Thanks for watching everyone. You can watch the full episode with Cody Alford on here th-cam.com/video/fQbdKhNiPWY/w-d-xo.html Additionally if you want to support the Shawn Ryan Show you can join the community. www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite
quite traumatic having to become a nomad because of how many people you have to tell _"yes, 45 does hit harder than a 9mm and knowing that will save your life"_
this Podcast is a great format for Veterans to release information and suppressed interactions with War...An outlet for Elite Men to Express Real life Situations with the World and open Minds to the Beauty and Horror of What Fighting for a Country requires.God Bless these Beautiful Men and Women
I think saying that it was the bloodiest war is a complete smack in the face to WW2 vets and Vietnam vets, Vietnam war had 10 times more casualties than the Iraq war and definitely more than Vietnam. Why don't you change your title to "marine shares his experience from a bloody war in history"? Come on man don't disrespect WW2 and Vietnam vets like that.
@@campsitez2355 You’re right but you’re wrong watch a ballistic test with a 9 mm versus a 45. I’m going with the 9 mm all day it has way better penetration.
I know, it seems like a lot aren’t even listening to the answer they are given before than start asking the next question! But I agree you can tell Sean’s a good listener because a lot of times he’ll ask another questions that has to do with the answer his guess has just given! If that makes sense!
My dad served with the herd in Vietnam 68 thru 70 said he has killed men woman and children he was an extremely cold individual all my life as he got older before he passed I could see that he was always fighting those demons from the past trying to keep them at bay ...I miss that man more every day...he was a tough dude...guess they were built different back then...but I sure loved him..
@@georgefloydsinhellwbreonna5330 that’s all I wanted to hear brother. With fake ass shit smothering us (Breona “dead body in the trunk” gray is innocent, George Floyd loved his daughter, hands up don’t shoot, white men are the biggest threat to national security) I have zero credibility to lend online characters who come to the table with such wild tales. Thanks for going the extra mile here - I never caught Shawn’s explanation if he already DID mention this legend’s credibility check.
Fallujah vet here: 2004 springtime was THE most uncomfortable time in my years of service. Combat experiences aside, it was incredibly tense in and around the S/T and the local populace was looking at the insurgency to jumpstart the resistance. It was clear as crystal something was brewing and then we had the big fight. Both sides paid a heavy price. Condolences.
My both my uncle and my stepdad were there at the time my uncle was army with 101st and. My dad was 1st marines 2nd Bat and has had many deployments since then. Had told me a bit but now much but it always sticks with me about how both my uncle and stepdad both agree it was one of the most uncomfortable, violent, and intense combat experiences they’ve had.
I still think he is my favorite person you’ve interviewed. His ability to recount the stories is amazing. He should absolutely write a book if he hasn’t already.
My husband is a disabled combat vet. I will forever fight for you guys & I want you guys to know you are worth it & you deserve love ❤ Nobody understands the stuff they went through over there unless you were also over there. When we first got together and I was waking him up from night terrors and witnessing his ptsd, I wanted to know what he experienced. I completely threw myself into research & watching video footage from over there. I watched the worst ones I could find just so I could have even the SLIGHTEST understanding. It still doesn’t even come close to what he actually experienced. But i gained even more respect & compassion for those that had those experiences. If I could take those memories, feelings & the smells forever burned in his mind, I would.
Good for you for being a faithful wife! Many women just abandon their husbands when they are disabled, as my ex did with me. But you are sticking with the man you married. You are not that common anymore so I want to commend you!
@@ToddSauve Actually I met him after he got out. His ex wife did the same thing to him. After sleeping with all of Craigslist. That was 10 years ago ❤️
@@odinsvalkyrie7769 Ain't married life grand ... sometimes. I wish these "exes" could see what worms they are, and what heroic women you and your like are! 💖💖💖
I'm a proud u.s. marine 0331 and I love how the Navy SEAL interviewing my devil dog you know he's been through it all himself and he just sits there and listens and supports my Marine!! Thank you brother!!!
I have so much love and respect for the marines. My stepdad was a marine and so were some of my cousins. I was in the army and got to work with some of the marines in Iraq. They were pretty cool. I was also at Camp Pendleton, California on detail with the cooks there. But as far as Iraq and Afghanistan goes, oh my gosh it was crazy. I deployed to other countries in the Middle East but I will say that Afghanistan the 5 months I was there made Iraq look like a cakewalk. The deployment I did in Libya made Afghanistan look like paradise. Libya was crazy. That’s why I’m so thankful I retired. Ironically enough, I volunteered to go to Afghanistan when the reenlidten NCO came to the DFAC.
Let's be real. This dude is an imposing looking figure. Not to be fucked with. But he seems like a squared away genuine down to earth guy with one hell of a good story to tell and the knack to do it extremely well. Shawn is putting out some high-powered no bullshit content.
My worst nightmares cannot compare to what Cody Alford actually lived through. I can’t help but feel guilt enjoying hearing him talk, knowing he’s reliving that stuff as he’s speaking about it.
In March 2003, I was with Task Force Tarawa with 1/2 Charlie Company. Nasiriyah was a Nightmare. Then we deployed again in April 2004 where our AO was Al-Iskandiriyah, Haswah, Kalsu, and MSR Tampa. I’ve seen my share of the evil that this world is capable of. Thank you for sharing your experience and memories with us. God Bless you Brother and Shawn Ryan, and all of our Military community.
"EVIL" It's funny how that word conjures up different images in our head when heard as opposed to those of a civilian. WHen heard they will nod as if they comprehend evil but never will they have the faintest idea of what true evil is (and it's our job to make/keep it that way) however, sometimes I envy them. It's lonely having these images, experiences and knowledge that I possess and no one to understand their implications.
My battalion was in the Fallujah area during April/May 2004 supporting this effort. Doing reconnaissance, intel gathering, and finding a shit ton of IEDs. I remember being pissed that the "powers that be" shoved dudes like this into the meat grinder instead of either using night tactics with conventional, non conventional, and reconnaissance assets (like ourselves) for raids/ambushes/night ops, or using over whelming fire power to drive through the city. It all came down to politics. They didn't want it to look bad on the news with "civilian" causalities even though Fallujah was an absolute shit show. Ramadi was worse in some ways. Passing through there was like the wild west: the tension without the gun fight but you knew one could come at any moment. He's 100% correct, many lessons were learned from that year and how archaic many of the tactics were. Politics.
We were in Fallujah 2 different times between March 2003- January 2004. It was wild but still relatively quiet compared to the more known time frames of 2004-2007. I will say this. You could definitely see and sense the build up to what happened there later. It's like no matter how dominant we may have felt. You just could just see that something major was on the horizon. They were smart warriors to be honest. I believe this may be where a bunch of EOD guys were attacked. The enemy had learned all the different letters and numbers on the vehicles. They set the EOD guys up to respond to a much more larger set of explosives. They started FOCUSING on medic tracks after incidents. If I remember correctly. This may be where we started painting over all of the track number identifiers in our entire unit. My unit was Grim Troop 3 ACR. Our vehicles had G (#) on all of them. During a briefing we were told that it was going around that some of the locals thought our troop had something to do with God because our vehicles had G on them. Sounds crazy. Its true. Fallujah was just weird. It's like you couldn't put your finger on it. It's like it was quiet, but not quiet. The moment you thought you were good, chaos hit in some way. I've been to cities that were terrible for our unit. We had our own major combat time frame other places. But it was just easier and different. You knew exactly what was up. Chaos and that's it. Fallujah was damn near sneaky chaos for us.
@@ValiantVisions314thank you for your service!! Appreciate the story man. If you could give a couple more that’d be dope. Can’t imagine at all what it would be like that out there but it’s always amazing hearing all these stories. Truly unreal. God bless brother
@@ValiantVisions314 Falluja wasn't even my units' AO. We got called down from Al Qa'im (on the Syrian border on the Euphrates). From what I heard shit picked up in Al Qa'im when they saw us leave. We came back to bigger local graveyards and the locals running from us. Confused us. After that mission we got called to assist in other ops from Haditha to Al Asad several times, along with our main mission which was recon on the Syrian border north of Al Qa'im. Fallujah was the one that first pissed me off. It was was demoralizing seeing a mission started but not actually completed (a clear win). And it definitely got me seeing that the overall strategy in Iraq was not to win anything. It wasn't our (the various units) fault, it was politics. There was no winning strategy. It only continued like that through the rest of the year. My motivation, and many other's, was destroyed that year. And, YES, the locals were always watching. Units all over the country would take the same routes constantly and the IEDs just got bigger and better as the year progressed. We would watch them on rooftops and in streets watching us, sometimes with cellphones or radios in their hands. I think the exact moment I felt we were fucked was when someone in my leadership actually used the words "hearts and minds" in a briefing and I had to keep myself from yelling out "are you fucking serious, you didn't just say that". At my age now, thinking back on that it's both hilarious and extremely sad.
I jumped in Fallujah with Jeremy DeWitte. We were the METRO STATE POLICE COMBAT SUPER SNIPERS when they killed my goat. I cried, oh yea I cried, it was hell. I don't remember everything but I remember from that day there would be a jihad on the killer of my Goat 😢
Semper. I was there for that push. 2nd deployment after the initial push up from Kuwait to take strongholds in Iraq and rid the Guard. That particular time frame (March 2004) I was there on Weapons Co 2/1 CAAT PLT in an IFAV on a MK-19 with my Javelin missiles strapped to the IFAV, running around providing support with heavy fire on different missions. He’s not exaggerating…shit popped off. These guys, though, the forward sniper teams, the ground force clearing the city, those guys had it rough. Proper rough. Love this interview, love this show. Good shit.
Brother Me and others was with you in the same time and area! God Damn Nightmares, before we deployed the people and things we trusted with our life! Semper Fi!
By far the best guest you’ve had the show! Cody has been through hell is he taking what he has learned and doing great work to help people get through their problems and be the best versions of themselves.
Dad signed up in 1947 USMC , sniper school via Camp Pendleton,2 tours in Korea, and while a reserve he was sent to Vietnam in 1965, did 2 tours still as a sniper. He met a youngster sniper Carlos Hathcock “white feather”, but dad was almost 40, he retired in 1967, but he never talked about being a sniper, he only spoke about his three older brothers killed in the South Pacific USMC. Thanks for your stories, fellas I never served in the military, unfortunately my oldest brother was 17 when he was killed in 1973 Vietnam, but he was merely a rifleman.
@@anthonyhart9878 They were only Marines, they were not special forces, only grunts, my dad went through sniper school in Camp Pendleton, back then they weren’t scout-snipers merely marksman school & they went out alone into N Korea past the wire. USMC Quantico,Virginia wasn’t founded until 1974. Dad retired in 1967, he never finished the 8th grade, so he joined the USMC, mother said that because they lived in the country they only had one teacher and grades from first-twelve grades all together, and he felt out of place because he was already shaving a full beard daily. He thought it was better to be a USMC than picking cotton. Additionally, my oldest brother was killed in 1973, and was shot 4 days from 2 months in Vietnam. Both were USMC, however they were only riflemen. Dad’s 3 brothers in the South Pacific who also fell were only grunts as well. Incidentally they took photos in their dress blues, yet none of them actually owned dress blues.
@@glockdude5472 I think he passed in 1998 or 2000 from M/S. But I’m not sure, my dad retired in 1967, but he & his military colleagues were decorated from the President of South Korea Marines, Sailors, soldiers, Airmen & dad already passed in 2015, but he saw him at a Vietnam veterans function in DC. Dad said he was in crutches, but he should have been in a wheelchair,yet he said “once a Marine” he would not allow his brothers to see him beat , or fall. “Semper Fi” Center yourself in the hatch DevilDog, Hoorah
quite traumatic having to become a nomad because of how many people you have to tell _"yes, 45 does hit harder than a 9mm and knowing that will save your life"_
Just some back story on him, he climbed the ranks really fast at a young age in the Marine. To do this, you have to be able to communicate well because you are always talking to a large group of marines.
Most all men and women that have seen combat won't talk about some of the shit they seen I have heard stories from Nam to Dessert Storm all the up till lately. I have the upmost respect for them all and my condolences to the ones that ended up paying the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.. our government needs to do better at helping them when they come home
Every interview he does with men that have seen combat experience is so fascinating. This one in particular got me when he said, “there were so many SOPs that came out of Fallujah alone..” I mean..wow. I can’t imagine being a kid in ANY war sent across the world to face an advisory on their own turf and having that many unknown variables arise you are faced to deal with. It’s as admirable as it is heart breaking to hear about.
This man was a good speaker. Some people just have a gift for story telling. That paired with some harrowing first hand experiences is a powerful combo
Love watching these, always makes me think of how my dad did back then in Vietnam. He was a sniper and went to Germany first then he went to the eye of the fight! He would never really talk about it much until I was around 30. He passed away in 2017. I miss him like crazy
I've deployed multiple times to a number of hotspots throughout the last few decades, several years worth, as an enabler, no one does it better than the USMC! I've had an opportunity to work essentially with every unit, many conventional, though mostly SOF, the Marines always represent themselves and our nation with the utmost in dedication and commitment.
SEALs, Delta, Rangers, paratroopers and the Marines do it better than all of them combined. Did you know in the Pacific, the Army lost twice as many as the Marines.
My Marine recon buddy told us, around the camp fire, about the human shields being women and children.....it was one of the most egregious things I've ever heard....he pulled no punches and told us his experience.....still, today, it sickens me.
Word. One of my buddies is a former Ranger. He told me about a school he helped liberate that was being used as some sort of training camp. He said the sick f***s had kids shackled to walls in the basement of the school who’d been raped hundreds of times. Really disgusting stuff that puts hate in your heart.
You guys just really making light of what this man just told us. I'm sorry your friend went through that. Human shields or not guys, those were women and children who only knew a foreign government much larger than them was invading. They're still human
Death letters are written prior to deployment in the UK. Interesting that you wrote them once deployed. I'm sure at the time I gave everything to my best friend as she was in a really tough spot in life. Like everything I owned, all savings, all life insurance, everything. Thankful that those letters were never opened. Burned them at my mum's house when I got back.
Same here in U.S. before you deploy, they make sure your Life Ins. Policy/Will is all signed, initialed in the right places. After that you can leave a farewell letter with the Chaplains Office. While waitin' to get on the iron bird, it really does ground you in your own mortality. But, being the crazy combat medic I am, I always said "F death on a battlefield"! My motto was "It came to me in a dream in boot camp. I'm going to die at age 106 violently with a shit-eatin' grin on my face. I'm gonna die at the hands of a jealous man regarding his ole lady". 😉😜🤣 I'd tell each man in my Platoon they too share the same fate, but I'd change the ages it would happen😉❤️🤠😎👍🏾❤️🇺🇸
Some of the folks that come on this show are tremendous story tellers. That's not to take away from the stories of others, but this dude can REALLY tell a story.
My grandfather and his brother toured parts of Europe on foot during WW1. He as sergeant and his brother as corporal. When I was ten and on the farm for the summer I asked him several times what happened. One day as we finished breakfast before going to work he told me "War is Hell" and told me he would tell me his story once and once only. Over the next hour he did just that. I have NEVER forgotten. War is hell.
This guy just gives off legend vibes. He’s a tried and true hard man. Thank you for service. I served in the army for about 5 years but nothing compared to what he dir
Just because his trail and tribulations are different than yours doesn’t mean your still not a hero, anyone who willingly puts their life on the line for this country is a hero in my book! Thank you for your service!
This is a battle that not many talk about. Most people only remember the Battle of Fallujah being Phantom Fury. But, March/April/May 2004 in Fallujah was absolute combat at its highest.
Man being a computer guy in the Marines outside the city in Camp Falluja watching drone feeds was shitty enough. I am thankful every damn day I didn't have to go into that city and pull a trigger. Mad respect for all guys that had to go in there and deal with that shit.
you did your job. you were there you served. If need be you would have picked up your rifle your helmet and done your duty. You did more than 97 % of the US population. Be proud of your service.
I served during Desert Shield/Storm. After my discharge I went into law enforcement. After retirement, I was hired as a contractor to train Iraqi police. My group was sent to Basra, and on our first day on the fob, a large explosion went off at the main gate. The interpreters who had just left camp for the day, were just murdered as they drove off base.
@@HookEmNBookEm Well, it’s really not your business, but I passed a psych evaluation for the civilian law enforcement jobs I’ve held and every contract position I was hired for. Not every person who is in a traumatic situation gets ptsd. The ones that do, at least the ones I know, in the military, or law enforcement, are still able to maintain a career, family, and social life.
This makes so much sense why they use such young kids for this stuff. It’s not the physical aspects (that does help), it’s the being in a hat youthful cloud where you don’t question things as much. Young kids will do what they are told a lot of easier.
So dude was out there in 2004. Its 2023 and he still looks 20? After PTSD and Tramautic events ? This guy is a TRUE Soldier of Yah. His 🧠 mental is very well, tbh you can tell how "up to beat" someone is by body language and their speech. This guy is still on Ten. Salute !!
Hey marine, thanks for your report while you were in combat. You stated that you got all the training for what they had, every combat fight as you now, is ADAPT, Overcome, And Concour. Remember the marines in Tarawa, Vietnam, the Tet Offensive, No amount of training could have prepared you for what was going to happen. I'll tell you and Shawn that all I can tell you marine, thanks for your service, and Shawn too!!!!! Semper Fidelis!!!!!
Yes, but its over the top brother and its raising red flags. Stories this off the wall need to be verified with some tiny shred of outside evidence and I am smelling some bullshit going on here. Shawn is paid based on the clicks he gets so the crazier the story the better. I would, for one, like to know he did some digging to check up on this guy - and if he really did, then by all means I will stfu and grab my pocorn.
@@Mike-hn4uu Maybe but a lot of people in those battles, of they even made it home, have never been the same since with some of the stuff they saw and went through. He even said he had been to war but those battles were different
@@Mike-hn4uuthe SOF community is so small, especially MARSOC since it’s only been around for 19 years and if he was lying someone would have called him out by now. Just because you never experienced war because you’re not as bad ass doesn’t mean he hasn’t.
@@SergioHernandez-vr8bx I didn’t mean any offense whatsoever and your point is well received. It’s a shame, I’ve just literally noticed so much lying and deceiving and stolen valor elsewhere lately - if I could edit I would truly start a TH-cam channel right now calling it all out, but it’s making me jaded. I appreciate the fuck out of this man and his effort for our country. I got some good feedback here in this thread, it’s helping restore some of my faith in humanity.
@@Mike-hn4uu a lot of times the shit people like this go through is so traumatic on the brain that they can just see everything they’re talking about that’s why a lot of times they can recall like everything in the war but not remember shit about before bc they’re brain blocked all the stuff out from before to make room for all of this shit that they went through the brain is powerful thing. I hope that made sense lol…
A lot of these stories, most people are not aware of the horrific parts and aspects of. I think it's a good thing they're being told. War as it can be sometimes.
Ahhhhhh......i vividly remember those moments of peace in Ramadi. Sitting on a rooftop at sunrise, the singing from the mosques, the sun coming up over the palm trees.
These kids are so fucking strong and brave, you can hear the fucking pain in their voices😢 im 46 years old now and it kills me to hear the world their souls are now trapped in!
Cody you are my Brother! I am a MARINE, and a multiple WAR veteran. I got out and went straight to the VA hospital in 2006. WAR is HELL. I have a traumatic brain injury, and PTSD. Some of my other Bros died. Thank your service to your country in the name of Democracy, and FREEDOM YOU ARE a real Warrior, and a real man. Same with the rest of you that served. Thank you ! GOD BLESS , and keep an eye on those Ignorant Civilians!
I was in country during OIF II and remember how insane things were around this time. I love these interviews because it exposes the average citizen to the horrors and insanity that so many young men and women were experiencing in Iraq. As I close out a 23 year career what I’m discovering is that so many of us that compartmentalized these experiences are suffering from the delayed effects of urban warfare that lasted for 12+ months and reoccurred every other year or so during the heights of the OIF/OEF efforts. I pray for every service member that struggle and work to live side by side with their demons on a daily basis.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is hard for a lot of veterans, but I think that being open about your experiences helps you cope and keeps you from internalizing them and making you go crazy. My father was a Vietnam veteran and never spoke with anyone about what he saw and did, and when he experienced other life difficulties on top of that, he committed suicide. I pray you can deal with your experiences and I wish you a happy, healthy life.
man this guy is a beast. he doesn't even mention the fact that the bad guys don't care if they die. they're perfectly willing to bunker in the corner of the room and take you with them without a second thought.
So sad what these men and women went thru in any war bc people in offices send em off to fight. I can't thank those men and woman enough for what they have fought for. Our military has done so much for us and for other countries. Now, we repay them by slowly turning into a communist nation...absolutely disgusting. It's a slap in the face to all that have fought and died for our freedoms.
This gentle,an is my favorite guest so far. I'd read his book or listen to a talk by him at a seconds' notice. Semper Fi! Love all of you guys! THANK YOU, SINCERELY.
I in all honesty don't know what these soldiers are going through neither do I understand but you can hear in their voices how stressed out they are. You guys do have my utmost respect for been so brave in the worst situations you experiencing....
the bonding that has NO words.... 10 minutes of silence in darkness..THANKS GOD he made dudes like him.... this are real super heroes.... There is NO CHILD TIME... this is IT...
I was a mover in the Aussie army ..'03 - '07 ..shit was really going down ..it was savage in Fallujah..Shiite insurgents picking off US servicemen & early Isis in the mix...in '05 I was tasked on Op's in Afganistan & it kicked off with just as serious intent from both side..4 years of hell
I spent 4 years of pussiness. Dad, well, most honest. Never witnessed or knew dad to mistreat people, more than fair. Workaholic. Tough hardass,but fair. He is mild compared to Granddad.6'5 265 lbs. Was definitely awesome. I rec'd as the youngest that i spent my time with him, everybody moved out. Dad, Mom, and i. Strong all the way to the end.RIP.
That was so real. My heart is pounding and I have goosebumps, hyper alert feeling at least some of the emotion and more cognizant of the sacrifice, the chaos, the sink-or-swim this-shit-is-real. And simultaneously on a very intimate level combined with thoughts and feelings about larger macro issues. Pain. Sacrifice. Souls. Dollars. Waste. Destroyed fantasies. Consequences. New realities. Hard lessons. Enduring pain. Smarter. More aware. Tougher. Better. Harder. More cynical.
One thing as American civilians we forget these people are human and just like us so that means just because they speak a certain language and do everything totally different doesn’t mean these people are idiots those tactics he described they used is fucking brilliant
I remember when our LNs were late and one of our patrols found their van about a half click out from north gate, shot up and their heads were gone. OIF 04 - 06
Clearly we have forgotten about battles like Stalingrad and Peleliu. None of the battles of the War on Terrorism will ever match the worst of WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam...NONE!!!
@John-ls1mn No, all the wars are not the same. To try and compare any battle during the War on Terror to the carnage seen in battles like that of Peleliu and Okinawa is idiotic and that's putting it kindly. The War on Terror went on for 20 years and less troops were killed during that time than the 4 months it took to take Peleliu and Okinawa. No current Marine would ever say that the combat during the War on Terror comes close to the worst battles of WWII.
Iraq was super dangerous and was at the peak of insurgency from 2003 to 2008. You lived through those hell years and made it alive, is a story to tell your grandkids. Kudos to you
Shawn ryan my man how are you doing? I say that with love and respect. It seems like that last delta interview triggered something. Whethether it be throwin some more light on this guy and the heros he faught with or something else. Were listening.
I was a part of the 3/7 Marines push into Sangin Afghanistan and can remember enough to give you a 10 min story. Every other part of the story will have been constructed over the past 10 years thinking about it.
I’ve watched this episode from start to finish too many times to count, please do a full episode with a bunch of different Guys all talking about falluja. Bring Cody back too
I would run Cody a bar tab on me just to chat about anything, but really hoping to hear more deployment stories. Don't ever judge a soldier by their cover. So many phenomenal people are in, or have been through the military. I'd have Cody on my team in a minute for his mentality and stature, and to broaden the age range and perspective, which adds effectiveness. Cheers fella, I hope you are well! Thanks Sean for another release of your interview. Best channel out there for Mil insights, unquestionably!
Man, it’s different when you see yourself in these people. I’ve never really identified with the people in these stories, I’ve always admired them but never felt connected. But this guy is different. He just feels so normal.
I was a young surgical tech at Walter Reed during this time. The push into Fallujah was my first time seeing war wounded in the operating room. Unreal. 💯
Thanks for watching everyone. You can watch the full episode with Cody Alford on here th-cam.com/video/fQbdKhNiPWY/w-d-xo.html Additionally if you want to support the Shawn Ryan Show you can join the community. www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite
quite traumatic having to become a nomad because of how many people you have to tell _"yes, 45 does hit harder than a 9mm and knowing that will save your life"_
this Podcast is a great format for Veterans to release information and suppressed interactions with War...An outlet for Elite Men to Express Real life Situations with the World and open Minds to the Beauty and Horror of What Fighting for a Country requires.God Bless these Beautiful Men and Women
I think saying that it was the bloodiest war is a complete smack in the face to WW2 vets and Vietnam vets, Vietnam war had 10 times more casualties than the Iraq war and definitely more than Vietnam. Why don't you change your title to "marine shares his experience from a bloody war in history"? Come on man don't disrespect WW2 and Vietnam vets like that.
@@campsitez2355 You’re right but you’re wrong watch a ballistic test with a 9 mm versus a 45. I’m going with the 9 mm all day it has way better penetration.
@@Supernatural1978-OG once you're trained to be a pig that's what you'll always be. you get no free answers today.
Shawn is one of the best listeners I’ve seen. So often hosts just talk talk talk. Shawn allows the story to be shared with such patience.
THIS COMMENT 1,000 times!
It’s what makes his channel AWESOME!
Because he has been there and done it...
Agree brother. Shawn is great. We all love and respect him
What I like about him is isn't fake, he is willing to state the facts 90% of the way there (which is extremely high considering the platforms he's on)
I know, it seems like a lot aren’t even listening to the answer they are given before than start asking the next question! But I agree you can tell Sean’s a good listener because a lot of times he’ll ask another questions that has to do with the answer his guess has just given! If that makes sense!
My dad served with the herd in Vietnam 68 thru 70 said he has killed men woman and children he was an extremely cold individual all my life as he got older before he passed I could see that he was always fighting those demons from the past trying to keep them at bay ...I miss that man more every day...he was a tough dude...guess they were built different back then...but I sure loved him..
He killed children! Glad he is dead!
He did what he had to do, like all great men do. RIP
Never kill children
@@wala3o No great man would kill a child! You can't call someone great that did that!
Keep him at heart bro that tough man still stands inside you.
This interview is top 5. This marine was one of my favorites. He knows how to tell a story.
@@Mike-hn4uu it’s backed up by other peoples accounts my guy. Tyler Grey (CAG) is one that can verify.
@@georgefloydsinhellwbreonna5330 that’s all I wanted to hear brother. With fake ass shit smothering us (Breona “dead body in the trunk” gray is innocent, George Floyd loved his daughter, hands up don’t shoot, white men are the biggest threat to national security) I have zero credibility to lend online characters who come to the table with such wild tales.
Thanks for going the extra mile here - I never caught Shawn’s explanation if he already DID mention this legend’s credibility check.
its so stupid to ask ur soldier to write a death letter. if so, write one with your testimony, no need for this in war.
Fr
@@TEXXTOfallujah made it quite necessary unfortunately. It’s not for them, it’s for the families.
Fallujah vet here:
2004 springtime was THE most uncomfortable time in my years of service.
Combat experiences aside, it was incredibly tense in and around the S/T and the local populace was looking at the insurgency to jumpstart the resistance. It was clear as crystal something was brewing and then we had the big fight.
Both sides paid a heavy price. Condolences.
My both my uncle and my stepdad were there at the time my uncle was army with 101st and. My dad was 1st marines 2nd Bat and has had many deployments since then. Had told me a bit but now much but it always sticks with me about how both my uncle and stepdad both agree it was one of the most uncomfortable, violent, and intense combat experiences they’ve had.
I can't in 04 also.. it was just getting into fall back in the states.
2/24 Marines not far from there 2003-2004 Triangle of Death.
Wish I could give you all a big hug. Glad you made it out alive. 💙
I did a convoy through there with 1/23 infantry out of fort Lewis. Man I felt bad for those guys. Some were in Ramadi too.
I still think he is my favorite person you’ve interviewed. His ability to recount the stories is amazing. He should absolutely write a book if he hasn’t already.
He has, it's called "into the fire, no turning back' published by random house
My husband is a disabled combat vet. I will forever fight for you guys & I want you guys to know you are worth it & you deserve love ❤ Nobody understands the stuff they went through over there unless you were also over there. When we first got together and I was waking him up from night terrors and witnessing his ptsd, I wanted to know what he experienced. I completely threw myself into research & watching video footage from over there. I watched the worst ones I could find just so I could have even the SLIGHTEST understanding. It still doesn’t even come close to what he actually experienced. But i gained even more respect & compassion for those that had those experiences. If I could take those memories, feelings & the smells forever burned in his mind, I would.
Good for you for being a faithful wife! Many women just abandon their husbands when they are disabled, as my ex did with me. But you are sticking with the man you married. You are not that common anymore so I want to commend you!
@@ToddSauve Actually I met him after he got out. His ex wife did the same thing to him. After sleeping with all of Craigslist. That was 10 years ago ❤️
@@odinsvalkyrie7769 Ain't married life grand ... sometimes. I wish these "exes" could see what worms they are, and what heroic women you and your like are! 💖💖💖
@@ToddSauve I agree!
Thank you, I really appreciate that!
thank you.
I'm a proud u.s. marine 0331 and I love how the Navy SEAL interviewing my devil dog you know he's been through it all himself and he just sits there and listens and supports my Marine!! Thank you brother!!!
semper fi brother
I have so much love and respect for the marines. My stepdad was a marine and so were some of my cousins. I was in the army and got to work with some of the marines in Iraq. They were pretty cool. I was also at Camp Pendleton, California on detail with the cooks there. But as far as Iraq and Afghanistan goes, oh my gosh it was crazy. I deployed to other countries in the Middle East but I will say that Afghanistan the 5 months I was there made Iraq look like a cakewalk. The deployment I did in Libya made Afghanistan look like paradise. Libya was crazy. That’s why I’m so thankful I retired. Ironically enough, I volunteered to go to Afghanistan when the reenlidten NCO came to the DFAC.
“My devil dog.” “Supports my Marine”. What a self important way to speak. Douche chill inducing.
@@kenfresno1711 coming from a civi or a pog lol hide behind your dell computer. 😂 Come get some tool!!!!!!!! Where MY Marines at MY!!!!
@@normangagne9444 fools hide behind computers. ill say the same in person
Let's be real. This dude is an imposing looking figure. Not to be fucked with. But he seems like a squared away genuine down to earth guy with one hell of a good story to tell and the knack to do it extremely well. Shawn is putting out some high-powered no bullshit content.
Agreed, his guests are great, especially when he finds lesser known ones.
Yeah he’s an enigma for sure. Anyone looking at him like some punk with tattoos would quickly realize this guy is a different breed lol
My worst nightmares cannot compare to what Cody Alford actually lived through. I can’t help but feel guilt enjoying hearing him talk, knowing he’s reliving that stuff as he’s speaking about it.
You would be an idiot to think all down to earth men are harmless.
@@regalsurvivor3418 All people at their core have the capability to be dangerous. People make the choice to be an idiot.
In March 2003, I was with Task Force Tarawa with 1/2 Charlie Company. Nasiriyah was a Nightmare. Then we deployed again in April 2004 where our AO was Al-Iskandiriyah, Haswah, Kalsu, and MSR Tampa. I’ve seen my share of the evil that this world is capable of. Thank you for sharing your experience and memories with us. God Bless you Brother and Shawn Ryan, and all of our Military community.
"EVIL" It's funny how that word conjures up different images in our head when heard as opposed to those of a civilian. WHen heard they will nod as if they comprehend evil but never will they have the faintest idea of what true evil is (and it's our job to make/keep it that way) however, sometimes I envy them. It's lonely having these images, experiences and knowledge that I possess and no one to understand their implications.
My battalion was in the Fallujah area during April/May 2004 supporting this effort. Doing reconnaissance, intel gathering, and finding a shit ton of IEDs. I remember being pissed that the "powers that be" shoved dudes like this into the meat grinder instead of either using night tactics with conventional, non conventional, and reconnaissance assets (like ourselves) for raids/ambushes/night ops, or using over whelming fire power to drive through the city. It all came down to politics. They didn't want it to look bad on the news with "civilian" causalities even though Fallujah was an absolute shit show. Ramadi was worse in some ways. Passing through there was like the wild west: the tension without the gun fight but you knew one could come at any moment. He's 100% correct, many lessons were learned from that year and how archaic many of the tactics were. Politics.
And all for what, complete waste of time and damaged American reputation globally
We were in Fallujah 2 different times between March 2003- January 2004. It was wild but still relatively quiet compared to the more known time frames of 2004-2007. I will say this. You could definitely see and sense the build up to what happened there later. It's like no matter how dominant we may have felt. You just could just see that something major was on the horizon. They were smart warriors to be honest. I believe this may be where a bunch of EOD guys were attacked. The enemy had learned all the different letters and numbers on the vehicles. They set the EOD guys up to respond to a much more larger set of explosives. They started FOCUSING on medic tracks after incidents. If I remember correctly. This may be where we started painting over all of the track number identifiers in our entire unit. My unit was Grim Troop 3 ACR. Our vehicles had G (#) on all of them. During a briefing we were told that it was going around that some of the locals thought our troop had something to do with God because our vehicles had G on them. Sounds crazy. Its true.
Fallujah was just weird. It's like you couldn't put your finger on it. It's like it was quiet, but not quiet. The moment you thought you were good, chaos hit in some way. I've been to cities that were terrible for our unit. We had our own major combat time frame other places. But it was just easier and different. You knew exactly what was up. Chaos and that's it. Fallujah was damn near sneaky chaos for us.
@@ValiantVisions314thank you for your service!! Appreciate the story man. If you could give a couple more that’d be dope. Can’t imagine at all what it would be like that out there but it’s always amazing hearing all these stories. Truly unreal. God bless brother
@@ValiantVisions314 Falluja wasn't even my units' AO. We got called down from Al Qa'im (on the Syrian border on the Euphrates). From what I heard shit picked up in Al Qa'im when they saw us leave. We came back to bigger local graveyards and the locals running from us. Confused us. After that mission we got called to assist in other ops from Haditha to Al Asad several times, along with our main mission which was recon on the Syrian border north of Al Qa'im. Fallujah was the one that first pissed me off. It was was demoralizing seeing a mission started but not actually completed (a clear win). And it definitely got me seeing that the overall strategy in Iraq was not to win anything. It wasn't our (the various units) fault, it was politics. There was no winning strategy. It only continued like that through the rest of the year. My motivation, and many other's, was destroyed that year.
And, YES, the locals were always watching. Units all over the country would take the same routes constantly and the IEDs just got bigger and better as the year progressed. We would watch them on rooftops and in streets watching us, sometimes with cellphones or radios in their hands. I think the exact moment I felt we were fucked was when someone in my leadership actually used the words "hearts and minds" in a briefing and I had to keep myself from yelling out "are you fucking serious, you didn't just say that". At my age now, thinking back on that it's both hilarious and extremely sad.
I jumped in Fallujah with Jeremy DeWitte. We were the METRO STATE POLICE COMBAT SUPER SNIPERS when they killed my goat. I cried, oh yea I cried, it was hell. I don't remember everything but I remember from that day there would be a jihad on the killer of my Goat 😢
Semper. I was there for that push. 2nd deployment after the initial push up from Kuwait to take strongholds in Iraq and rid the Guard. That particular time frame (March 2004) I was there on Weapons Co 2/1 CAAT PLT in an IFAV on a MK-19 with my Javelin missiles strapped to the IFAV, running around providing support with heavy fire on different missions. He’s not exaggerating…shit popped off. These guys, though, the forward sniper teams, the ground force clearing the city, those guys had it rough. Proper rough. Love this interview, love this show. Good shit.
Ik it wasn’t for the right reasons we invaded but thank you for what you did.
Brother Me and others was with you in the same time and area! God Damn Nightmares, before we deployed the people and things we trusted with our life! Semper Fi!
By far the best guest you’ve had the show! Cody has been through hell is he taking what he has learned and doing great work to help people get through their problems and be the best versions of themselves.
Dad signed up in 1947 USMC , sniper school via Camp Pendleton,2 tours in Korea, and while a reserve he was sent to Vietnam in 1965, did 2 tours still as a sniper. He met a youngster sniper Carlos Hathcock “white feather”, but dad was almost 40, he retired in 1967, but he never talked about being a sniper, he only spoke about his three older brothers killed in the South Pacific USMC. Thanks for your stories, fellas I never served in the military, unfortunately my oldest brother was 17 when he was killed in 1973 Vietnam, but he was merely a rifleman.
Thanks for sharing this man. Hell of story you got here. Pops and brother in Vietnam. So surreal
Omg 17 years old.
@@anthonyhart9878
They were only Marines, they were not special forces, only grunts, my dad went through sniper school in Camp Pendleton, back then they weren’t scout-snipers merely marksman school & they went out alone into N Korea past the wire. USMC Quantico,Virginia wasn’t founded until 1974. Dad retired in 1967, he never finished the 8th grade, so he joined the USMC, mother said that because they lived in the country they only had one teacher and grades from first-twelve grades all together, and he felt out of place because he was already shaving a full beard daily. He thought it was better to be a USMC than picking cotton. Additionally, my oldest brother was killed in 1973, and was shot 4 days from 2 months in Vietnam. Both were USMC, however they were only riflemen. Dad’s 3 brothers in the South Pacific who also fell were only grunts as well. Incidentally they took photos in their dress blues, yet none of them actually owned dress blues.
Carlos Is and was a legend! I would of loved to shake his hand!
@@glockdude5472
I think he passed in 1998 or 2000 from M/S. But I’m not sure, my dad retired in 1967, but he & his military colleagues were decorated from the President of South Korea Marines, Sailors, soldiers, Airmen & dad already passed in 2015, but he saw him at a Vietnam veterans function in DC. Dad said he was in crutches, but he should have been in a wheelchair,yet he said “once a Marine” he would not allow his brothers to see him beat , or fall. “Semper Fi” Center yourself in the hatch DevilDog, Hoorah
This guy is a great story teller. It's not because he's told it before or rehearsed it either, he's just good at it. One of SR's best guests.
quite traumatic having to become a nomad because of how many people you have to tell _"yes, 45 does hit harder than a 9mm and knowing that will save your life"_
Just some back story on him, he climbed the ranks really fast at a young age in the Marine. To do this, you have to be able to communicate well because you are always talking to a large group of marines.
@@johnnyc0811 as a marine you shoot a 45 yes that is correct.
Ya, i need to watch the full episode.
Most all men and women that have seen combat won't talk about some of the shit they seen I have heard stories from Nam to Dessert Storm all the up till lately. I have the upmost respect for them all and my condolences to the ones that ended up paying the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.. our government needs to do better at helping them when they come home
god damn, get this guy a book deal. i haven’t heard more impactful and detailed stories from overseas in my life.
Every interview he does with men that have seen combat experience is so fascinating. This one in particular got me when he said, “there were so many SOPs that came out of Fallujah alone..” I mean..wow. I can’t imagine being a kid in ANY war sent across the world to face an advisory on their own turf and having that many unknown variables arise you are faced to deal with. It’s as admirable as it is heart breaking to hear about.
This man was a good speaker. Some people just have a gift for story telling. That paired with some harrowing first hand experiences is a powerful combo
Damn it's intense. My heart is pounding. My little brother fought in that hell hole. Respect for every single guy.
Love watching these, always makes me think of how my dad did back then in Vietnam. He was a sniper and went to Germany first then he went to the eye of the fight! He would never really talk about it much until I was around 30. He passed away in 2017. I miss him like crazy
My cousin served in nam, he came home with a big punji stick injury! My condolences.
I've deployed multiple times to a number of hotspots throughout the last few decades, several years worth, as an enabler, no one does it better than the USMC! I've had an opportunity to work essentially with every unit, many conventional, though mostly SOF, the Marines always represent themselves and our nation with the utmost in dedication and commitment.
SEALs, Delta, Rangers, paratroopers and the Marines do it better than all of them combined. Did you know in the Pacific, the Army lost twice as many as the Marines.
@@Manbunmen65did you know the army sent in significantly more troops than the marines?
SAS
My Marine recon buddy told us, around the camp fire, about the human shields being women and children.....it was one of the most egregious things I've ever heard....he pulled no punches and told us his experience.....still, today, it sickens me.
Word. One of my buddies is a former Ranger. He told me about a school he helped liberate that was being used as some sort of training camp. He said the sick f***s had kids shackled to walls in the basement of the school who’d been raped hundreds of times. Really disgusting stuff that puts hate in your heart.
You know what the problem with human shields are, right? They're not bulletproof.
@@jamiestewart48 they don’t move fast enough,
You guys just really making light of what this man just told us. I'm sorry your friend went through that. Human shields or not guys, those were women and children who only knew a foreign government much larger than them was invading. They're still human
The local women and children are savages.
Death letters are written prior to deployment in the UK. Interesting that you wrote them once deployed. I'm sure at the time I gave everything to my best friend as she was in a really tough spot in life. Like everything I owned, all savings, all life insurance, everything. Thankful that those letters were never opened. Burned them at my mum's house when I got back.
I listened to this whole series. And your comment made me fkn cry
Americans aren't too bright when it comes to planning ahead. Just bragging afterward/taking majority credit for everything 🤷
Same here in U.S. before you deploy, they make sure your Life Ins. Policy/Will is all signed, initialed in the right places. After that you can leave a farewell letter with the Chaplains Office. While waitin' to get on the iron bird, it really does ground you in your own mortality. But, being the crazy combat medic I am, I always said "F death on a battlefield"! My motto was "It came to me in a dream in boot camp. I'm going to die at age 106 violently with a shit-eatin' grin on my face. I'm gonna die at the hands of a jealous man regarding his ole lady". 😉😜🤣 I'd tell each man in my Platoon they too share the same fate, but I'd change the ages it would happen😉❤️🤠😎👍🏾❤️🇺🇸
Some of the folks that come on this show are tremendous story tellers. That's not to take away from the stories of others, but this dude can REALLY tell a story.
This guy has an amazing way of describing his experiences in a way that makes you actually feel it instead of just thinking about it.
My grandfather and his brother toured parts of Europe on foot during WW1. He as sergeant and his brother as corporal. When I was ten and on the farm for the summer I asked him several times
what happened. One day as we finished breakfast before going to work he told me "War is Hell" and told me he would tell me his story once and once only. Over the next hour he did just that. I have NEVER forgotten. War is hell.
Please tell us what he told you
This Marine knows how to tell a story. I'm sure it's not easy to share experiences like this. I hope he's doing okay...
This guy just gives off legend vibes. He’s a tried and true hard man. Thank you for service.
I served in the army for about 5 years but nothing compared to what he dir
Such a true warrior. Best interview to date.
Just because his trail and tribulations are different than yours doesn’t mean your still not a hero, anyone who willingly puts their life on the line for this country is a hero in my book! Thank you for your service!
Dude thank you! 🇺🇸❤
This to me was the Best interview. Cody is the Man the way he tells his story. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SERVED
This is a battle that not many talk about. Most people only remember the Battle of Fallujah being Phantom Fury. But, March/April/May 2004 in Fallujah was absolute combat at its highest.
I was n fallujah during that time. 2/1 Fox Co. 0331.
@@Itsgusgusshiiiit brotha Semper Fi
Man being a computer guy in the Marines outside the city in Camp Falluja watching drone feeds was shitty enough. I am thankful every damn day I didn't have to go into that city and pull a trigger. Mad respect for all guys that had to go in there and deal with that shit.
you did your job. you were there you served. If need be you would have picked up your rifle your helmet and done your duty. You did more than 97 % of the US population. Be proud of your service.
I served during Desert Shield/Storm. After my discharge I went into law enforcement. After retirement, I was hired as a contractor to train Iraqi police. My group was sent to Basra, and on our first day on the fob, a large explosion went off at the main gate. The interpreters who had just left camp for the day, were just murdered as they drove off base.
You probably had ptsd how did you pass a psych
@@HookEmNBookEm Well, it’s really not your business, but I passed a psych evaluation for the civilian law enforcement jobs I’ve held and every contract position I was hired for. Not every person who is in a traumatic situation gets ptsd. The ones that do, at least the ones I know, in the military, or law enforcement, are still able to maintain a career, family, and social life.
real fucking life man
This makes so much sense why they use such young kids for this stuff. It’s not the physical aspects (that does help), it’s the being in a hat youthful cloud where you don’t question things as much. Young kids will do what they are told a lot of easier.
So dude was out there in 2004. Its 2023 and he still looks 20? After PTSD and Tramautic events ? This guy is a TRUE Soldier of Yah. His 🧠 mental is very well, tbh you can tell how "up to beat" someone is by body language and their speech. This guy is still on Ten. Salute !!
Hey marine, thanks for your report while you were in combat. You stated that you got all the training for what they had, every combat fight as you now, is ADAPT, Overcome, And Concour. Remember the marines in Tarawa, Vietnam, the Tet Offensive, No amount of training could have prepared you for what was going to happen. I'll tell you and Shawn that all I can tell you marine, thanks for your service, and Shawn too!!!!! Semper Fidelis!!!!!
"I don't remember the exact numbers but I remember the feeling" So true for so much
Cody's interview is one of my favorites. You can hear, feel and see everything he says.
Yes, but its over the top brother and its raising red flags. Stories this off the wall need to be verified with some tiny shred of outside evidence and I am smelling some bullshit going on here. Shawn is paid based on the clicks he gets so the crazier the story the better. I would, for one, like to know he did some digging to check up on this guy - and if he really did, then by all means I will stfu and grab my pocorn.
@@Mike-hn4uu Maybe but a lot of people in those battles, of they even made it home, have never been the same since with some of the stuff they saw and went through. He even said he had been to war but those battles were different
@@Mike-hn4uuthe SOF community is so small, especially MARSOC since it’s only been around for 19 years and if he was lying someone would have called him out by now. Just because you never experienced war because you’re not as bad ass doesn’t mean he hasn’t.
@@SergioHernandez-vr8bx I didn’t mean any offense whatsoever and your point is well received. It’s a shame, I’ve just literally noticed so much lying and deceiving and stolen valor elsewhere lately - if I could edit I would truly start a TH-cam channel right now calling it all out, but it’s making me jaded. I appreciate the fuck out of this man and his effort for our country. I got some good feedback here in this thread, it’s helping restore some of my faith in humanity.
@@Mike-hn4uu a lot of times the shit people like this go through is so traumatic on the brain that they can just see everything they’re talking about that’s why a lot of times they can recall like everything in the war but not remember shit about before bc they’re brain blocked all the stuff out from before to make room for all of this shit that they went through the brain is powerful thing. I hope that made sense lol…
Shawn’s been there. That’s why he’s patience , and lets them tell their stories. He can relate . Civilain Journalists can’t comprehend
A lot of these stories, most people are not aware of the horrific parts and aspects of. I think it's a good thing they're being told. War as it can be sometimes.
Hearing abt how inhumane hand to hand combat can get is disturbing
Two fuckin American heroes, it’s a privilege to hear you guys shoot the shit and tell these stories
They don't want these stories to come out because they would stop supporting the war effort. We need this information out there
Ahhhhhh......i vividly remember those moments of peace in Ramadi. Sitting on a rooftop at sunrise, the singing from the mosques, the sun coming up over the palm trees.
As a veteran who served during peacetime much admiration for this man true American Patriot no matter what
Only a marine can pull off wearing a pair of leopard print shoes 😂😂
Thank you and God bless all of our service members 🙏🏼 my heart, prayers and gratitude go out to every single one of you!
My goodness, he is so genuine. Does he have his own podcast? If there was ever an angel of death, it's him.
Sean Brian excellent video thank you for sharing 🙏🏻
This cats the most well spoken person ive see with face tats ever. All jokes aside much love to him and all the vets.
These kids are so fucking strong and brave, you can hear the fucking pain in their voices😢 im 46 years old now and it kills me to hear the world their souls are now trapped in!
Thank you for your services.
Cody you are my Brother! I am a MARINE, and a multiple WAR veteran. I got out and went straight to the VA hospital in 2006. WAR is HELL. I have a traumatic brain injury, and PTSD. Some of my other Bros died. Thank your service to your country in the name of Democracy, and FREEDOM YOU ARE a real Warrior, and a real man. Same with the rest of you that served. Thank you ! GOD BLESS , and keep an eye on those Ignorant Civilians!
A true storyteller! Very courageous man to have lived through it all. ❤️
I was in country during OIF II and remember how insane things were around this time. I love these interviews because it exposes the average citizen to the horrors and insanity that so many young men and women were experiencing in Iraq. As I close out a 23 year career what I’m discovering is that so many of us that compartmentalized these experiences are suffering from the delayed effects of urban warfare that lasted for 12+ months and reoccurred every other year or so during the heights of the OIF/OEF efforts. I pray for every service member that struggle and work to live side by side with their demons on a daily basis.
This dude is a great story teller. Thank you for your service man
This dude is one of my favorite interviews Shawn's ever had on the show.
“ I’ve been to war , this was Hell “ ! Damn. Salute 🫡
Might just have to listen to the whole podcast again definitely one of the best episodes yet.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is hard for a lot of veterans, but I think that being open about your experiences helps you cope and keeps you from internalizing them and making you go crazy. My father was a Vietnam veteran and never spoke with anyone about what he saw and did, and when he experienced other life difficulties on top of that, he committed suicide. I pray you can deal with your experiences and I wish you a happy, healthy life.
man this guy is a beast. he doesn't even mention the fact that the bad guys don't care if they die. they're perfectly willing to bunker in the corner of the room and take you with them without a second thought.
So sad what these men and women went thru in any war bc people in offices send em off to fight. I can't thank those men and woman enough for what they have fought for. Our military has done so much for us and for other countries. Now, we repay them by slowly turning into a communist nation...absolutely disgusting. It's a slap in the face to all that have fought and died for our freedoms.
This gentle,an is my favorite guest so far. I'd read his book or listen to a talk by him at a seconds' notice. Semper Fi! Love all of you guys! THANK YOU, SINCERELY.
" everyone is going to write their death letter" mannnn, thank you for your services. Wow I can not imagine hearing that at 18 years of age.
I in all honesty don't know what these soldiers are going through neither do I understand but you can hear in their voices how stressed out they are. You guys do have my utmost respect for been so brave in the worst situations you experiencing....
The summary at 6:15 is brilliant
My unit was part of Fallujah 2nd battle US Army 2-7 Cav
this was the best war story teller i ever watched on youtube.
the bonding that has NO words.... 10 minutes of silence in darkness..THANKS GOD he made dudes like him.... this are real super heroes.... There is NO CHILD TIME... this is IT...
Thank you for everything
Dude…one of the best interviews ever and it just ends in the middle ?
I was a mover in the Aussie army ..'03 - '07 ..shit was really going down ..it was savage in Fallujah..Shiite insurgents picking off US servicemen & early Isis in the mix...in '05 I was tasked on Op's in Afganistan & it kicked off with just as serious intent from both side..4 years of hell
Mind Blowing episode..
Thanks Shawn & Cody for sharing this ,
Much love and respect from N .Z 🇳🇿
I spent 4 years of pussiness. Dad, well, most honest. Never witnessed or knew dad to mistreat people, more than fair. Workaholic. Tough hardass,but fair. He is mild compared to Granddad.6'5 265 lbs. Was definitely awesome. I rec'd as the youngest that i spent my time with him, everybody moved out. Dad, Mom, and i. Strong all the way to the end.RIP.
from Rugrats to Shawn Ryan, this guys movin up
That was so real. My heart is pounding and I have goosebumps, hyper alert feeling at least some of the emotion and more cognizant of the sacrifice, the chaos, the sink-or-swim this-shit-is-real. And simultaneously on a very intimate level combined with thoughts and feelings about larger macro issues. Pain. Sacrifice. Souls. Dollars. Waste. Destroyed fantasies. Consequences. New realities. Hard lessons. Enduring pain. Smarter.
More aware. Tougher. Better. Harder. More cynical.
This is the episode that got me into the Sean Ryan podcast.
What better way to get the moral of the troops up than to tell them to write their death letters. Wtf kind of platoon leader does that?!
They write them before deployment. It's what they do
USMC Mom
Damn - that was riveting… I’ll go join. Got to hear this man’s amazing story that few Americans actually are told.
One thing as American civilians we forget these people are human and just like us so that means just because they speak a certain language and do everything totally different doesn’t mean these people are idiots those tactics he described they used is fucking brilliant
“I’ve been to war, this, this was hell.”
Damn I felt his trauma coming back…
Much love and respect to ALL of our soldiers
I have heard the same from others. I can't even pretend to imagine what these young patriots went through.
@budget88 yeah....I'm gonna' pas on that one, thnx.
This guy is an incredibly articulate storyteller. Thoughtful and smart dude.
I remember when our LNs were late and one of our patrols found their van about a half click out from north gate, shot up and their heads were gone.
OIF 04 - 06
Shawn should make a video of all the most viewed videos and put it all into a 30 minute clip
Clearly we have forgotten about battles like Stalingrad and Peleliu. None of the battles of the War on Terrorism will ever match the worst of WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam...NONE!!!
And you was in neither snowflake
Yes all the wars are the same all the ptsd and mantle health 22 vets die a day by suicide
@John-ls1mn No, all the wars are not the same. To try and compare any battle during the War on Terror to the carnage seen in battles like that of Peleliu and Okinawa is idiotic and that's putting it kindly. The War on Terror went on for 20 years and less troops were killed during that time than the 4 months it took to take Peleliu and Okinawa. No current Marine would ever say that the combat during the War on Terror comes close to the worst battles of WWII.
@845835 thank you for this common sense comment.
@845835 bs the battles back then where close up but you died right away the war on terror same thing if you served you would know
Thanks for ure service guys, and thanks for shedding light on what it's really like.
I have no words 😢 Thank you 🙏🇺🇲
Iraq was super dangerous and was at the peak of insurgency from 2003 to 2008. You lived through those hell years and made it alive, is a story to tell your grandkids. Kudos to you
Shawn ryan my man how are you doing? I say that with love and respect. It seems like that last delta interview triggered something. Whethether it be throwin some more light on this guy and the heros he faught with or something else. Were listening.
I was a part of the 3/7 Marines push into Sangin Afghanistan and can remember enough to give you a 10 min story. Every other part of the story will have been constructed over the past 10 years thinking about it.
I’ve watched this episode from start to finish too many times to count, please do a full episode with a bunch of different Guys all talking about falluja. Bring Cody back too
18yrs old. What do you tell a kid like that.
I would run Cody a bar tab on me just to chat about anything, but really hoping to hear more deployment stories. Don't ever judge a soldier by their cover. So many phenomenal people are in, or have been through the military. I'd have Cody on my team in a minute for his mentality and stature, and to broaden the age range and perspective, which adds effectiveness. Cheers fella, I hope you are well! Thanks Sean for another release of your interview. Best channel out there for Mil insights, unquestionably!
a true hero
Man, it’s different when you see yourself in these people. I’ve never really identified with the people in these stories, I’ve always admired them but never felt connected. But this guy is different. He just feels so normal.
Wow must be the mostliest bloodiest thing ever
It’s crazy how you can’t really comprehend your mortality until shit starts popping off around you.
Wonder if they ever found Weapons of Mass destruction?
The American war machine is the true wmd
I was a young surgical tech at Walter Reed during this time. The push into Fallujah was my first time seeing war wounded in the operating room. Unreal. 💯
This is insane… this guy can explain some details…
Soldiers in the comments, you and your bro's service is appreciated.