Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop
The United States Special Forces are a force to be reckoned with, but like any great nation, they weren't built in a day. Just ask Colonel Rich Wall, a Vietnam Green Beret with three tours under his belt - two with Special Forces before pivoting into the MACV-SOG Program, a highly classified Special Operations unit that conducted covert and unconventional warfare operations. He'd go on to receive the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars for his time in country, along with having taught history at West Point and working with NATO at the Pentagon.
Of course, Vietnam is a totally different theater to the more arid climates (and more modern trappings) of the Middle East, and to hear Rich tell it, you were just as likely to catch disease as you were to catch fire from your adversaries waiting for you in the jungle. So what's it like to ship out in a draft army? How did Special Forces operate back then, and how did those operations influence future works? And if Vietnam was really as bad as the history books say, then what could possible possess a man to go back again and again? Let's meet Rich.
----------
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
09:38 - Wake Up at Payback Time
18:34 - Enlisting Early (TOO Early)
34:53 - You'll Never Forget Where You Were When Kennedy Was Killed
39:27 - Creating the Green Berets
45:49 - Landing in Vietnam
01:00:25 - The Second Tour in '66
01:13:31 - All's Fair in Guerilla Warfare, Right?
01:24:01 - The Tet Offensive
01:30:29 - Welcome to Special Forces, Son
01:48:41 - Defining SOG - the Joint Unconventional Warfare Taskforce
01:53:34 - Counting the Cost in KIA's and MIA's
02:01:23 - JPRC - The Joint Personnel Recovery Center
02:12:08 - Flying Back Stateside
02:28:11 - Teaching History at West Point
02:40:12 - A NATO Desk Officer at The Pentagon
02:42:11 - Retirement in '91
02:51:59 - Looking Back, Moving Forward
02:56:15 - Leaving a Legacy - My Army Ranger Grandson
----------
Support Rich and the Special Forces Association at https://www.specialforcesassociation.org
----------
Sponsors:
American Hartford Gold
Visit https://www.americanhartfordgold.com or call 855-967-1413, that’s 855-967-1413, or text “DROP” to 6-5-5-3-2 for UP TO $15,000 of FREE SILVER!
----------
Beam
Take advantage of Beam's biggest sale of the year and get up to 40% off for a limited time when you go to https://www.shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use promo code MIKEDROP at checkout!
----------
BUBS Naturals
The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB’ Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived.
BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life.
Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life.
Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order.
------------
Black Buffalo
If You're 21 and Older, consume Nicotine or Tobacco, and Want to Join the Black Buffalo Herd, Head over to https://www.blackbuffalo.com to learn more!
Black Buffalo products are intended for adults aged 21 and older who are consumers of nicotine or tobacco.
----------
Fueled by TeamDog | www.mikeritlandco.com | @Teamdog.pet
ALL THINGS MIKE RITLAND:
SHOP for Fueled By Team Dog Performance Dog Food, Treats, Apparel, Accessories, and Protection dogs - MikeRitlandCo.com - https://www.MikeRitlandCo.com Team Dog Online dog training - TeamDog.pet - https://www.TeamDog.pet
