The Best of MACV-SOG: Stories From the Warriors Who Lived It

Over the past year, the Jack Carr Book Club and the Danger Close Podcast brought together bestselling authors and literary legends to share hard-earned lessons from the page. In this special Writing Advice episode, we’ve gathered the most insightful, actionable, and inspiring moments from those interviews. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a reader fascinated by the craft, or someone looking to better understand the creative trenches, this episode delivers a master class in storytelling. Highlights Include: How the pros develop character, tension, and authenticity Building a daily writing routine (even when life gets chaotic) Lessons on editing, perseverance, doubt, and creative discipline What it takes to write stories that matter A year’s worth of writing wisdom — distilled into one episode. Guests and Referenced Episodes: Dan Brown - THE SECRET OF SECRETS: https://youtu.be/LD03tfIcsaM Dan Brown - THE SECRET OF SECRETS: WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE: https://www.officialjackcarr.com/the-secret-of-secrets/ David Morrell - A Master Class with David Morrell: The Art of the Thriller: https://youtu.be/CGue_lskxoY Mike Rowe - The State of the Union: https://youtu.be/JhdgAI2oAXc  David Baldacci - STRANGERS IN TIME: https://youtu.be/MeYBU-o_3oo  David McCloskey - Secrets, Spies, and The Persian: Inside the Mind of CIA Veteran David McCloskey: https://youtu.be/TTPKPfsuUXo Alex Berenson - From Baghdad to Bestsellers: A Conversation with Alex Berenson: https://youtu.be/6ofIOD5vu98 Daniel Silva - AN INSIDE JOB: https://youtu.be/8pbqTOGn71g Ryan Pote - Blood and Treasure: https://youtu.be/RtbqCiweB7E 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

Throughout 2025, Danger Close featured some of the most powerful, emotional, and historically significant conversations in the show’s history — none more impactful than the interviews with the men of MACV-SOG, men who inspired the #1 New York Times bestselling novel, Cry Havoc.  Formed during the Vietnam War, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group was one of the most clandestine and highly trained units ever assembled. These warriors operated in the shadows, conducted missions that remained classified for decades, and carried the weight of those experiences long after coming home. This special Best Of episode brings together the most memorable insights, stories, and reflections from this year’s interviews with SOG veterans — a tribute to the legacy, sacrifice, and courage of those who stepped forward when their nation needed them most. Featured Moments Include: Firsthand recollections of running recon across the fence Leadership forged in the most dangerous missions of the war The emotional cost of secrecy, sacrifice, and survival Lessons for today’s warriors, citizens, and future generations Referenced Episodes and Videos:  Jim Shorten: MACV-SOG Vietnam War Veteran: https://youtu.be/IuTDDAvAHQY Top Secret Combat in Laos: https://youtu.be/SWYKhm_AWOs John Stryker Meyer: MACV-SOG Vietnam War Veteran: https://youtu.be/h3FdEgm-fzU MACV-SOG: The Secret War: https://youtu.be/pCGbykibF4I Part 2: MACV-SOG: The Secret War: https://youtu.be/hhdBsDliUus Surrender Not An Option: https://youtu.be/IJywCS9voxE 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 November 2025 Selection: EXIT STRATEGY by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child & Andrew Child. Jack Reacher will make three stops today. Not all of them were planned. In EXIT STRATEGY, the blockbuster new Jack Reacher thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling authors Lee Child and Andrew Child, Reacher once again finds himself in the crosshairs of a mystery that only he can unravel. A suspicious brush in a Baltimore coffee shop. A forgotten coat in a store. And a handwritten note tucked into his pocket—a desperate plea for help that sets him on a collision course with danger, deception, and “the best villain yet” (USA Today). Lee Child is the author of twenty-five New York Times bestselling Jack Reacher novels, with sixteen reaching the #1 position, along with the #1 bestselling short story collection No Middle Name.  Andrew Child, who also writes as Andrew Grant, is the author of RUN, FALSE POSITIVE, FALSE FRIEND, FALSE WITNESS, INVISIBLE, and TOO CLOSE TO HOME.  This month’s conversation explores the evolution of Jack Reacher, the craft behind maintaining one of the world’s most iconic heroes, and how Lee and Andrew continue to push the Reacher universe forward with fresh energy and a deep respect for the character’s legacy. We dig into their collaborative process, the precision behind Reacher’s moral compass, and what readers can expect as the series continues to evolve. FOLLOW LEE Instagram - @jackreacherbooks  Facebook - @JackReacherOfficial X - @LeeChildReacher Website - https://www.jackreacher.com/us/  FOLLOW ANDREW Facebook - @andrewgrantauthor X - @andrew_grant  Website - https://andrewgrantbooks.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: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

Today’s guest is David McCloskey — former CIA analyst, bestselling author, and co-host of the hit podcast The Rest is Classified. Before becoming a novelist, David served at the Central Intelligence Agency where he wrote for the President’s Daily Brief, testified before Congressional oversight committees, and briefed senior White House officials, ambassadors, and military leaders.  He spent years stationed across the Middle East during the Arab Spring and later worked in the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center focused on the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. David’s acclaimed thrillers — DAMASCUS STATION, MOSCOW X, THE SEVENTH FLOOR, and THE PERSIAN — have established him as one of the most authentic new voices in modern espionage fiction. Damascus Station was a finalist for the 2022 International Thriller Writer’s Award for Best First Novel and is currently in development for television. His latest release, The Persian, takes readers deep into a shadow war in Iran and follows a dentist living in Sweden who builds an international front to conceal a covert operation. In this episode, Jack and David discuss the inspiration behind The Persian, the real-world dynamics of the intelligence community, and the meticulous craft of writing espionage fiction rooted in truth. They talk about the creation of The Rest is Classified — a top-charting podcast exploring untold spy stories, manhunts, and historical intrigue.  David also shares insights into the writing process, balancing podcasting with novel deadlines, the surprising bureaucracy of the intelligence world — past and present — and a humorous story of running into Ben Affleck at Langley during research for Argo. His new novel, THE PERSIAN, is available now. FOLLOW DAVID X: @mccloskeybooks Instagram: @mccloskeybooks Facebook: @mccloskeybooks Website: https://www.davidmccloskeybooks.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 - 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

Today’s guest is Billy Birdzell, founder of Horatius Group, an independent investment bank focused on creating exceptional outcomes for founder-led and family-owned businesses, and Horatius Impact, a non-profit dedicated to training and equipping scouts to defend endangered species like rhino and lion from poachers in Africa.   Billy began his career as an infantry and special operations officer in the United States Marine Corps. On September 11, 2001, he was in New York City — an event that would forever shape his path. Soon after, he deployed to Iraq, meeting his platoon in combat and leading Marines through the fight to Baghdad. In this conversation, Billy and Jack discuss what it means to lead in the chaos of war, the relentless push to “just keep moving forward,” and the weapons and gear that defined those early battles. They revisit the Battle of Najaf in August 2004 and the historic January 2005 elections in Iraq, reflecting on the cost and meaning of those moments. Billy shares his journey from conventional infantry operations to Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), his experiences training for special operations, attending French language school, and deploying to Africa. The two also look back on their long friendship and Jack’s transition from the Teams to becoming an author, before diving into Billy’s post-military mission — building Horatius Group and Horatius Impact, and his ongoing work in Africa protecting wildlife and empowering local defenders on the frontlines of conservation. FOLLOW BILLY LinkedIn: @BillyBirdzell Website: https://www.horatiusgroup.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 - 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 October 2025 selection is THE WIDOW by #1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham. Simon Latch is a small-town lawyer in rural Virginia, barely scraping by while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then Eleanor Barnett—a wealthy widow—walks into his office with a simple request: a new will. But when Eleanor’s story begins to unravel and she winds up in the hospital after a mysterious accident, Simon finds himself accused of a shocking crime—her murder. To clear his name, Simon must uncover the truth about Eleanor Barnett’s fortune and the dark secrets surrounding her life before time runs out. With THE WIDOW, Grisham—one of the great storytellers of our time—delivers his first-ever whodunit: a taut, character-driven mystery layered with deception, tension, and high-stakes survival. John Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include FRAMED, CAMINO GHOSTS, and THE EXCHANGE: AFTER THE FIRM. A two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and recipient of the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction, Grisham serves on the boards of the Innocence Project and Centurion Ministries, two organizations dedicated to exonerating the wrongfully convicted. He lives on a farm in central Virginia. This conversation explores Grisham’s inspiration for THE WIDOW, the evolution of his storytelling beyond the courtroom, and what continues to drive his passion for justice through fiction. FOLLOW JOHN YouTube - @johngrisham9631 Instagram - @johngrisham Facebook - @johngrisham X - @johngrisham Website - https://jgrisham.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: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear

Today’s guest is Dave Berke, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, fighter pilot, ground combat leader, and now a leadership instructor with Echelon Front. As an F/A-18 pilot, Dave deployed twice from the USS John C. Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining the ranks of TOPGUN, where he was dual-qualified in both the F/A-18 and F-16, serving as the Training Officer—the senior pilot responsible for the conduct of the TOPGUN course. He later served on the ground in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller with the Army’s 1st Armored Division, supporting SEAL Task Unit Bruiser.  Dave was the first operational pilot to fly and be qualified in the F-35B Lightning II, commanding the Marines’ first F-35 squadron. He also holds a master’s degree in International Public Policy and Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University. Now, as Chief Development Officer and leadership instructor with Echelon Front, Dave draws from decades of combat and aviation experience to teach principles of leadership, discipline, and teamwork to organizations around the world. In this episode, Jack talks with Dave about growing up under the flight path of El Toro Marine Base, early influences that led him to Marine aviation, and the journey from the cockpit to the streets of Ramadi. They discuss the power of teamwork under fire, the lessons learned at TOPGUN, and what true leadership looks like—whether in the sky, on the battlefield, or in business. His book, THE NEED TO LEAD: A TOPGUN INSTRUCTOR'S LESSONS ON HOW LEADERSHIP SOLVES EVERY CHALLENGE, is available now. FOLLOW DAVE Instagram:  @davidrberke X: Dave Berke Facebook: David Berke Website: daveberke.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 - 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

Today’s guest is Charlie Sheen. From Red Dawn and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to Platoon and Wall Street to Young Guns, Major League and Hot Shots to Spin City and Two and A Half Men, and, of course, Navy SEALs, Sheen’s career spans some of the most iconic roles in modern cinema. His new memoir, THE BOOK OF SHEEN, offers an unfiltered look at family, fame, survival, and redemption after a lifetime in the spotlight.  It is available now. In this episode, Jack and Charlie reconnect on familiar ground, sharing stories that range from Hollywood sets to baseball stadiums—including a full-circle moment on Martin Sheen’s birthday that ties back to Apocalypse Now. They reflect on the cultural impact of Sheen’s films and how his characters inspired a generation, including Jack’s own path toward military service. The conversation weaves through art, legacy, and the pursuit of meaning in an era defined by noise, fame, and reinvention. Sheen offers wisdom on storytelling, gratitude, and the importance of living life forward rather than replaying it on screen. FOLLOW CHARLIE Instagram:  @charliesheen 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 wait is over. Jack Carr’s new novel—CRY HAVOC—is out now. Chapter 3 drops us back into South Vietnam on January 27, 1968, where Tom Reece, Frank Quinn, and their Montagnard teammate Amiuh—run an off-the-books “hunting expedition” outside Phu Bai. These unsanctioned testing-and-evaluation missions sharpen skills and stress-test gear: suppressed Sten guns, silenced High Standards, and new Starlight setups. What begins as a quiet remain overnight site near a jungle trail pivots hard when the team encounters a seven-man NVA element with a courier holding a message that just might turn the tide of the war.  Brought to life by the legendary voice of Ray Porter, this excerpt is pure MACV-SOG grit—movement, patience, and violence of action—where a single silent ambush can flip the intelligence picture on its head. “Cry ‘Havoc!,’ and let slip the frogs of war.” Buy the audiobook, https://bit.ly/CryHavocAudio Order your copy of CRY HAVOC, HERE. Copyright: Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from CRY HAVOC by Jack Carr, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2025 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. FOLLOW SIMON & SCHUSTER AUDIO Instagram:@simon.audio TikTok: @simon.audio Threads: @simon.audio X: @SimonAudio Facebook: @SimonAudio FOLLOW RAY PORTER Instagram:@the.ray.porter Facebook: @NarratorRayPorter FOLLOW JACK CARR 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 countdown to October 7, 2025 is in its final days. Get ready! Jack Carr’s most visceral novel yet—CRY HAVOC—is almost here. Chapter 2 moves the story from the seas off North Korea to GRU headquarters in Moscow where tradecraft, paranoia, and a web of intrigue ripples into one of the greatest intelligence coups of the Cold War. Brought to life by the legendary voice of Ray Porter, this excerpt plunges you into the darkest corners of the Soviet Union’s ruthless intelligence apparatus, where the fate a young Navy SEAL named Tom Reece hangs in the balance.  “Cry ‘Havoc!,’ and let slip the frogs of war.” Buy the audiobook, https://bit.ly/CryHavocAudio Order your copy of CRY HAVOC, HERE. Copyright: Audio excerpt courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from CRY HAVOC by Jack Carr, read by Ray Porter. Copyright © 2025 by Tomahawk Creative, Inc. Used with permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. FOLLOW SIMON & SCHUSTER AUDIO Instagram:@simon.audio TikTok: @simon.audio Threads: @simon.audio X: @SimonAudio Facebook: @SimonAudio FOLLOW RAY PORTER Instagram:@the.ray.porter Facebook: @NarratorRayPorter FOLLOW JACK CARR 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