Cleared Hot Podcast – Episode 420

"Brent Tucker – From Delta Force to Being Sued for 25 Million Dollars"

Host: Andy Stumpf
Guest: Brent Tucker
Release Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Brent Tucker—former Delta Force operator, entrepreneur, and podcast host—who opens up about his journey from elite special operations to the challenges of civilian business, public storytelling, and a headline-making $25 million lawsuit filed by Rob O’Neill. Andy and Brent engage in an honest, wide-ranging conversation on integrity in the military community, public narratives, coping with transition, and the pitfalls and power of truth.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Military Life, Standards & Going Public

Navigating Military Secrecy vs. Public Platforms:
Both men discuss the tensions and standards around talking publicly as former Tier 1 operators.
- Brent feels “bittersweet” about being public-facing, receiving both respect and criticism from his old community.
  
  “There still is a lot of weight, as you know, of kind of being somewhat a public figure coming from a tier one unit, because what you say does represent where you come from.” — Brent (05:12)
- They question so-called ‘unwritten rules’ and reflect on how NDA requirements don’t always align with government leaks or public awareness.
- Importance of not confirming or expanding on open-source military information out of respect for operational security (OPSEC).
Relative Achievements
Andy downplays his own service by explaining the high caliber of people he worked with:

“If I say anything other than that, I won’t be able to sleep at night. … It’s relative. …You don’t understand the cohort of people that I know.” — Andy (06:47-06:54)

2. Bravery, Fear, and Self-Perception

Debunking the myth of fearless operators; both stress that fear is ever-present and bravery is about action in spite of fear.
Varied definitions of bravery—from “doing something you don't want to do but doing it anyway” (13:13) to simply being unable to run away.
The dynamic nature of bravery—it “oscillates,” depending on situations and internal variables.

“It’s not a static setting… some days I feel like I’m at a four, and other days you might be at an eight…” — Andy (13:53)

3. Transition to Civilian Life & Entrepreneurship

Loss of Structure and Mission:
Both describe the jarring shift from externally-driven military life to self-driven civilian life.

“You get out of the military and you wake up on a Monday and you’re like, who’s giving me the task today? And it’s the dude you see in the mirror…” — Andy (17:58)
Entrepreneurial Struggles:
Brent describes the pressure and personal insecurity of running his First Responder Coffee Company (FRCC) and related ventures:

“I had a… on the verge of failing business… showed up to work every day knowing the runway was getting smaller…” — Brent (69:04)
Comparing Failure in Business vs. Military:
The pain of failing alone as a business owner, as opposed to the support of a military team.

“Our teams never failed—like we always won. … And that’s what sucks is that team is gone and you’re by yourself and you fail. And it fucking sucks.” — Andy (135:35)

4. The $25 Million Lawsuit, Rob O’Neill, and Integrity

Background: Brent is being sued by Rob O’Neill (SEAL who claims to have shot Osama bin Laden) for $25 million for defamation regarding Brent's reporting on the UBL raid narrative.
Dueling Narratives & Truth:
Detailed breakdown of the divergent O’Neill and Matt Bissonnette (“Mark Owen”) stories about the UBL raid.

“There’s not a single person I’ve ever talked to that has shared Rob’s narrative.” — Brent (20:40) “I care far more about the integrity that I want those institutions to have than an individual being able to raise their hand and say I was the guy who fired the lethal shots. I don’t care.” — Andy (28:17)
Public Accountability:
The conversation addresses the damage done by “muddying the water” and the loss of trust caused by intra-community lawsuits and public drama.
Who Should Set the Record Straight?
Questions raised about the lack of official Navy/Army statements to clarify disputed historic events.

“Why hasn’t the Navy done anything about this? … You would think that the Navy… could take a hot knife through butter to the best of their ability, at least, instead of staying quiet.” — Andy (142:34)

5. Special Operations Community Culture

Selection, Experience, and the Truth About Operators:
Both men demystify both units’ selection process, emphasizing that while standards are high, “superhumans” are rare—competence and teamwork matter most.
Hierarchy, Experience & New Guy Status:
Reluctance to start over as “the new guy” after establishing one’s reputation is a common barrier:

“Having to go be a new guy all over again sucks. Sucks from being the man on your ODA… to being someone nobody cares about.” — Brent (112:43)
Difference Between “White Side” SOF and Tier 1:
The psychological and operational differences between Green Berets/SEALs and units like Delta.
Perception vs. Reality of Eliteness:

“Our best guy will beat your best guy, but it’ll be close. … Our worst guy will run circles around your worst guy. … We don’t have any weak links.” — Brent (121:24)

Shenanigans and Human Moments:
Light-hearted stories of goofing off on missions—wearing cowboy boots on target (127:40), fashion shows, sword fights, or hauling Saddam busts as mementos.

6. Business, Podcasts & Public Platforms

Podcasting as Marketing and Mission:
Brent got into podcasting to support his first responder businesses and now uses it to highlight non-SOF stories as well.
Monetization & Authenticity:
Both discuss their selectivity with sponsors—wanting only companies and products they authentically use and believe in.
Balancing Passion and Business:
The contrasting fortunes of different ventures; the “redheaded stepchild” (TRT company) takes the least effort but pays the most.

7. Reflections on Purpose, Legacy & Moving Forward

Finding Fulfillment After Service:
Brent is driven to build FRCC into a national support network for first responders—“the company that every time something happens…they’re like, hey, FRCC will step in.”
Importance of Saying “No” and Reclaiming Time:
Both reflect on the need to find balance, practice subtraction, and leave space for personal growth and joy.
Advice to the Next Generation:

“If you want it, you better fucking want it. And you will regret it sometimes. … But I assure you, when you put your head down at night, you’ll go to bed knowing that you’re a good man who’s done good things for the right reasons.” — Brent (163:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Public Integrity & Truth

“If vets don’t hold vets accountable, where does it end? ... Then we’re just as bad as whoever else that America doesn’t like, because they have no integrity.” — Brent (30:12)
“I would rather see the SEAL community get a couple black eyes but maintain their integrity. … I would rather the community writ large, myself included in this, be knocked down a few pegs, but maintain the integrity … than perpetuate something that isn’t true.” — Andy (148:13)

On Bravery & Leadership

“Sometimes bravery is just not having the courage to run away. Perhaps you were paralyzed in place out of fear and were unable to run, and then it turned in your favor. And they’re like, ‘You are so brave.’” — Andy (11:57)
“The best leaders always tried to staff the most capable and competent people, and they would solicit for guidance and advice and feedback — then they’d make the decision, but it was an educated one.” — Andy (133:00)

On Transition & the Challenge of Civilian Life

“That is a jarring, jarring transition… you wake up on a Monday and you’re like, who’s giving me the task today? And it’s the dude you see in the mirror…” — Andy (17:58)

On Community Support

“I just hope that it’s never forgotten that the sharp edge of the blade is supported by every other piece of metal that’s in that blade too.” — Andy (66:41)

On Failure

“Failure sucks. It’s the worst. And it hurts. Especially … when you’re by yourself and you fail. And it fucking sucks.” — Andy (135:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |----------------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:17–05:12 | Opening, online criticism, military Reddit, special ops privacy | | 09:13–16:49 | Military ethics, storytelling, bravery vs. fear | | 17:03–19:14 | Civilian transition, business struggles | | 19:30–28:54 | Lawsuit background, OBL raid narratives, integrity| | 31:04–36:05 | Vet-on-vet accountability, military culture| | 39:04–42:07 | Legal strategy, impact of the lawsuit, possible courtroom consequences| | 54:25–62:01 | Physical/psych challenges, operational differences, media & SEAL "myth" culture| | 69:04–73:00 | Podcast origins, entrepreneurship stories | | 82:00–91:13 | Race car driver adventures, YouTube personalities| | 96:11–104:26 | Business growth, delegation, diversification| | 106:02–108:14 | Family life & kids' perceptions | | 124:07–129:32 | Reflections on service, war, legacy | | 133:01–137:59 | Leadership lessons, failure & self-talk | | 154:52–162:21 | Life after service, saying "no," future goals|

Closing Thoughts

The episode is a deep dive into the complexities of service, honor, and life after combat. It offers an unvarnished look at what happens when the stories we tell—both inside and outside the community—collide with public narratives, personal ambitions, and the relentless need for integrity. Brent’s candor and Andy’s sharp questioning make for a compelling, revealing episode.

Find Brent at:

FRCC coffee, cigars, bourbon: frccshop.com
Podcast: Tier 1 Podcast on YouTube
HBT TRT: hb-trt.com

Cleared Hot Podcast – Episode 420

"Brent Tucker – From Delta Force to Being Sued for 25 Million Dollars"

Host: Andy Stumpf
Guest: Brent Tucker
Release Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Military Life, Standards & Going Public

Navigating Military Secrecy vs. Public Platforms:
Both men discuss the tensions and standards around talking publicly as former Tier 1 operators.
- Brent feels “bittersweet” about being public-facing, receiving both respect and criticism from his old community.
  
  “There still is a lot of weight, as you know, of kind of being somewhat a public figure coming from a tier one unit, because what you say does represent where you come from.” — Brent (05:12)
- They question so-called ‘unwritten rules’ and reflect on how NDA requirements don’t always align with government leaks or public awareness.
- Importance of not confirming or expanding on open-source military information out of respect for operational security (OPSEC).
Relative Achievements
Andy downplays his own service by explaining the high caliber of people he worked with:

“If I say anything other than that, I won’t be able to sleep at night. … It’s relative. …You don’t understand the cohort of people that I know.” — Andy (06:47-06:54)

2. Bravery, Fear, and Self-Perception

Debunking the myth of fearless operators; both stress that fear is ever-present and bravery is about action in spite of fear.
Varied definitions of bravery—from “doing something you don't want to do but doing it anyway” (13:13) to simply being unable to run away.
The dynamic nature of bravery—it “oscillates,” depending on situations and internal variables.

“It’s not a static setting… some days I feel like I’m at a four, and other days you might be at an eight…” — Andy (13:53)

3. Transition to Civilian Life & Entrepreneurship

Loss of Structure and Mission:
Both describe the jarring shift from externally-driven military life to self-driven civilian life.

“You get out of the military and you wake up on a Monday and you’re like, who’s giving me the task today? And it’s the dude you see in the mirror…” — Andy (17:58)
Entrepreneurial Struggles:
Brent describes the pressure and personal insecurity of running his First Responder Coffee Company (FRCC) and related ventures:

“I had a… on the verge of failing business… showed up to work every day knowing the runway was getting smaller…” — Brent (69:04)
Comparing Failure in Business vs. Military:
The pain of failing alone as a business owner, as opposed to the support of a military team.

“Our teams never failed—like we always won. … And that’s what sucks is that team is gone and you’re by yourself and you fail. And it fucking sucks.” — Andy (135:35)

4. The $25 Million Lawsuit, Rob O’Neill, and Integrity

Background: Brent is being sued by Rob O’Neill (SEAL who claims to have shot Osama bin Laden) for $25 million for defamation regarding Brent's reporting on the UBL raid narrative.
Dueling Narratives & Truth:
Detailed breakdown of the divergent O’Neill and Matt Bissonnette (“Mark Owen”) stories about the UBL raid.

“There’s not a single person I’ve ever talked to that has shared Rob’s narrative.” — Brent (20:40) “I care far more about the integrity that I want those institutions to have than an individual being able to raise their hand and say I was the guy who fired the lethal shots. I don’t care.” — Andy (28:17)
Public Accountability:
The conversation addresses the damage done by “muddying the water” and the loss of trust caused by intra-community lawsuits and public drama.
Who Should Set the Record Straight?
Questions raised about the lack of official Navy/Army statements to clarify disputed historic events.

“Why hasn’t the Navy done anything about this? … You would think that the Navy… could take a hot knife through butter to the best of their ability, at least, instead of staying quiet.” — Andy (142:34)

5. Special Operations Community Culture

Selection, Experience, and the Truth About Operators:
Both men demystify both units’ selection process, emphasizing that while standards are high, “superhumans” are rare—competence and teamwork matter most.
Hierarchy, Experience & New Guy Status:
Reluctance to start over as “the new guy” after establishing one’s reputation is a common barrier:

“Having to go be a new guy all over again sucks. Sucks from being the man on your ODA… to being someone nobody cares about.” — Brent (112:43)
Difference Between “White Side” SOF and Tier 1:
The psychological and operational differences between Green Berets/SEALs and units like Delta.
Perception vs. Reality of Eliteness:

“Our best guy will beat your best guy, but it’ll be close. … Our worst guy will run circles around your worst guy. … We don’t have any weak links.” — Brent (121:24)

Shenanigans and Human Moments:
Light-hearted stories of goofing off on missions—wearing cowboy boots on target (127:40), fashion shows, sword fights, or hauling Saddam busts as mementos.

6. Business, Podcasts & Public Platforms

Podcasting as Marketing and Mission:
Brent got into podcasting to support his first responder businesses and now uses it to highlight non-SOF stories as well.
Monetization & Authenticity:
Both discuss their selectivity with sponsors—wanting only companies and products they authentically use and believe in.
Balancing Passion and Business:
The contrasting fortunes of different ventures; the “redheaded stepchild” (TRT company) takes the least effort but pays the most.

7. Reflections on Purpose, Legacy & Moving Forward

Finding Fulfillment After Service:
Brent is driven to build FRCC into a national support network for first responders—“the company that every time something happens…they’re like, hey, FRCC will step in.”
Importance of Saying “No” and Reclaiming Time:
Both reflect on the need to find balance, practice subtraction, and leave space for personal growth and joy.
Advice to the Next Generation:

“If you want it, you better fucking want it. And you will regret it sometimes. … But I assure you, when you put your head down at night, you’ll go to bed knowing that you’re a good man who’s done good things for the right reasons.” — Brent (163:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Public Integrity & Truth

“If vets don’t hold vets accountable, where does it end? ... Then we’re just as bad as whoever else that America doesn’t like, because they have no integrity.” — Brent (30:12)
“I would rather see the SEAL community get a couple black eyes but maintain their integrity. … I would rather the community writ large, myself included in this, be knocked down a few pegs, but maintain the integrity … than perpetuate something that isn’t true.” — Andy (148:13)

On Bravery & Leadership

“Sometimes bravery is just not having the courage to run away. Perhaps you were paralyzed in place out of fear and were unable to run, and then it turned in your favor. And they’re like, ‘You are so brave.’” — Andy (11:57)
“The best leaders always tried to staff the most capable and competent people, and they would solicit for guidance and advice and feedback — then they’d make the decision, but it was an educated one.” — Andy (133:00)

On Transition & the Challenge of Civilian Life

“That is a jarring, jarring transition… you wake up on a Monday and you’re like, who’s giving me the task today? And it’s the dude you see in the mirror…” — Andy (17:58)

On Community Support

“I just hope that it’s never forgotten that the sharp edge of the blade is supported by every other piece of metal that’s in that blade too.” — Andy (66:41)

On Failure

“Failure sucks. It’s the worst. And it hurts. Especially … when you’re by yourself and you fail. And it fucking sucks.” — Andy (135:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Closing Thoughts

Find Brent at:

FRCC coffee, cigars, bourbon: frccshop.com
Podcast: Tier 1 Podcast on YouTube
HBT TRT: hb-trt.com

Episode 420 - Brent Tucker - From Delta Force to being sued for 25 Million Dollars

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Summary

Cleared Hot Podcast – Episode 420

"Brent Tucker – From Delta Force to Being Sued for 25 Million Dollars"

Episode Overview

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Military Life, Standards & Going Public

2. Bravery, Fear, and Self-Perception

3. Transition to Civilian Life & Entrepreneurship

4. The $25 Million Lawsuit, Rob O’Neill, and Integrity

5. Special Operations Community Culture

6. Business, Podcasts & Public Platforms

7. Reflections on Purpose, Legacy & Moving Forward

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Public Integrity & Truth

On Bravery & Leadership

On Transition & the Challenge of Civilian Life

On Community Support

On Failure

Timestamps for Key Segments

Closing Thoughts

Summary

Cleared Hot Podcast – Episode 420

"Brent Tucker – From Delta Force to Being Sued for 25 Million Dollars"

Episode Overview

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Military Life, Standards & Going Public

2. Bravery, Fear, and Self-Perception

3. Transition to Civilian Life & Entrepreneurship

4. The $25 Million Lawsuit, Rob O’Neill, and Integrity

5. Special Operations Community Culture

6. Business, Podcasts & Public Platforms

7. Reflections on Purpose, Legacy & Moving Forward

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Public Integrity & Truth

On Bravery & Leadership

On Transition & the Challenge of Civilian Life

On Community Support

On Failure

Timestamps for Key Segments

Closing Thoughts