#0043 - John Dailey - Tough Rugged Bastards

Join us as we discuss John Dailey's book 'Tough Rugged Bastards' and the story of MARSOC, the Marine Raiders. We'll discuss the process of getting the book approved by the military and the challenges faced. We'll also talk about John's motivation for writing the book and the benefits of getting an MFA in creative writing. We discuss the difference between recon Marines and force recon, and the role of force recon in working for the force commander. And we also touch on the importance of a culture of accountability and constructive criticism in high-performing organizations. The conversation also covers the experiences of John Dailey during his time in the Marine Corps and as a member of the first Marine Special Operations Company. Show Links  Get 1-month of FREE access to the ⁠Vet Collective Community⁠ by using discount code: NLT1UQTI  Join us here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.collective.vet⁠⁠⁠   Episodes also available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music.  https://linktr.ee/harder_not_smarter John’s Links https://www.jadailey.com/  https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Rugged-Bastards-Special-Operations/dp/163758735X  Chapters 00:00 The Approval Process and Challenges 04:04 Motivation for Writing the Book and Getting an MFA 08:44 Difference Between Recon Marines and Force Recon 12:26 The Culture of Accountability 18:37 Imposter Syndrome and Excellence 23:59 Custom Building a High-Speed Unit 28:14 Training and Preparation for Deployment 34:55 Focus on CQB in Iraq 37:18 Challenges and Successes of the First Marine Special Operations Company 38:00 The Importance of Intelligence Support in Operations 40:34 The First Mission Based on Intel Work 43:23 Rolling Out and Capturing a Bomb Maker 48:09 Notable SEALs in Iraq 50:07 Sentiment from SOCOM, Marine Corps, and the Unit 53:29 Developing an Assessment and Selection Program 55:33 Structural Changes and Future of Marine Raiders 59:17 Training Focus and Future Plans 01:02:50 Writing Process and Mentors 01:05:26 Book Availability and Events 01:07:44 Future Writing Projects and Coaching Takeaways The process of getting a book approved by the military can be lengthy and requires following the rules and making changes. Having an MFA in creative writing can provide the confidence and skills needed to write a book. Force recon Marines work for the force commander and operate deeper behind enemy lines compared to recon Marines. A culture of accountability and constructive criticism is important in high-performing organizations. Imposter syndrome can be a driving force for excellence and continuous improvement. Custom building a unit allows for the development of new SOPs and procedures that can improve mission success. Training and preparation for deployment can vary depending on the mission and location. CQB (Close Quarters Battle) becomes a main mission focus for force recon Marines deployed to Iraq. The first Marine Special Operations Company (DETF-1) faced challenges and successes during their deployment to Iraq in 2003. Intelligence support played a crucial role in their operations, and the unit had a strong focus on the basics of shooting, moving, communicating, and surviving. The creation of the Marine Raiders was a significant development in Marine Special Operations. John A. Dailey plans to continue writing and has future projects in mind, including books on military life lessons and mental toughness. He is also involved in coaching and training Marine Raiders.