Thad Forester's official site

LinkedinYoutube
  • Book
  • About
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Upcoming Events/Media
  • Blog
  • Patriot to the Core podcast
  • Affiliates/Sponsors
  • Contact

Episode 036 – CCT Kurt Buller | I Will Run Thru the Brick Wall First

September 4, 2017 By Thad Forester

Buller CCT

When this 5’3″ tall airman was denied a waiver to be a pilot, along with women and a male gymnast, he had to figure out something else to do.

23 years later, he retired from the Air Force’s elite Special Tactics community as a combat controller.

Kurt Buller said he has “the energy of a really tall guy jammed up in my little body.”  He’s a motivator and a leader.  You’ll hear his passion for excellence from the moment he opens his mouth.  When I asked him how he made it thru the grueling pipeline, he said “the team made me stronger.”  We also talked about the most difficult decisions he made as a leader.

He shares some nuggets of wisdom, such as:

  1. Our adversary (enemy) is very clever. The dumb ones got killed in first wave
  2. The enemy can’t duplicate our training and team mindset
  3. Get them the snorkel; a reference to Buddy Breathing in the water training portion of pipeline
  4. I may ask you to do hard things, but I will run thru the brick wall first

This interview was jam-packed with advice for being a leader and teammate.  And since he helped prepare AFSOC warriors for battle, he complimented the role of all battlefield airmen–CCT, PJ, TACP, and SOWT.  

Since his retirement three years ago, he taught JROTC and now has his own consulting company Intrepid Leadership Group where he’s still able to work with our nation’s elite warriors.  It allows him to spend more time with his wife and teenage boys while still doing something he loves.

Buller will fire you up.  I had a good time with this one and think you will too.

*Also, PTC is now on Patreon.  Please check out how you can help the cause so I can provide quality content. 

Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

Rock Tune by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/339942981-user-645944549-kurtbuller.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: buddy breathing, fearless, intrepid, intrepid leadership, poetry in motion, sled dogs, special tactics

Episode 029 – Larry and Janice Brown, parents of fallen SEAL Adam Brown

May 29, 2017 By Thad Forester

Adam Brown

For this Memorial Day show, we are privileged to have the Gold Star parents of Adam Brown, fallen SEAL Team 6 operator.

Larry and Janice’s son Adam was killed in action on March 17, 2010 in Afghanistan.  He died a hero, putting himself in harm’s way to help save his team.

They share with us how the traits and personality he had as a small boy were critical in how successful he was as a special operator.  He has since been referred to as “Fearless”.  This is probably a better nickname than he had for a short period of time when he was younger playing youth sports.  Then they called him “Psycho”.

His parents also share when he got shot in the right eye, so he learned how to shoot using his non-dominant eye and became a sniper.  Later, a Humvee crushed and severed most of the fingers of his right hand. After recovery, he learned to use his left to shoot a pistol, a tougher task than firing a sniper rifle.

Adam Brown had his struggles too.  He became addicted to meth and cocaine while a teenager, and even stole to support this habit.  But, he went to teen challenge and overcame.  Even after marrying and being clean, Adam had a moment or two of weakness.  Fortunately he had a good woman who could hold him accountable.

Since his death, his family has created “While We’re Waiting“, which is a nonprofit ministry which offers faith-based retreats and support for parents who have lost children.

His friends also organized an annual race at his high school to raise money for charities that Adam would support.  They are listed here.  This event had about 1000 participants this year and raised almost $50k.

Adam Brown – Fearless

You’ll also want to review the New York Times best-selling book on Adam, titled “Fearless”.  Written by Eric Blehm.  I’ve read it and definitely recommend.

At a memorial service in Hot Springs, a week after his death, John Faas — a SEAL who had been with him on the final raid — said: “Adam is the hardest man I have ever met. Over the course of his career he sustained more significant injuries than most of us combined, but he just kept on operating. He would not quit, he would not accept defeat. Not ever. Adam’s devout Christian faith matched his toughness and fearlessness.”

I can’t say enough about this guy.  This interview with Adam’s parents can not cover all the aspects of his life that benefitted so many, and also saved many lives.

Adam leaves behind his wife, two children, parents, a brother, and sister.

Learn more about Adam Brown at the below links:

Adam’s Legacy

NRA Patriot Profiles

Investors Business Daily

Purchase the book “Fearless”

Fearless Rock – Adam Brown underwater memorial

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/324699815-user-645944549-larry-janice-brown.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: addiction, fearless, grief, patriot profiles, psycho, shamrock run, team 6, teen challenge, while we're waiting

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicAndroidPandoraiHeartRadioPodchaserby EmailTuneInRSSMore Subscribe Options

Recent Posts

  • GORUCK Challenge Windbreaker Review – Indestructible for Ruckers? June 13, 2025
  • Why I Ruck June 1, 2025
  • Ep 120 | Col. Derek Oaks – A-10 Warthog and JTACs May 26, 2025
  • New GORUCK Boonie Hat: Does it Float? April 11, 2025

agold-seller

Buy the book on Amazon

back cover - final

Become a Patron!

"The book excels at showing how combat deaths affect families, friends, and fellow service personnel and how such losses can inspire others."  Read more...

"..I am adding this book to my recommended reading list for my Cadets, as an example of the type of warrior, leader, selfless servant, and man they should strive to emulate."  Read more...

"A rare, personal and authoritative glimpse into one of the many, many lives that was willingly sacrificed to pay the the Price of Freedom."  Read more...

Become a Patron!

Proud Supporter & Affiliate

Proud Supporter & Affiliate

Mark Lauren Bodyweight – Affiliate and User Since 2017

Copyright © 2025 · Thad Forester