Marine Infantry Officer & USASOC | Warrior Withdrawal | Varpas de Sa Pereira
Release Date: 10/27/2024
Wargames for Peace and How to Not be Part of Watergate with Ambassador David Miller
Combat Story
In this episode, we sit down with statesman and Ambassador David Miller, who shares his expansive and storied career, starting from his early days surveying economic impacts in Vietnam to his intricate experiences with the National Security Council and various international postings. We’re joined by Glenn Corn, who spent a career, much like Amb Miller, in service to the United States, but on the CIA side of the house and you get to hear what it’s like when Chiefs of Station and Ambassadors truly work together. Ambassador Miller recounts tales of working closely with influential figures...
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Ukraine, Russia and Military Weapons and Ammo with Arms Expert Tamerlan Vahabov | Drones, Arms Deals, Ukraine’s Future
Combat Story
Today’s Combat Story is a Frontline Perspective with Tamerlan Vahabov on Ukraine's Defense, Challenges, and Future. In this interview, Tamerlan tells us about his work as a former advisor to the Director of Defense Procurement and the Minister of Interior in Ukraine. He shares his compelling journey from Azerbaijan to Ukraine, highlighting his roles in government, law enforcement, and his direct experiences with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We dig deep into drone warfare and the intricacies of defense procurement, the challenges faced by the Ukrainian defense industry, and his ongoing...
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Expert Analysis Feb 18 on Russia Ukraine War w/ CIA Expert Glenn Corn | Battlefield, Geopolitics, New Russian Intel Unit, North Koreans in Russia, Russians in North Korea
Combat Story
Today we talk to CIA Senior Intelligence Service officer Glenn Corn who is calling in from Ukraine and dive into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with on-the-ground insights and analysis. We touch on Ukrainian concerns about being excluded from international peace talks, the mixed reactions to diplomatic efforts at the Munich Security Conference and in Saudi Arabia, and the potential implications of new Russian intelligence tactics. We also hit on a new Russian intel covert unit, possible involvement of North Korean troops supporting Russia, recent prisoner swaps, and the evolving role of...
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Inside the Command Post in Pakistan During the Bin Laden Raid | Earthquake Relief | Leadership Lessons | Vice Adm (ret) Mike LeFever
Combat Story
Today’s Combat Story is with our first Navy Vice Admiral, Mike LeFever, who spent 38 years in uniform supporting US National Security across the world. Rising from an Annapolis wrestler to a surface warfare officer, Mike was selected to command a strike group, would serve at the US Embassy in Pakistan as the head diplomatic officer (during the Bin Laden raid), and finished his military career as the Director of Strategic Operational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center, within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ Try it risk-free...
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Killing 3 Enemy Tanks in 10 Seconds | HR McMaster | Army General & National Security Advisor | Battle of 73 Easting
Combat Story
Today is an amazing Combat Story as we sit down with the legendary retired three star General HR McMaster whose 34 years of service included everything from spearheading the last great tank-on-tank engagement in the famous Battle of 73 Easting to serving as President Trump’s National Security Advisor. McMaster has been a dream interview for our program for years and it does not disappoint. We cover so much in this episode from exactly what it felt like in the tanks on that fateful day taking on and destroying the Tawalkana Division of the Iraqi Republican Guard in minutes to leading a...
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Expert CIA Analysis - Africa, China, Russia, DRC, M23 | Two CIA Legends and Case Officers Share Insights
Combat Story
Today we have a fascinating discussion with two CIA legends from the Directorate of Operations: Glenn Corn and Paul Kepp. Both served for over 30 years in the government, most of that with the CIA and both served as Chiefs of Station at some of the most important posts in the world, leading from the frontlines. Glenn brought Paul on to discuss what’s going on in Africa in terms of Russian and increasing Chinese influence, regional players like Turkey and UAE, and specifically recent flare ups in the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC with Tutsi militia group M23 taking over Goma. We cover...
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Elite UK Para Sniper Hugh Keir | Surviving the Siege of Musa Qala | Gallantry Award
Combat Story
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The Mad Minute | Ep. 004 | Interview with Glenn Corn | Events in Lebanon & Israel
Combat Story
In this special crossover edition of Combat Story and the Mad Minute, we discuss regional issues in the Middle East with 30 year CIA and State Department legend Glenn Corn. We delve into the significant recent developments in the Middle East, focusing on the ceasefire agreements involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah, as well as Lebanon's election of a new president after a prolonged political deadlock. Israel and Hamas reached a pivotal ceasefire agreement after 15 months of intense conflict. This truce, facilitated by international mediators including U.S. President Joe Biden,...
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Fallujah II Reunion 3/5 Marines 20 Years After the Battle | Combat Story at the End WIll Bring You To Tears
Combat Story
Today is a special edition of Combat Story where former guest and retired Sniper and Force Recon Marine AJ Pascuiti invited us to spend two days with the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, some of America’s finest, as they reunited 20 years after the infamous Battle of Fallujah II in November and December 2004. This episode was designed to be seen on video . Special thanks to AJ for organizing and bringing this together for these Marines from Darkhorse. It’s amazing to think of these men who just walk the streets today with their families like any other American but were once the...
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Tactical Submarines | Launching Missiles and Torpedoes from Subs | 30 Year Navy Vet | Rob Peters
Combat Story
Today we have a Combat Story first as we hear firsthand from Rob Peters who spent almost 30 years in the Navy on submarines from the mid-1990s to just this year. Rob served on five different subs and commanded twice. In this episode we cover some of the different types of subs, the training, and the mission sets, to include special operations forces support and delivery, attack parameters, missile launches and more. Exclusive $35-off Carver Mat at AuraFrames.com. Use code COMBAT at checkout to save! We found Rob thanks to a former guest and forever friend of the show Todd Opalski, the...
info_outlineToday we hear a Combat Story from Marine Officer and US Army Special Operations Command (or USASOC) leader Varpas de Sa Pereira (de SA Pur-rare-a). His book Warrior Withdrawal: When BAMF No Longer Means Bad*$$ M^ther#u@!er is a great read for anyone trying to understand why so many of veterans - myself included - face challenges transitioning out of the military outside of just PTSD.
Varpas faced combat many times, deploying time and again with a variety of units in search of some "thing" he was missing. He was finally fully engrossed in the ‘system’ and had trouble pulling himself out of it. After 15 years of service, including time in USASOC at the tip of the spear, he finally retired and went back to school to study clinical psychology, where he realized what he had experienced was not abnormal. Many veterans, for whom being a warrior is ingrained in their psyche, struggle to adapt to life outside the military, often leading them to mental health challenges. Varpas coined this as Warrior Withdrawal Syndrome and now works as a psychotherapist to help veterans facing difficulties in their newfound lives.
In this episode we talk through several of his combat experiences in Iraq and some really challenging experiences that officers often face in making life and death decisions in very ambiguous environments.
He is currently a staff psychologist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he provides mental health care to veterans and their families. You can get his book Warrior Withdrawal on Amazon. With that, please enjoy this unique interview with Varpas.
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Instagram, LinkediN, X : @drvarpas
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🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes:
00:00 Intro
00:49 Introduction to Combat Story
01:08 Meet Varpus Desaparara
01:56 Warrior Withdrawal: Understanding Veteran Challenges
02:40 Varpus' Unique Background
02:59 The Meaning Behind the Name Varpus
04:45 Family History and Military Service
07:45 The Concept of 'Left of Boom'
09:38 The Transition from Military to Civilian Life
15:30 The Making of a Marine Officer
18:16 First Deployment Experiences
28:00 General's Aide and Beyond
37:13 Reflecting on Regret and Mental Health
38:38 Memorable Events from the First Deployment
40:35 Taking Initiative and Facing Challenges
41:47 Combat Realities and Leadership Decisions
43:28 Navigating Friendly Fire and Tactical Decisions
48:32 Moral Dilemmas and Command Conflicts
55:44 Career Progression and Special Ops Aspirations
01:06:31 Leadership Reflections and Personal Growth
01:12:25 Leadership Challenges in Fallujah
01:14:01 IED Strikes and Quick Reaction Force
01:16:03 Engaging the Enemy and Emotional Toll
01:24:47 Transitioning to Regiment and Family Sacrifices
01:29:07 Special Operations and Missed Opportunities
01:33:42 Warrior Withdrawal and Psychological Impact
01:45:38 Reflections and Moving Forward
01:50:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts