cct Archives - Page 2 of 5 -

Ep 104 | Dan Skidmore, aka Cadre DS – Getting Ready for the JAG 28 Birthday Walk

May 8, 2023 By Thad Forester

Dan Skidmore (@danskidmore11) is the Director of Specialized Training at GORUCK. He’s back on PTC as to talk initially about the upcoming Mark Forester JAG 28 Memorial Birthday Walk/Ruck. This is our annual event honoring my brother Mark Forester who was KIA 2010, where we walk 28 continuous miles. Dan will be joining us for the first time (in person) on May 20, 2023 in Haleyville, AL.

I pick his brain about how to toughen up your feet, break in shoes and prevent injury (especially lower body).

We also discuss the benefits of compression therapy and his own business, Bulletproof Bands. He provided a huge discount on his site by using JAG28 promo code at checkout.

You’ll want to hear why he suggests peeing on your feet too – I’m not sure I can even physically do that. And what is the max weight you should carry for this event.

I look forward to Dan joining our walk this year and leading us in Memorial Pushups. Come join us. We want you to be part of our tribe on May 20, 2023 in Haleyville, AL. Read more and sign up here:

Mentioned in this episode:
Ballistic Trainers shoes
MACV-1 Rucking Boots that Dan will be wearing for this event
Bullet Rucker
Sandbags
Sand Kettlebells
Dan’s hotel in ancient Medina, Marrakesh, Morocco

Sorry for the audio issues on this one. My wifi has been oddly off recently, so you will notice some cut-outs.

You can also find Dan on YouTube and Facebook
And you can listen to our first interview on episode 75.

*Remember, for a big discount on Bulletproof Bands, use promo code JAG28 at checkout. Dan’s business is showing support for The Mark Forester Foundation.

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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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Ep 099 | Yvette Sierra – Gold Star Mother to SrA Danny Sanchez

January 9, 2023 By Thad Forester

On Sept 16, 2010, Yvette’s son, Daniel Ray Sanchez (Danny) was killed in Afghanistan by an insurgent who infiltrated the Afghanistan partner force.

Today, Danny’s mom tells us why this “ball of energy” was made for Combat Control and what happened on his first deployment – how was an insurgent able to get on the helicopter with Danny and his team and then kill Danny when they landed. Fortunately, that guy was killed immediately, but only after injuring others, and of course killing one of America’s bravest.

Yvette started the SrA Danny Ray Sanchez Foundation and holds an annual race on Labor Day weekend to raise money to provide scholarships to Montwood High School graduates, and hopefully to other schools in the district soon.

Yvette and I have become friends since 2010. We’ve mourned together and attended several events together. I loved finally getting to have her on Patriot to the Core. Listen to this mother’s love of her son as she shares how she was notified and how she’s handled his loss since. We also discuss how Danny’s death affected her youngest son, Dakota, since he’s no longer being duct-taped to the door or being hung on the door knob by his underwear, compliments of his big brother.

You can also watch this interview on YouTube here.

Mentioned in this episode:

Memorial 3 Gun
Combat Control Foundation

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Ep 094 | Ish Villegas – 2-time Silver Star Recipient

September 19, 2022 By Thad Forester

Ish Villegas is one of three people who have received the Silver Star twice, since 9/11.

Today he walks us thru the battle in 2009 where he got his first Silver Star. It was a 16 hour fight that resulted in at least 32 enemy insurgents killed. During this fight, Ish ran 200 feet across an open, uncleared IED minefield to more effective position and returned fire with his M-4 and then directed aircraft (rotary and fixed wing) onto the enemy locations in a surgical and lethal manner. It’s an incredible story; one that he completed with two broken arms.

He also trained my brother, Mark Forester, at FOB Cobra/Tinsley and we are forever grateful for his friendship to Mark and for showing him the ropes in one of the most active areas in all of Afghanistan.

Ish is a great American and we’re lucky to have men like him on our side. You can listen to details of his 2nd Silver Star here on Black Rifle Coffee.

*PTC is on Patreon. If you like what you’re hearing please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

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Ep 093 | Leading Well in Turbulent Times

August 8, 2022 By Thad Forester

“Good judgment comes through experience, which comes from bad judgment.”

Brig. Gen. Robert (Gwyn) Armfield and Lt. Gen. Bruce Fister, both USAF, retired are on the show to talk about their new book “Lead to Serve and Serve to Lead.”

They use their experience from extensive military careers and now consulting with companies–from non-profits, to large organizations.

Some specifics we discuss:
-Leading in a crisis
-How do develop leaders, including delegating effectively
-Giving feedback: possibly an area where most leaders struggle
-Gwyn and Bruce’s mistakes and responses to them

I’ve already given the book a 5-star rating on Amazon and recommend it to all listeners to Patriot to the Core.

Purchase the book here: Lead to Serve book

You can also listen to my previous interview with Gwyn here.

*PTC is on Patreon. If you like what you’re hearing please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content and keep on keeping on!

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