Straight Outta Combat Radio-Honoring Combat Wisdom

SOCRS056- Robert Garcia- "The Warrior Strategist: Seriously Humble Beginnings"

Robert Garcia is a United States Air Force Veteran. He spent five years of Active Duty as a B52 Avionics Technician and 13 years in the Reserves as an Air Battle Systems Manager. He deployed to Korea ten times including hitches in Guam and Qatar for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Robert grew up in the small logging town of Eureka, California. He struggled with a severe learning disability as a child, causing him to drop out of High School and later, two colleges. But, he never gave up.  His determination and persistence to overcome his weaknesses paid off. He went on to earn not only an MBA, but a PhD, too. Robert developed a system of "speed learning" that helps others achieve their business goals using asymmetrical methodologies to process and retain information. He is the author of "Next Level Supercharged Speed Learning Book."

Robert currently resides in San Diego, operating as a business strategist and Founder & CEO of SHIFT Advanced Life Design Magazine.

 

 

     

SOCRS055- Scott Kinder- "The Institute of Project Management: 'Real World' Certifications"

Scott Kinder is the Chief Commercial Officer for the Institute of Project Management. In this role he is responsible for international business development and strategic partnerships Prior to his role with the Institute, Scott served as a federal civil servant within the US Department of Defense and was responsible for seven office US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) programs of record with annual budgets in excess of $100 million USD.

Scott also served in differing roles on an Operational Detachment – Alpha (A-team) in the US Army Special Forces. He is a proud Ambassador of the Green Beret Foundation and lifetime member of the Special Forces Association. Prior to the military and government service, Scott served as the Vice President (Operations) for a global dot.com startup, an operations specialist at a Fortune 500 bank, and as a barista at Starbucks…

Scott is the author of two books, Ground Truth: Enhance personal and organizational leadership skills and accountability through lessons learned from elite Military Special Forces and The Hill, Overcoming Fear and Learning to Embrace an Elite Mindset. In his free time Scott teaches self-defense classes and coaches soccer.

SOCRS054- Jason Redman- "The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Officer"

Lieutenant Jason Redman joined the Navy on September 11, 1992 and spent eight years as an enlisted SEAL.  As an enlisted SEAL Redman completed three deployments throughout Central and South America and spent two years as a training instructor before being selected for the Seaman to Admiral Commissioning program in 2000. 

He attended Old Dominion University graduating Summa Cum Laude in May 2004 completing his time with the Hampton Roads Naval ROTC as Student Battalion Commanding Officer before he was commissioned as a Naval SEAL Officer.

Over the next four years, Lieutenant Redman completed combat deployments in both Afghanistan and Iraq.  On September 13, 2007, outside of Fallujah, Iraq, Lieutenant Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire and he was severely wounded in the ensuing firefight. While recovering at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Redman authored and hung a bright orange sign on his door, which became a statement and symbol for wounded warriors everywhere. 

Lieutenant Redman is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons and the US Army Ranger tab along with numerous other personal and unit awards.  

Redman retired from the Navy in 2013 and founded the Combat Wounded Coalition a Non-Profit organization which inspires combat wounded warriors to Overcome.  He currently acts as the executive director of the organization and is also the founder and CEO of SOF Spoken, a speaking company which provides inspirational presentations on leadership, teamwork and overcoming adversity for businesses, first responders, sports teams, and government organizations.  In 2018 Redman launched, the Overcome Academy, a leadership, resiliency, and communication program for wounded warriors to develop “the next greatest generation.”

In November of 2013, Redman published “The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader”.  His book details lessons learned in leadership and overcoming adversity throughout his SEAL career while also discussing his combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as his personal journey with his wife Erica and their three children.  The Trident was selected in 2014 as part of the Chief of Naval Operation’s professional reading program.

Jason has appeared on multiple national news networks including Fox News, CBS, CNN, and CBN.  He has appeared on Fox and Friends multiple times and the Huckabee show.  Jason has appeared in multiple documentaries including History Channel’s, Navy SEALs, America’s Secret Warriors.  Additionally, Jason is an actor playing the lead role in The Perfect Day film and a supporting character on an episode  of Hawaii 5-0.

SOCRS053- Isaac Belden: "12B Capital: The Heart & Soul of Business & Philanthropy"

U. S. Army Veteran Isaac Belden is also a husband, father, and a small business owner.  After serving 12 years as a Combat Engineer (MOS 12B), he left the service to start 12B Capital, a Boise, Idaho-based company.  They provide credit card processing and business funding solutions to businesses of all sizes.  There is a significant processing component to 12B Capital that helps its clients to fund non-profit initiatives of their choice.

Isaac refers to himself as an “Accidental Entrepreneur” and says he “wouldn’t have it any other way”.  He is driven by his passion to serve and for helping others do the same. He has recently launched another passion project in his home State of Idaho that will help veterans on their path to entrepreneurship.

SOCRS052- Russ Barnes- "SYSTRO: Military Transition & Entreprenuerism"

Colonel (retired) Russ Barnes is the CEO and Senior Business Advisor to Entrepreneurs and Executives at Systro, an organization design firm specializing in small business development.  His 30+ years of experience in organization development is drawn from military service, franchise ownership, academic programs, and strategy consulting, specifically with small businesses.

After retirement from the military, Russ grew a franchise territory from zero to profitability in less than three years.  His growth was based on a clear vision, building an effective network, consistently delivering a quality product and maintaining a relentless focus on customer service.

Russ is a graduate of the Referral Institute Certified Networker program where he received extensive training in referral marketing. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Manhattan College (NY), his MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and his Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from Air University.  Colonel Barnes earned his PhD in Organization Development at Benedictine University.

SOCRS051- Ethan Samuels- "World's Finest Navy Intelligence, Transition & US VetLife"

Ethan is a veteran of the United States Navy.  He served honorably as an Intelligence Officer from 2009-2015.  During his time, he served as the Middle East Subject Matter Expert for Carrier Strike Group One, on board the USS CARL VINSON, as the carrier strike group sailed through the Arabian Gulf during the Arab Spring.  His Carrier Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing 17 provided Close Air Support for fighting men and women on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.  During these engagements, Ethan led the debrief team and developed the Standard Operating Procedures for obtaining accurate mission reports for the Electronic Attack squadron.  His expertise in the Middle East came from his time at the University of Chicago, where he majored in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations with a focus on the Islamic Middle East and the Arabic Language.  This background served him especially well as it led to his first job out of college as a civilian Arabic interpreter for deployed troops in Iraq in 2008. 

Since having left the Navy, Ethan has become a powerhouse in the Financial Services field as a top producer for several leading agencies including Northwestern Mutual.  He now serves as the Chief Operating Officer for US Vet Life, a financial startup specializing in helping servicemembers, veterans, and their families successfully navigate and leverage the benefits and benefits market both in and out of the military.

SOCRS050- Ryan Weaver- "Love of Country, Hard Work, and A Guitar"

Ryan Weaver is a high-energy, All-American, rockin’ country music artist who proudly served as an active duty Black Hawk Aviator, Chief Warrant Officer 3, United States Army. Weaver began his music career in 2005 while still on active duty, playing the club and festival circuit throughout the Southeast. His performances are known for their unique blend of high-octane original songs and rockin’ cover material combined with a heartfelt message and genuine humor.

Ryan’s personal story is like no other artist in country music today. Growing up with a family of eleven in a small town in Floral City, Florida, he joined the Army right after high school. After several years of working as a Military Intelligence Analyst, Ryan followed in the footsteps of both of his two older brothers, Steve and Aaron, by attending Warrant Officer Candidate School and flight school. He graduated top of his class in flight school, becoming a Black Hawk Aviator. In April 2003, he deployed to Baghdad International Airport in Iraq, and shortly afterward, one of his brothers, Aaron, was deployed just west of him in Fallujah.

On January 8, 2004, Aaron was killed in action when the Medivac helicopter he was a passenger in was shot down by enemy fire. Ryan certainly understood mortality and the risks of combat. After all, Aaron survived the bloody 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia that became the basis for the movie, Black Hawk Down. When Aaron died, however, something changed for Ryan. He returned from combat, taking a new position training the next generation of Army aviators and officers at Fort Rucker, Alabama and has not piloted a Black Hawk since that fateful day.

Exactly ten years later, Ryan’s brother-in-law, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy Billings, was laid to rest just one row away from Aaron Weaver. Randy was killed in action in Afghanistan on December 17, 2013 when the Black Hawk helicopter he was piloting was shot down by an enemy ground-detonated explosive device.

This second heartbreaking loss made the Weaver family a two-time Gold Star family. Ryan used his heartache as determination to succeed. Both of his brothers’ ultimate sacrifices continue to fuel his fire to accomplish his dreams in music.

Ryan debuted on a world stage in November 2017 as the Patriotic Voice of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) for their Celebrate America campaign. The World Finals is the biggest global stage in professional bull riding - a booming sport now seen in more than 400 million homes worldwide. Weaver made his debut in the primetime performance slot, held in 2016 by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, at PBR’s World Finals in Las Vegas, NV. Ryan’s new EP also titled Celebrate America was released at that time. Ryan worked closely with hit songwriter and producer, Wynn Varble, on the Celebrate America EP as well as co-writing three of the four songs on the EP.

This January, Ryan kicked off the PBR’s 2018 25th Anniversary Tour at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Celebrate America campaign is a season-long initiative that honors heroes, inspires youth and brings communities together.

SOCRS049- Carl Higbie- "Crisis of Culture"

Former Navy Seal & former Presidential Appointee.

Carl believes his oath of service is to the Constitution, not to the government, and those obligations are to the ideals represented in that Constitution of freedom and liberty. The critical importance of that in a democracy can never be overestimated.

Carl Higbie was a Special Operator with SEAL Team Ten, Echo Platoon. He deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has been a  regular contributor on Fox News and CNN. Higbie ran for Connecticut's 4th Congressional District in 2014. He resides in Greenwich, CT.

Carl discusses his newest book, "Crisis of Culture", and what We (Americans) need to do to turn it around...

SOCRS048- Bryan Jacobs- "Vets2Success: Building Future Lives Through Food & Brew"

Bryan Jacobs was originally born in Virginia, USA.  Even as a child, he lived a very different lifestyle than his peers.  He say's, "Around the age of 8 food found me and it wasn’t by accident my grandfather happened to be a Chef, a German chef at that who served in the Navy during WWII."

After returning from two tours of duty in Iraq with the Marine Corps, Bryan fell victim to PTSD and the emotional hardships of fitting in back home.  After a stint with homelessness and the the numerous other rigors faced while adjusting to civilian life, Bryan found his calling-the Culinary Arts.  He was able to gather the courage to go to culinary school, where his military training paid dividends.  His aptitudes & attitude earned him several opportunities to work with some of the best chefs in the United States.  Soon, he found himself as the private chef to the Anheuser Busch family while attending school at USF-Saraota/Manatee, where eventually he'd earn his bachelors degree in hospitality business.

Bryan's life took a turn in May 2014, when he lost his younger brother to Veteran Suicide.  That day changed his life forever. He started a program to make a difference in the lives of his brothers and sisters who wore the uniform, wanting to give them something more than just a hand out. After he studied abroad in France, Bryan returend to America to build Vets2Success, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the lives of veterans through food and brew.

 

SOCRS047- Fazel Rahim Kaihan- "My Journey to America"

Fazel Rahim Kaihan was born in Bagram, Afghanistan.  After graduating from High School, he attended an advanced school where he received training in telecommunicatiosn.  Next, he joined the National Army of Afghanistan and rose to the Rank of Sergeant.  From 2006-2014, he served as an interpreter, supporting the missions of US Army Special Forces, the DEA, the Navy Seals, and the US embassy.  Currently, his wife and him live in North Carolina where they are raising their three daughters.