Special Operations: Espionage, Covert Ops, and Team House Stories

Dave Fielding, author of "Into the Darkness," served in Special Forces Group, then became an Army intelligence officer.

### "From the Special Forces Pipeline to Combat Deployments: A Soldier's Journey"
* 🎖 Dave Fielding, author of "Into the Darkness," recounts his military journey, starting with his **grandfather's service in the British Pathfinder group during WWII**.
* 🔒 Inspired by his family's military history, Fielding pursued a career in Special Forces, starting with the **18X program**.
* 🏋 Fielding's training included the grueling **ASOT course** and deployments to Australia for **Talisman Saber exercises**.
* 🕷 Fielding's first real combat deployment was to the Philippines, supporting Filipino special forces in their fight against **insurgents in Zamboanga**.
* 👥 Fielding worked closely with legendary Filipino Special Forces commander Danny Pamon, known as the **"Hero of Zamboanga."**
* 🦘 Fielding also collaborated with **Australian SAS and US Special Forces units** during this deployment.
* 🏆 Fielding's experiences in the Philippines helped shape his **confidence and skills** as a Special Forces soldier.
* 💬 Fielding's story highlights the **challenges and rewards of military service**, from training to combat deployments.

### From Green Beret to Spy: A Unique Career Transition
* 🎖 ️ After years of intense combat deployments as a Green Beret, the narrator transitions to a **covert intelligence role**, seeking a **more stable career path**.
* 🕵 The new job involves high-risk human intelligence operations, with the instructor bluntly stating, "**What you're about to learn to do is a felony or capital crime in every country you're doing this in**."
* 🧠 The book delves into the mental health challenges of this career shift, exploring the **internal dialogue and coping mechanisms** required for such a drastic change.
* 💼 The narrator's perspective on the new role is unique, as he views himself as the one "**figuring out which door to kick in**" rather than the one kicking it in, a shift from his direct action focus in the Special Forces.
* 🌐 The job requires **extreme entrepreneurial skills**, with the narrator often working alone in strategic and operational roles, even during deployments to Iraq and Syria.
* 👥 The career path is unconventional, as the narrator is still rated as a Special Forces NCO while transitioning to this **covert intelligence role**.
* 👀 The book also touches on the dichotomy between "**Ops guys**" and those who prefer the **softer skills and leadership aspects** of intelligence work.
* 🔍 The narrator's experience highlights the **challenges and rewards** of transitioning from a combat-focused role to a more **covert and strategic intelligence position**.

### The Complexities of a Spy's Personal and Professional Life
* 🕵 A former CIA operative shares the challenges of balancing **personal relationships** with a demanding career in the intelligence community.
* 🏛 The spy's "operating directive" covered a **vast array of intelligence needs**, requiring collaboration with various agencies and **adapting to different levels of operation**.
* 💔 Personal sacrifices, including a **failed marriage**, led to **internal conflicts** and **emotional struggles**.
* 🏃 The spy faced a pivotal moment during an ultramarathon training session, contemplating **divorce while running through the woods**.
* 👥 A surprising revelation from a friend about their gender identity prompted the spy to reflect on **authenticity and happiness**.
* 💼 The spy's next relationship, with a supervisor, led to a **complex web of deception**, including **creating a fake girlfriend** to maintain cover.
* ✈ Despite personal turmoil, the spy was deployed to Iraq, where they **embraced the intensity of counterterrorism operations**.
* ⚖ Ultimately, the spy made a difficult decision to settle their divorce, sacrificing a **significant amount of money** to move forward.

### The Highs and Lows of Military Deployment: From Exhilaration to Despair
* 🎖 The speaker recounts a "**bougiest deployment**" experience, with personal living quarters and three meals a day, a stark contrast to typical Special Forces deployments where soldiers must **fend for themselves**.
* 💔 Despair sets in as personal issues compound, including relationship struggles and a **near-suicidal episode** triggered by a **perceived romantic rejection**.
* 🎯 Despite personal challenges, the speaker's professional expertise shines during a critical operation, contributing to the **successful targeting of Qasem Soleimani**.
* 🌐 The Soleimani operation leads to **increased tensions**, including a subsequent **ballistic missile attack** on the speaker's base and the discovery of a traitorous interpreter, "Edith," who had been **leaking classified information to Iran**.
* 🏠 Returning home to a COVID-19 lockdown, the speaker faces a new battle with mental health, but for the first time, he shows **self-compassion** and commits to **facing his struggles directly**.
* 📚 The experience prompts the speaker to write a book, aiming to **support fellow Green Berets and military personnel dealing with mental health challenges post-deployment**.
* 🔒 The story highlights the **complex interplay between personal and professional challenges** in military deployments, and the **long-lasting impact** these experiences can have on individuals' mental health.

### Combatting Mental Health Stigma in Special Operations: A Personal Journey
* 💔 The interviewee shares his personal struggle with mental health issues, including **suicidal ideation**, in the high-stress environment of special operations.
* 🎖 The conversation touches on the challenges faced by military personnel in seeking mental health support, particularly in elite units where **stigma is prevalent**.
* 📚 The interviewee discusses his book, "Into the Darkness," which delves into his experiences and aims to **raise awareness about mental health issues** in the special operations community.
* 👥 The importance of **recognizing warning signs and providing support to colleagues in crisis** is highlighted, with examples of **tragic outcomes when this support is lacking**.
* 💪 Strategies for coping with mental health challenges are discussed, including the role of exercise in providing "**dopamine hits**" and **boosting confidence**.
* 🧠 The interviewee emphasizes the importance of **self-reflection and seeking help**, despite the stigma, to address **negative self-talk and trauma**.
* 🏋 The role of physical fitness in mental health is underscored, with exercise described as a **key component** of the interviewee's coping strategy.
* 📖 The interviewee's journey of self-discovery and healing is ongoing, with a message of **resilience** and the importance of **continuous learning and growth**.

An Army Unit More Secretive Than Task Force Orange?  | Dave Fielding | Ep. 287

The Team House

The Team House Episode 287: Interview with Dave Fielding

Dave Fielding, author of Into the Darkness, shares his family's military history dating back to his grandfather's service in the Marine Corps and Royal Air Force during World War II.

His grandfather was part of the Pathfinder group, got shot down, and was captured, but survived.

He was liberated by the Russians and his story got lost over time.

Embracing a Legacy of Hardship and Mentorship

The speaker's grandfather's larger-than-life legacy inspired them to pursue challenging experiences from a young age, leading to a passion for pushing their limits.

This mentality guided them through Boy Scouts, a military college camp, and eventually into the military, influenced by a Special Forces mentor.

Despite this path, they ultimately transitioned to a career in New York City's advertising industry, feeling a shift from their previous hardworking lifestyle.

A former infantry officer describes his journey from the military to Special Forces.

After a powerful experience at Ground Zero, he was inspired to join the 18 X-ray program for Special Forces.

His training was intense, including challenging experiences during the Q course, but he found a sense of belonging and fulfillment in Special Forces.

Experiencing the Commando Mission in Afghanistan

A staff sergeant's remarkable leadership and competence significantly impacted the Commando mission in Afghanistan.

The intense and humbling experience of transitioning from a new member to a senior leader in the team.

The challenging and life-threatening situations faced during the unconventional warfare exercise in Australia, including encounters with dangerous wildlife, created unforgettable and humorous memories for the team.

The Heroic Leadership of Danny Pomic in the Filipino Special Forces

Danny Pomic, a legendary figure in the Filipino special forces community, led a successful mission to defeat 300 Abu Sayyaf fighters who were terrorizing the city of Zamboanga.

He demonstrated exceptional leadership and determination during the intense and challenging battle.

Pomic's decision to prioritize the safety of his men, even in the face of pressure to continue the mission, reflected his deep sense of responsibility and care for his team.

Providing Medical Support in a Military Mission

A Green Beret discusses his experience providing medical support during a mission, showcasing the human side of being in the Special Forces.

He describes treating a driver with a gunshot wound and the challenges of stabilizing his condition for medevac.

The Green Beret emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with host nations for successful operations, highlighting the significance of emotional intelligence and rapport in the Special Forces.

Training and Implementing Intelligence Operations in the Philippines

A former Green Beret discusses his experience training the Philippine National Police Force in intelligence operations.

He talks about the impact of ISIS in the Philippines and the efforts to counter their influence.

The success of the training led to the Philippine forces taking down an ISIS target, with a positive response from the higher military command.

Transition from Special Forces to Intelligence Operations

A former Special Forces member was enticed by the idea of becoming a case officer for intelligence operations.

Despite initial plans to leave the army, he was drawn to the unconventional and exciting nature of the new career path.

His transition led to quick advancement and unexpected opportunities in the world of human intelligence operations.

Experiencing Spy Training and Transitioning to a High-Stress Career

The speaker shares his experience of transitioning from special forces to spy training and then to a high-stress career, emphasizing the mental health aspects and internal dialogue.

He highlights the shift from a direct action role to being the one who conducts intelligence, reflecting on the different motivations of individuals in the field.

In his role, there is a focus on entrepreneurial problem-solving, working with various agencies to address tactical intelligence needs with strategic impact.

Struggling with Personal and Professional Sacrifices

The individual in the book "Into the Darkness" discusses making sacrifices for their personal life while pursuing a career in intelligence.

Despite their commitment to stability and starting a family, they face unexpected challenges and a potential divorce.

A surprising revelation from a friend further complicates their internal struggle with identity and happiness.

Struggles with Divorce and New Relationships

A former spy reflects on the personal struggles of going through a divorce during his intensive training.

The high divorce rate in special operations and the intelligence community is highlighted, showing the commonality of this experience.

The individual also discusses getting into a new and intense relationship after his divorce, emphasizing the challenges of starting over.

A man recounts his secret relationship with his supervisor, leading to a web of deception and espionage.

To maintain the relationship, he goes to great lengths, including bringing in a friend to pose as his girlfriend.

The elaborate ruse involves training the friend, creating cover stories, and even fooling his suspicious roommate.

Struggles with a Stressful Relationship, Divorce, and Sudden Deployment

The individual is dealing with a stressful relationship, a difficult divorce, and the sudden pressure of being deployed to Iraq and Syria.

Despite making significant sacrifices for the relationship, they are facing insecurity and instability.

The deployment involves high-stakes work capturing ISIS and al-Qaeda leadership, marking a significant shift in their career.

Experiencing the Struggles of a Stressful Deployment

The speaker describes the intense emotional and physical challenges of their deployment, including the relentless nature of counterterrorism operations and the contrast between their previous deployment experiences.

They also express the impact of a difficult long-distance relationship on their mental state during the deployment, leading to overwhelming feelings of self-doubt and despair.

The culmination of these struggles almost led to a tragic outcome, highlighting the profound toll that such experiences can take on individuals.

A military personnel grapples with personal despair but finds solace in focusing on the mission.

Despite personal struggles, the individual throws themself into work, ultimately finding purpose and making impactful contributions to their team.

The intense and rapid-paced nature of the work takes a toll, leading to exhaustion and emotional strain.

The Targeting and Elimination of Kasem Soleimani

A group of soldiers successfully targeted and took down Kasem Soleimani at the Baghdad International Airport.

The operation was a significant achievement, as Soleimani was considered more impactful than Bin Laden and Baghdadi combined in terms of the suffering he caused.

The event also led to subsequent heroics in ensuring safety and involved a key interpreter, Edith, who played a crucial role in the operations.

A missile, different from what was expected, was launched at the base in Herat and then at Al Assad, causing panic and a realization of going to war.

The team was shocked to discover their CAT III interpreter, Edith, was betraying them by transmitting classified information to the Iranians.

The interviewee reflects on the effectiveness and strategy of the Iranian general, Solomani, emphasizing the need to study and understand the foe objectively.

Struggling with Mental Health After Deployment

A Green Beret soldier battles with mental health issues after returning from deployment, feeling isolated and struggling with suicidal thoughts.

He finds compassion for himself and uses fitness as a way to cope with his mental health, while also witnessing the suicide of a colleague and feeling let down by the military's response.

The Stigma Around Mental Health in High-Pressure Jobs

Employees in high LEL positions are often afraid to seek mental health support due to the fear of losing their security clearance and job.

There is a need to change the culture of punishing individuals for seeking help and instead reward and support those who uncover and reveal mental health issues in the workplace.

The lack of leadership and camaraderie in high-pressure units contributes to the stigma around mental health, creating a challenging environment for those who are struggling.

Struggling with Self-Identity and Mental Health in the Military

The speaker's book was motivated by the suicide of a friend and his own struggles with self-identity and despair, leading to a realization of the importance of owning one's struggles.

He emphasizes the impact of trauma and negative self-talk on mental health, especially in the high-stress environment of military service.

The speaker highlights the ongoing nature of the healing journey and the significance of physical exercise in managing internal struggles.

Adopting a warrior mindset requires having mentors and being resilient in the face of challenges.

The importance of practical skills and being true to oneself is crucial in embracing the warrior ethos.

Training and discipline are essential in developing the mental and physical toughness of a warrior.

The speaker discusses the importance of constantly learning and growing for a more lethal mind.

He also shares a humorous anecdote from his time in the car with fellow soldiers.

The conversation touches on the book "Into the Darkness" and encourages people to check it out on Amazon.