DTD PODCAST

Ben Wallick, aka the “Vanilla Gorilla” (a nickname he was given in the SEAL teams), joined the Navy immediately after graduating high school in July 2001. He went through BUDS (SEAL) training class 242 and after completion was assigned to SEAL Team 2 where he served as a Lead Breacher, Team Leader, and other various capacities for multiple combat deployments overseas to the Middle East. He detached from SEAL Team 2 in 2009 where he then spent his last year on active duty at Naval Special Warfare Training Detachment assault cell teaching all the east cost SEAL teams close-quarter combat tactics. After leaving active duty in 2...

Joseph Hahn was raised in central Texas under the care of Child Protective Services as a foster child in multiple homes from age five until he graduated high school. He was accepted into Texas A&M following graduation where he studied Biomedical Science for a pre-med degree. While attending Texas A&M University for a Biomedical Science Degree, he volunteered to serve after our great nation was attacked. Joseph spent 14 years in the United States Navy as a Special Operator First Class (SEAL). After completing Basic Underwater Demolition /SEAL training Class 252, he was stationed on a west coast team where...

Meet Liam Cogan, a man whose journey has been marked by unwavering dedication, resilience, and a unique blend of military precision and entrepreneurial spirit. A retired Navy SEAL, Liam's career is a testament to his commitment to excellence and his ability to navigate the most challenging environments. Having served as a Navy SEAL, Liam honed his skills in elite special operations, where he undoubtedly faced adversity and triumphed through rigorous training and real-world missions. His experience and leadership within the SEAL teams equipped him with a set of values that extend far beyond the battlefield. Post-military service, Liam has seamlessly...

This week in the studio, a remarkable individual whose journey spans from the tranquil shores of Hilo, Hawaii, to the bustling streets of Los Angeles, California. His life took a pivotal turn at the tender age of 10, marking the beginning of a series of extraordinary experiences. At 18, Nicholas embarked on a new chapter, enlisting in the Army and subsequently serving with distinction for a decade. Within the Army, Nicholas became an integral part of the esteemed 82nd Airborne and later joined the elite 75th Ranger Regiment, where he honed his skills as an Army Ranger. During six deployments, his unwavering...

With a robust background spanning two decades as a Navy SEAL across SEAL Team FIVE, SEAL Team EIGHT, and Special Boat Team TWENTY, my guest ventured through multiple combat theaters in the Pacific, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Graduating from the revered BUD/S training in August '97 (Class 212), my guest charted a path from an enlisted Mineman to a commissioned Navy SEAL Officer. His journey is peppered with milestones – from sniper training to guiding teams in combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Post-retirement, he navigated to the University of Southern California, steering veteran programs as the Director of Development and standing ta...

Adam Bardwell, a name synonymous with resilience and innovation, embodies the epitome of service and advocacy. With a distinguished 11-year tenure as a Special Forces Medic, Adam's journey extends beyond valor on the battlefield. As the Security Operations Supervisor at Global Rescue and the visionary founder of NONSTANDARD 501(c)(3), he stands as a beacon for change and progress in the veteran community. His unwavering voice echoes through the corridors of the Department of Defense (DOD), tirelessly advocating to bridge cultural divides and usher in life-saving policy reforms. A survivor in every sense, Adam's triumph over cancer and disabilities fuels his...

Nick Jones, President and Founder of Talons Reach Foundation, is a medically retired Marine Staff Sergeant who served honorably for twelve years. Raised in the Kansas City suburb of Olathe, Nick joined the United States Marine Corps in January of 2010; just one month after his 18th birthday. He completed the School of Infantry and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines as a Mortarman. ¬Nick then joined the Scout Sniper Platoon and in 2012 was deployed to Afghanistan. In 2013, Nick pursued a career as a Marine Raider. He attended the Marine Special Operations Assessment and Selection Program and was successfully s...

Barry Gray (Baz) is a modern-day explorer and adventurer specialising in extreme cold climates. Barry is currently planning the Solo Unsupported and Unassisted crossing of the Antarctic continent from Coast to Coast in 2024, a journey still yet to be completed, if successful, this will be a world first. Barry was always an adventurous spirit growing up, very much the outdoor type. He enjoyed almost every type of sport and excelled in quite a few of them. His true-life adventure started as a 16-year-old when he applied to join the Royal Marine Commandos. Before he reached his eighteenth birthday, he had...

This week is an episode that so many people need to hear, my guest has served the United States Army for 24 years, with a majority of that time as a Green Beret. He has seen his share of war with multiple combat deployments, but this guest’s trauma started way back in childhood where he was the victim of abuse for almost a decade, even driving him to attempt suicide at the age of 12. My guest moved on to college and the Army thinking it would give his life purpose, only finding that he could not completely shake the demons or...

At the age of 17, my guest embarked on an unconventional journey by enlisting in the Army as an All-Source Intel Analyst. After high school, he completed his education, earned a Bachelor's degree in Strategic Studies & Defense Analysis, and later, a Master's in Strategic Studies. In 2018, he deployed to Djibouti, where he served with the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion. Subsequently, my guests ventured to Afghanistan and later to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. These diverse deployments broadened his horizons and honed his skills. His transition to the Threat Screening Center and later to a role supporting the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency and...