Welcome to Patriot to the Core Podcast

Patriot to the Core 2018

This podcast exists b/c of my little brother Mark Forester. While he was serving as a full-time missionary in California, our nation was attacked on 9/11. He felt the calling then to complete his service to God with his next mission being to serve his country. He knew God wanted him to help control the world's terrorists population.

On September 29, 2010, he was killed in action on his first deployment. From his death notification to my family, to the Dignified Transfer ceremony at Dover, to his viewing, funeral, and subsequent memorials, I was amazed at the new world of heroes and warriors we met. These men and women have become close to our family and been huge supports. But they also stood out because of their willingness to voluntarily fight evil. They believed in freedom and liberty. Because of their actions, I started this podcast to interview great Americans who serve their country and communities.

By supporting this podcast, you help support The Mark Forester Foundation and its cause.

I interview those from all branches of the military, serving multiple roles (combat controllers, PJs, Green Berets, SEALs, Rangers, Infantrymen, Marines, Pilots, etc) and the US government. In addition, I speak with your everyday mom who goes about doing good--from starting a non-profit to fighting for freedom in our communities and schools. I also get to talk with Gold Star Parents, Siblings and Spouses, and Medal of Honor recipients.

This provides an opportunity to learn about everyday Americans who go above and beyond to protect us and to help others. As a Gold Star brother, many of my guests have a military connection, but I still have a wide variety of people who answer the call to serve in various ways.

We talk fighting terrorism, self-protection, exercise, mental toughness, charity, parenting, fugitives and occasionally pop culture and politics (like government overreach).

Please follow and subscribe so we can have many episodes to come. Send suggestions and questions to me at thad@patriottothecore.com. Hope you enjoy!

You can also become a patron. Your support is not considered a donation--it's a way to get something in return for helping support my cause. See link below:

Become a Patron!

Ep 120 | Col. Derek Oaks – A-10 Warthog and JTACs

May 26, 2025 By Thad Forester

In this episode, we unpack the legendary role of the A-10 Warthog in the battlespace, the irreplaceable bond between pilots and JTACs, and the critical missions led by Air Force Combat Controllers. Col. Oaks shares insights from his time in the cockpit, what ordnance the A-10 can carry, when a show of force is necessary, and the lasting legacy of my brother SrA Mark Forester, a Combat Controller who gave his life in Afghanistan while Derek’s squadron was deployed.

Strap in—this one is loud, low, and lethal (maybe exaggerating a little bit).

Topics Covered:

The mission and legacy of the A-10 Warthog
Why Close Air Support (CAS) is about more than just firepower
The intense coordination between A-10 pilots and JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers)
70 rounds of 30mm per second
The vital role of Combat Controllers in both air and ground ops
Lessons in leadership, humility, and courage under fire

Learn more about Derek Oaks here:

Derek Oaks – Decisive Leadership

Derek’s book he co-authored with this dad, Gen. Robert Oaks – “Rising Above”

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Ep 119 | Mark Roland – Insider Attack!

November 25, 2024 By Thad Forester

Matthew Roland was killed-in-action in Afghanistan in August 2015 in an insider attack (aka “green on blue”) at an Afghan-led security checkpoint. Killed alongside him was teammate SSgt Forrest Sibley, both Air Force Combat Controllers attached to an Army Special Forces team.

Matthew’s father Mark, shares what happened, how Matthew responded instantly and what his and Forrest’s final moments were like. In addition, we talk about the notification process, grief, healing and the CCT community and support.

Matthew was awarded the Silver Star for his actions that day. You can read the citation here.

Also mentioned in this episode is Danny Sanchez, who was another CCT killed in a green on blue attack. His mother was a guest in episode 99.

Patriot to the Core proud affiliates who support our country and military:

GORUCK. Check out big sales right now.

Freedom Blends, vitamins and supplements.. Use code patriot at checkout for 10% off your order.

Mark Lauren Bodyweight Fitness. I’ve been using since 2016. Use code THAD at checkout for 10% off first year subscription.

You can watch this interview with Mark Roland here: https://youtu.be/XLhUOs8_9JE

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Ep 118 | Michael Madsen – Army Judge Advocate (JAG) | Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Survivor

July 1, 2024 By Thad Forester

Michael Madsen is a Judge Advocate in the US Army. His current full-time job is an Attorney for the Air Force and he’s a JAG in the Army Reserves.

After graduating law school and completing a JD/MBA program, Michael worked in the private sector before joining the Army at the age of 33. He wanted to serve his country and found that the Army gave him the best opportunity, even though he had several injuries, mostly from playing football in college at Brigham Young University.

I’ve always admired Michael b/c he gave up lucrative opportunities in the world of law to join the military. He stands by his grandfather’s wise counsel: “It doesn’t matter where you serve; it matters how you serve.”

Madsen comes from a line of American Patriots. His grandfather is Ezra Taft Benson, who was the Secretary of Agriculture under President Eisenhower, and was the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In early 2020, Michael was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We discuss in great detail how this affected his family (his wife and 4 young kids), and how he’s doing today with the multitude of side effects from this disease, treatments and his bone marrow transplant (thanks to his sister). In addition, how his faith, the faith of his family and those around him, continues to strengthen him and his family.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Jupiter Patch Boards

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/wBBNyEwei7I

If you’re looking for trusted vitamins and supplements, I’ve been using Freedom Blends the past 4 months and love the energy I get w/out caffeine. I have the Freedom Fuel (fruits and veggies), Sons of Liberty B-12 and 1st Amendment Men’s Multi Vitamin. Use discount code PATRIOT at checkout to get 10% off your order. The owner is a great American who was Episode 116 guest, Eric Moutsos.

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Ep 117 | Matthew Longanacre – AH-64D Apache Pilot Overhead Mark in Afghanistan

May 27, 2024 By Thad Forester

CW4 Matthew Longanacre (Matthew on Facebook) was an AH-64D Apache Pilot with 1-101 Aviation Regiment “Expect No Mercy”. He was the Pilot-In-Command of one of the two Apaches that were overhead when Mark and Calvin were killed on 29 September 2010.

Printed in Mark’s book, My Brother in Arms, Matthew wrote to our family: “We pride ourselves on doing whatever it takes to protect these gifted warriors on the battlefield. This is why the loss of Mark has hit me harder than any in the past. I was overhead that day and unable to prevent this tragedy. I just hope that his family and friends can find some small measure of comfort in knowing that he took the fight to the enemy right until the end. Very few in this world can say the same…”

Longanacre joined me today while we walked 28 miles for the Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk/Ruck. Therefore, the audio isn’t stellar, but the best this low-tech guy can do. We were moving the entire time in mist rain.

My family and I appreciate Matthew keeping in touch, making the effort to visit and support. He developed a friendship with Mark, all over the radio, while they slew the enemy!

Enjoy the outro music, “Sons of War Veteran“. This short clip was written by former AF CCT, and 2-time PTC guest, Dan Schilling. You can hear the full version here:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5iujSF8UmN4VyvWB42UfLa

Freedom Blends, supplements and vitamins for men and women: use discount code PATRIOT at checkout.

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Ep 116 | Eric Moutsos – Freedom, Liberty, and Non-Essential

May 6, 2024 By Thad Forester

Eric Moutsos (@ericmoutsos) is a small business owner and creator of Freedom Blends, a supplement company based on the principles of Freedom and Liberty.

A former Salt Lake City Police Officer, Moutsos loved the job but quickly started being outspoken about disturbing practices (aka quotas) and discrimination within the department. In the end, Eric lost his badge and gun when, for religious reasons, he asked to trade into a security assignment instead of being in the celebration of the Utah Pride Parade for the LGBTQ community. When the story made national news, Eric decided to resign from the department and go into the private sector.

Today Eric tells us why he’s no longer a police officer and how he created the Utah Business Revival during Covid to help save small businesses. Part of this was organizing what was probably the first music concert in America during the lockdown.

If you want to try Freedom Blends, go to: https://freedomblends.myshopify.com/?ref=patriot
and use code PATRIOT at checkout to get 10% off. I’ve been taking Freedom Fuel w/ energy and 1st Amendment Men’s multivitamin since mid-April. So far, I approve. I get up early to work and/or workout almost every day. I have 3 active young boys and we are always playing sports, in the woods, rucking…. just staying active. I used to be very tired every day. I feel much better while taking these vitamins and supplements.

Freedom Blends: use discount code PATRIOT at checkout.

Watch Eric’s documentary “Non Essential” here: https://www.ericmoutsos.com/non-essential-the-full-documentary/

Watch this interview on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ow8SnRUratI

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