air force Archives -

Ep 127 | Unbroken Will: Remembering Lance Sijan w/ His Sister Janine Sijan

August 17, 2026 By Thad Forester

Janine Sijan shares the story of her brother, Air Force Capt. Lance Sijan, a Medal of Honor recipient whose courage in Vietnam became a lasting symbol of duty, endurance, and sacrifice. Janine reflects on Lance as a brother and a man, offering personal memories that reveal the character behind the legend and the deep family bond that shaped his life.

The conversation explores the pain and uncertainty of having a loved one go missing in combat, the emotional toll of captivity, and the heartbreak of ultimately learning of his death. Janine also discusses how her family endured the long silence, what his story meant to them then, and why his legacy continues to inspire service members and civilians today.

More than a military history interview, this episode is an effective tribute to resilience, faith, family, disbelief, and the cost of freedom. It honors Lance Sijan not only for how he fought and suffered, but for the example he left behind — one that still challenges cadets and listeners to live with courage, purpose, and conviction. After all, he was a Sijan, and Sijan’s don’t quit!

Look for the release of Lance’s documentary “Sijan” in 2027, narrated by Gary Sinise. It was produced by Janine and we mentioned in this interview. I was able to watch it this summer. It was powerful.

You can also watch this interview on my YouTube channel here.

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Ep 122 | Lori Chapman Longfritz | Remembering John Chapman – Left Alone on Takur Ghar: Part 1

September 23, 2025 By Thad Forester

In this episode, I speak with Lori Chapman Longfritz, sister of Medal of Honor recipient John Chapman, about her brother’s remarkable life and ultimate sacrifice. Lori shares personal stories that reveal John’s character, his commitment to family, and his job as an elite Air Force Combat Controller.

She also reflects on the events that led to his death during the Battle of Takur Ghar in 2002, the recognition of his heroism, and the lasting legacy he left behind. This heartfelt conversation honors John’s memory while offering an intimate look at the man behind the uniform and the man left to fight and die alone on Takur Ghar.

This is Part 1 of our 2 Part interview.

In Part 2 we’ll delve into how John saved the lives of his SEAL team and then another 18 members of a quick reaction force (QRF).

What this video of the First Medal of Honor ever recorded, narrated by fellow CCT and co-author of Lori’s first book “Alone at Dawn“, Dan Schilling.

Read Lori’s new book: “First There: The Life and Legacy of American Hero John Chapman“.

Enjoy the short subtle outro music, “Sons of War Veteran“. This song was written by former CCT, and 2-time PTC guest, Dan Schilling.

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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 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 100 | Michael Blout – Combat Controller, Silver Star Recipient

February 6, 2023 By Thad Forester

Michael Blout joins me to talk about the battle from 2012 where he was awarded the Silver Star. As a former Flight Superintendent, Combat Dive Course Superintendent, and Superintendent over the Department of Training, Special Warfare Preparatory Course and more, we talk much about preparation, mindset, leading, integrating into a team and never quitting. During the CCT pipeline, Blout was smoked many times by one of his instructors, Mark Lauren (aka Klinganator or Cyborg). Mark is also a former guest on this show.

He also shared how to keep the sharks away while scuba training and threw in some surprises about dolphins.

Mike is another Air Force Combat Controller who is a silent professional. He’s sacrificed his body and family to fight evil and to serve in other various ways throughout the world. “Take care of your people and they will take care of you.”

One of Blout’s SF teammates, “Big Mike” Duskin, was killed in this battle on Oct 23, 2012. Please take time to read about him at this link: https://www.duskinandstephens.org/duskin

I hope you enjoy the intro music and full song at the end of this interview. It was written by former Air Force CCT, and 2-time PTC guest, Dan Schilling. You can learn the history of this song here. Dan’s goal is for it to be something that urges people to turn up the volume when they play the track!

“My hope was that this song rocks enough that guys I wrote it for will enjoy it and powerful enough to leave an indelible emotional impact crater,” Schilling said, “one you want to revisit over and over again.”

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