Can’t say how much I appreciate these podcasts. Imagine if we had interviews like this from a soldier who was at the Battle of Gettysburg or who was at Lexington. So important to have these for history.

My Grandpa is the Sgt Deck he starts talking about at the 39 min mark. I've been wanting to try and get something like this podcast together of him talking about his experiences. Today Oct 24 I showed him a little bit of this and he smiled big and said yup, that's me he is talking about. So hopefully he'll warm up to the idea after slowly talking to him about it. I'd love to have his story told, and I also think it would help him. He never would talk about any of it to me. Understandably so after listening to this. These guy's are a different breed.

hooked on SOG since John stryker. Out of 1000s podcasts ive seen --SOG is platinum! Hard to find these guys...keep their story alive!!! This is the best stuff out there

My father Sergeant Mark Louis Pollock was in MACVSOG at CCN April 1971 until Dec 71. He was a One-One and eventually a One Zero on RT Mamba. He recently just passed away Oct. 11. I never heard alot of stories from him as talking about it was very difficult for him. If any sog veteran reads this and remembers him please reply to this. I knew he was a hero before these podcasts existed but these stories are absolutely mind blowing. My father once received a letter John Plaster who wrote a book on SOG asking if he wanted to add any information or stories to his book. For reasons unknown, my father declined. I guess im just looking for closure and hoping to get into contact with someone who may have served with my father. Thank you to all the SOG veterans. You are the hardest of the hard. The most underrated and unappreciated special forces group in history.

Can never get enough of these SOG legends

SOG volunteers and Vietnam Seals are by far my favorite guest on this podcast. I don’t think we can even comprehend how bad-asses those guys were.

Black ops 1 unironically for me hooked on Vietnam and military history. The Vietnam War is stranger than fiction.

When I joined in the early 80s we were lucky to have SOG members from Nam, and many other units who saw the shit still sprinkled through the community as instructors it took seconds to distinguish them from the others they were and remain my hero’s

I just binged these 3 episodes with Dick Thompson. Hands down the CRAZIEST stories I've heard. I promise, everyone needs to listen to this mans stories. I'll go my entire life without seeing HALF of the madness this man saw on one single deployment. An absolute legend.

"I am since told banana trees still tremble in that part of the world at the mere mention my name" LOL. Stress levels off the Planet.

These SOG warriors are some of the greatest in history

This is the one of the most engaging interviews I’ve ever seen on Jocko’s channel so far. Mr. Thompson has a way of making you feel the intensity of what he experiences in that unforgiving war. He’s the kind of guy you’d love to listen to sitting around a camp fire…

Dude was 19-20 and already was an officer in SOG. Clearly demonstrates that a college degree isn't necessary to be successful officer.

Dick Thompson strikes me as a serious man, and not to fooled with. Much respect, sir.

At twenty years old. I was saying "would you like ketchup with that".

I went to the MAC V SOG reunion 2019, was an honor to meet these GREAT MEN! thank you for allowing me to attend and seek info about my Father who did several tours with MAC V SOG!

I can see Echos biceps from the next podcast from here

I am in Walhalla, South Carolina right now. Grown up here most of my life. To hear this on Jocko podcast is truly amazing. It really is a small world.

Dick Thompson is my favorite podcast series. By far. Tilt is amazing to. These SOG stories are beyond legendary !

Wow. This guy is for real. When he talks about his tactics he goes back into full SOG operator mode. There’s a ton of stuff I learned from this interview. What a brilliant tactician. This is one of my favorites so far

My Uncle Charles Whitman was in SF in 1961 and think of Him often as well as His 2 brothers who were also in Vietnam John (1968 Chu Li 20 months and Korea Pusan perimeter 1950-1951 now buried in Arlington) and Uncle Claude 1965 all my Mom's brothers and miss them all!

Rip Frenchman, the fuel depot op he did was legendary better than Rambo

There has to be a movie made about these men. The lessons they have passed and continue to pass to the younger generation of warriors are priceless.

Around 2 hours in it is great to hear Dick talking more in depth about Eldon Bargewell. His name was mentioned by Tilt and others but Eldon was a living legend. Nick Brokhausen writes about him a lot in his first book. RIP MG Bargewell. I was shocked when I heard of his passing and the circumstances. To survive what he went thru in SOG and to die due to a riding lawn mower accident is just crazy.

These SOG guys have the best stories

These podcasts are so amazing, I'm a South African and also spend time in the military. When I listen to these great stories and get to learn so much about all these secret missions that took place. It leaves me with a feeling of admiration and respect for these great warriors. Great to listen

Dick Thompson is a Patriot and an exemplary human being. I am fortunate to have learned essential lessons about leadership directly from Dick. He was my first boss in organizational development. I was lucky to have cut my teeth at Dick's company, High Performing Systems.

I was just going to comment that it would be awesome to see a podcast with General Bargewell, unfortunately he passed away about six months ago. These SOG men are a real treasure. I am very grateful to be able to hear their stories and learn from them. Thank you Lt Commander Willink for taking the time and effort to make sure the knowledge and stories of these heros can live on and benefit future generations.

These MAC V SOG podcasts are my favorite, I have to listen to these atleast once a week, the podcasts w John Stryker Meyer are awesome like this one.

Completely humbled by the bravery, gallantry and patriotism of these great American warriors. Praise God for the blessing of having them in our country fighting for freedom all over the world. God Bless America.

Dick Thompson is the personification of “speak softly and carry a big stick”

We need more of them SOG heros while they are still around. More interviews of SOG members are needed.

Thank you Jocko for providing this platform for veteran heroes to share their stories. Our country didn't give these guys the respect they deserved when they first returned, and this podcast is part of the redemption. If the podcast takes 3 plus hours, you give them 3 plus hours. You also "listen," which is a rare trait in humans. Most people are engaged in "bialogue," where each person is just waiting to talk, not really listening, absorbing. True dialogue is hard to come by.

Dick Thompson and John Stryker Meyer have contributed to me reading everything I can find on SOG. Incredible stories and displays of bravery by these heroes.

Out of all the killers that hsve been on the show, he is the most laid back about schwacking dudes AND the most ruthless. Hard ass dude. Much respect.

The more stories I hear about SOG the more my stress levels go up ... this is insanity 😨these guys are the baddest of the bad ... nothing compares

This man was drop shoting before video games existed

Wish there was a weekly SOG chronicles episodes. I've listened to all of them many times..

I like that Jocko brings up the AW aspect. They should have mentioned the difference in physical training between the branches. The Army avoided weight lifting for the longest time, where SEALs and Marines adopted that training pretty early. After kicking in doors and climbing stairs with all that weight on, in Ramadi 05-06, we learned how valuable strength training is to prepare for war.

These stories make my life so much better. The conversations saved my perspective, and you and your guests' service made it possible to live it out. There is no way to thank you all enough, other than making good use of the time we have gained from those sacrifices.

it cracks me up how fired up jocko gets for these SOG episodes, its like listening to an excited kid

Growing up I remember hearing rumors about what these brave warriors did. Was just a kid when the men from Vietnam were returning. Now to hear the actual accounts. Even more respect for this fading generation. Keep up the great work.

What an incredible life this man has lived. Ultimate respect for him and anyone else that went down this path

I’m from the low country of South Carolina born and raised in Georgetown and it’s nice to finally see someone from my home state on here for a change this guy is awesome 👏🏻 💯

Thanks Jocko for the motivation! I got bootcamp in January for the United States Marine Corps And this is hyping me up

Legend - loved the banter after Interview... Reminded me of banter in the Mess in my short lived Navy days. Salute to all the Warriors. I can only wish to have been half as useful as you Wardawgs ;)

The way he recalled the events of his first time in combat and what it meant to him personally and as a soldier was great.

Hearing about SOG teams seems to be my favourite podcast. Crazy what they did and they were all volunteers!

"ya know sometimes if they didn't wanna cooperate,they could get terminated" 😂😂😂😂

These SOG guys are something special. They just have a chip on their shoulder that puts them head and shoulders above the rest. Love it

Having to wait for the follow-on episodes is a true exercise in patience... Big thanks to the folks you're able to bring onto the show for sharing their incredible stories.

Id love to see a sit down with Don Shipley.

thank you so much for shining the light back on sog..there is obviously a well pool of heroic and harrowing stories to be told and i personally want to know about everyone...plz bring back tilt..and thank u so much jocko and echo

Can we get another episode please!!! These legends must be remembered, It’s time for more SOG🇺🇸

The first thing I noticed was Jocko’s immediate respect for this great American hero. I have always respected you Jocko, but this act of humility and respect made me admire you more. Good on you Sir!

I was a city kid, when I turned 8, my whole family moved out to the middle of no where mountains of north east Oregon. Having never been in dark like that of pine forests and undergrowth, I was afraid of the dark. My uncle was a NAM Force Recon Marine, taught me that the darkness was my friend, how to move at night, how to hide, how to use it against others. He also taught me to shoot pistol and rifle and how to shoot both without lining up the sights first. I didn't even know the value of what he had taught me until I went into the military myself. His shadow box is on my mantle next to my grandfathers and my dads.

JOCKO YOUR PODCASTS ARE THE ONLY PODCASTS WORTH LISTENING TO. GOD BLESS TO YOU AND YOURS. AND GOD BLESS ALL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. AMEN.

I worked SPS perimeter defense at TSN in 1971 and I never heard anything about SOG.Granted I was a nothing USAF E3 but I knew a lot of things I would not admit even 50 years later. I am so grateful to hear these podcasts before I am gone.... Thank you. Robert PS I retired to Thailand 8 years ago.

The description of his early childhood years was both wonderful to hear and in some ways difficult…being a city boy myself… A father and 5 uncles in the military….. What a gift

You can tell there's no stopping this man. Thank you for the podcast,sir.

i like how the shadows cover his eyes and once and awhile the light hits em and you see that mile long stare hes got

Love these old SOG war horses Hardest if the hardcore. Keep’em coming How about having John Plaster on,I do believe he’s one of the SOG unit historians with 2 tours on the ground and one flying covey for SOG

Thank you for doing these interviews the men are finally getting there due . The history is being saved !

Dammit, wasn't aware the Doug had passed away. Glad he was able to be on the podcast with Tilt

I think these legends coming onto your podcast also says a lot about YOU, Jocko. You’re a legend, and clearly these incredible guys have just as much respect for you as you do for them.

Amazing, just amazing. Listened to the whole thing over a few days and didn’t want to stop to pause. Thank you for putting these podcasts up, inspirational

57:00 crazy how he talks about gun fighter technics back than and it took all the way until the last 15 years for it to be implemented at the lowest level.

Can't get enough of these Vietnam vet interviews, great men. Shame Col. Robert L. Howard is no longer among us. He'd have made a great guest. Keep up the great work, Jocko. Thank you.

I grew up with NAM vets and my first book was Chicken Hawk. I read books and swim trained for a recon marine. When my time came I chose Wall Street. I have alot achievements to be proud of, and although I regret not giving it a go, now I am older, I question wether I would have survived mentally. These guys are best of breed.

I’ve been bingeing these sog episodes. This was the first time I got full body chills when I heard the words “prairie fire” 🤣🤣 I couldn’t imagine the stories that will never be told.

Love the work you are doing!! Never let people forget The sacrifices that have been made for their freedom God bless you!! 82AA🇺🇸

Thank you. So many good life lessons here. Plus I get to know more about my Dad's life and about the experiences of a couple of my mentors. You and your guests flesh out so many details for me. Dad flew F-100s out of Danang in the summer of 1964 (duty officer for the first official combat mission for the USAF F-100 fighter, classified at the time). On his second tour, he helped set up AF combat operations at Cam Rahn in the fall of 1965 and flew the F4C Phantom through the summer of 1966. Most of his missions were on the Ho Chi Min trail on the Laotian border. He earned a DFC that tour defending an outpost faced with enemy air support. I am so grateful he always came back. A college faculty mentor was an Army Special Forces guy who lived with the Hmong people in Laos and roamed the jungle and mountains, calling in air support. I owe my doctorate to his advice and support. (My actual dissertation chair was a submariner and later an expert on Soviet databases. I seem to always have managed to have a quality military mentor in my life.) Later in my career, a colleague mentor had been Army Special Forces and had boots on the ground on the Plain of Jars when my Dad flew air support in the area (this gentleman retired as a Major General). I had the great honor of his inviting me to team-teach a leadership course for several semesters. Boy, did I learn a lot. (Another colleague was a tunnel rat. He has said precious little about that.) I greatly admire you guys and appreciate the blank check you wrote. Regardless of the popularity of any particular war. Or 'conflict' or mission. Excellence in motion.

This man invented the drop shot

‘Life expectancy of a LT. in Vietnam was about a day and a half at that time’ Wow. And this guy still moves in for it. Thank You for Your service, Sir. Greetings from Norway

When my father became a ranger in 1980 everyone above E4 was a Vietnam Vet lot of them were LARP or MACVSOG and they were some of the crazies soldiers he ever met most really liked Knife fighting

I have 2 tours in Afghanistan but these are so invaluable to even motivate me today with what I have going on in the business world. Such a powerful guest.

Hearing the job description for these men made me sit down for a moment. Grateful, that's the word I feel.

like a real life rambo. it’s so cool to listen to and know that it’s real

I truly love to sit and listen to this type of podcast straight up awesome jocko!

these guys are still the ultimate soldier the world has produced hands down

Thank you Mr. Thompson for your courage and thank the lord you came back

I just have to add that I only recently discovered these podcasts if yours Jocko. This is TRULY great stuff. This interview is simply fascinating to me. Words do little to describe how much I admire these warriors and hearing their stories. Thank you so much!

Just hearing him talk at 1:15:30 about the amount of aircraft that would come to the SOG teams’ aid, is unreal. You must feel like the most powerful person in the world seeing all that coming to help you. Unreal

I wish we could go back in time and hear the experiences of guys that fought in the American Civil War and The American Revolutionary War

I can listen to these guys all day everyday.

Jocko is lucky to be able to sit with these warriors. I'd love to spend time listening to them tell their story's. Thanks for the videos jocko and company!

I wonder if Jocko would interview a decorated soldier who fought against the US. Maybe like someone that fought on the other side in 'Nam. That would be weird and interesting.

You guys are really getting the story of MACV-SOG out there! It is great!

Its hunting season and i know iv missed some nice deers but love listening to this POD CAST while im in the blind to JOKCO AND ECHO AND THE REST OF THE. MEN AND WOMEN IN MILITARY THANKS FOR MY FREEDOM .

I’ve been going watch all the older episodes because I watched all the newer ones. Wow so many great ones I hadn’t seen! I go to sleep at night watching and usually wake up to a new episode and watch it with my coffee. I couldn’t imagine going through what he did in Vietnam! Amazing!

As an individual who's interested in the air war in 'Nam, there's a great book called "Da Nang Diary" the author talks who was an FAC that often flew top cover for the guys in the SOG. Man these guys jobs were dangerous af

Veterans Day always makes me think about my Dad who I always had and always will have great respect for. I know some of you knew my dad too, and can attest to his character. This is a story I’d always like to share around this time of year to honor him, and all veterans living and diseased, including Purple Heart recipients. My father really never spoke about it, But this is a story that was told to me by some of his army buddies about 40 years ago while sitting around the pool in Florida. I think some of you who take the time to read this, may find it interesting. Although my pops lived to be 90, when he was on his death bed in the hospital, pumped up with morphine, he did clarify what happened in some amazing detail. Not sure if this constitutes him being a POW since he was only captured and held by the Nazi’s for a week, but this the story about my pops! He did tell me about boot camp where he had to chase away coyotes every night on training maneuvers out in the deserts in Arizona, and how he was trained on mules and horses. They actually taught the mules to lay down, and they would mount a 50 caliber on their side. This is what he also told me. He was in the 17th Cavalry, Recon. They managed to get through the D Day invasion. A couple of months later they were going into a seaport town called Brest. It was a very important stronghold where the Nazi’s had U-boats hidden. My father had done several reconnaissance missions before. On this particular day, the higher ups sent him on a surveillance mission. When he got back, he reported that there were over 400 Nazis stationed down this road. The officer I charge told my father to take him in the Jeep to where they were. My dad said, that if they went down there, they weren’t going to come back. But, the officer insisted, and my dad followed orders. They headed down the road when a 88 mortar came in and flipped the Jeep over. His commanding officer literally got his head blown off, and my father got a good piece of his calf blown off. While he was trying to crawl away from the Jeep that was burning, he got shot with machine gun fire. At this point he told me that he was trying to get his belt off to apply a tourniquet on his own leg. Another 88 came in and blew a hole out of his lower back that you could put your fist in. Growing up, looking at my father, his body looked like a road map which I often wondered why. Anyway, after the second mortar came in, all he said he remembered was laying there in a daze, watching a bunch of German soldiers running up the cobblestone street with them big black boots on which he described the noise they made. He remembers them going into his holster and taking a German Luger out that my father was carrying. He told me that he heard them cock it. He said he shrugged his shoulders expecting the back of his head to be blown out. Instead, the dragged him into a barn, where they had an old French woman patch him up before they interrogated him. Although he was aware of what was going on, every time they asked him questions, his response was, d-o-c-t-o-r! He told me that he winded up living in this barn for over a week with a handful of the Germans, but he had already called in the coordinates of where they were. About a week later the Americans came in captured over 400 nazis, and got is busted up ass out of there. My father did over a year in the hospital, where they told him, (and this was just the first time) that he would probably never walk again. But with his strong will and faith, he told them different and he did walk again. Not great, but he did. My father met General Patton, and received a Purple Heart and bronze star for his roll in capturing the 400 Nazis. Shortly after my father was captured, the 17th Cavalry was disbanded due to the fact that there were so many lost. The rest that were left were put in with the 15th. My father’s friends told me they all dubbed him with the nic-name “Lionheart”. My father’s strong will and determination stayed with him throughout the rest of his life with all the complications from his wounds, from seeing his youngest son, my brother pass away along with a host of other different things. My father was well loved by everyone! Was generous, help all he could. He is my greatest inspiration and the hero that I could never be. Through it all, I am thankful that he lived a pretty tough life in and out of hospitals, but he made it to be 90 years old, and did get to see his two grandchildren that he loved. I salute you and all veterans today, and every day. Ok time to get out of bed and get moving. Off to another nursing home to do what I love, and play music for the disabled vets, residents and seniors. Have a good day!

Just listened to this great podcast, I’m only here to see what this Legend Dick Thompson looks like.

I REALLY enjoy this element of your podcasts Jocko. It's very interesting to learn about our military members. Thank you to all of you for your service.

My father ( former airborn ranger 1st battalion) started me on the pre sog books of blackjack 33 and 34 when i was young i have since read every book available on southeast asia spec ops.

Love these podcast!!! Thank you for sharing!!! 🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸

Holy shit. This has to be one of the best and intense podcasts I have listened to. Immediately went out and bought his book.

I could feel the chill with this guy in the jungle on a classified mission... excellent podcast!

Jackos comment about landing I a pool if he goes down on an airliner 🤣🤣🤣

This was incredible, thanks for recording these while these men are still around.