Mike Drop

The war in Afghanistan didn’t end when the last C-17 lifted off from Kabul. That was just the beginning of the fallout. It was a trillion-dollar failure, and that failure didn’t just disappear—it sent shockwaves across the Middle East. Now, with Israel and Iran staring each other down and the world edging closer to full-blown war, we’re seeing the cost of the Global War on Terror in real time. On this episode of Mike Drop, I sit down with Navy SEAL and Afghanistan vet Larsen Jensen—someone who was there, who saw the writing on the wall years ago. Together, we pull no punches. We break down how the U.S. exit from Afghanistan wasn’t just a tactical blunder—it was a green light for our enemies. This isn’t about politics. It’s about reality. Washington failed. The signs were there. Jensen saw them. And if you think the worst is behind us, think again. What’s coming next could make Afghanistan look like a warm-up. ---------- #sponsored IDEO U Get 15% Off at www.ideou.com/mikedrop TEAM DOG FO

In this explosive Mike Drop episode, Mike Ritland sits down with Dale Comstock—former Delta Force operator. Dale rips the band-aid off America’s foreign policy failures and reveals the raw, no-BS reality behind military operations that were supposed to “save” the world—but only made things worse. He shares brutal takes about leadership, mindset, survival, and the cost of war. Get ready for a hard-hitting conversation you won’t forget Delta Force Operator Reveals Why the War in Iran Was Inevitable Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop ---------- #sponsored Mando Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code MIKEDROP at shopmando.com! #mandopod shopmando.com Beam Here’s the deal: Beam is giving my listeners the ultimate patriot discount of UP TO 40% off. Try their best‑selling Dream Powder and get UP TO 40% off for a limited time. Go to shopbeam.com/MIKEDROP and use c

Charles 'Chuck' Ritter is a Retired U.S. Army Special Forces Sergeant Major Green Beret. Having served multiple combat deployments - 17 in total - to areas including Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, & Syria, Chuck has an extensive military career spanning over 27 years in service, primarily with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was blown up by an IED in 2008, shot three times by a PKM in 2013, and caught another bullet in his right hand in 2014, earning him the unofficial title of 'bullet magnet', and he has received numerous awards for his valor including the Silver Star, Bronze Star for Valor, and three Purple Heart Medals. Recently, Chuck completed his tenure as the Deputy Commandant for the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s (USAJFKSWCS) Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He founded Lycos Group LLC, a leadership consulting company and also co-hosted the podcast 'Pineland Underground' for the Special Warfare Center and School. Since the

Chris Fettes is a former U.S. Navy SEAL who served for 13 years with SEAL Team 10 and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). He deployed to combat zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, where he served as a sniper and earned a Bronze Star at JTAC. A notable marksman, Fettes once made a 900-yard sniper shot on an enemy in Somalia, and would often bring a high-end ice cream machine on deployments to make ice cream for his teammates and local children. Chris Fettes is a former U.S. Navy SEAL who served for 13 years with SEAL Team 10 and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). He deployed to combat zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, where he served as a sniper and earned a Bronze Star at JTAC. A notable marksman, Fettes once made a 900-yard sniper shot on an enemy in Somalia, and would often bring a high-end ice cream machine on deployments to make ice cream for his teammates and local children. After leaving the military in 2016, Fettes didn’t take the easy road. Like man

Marc Gonsalves is an American who was held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) from February 13th, 2003 to July 2nd, 2008. A former imagery analyst in the U.S. Air Force, Marc was working as a civilian military contractor on a drug surveillance mission in Colombia when his single-engine plane crashed in the jungle. Upon being swiftly captured by the FARC, Marc would go on to live as an active hostage alongside fellow contractors Tom Howes and Keith Stansell for the next five years.  In July 0f 2008, Marc, Tom, and Keith would be rescued in Operation Jaque by the Colombian Security Forces. For their ordeal, all three men were awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom on March 12th, 2009. Since then, Marc has co-written the book 'Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle' with Tom and Keith, detailing their experiences as hostages.  ---------- Support Marc Gonsalves-  Get Your Copy of Marc's Book 'Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967

Scott "Kidd" Poteet is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel and a commercial astronaut. He was the pilot for the Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024, a privately funded human spaceflight operated by SpaceX. Having previously served 18 years in the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, Scott transitioned to the USAF Thunderbirds as a pilot in Position 4, racking up over 3,200 total flight hours in various aircraft like the F-16 and Alpha Jet, with over 400 combat hours logged. In 2022, Scott was selected as the pilot for SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, which launched in September 2024. During the nearly five-day mission, the crew achieved the highest Earth orbit flown by humans since the Apollo program, conducted the first commercial spacewalk, and tested Starlink laser-based communications in space. His journey from a decorated Air Force pilot to a commercial astronaut highlights his dedication to service, teamwork, and pushing the boundaries of aerospace exploration. Subscribe to t

'Danger Pig' CW4 Dan McClinton is a retired U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Helicopter Pilot with 24 years of service. A decorated aviator with three combat tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Dan started his career flying UH-1H helicopters in El Salvador before pivoting to the Apache airframe as a Pilot and Battalion Tactical Operations Officer with the 1st Cavalry Division. During his tenure, Dan's unit responded to over 800 troops in combat, clocking over 300 live-fire engagements and saving countless lives. Since retiring from active duty, Dan has authored the book 'Crazyhorse: Flying Apache Attack Helicopters with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq, 2006-2007' and '37 Months: Images from Three Combat Tours in Iraq', along with producing a documentary called 'The Longest Month', which covers the deployment of 1-227 AVN, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in 2006-07. Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

Robert "Bob" Harward is a retired United States Navy SEAL and a former Deputy Commander of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) under General James Mattis. He served for 34 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring in November 2013 as a Vice Admiral. As a Navy SEAL, he had extensive combat experience in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Bosnia, where he led the U.S. Special Operations invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and oversaw the Navy SEALs role in Iraq in 2003. He also served as Deputy Commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, and even served as a SEAL Leader back when Mike first enlisted at SEAL Teams at only 19 years old. Since then, Bob has served on the National Security Council during the Bush administration as well as having commissioned the National Counter Terrorism Center. He also was the Chief Executive for Lockheed Martin Middle East for eight years, and was recognized by Forbes as one of the top 50 most influential CEO's in the Middle East. In 2017, he was offered the position

Geoff Dardia joins Mike Ritland to expose the real story behind Afghanistan, the missed chance to take out Bin Laden, and how politics destroyed 20 years of sacrifice.Dardia is a former Master Sergeant and Green Beret who lived it for real — from kicking doors in hostile countries to hunting bad guys under night vision.Before that?He was supposed to be a Navy SEAL — training shoulder-to-shoulder with Mike Ritland — until a medical issue derailed that path. Instead of quitting, Geoff took the fight to Special Operations, racking up multiple deployments as a Weapons Sergeant, Intel Sergeant, and Ops Sergeant.Since leaving active duty, Geoff’s been on a different kind of warpath — fighting for the health and survival of the special operations community. As the founding director of SOF Health Initiatives for the Task Force Dagger Foundation, he’s tackling the issues nobody wants to talk about — traumatic brain injuries, cancer, and the hidden wounds killing more operators than enemy bullets ever did. Like + Subs

Mark Lamb is the unapologetically bold, newly-retired Sheriff of Pinal County, Arizona, who made national waves for bringing old-school grit and modern media savvy to law enforcement. Serving from 2017 to 2024, Lamb wasn’t just a badge and a gun—he became a digital-era lawman, turning to YouTube to share raw, unfiltered police footage while regularly appearing on FOX News, Newsmax, Live PD, and 60 Days In. Known for his no-nonsense stance on border security, Lamb stepped into the political arena in 2024, launching a U.S. Senate run to replace Kyrsten Sinema—only to be edged out in a high-profile primary battle by Kari Lake. After nearly two decades of service and a reputation that stretches far beyond Arizona, Sheriff Lamb officially hung up his badge on December 31st, 2024—but he's far from done making noise. #sheriff #LEO #navyseals #sherifflamb #arizona #lawenforcement #backtheblue Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

Jeff Tiegs is a retired Delta Force Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Expert with over 25 years of service in US Army Special Operations. With a distinguished military career spanning from a young ranger private to Delta Force lieutenant colonel, he has braved and commanded combat operations around the globe, including in Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He's also the President of Skull Games Solutions, an organization that provides analytical and operational support to Law Enforcement Agencies engaged in counter sex trafficking operations. Unlike most Delta Force operators, Jeff has authored a book titled "Where Have All the Heroes Gone?: A Pilgrimage Through the Bible, the Battlefield, and Back Home Again", based on his exploration into Bible histories that helped him find meaning, inspiration, and the will to keep fighting, no matter the odds. Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop ---------- Support Jeff Tiegs -

Jason Lee Morrison is a U.S. Marine Force Recon Veteran who's seen action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel. Having deployed into the invasion of Iraq, he would go on to serve eight years as an elite Force Recon Marine, before spending the next few years working for various U.S. Government organizations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Israel and Palestine during the Israeli-Hezbollah war. Jason's perspective is uniquely grounded in his upbringing, being born in America but raised in Indonesia before coming back stateside to serve his country. Since then, Jason has transitioned into a career in technology development and consulting in government and private sectors, before pivoting full-time to writing about his work, his past, and on occasion, poetry and prose. ---------- Support Jason Morrison - Get Your Copy of Jason's Books 'The Perfect F*cking Life' and 'Finally Somehow Home' at https://www.theperfectfuckinglife.com/selected-work-1 Website - https://www.theperfectfuckinglife.com/ Instagram - h

Ethan Thornton is the founder of MACH Industries, a next-generation defense technology and manufacturing company that's dedicated to redefining the future of modern combat through their hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and drone defense systems. A 21-year-old MIT dropout, Ethan left higher learning in 2023 after receiving a Thiel Fellowship from tech startup investor Peter Thiel (as well as placing on Forbes 30 under 30 list) to pursue working at MACH full-time. Considered by some to be a modern tech savant who shares the stage with the likes of Elon Musk or Marvel's fictional billionaire Tony Stark, Ethan's goal is to create more cost-effective and efficient defense systems by replacing traditional munitions with hydrogen-powered alternatives. He's also attracted significant attention for his work at the Department of Defense, with his innovative approach to crafting weapons systems like Viper, Glide, and Stratus leading some to believe that MACH may very well be rewriting the rulebook when

Clint Emerson is a retired DEVGRU Navy SEAL, bestselling author, media personality, and the #1 crisis management professional you want in your corner when things go awry. As an operative within the elite SEAL Team 6, Clint served in various combat zones executing high-stakes missions including against Somali Pirates, Al Qaeda Leaders, and other covert operations. And he's a returning guest to the podcast as well - a personal friend of Mike's outside the studio, familiar fans will recognize Clint from his previous appearances alongside the likes of Shane Hiatt and Clark Impastato. But lately, Clint's been working on something new - a state-of-the-art crisis management and risk mitigation company called 'Escape The Wolf' that's been making worldwide waves in the private security sector due to Clint's emphasis on providing actionable information on insecure corporate buildings, file systems, and even employees - all obtained by breaking into multi-billion dollar corporations in the dead of night, among other m

Jared Hudson is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and law enforcement officer. He served as a SEAL Operator and sniper with Naval Special Warfare and was deployed multiple times to a variety of combat zones in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. During his service, he earned numerous accolades, including multiple Navy, Marine Corps, and Army Commendation Medals for Valor, as well as multiple Navy, Marine Corps, and Army Achievement Medals, highlighting his exceptional bravery and commitment to duty. Since then, Jared's founded Covenant Rescue Group, a nonprofit that combats human trafficking and child exploitation, along with a tactical training company called The Shooting Institute, a destination for excellence and expertise in tactical training for law enforcement, military, civilians, and more. He's also a proud father of three and a devout follower of Christ. Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop

As the youngest Special Forces Captain in Vietnam, Bill 'Hawk' Albracht faced overwhelming odds at Firebase Kate, leading a daring escape after five brutal days under siege. His incredible leadership and courage in the jungle are legendary, and his story is immortalized in his memoir, "Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate." After his time in combat, Bill served 25 years as a U.S. Secret Service Agent, protecting multiple U.S. Presidents and navigating the high-stakes world of national security. In this episode, we dive deep into the intense battle at Firebase Kate and the brutal realities of jungle warfare, Bill's transition from Green Beret to the Secret Service and first-hand stories of protecting U.S. Presidents. Don’t miss this incredible conversation about survival, leadership, and service. Like + Subscribe to the Mike Drop Podcast to Support the Show & Guests at http://youtube.com/@MikeRitland?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Earl

Addiction, destruction, and warrior mentality with former Delta Force Special Operator Tyler Grey. Grey is a distinguished Army veteran who served with the 75th Ranger Regiment and has since found success in the entertainment world on the hit TV series 'SEAL Team' and 'Suicide Squad'. Tyler and Mike are joined by Lauren Ungeldi, best-selling author and speaker, who's history of collaborating with high-profile politicians, war heroes, doctors and media figures has led her to helping shape the stories of countless decorated veterans like Tyler. Grey’s upcoming book, 'Forged in Chaos', dives deep into the center of what he calls "Chaos Addiction" - the constant need for self-destruction that so many members of our military face. Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop ---------- Support Tyler Grey - Website: https://greymancoaching.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewarriorclassbook/ Instagram: https://www.instagra

Dr. Matteo Capodaglio is a performance nutrition coach who specializes in working with elite athletes. He is the founder of CAPONUTRITION, a company that provides tailored nutrition coaching to athletes from a variety of disciplines, including ADCC and IBJJF champions, UFC title contenders, NHL and NFL players, professional motorcycle racers, and Rugby 15 national team members. Over the course of his career, Dr. Capodaglio has worked with the likes rising UFC Lightweight Division Star Arman Tsarukyan, BJJ World Champion Dante Leon, and UFC Middleweight contender Marvin Vettori. Dr. Capodaglio's approach to nutrition is based on evidence-based science, and he emphasizes the importance of food in both athletic performance and overall well-being. He believes that athletes should enjoy their food, and he incorporates elements of Italian cuisine into his coaching. So what's the secret to eating well, long-term, without losing the flavors and varieties that make food so enjoyable? Let's ask Dr. Capodaglio. Subs

Hollie McKay is an Australian born journalist who formerly worked for Fox News. She is a national bureau correspondent covering national and international news from Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, Myanmar and Ukraine. She's also a return guest to the Mike Drop Podcast - previously Hollie joined the show on Episode 69 to talk about her time covering the war-torn Iraq/Syria region in the Middle East in her book 'Only Cry for the Living' along with Episode 81, where she walked us through daily happenings of the Taliban as they rapidly gained ground in the Middle East. But Hollie's latest travels have surfaced new world crises - since she last joined the program, she's traveled through Sudan covering U.S. involvement in a number of global conflicts, along with having covered new bioweapon threats through fentanyl-laced weapons in Iran. Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop ---------- Support

When Ret. Master Sergeant Darrell Utt set his sights on joining the legendary Green Berets, he could never have anticipated the journey that would take him to the heart of Baghdad during one of the deadliest periods of the war in Iraq. Known for his tactical acumen and strategic thinking, Utt's leadership at 10th Special Forces Group was pivotal during his '06-'07 deployments. Over the course of his ten combat deployments, Utt earned five Bronze Star Medals, one with valor for heroism in Baghdad (2006), and the Larry Thorne Award for best operational detachment. In his hard-hitting memoir, 'Grit to Glory: A Green Beret's Journey from West Virginia to the Streets of Baghdad' Utt revisits his journey through the treacherous streets of Baghdad during his 2006 rotation as the team sergeant of ODA 043 - recounting eight months of brutal unconventional warfare and revealing the raw realities of combat. Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com