The Jedburgh Podcast Fran Racioppi

Lethality, audacity and creativity. That’s the culture of the Special Forces Regiment and the values each Special Operator is expected to live by. They’re also the foundation of what it takes to be the premier partnered irregular warfare force in the arsenal of the United States Military. 

Our nation’s Green Berets, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations soldiers are led by Major General Gil Ferguson; the Commanding General of 1st Special Forces Command. For the final interview of our Fort Liberty series, Fran Racioppi sat down with General Ferguson for a conversation on what it takes to man, train and equip our Special Forces units. 

They dug into his goal to enhance the culture of the Regiment, how the Special Forces Groups are preparing for regional conflicts with unknown enemies, at unknown times; and just how Green Berets are solidifying themselves as the go-to option in the deep sensor fight against our peer adversaries.

General Ferguson also explains the SOF-Space-Cyber Triad, where he sees Special Forces in a decade, and as our units evolve, what needs to stay the same.  

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with America’s top Green Beret, then head over to our YouTube channel to watch General Ferguson share the lineage of America’s first Special Forces in the Jedburgh Media Channel’s first documentary, Unknown Heroes, Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh.    

Highlights:
0:00 Welcome to the JFK Special Warfare Museum4:04 The premier partnered irregular warfare force7:18 Man, train, equip for any theater9:40 The culture of 1st SFC13:52 The misperceptions of Special Forces18:50 SOF in the Peer-to-Peer Fight27:16 How is SOF keeping people first?34:07 SOF, Space Cyber Triad39:43 Where are Special Forces in 5-10 years?42:14 How are Civil Affairs and PsyOps integrating into the SOF battlefield?50:47 What has to stay the same in SOF?54:32 Daily Foundations For Success
Quotes: 

“The United States fights coalition warfare. We don’t ever want to fight by ourselves.” “We don’t know where the next fight’s going to be, we don’t know who it’s gonna be with, and we don’t know when it’s gonna start.”“The guys we are running the Columbian military were all folks that were captains with me when I was a 7th Group Commander.”“Technology is not going to win the next fight. The side that most effectively and audaciously employs technology is going to win.”“18x make up more than 50% of our force now; and that is a good thing.”“I don’t want to spend time in my office. That is not where I’m effective.” 
The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Special Forces Warrant Officers are subject matter experts in unconventional warfare, operations and intelligence fusion, and planning and execution. They also advise commanders on all aspects of special operations and are responsible for the integration of emerging technologies. 

To explore the unique role of the Special Forces Warrant Officer, Fran Racioppi asked the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Chief Warrant Officer 5 Gary Ostrander to join him from the Special Warfare Museum at Fort Liberty, NC. 

With over 30 years in the Army, Gary advises the commander and sergeant major of SWCS on best practices for training and developing our US Army Special Operations soldiers. 

After they defined what it takes to succeed as a Special Forces Warrant, they explained SWCS 2030, the importance of duration in assessment and selection, how technology is being integrated into training, how to create a training program that prepares people for anything and innovation in recruiting initiatives. 

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with one of Special Forces most experienced leaders then head over to our YouTube channel to watch CW5 Ostrander share the lineage of America’s first Special Forces in the Jedburgh Media Channel’s first documentary, Unknown Heroes, Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh.   

Highlights:
0:00 Introduction3:01 What’s the role of the Special Forces Warrant Officer?11:51 What is SWCS 2030?17:11 What technology is paramount on the next battlefield?19:04 The evolution of the peer-to-peer fight23:56 What are the innovative ways ARSOF is recruiting?29:30 What are you most excited about in the next generation?  31:18 Daily Foundations to Success
Quotes: 
“The warrant specifically focuses on those long term planning operations and actions.” “We focus on that end product. How do we produce the best product?”“More than likely you will be seen by an unmanned system.” “We’re the melting pot for the operational force’s #1 select cadre to come back and train and mentor the next generation.” “How do they look at a problem set and become the world’s most adaptive problem solvers?” “If you show up for the minimums there’s a very slim chance that you are going to be one of the ones selected.”
The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Special thanks to Roxanne Merritt and the entire team at the Special Warfare Museum for graciously hosting this series.

The 80th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion included many reenactment jumps, but none as visually captivating as the one in Mont St. Michel. A jump that featured multiple sorties of C-47s and some of America’s most important leaders donning the battle uniform of our airborne predecessors. 

Included in this stick was Florida Congressman and fellow Green Beret Mike Waltz. After a quick exit and soft landing, Congressman Waltz spent some time with Fran Racioppi on the drop zone to talk D-Day, World Order and the current state of Congress. 

With Mont-Saint Michel in the background, and jumpers still falling, they dug into our national security challenges in the Middle East, Ukraine and China; and how immigration policy is rapidly becoming the decisive issue. They also unpacked the need for professionalism in Congress, how polarization is affecting getting things done and what we can expect from our political leaders as we gear up for an election cycle that looks more like a night combat jump with high winds and a small drop zone. 

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation from one of the most surreal spots on the globe then head over to our YouTube channel to as we share the lineage of America’s first Special Forces in the Jedburgh Media Channel’s first documentary, Unknown Heroes, Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh.   

Highlights:
0:00 Introduction02:10 Jumping into Mont St. Michel5:20 What is NATO’s role in global conflict?9:35 Can America mobilize a whole of society approach?12:34 Why is DOD calling for a reduction in Special Forces?14:14 Why can’t we just close the border? 17:01 What can we expect during the upcoming election cycle?
Quotes: 

 “Vintage birds. Vintage uniforms. But the parachutes are new Mr. Speaker.” (2:53) “We can’t keep asking the American taxpayer to dig deeper and deeper into their pocket while the European taxpayer isn’t being asked to do the same thing.” (7:09) “We should be flooding the world with cleaner, cheaper American oil and gas.” (8:00) “What I want is that every time Chairman Xi gets out of bed and looks across the Taiwan Strait he says ‘ah…they're still too tough, we’re not ready.’" (10:56)“The more the Chinese Communist Party are looking over their shoulder, the less they’re looking across the Pacific.” (12:25) “Those support men and women for the Special Operations community keep us out of wars. Those are the left of bang.” (13:55) “The cartels are behind all of this…We know from Plan Colombia how to take down cartels.” (16:04) "The world is a calm place when America is strong.” (18:35)

Stress is the great equalizer in leadership. When you're cold, you're wet, you're tired, your company’s losing money, you have no revenue, you’re pinned down by enemy fire, or you're down by five with two minutes left, great organizations need leaders who stand up, take charge, make decisions and act.  America’s Green Berets are the best in the world at leading under stress.

To unpack just how we’re selecting the next generation of Special Forces Operators, Fran Racioppi sat down with the team responsible for training them; LTC Dave Lucas and Medal of Honor Recipient Command Sergeant Major Matt Williams; the command team for 4th battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group, otherwise known as the MOS phase of the Qualification Course.  

From the JFK Special Warfare Museum at Fort Liberty’s John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School they cover the Q-course; what it takes to be a successful Alpha, Bravo, Charlie or Echo; how they’re upholding the standard and preparing the force for the peer-to-peer battlefield and the difference between motivation and leadership. 

Plus CSM Williams shares his account of the Battle of Shok Valley and why sometimes the greatest displays of leadership have nothing to do with rank, position, or tenure. 

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation then head over to our YouTube channel to watch this episode and watch CSM Williams & LTC Lucas share the lineage of America’s first Special Forces in the Jedburgh Media Channel’s first documentary, Unknown Heroes, Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh.   

Highlights:
0:00 Introduction5:35 Succeeding in the Special Forces Qualification Course10:10 Scenario-based training to a standard15:30 Preparing Special Forces for the next battlefield22:15 Motivation isn't leadership28:57 CSM Williams Medal of Honor battle in Afghanistan 413:40 Daily Keys to Success
Quotes: 
“Our job is to teach them the fundamental skills that they will utilize, that they will bring to their operational detachments.” (6:43) “When it’s cold, it’s wet and it sucks, we want guys that understand why they're here.” (7:56) “What we really try to do is eek out your capabilities under stress.” (11:48)“The standard is the standard, is the standard, is the standard.” (13:46) “We’re sending guys out to the force to do some of the hardest things in the world, and they can’t just be because you're a good dude.” (15:13) “Motivation and leadership are not the same thing.” (23:42)“It’s two junior bravos on the side of a cliff figuring out what we’re going to do.” (36:55)
Special thanks to Roxanne Merritt and the entire team at the Special Warfare Museum for graciously hosting this series.

One hundred men will test today. But only three win the Green Beret. Developing America’s Green Berets takes a vision for the future, knowledge of the past, and an understanding of the present. 

The John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School is the home of both training Green Berets and developing the policy and doctrine our Special Forces operate by. To share the mission of SWCS, Fran Racioppi sat down with Commanding General Brigadier General Will Beaurpere and Command Sergeant Major Lee Strong from the JFK Special Warfare Museum at Fort Liberty, NC. 

BG Beaurpere and CSM Strong explained how SWCS 2030 will develop a more prepared Special Forces Regiment through the establishment of three Branch Schools for Green Berets, Civil Affairs and Psyops, each under their own O-6 level command. 
They also break down irregular warfare, why it’s important, and how it’s complemented by psychological operations; another school being developed through SWCS 2030. 

Finally they talk recruiting as the GWOT generation of soldiers is retiring and SOF was directed to cut personnel, while enforcing the standard, continuously improving professionalism, and integrating technology and automation into the force.  

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation about the past, present and future of SWCS. Then head over to our YouTube channel to watch BG Beaurpere and CSM Strong share the importance of the Jedburghs in the Jedburgh Media Channel’s first documentary, Unknown Heroes, Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh.   

The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. 

Highlights:
0:00 Welcome to the Special Warfare Museum 2:27 The SWCS mission8:42 SWCS 203012:03 Commandants, Irregular Warfare & the Psywar School22:00 SOF’s role in Strategic Disruption30:33 How do you maintain the Special Forces Standard?36:08 Integrating technology but building leaders first49:08 The 3 Keys to Daily Success
Quotes: 

“We watch the battlefield of the modern era and we draw that into our doctrine.” (5:02)“The cadre is where you really achieve mastery.” (8:04)“Psychological Warfare is something we’ve conducted for the preponderance of our history as a military.” 17:01“That’s what SOF does…conduct operations and activities forward, before conflict.” (20:06)“The one place we will not assume risk, and cannot assume is risk, is in the production of world class special forces, civil affairs and psyops soldiers.” (28:37)“What is the one or two percent we can do to improve to ultimately make this better, myself better, the team better.” (34:45)“You're only as hard as your last hard thing.” (53:04)
Special thanks to Roxanne Merritt and the JFK Special Warfare Museum for graciously hosting this series.

Social Media doesn’t tell the real story. It might look like we’re crushing it online, but the reality is that it’s held together by toothpicks and dental floss. For the final episode of the 2023 Army Navy Game Tailgate Series, Fran Racioppi welcomed back Travis Wilson; fellow Green Beret, entrepreneur, and Green Beret Foundation’s Director of Mission & Program Delivery. 

Travis and Fran debunk the myth behind Green Beret to Green Beret support; and why supporting each other’s businesses, families and initiatives is an important part of post-military success. As Green Berets we would have given our lives for the guy next to us; but when we get out, we forget that our brothers need the same level of support in the next chapter. 

In a Jedburgh Podcast first, Travis flips the script and asks Fran how he’s doing. Plus they catch up on the newest products from Alpha Elite Performance and how the AEP Outdoors is taking Veterans fishing in Mexico and heli-hunting across the world.

Veterans know better than anyone the challenges other Veterans face in service and beyond; yet they’re often the last to volunteer support physically or financially to Veteran Service Organizations. We need Veterans to match civilian levels of support. 

Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation. Then grab a pre-workout, some GBNT Sleep and Rally and Recover. 

The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. 


Highlights:
0:00 Welcome to the Army Navy Game Tailgate4:47 The most support comes from those who didn’t serve7:24 Green Berets need to support other Green Berets10:46 Extreme outdoors with AEP Outdoors11:50 Alpha Elite Performance drops Rally & Recovery13:45 Army by 715:18 How’s Fran doing?

Quotes: 

“Our biggest support has come from people who didn’t serve.” (5:52) “The true impact for guys like you and I is it creates an environment for us to get together.” (6:37) “It’s very healing to get back together with other Green Berets and their families.” (7:47)“These guys are hurting and struggling because they’re not getting the support of the brotherhood.” (9:50) “The only person that ever failed is the one that quit. So don’t quit.” (17:29) “I don’t look at anything and say I can’t do it. I look at everything and I say how do I make it happen.” (17:53)