVoices #PostMilitaryLife #Leadership #SpecialOperations

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 3: Nick Lavery — Choosing to Fight Forward🎙️ Few stories embody the spirit of SOF like Nick Lavery’s.The first Green Beret to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee, Nick shares his incredible journey of resilience, mindset, and service — and how his fight didn’t end with recovery. Now an author, speaker, and mentor to warriors and leaders across the country, Nick talks about legacy, leadership, and why choosing to get better every single day is the real victory.From the team room to the sidelines of pro sports teams, Nick’s mission is clear: empower others to build their own path to excellence.Pain is inevitable. Progress is a choice. Listen now.#SOFcast #USSOCOM #QuietProfessionals #Resilience #Leadership #ObjectiveSecure

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 2: Melissa Johnson — Accelerating Innovation for SOF🎙️ How do you rapidly deliver cutting-edge gear and tech to the world’s most agile warriors?USSOCOM Acquisition Executive Melissa Johnson joins SOFcast to pull back the curtain on how her team connects the team room to the tech world — fielding solutions faster, smarter, and closer to the fight.From counter-UAS breakthroughs to partnering with small businesses and startups, Melissa explains why investing in relationships and removing bureaucracy is key to giving SOF operators the decisive edge.This episode is a must-listen for anyone in the SOF enterprise, the defense industry, or anyone who believes speed and innovation save lives.Accelerate the mission. Field the future. Listen now.#SOFcast #USSOCOM #SpecialOperations #Acquisition #Innovation #QuietProfessionals