Thad Forester, Author at

GORUCK Indestructible Challenge Shorts Review

November 17, 2023 By Thad Forester

Fit, function, ToughDry material, and why I recommend them in under 6 minutes.

To read more and/or purchase, go here: https://www.thadforester.com/grapparel

I’ve been wearing GORUCK apparel for 8 years. These shorts are tough, aka abrasion resistant, dry very fast, stretch, and are water repellant.

I also explain why they are practical for everyone, not just those participating in a GORUCK event. But, if you want to learn more about the GORUCK events, visit here: https://www.thadforester.com/goruck-events

Update: On May 18, 2024, I completed the Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk, which is a continuous 28 mile ruck. We got heavily rained on. I wore the Challenge Sh o rts and once again proved why I like them. They didn’t cling to my legs as we walked on the hilly terrain in the rain and sun. They completely dried before the next round of rain came.

Also mentioned in this video are the GORUCK 24.7 Simple Shorts and some differences between the two. You can watch my review on them here: https://youtu.be/hTHwJ_de1H0

See more GORUCK apparel here: https://www.thadforester.com/grapparel

Let me know any questions or comments.

Ep 111 | Don Stevens – Security Forces, Combat Control, Burn the Ships, PTSD

November 6, 2023 By Thad Forester

Don Stevens is one of those rare operators who retrained into the Air Force combat control (CCT) pipeline at the age of 32, after being in security forces. This required uncommon humility since leadership said, “What are we gonna do with a MSgt. who doesn’t know squat (many different strong words could be inserted here)?”

Even though I’ve had several CCT’s on this show, we haven’t talked much about their humanitarian roles. Don tells us how he got a team ready to deploy to Haiti in less than 4 hours, when the earthquake in 2010 happened.

Stevens provides advice to new guys entering the CCT pipeline, why PTSD doesn’t have to be a big deal, and shared the scariest thing he’s ever done. Hint, it wasn’t in Afghanistan or Africa.

You can also learn more about Don as the co-founder of FoxTrot 3.

Mentioned in this episode:

Thai Soccer Team Rescue

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I’m a proud affiliate of GORUCK. Please use this link if you want to check out their workout, rucking, running, apparel and other equipment. It doesn’t cost you any add’l money, but allows me to get a small commission to help this podcast reach larger audiences:

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Ep 110 | Special: Kenny Alicea & Mark Forester – Beautiful Symphony of Death and Destruction

September 29, 2023 By Thad Forester

On this 13th anniversary of the death of my brother, SrA Mark Forester, I have the opportunity to talk with Kenny Alicea who was the Senior Weapons Sergeant for his Army Special Forces team (ODA 7212) where Mark was attached.

Kenny contacted me a few weeks ago and told me he was on that final mission when Mark and Calvin were killed. He was a few hundred meters away with the mounted element, but he heard the radio calls and helped clear the area after their deaths. He helps piece together a few more details about Mark’s final moments.

In addition, Alicea told me about some initial disagreements and arguments he and Mark had and how they resolved those and worked together to bring destruction to terrorists and protect their teams. Hint: both of them said they own the airspace. Once they started working together, he said Mark was phenomenal at his job.

You can connect with Kenny on his YouTube Channel that helps vets in the private security contracting field: https://www.youtube.com/@VetsToPSC

For those watching the YouTube version, I hope you enjoy the slideshow at the very end of the interview.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep 60: Captain Wes Wilson – Ken’s team captain gives lots of detail on that battle too

Ep 38: Bobby Bonello – Mark’s good friend escorting him home to Dover AFB – Angel Flight

Copyright 2023 Thad Forester
https://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
Watch this interview on YouTube

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Ep 109 | Nic McKinley – Fighting a War on Human Trafficking

September 4, 2023 By Thad Forester

Nic McKinley is an entrepreneur, former Air Force Pararescueman, and ex-CIA operative who founded DeliverFund, the only donor-funded solution to human trafficking that delivers proprietary data and technology to law enforcement, allowing them to take down human traffickers effectively.

With 30 combat deployments under his belt in both Special Operations and the CIA, Nic experienced the power of technology during the Global War on Terror and set out to use his skills and training with that experience to combat modern slavery.

On September 1, 2023, DeliverFund launched an app to combat human trafficking. Nic discusses this in-depth and drives home how effective and life saving this app can be. You can download it here.

By gaining access to DeliverFund’s immense digital database of potential human trafficking activity, we all have the ability to take proactive measures to ensure our safety. We can work collectively to build safer, stronger communities.

I loved talking with Nic. He also gave unique perspective how his life as an Air Force PJ prepared him for the CIA and for launching DeliverFund. He also shares some thoughts on “til Valhalla” meaning and why we should seek for something better.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nic on Episode 68 of Patriot to the Core

Nic on Cleared Hot Podcast

Nic McKinley – The Real Jack Ryan

Copyright 2023 Thad Forester
https://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
Watch this interview on YouTube

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Ep 108 | Rich Brown – Marine, Author, American Warrior Society Co-Founder, Savage Somm

July 31, 2023 By Thad Forester

Retired U. S. Marine and former Policeman, bouncer, Corrections Officer and more Rich Brown (@american_warrior_society) is back on the show so I can dig into his new Memoir “On Violence & Varietals“.

We cover many areas of his life: fighting as a boy, the Gulf War, sleeping with one eye open, interacting with prisoners as a corrections officer while safeguarding his family, marriage trials, combatives, Highway of Death, 80’s music, dominating at Police Academy, pepper spray, and so much more.

An excerpt from his book states: “At the moment of cease-fire, I emerged from the metal-skinned C-7 changed. I looked at my hands and the hands of the men around me. During the last several days, I had brought death, yet I had emerged from the land of the dead. I was reborn, transformed from the Rich Brown that began the assault to a man ready to take his place in the tribe.”

Brown would give anything to have journals from his ancestors. Since he kept good records while deployed and beyond, he wanted to leave this record for his posterity; at least this is one reason he wrote the book.

Rich is almost a jack of all trades, and holds belts in Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kinami Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, Judo, MCMAP, and Okinawan Freestyle Karate.

You can also listen to Rich on Episode 51
American Warrior Society

Copyright 2023 Thad Forester
https://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
Watch this interview on YouTube

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