EP-406 | A New Year: Venezuela, Glitter, and then Turning 49 and Owning It

The hosts share New Year stories—turning 49, a glittery Bath & Body Works mishap,  and recent trips that they took over the holidays. They also unpack the fast-moving reaction to a U.S. operation in Venezuela, discuss geopolitical moves in places like Greenland and the Arctic, and warn about the pitfalls of instant social media narratives. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

This episode follows Sean Robertson’s journey from a junior enlisted soldier in Georgia to a commissioned officer and leader—driven by the Green to Gold program, mentorship, and relentless self-improvement. Sean overcomes barriers including low test scores and a diagnosed heart murmur, leverages mentors and education (University of Hawaii, Columbia, Naval War College), and serves in key assignments from the 173rd Airborne to the NSA and West Point. He shares lessons on leadership, the importance of mentors like Sergeant Snabel, the concept of “camouflage leadership,” and how persistence, humility, and giving back shaped his career. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

Luke Ebeling shares his journey from Colorado climber and college ROTC cadet to serving in Alaska, joining the Ranger Regiment, winning the Best Ranger Competition, and transitioning to civilian life. He discusses mentorship, endurance-focused training, balancing family with military ambition, and founding Atlas Training Solutions to help others prepare for demanding selections and build tactical endurance. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

This episode explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare — from ISR, targeting, drone swarms and decision support to the ethical risks of losing human control. Guests share lessons from Ukraine and the Pacific, discuss limits like range and networks, and stress modernization, industry partnerships, and why leadership and soldiering fundamentals remain essential. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

In this episode Alfred recounts his unexpected journey into the Marines, training as a K-9 handler, and the harrowing experience of an IED explosion in Afghanistan that cost him his dog, Grief, and left him seriously wounded. He shares the chaos of combat, the bond between handler and dog, and the long road of recovery. Alfred also reflects on recruitment, boot camp, canine school, the losses among his unit, the healing power of reunions, and his decision to write Surviving with Grief to honor those who cannot speak for themselves. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #marine #usmc #caninehandler #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

In this episode, Zahraa shares her harrowing journey growing up in a strict village in Iraq, her decision to flee at 19, and a violent attack that led to an unexpected rescue by American soldiers at Baghdad International Airport. She explains how faith and chance carried her through, her arrival in the United States, learning English, pursuing engineering studies, and ultimately joining the U.S. Army where she rose through the ranks as an enlisted cavalry scout and now as an officer in flight school who found purpose serving others. Zahraa reflects on gratitude, the people who helped her, the losses that motivate her, and her commitment to inspire and protect other women and girls facing similar dangers. She is a proud American and also shares how fortunate Americans are to live in this country. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #taskforceranger #160thsoar #operationgothicserpent #armyrangers #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

Episode 400 celebrates the podcast’s origin and impact: founders and early guests recount how honest, living-room conversations grew into a show focused on transition, purpose, PTSD, and real solutions. The episode revisits pivotal stories, treatments like stellate ganglion blocks, and the raw, organic approach that built an engaged community. Hosts invite listener topics and preview upcoming episodes while thanking supporters for helping the show reach this milestone. A huge thank you to everyone who has listened and who follows us. __________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #taskforceranger #160thsoar #operationgothicserpent #armyrangers #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

A Ranger recounts the sudden shift from training to chaos after the “boom” — helicopters struck, smoke and gunfire, and a race through Mogadishu to extract teammates. They focused on the Ranger Creed. The episode traces Colonel Larry Perino's (then Lieutenant) path from West Point and Ranger training to Task Force Ranger in Somalia, describing fast‑rope assaults, ambushes, downed aircraft, and the desperate vehicle and foot exfil under heavy fire. He reflects on the losses, survivor’s guilt, the duty to remember fallen comrades, and how the experience shaped leadership and care for soldiers afterward. __________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #taskforceranger #160thsoar #operationgothicserpent #armyrangers #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

Gerry Izzo recounts his journey from a Long Island upbringing to becoming a 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Night Stalker pilot, describing training, combat missions in Grenada and Panama, and the harrowing Operation Gothic Serpent and Task Force Ranger, the Black Hawk Down operation in Mogadishu that is known for the movie by the same name. Listen as Gerry describes the battle in Mogadishu from his perspective as never heard before.  The episode explores leadership, fear, survivor guilt, and the bonds forged in combat, offering firsthand lessons on courage, professionalism, and resilience. __________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #taskforceranger #160thsoar #operationgothicserpent #armyrangers #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

Part One of a 3-Part Series for 2025 as we approach the anniversary of Operation Gothic Serpent - "Black Hawk Down" In this episode, Tara Harris, daughter of First Sergeant Glenn Harris, talks about her father and all of the men who served with him as part of Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, that became known as The Battle of Black Hawk Down based on the movie. Today, Tara gathers photos, interviews, and archives to preserve the stories of her father, but also of all of B Company, 3rd Ranger Battalion before and after Operation Gothic Serpent, Somalia — including the Somalia deployment, the training and daily lives of Rangers of that period, and life then and now at the B Company 3/75 day room. She digitizes records and connects veterans and families so the Rangers’ experiences and legacies from Task Force Ranger are remembered and shared. If you or someone you know has 75th Ranger Regiment photos, especially those from Mogadishu, email Tara at [email protected] __________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #taskforceranger #operationgothicserpent #armyrangers #mentors4mil  #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil  Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/