The Dan Bongino Show - Episode 2392: "Saving The U.S. Military w/ SEAL Andy Stumpf"
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Host: Dan Bongino
Guest: Andy Stumpf, Member of SEAL Team 6 and Host of Cleared Hot Podcast
1. Introduction & Personal Reflections
Dan Bongino opens the episode with a heartfelt tribute to the U.S. military, emphasizing his deep respect and admiration for military personnel. He shares a personal story about his uncle, a Vietnam War hero who was killed in action, highlighting the profound impact this loss had on his family. This anecdote sets the tone for the episode, underscoring the sacrifices made by military members.
Notable Quote:
"The greatest regret of my life is not going in the military. It really is."
— Dan Bongino [00:04]
2. Discussion on Military Cohesion and "Wokeness"
Dan introduces Andy Stumpf, praising his service and contributions. The conversation swiftly moves to the importance of unit cohesion in elite military units like SEAL Team 6. Dan expresses concern over the influence of "wokeness" and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, arguing that these ideologies can undermine the essential unity and focus required in high-stakes military operations.
Notable Quotes:
"From a pure tactical perspective... this is really dangerous. Has the potential to break up our military."
— Dan Bongino [04:24]
"A bullet... doesn't care about your personal beliefs. It doesn't care about the color of your skin."
— Andy Stumpf [08:53]
3. Leadership in the Military vs. Civilian Sectors
The discussion delves into the unique nature of military leadership compared to civilian leadership. Andy emphasizes that military leaders operate under extreme conditions where their decisions can mean life or death. He contrasts this with civilian leadership, which often lacks the same level of accountability and consequence.
Notable Quotes:
"Leadership is actually easier... in the military, it's about how you view yourself."
— Andy Stumpf [33:18]
"Leadership is the most powerful tool that human beings have access to. It trumps the power of anything that I have seen overseas."
— Andy Stumpf [35:36]
4. The Psychological Impact of Combat
Andy discusses the psychological toll of combat, distinguishing between post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth. He shares personal insights on how military experiences, while harrowing, can lead to personal development and a deeper appreciation for life and relationships.
Notable Quotes:
"If you touch war, it's going to touch you back."
— Andy Stumpf [14:17]
"There is a huge physical component to being at BUDS. But when I went back as an instructor... they expressed that they got overwhelmed with the totality of their goal."
— Andy Stumpf [40:43]
5. Training Regimens and BUDS Experience
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the rigorous training involved in becoming a Navy SEAL, specifically the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) training. Andy provides detailed accounts of the physical and mental challenges faced, emphasizing the importance of hyper-realistic training to prepare for real combat scenarios.
Notable Quotes:
"BUDS is like sandpaper. If I told anybody to get a piece of sandpaper and on your first day, you're going to take it across your knuckles... that's where you start separating the wheat from the chaff."
— Andy Stumpf [39:14]
"The training is so much more than going to range and shooting an E type silhouette with no reaction whatsoever."
— Andy Stumpf [24:09]
6. The Drone Threat and Modern Warfare
Dan and Andy explore the evolving landscape of warfare, particularly the emergence of drone technology. They express concerns over the ease and low cost of deploying drones, which can potentially overwhelm traditional military defenses. Andy also touches upon advanced, classified military technologies, referencing operations like Neptune Spear (the raid that killed Osama bin Laden) to illustrate the government's covert advancements.
Notable Quotes:
"If it can be taken down by a swarm of hundred-dollar Amazon drones, it's kind of freaking worthless."
— Dan Bongino [42:07]
"These drone operators... it's not a threat that I had to face when I was in. And I'm really thankful that I didn't have to."
— Andy Stumpf [43:38]
7. Motivational Insights and Closing Thoughts
In the closing segment, Dan encourages listeners to push beyond their perceived limits, drawing parallels between military training and personal development. Andy shares his perspective on leadership and the importance of self-leadership, urging individuals to lead themselves and their families proactively.
Notable Quotes:
"You have to determine where your ceiling is. Nobody can answer that for you, but people limit and self-govern themselves so far before they get to the point of what they're capable of."
— Andy Stumpf [49:33]
"Leadership is about how you view yourself. Don't look to somebody else to be your leader. Look in the mirror and start leading yourself."
— Andy Stumpf [35:36]
8. Promotion of Andy Stumpf's Cleared Hot Podcast
Throughout the episode, Dan promotes Andy's own podcast, Cleared Hot, encouraging listeners to support fellow patriots and stay informed on military and national security issues.
Notable Mention:
"Andy, your podcast is called Cleared Hot Andy Stumpf. Look him up. Bongino, army, do me a favor, go out, support this man, download his podcast, give him a follow on these platforms."
— Dan Bongino [50:31]
Conclusion
This episode of The Dan Bongino Show offers an in-depth exploration of the challenges facing the U.S. military today, from internal divisions influenced by societal ideologies to the evolving threats posed by modern technology like drones. Through the lens of Andy Stumpf’s extensive military experience, Dan Bongino underscores the critical importance of leadership, cohesion, and realistic training in maintaining the lethality and effectiveness of elite military units. The heartfelt discussions and personal anecdotes provide listeners with a profound appreciation of the sacrifices and dedication of military personnel, while also highlighting the pressing issues that need to be addressed to "save the U.S. military."
For more insights and in-depth discussions on military and political issues, be sure to subscribe to The Dan Bongino Show on Rumble, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.