In this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Matt Cavanaugh, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, combat veteran, strategist, endurance athlete, and living kidney donor, for a conversation about what service really looks like when nobody's watching.

Matt is the author of Best Scar Wins: How You Can Be More Than You Were Before, and his story goes far beyond combat. We start with his experiences in Iraq and the weight of leadership under pressure, then move into the harder-to-talk-about parts of life after war: grief, identity, responsibility, and the quiet choices that shape who we become.

Matt shares why he decided to become a non-directed living kidney donor, donating to a stranger and helping spark a chain that saved eight lives, including a fellow service member. Not long after surgery, he took on an endurance challenge called 1K4D (One Kidney, Four Deserts) — nearly 1,000 kilometers of self-supported racing across Namibia, Georgia, Chile, and Antarctica, including moments where the heat hit 131°F and the margin for error disappeared.

This episode isn't about highlight reels. It's about follow-through. It's about choosing discomfort for the sake of others, and what it takes to keep going when the "why" has to be bigger than you.

If you're interested in combat leadership, post-traumatic growth, endurance mindset, or service beyond the battlefield, this conversation will stick with you.

🎙️ Guest Information — Matt Cavanaugh | Best Scar Wins

Matt Cavanaugh, PhD, is a West Point graduate and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel/Strategist who deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, earning two Bronze Stars and the Combat Action Badge. After the military, he became a living kidney donor who sparked an eight-life donor chain and has gone on to test his limits as an elite endurance athlete, including winning an ultramarathon across Antarctica.

🔗 Find Matt Online:

🐦 X (Twitter): https://x.com/mlcavanaugh

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlcavanaugh1

📖 Book — Best Scar Wins: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Best-Scar-Wins/ML-Cavanaugh/9781637747742

🌐 Book Website: https://bestscarwins.com

🔗 Personal Website: https://mlcavanaugh.com

🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story | Darkhorse

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.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973

📸 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

Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at www.Babbel.com/COMBATSTORY

In this episode of Combat Story, Joe Troutman takes us inside one of the most intense and least-documented firefights of the Iraq War — a 10-hour urban fight in Mosul where Blackhawk Company, 1-23 Infantry, held ground without air support, under sustained RPG, machine-gun, and IED attacks.

Joe served 18 years on active duty in the U.S. Army as a 13F Fire Support Specialist and Forward Observer, deploying multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan. From the early days after 9/11, through the birth of the Stryker Brigade, to the brutal street fighting that followed, Joe's story captures what combat actually looks like at ground level — confusion, exhaustion, courage, and decisions made under fire.

Much of this conversation centers on the events chronicled in Joe's book, Gods of War: The Legend of Blackhawk Company 1-23 Infantry, including:

- The first combat casualties in Stryker Brigade history

- A catastrophic vehicle rollover on Blackhawk Company's first patrol

- The August 4, 2004 Battle of Mosul, where insurgents launched a coordinated, city-wide ambush designed specifically to destroy Stryker forces

- Holding key terrain "at all costs" while outnumbered, undersupplied, and cut off

- Leadership, brotherhood, and survival when everything goes sideways

This episode isn't about politics or strategy on paper — it's about what it feels like to fight in an urban environment, to lose teammates before your first firefight, and to keep moving when fear, chaos, and responsibility collide. If you're interested in modern warfare, infantry leadership, combat decision-making, or true war stories told by the people who lived them, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎙️ Guest Information — Joe Troutman | Gods of War: The Legend of Blackhawk Company 1-23 Infantry Joe Troutman, a U.S. Army combat veteran with 18 years of service and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He's the author of Gods of War: The Legend of Blackhawk Company 1-23 Infantry, a firsthand account of combat and brotherhood from the streets of Mosul.

📘 Facebook (Personal): @joetroutmanauthor

📖 Facebook (Book): @Godsofwarbco123

📸 Instagram: @joetroutman_author

🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joetroutmanauthor

🐦 X (Twitter): @JoeTroutman2

🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story 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.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973

📸 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

📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/

👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758

In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Michael D'Angelo — a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who turned a turbulent childhood, military service, and hard-earned life lessons into a career built on laughter and connection. Raised in a rough environment where stability was never guaranteed, Michael found in the Marine Corps something he didn't have growing up: structure, purpose, and a way out. Serving as a Marine machine gunner, the Corps gave him direction — and later, perspective — on both pain and resilience. After leaving the military, Michael found a new mission through comedy, using humor as a tool for healing, truth-telling, and connection. He went on to found the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, bringing stand-up comedy directly to troops, veterans, and first responders across the country — meeting people where they are and reminding them they're not alone. On this episode, we explore how the Marine Corps reshaped a young man searching for escape, how comedy became a second form of service, and why laughter might be one of the most underrated survival skills in the veteran community. While this episode doesn't focus on combat experiences, it stays true to our core mission of uplifting veteran voices and exploring the many paths of service after the uniform comes off. And fair warning — this one is absolutely hilarious. You won't want to miss it. 🎙️

Guest Information — Michael D'Angelo | Rapid Fire Comedy Tour Michael D'Angelo is a veteran comedian and creator behind the Rapid Fire Comedy Tour, a mission-driven comedy experience supporting military morale, connection, and veteran communities through humor.

🔗 Find Michael D'Angelo Online:

🎤 Rapid Fire Comedy Tour: https://www.rapidfirecomedytour.org

📸 Instagram (Tour): @rapidfirecomedytour

🎭 Character Monologues / Skits: @skitmos

👤 Personal Instagram: @michaeltheangelo

🎙️ Host Information — AJ Pasciuti | Combat Story 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.amazon.com/Darkhorse-Harnessing-Hidden-Potential-Life/dp/1400254973

📸 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

📺 Additional Features & Media 👉 Urban Valor Podcast Feature: https://urbanvalor.com/episode/marine-snipers-eliminate-enemy-sniper-reclaim-stolen-us-sniper-rifle/

👉 DVIDS – Infantry Marine Course Feature: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758

In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Elliot Ackerman—former Marine infantry officer, CIA paramilitary operations officer, journalist, and bestselling author.

Elliot takes us inside some of the most intense moments of modern warfare, from the brutal urban combat of Fallujah in 2004 to special operations deployments in Afghanistan and later transitioning into the CIA. He walks us through a harrowing platoon-level fight where his unit was surrounded, badly wounded, and forced to blow their way out under fire—starting the day with 46 Marines and ending with just 21 combat effective.

But this conversation goes deeper than tactics and timelines.

Elliot reflects on leadership under pressure, the mental toll of combat, and how war shapes identity long after the fighting ends. He also shares a remarkable story of sitting down years later with a former al-Qaeda in Iraq fighter—two men who once hunted each other, now trying to understand the same war from opposite sides.

This is a powerful discussion about brotherhood, memory, storytelling, and why veterans become the custodians of history when wars end. If you're interested in Marine infantry combat, Fallujah 2004, special operations, the CIA, or the deeper human meaning of war—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Combat Story, we sit down with Azad, known overseas as "Mike," whose life represents one of the most extraordinary and unlikely journeys to come out of the post-9/11 wars.

Born Kurdish in Baghdad, Azad was still a child when the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq began. His first exposure to Americans didn't come from movies, television, or Western culture — it came from U.S. soldiers operating in his hometown, at a time when alliances were fragile and the cost of being seen as a collaborator could be fatal.

Driven by curiosity, survival, and a desire to understand the forces shaping his country, Azad taught himself English one word at a time. That determination led him to become a U.S. military interpreter, where he served shoulder-to-shoulder with some of America's most elite combat units, including the 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, Marine Special Operations, and multiple Navy SEAL teams — often in the most dangerous and remote areas of Iraq.

His service earned him a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), a rare pathway granted to foreign nationals who risked their lives in support of U.S. forces. But Azad's journey didn't stop there.

After arriving in the United States, Azad did something almost unheard of: he raised his right hand again, this time to enlist as a U.S. Marine, transitioning from interpreter to infantryman and formally joining the ranks to continue to defend the country he had already sacrificed so much for.

Today, Azad continues to serve beyond the battlefield. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, is currently pursuing a master's degree in cybersecurity at the University of San Diego, and works with the nonprofit No One Left Behind, advocating for interpreters and wartime allies who stood with U.S. forces and now seek safety, recognition, and support.

This conversation explores war, loyalty, identity, immigration, service, and sacrifice, and asks a deeper question: What does it mean to belong to a nation you were willing to die for long before you were allowed to call it home?

To learn more about No One Left Behind visit https://www.nooneleft.org/

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The Second Battle of Fallujah — also known as Operation Phantom Fury — was one of the most intense urban combat engagements fought by U.S. forces since Vietnam. In this gripping documentary, real Marines, soldiers, and corpsmen recount the chaos, courage, and sacrifice that defined Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004.

This is not a scripted Hollywood war story. These are the firsthand voices of men who fought house to house, clearing buildings block by block in what became a defining moment of the Iraq War. Through raw interviews and authentic battlefield audio, this film captures the human side of modern warfare — the camaraderie, the fear, the humor, and the heartbreak that only those who lived it can truly describe.

At its core, Battle of Fallujah II is a story of brotherhood under fire. The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (India Company) and their brothers from 1/8 and other units share what it was like to face an enemy that called Fallujah home — an insurgent stronghold fortified by foreign fighters, Al-Qaeda extremists, and jihadists determined to die there. From the first breach through the city's northern berm to the final house cleared along the Euphrates River, the battle tested every ounce of discipline, endurance, and faith these men had.

You'll hear the personal accounts of hospital corpsmen risking everything to save wounded Marines, snipers like Tony Scardino and Chris Kyle trading shots in the same building, and infantrymen recounting split-second decisions that meant life or death. The film also revisits the leadership and sacrifice of officers and NCOs who never came home — men like Maj. Sean Sims, Capt. Ed Iwan, and Sgt. Maj. Cavaiani, whose courage inspired those still fighting.

Each memory in this documentary is seared with authenticity:

The claustrophobic streets filled with traps and ambushes.

The roar of tanks and AAVs breaching into the city.

The eerie quiet before dawn as Marines wrote what they called "death letters" to their families.

The moment when a platoon found itself isolated and surrounded, fighting for survival until air support could reach them.

Battle of Fallujah II goes beyond tactics and timelines. It's about what happens after — how these veterans carried the memories of their fallen brothers, how they grappled with loss, and how they continue to honor those who never made it home.

This film also examines the broader historical context: the political timing after the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the symbolism of reclaiming Fallujah from Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and the strategic shift toward large-scale urban warfare. For many who served, Fallujah became their generation's Normandy — a defining battle that shaped the course of their lives and the legacy of the Marine Corps.

Throughout the documentary, voices like Elliot Ackerman, Travis Greenwood, and Justin Oliver bring depth to the narrative — reflecting on leadership, moral complexity, and what it means to serve in a fight where the lines between survival and sacrifice blur.

The film does not glorify war. It reveals it. From the grit of medevac missions and sniper overwatch to the quiet moments of remembrance years later, this is the raw, unfiltered story of those who stood shoulder to shoulder in one of the fiercest battles of the modern era.

🎖️ Featuring:

Elliot Ackerman | Travis Greenwood | Tony Scardino | Scott Prill | Justin Oliver | Chris Kyle | Doc Pell | and the Marines of 3/5 India Company

📅 Timeline: November 2004 – Operation Phantom Fury

📍 Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq

💬 Themes:

Urban warfare and military brotherhood

Sacrifice and survival in modern combat

PTSD, resilience, and life after war

Firsthand veteran testimony and oral history

The human cost of the Iraq War

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

01:00 – Preparing for Battle

03:00 – The Enemy's Stronghold

05:00 – The Invasion Plan and Forces Assembled

07:00 – Into the City: Breaching the Berm

09:00 – Snipers and Scouts: Eyes of the Battle

12:00 – Letters Before Combat: Facing Mortality

13:00 – The First Casualties

15:00 – Chaos and Courage in the Streets

17:00 – Mechanized Assault on the Government Center

20:00 – Snipers and SEALs: Chris Kyle's Overwatch

23:00 – Corpsmen in the Crossfire

27:00 – House-to-House Combat

30:00 – The Cost of Brotherhood

36:00 – "Be Advised, There's a War On"

41:00 – Holding the Line

45:00 – Breaking Through: The Candy Store Stronghold

50:00 – Urban Hell: Five Hours, 400 Meters

55:00 – Acts of Valor and Survival

1:00:00 – The Medal of Honor Fight

1:05:00 – Aftermath: A City in Ruins

1:10:00 – Reflections and Legacy

1:15:00 – The Human Cost of War

1:18:00 – Why We Fought

1:20:00 – Closing Thoughts: Remembering the Warriors

#BattleOfFallujah #Fallujah2004 #IraqWar #USMarines

This is an invite to watch the Premiere of a Combat Story special episode titled Dauntless Courage focused entirely on combat stories taking place during the Battle of Fallujah II.

To join the premiere later today, go to YouTube at https://youtu.be/iO0-BJXWWJE and click notify me. The Premiere starts on Nov 8 at 8pm EST / 5pm PST.

Ryan and AJ will be in the chat watching the video live with everyone, including other Marines who fought in Fallujah!

In this incredible episode, Mark Wales, a former Australian SAS officer, opens up about his military journey. From his initial days in the Australian infantry to transitioning into the elite Special Forces, Mark reflects on his most pivotal experiences, including dangerous combat missions and the mental and physical toll of war. He shares intimate details about his service, his motivation to join Special Forces, and the challenges of losing friends in combat.

Mark's story isn't just about the highs of military life; it's also about the realities, the struggles with PTSD, and the transition back to civilian life. He talks about what it means to have the courage to face adversity, the bonds formed between soldiers, and how he now uses his experiences to inspire others as a corporate speaker.

A must-watch for anyone interested in the warrior spirit, leadership, resilience, and the human side of combat.

🎙️ About Ryan Fugit: Ryan is the creator and host of Combat Story, a podcast that captures the firsthand accounts of combat veterans, and Restricted Handling, which explores authoritarian activity and international security through conversations with world-class experts.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.

Find AJ Online:

📸 Instagram: /ajpasciuti 📘 LinkedIn: /angelo-pasciuti 👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature: / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan's Linktree 🔗 Merch: Bonfire Store 🛒 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory 📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial Link 🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction to Mark Wales

00:57 Joining the Special Forces

01:42 Life After the Military

05:30 Combat Experiences and Near Misses

09:35 Dealing with Loss and Grief

16:42 Mental Health and PTSD

19:43 Reflections and Traditions

23:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sponsored by Veterans Help Group — supporting veterans navigating VA benefits.

In this incredible, unconventional story, Nate reveals how he discovered his life's purpose by taking a radical leap of faith.

In 2004, feeling adrift and disturbed by the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan, Nate knew he had to do something. Rejected by countless NGOs due to his lack of a college degree and "special skills," he refused to accept "no" for an answer.

With nothing but determination and a bold elevator pitch, he bought a plane ticket to Chad and found a way onto a UN flight to the refugee camps. Despite being interrogated by local authorities, Nate's perseverance paid off, and he was put to work—an experience that transformed his life in ways he never imagined.

This powerful, two-month journey ignited Nate's passion for service and ultimately led him to enlist in the U.S. military. A must-listen story about the warrior spirit, rising to the occasion in a time of crisis, and choosing action over complacency.

🎙️ About Ryan Fugit:

Ryan is the creator and host of Combat Story, a podcast that captures the firsthand accounts of combat veterans, and Restricted Handling, which explores authoritarian activity and international security through conversations with world-class experts. Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti

📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti

🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature: / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

🛒 Email [email protected]

📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory

📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

📘 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction 00:30 Nate's Journey to Darfur 02:10 Challenges and Experiences in Darfur 04:30 Joining the Military: From Darfur to the Army 14:49 Family Reactions and Early Military Days 29:25 Special Forces Training and Deployment 35:04 Reflecting on Physical Fitness and Aging 36:26 Deployment to Iraq: A Journey Through History 38:19 Experiences and Challenges in Iraq 40:36 The Complexities of War and Foreign Policy 46:34 First Missions and Initial Encounters 57:49 Training and Selection of Iraqi Soldiers 01:03:41 Balancing Military Service and College Football 01:06:47 Internships Abroad and Early Deployments 01:07:01 Experiences in Afghanistan 01:07:17 Combat Encounters and Reflections 01:09:36 Returning Home and Transitioning to Football 01:10:10 Balancing Military and Football 01:11:02 Challenges of Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 01:23:19 Veterans Help Group and Support Systems 01:28:09 Merging Vets and Players (MVP) Initiative 01:33:05 Personal Reflections and Future Plans

🎖️ From Marine Sniper to Army Special Operations Veteran | Erick Miyares' Unbelievable Combat Story 🇺🇸. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Erick Miyares — a retired Special Operations soldier who began his journey in the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to serve in the Army's 7th Special Forces Group and an Army Special Missions Unit under U.S. SOCOM. Eric takes us deep into the realities of war, from the jungles of Central and South America to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. He opens up about taking a life, losing brothers, living with post-traumatic stress, and finding healing and purpose after decades in the shadows. This is more than a combat story — it's about resilience, identity, and redemption. Eric's transition from elite soldier to PhD student in Cyber Psychology shows how warriors continue to serve even after the battlefield. 🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

The truth about life inside Special Operations How elite warriors process trauma and rebuild What it's like to order a kinetic strike — and live with it Lessons in discipline, humility, and healing from a 30-year veteran The mindset of those who operate in the world's most dangerous environments

💡 About Eric Ez Miyares:

Retired U.S. Army Special Operations veteran Former Marine Corps sniper Served in Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond Now a PhD candidate in Cyber Psychology, studying cognitive resilience Advocate for mental health and veterans' reintegration

💬 Support & Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling with post-traumatic stress, reach out for help. You are not alone. 👉 Visit VeteransHelpGroup.com or call (855) 231-6144.

🎙️ About Ryan Fugit:

Ryan is the creator and host of Combat Story, a podcast that captures the firsthand accounts of combat veterans, and Restricted Handling, which explores authoritarian activity and international security through conversations with world-class experts. Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with military veterans, intelligence professionals, and leaders shaping the future of national security.

Find Erick Miyares :

📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erick-miyares/

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti

📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti

🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature: / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course: https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan's Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

🛒 Email [email protected]

📸 Instagram @combatstory / combatstory

📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

Check out the Retricted Handling podcast at www.restrictedhandling.com

📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

📘 Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Eric Ez Miyares 01:00 – Marine Corps beginnings & escaping the streets of Miami 02:00 – Lessons learned from the Corps: discipline and humility 03:00 – The weight of pulling the trigger and ordering strikes 05:00 – Facing death in the Middle East and processing fear 07:00 – Living with Post-Traumatic Stress (without the "D") 08:30 – Opening Pandora's Box: therapy and healing 10:00 – Rediscovering purpose through resilience and service 11:00 – Sacrifices of family life during decades of deployments 13:00 – Cognitive fatigue and the toll of 20 years at war 14:30 – Finding brotherhood, connection, and purpose after combat 15:30 – The dual life: operator and intelligence professional 17:00 – The veteran bond and the humor that keeps them going 18:00 – The lighter side: local food, culture, and MRE memories 20:00 – Healing, time, and reflecting on legacy 21:30 – Lessons learned and why he'd serve again 23:00 – Closing reflections on purpose, family, and discipline

Marine Raider LtCol Ivan Ingraham (USMC, Ret.) takes us deep inside one of the most intense firefights of the Afghanistan War — when his convoy rolled into the Green Zone and an RPG bounced off the hood of his Humvee before exploding behind him.

In this unforgettable episode of Combat Story, Ivan shares what it really feels like when all hell breaks loose. From the chaos of a full-blown ambush to the calm, deliberate decisions that saved his Marines' lives, this story captures the courage, clarity, and leadership forged only through combat.

Ivan spent 24 years in the Marine Corps, serving as both a conventional infantry officer and later as a Special Operations Marine Raider with MARSOC. Across five combat deployments to Afghanistan, he led elite units under fire, trained the next generation of Recon Marines, and later turned his hard-won lessons into writing, speaking, and leadership coaching.

This is more than just a war story. It's about courage under fire, the weight of command, and finding purpose after the battlefield.

🔗 Connect with Ivan Ingraham

🌐 Official Website: ➡️ https://ivanfingraham.com

📰 Substack Newsletter – The Log Book ➡️ https://ivanfingraham.substack.com

📘 Books by Ivan F. Ingraham

➡️ Once We Pledged Forever: A Novel of Combat, Marines and the War Within

https://www.amazon.com/Once-We-Pledged-Forever-Marines/dp/1958861669

➡️ Dream Job

https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Job-Ivan-F-Ingraham-ebook/dp/B0CW18V16F

➡️ Athena: Bravery Knows No Gender

https://www.amazon.com/Athena-Ivan-F-Ingraham-ebook/dp/B0BLT469Y4

➡️ 22: A Journey to The Edge of Darkness

https://www.amazon.com/22-Darkness-Ivan-F-Ingraham/dp/B0C2RYRYFW

➡️ The Patrol: A Story of MARSOC at War https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/137341905-the-patrol-a-story-of-marsoc-at-war

📚 Amazon Author Page (Full Catalog): ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ivan-F.-Ingraham/author/B0BCL7NGS3

💬 Facebook: ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/IvanFIngraham

📸 Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/ifi_writer

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram: / ajpasciuti https://www.instagram.com/ajpasciuti/

📘 LinkedIn: / angelo-pasciuti https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelo-pasciuti/

🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order ("Darkhorse"): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqnKAUUOCDmJZPWrMf9NZ

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sniper-vs-sniper-battle-killing-the-enemys-most/id1537933985?i=1000633686192

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature:

https://www.facebook.com/UrbanValor/posts/retired-marine-chief-warrant-officer-3-aj-pasciuti-recounts-being-in-the-middle-/602000529075284/

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course:

https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/Comptroller/Innovation/?dvpTag=imc&videoid=790758

🧭 CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: RPG Ambush & Chaos in the Green Zone

03:15 – Ivan Ingraham's background and upbringing in a military family

07:20 – Why he joined the Marines and the recruiting story that changed everything

12:10 – Lessons from OCS and The Basic School: what makes a Marine officer different

18:00 – Becoming an Infantry Officer and early deployments with 1/4

25:30 – Transition to Recon and the path toward Force Reconnaissance

34:00 – September 11th: where Ivan was when the towers fell

37:45 – Early years of the Global War on Terror and Recon's evolving role

41:00 – The creation of MARSOC and Ivan's move to Marine Special Operations

51:30 – Inside MARSOC's first deployments: structure, culture, and combat readiness

1:07:00 – The firefight: RPG hits the convoy and "all hell breaks loose"

1:13:00 – What combat really sounds like and the chaos of leadership under fire

1:20:00 – Calling in air support and the A-10 Warthog strafing run

1:26:00 – The moment Ivan thought they wouldn't make it out alive

1:31:00 – Aftermath: reflection, loss, and lessons in leadership

1:47:00 – Writing, healing, and building "The Log Book" newsletter

1:54:00 – Life after MARSOC: leadership, loss, and finding purpose again

2:10:00 – Ivan Ingraham's advice on courage, humility, and leading through fear

🪖 ABOUT IVAN INGRAHAM

LtCol Ivan Ingraham, USMC (Ret.) is a former Marine Raider (MARSOC), combat veteran, and author. Over a 24-year career, he served in leadership roles across conventional and special operations units, deploying five times to Afghanistan and around the world.

⚡ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

✅ How a Marine Raider leads through chaos when everything falls apart

✅ What it feels like to be ambushed by RPGs in Afghanistan

✅ The difference between leadership in combat vs. corporate life

✅ The emotional cost of war and how Ivan found meaning beyond the battlefield

✅ Lessons on humility, courage, and trust from 24 years of service