Combat Leadership Podcast

A place of learning for those who aspire to leadership excellence on the battle field.

Episode 28: Colonel Jeff Kenney Pt 1 11/18/2025

Episode 28: Colonel Jeff Kenney Pt 1 Colonel Jeff Kenney served in the Marine Corps for XX years, enlisting in 1975 and serving for 12 years prior to becoming a commissioned officer. As an Infantry officer, Jeff participated in various combat operations and deployments prior to retiring in 2016, after 41 years of active service. Jeff possesses a vast amount of combat experience and in this first of three episodes in the "Jeff Kenney Series" he shares superb insights and advice that can help future combat leaders. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/39008340

Episode 27: Colin Sesak Pt 2 11/04/2025

Episode 27: Colin Sesak Pt 2 Colin Sesak first served in combat as a Paratrooper and medic with the 82nd Airborne, and later as a Special Operations Combat Medic. He participated in numerous conventional and special operations combat operations, and he possesses a wealth of experienced insights that can be of benefit to future combat leaders. After his last combat deployment, Colin went on to write a play titled Bent Compass that is touring in the US and Canada about a soldier changing as a result of the war and conflict he’s experienced. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38895410

Episode 26: Colin Sesak Pt 1 10/28/2025

Episode 26: Colin Sesak Pt 1 Colin Sesak first served in combat as a Paratrooper and medic with the 82nd Airborne, and later as a Special Operations Combat Medic. He participated in numerous conventional and special operations combat operations, and he possesses a wealth of experienced insights that can be of benefit to future combat leaders. After his last combat deployment, Colin went on to write a play titled Bent Compass that is touring in the US and Canada about a soldier changing as a result of the war and conflict he’s experienced. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38783050

Episode 25: Asad Khan Pt 3 10/21/2025

Episode 25: Asad Khan Pt 3 Asad Khan is a retired Marine Corps officer with extensive combat experience as an Infantry Battalion Commander in Afghanistan. In this third of three episodes in the "Asad Khan Series," he shares lessons learned and advice that will be of great benefit for future Warriors. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38598470

Episode 24: Asad Khan Pt 2 10/14/2025

Episode 24: Asad Khan Pt 2 Asad Khan is a retired Marine Corps officer with extensive combat experience as an Infantry Battalion Commander in Afghanistan. In this second of three episodes in the "Asad Khan Series," he shares lessons learned and advice that will be of great benefit for future Warriors. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38513010

Episode 23: Asad Khan Pt 1 10/07/2025

Episode 23: Asad Khan Pt 1 Asad Khan is a retired Marine Corps officer with extensive combat experience as an Infantry Battalion Commander in Afghanistan. In this first of three episodes in the "Asad Khan Series," he shares lessons learned and advice that will be of great benefit for future Warriors. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38473805

Episode 22: Randy Surles 09/30/2025

Episode 22: Randy Surles Randy Surles served for 32 years in the U.S. Army as a Special Forces Soldier (aka the Green Berets) and as a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. His service included numerous deployments to the Middle East, South America and Africa, and multiple combat deployments to Afghanistan. In this episode Randy shares his combat experiences and lessons learned, so future combat leaders can benefit from them. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38411625

Episode 21: Jeff Sabins Pt 1 09/23/2025

Episode 21: Jeff Sabins Pt 1 Jeff Sabins is a retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, a Purple Heart recipient, a veteran's advocate, and the author of five books, including "You Just Survived" and "We Are The Storm". In this episode, he shares insights and lessons learned during five combat deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38255125

Episode 20: Fred Galvin Pt 1 09/16/2025

Episode 20: Fred Galvin Pt 1 Fred Galvin served in the Marine Corps for 26 years as an enlisted Marine and commissioned officer, including assignments in the infantry, reconnaissance, force reconnaissance and Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC/Marine Raiders). He led hundreds of combat missions including raids, deep reconnaissance, ship seizures, and ambush operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden. In this episode he shares some of his hard-earned insights and advice for future combat leaders. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38181575

Episode 19: Ron Jansen Pt 2 09/11/2025

Episode 19: Ron Jansen Pt 2 Ron Jansen is back in Part 2 of this two-part series. In this episode, Ron continues sharing his combat experiences, lessons learned and advice that can help Warriors effectively prepare before and during actually serving in combat. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38111630

Episode 18: Ron Jansen Pt 1 09/06/2025

Episode 18: Ron Jansen Pt 1 Ron Jansen is a Marine combat veteran and the author of a memoir titled, “An Otherwise Healthy Person: A Marine’s Story of Going to Fallujah and Fighting to Come Home.” In our interview, Ron discusses his deployment to Iraq in 2006 and participation in combat operations in Fallujah during a time of intense fighting between the U.S. military and the Al Qaeda-backed insurgency. Ron also shares valuable insights regarding how Warriors can effectively prepare before and during actually serving in combat. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/38100020

Season 2 - Episode 17: John Ligato 09/07/2021

Season 2 - Episode 17: John Ligato John Ligato served as a Marine Corps infantryman and participated in some of the most savage combat operations of the Vietnam War. Listen in as he shares his experiences and insights on various topics related to operating in a combat environment! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/20390729

Season 2 - Episode 16: Doug Luccio 08/24/2021

Season 2 - Episode 16: Doug Luccio Lieutenant Colonel Doug Luccio, United States Marine Corps. Doug was commissioned in 1994 was subsequently designated as a Field Artillery Officer. Doug is still on active duty and is currently serving as Assistant Professor at The Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. He is also a Doctoral candidate at the George Washington University. Listen in as he shares his insights on combat and combat leadership! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/20231651

Season 2 - Episode 15: Brad Thomas 08/10/2021

Season 2 - Episode 15: Brad Thomas Brad is a retired Army Master Sergeant and served 8 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment and 12 years in Delta Force. He has extensive combat experience beginning with Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, where Brad fought in the intense battle that was featured in the movie "Blackhawk Down" and in numerous subsequent combat environments around the world. Listen in as he shares incredibly valuable advice for future warriors! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/19677725

Season 2 - Episode 14: Rob Stella 07/27/2021

Season 2 - Episode 14: Rob Stella Rob Stella is a retired Navy SEAL and decorated combat veteran. His combat experience is extensive, with service in Iraq, Afghanistan and several other locations worldwide. In this episode, Rob shares some hard-won wisdom and insights that can help others elevate their performance during combat operations. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/19677410

Season 2 - Episode 13: Michael Halterman 07/13/2021

Season 2 - Episode 13: Michael Halterman Michael Halterman is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant, with more than two decades of service as an infantry Marine and as a Marine Raider. This interview is full of profound observations and actionable advice! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/19533515

Season 2 - Episode 12: Brian Chontosh - Part 2 07/01/2021

Season 2 - Episode 12: Brian Chontosh - Part 2 Part 2 of a fascinating episode with Brian Chontosh /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/19533365

Season 2 - Episode 11: Brian Chontosh - Part 1 06/29/2021

Season 2 - Episode 11: Brian Chontosh - Part 1 Brian Chontosh is a retired United States Marine, and served as both an enlisted man and commissioned officer. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Standby for some incredibly valuable insights from this superb combat leader! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/19430117

Season 2 - Episode 10: Dave Grossman 06/15/2021

Season 2 - Episode 10: Dave Grossman Lt. Col. Dave Grossman (retired) is the author of a dozen books including best seller "On Killing" and "On Combat." These books deal with the psychological effects of killing and war on soldiers. He was a Professor of Psychology at West Point, a former infantryman, paratrooper, and graduate of the Army’s Ranger School. Listen in as he shares his insights on various aspects of preparing for combat! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/19357982

Episode 9 - Andrew Del Gaudio 11/02/2020

Episode 9 - Andrew Del Gaudio Lt.Col. Andrew Del Gaudio, USMC (Ret), PhD, spoke with us about some ways warriors can prepare for combat. This episode is full of actionable advice! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/16641818

Episode 8 - Jason Van Camp 10/26/2020

Episode 8 - Jason Van Camp Jason Van Camp is a West Point graduate, retired Special Forces officer, and best-selling author. He shares excellent insights gained from his combat service, and I found myself taking a lot of notes during our conversation! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/16535243

Episode 7 - Coleman Ruiz 10/19/2020

Episode 7 - Coleman Ruiz Coleman Ruiz served in the SEAL Teams for 13 years, including several years with The Naval Special Warfare Development Group, which is commonly known as SEAL Team Six. In this episode, he shares insights and advice gained during six combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/16444580

Episode - 6 Tom Satterly 10/12/2020

Episode - 6 Tom Satterly Command Sergeant Major Tom Satterly served in Delta Force for 20 years. He shares insights gained from his extensive combat experience and provides superb advice for warriors who aspire to excellence on the battlefield! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/16358768

Episode 5 - Steve Banach 10/05/2020

Episode 5 - Steve Banach Colonel Steve Banach, US Army (RET) talks about preparing for combat and the importance of tough training. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/16258577

Episode 4 - Keith Nightingale 09/28/2020

Episode 4 - Keith Nightingale Colonel Keith Nightingale, US Army (RET) shares insights gained during combat operations in Vietnam and several additional conflicts. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/16157051

Episode 3 - Justin LeHew (Part 2) 09/11/2020

Episode 3 - Justin LeHew (Part 2) Part 2 of Sergeant Major Justin LeHew's superb interview! /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/15973730

Episode 2 - Justin LeHew (Part 1) 09/11/2020

Episode 2 - Justin LeHew (Part 1) Sergeant Major Justin LeHew, USMC (RET) shares insights and advice on all aspects of developing combat warriors. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/15973610

Episode 1 - The Journey Begins! 09/11/2020

Episode 1 - The Journey Begins! Mike Ettore discusses the mission of the Combat Leadership Podcast. /episode/index/show/combatleadershippodcast/id/15973508

Combat Leadership Podcast

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