Jedburgh Podcast

The U.S. mission in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolas Maduro wasn’t built overnight. It was the product of years of experience, trust, and repetition among units that had worked together across multiple combat environments. From intelligence and logistics to joint force execution and interagency coordination, every layer had to function seamlessly. But as both leaders emphasize, none of it matters if there aren’t Soldiers willing and ready to step onto the ground and finish the job. This is the reality of modern warfare. Technology enhances capability, but it doesn’t replace the human element. Success still relies on disciplined teams, shared trust, and a nation willing to put the right people in the right place at the decisive moment. Watch, listen, or read host Fran Racioppi’s full conversation with SMA Mike Weimer and CSM (Ret.) Rick Merritt from the Pentagon. Episode 189: linktr.ee/franracioppi #USArmy #Leadership #SpecialOperations #JointForce #NationalSecurity

Modern military operations can look like a display of overwhelming technology, precision strikes, and global coordination. But at their core, they still come down to one thing: people on the ground executing the mission. From the Pentagon, host Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer and retired Command Sergeant Major Rick Merritt to break down what operations like the recent U.S. mission in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolas Maduro reveal about the nature of warfare. While the operation involved a massive joint force effort, integrating air, space, cyber, intelligence, and over 150 aircraft in a tightly synchronized timeline, its success ultimately depended on highly trained operators physically closing on the objective. Watch, listen, or read host Fran Racioppi’s full conversation with SMA Mike Weimer and CSM (Ret.) Rick Merritt from the Pentagon. Episode 189: linktr.ee/franracioppi #USArmy #Leadership #SpecialOperations #JointForce #NationalSecurity

A draft is one of the most serious decisions a nation can make, and one that signals a fundamental shift in how America prepares for war. Today, the United States relies on an all-volunteer force, but the question remains: could that ever change? Fran Racioppi sat down with former Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey, to discuss the realities behind compulsory service and what it would take for the United States to reinstate a draft. While Dailey does not believe the country is at that point today, he makes it clear that the decision ultimately rests with the American people, shaped by culture, politics, and the broader national environment that influences who chooses to serve. The conversation highlights a critical distinction. The Army’s role is to remain ready, lethal, and capable of deterring conflict. But in the event of a large-scale war, especially against a near-peer adversary, the demand for manpower could quickly exceed what a volunteer force alone can provide. In that scenario, compulsory service would no longer be a debate, it would be a necessity. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation with SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey. Episode 160: linktr.ee/franracioppi #USArmy #Military #Draft #NationalSecurity #Readiness

What does it actually mean to be a U.S. Army Green Beret? At the SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show, Fran Racioppi gives a speech and breaks down the reality of what defines a Green Beret. They are not just highly trained soldiers. They are warfighters who go where others cannot, take on missions others will not, and operate in places most people will never see. Their work and standards reflects a level of leadership, grit, and capability that defines the Special Forces Regiment. Green Berets are trusted to execute the most complex missions in national security, often in silence and without recognition. Their operations are discreet, their impact is global, and their standard is unmatched across the U.S. Military. This speech also highlights the mission of the Green Beret Foundation, which provides critical support to Green Berets, veterans, and Gold Star families. The Foundation ensures that those who serve in Special Forces and their families are supported before, during, and after their service. This is what it means to wear the Green Beret. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation at the Alex Viola Memorial Car Show with Frank Viola. Episode 192: linktr.ee/franracioppi #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GoldStarFamily #Legacy #AlexViolaCarShow

President Kennedy’s vision introduced the Special Action Force concept, regionally aligned units supported by enablers like civil affairs, psychological operations, intelligence, and medical capabilities. It was a shift toward “special warfare,” focused not just on fighting, but on working with partners, influencing environments, and shaping outcomes before conflicts escalated. That framework still defines Special Forces today. From mobile training teams operating across the globe to regionally focused units prepared for complex environments, the core ideas from the Kennedy era remain embedded in how the force operates. Watch, listen, or read our conversation with Dr. Tracy and Dr. Sacquety. Episode 181: linktr.ee/franracioppi #SpecialForces #GreenBerets #JFK #USArmy #UnconventionalWarfare

Fran Racioppi sat down with Dr. Jared Tracy and Dr. Troy Sacquety at the USASOC History Office to break down the lasting impact of John F. Kennedy on the Green Berets. When Kennedy took office, Special Forces were limited in size and scope. In just a few years, his administration rapidly expanded the force, activating new groups, increasing global presence, and building the foundation for modern Special Operations. Watch, listen, or read our conversation with Dr. Tracy and Dr. Sacquety. Episode 181: linktr.ee/franracioppi #SpecialForces #GreenBerets #JFK #USArmy #UnconventionalWarfare

After Alex Viola was killed during his first deployment to Afghanistan, his family turned loss into purpose. What started as a way to honor his memory, stemming from the years spent rebuilding cars together, grew into something much bigger. Today, that effort supports veterans, Gold Star families, and the Green Beret community, honoring a life defined by service and sacrifice. Frank Viola shares what set Alex apart. Even in the face of extreme adversity, his determination never wavered. That relentless drive, the refusal to quit no matter the circumstances, is the common thread among those who earn the Green Beret. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation with Frank Viola. Episode 192: linktr.ee/franracioppi #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GoldStarFamily #Legacy

Host Fran Racioppi sat down with Frank Viola to reflect on what it truly takes to earn the title of being a Green Beret, and the legacy left behind by his son, SSG Alex Viola. A Special Forces soldier and passionate car enthusiast, Alex embodied the mindset required of a Green Beret long before he ever deployed. Becoming a Green Beret is about who you are at your core. It requires a level of willpower, resilience, and character that can't be manufactured. Alex's drive, discipline, and commitment to excellence carried through every part of his life - which earned him the Green Beret. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation with Frank Viola. Episode 192: linktr.ee/franracioppi #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GoldStarFamily #Legacy

In today’s Army, explaining “the why” isn’t optional. It’s essential to building disciplined, thinking Soldiers who are ready to fight and win. Watch, listen, or read our conversation with SMA Mike Weimer and CSM (Ret.) Rick Merritt. Episode 189: linktr.ee/franracioppi #WarriorMindset #USArmy #Leadership #Standards #MilitaryLeadership

The Viola family turned loss into purpose. After losing their son, U.S. Army Green Beret SSG Alex Viola, during his first deployment in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, they set out to honor his life in a way that reflected who he was. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation with Frank Viola. Episode 192: linktr.ee/franracioppi #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GoldStarFamily #Legacy

From the 2025 SSG Alex Viola Car Show, Host Fran Racioppi sat down with Frank Viola, Gold Star Father of U.S. Army Green Beret SSG Alex Viola. Alex was a Special Forces soldier, a Green Beret, and a true car enthusiast. Before serving in the U.S. Military, he spent years working on cars with his father, including rebuilding a 1968 Chevelle from the ground up. That bond became the foundation for something bigger. What started as a way to cope with loss became a car show built to support veterans, Gold Star families, and the Green Beret Foundation. Today, it stands as a symbol of service, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of a Green Beret. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation with Frank Viola. Episode 192: linktr.ee/franracioppi #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GoldStarFamily #Legacy

Host Fran Racioppi sat down with Frank Viola, Gold Star Father of U.S. Army Green Beret SSG Alex Viola, to talk about how Green Berets became part of the SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show. What started as a simple idea, asking Alex's team to judge cars, quickly turned into something unique. Even without technical car expertise, the Green Berets approached the role the same way they approach everything: with structure, standards, and attention to detail. They built their own system, took the responsibility seriously, and brought a level of professionalism that elevated the entire event. For attendees and car owners, it created a rare opportunity to interact with members of the Special Forces community, making the experience about more than just vehicles. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation with Frank Viola. Episode 192: linktr.ee/franracioppi #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GoldStarFamily #Legacy

Car shows are usually about horsepower, craftsmanship, and competition. But at one event, the judges bring something entirely different, discipline, professionalism, and a connection to something bigger than the cars themselves. The result has been exactly what Viola describes: a win-win. A community event that honors the legacy of SSG Alex Viola, brings people together, and strengthens the bond between civilians and those who serve. Watch, listen, or read our full conversation with Frank Viola. Episode 192: linktr.ee/franracioppi #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GoldStarFamily #Legacy

Steven Grayhm, writer and director of Sheepdog and host, Fran Racioppi, discuss how service can fundamentally reshape the way people live their lives. Grayhm explains that those who have “touched the fire” often gain a level of clarity that others never experience, an unfiltered understanding of what truly matters. Time becomes more valuable. Relationships take priority. Purpose becomes non-negotiable. That perspective isn’t easy. It can be painful, forcing individuals to confront life without illusion. But it can also lead to growth, resilience, and a deeper sense of meaning. For many veterans, it becomes a gift, one that drives them to serve in new ways, support others, and redefine their mission beyond the uniform. Sometimes the hardest experiences don’t just change you, they show you what actually matters. Watch, listen, or read our conversation with Steven Grayhm. Episode 188: linktr.ee/franracioppi #SheepdogMovie #StevenGrayhm #Veterans #PTSD #VeteranStories

Perspective doesn’t come from comfort. It’s forged through hardship, shaped by experience, and often earned the hard way. For many who serve, that shift in perspective changes everything, how they see the world, their relationships, and their purpose. Watch, listen, or read our conversation with Steven Grayhm. Episode 188: linktr.ee/franracioppi #SheepdogMovie #StevenGrayhm #Veterans #PTSD #VeteranStories

Fran Racioppi sat down with Ryan Benitez, who explains how NATO DIANA is helping lead that charge by connecting startups, industry leaders, and operators to rapidly develop and deploy new technologies. From Eastern European nations facing the threat firsthand to venture capital communities that once avoided defense entirely, the mindset has changed, defense is now a priority across the board. This conversation is about urgency, innovation, and the evolving reality of modern deterrence. Because in today’s environment, the nations that move fastest won’t just compete, they’ll define the future of security. Watch, listen, or read our conversation with Ryan Benitez. Episode 188: linktr.ee/franracioppi #NATO #NATODIANA #DefenseInnovation #Technology #NationalSecurity

Defense is no longer a background priority, it’s front and center. As global threats evolve, the question isn’t whether nations should invest in defense, but how fast they can adapt to keep up. Fran Racioppi sat down with Ryan Benitez at the Global SOF Symposium in Athens, Greece, to discuss how NATO is responding to the growing threat from Russia. With rapid advancements in drone technology and scaled production, Russia is forcing a shift in how the Alliance thinks about deterrence, capability, and speed. The response has been a reset, driving increased defense spending, with a significant portion dedicated specifically to innovation. Watch, listen, or read our conversation with Ryan Benitez. Episode 188: linktr.ee/franracioppi #NATO #NATODIANA #DefenseInnovation #Technology #NationalSecurity

Fran Racioppi was joined by Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer, SGM Alex Kupratty, and SGM Laurin Nabors to break down why education is the foundation of standards. The question isn’t whether standards exist, it’s whether Soldiers and leaders truly understand them as written. Without that shared understanding, enforcement becomes inconsistent and culture begins to drift. This episode is about clarity, consistency, and the role education plays in building a professional, lethal force. Because when everyone understands the standard, the entire Army moves as one. Watch, listen or read our full conversation with SMA Weimer, SGM Kupratty, and SGM Nabors. Episode 175: linktr.ee/franracioppi #ArmyReadiness #Leadership #USArmy #MilitaryStandards #Discipline