Podcast
The Half Percent Podcast
Hosted by Nick Plosser · EN
The Half Percent Podcast is a show that delves into the lives of the men and women who choose a career in the armed forces. Each show is an interview with a member of the military, whether active duty, reserve or veteran. We dig into the background, motivation, personality, and job (and some crazy stories along the way) of an individual who has chosen to serve in one of the branches of the armed forces.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Sadr City to the Beach-Will Jones on Staying Connected with Other Vets and the Healing Power of the Ocean
Jul 19, 202401:06:48Tap to summarizeWill Jones spent 4 years (2004-2008) in the US Army-1st Cav, with 2 deployments to Iraq. Will's second deployment was a 15 month hitch to Sadr City, Baghdad, where he and his fellow soldiers faced the Madhi Militia. After completing his service, Will came back home to Los Angeles, entered UCLA film school, and later took trips to Afghanistan and another film school in the Philippines. Will is an inferno of positive energy and he speaks frankly about some very dark times (as well as some very humorous ones), during his time in the Army. Will now devotes his time to helping veterans stay engaged, in shape and with a sense of purpose, with weekly beach workouts, rucking, boxing and numerous charities. You can get your daily dose of inspiration by following Will on Instagram: @boomitsyourboywilljonesAlso check out these veteran owned/run charities and organizations that Will is involved with: https://www.legion8.org (honoring 8 soldiers Will served with who died during combat operations) Ruck4Veterans:https://www.ruckforveterans.comAlpha Elite Performance: https://alphaeliteperformance.comUniversity of Health & Performance: https://university-hp.comWarrior Sailing: https://warriorsailing.orgGreen Beret Foundation: https://greenberetfoundation.org
Transcribe →A US Marine in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion-James Karp
Feb 5, 202401:15:07Tap to summarizeJames Karp was a US Marine (1st Battalion, 3rd Marines) and fought at the 2nd Battle of Fallujah. After leaving the Corps, James joined the French Foreign Legion and went on to be an archaeological technician, working throughout North and Central America. Most recently, James volunteered for the Ukraine Foreign Legion and was in country for 6 months. James also started SV Chasing Horizon a group of veterans who help other veterans reconnect and regain a sense of purpose by organizing short and long-term sailing excursions, dive training and other ocean related activities. Follow James on Instagram @julesduiberg
Transcribe →Determined to Fly, Life in Soviet Russia and The Shadow Game-Rodger Carlyle
Jan 19, 202400:53:36Tap to summarizeRodger Carlyle was part of the US Navy-AVROC (Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate) program and on track to become a Naval Aviator when a medical issue caused his Naval career to be cut short. Rodger then embarked on a civilian career that took him around the globe, including extensive time in Russia just as the Soviet empire was crumbling. Rodger's career path saw him start and run multiple businesses, writing for political campaigns and getting his pilot's license. Rodger is an author of multiple books, including his latest, The Shadow Game, available on all bookselling platforms. Learn more @ https://www.rodgercarlyle.com
Transcribe →A Career in 2 Branches, Throwing Underwear on Jessica Simpson's Face and Helping Veterans Get into the Film Business
Jan 1, 202401:14:43Tap to summarizeDeAnna Charett served 10 years in the US Air Force and 10 years in the US Army Reserve. She is the founder of Bad Habitz Productions https://www.badhabitzproductions.com, a Louisiana-based production company that provides quality filmmaking with a specialization in working with military veterans.
Transcribe →A Green Beret on Dreams Deferred, Mentorship, TBI and Finding a Way Forward
Dec 8, 202301:20:26Tap to summarizeNick Allen served 8 years in the US Army, earning his Green Beret. Nick's career in special operations was cut short in his first training mission where he sustained multiple concussions. Nick continued to provide value to his team for the remainder of his Army career but like so many in the military, separation and civilian life proved difficult and Nick has gone thorough many extreme ups and downs. Nick has continued to stay engaged with fellow vets through the Green Beret Foundation and through physical fitness. Check out Nick's TED Talk. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q83SDuyuYA
Transcribe →30 Years in the US Army-Special Operations and Writing the Warlock Series-Col.Mike Bennett
Nov 20, 202301:26:58Tap to summarizeCol. Mike Bennett (US Army-Retired) spent 30 years in the US Army and is a graduate of Ranger School and the Special Operations Qualification Course. Mike deployed 7 times around the globe during his career and is the author of the Warlock Series, including the latest in the series, Moths to the Flame-Origin of Warlock. Mike describes his career and writing thusly, "I plan to write a little different take on the traditional 'spy' novel. Oftentimes, the journey to 'actionable intelligence' is a long, patient slog. Sometimes, there is an elegant solution that is the culmination of rigorous engineering, other times, well, not so elegant! I see this journey through the lens of Special Forces 'By, With and Through' doctrine-- a path that may require a recruited indigenous support asset to emplace the collection device selected for a specific job. Sometimes the entire process takes years; there is no shortcut." Learn more about Mike and the Warlock Series: https://www.authormikebennett.comFollow Mike on Twitter @COLMikeBennett
Transcribe →A Marine's Story-Afghanistan, Coming Home From War, Rucking and The Eye of The Tiger
Nov 10, 202301:04:03Tap to summarizeMario Morales spent 7 years in the US Marine Corps (2005-2012) with deployments to Africa and Afghanistan. Mario is a board member for Ruck For Veterans, a veteran service organization that organizes bi-annual rucks every Veterans Day and Memorial Day to bring awareness to veterans' issues and aims to bridge the gap between the community and the military with various events throughout the year. Learn more at https://www.ruckforveterans.com
Transcribe →Hard To Kill-A Devil Dog Outside the Wire in Afghanistan
Sep 22, 202301:02:11Tap to summarizeNick Aicardi served 5 years in the US Marine Corps with a deployment to Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan army and police that saw him on way outside the wire on daily patrols on the most dangerous roads in the country. Nick is the host of the excellent Hard To Kill Podcast. Check out their Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Ab2FBsV5q6_fabi-3OUXw and social media @HardtokillPodcast.
Transcribe →Cyber Warfare, Special Operations, White House Communications and Shadow Sanction: A Green Beret on His 20 Year US Army Career
Aug 4, 202301:09:40Tap to summarizeSteve Stratton spent 20 years in the U.S. Army in a career that was anything but typical. Starting at the White House Communications Agency supporting the needs of Presidents Ford and Carter, Vice Presidents Rockefeller and Mondale and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. His work took him around the world introducing him to new cultures, ways of thinking, and the various agencies tasked with projecting and protecting American interests abroad.Steve was awarded his Green Beret in 1986. From the 80’s through 2000 he deployed with 20th Special Forces on counter-drug and training missions in the SOUTHCOM region. His civilian contractor time includes support for USCENTCOM, USSOCOM, and several intelligence agencies. Today he develops cyber security products that support the warfighter and intelligence community.Steve is the author of the Shadow Tier thriller series, which chronicles the adventures of his protagonist, Lance Bear-Wolf, a special forces operator. His latest novel in the series, Shadow Sanction, is out 8/30/23. Learn more at: https://www.stevenstrattonusa.com
Transcribe →Unbreakable-A US Navy SEAL's Incredible Life of Persistence, Will and the Power of Keeping Your Word
Jul 14, 202301:05:46Tap to summarizeThom Shea spent 23 years as a US Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments across the globe, and later as an instructor/officer in charge of the SEAL sniper course. Thom's incredible story is one of perseverance, honoring his word and exhibiting the will to keep coming back again and again, no matter what was thrown at him. Thom is the author of "Unbreakable: A Navy SEAL's Way of Life" and "Three Simple Things: Leading During Chaos". Thom shares valuable, hard earned lessons with perceptive wit and humility as well as admiration for those he served with. Thom is the founder of Unbreakable Leadership, where he works with people from all walks of life looking the level up their careers, relationships and overall quality of life. You can learn more about Thom and his work at: https://www.thomshea.comand on Instagram @frogmanout
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