Combat Story

What happens after the writing is done and the book has to face the world? Nearly two months after the release of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, the microphone changes hands. Combat Story founder Ryan Fugit returns to interview current host AJ Pasciuti in a candid conversation recorded in New York City just days after the launch of Darkhorse. Together, they reflect on the journey from manuscript to publication, the emotional weight of sharing deeply personal stories, and why the mission has always been bigger than a single book. The conversation explores the lessons behind Darkhorse, the Marines and mentors who shaped AJ's life, the realities of publishing a memoir, and the future of Combat Story as a community dedicated to preserving the stories of those who have served while inspiring leadership, resilience, and service beyond the military. Whether you've been with Combat Story since Ryan hosted the show or recently discovered it through AJ, this special episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes conversation about where Combat Story began, how it has evolved, and where it's headed next. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:46 The Fear of Publishing a Memoir 04:46 Arnold Schwarzenegger's Endorsement 07:50 Writing a Memoir Without Sounding Like a Narcissist 10:20 Breaking Into Publishing 12:02 Who Is Darkhorse For? 13:50 Fact-Checked by the Director of the Marine Corps Museum 18:35 Cold Calling the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 20:20 The Weight of Carrying Combat Story 22:10 The Desert Storm Podumentary 25:36 The Darkhorse Ethos 34:14 Reading the Comments After the Big Podcasts 36:10 The Push Behind Darkhorse 38:22 Ryan's New Podcast: Restricted Handling 40:07 Ryan Reveals His Book AJ Pasciuti AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. Find AJ Online: 📕 Darkhorse: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/book 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🌐 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ Ryan Fugit Ryan Fugit is the founder of Combat Story, a former U.S. Army AH-64 Apache pilot, former CIA Operations Officer, and host of Restricted Handling, where he explores geopolitics, intelligence, and national security with experts from around the world. Find Ryan Online: 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-fugit 🎙️ Restricted Handling: https://www.restrictedhandling.com Follow Combat Story wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us for new episodes every other Sunday.

What does it take to lead one of the largest air assault operations in military history? Retired Army Colonel Frank Hancock joins Combat Story to share a firsthand account of planning and executing the historic 101st Airborne Division air assault during Operation Desert Storm. From intelligence preparation and mission planning to leadership under fire and the evolution of Army doctrine after Vietnam, Frank provides an inside look at one of America's defining military campaigns. AJ and Frank also discuss mission command, the role of intelligence in combat, how military leaders make decisions in uncertain environments, and why the lessons of Desert Storm continue to shape modern warfare today. Whether you're interested in military history, Army aviation, leadership, or Special Operations, this conversation offers valuable insights from someone who helped lead one of the most significant operations of the Gulf War. In This Episode Frank Hancock's journey into Army Aviation Rebuilding the Army after Vietnam Planning the 101st Airborne's Desert Storm air assault Intelligence failures—and successes—that saved lives Leadership under extreme pressure Mission command and decentralized decision-making Lessons from Desert Storm for today's leaders This episode is part of Combat Story, where veterans and leaders share the experiences that shaped them in combat and beyond. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:34 Frank Hancock's path into Army Aviation 09:42 Learning leadership as a young officer 17:26 Building the 101st Airborne after Vietnam 27:11 Preparing for Operation Desert Shield 38:54 Planning the largest air assault of Desert Storm 52:37 Intelligence that changed the mission 1:05:48 Launching deep into Iraq 1:18:42 Leadership under uncertainty 1:31:57 Mission command and battlefield decision-making 1:44:23 Lessons from Desert Storm that still matter today 1:57:36 Advice for the next generation of leaders 2:05:18 Final thoughts   Guest — Frank Hancock Retired U.S. Army intelligence officer, Desert Storm veteran, and author of Operation Desert Storm: How Two Young Intelligence Analysts and an Infantry Battalion Changed the War in Iraq. Frank brings firsthand experience from one of the most successful military campaigns in modern history, offering a rare insider perspective on intelligence, leadership, and warfare. 📘 Operation Desert Storm https://www.amazon.com/dp/1036130437 ✍️ Signed Copies https://www.whistlestopbookshop.com/operation-desert-storm 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579963121498 Host — AJ Pasciuti Retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Marine Gunner, author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of Combat Story. 📕 Darkhorse https://ajpasciuti.com/Darkhorse 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 🔗 Website https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals.  For A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code COMBAT at Bubsnaturals.com\combatstory  Shopify: The best businesses aren't built in boardrooms. They're built by people who just started. Free trial at shopify.com/combatstory  

In Episode 2 of Reconnaissance Man, presented in partnership with Combat Story, we follow U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant James "Jim" Steele through two defining Cold War flashpoints: the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Dominican Civil War. After returning from Vietnam and serving at Parris Island, Steele finds himself watching the Cuban Missile Crisis unfold from stateside. Unsatisfied with secondhand reporting and eager to understand what American forces were actually doing at Guantanamo Bay, he carries out an unauthorized mission of his own making, sneaking onto a military transport bound for Cuba during one of the most dangerous moments in modern history. What he finds at Gitmo surprises him. Despite the world standing on the edge of nuclear war, Steele sees defensive preparations that fall far short of what he expected. The experience reinforces one of his lifelong lessons: reconnaissance means seeing for yourself. The episode then follows Steele to the Dominican Republic during Operation Power Pack, where U.S. forces intervened during the Dominican Civil War. There, Steele serves as an aerial observer, helps locate a hidden enemy tank, calls in fires, and reflects on the poverty, instability, and human suffering beneath the larger Cold War struggle. This chapter of Reconnaissance Man is about initiative, risk, Cold War tension, and the instincts of a Marine reconnaissance officer who was never content to stay on the sidelines. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Cuban Missile Crisis Begins 01:44 Introducing James "Jim" Steele 03:01 A Hard-Charging Marine Instructor 07:29 Sneaking into Guantanamo Bay 11:20 Life Inside Gitmo During the Missile Crisis 13:53 What Steele Found Defending Guantanamo 16:52 Cold War Technology and Burst Communications 17:56 The Cuban Missile Crisis Comes to an End 19:43 The Court-Martial That Never Happened 21:40 Operation Power Pack Begins 24:23 Deploying to the Dominican Republic 27:58 Hunting an Enemy Tank from the Air 31:53 The Reality Behind the Headlines 34:17 Fighting Poverty, Not Just Rebels 36:02 How the Dominican Civil War Ended 36:54 Episode 3 Preview: Back to Vietnam Created by investigative journalist Ashly McGlone in collaboration with the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation (MRF), and visually brought to life by Combat Story, Reconnaissance Man is a nine-part limited series following Steele's extraordinary 30-year military career through Vietnam, the Cold War, and beyond. 🎙️ Guest — James Lyle Steele James Lyle Steele is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel whose 30-year career carried him through Vietnam, the Cold War, and beyond. A member of the original generation of Marine reconnaissance men, Steele's story offers a rare firsthand look at war, survival, and service across decades of American military history. Ashly McGlone is an investigative journalist and the creator of Reconnaissance Man. As Steele's granddaughter, she pairs reporting, narration, and historical context with family connection to bring his extraordinary story to life with depth and care. 🔗 Find Reconnaissance Man and Ashly McGlone Online: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reconnaissanceman/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlyreports/ ✖️ X (Reconnaissance Man): https://x.com/ReconManPod ✖️ X (Ashly McGlone): https://x.com/AshlyReports 🎙️ Host — AJ Pasciuti AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Darkhorse: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/Darkhorse 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/ 🔔 Watch. Listen. Follow. If you value real stories and honest perspectives from those who lived it, follow Combat Story wherever you get your podcasts.        

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-698f9566-3328-8323-82a5-d73f4eaafc2b-8" data-turn-id-container= "request-698f9566-3328-8323-82a5-d73f4eaafc2b-8" data-testid= "conversation-turn-72" data-turn="assistant"> Before Delta Force, before the Global War on Terror, and before the Berlin Wall fell, a small group of Green Berets operated inside one of the most dangerous cities on earth. In this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4, former Green Beret, former U.S. Foreign Service Political Officer, military historian, and author James Stejskal to explore the little-known story of Special Forces Detachment A Berlin, a classified Cold War unit tasked with operating behind Soviet lines in the event World War III broke out. James shares his journey from Nebraska to the 82nd Airborne, Special Forces selection, and 10th Special Forces Group before pulling back the curtain on life inside divided Berlin. He explains how Green Berets prepared for sabotage missions, resistance operations, intelligence gathering, clandestine identities, and counterterrorism missions while surrounded by Soviet and East German forces. Along the way, we discuss Cold War espionage, unconventional warfare, the evolution of Special Forces after Vietnam, early counterterrorism operations before Delta Force, and the lessons modern operators can learn from a generation that spent decades preparing for a conflict that never came. This is a fascinating look at one of the most secretive units in Special Forces history and the men who stood ready to fight World War III from behind enemy lines. In This Episode: Growing up in Nebraska and joining the Army 82nd Airborne and Special Forces selection Robin Sage and earning the Green Beret 10th Special Forces Group Special Forces Detachment A Berlin Cold War espionage and clandestine operations Sabotage plans against Warsaw Pact targets Counterterrorism before Delta Force Life behind the Berlin Wall Military history, writing, and preserving hidden stories Guest: James Stejskal James Stejskal is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4, former Green Beret, former U.S. Foreign Service Political Officer, military historian, conflict archaeologist, and author of 12 books. He served 23 years in U.S. Army Special Forces and special mission units before continuing his government service overseas. He is the author of Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, Masters of Mayhem, and The Snake Eater Chronicles Cold War espionage series. Website: https://www.jamesstejskalauthor.com Host: AJ Pasciuti Retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Marine Gunner, author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of Combat Story. Darkhorse: https://ajpasciuti.com/book Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Meet James Stejskal 05:35 Growing Up in Nebraska 13:42 Becoming a Green Beret 24:10 Life in 10th Special Forces Group 34:22 The Road to Berlin 44:05 Special Forces Detachment A 56:48 Inside Cold War Berlin 1:08:14 Preparing for World War III 1:18:37 Sabotage and Unconventional Warfare 1:28:21 Espionage and Tradecraft 1:39:52 Resistance Networks Behind Enemy Lines 1:49:46 Counterterrorism Before Delta Force 2:00:33 The Soviet Threat 2:10:18 Lessons from the Cold War 2:18:55 From Green Beret to Historian 2:26:48 Preserving Hidden History 2:34:10 Leadership and Service 2:41:30 Final Thoughts

How does a West Point graduate and Army Ranger go from military service to winning The Apprentice and building one of the most successful veteran-focused venture capital firms in America? In this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Kelly Perdew to discuss leadership, service, entrepreneurship, and the lessons that carried him from the U.S. Army to the national spotlight and beyond. Kelly shares his journey through West Point, Army Intelligence, and Ranger School before discussing the experience of competing on—and ultimately winning—Season 2 of The Apprentice. He reflects on the leadership lessons he learned in uniform, how military experience shaped his approach to business, and why veterans often possess unique advantages as entrepreneurs and leaders. The conversation also explores startup failures, venture capital, the founding of Moonshots Capital, and the importance of backing mission-driven founders who can thrive in uncertain environments. Throughout the discussion, Kelly offers practical insights on leadership, resilience, accountability, and what it takes to build successful teams both inside and outside the military. In this episode, we discuss: West Point and Army leadership development Ranger School and lessons in perseverance Winning The Apprentice Season 2 Transitioning from military service to business Entrepreneurship, startups, and failure Building Moonshots Capital Investing in veteran-led companies Leadership under pressure The value veterans bring to the private sector Creating impact after military service Whether you're a veteran navigating transition, an entrepreneur building a company, or simply interested in leadership and personal growth, Kelly's story offers valuable lessons from both the military and business worlds. Chapters 00:00 Leadership Wins Everywhere 01:12 Meet Kelly Perdew: West Point, Ranger & Apprentice Winner 06:22 Why Military Leadership Translates to Business 12:54 Choosing West Point and the Path to Service 23:23 Ranger School and Learning to Embrace Hardship 29:56 UCLA, Entrepreneurship & Building His First Startup 48:10 Inside The Apprentice: How Kelly Won Season 2 58:39 From Reality TV to Venture Capital 1:05:42 The ID.me Story and Betting on Veteran Founders 1:18:23 Building Moonshots Capital 1:30:29 Why Veterans Make Exceptional Entrepreneurs 1:35:46 Transitioning Out of the Military Successfully 1:41:14 Leadership, Service & Leaving a Legacy 1:45:56 Final Advice for Veterans and Founders 🎙️ Guest — Kelly Perdew West Point graduate, Army Ranger, entrepreneur, author, winner of *The Apprentice* Season 2, and co-founder of Moonshots Capital. Kelly has spent his career leading teams in the military, building and scaling companies, investing in founders, and helping veterans successfully transition into business and entrepreneurship. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyperdew 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyperdew 𝕏: https://x.com/kperdew 🚀 Moonshots Capital: https://moonshotscapital.com 📘 Book — Take Command: Leadership Principles from the Military to Business: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1596980001   🎙️ Host — AJ Pasciuti Retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Marine Gunner, author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of Combat Story.  📕 Darkhorse: https://ajpasciuti.com/Darkhorse 📸 AJ Pasciuti Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com  

What happens after the uniform comes off? In this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Army combat veteran, firefighter, MMA fighter, and author James McDevitt for one of the most honest conversations we've had about service, trauma, purpose, and the lifelong search for meaning after war. James shares his journey from growing up in a military family to deploying to Iraq as an 18-year-old convoy gunner during some of the deadliest years of the war. He talks about football, failure, identity, and the difficult transition from combat deployments back into civilian life. The conversation also dives deeply into the emotional realities of firefighting — including the lasting impact of trying to save a young child trapped in a house fire — and the psychological burden first responders and veterans often carry long after the moment ends. AJ and James discuss: What it feels like to make life-or-death decisions at 18 years old The addiction many veterans feel toward combat and high-stakes environments Why being "left out of the fight" can deeply affect soldiers psychologically Brotherhood, love, sacrifice, and why war creates bonds unlike anything else Football, MMA, firefighting, and finding identity after losing purpose PTSD, suicide, vulnerability, masculinity, and the importance of mentorship Why failure often teaches more than success ever can James also discusses his debut novel, A Walk Among Heroes, a story inspired by true events that explores war, love, loss, and what it means to come home after conflict. This episode is raw, reflective, and deeply human. If you're interested in military service, combat psychology, firefighting, leadership, masculinity, veteran transition, or the emotional realities behind war stories, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.   🎙️ Guest — James McDevitt Army combat veteran, firefighter, MMA fighter, and author of A Walk Among Heroes. James writes and speaks about war, brotherhood, trauma, resilience, and the lifelong search for purpose after service. 📸 Instagram: @JamesMcDevittAuthor 🎵 TikTok: @JamesMcDevittAuthor ▶️ YouTube: @JamesMcDevittAuthor 📘 Facebook: @JamesMcDevittAuthor 🔗 Website: JamesMcDevittAuthor.com   🎙️ Host — AJ Pasciuti Retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Marine Gunner, author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of Combat Story. 📕 Darkhorse: https://ajpasciuti.com/Darkhors 📸 AJ Pasciuti Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/   CHAPTERS 00:00 – The House Fire That Changed Everything 01:06 – Introduction | James McDevitt 03:20 – Why James Wrote "A Walk Among Heroes" 07:40 – Growing Up in a Military Family 13:10 – Football, Identity, and Young Masculinity 18:45 – Joining the Army After 9/11 25:00 – Iraq at 18 Years Old 31:20 – Convoy Combat and Daily Violence 39:50 – Brotherhood in War 47:10 – The Addiction to High-Stakes Environments 54:20 – Coming Home from Combat 1:01:40 – Firefighting and Exposure to Death 1:09:15 – Trying to Save a Child in a House Fire 1:18:20 – PTSD, Suppression, and Emotional Numbness 1:26:30 – MMA Fighting and Finding Purpose 1:34:10 – Veterans, Suicide, and Isolation 1:42:00 – Why Failure Shapes Us 1:49:15 – Writing Fiction Inspired by Real Experience 1:56:30 – Advice for Young Men Considering Service 2:02:10 – Final Thoughts on Brotherhood and Purpose  

Today on Combat Story, we hear the story of Joshua "Josh" Shores — Marine infantry combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, former Marine Raider, retired firefighter, entrepreneur, and author of Counting on Death: A Marine Infantryman's Journey from the Front Lines of Combat to the Fight for Peace. Josh served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines during some of the hardest fighting in Ramadi before later deploying to Afghanistan with Marine Special Operations. In this conversation, he takes us through the reality of combat as a 19-year-old Marine, the burden of surviving when others did not, and the long fight to make peace with the memories that followed him home. Although AJ and Josh never served together, this episode becomes a deeply relatable conversation between two Marines who carried similar experiences through different units, deployments, and years of war. There are moments where the interview gives way to recognition, where both men are able to sit inside the same memories, ask harder questions, and give language to parts of combat that are rarely spoken about clearly. This episode goes far beyond firefights and deployments. Josh speaks candidly about the culture inside the infantry during the height of the Iraq War, the emotional toll of losing friends to IEDs, the confusion of counterinsurgency warfare, survivor's guilt, shame, identity, suicide, and the struggle many veterans face trying to reconnect with life after combat. This is a conversation about consequence. About brotherhood. About grief. And about trying to find peace after war.   🎙️ Guest — Joshua "Josh" Shores Marine infantry combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, former Marine Raider, retired firefighter, entrepreneur, and author of Counting on Death. He served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Ramadi before later deploying to Afghanistan with Marine Special Operations. 🔗 Find Joshua Online: 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CountingOnDeath/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuashoresofficial/ 🔗 Website: https://www.countingondeath.com 📕 Book (Counting on Death): https://www.amazon.com/Counting-Death-Marine-Infantrymans-Journey/dp/1636245706/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1#detailBullets_feature_div 🎧 Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/Counting-on-Death-Audiobook/B0F1Z1HJSG?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp   🎙️ Host AJ Pasciuti AJ Pasciuti is a retired Marine Force Recon Scout Sniper and Infantry Weapons Officer (Marine Gunner), author of Darkhorse: Harnessing Hidden Potential in War and Life, and host of the Combat Story Podcast, where veterans share honest, unfiltered stories of service, leadership, and life after combat. 🔗 Find AJ Online: 📕 Book (Darkhorse): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/book 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/ 📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/ 🔗 Website: https://www.ajpasciuti.com/   🎧 Featured Combat Story Episodes with AJ 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 1 (USMC Sniper & Force Recon) - Battle of Fallujah | Shooting w/ Chris Kyle | American Sniper | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QI-5sNeCs 👉 Combat Story Podcast – Part 2 (Sniper vs Sniper Battle) - Killing the Enemy's Most Lethal Sniper | Force Recon | AJ Pasciuti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Ggly1TGAU