Mentors for Military Podcast

EP-409 | Matt Hill - Damn the Valley: A Paratrooper’s Helmand Story

Matt Hill recounts his 21-year Army career, from growing up an Army brat, joining the Army after high school, early deployments in Bosnia and Kosovo, to the 2003 Iraq invasion and multiple tours in Afghanistan, including intense combat in Helmand’s Arghandab River Valley.
The episode covers life at Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, serving in the 82nd Airborne and in SFAB (Security Force Assistance Brigades), leadership as a first sergeant, the challenges of long deployments, and adjusting to civilian life while supporting family and fellow veterans. This episode is packed.
Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-408 | Todd Ehrlich, From BUD/S to Boardroom: A SEAL's Journey into Business & Venture Capital

Former Navy SEAL Todd shares his path from intense SEAL training and deployments to corporate security, entrepreneurship, and venture investing in defense tech.
The episode covers BUD/s stories, transitions to civilian life, founding businesses (including Kill Cliff), supporting the Navy SEAL Foundation, and practical career advice for veterans.
Todd also discusses mentorship, networking, and why combining tenacity with curiosity can lead to success in business and giving back to the military community.
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.
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EP-407 | Jason Belford, U.S. Army Ranger: The War Inside Me

Jason Belford, a former Ranger, shares his journey from intense military service and personal losses to suicidal ideation, rehab, and spiritual awakening. He recounts a vivid near‑death experience, the therapies and support that helped him heal, and his ongoing work—counseling, equine therapy, and a forthcoming book—to help others understand that it’s okay to not be okay.
Jason Belford spent 20 years in the U.S. Army, and he gave nearly 17 years to the war in Afghanistan as an infantryman, sniper, platoon sergeant and Army Ranger. He went on 12 deployments to the country and to Iraq as a member of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and the 10th Mountain Divisions. 
Jason has been not only a guest on this podcast multiple times, but he has also been a cohost on this show, having helped cohost shows for about a year many years ago. He and Robert have stayed in touch, but recently bumped into one another at the airport in Pittsburgh. They hugged and talked. They instantly knew that another episode was needed.
While cohosting years back, Jason had openly talked about how he attempted to take his own life and had hoped that it would help others. He shared the story of how his friend Dave helped him during that time of need. 
Years later, in 2022, the world was crumbling around him. A number of different events created the perfect storm. Dark clouds. Robert was checking up on him and he was told that Jason was going to be out of the net for a while. He was going to get some help. Jason shares on this episode the events that led up to that moment and what he did after to receive help. He shares his spiritual journey and his story will leave you speechless.
We couldn't be more happier to see Jason back in studio with us at Mentors4mil. He's been an inspiration for so many while he was in uniform and since he's left service. He continues to deal with his demons daily. He has accepted the fact that it will take daily work to fight what he calls "the war inside me". 
Jason's book, 'The War Inside Me' will be out soon.
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Opening music, "Sad Slow Orchestra" is by Ribhav Agrawal on PixabayIntro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-406 | A New Year: Venezuela, Glitter, and then Turning 49 and Owning It

The hosts share New Year stories—turning 49, a glittery Bath & Body Works mishap,  and recent trips that they took over the holidays.
They also unpack the fast-moving reaction to a U.S. operation in Venezuela, discuss geopolitical moves in places like Greenland and the Arctic, and warn about the pitfalls of instant social media narratives.
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#drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-405 | Shawn Robertson - Humble Climb, Forged Leader

This episode follows Sean Robertson’s journey from a junior enlisted soldier in Georgia to a commissioned officer and leader—driven by the Green to Gold program, mentorship, and relentless self-improvement.
Sean overcomes barriers including low test scores and a diagnosed heart murmur, leverages mentors and education (University of Hawaii, Columbia, Naval War College), and serves in key assignments from the 173rd Airborne to the NSA and West Point.
He shares lessons on leadership, the importance of mentors like Sergeant Snabel, the concept of “camouflage leadership,” and how persistence, humility, and giving back shaped his career.
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#drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-404 | From Climbing Walls to Ranger Glory: Luke Ebeling’s Gritty Journey

Luke Ebeling shares his journey from Colorado climber and college ROTC cadet to serving in Alaska, joining the Ranger Regiment, winning the Best Ranger Competition, and transitioning to civilian life.
He discusses mentorship, endurance-focused training, balancing family with military ambition, and founding Atlas Training Solutions to help others prepare for demanding selections and build tactical endurance.
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#drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-403 | AI on the Battlefield: Who Pulls the Trigger?

This episode explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare — from ISR, targeting, drone swarms and decision support to the ethical risks of losing human control.
Guests share lessons from Ukraine and the Pacific, discuss limits like range and networks, and stress modernization, industry partnerships, and why leadership and soldiering fundamentals remain essential.
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#drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-402 | Alfred Brenner: I Felt Like I Was Dying - A Marine K-9 Handler’s True Story

In this episode Alfred recounts his unexpected journey into the Marines, training as a K-9 handler, and the harrowing experience of an IED explosion in Afghanistan that cost him his dog, Grief, and left him seriously wounded. He shares the chaos of combat, the bond between handler and dog, and the long road of recovery.
Alfred also reflects on recruitment, boot camp, canine school, the losses among his unit, the healing power of reunions, and his decision to write Surviving with Grief to honor those who cannot speak for themselves.
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#marine #usmc #caninehandler #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-401 | Zahraa’s Escape from Iraq to Freedom and the U.S. Army

In this episode, Zahraa shares her harrowing journey growing up in a strict village in Iraq, her decision to flee at 19, and a violent attack that led to an unexpected rescue by American soldiers at Baghdad International Airport.
She explains how faith and chance carried her through, her arrival in the United States, learning English, pursuing engineering studies, and ultimately joining the U.S. Army where she rose through the ranks as an enlisted cavalry scout and now as an officer in flight school who found purpose serving others.
Zahraa reflects on gratitude, the people who helped her, the losses that motivate her, and her commitment to inspire and protect other women and girls facing similar dangers. She is a proud American and also shares how fortunate Americans are to live in this country.
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#zahraaleonhardt #escapefromiraq #iraqwar #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-400 | Reflecting on Our Roots and the Impact - Celebrating Our Journey and Community

Episode 400 celebrates the podcast’s origin and impact: founders and early guests recount how honest, living-room conversations grew into a show focused on transition, purpose, PTSD, and real solutions. The episode revisits pivotal stories, treatments like stellate ganglion blocks, and the raw, organic approach that built an engaged community. Hosts invite listener topics and preview upcoming episodes while thanking supporters for helping the show reach this milestone.
A huge thank you to everyone who has listened and who follows us.
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-399 | Larry Perino, Never Leave a Fallen Comrade: A Ranger’s Account of Mogadishu

A Ranger recounts the sudden shift from training to chaos after the “boom” — helicopters struck, smoke and gunfire, and a race through Mogadishu to extract teammates. They focused on the Ranger Creed.
The episode traces Colonel Larry Perino's (then Lieutenant) path from West Point and Ranger training to Task Force Ranger in Somalia, describing fast‑rope assaults, ambushes, downed aircraft, and the desperate vehicle and foot exfil under heavy fire.
He reflects on the losses, survivor’s guilt, the duty to remember fallen comrades, and how the experience shaped leadership and care for soldiers afterward. 
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#taskforceranger #160thsoar #operationgothicserpent #armyrangers #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/

EP-398 | Gerry Izzo, Night Stalkers: Inside Black Hawk Down - A Pilots Perspective (Super 65)

Gerry Izzo recounts his journey from a Long Island upbringing to becoming a 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) Night Stalker pilot, describing training, combat missions in Grenada and Panama, and the harrowing Operation Gothic Serpent and Task Force Ranger, the Black Hawk Down operation in Mogadishu that is known for the movie by the same name.
Listen as Gerry describes the battle in Mogadishu from his perspective as the pilot of 160th SOAR Super 65 as never heard before. 
The episode explores leadership, fear, survivor guilt, and the bonds forged in combat, offering firsthand lessons on courage, professionalism, and resilience.
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#taskforceranger #160thsoar #operationgothicserpent #armyrangers #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary
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Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission.Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/