Surrender Not An Option

This week on DANGER CLOSE, Jack Carr is joined by Eugene H. Pugh, a Vietnam veteran and former member of MACV-SOG’s elite Recon Team Asp. Born in Colón, Panama, Gene began his military journey in 1966, volunteering for Special Forces and serving as a communications sergeant, assistant medic, and intelligence specialist. In 1968, he deployed to Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group and was assigned to the highly classified MACV-SOG. His recon team, RT-ASP, was uniquely comprised of former North Vietnamese soldiers—an extraordinary advantage in conducting prisoner snatches, wiretaps, and deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines. Following Vietnam, Gene taught school in Washington, D.C., became a pilot, and later worked as a private investigator in Texas. Now retired, he is an author, screenwriter, and co-founder of both Impact Studios and Veterans Mortgage of America. His novels include SURRENDER NOT AN OPTION and THE DIPLOMAT. FOLLOW GENE Instagram: @veteransmoa Facebook: Veterans Mortgage of America LinkedIn: Veterans Mortgage of America FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA  X:  @JackCarrUSA Facebook:  @JackCarr  YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - https://bravocompanyusa.com/ and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

The Jack Carr Book Club June 2025 selection is POINT OF IMPACT by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Stephen Hunter. POINT OF IMPACT introduces readers to legendary Marine Corps sniper Bob Lee Swagger, a war hero turned recluse who is lured out of retirement for one final mission—only to find himself framed as the patsy in a high-level assassination plot. With the country hunting him down, Swagger must rely on instinct, skill, and raw grit to uncover the truth and bring the real conspirators to justice. A modern classic of the thriller genre, the novel blends precision marksmanship, deep psychological tension, and breakneck pacing. POINT OF IMPACT was adapted for both television and film as SHOOTER. Stephen Hunter is the author of over 20 novels and was the chief film critic for The Washington Post, where he earned the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Criticism. His fiction is known for its authentic detail, razor-sharp prose, and unflinching portrayals of American warriors. In this episode, Jack and Stephen dive into the roots of the Bob Lee Swagger character, the cultural legacy of the Vietnam War, the evolution of the modern thriller, and what it means to write with authenticity, precision, and heart. FOLLOW STEPHEN Website - https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Stephen-Hunter/1485163  FOLLOW JACK Instagram - @JackCarrUSA  X - @JackCarrUSA Facebook - @JackCarr  YouTube - @JackCarrUSA  SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

This week on Danger Close, Jack Carr is joined by two pivotal figures behind the hit Amazon Prime Video series THE TERMINAL LIST: former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw and Executive Producer and Showrunner, David DiGilio. Jared Shaw, a longtime friend and SEAL teammate of Jack’s, played a crucial role in bringing THE TERMINAL LIST to life — handing the manuscript to Chris Pratt before the book was even published. That single act set the project in motion and laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse creative team. David DiGilio entered the story after reading the novel and immediately connecting with its authenticity, psychological complexity, and emotional depth. As showrunner, he helped shape the tone, structure, and cinematic vision of the series alongside director Antoine Fuqua and star Chris Pratt. Jared came on board as a technical advisor and producer and was later cast as “Boozer,” training alongside fellow SEALs and contributing to the show’s realism, tactical authenticity, and emotional weight. David guided the production through the unique challenges of the COVID era, with writers’ rooms, casting, and collaboration taking place entirely over Zoom. Together, Jared and David worked closely with Jack at every stage — from script development and character arcs to tunnel fight choreography and post-production editing. Their combined efforts helped ensure that The Terminal List remained grounded in truth, honoring the brotherhood and sacrifices of those who serve. This episode pulls back the curtain on how a bond forged in the SEAL Teams — and a shared commitment to authentic storytelling — helped create one of the most compelling and accurate military thrillers ever brought to screen. FOLLOW DAVID Instagram: @digiliofilms FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA  X:  @JackCarrUSA Facebook:  @JackCarr  YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

The Jack Carr Book Club May 2025 selection is GATES OF FIRE by New York Times bestselling author Steven Pressfield. GATES OF FIRE is a modern classic of historical fiction that immerses readers in the grit, blood, and brotherhood of the Battle of Thermopylae. Told through the eyes of a wounded Greek survivor, the novel chronicles the heroism and sacrifice of the 300 Spartans who stood against the Persian Empire in one of history’s most iconic last stands. With visceral detail and timeless insight, Pressfield captures the warrior ethos in its purest form—duty, honor, courage, and the deep bonds forged in combat. The book has become required reading in military circles across the globe, revered for its authenticity and emotional depth. Steven Pressfield is a former Marine and the bestselling author of The War of Art, The Legend of Bagger Vance, The Afghan Campaign, and numerous other acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction. His writing blends historical precision with philosophical reflection, earning him a devoted readership among writers, warriors, and leaders alike. In this episode, Jack and Steven discuss the timeless code of the warrior, the craft of writing, and the enduring power of storytelling. FOLLOW STEVEN Instagram - @steven_pressfield Facebook - @StevePressfield X - @SPressfield Website - https://stevenpressfield.com/ FOLLOW JACK Instagram - @JackCarrUSA  X - @JackCarrUSA Facebook - @JackCarr  YouTube - @JackCarrUSA  SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr  P365 Collection: P365XL with Red Dot Optic, P365, P365X-Macro, P365 Custom with True Precision, and P365 Legion. Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

Clint Smith is a Marine Corps veteran, Vietnam combat veteran, former law enforcement officer, and the founder of Thunder Ranch—one of the most respected firearms and tactical training facilities in the country. Since its founding in 1993, Thunder Ranch has set the standard for innovative, practical firearms instruction, training students from all walks of life with an emphasis on safety, discipline, and mindset. In this raw and powerful conversation, Clint shares hard-won lessons from his time in Vietnam, offers honest reflections on combat, and pulls no punches when it comes to modern misconceptions about war and the warrior mindset. From early firefights and booby traps in the triple-canopy jungle to post-war perspective and a lifetime of training others, Clint’s insights are forged from experience and rooted in humility. FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA  X:  @JackCarrUSA Facebook:  @JackCarr  YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA FOLLOW CLINT Instagram: @clintsmith.csss  Facebook: @ThunderRanchIncSchool Website: https://www.traintr.com/  SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

Larry Serra is a former Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer whose covert missions along the Vietnam-Cambodia border placed him at the heart of one of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous fronts. From 1967 to 1970, Larry served as an officer in the United States Navy, spending nearly two years operating in Vietnam and Cambodia’s combat zones. In 1969, he volunteered for the critical intelligence post at Ha Tien, where he ran spy networks, crossed into Cambodia for clandestine missions, and exposed communist supply routes into South Vietnam.  His work uncovered Soviet communications intercepts and revealed vulnerabilities at the port of Sihanoukville, a key hub of communist weapons smuggling. In early 1970, Larry brokered a top-secret weapons agreement between the U.S. and the Cambodian Navy - approved by the White House - as Cambodia teetered on the brink of civil war. For his actions, Larry received the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal, and other decorations. After Vietnam, he built a distinguished legal career and played a pivotal role in helping rebuild Cambodia’s legal system following the fall of the Khmer Rouge.  FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA  X:  @JackCarrUSA Facebook:  @JackCarr  YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

Larry Serra is a former Naval Intelligence Liaison Officer whose covert missions along the Vietnam-Cambodia border placed him at the heart of one of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous fronts. From 1967 to 1970, Larry served as an officer in the United States Navy, spending nearly two years operating in Vietnam and Cambodia’s combat zones. In 1969, he volunteered for the critical intelligence post at Ha Tien, where he ran spy networks, crossed into Cambodia for clandestine missions, and exposed communist supply routes into South Vietnam.  His work uncovered Soviet communications intercepts and revealed vulnerabilities at the port of Sihanoukville, a key hub of communist weapons smuggling. In early 1970, Larry brokered a top-secret weapons agreement between the U.S. and the Cambodian Navy - approved by the White House - as Cambodia teetered on the brink of civil war. For his actions, Larry received the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," Air Medal, and other decorations. After Vietnam, he built a distinguished legal career and played a pivotal role in helping rebuild Cambodia’s legal system following the fall of the Khmer Rouge.  FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA  X:  @JackCarrUSA Facebook:  @JackCarr  YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

The Jack Carr Book Club April 2025 selection is THE UNVANQUISHED by bestselling author Patrick K. O’Donnell. THE UNVANQUISHED pulls back the curtain on a little-known shadow war that raged alongside the Civil War’s better-known battles. At its center: Lincoln’s special forces, the Jessie Scouts—Union soldiers who disguised themselves in Confederate uniforms to carry out daring raids, intelligence gathering, and high-risk missions behind enemy lines. Through vivid storytelling and never-before-published firsthand accounts, O’Donnell shines a light on the Scouts' deadly cat-and-mouse game with Mosby’s Rangers, uncovering espionage operations, plots to kidnap Abraham Lincoln, and a postwar proxy fight in Mexico.  Patrick K. O’Donnell is a combat historian, public speaker, and the bestselling author of 13 critically acclaimed books spanning from the American Revolution to Iraq. He is a leading authority on special operations and irregular warfare, having embedded with troops in Fallujah and advised on projects like BAND OF BROTHERS and MEDAL OF HONOR. His research blends archival discovery with thousands of oral history interviews, bringing lost stories back to life with intensity and precision. FOLLOW PATRICK Facebook - @patrickkodonnell X - @combathistorian Website - https://patrickkodonnell.com/index.html  FOLLOW JACK Instagram - @JackCarrUSA  X - @JackCarrUSA Facebook - @JackCarr  YouTube - @JackCarrUSA  SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr  P365 Collection: P365XL with Red Dot Optic, P365, P365X-Macro, P365 Custom with True Precision, and P365 Legion. Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

In this special episode, Jack Carr revisits key insights from past guests to explore the shifting landscape of global power, warfare, and America’s place in what’s to come. Featured segments include geopolitical strategist ⁠Peter Zeihan⁠ on China’s looming internal collapse—from declining birth rates to famine threats—and its potential push for war to maintain control at home. Zeihan also outlines how Taiwan and semiconductors fit into the broader picture and why the U.S. may be uniquely positioned to weather global conflict. A segment from ⁠Ed Calderon⁠, former Mexican law enforcement officer and cartel expert, brings a raw, ground-level perspective to the fentanyl pipeline, giving added depth to the border’s role in this crisis. Investigative journalist ⁠⁠Peter Schweizer⁠⁠ breaks down how China is already waging a silent war against the U.S. through fentanyl, with Mexican cartels acting as second-tier partners.  Referenced Episodes: Peter Zeihan: ⁠China, Ukraine, and What Comes Next⁠ Peter Zeihan: ⁠Hezbollah, Hamas, and China’s Crisis⁠ Peter Zeihan: ⁠The End of the World is Just the Beginning⁠ Ed Calderon: ⁠⁠Combating Mexican Drug Cartels⁠ Peter Schweizer: ⁠⁠The China Threat⁠⁠ FOLLOW JACK Instagram:⁠ @JackCarrUSA⁠  X: ⁠ @JackCarrUSA⁠ Facebook: ⁠ @JackCarr ⁠ YouTube: ⁠ @JackCarrUSA⁠ SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller ⁠https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/⁠ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: ⁠https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/⁠  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr  ⁠P365 Collection⁠: P365XL with Red Dot Optic, P365, P365X-Macro, P365 Custom with True Precision, and P365 Legion. Visit ⁠https://www.sigsauer.com/⁠ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here ⁠https://jackcarr.co/gear⁠

John Dailey is a United States Marine Corps Special Operations veteran and the author of TOUGH RUGGED BASTARDS, a memoir detailing his time as a sniper, Force Recon Marine, and founding member of MARSOC Det One - the first USMC SOCOM unit.  After retiring in 2008, after two decades of service, John shaped the future of Marine special operations as Training and Education Branch Director at the Marine Raider Training Center.   FOLLOW JOHN Instagram:  @j.a.dailey  Facebook: @WaIkingPointOrg LinkedIn: @daileyja Website: https://www.jadailey.com/ FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA  X:  @JackCarrUSA Facebook:  @JackCarr  YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr  P365 Collection: P365XL with Red Dot Optic, P365, P365X-Macro, P365 Custom with True Precision, and P365 Legion. Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here: https://jackcarr.co/gear