JP Dinnell Podcast Episode 112 Veterans Day | Stories from Ramadi
November 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of the JP Dinnell Podcast, hosted by JP Dinnell (former Navy SEAL, leadership instructor) and co-host Lucas Pinckard, falls on Veterans Day and centers on honoring veterans, recalling vivid stories from the Battle of Ramadi, and reflecting on the transition between generations of American warfighters. The discussion weaves together personal experiences from JP's military service, lessons learned in combat, the camaraderie and mentorship within the SEAL teams, and the broader context of military service throughout U.S. history. The hosts also field listener questions, tackle controversial topics (like the military-industrial complex), and highlight the importance of sharing veterans’ stories for current and future generations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veterans Day Reflections & Humility

• JP’s Speaking Engagements: JP opened up about feeling humbled to speak at a veterans' lunch, emphasizing his sense of “unworthiness” when surrounded by other veterans and leaders.
  • “I felt unworthy most of my adult life, doing a lot of the things that I've gotten to do in the SEAL teams and now at Echelon Front.” (01:17)
• Generational Connection: JP highlighted the honor of interacting with veterans from across generations, particularly noting the emotional impact of meeting a 99-year-old World War II vet who opened the lunch with prayer. (08:05)
• Personal Journey: JP recounted his life journey, from his childhood, military service, marital and financial struggles, regaining control ("ownership"), and coping with loss.
  • “...to getting it back and taking ownership of my life and, you know, Amanda and I taking ownership of our marriage, and then the opportunity I saw in front and then losing Seth and then...how I was able to, like, push through...” (09:08)
• Honoring Service & Friendship: Receiving a heartfelt Veterans Day text from his friend Benny underscored the meaning of military brotherhood to JP.

2. Legacy, Leadership, and Living History

• Inter-Generational Wisdom: Lucas pointed out that JP’s generation is now transitioning into the role once held by WWII, Korea, and Vietnam vets as living links to combat history.
  • “Your generation of warriors are now going to become what those guys in World War II, Korea, Vietnam... were for us.” (13:10)
• Technological Context: JP humbly deflected direct comparisons between his generation and prior ones, emphasizing the hardships of earlier warriors.
  • “I will say. Well, let me speak for myself. Compare absolutely nowhere close to those guys... they did with how little they had, that's unreal.” (14:43)
• War Technology Advancements: JP marveled at the contrast between his night-vision-assisted generation and those who operated “by sound, smell, and feel.” (16:01)

3. Cynicism & Realism: War, Ethics, and Purpose

• On the “War Machine”: JP voiced sober insights about the changing moral purpose (and business aspect) of warfare:
  • “Wars used to be fought for morals, and now it's a money maker, bro. Yep, it's a freaking money maker. Because war makes people filthy rich...” (18:18)
• Maintaining Perspective: He stressed not letting political realities diminish the honor and good accomplished on the ground by service members.

4. Echelon Front, FTXs, and Continued Service

• What JP Loves About Veterans Day: Besides time with family, he cherishes leading Echelon Front’s Field Training Exercises (FTXs) because it gives him an avenue to share combat lessons and honor fallen teammates by strengthening others’ leadership skills.
  • “...being able to share the stories from our fallen teammates and share those lessons and help people become better leaders, bro, I'll do that all day long.” (10:00, 26:37)
• Cycle of Service: The episode highlights how personal and professional mentorship continues beyond active duty.

5. Sharing Stories: Healing and History

• Why More Combat Stories Are Told Now: The hosts ponder the generational shift making it more “acceptable” for veterans to share their experiences, how publishing has grown, and how it can help both vets and society.
  • “...over time, people have been conditioned that it's okay and it's accepted and it's desired from others for stories and lessons to be shared.” (51:24)
• Respect for Varied Paths: JP explains not every combat experience is the same, and some remain silent for valid reasons.

6. Mentorship, Brotherhood, and Lessons Learned

• Anecdotes about Ramadi: Asked for his most memorable story from Ramadi, JP shares vivid memories, often humorous, of small moments under fire with teammates.
  • Example: The video of Benny, during an intense firefight, calmly packing a dip and grinning (34:46).
  • Example: JP nearly falling into a sewage creek after a grueling leg workout, with laughter and camaraderie all around (36:13).
• On Mentors Like Tony: JP praises the humility and leadership of seasoned teammates like Tony, who respected junior officers and led by example.
  • “...he poured into them and he taught them and he led them, but he was also led by them and had humility.” (43:30)
• Joy and Absurdity: The sense of humor and absurd moments—energy drinks in a gunfight, joking on rooftops—are as much part of the experience as heroics.

7. Responding to Listener Questions

• Origin 5x T-Shirts and Jocko Fuel: JP fields lighter listener questions, including when larger Origin shirts will be available, with humor and camaraderie (29:28).
• Writing Books and Sharing SEAL Stories: JP comments on the debate within the veteran community about writing books, addressing criticisms of folks like Jocko and Leif.
  • “The beautiful thing about living in America is, guess what? They made money doing it. God bless them, and they deserve that.” (60:57)
  • “...don't come at me talking crap about Jocko and Leif like that again or we're gonna have some problems because they've done nothing but help people and provide value and they've legitimately changed people's lives.” (60:38)
• Supporting each other’s choices: The show highlighted mutual respect among veterans, whether they choose to stay silent or to publicly share their experiences.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reserved Humility:
  “As I'm getting up there and I'm just looking at, like, this room full of veterans and their families, bro, we had 250 families there. Whoa. Yeah, dude. The gentleman that opened up the prayer is 99 years old, served in World War II... I was humbled...” (07:56)
• On Legacy:
  “Your generation of warriors are now going to become what those guys in World War II, Korea, Vietnam... were for us.” - Lucas Pinckard (13:15) “...now my question to you... this next generation, they're looking to you guys for those lessons, for... the wisdom you guys learned in the battlefield and in life.” - Lucas (14:13)
• On Technological Advantage:
  “We have freaking night vision. Those guys are running operations in Vietnam, like, by sound, smell, and feel...” - JP (16:01)
• On War’s Purpose & the Military-Industrial Complex:
  “...wars used to be fought for morals, and now it's a money maker, bro...” - JP (18:18)
• Funny Combat Moments:
  “I'm just holding the camera... then I bring it to myself: ‘yeah, woohoo’... then Benny... pulls out a can of dip... sits there and puts a big old lipper in... all while rounds are hitting the wall...” (34:46) “If I fell in (Poop Creek), I would literally walk down the streets flying an American flag until somebody sent me home to the world...” (36:13)
• On Respect in Leadership:
  “He poured into them and he taught them and he led them, but he was also led by them and had humility. And I always saw Tony show Leif, Seth, and Jocko... the utmost respect. That's what good leaders do.” (43:30)
• On Storytelling and Writing Books:
  “...people have been conditioned that it's okay and it's accepted and it's desired from others for stories and lessons to be shared...” - JP (51:24)
• Standing Up for the Value of Sharing:
  “They wrote a book to provide value and to help people. And the beautiful thing about living in America is... they made money doing it. God bless them, and they deserve that.” (60:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:06 – JP reflects on feeling honored yet humbled to speak at veterans events.
• 08:05 – Recounting the presence of a 99-year-old WWII veteran at the lunch.
• 13:10 – Lucas raises the importance of JP’s generation as living links for the next.
• 14:43 – JP discusses not comparing himself to prior generations of warriors.
• 16:01 – Differences in technology and their impact on combat.
• 18:18 – Thoughts on the military-industrial complex and the morality/business of war.
• 26:37 – Why leading FTXs is meaningful to JP on Veterans Day.
• 34:46 – Sharing “funny” and memorable moments from Ramadi.
• 43:30 – Respect and mentorship in the SEAL teams (Tony).
• 51:24 – Why more veterans are open to sharing stories than previous generations.
• 60:38 – JP’s defense of Jocko & Leif’s books and story-sharing.
• 64:44 – Reflections and gratitude to veterans, listeners, and their families.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

JP wraps up by sharing gratitude for veteran guests, their stories, the impact of the podcast (including helping drive recognition for under-recognized heroes), and the wider community of American and allied veterans. He urges listeners to serve others in whatever way they can, reminding them to “do the right things for the right reasons,” and to build their legacy intentionally.

“We can always serve other people. It's a choice. So be intentional with finding ways to serve people, to love on them... And I hope this episode has been a reminder to go out there to do the work that's needed to put in the effort to build your legacy and to never settle.” (71:38)

For questions or to connect, follow JP and Lucas on Instagram (@jpdonell, @LucasPinkard, @jpdonellpodcast).

This episode offers an emotional, direct, sometimes humorous, and always authentic celebration of service, sacrifice, leadership, and the enduring bonds between warriors of all generations.