Tier1 Podcast – Surprise, Kill, Vanish: Special Forces Jedburgh Teams

Host: Brent Tucker
Guest: Sgt. Major (Ret.) Travis Horning (5th Special Forces Group, 22 years service)
Producer: Drew Tucker
Date: April 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this in-depth episode, host Brent Tucker welcomes retired Sgt. Major Travis Horning to unpack the fascinating history, resurrection, and operational significance of the Special Forces Jedburgh Teams–the legendary "three-man teams" whose origins date back to World War II OSS missions. Horning offers rich firsthand insight into his SF career, shares rare historical context, and provides candid stories on leadership, unconventional warfare, and the evolution of mission sets from Europe to Syria. Both men recount their shared time on the ground in Syria, reminisce about team culture, and discuss the challenges and transitions faced by senior SOF leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Sgt. Major Travis Horning and the Jedburghs (02:02–04:40)

• Brent Tucker introduces Travis Horning as a highly decorated 5th Group veteran with extensive combat deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen.
• Notably, Horning possesses the rare "tower of power": Special Forces tab, Ranger tab, and Sapper tab.

Notable Quote:
“I really wanted you to come on here and shed light on that niche part of SF because you guys couldn’t have been any more impressive… whatever 5th Group Jedburgh teams were doing… they were doing something right.” (Brent Tucker, 04:10)

2. The OSS Origins: Jedburghs in World War II (05:13–14:57)

Historical Context

• The Jedburgh concept originated with the OSS in 1943: 3-man allied teams (one American, one British, one French), trained in guerrilla warfare, sabotage, languages, and behind-the-lines operations in Europe.
• Missions included: organizing and training French resistance, conducting sabotage (railway, bridges), and prepping the environment for the D-Day invasion.
• Total: 93 teams (~300 men); surprisingly low casualties considering the risk (approx. 17, per Horning).

Key Moments & Quotes

• The Danger & Effectiveness: “Three-man teams behind enemy lines is insane… there’s, it’s one thing to have a three-man team—it’s another to be a three-man team and effective.” (Brent Tucker, 06:37) “They pioneered unconventional warfare.” (Travis Horning, 07:12)
• Language & Culture: “You don’t have room for an interpreter… you better know it all and be able to do it all.” (Brent Tucker, 07:48)
• Normandy & Intelligence: “Their overall objective was to prepare for D-Day… Had those teams not been as effective as they were, I don’t think we would have made it past D-Day.” (Travis Horning, 11:56) “Jedburgh teams being smart enough… knowing what to say, what not to say… the resistance is their friends in a sense, but secrets don’t make friends, they make best friends.” (14:37)
• Global Reach:
  Jedburghs also operated in Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, and the Philippines, with connections to Special Forces founding fathers like Aaron Bank and Col. Aaron Volckmann (16:41)

3. Horning’s Path: From Combat Engineer to Special Forces (22:21–36:00)

• Horning’s father urged him not to go Special Forces, but a combat deployment to Iraq (05–06) opened his eyes to the mythos and effectiveness of SOF.
• Progressed through Sapper School, Ranger School, multiple deployments, then selection for Special Forces—overcoming injuries during SFAS (fractured ankle and tibia, but never quit).

Notable Quotes:

• “I’m in the wrong business” — after seeing SOF teams rolling out on night ops while his unit searched for IEDs at 5 mph. (24:24)
• “My biggest concern was getting a blister… there you are with essentially a broken leg finishing it.” (40:35–41:27)
• “There’s no way I am going back to my unit a failure.” (41:42)

Sapper School Insights

• Sapper was “harder” (higher technical demand in 28 days), Ranger “sucked more” (longer duration, 62 days).
• Sapper focuses: mobility/countermobility/survivability; demo, obstacles, patrolling, mountaineering—direct lineage to battlefield essentials from the 1700s through Iraq/Afghanistan.

4. Life on the ODAs, Team Culture, and SOF Effectiveness (44:11–62:01)

Assignments & Operational Insights

• Fifth Group is described as the “group” within SF for GWOT-era missions (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria).
• Discussion of northern Afghanistan: overlooked AORs can be “hot” if you dig for targets, with creative solutions like jump med stations pushing the operational envelope.
• Not all SOF/ODA teams are alike—culture, risk tolerance, and aggression differ even within elite units.

Quotes:

• “Some teams are a lot more aggressive, some are risk-averse… it was just really unique.” (48:38)
• “When you give a Green Beret the ability to experiment—it’s mind-blowing what people can come up with.” (59:51)

5. Jedburgh Teams Reborn: Modern Mission & Selection (50:01–58:38)

• 2014: Jedburghs revived in SF; structure: 3-person teams, all-American, hand-selected by group Cdr, senior, multiple deployments required.
• Purpose: fill the gap where “the agency ended and the ODA began.”
• Emphasis on high language proficiency—some members fluent in 6–8 dialects of Arabic for independent ops.

Memorable Segment:

• Jedburgh Medics: (54:40)
  Brent recounts witnessing a Jedburgh medic teach a complex trauma class in perfect Arabic, no interpreter needed—a powerful example of both language mastery and SF training.

• Team Composition:
  “You may not have a Delta (medic), so they created a higher level medical course for us…” (57:51)

6. Syria: Application of Unconventional Warfare – A Memorable Era (58:38–62:55)

• Jedburghs and host’s unit link up in Syria; a true “beginning-of-the-war” environment—unfettered SOF creativity, small-team innovation, building base camps, partner force development.
• SF pioneers TTPs: demo ambush, harassment missions, denying movement by blowing roads/bridges—“real MacGyver stuff.”
• Unique capability: Integration, cross-functional skillsets; three Jedburghs could fill multiple critical gaps for the whole camp.

Quotes:

• “That trip specifically was probably the, I guess, most Green Beret trip I’ve ever done—essentially Robin Sage but for real.” (61:19)
• “Everywhere we needed you guys, you could plug in.” (61:15)
• “I’d have made it mandatory that you guys came with us on our next trip too…” (62:01)

7. Team Culture & Brotherhood: Life on Base in Syria [Fun Segments] (66:00–75:00)

• SF team and Jedburghs create a unique team house culture: building a “GB Lounge”/bar, gym, “board of feats of manliness,” custom demo-etched steel coasters, and mandatory duties like “fire pit commander.”
• Lighthearted competition (pullups, bench, curls), jokes about “which group is best,” and lore from shared deployments.
• Election night 2016: Brent’s infamous “Trump won!” wakeup call.

Quote:
“If you can’t tie a knot, tie a lot. That’s gotten me through so much in life.” (28:43–29:10)

8. Leadership Lessons: Advancing to Company & Battalion Sergeant Major (76:22–88:04)

• Transition from team sergeant ("best job in the army") to company sergeant major: “now you’re a team sergeant for team sergeants.”
• The importance of mentoring, supporting hungry teams, and firing when necessary.
• Team cohesion is everything; division (“shadow governor” theory) can sabotage a team from within.
• Ops SGMs run complex multinational battalion operations—responsible for over 1,000 people across 4+ countries.
• The reality of high-performing organizations: high expectations mean little praise for good, big consequences for error.

Quotes:

• “When you do something really good, you’re met with ‘yeah, that’s what I expect you to do.’” (88:15)
• “There’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with someone just looking for a reason to say ‘no’.” (92:24)

9. Reflections on SOF in War: Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Kurds (94:16–102:30)

• Afghanistan's failure laid mostly at Afghan feet—“The Afghans lost Afghanistan… We decided to try to nation build, but the problem is, they didn’t want it as bad as we wanted it.” (96:01–97:16)
• Iraq more successful; “they wanted it more and are trying to build something that can stand on its own.”
• The Kurds: “Probably the easiest to work with… they get it, and want to achieve their objectives.”
  • Tough question: Should the Kurds have been given their own country? Hosts note the complexity but feel they did “earn it.”

10. Retirement & Closing Thoughts (102:30–End)

• Horning recently retired after 22 years, prioritizing stability for his family and a desire to leave on his own terms.
• Discussing the emotional challenge of transition, the importance of closing ceremonies for camaraderie, and some heartfelt, lighthearted stories from childhood.

Memorable & Notable Quotes

History & Mission

• “Three-man teams behind enemy lines is insane… but it’s another to be a three-man team and effective.” (06:35)
• “That’s what we were designed to fill: the gap where the agency ended and the ODA began.” (53:10)

Operational Brilliance

• “There’s a culture in SOF, but within that, each team—some are more aggressive, thoughtful, or just want to crush things.” (48:38)
• “When you give a Green Beret the ability to experiment—it’s mind-blowing what people can come up with.” (59:51)

Team & Leadership

• “Nobody wants to go back to their unit a failure.” (41:42)
• “A company sergeant major is just a team sergeant for team sergeants.” (77:06)
• “There’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with someone just looking for a reason to say ‘no’.” (92:31)

Brotherhood & Memory

• “If you can’t tie a knot, tie a lot. That’s gotten me through so much in life.” (29:09)
• “That trip was essentially Robin Sage—but for real.” (61:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|---------------| | Jedburgh WWII Origins & Effectiveness | 05:13–14:57 | | Sapper School & Path to SOF | 22:21–41:27 | | Life on ODAs / Fifth Group Culture | 44:11–48:38 | | Return of Jedburgh Teams (Modern Era) | 50:01–58:38 | | Syria: Building Out, UW Ops | 58:38–62:55 | | Team Life: Gym, Competitions, Fun | 66:00–75:00 | | Leadership Challenges: Company/Battalion Sgt. Major | 76:22–92:24 | | Reflections on Afghanistan/Iraq/Kurds | 94:16–102:30 | | Retirement & Final Thoughts | 102:30–End |

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an unparalleled look into both the tactical history and living culture of Special Forces Jedburgh teams, punctuated by sharp leadership lessons and the unique flavor of SOF brotherhood. Horning’s honest, humble stories traverse the path from OSS legend to the modern Middle East, giving listeners an authentic sense of what it means to "Surprise, Kill, Vanish."

Motto embodied:
Surprise, Kill, Vanish—SKV!

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