Boot & Chutes Unfiltered

Please join us for an unfiltered, raw discussion of the Battle of Wanat with a special guest: Ricky Schroder, Gold Star Father Frankie Gay, Battlefield Survivors Scott Stenoski, and Christopher McKaig. We sit down and talk about the heroes who were lost that day, to the why and the reasons behind the future project that Ricky Schroder is working on to tell the raw truth of one of the most intense days in GWOT history. Our discussion is unscripted; it is the veterans telling their stories, and the Gold Star father telling his story of the incredible bonds he has developed with these men. Ricky Schroder shares why this project means so much to him and his Reel American Heroes Foundation. He cares deeply about telling the story of these brave men and how the Army and Army leaders can learn from this dark day. 18 Years Since the Battle of WanatOn 13 July 2008, in the remote Waygul Valley of Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, one of the most intense and costly battles of the war unfolded. In the early morning hours, U.S. soldiers from Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, alongside their Afghan National Army partners, came under a coordinated assault by hundreds of enemy fighters determined to overrun their newly established patrol base.The enemy attacked from multiple directions, using mortars, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. Outnumbered by nearly four to one, the paratroopers fought from bunker to bunker and position to position, refusing to surrender ground despite overwhelming odds. As defensive positions were destroyed and ammunition ran low, soldiers repeatedly exposed themselves to enemy fire to reinforce fellow paratroopers, evacuate the wounded, and continue the fight.For hours, these American warriors displayed extraordinary courage, discipline, and selfless service. Close air support, artillery, and the unwavering determination of the defenders ultimately turned the tide, forcing the enemy to withdraw after suffering heavy losses.The victory came at a tremendous cost. Nine American soldiers gave their lives, and nearly 30 others were wounded in the defense of Patrol Base Kahler. Their sacrifice became a lasting testament to the warrior spirit of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the bonds forged in combat.Today, eighteen years later, we pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, honor those who survived the battle, and recognize the families whose lives were forever changed. The Battle of Wanat remains a powerful reminder of the courage, resilience, and brotherhood that define America's paratroopers."We Will Never Forget"Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, of Aiea, HawaiiIsrael Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, CaliforniaJonathan R. Ayers, 24, of Snellville, GeorgiaJason M. Bogar, 25, of Seattle, WashingtonJason D. Hovater, 24, of Clinton, TennesseeMatthew B. Phillips, 27, of Jasper, GeorgiaPruitt A. Rainey, 22, of Haw River, North CarolinaGunnar W. Zwilling, 20, of Florissant, MissouriSergio S. Abad, 21, of Morganfield, Kentucky#Battleofwanat #gwot #11daysandawakeup #173rdairborne #fyp #ReelAmericanHeroesFoundation

Jerry talks about his time as a Marine in the Silent Drill Platoon stationed at 8th & I Marine Barracks, Washington, DC. He talks about his transition from the Marine Corps to the Boston Fire Department. Jerry describes firefighter life, struggles, leadership, and opportunities as a veteran who has joined one of the best departments in the country. It was a really good discussion for two guys who have known each other for 20+ years. Here is more on Jerry Powers: Jerry Powers Jr. – Boston Fire Department District ChiefGerald “Jerry” Powers Jr. is a veteran firefighter, leader, and public servant who serves as a District Chief with the Boston Fire Department (BFD). A former United States Marine Corps veteran, Powers has dedicated his career to service, leadership, and emergency response, both in the military and in the fire service. Powers has more than 25 years of service with the Boston Fire Department, rising through the ranks from firefighter to captain and eventually to District Chief. In his current role, he oversees multiple fire companies, manages emergency incidents, and provides leadership during fires, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies throughout the City of Boston. Before becoming a District Chief, Powers served as a Captain with Engine 17 and earned a reputation as a dedicated firefighter and mentor. He has also been active in firefighter health and wellness initiatives, particularly raising awareness about occupational cancer risks in the fire service. In 2019, he participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge as part of Team Boston Fire, helping raise funds for cancer research while honoring family members and fellow firefighters affected by cancer. Pan-Mass ChallengeThroughout his career, Jerry Powers Jr. has embodied the values of discipline, service, and leadership learned during his time in the Marine Corps and refined through decades in the Boston Fire Department. His journey from Marine Corps service to becoming a Boston Fire District Chief reflects a lifelong commitment to protecting and serving others. #bostonfire #veteran #marinescorps #fyp #firefighter

We are dropping something massive in two weeks. 🪖🎬In our latest teaser clip, we are breaking down our upcoming conversation with Hollywood legend Ricky Schroder! We dive deep into his incredible mission with the Reel American Heroes Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to telling the true, unfiltered stories of America’s veterans and first responders.Here is what we are hyping up in this clip:The Heartbreak & Heroism: Discussing his powerful documentary 11 Days and a Wake-Up, which captures the raw reality of The Chosen Few and the infamous Battle of Wanat—the single deadliest ambush for U.S. forces in the Afghanistan War.The Next Big Project: Getting inside details on his future feature film, Wanat, honoring the brave soldiers who held the line against overwhelming odds.The "Patriot PBS" Mission: How Ricky is actively working to bypass traditional Hollywood to build an army of authentic military storytellers.If you love raw military history, veteran advocacy, and real stories of survival, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.👇 Watch the preview below, let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for the full release on 13 July!#wanat #173rdairborne #chosenfew #fyp #podcast

Episode 10 with MAJ Desirae Sanderson is out now! Tune in on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts to hear Desiree share her journey from Military Intelligence to the Acquisition Branch. She talks about her time in the Ranger Regiment, deploying with the 10th Mountain Division (Polar Bears), and her transition into the Acquisition Branch. It’s a great episode—check it out! Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and like us on all our social media.#podcast #militaryintelligence #10thmountaindivision #polarbears #75thRangerRegiment #fyp

Haven shares stories from his military career, from combat in Iraq to a humanitarian mission in Haiti, and a night when B Co lost one of their best on the battlefield. He also discusses transitioning from the military to law enforcement and how he takes care of his mental health while working to be a good family man. Come join us—this one’s a must-hear. If you have a minute, hit that subscribe button to help us grow and improve; we’d truly appreciate it. Please hit that Subscribe!!!#army, #82Dairborne, #sheriff, #fyp, #podcast, #paratroopers, #veterans, #military, #whitefalcons, #polarbears

Ryan talks about his career and why it is important to be humble, and why he started Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal. He talks about his father's advice and his 'why' behind what he is doing now. He is an incredible leader, a former Green Beret, and an amazing human being. He is the author of the book Tip of the Spear. If you like what you hear, please hit that like and subscribe button, every little bit helps. You can also find us on YouTube and Apple iTunes.Here is a link to his page, including the link to his non-profit. https://ryanmhendrickson.com/https://landmineremoval.org/#podcastclips #podcast #fyp #tipofthespear #ukraine #humanitarian #greenberet

Please give a listen to the story of an incredible NCO, Erich Phillips, who served in an elite paratrooper unit that fought in some of the toughest battles of the GWOT. He tells the story of the fight for survival in two of the fiercest fights in Afghanistan: OP Ranch House and Wanat. Erich went on to earn the Distinguished Cross and Silver Star, leading some of the best young paratroopers in the world. Hear him talk about how they came together to fight as brothers to overcome incredible odds. The Chosen Few! #chosenfew #fyp #173rd #paratroopers #GWOT

Charlie talks about growing up in the Ranger community as a member of the Ranger Regiment and Long Ranger Reconnaissance Detachment, to finding his faith and becoming a Chaplain working in conventional and SF units. #fyp #chaplain #rangers #rangerlife #rangerregiment #story

For the first time, Doc opens up about his incredible journey as a medic in Afghanistan, offering a captivating look into life on the battlefield as a 68W combat medic. We also explore the art of podcasting and the inspiration behind his creation of The GWOT Goons Podcast. Filming this with Jeremie was an absolute blast. He’s an amazing person and a great friend.Please like and scubscribe!!!Follow us on Instagram @BootsAndChutesUnfilteredFollow us on X @Boots_N_Chutes

Mac recounts his journey from growing up in the Old Guard to serving in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan, before making the leap to the big screen after his military career. An inspiring tale from a truly remarkable man.#podcast #afghanistan #bigcreen #movies #paratrooper@bootsandchutesunfiltered

In Episode 3, we meet with Chris Robinson, a former US Marine that got out of the service and sought a degree in history. Along the way, he decides to establish the non-profit Last Deployment Project. The intent of his work is to capture the oral history and hard fought lessons learned from the US Militay's last deployment to Afghanistan in 2021.

What's it take to compete in the US Army's Best Ranger Competition? Come give a listen as we talk with Trenton Petty, retired Ranger and part of the integral team that puts on the US Army's annual Best Ranger Competion.

In this, our inaugural episode, we explore leadership lessons, time in service, and just plain good stories with CSM (R) Jack Love. Jack is an incredible Soldier and Leader. Come listen in as we all learn from one of the greats.

During this episode we bring the audience into our lives and discuss our backgrounds, what drove us to start this adventure, and then dive into some fun topics about being serving in the military and specifically the Army.