Combat Story (Ep 16): Thom Shea Navy SEAL | SEAL Sniper | Silver Star | Author | Entrepreneur
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- Thom Shea is a retired Navy SEAL, sniper, and Senior Chief who served with and led SEALs in multiple combat tours from Kosovo to Iraq to Afghanistan, including brutal fighting in Helmand Province for which he was awarded the Silver Star.
During this fighting, not only was he leading other SEALs through some of the most challenging combat engagements of our time, but he also had a fascinating sniper on sniper engagement in which he went up against a very accurate and capable foreign fighter sniper.
After Afghanistan, Thom oversaw the famed SEAL Sniper course. Since leaving the SEALs, Thom and his wife Stacy conduct intensive leadership events for fortune 500 companies. He has written two books, including an incredible memoir (Unbreakable) that gives a firsthand account of the life of a SEAL in combat.
His books and this interview are chalked full of lessons for leaders and soldiers alike. If you enjoyed Todd Opalski’s interview, you’re going to love Thom’s story and way of life.
You can find Thom at:
Unbreakable Leadership - (www.unbreakableleadership.com)
Instagram - frogmanout ( / frogmanout )
Facebook - Thom Shea ( / thom.shea.9 )
Books:
Unbreakable - (www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Na...)
Three Simple Things - (tinyurl.com/5695v5hk)
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
2:16 - Starting out. Unbreakable.
3:40 - Growing up hunting, trapping, and outside in one of the ‘best times to be a kid in America’ making $6K at 9 years old.
9:09 - Training SEAL Snipers. Half arrived never having touched a gun, which is good for shooting.
11:41 - Thom comes from a “horrifically military” family drawing a veteran lineage through to the beginnings of America.
14:33 - How to deal with failing out of West Point and following a dream to become a SEAL rather than following someone else’s path.
18:15 - Perseverance in fighting to become a SEAL and failing BUDS four times.
23:45 - “Oh, you failed again,” from family after failing out of BUDS.
28:42 - If you ever failed in what you believe is your dream or been told no and need some inspiration to keep going, listen to this. After having failed out four times from BUDS, Thom would sit in the Admiral’s office for his lunch break for TWO years to request authorization to return. He eventually completed Class 207.
32:20 - What is the “Internal Dialogue” and why is it important? When you do difficult things, it’s not about how hard the thing is, but how you beat yourself down in the process.
38:32 - First experience in combat is the beginning of the air war in Kosovo doing a rescue as an E-5 SEAL Team 2 Sniper to rescue Chris Hill, the U.S. Ambassador in Macedonia. Described as a ‘comical series of the dumbest things that could possibly happen.’
42:18 - First time seeing the ‘atrocities of war.’
45:07 - What does it mean to be a “breacher” on a SEAL team?
47:08 - First trigger pull and kill in combat was described rather ‘insignificant’ and felt like training.
51:07 - Thom’s most difficult deployment was in 2009 when he was an E-7 Chief.
51:50 - Extremely interesting decision when offered to lead either a perfect group of operators or a group that hated each other and couldn’t work together.
53:51 - How, as a leader, to grow and give a chance to someone who didn’t fit in before.
1:02:27 - Six MH-47s dropped 200 Special Operations and Special Forces into a single battle in Afghanistan.
1:09:57 - In the last moments that you live, you realize needing and being needed by others when you have nothing left.
1:12:36 - The A-10 is ‘the greatest combat machine in the history of combat machines.’
1:14:20 - How leadership can help operators after having lived through hell and killing 200+ Taliban.
1:16:02 - The fundamentals and keys to lead small teams in combat. The human connection. “You don’t know what’s going to happen to the mind.”
1:20:00 - The importance of a can of Copenhagen and the little things that get you through hard times.
1:22:53 - If you’re a small unit leader, particularly an officer, this is one segment you should listen to. What makes a great Lieutenant (LT) coming from an old crusty SEAL?
1:31:50 - Sniper-on-Sniper engagement. A battle within a battle.
1:39:35 - Description of Three Simple Things, Thom’s new book about how to improve your life.
1:41:36 - The original title for Unbreakable was Spartan Wife and as Thom describes, “women make men.”
1:44:01 - Was there something you carried into combat that meant something to you?
1:44:41 - Would you do it all again?
dude if this guy killed 65 in Kosovo, he must have killed a shit ton of bad guys in the middle east... This guy is a fuckin badass, insane theatres of war he has been in & all the missions. Wow, what a stud.
I'm as sharp as a bowling ball. Never graduated high school but rose to the rank of assistant chief in the California Fire Service, not because of my book smarts(which I have none) but my desire to succeed and be the best firefighter I could be. Others take notice and follow those who lead naturally. God gave me the gift of common sense and I used it everyday. I tip my helmet to those who never quit or over think!
There is more than one type of intelligence, and you clearly are intelligent, or you would not hold that position. Never undersell yourself to yourself, and don't compare yourself to those who max the books.
Data boy! Thanks for your service!!!
Overthinking is something I don’t think we have to worry about with society today 😂😂😂😂😂 these people are about as dumb as they come,,,,, really really embarrassing to be a part of this society, no class, no drive, no common sense, no intelligence and all they do is think about themselves,,,,, instead of bitching what can I do to change things you ask!??? Ha funny you ask, one has to help themselves before they can get helped like I said no common sense
😊
Common sense isn't that common. Just observe how some people drive.
It is coming up on 51 years ago, when a 5 or 6 man team of SEAL went out one night on a sneak and peek mission, and because of the intel they got that night, I am still here. Not all missions were "guns blazing and bodies piling up". They have balls of titanium and are the premier warriors in our military. God bless every one of them, particularly those who gave their lives.
I agree, I was in Ramadi Iraq and we were clearing houses to turn them into COPs. There were a lot of people involved. We had engineers out there setting up barricades and truck drivers bringing in concrete Jersey barriers . Anyway the SEALs were our overwatch and as we fought house to house they sniped people off and had our backs. They actually made a movie about one of the guys up there the infamous Chris Kyle. Jocko willink was their commander and I remember seeing him around our main camp, I never saw or met Chris that I remember, but that was the team we worked with/around. In fact when they moved to a different camp we took the little ‘house’ they were staying in and they gave me a few really cool satellite maps of the area that I still have. We were at camp corrigadore witch was a tiny shit hole. Just big enough for our gun trucks and the 1AD had about half a dozen or so M1 Tanks there. There was a few buildings that we lived in , plus the command building and a little chow hall that had holes in the roof from mortars they fired at us. They staggered chow times to help w that, but you are and got out! Haha. It has a little wall that runs around it but on the other side was the city so it was a dangerous place to stay. Had to wear your body armor any time you stepped out of a building. We would sit outside on these empty cases that the 120mm mortars came in and smoke cigarettes and drink red bulls and they would try and take pot shots at us.. ah good times.. shit sorry for rambling. Thanks for your service!
@@derekrohan9619 That's no ramble. Most of us have stories, and most of those stories do not get told, or told to very many. I was what was dismissively called a "Remington Raider" as I was a Sp5 intel wonk on an Army airbase. And then got home and was called (screamed at) a baby killer. All fun and games. Thank you for stepping up as no one has the draft nipping at their heels.
110
Failed B.U.D.S 4 times, what a loser.....
In al seriousness, what a true American badass - amazing podcast.
Really appreciate it! And I agree, a real badass.
Of all the pod cast interviews I’ve watched or listen to. This one it by far the best. Honest to the point without all the chest pounding seen in many interviews. Exemplary example of a Leader. Thanks to all our Veterans 🇺🇸
"I think the 1970s early eighties were the best time to be an American kid growing up" been there, done that, got the t-shirt and flatly agree:-)
“I appreciate any opportunity to improve somebody’s life.”
I mean, there it is right there. Proper.
This is probably one of the best interviews I've ever seen. Well done Sir.
I stayed in Toms childhood house with my wife a couple years ago. His mom had turned it into a bed and breakfast. It was here that his first book was introduced to me! So this interview is the first time I’ve ever seen or heard Tom. Very well done interview! I watched the whole thing. Such a great example of exceptional leadership!
I’d like to tell you about me the best years of my life growing up were the late 50s and all of the 60s. I had a great wife and she made me a mature man. We were married for 46 wonderful years and then she passed away from cancer. She gave me two beautiful children.God bless everyone.
Can Ryan Fugit do an interview with Ryan Fugit? I wanna hear his story.
For real. I would love Cia stories too. Idk if they change it all, or use covers. Just talk tactics and logistics.
Please Gentlemen...yes
You would only get to hear half the story
I was literally trying to find an interview of him earlier we need one
Shrek did one. Check it out... Ryan is as humble as these other warriors and one helluva patriotic American!
Great stuff here. I was a lowly USMC reservist in the mid 1980’s, an 0331 (M-60 gunner) but I was a good shooter, received the Leatherneck Marksmanship award, and was an honor grad and promoted meritoriously to PFC out of boot camp. I was offered a slot (the only slot open among 400+ guys) to go to sniper school but I turned it down as soon as I heard it required jumping out of perfectly good aircraft. (Plus I had met the woman I ended up marrying and having two kids with) I did do a 3 week training with the 19th Special Forces group out of Camp Dawson, WVa in 1988 and being around those guys made me regret not going on to try to become a USMC sniper. In any case, I love what you’re doing here. Listening to some of these guys stories is like listening to the story of my own “pre Parris Island” life-growing up hunting and shooting and running trap lines and all that stuff we did back in the seventies and early eighties-before computers and social media and all this stuff that I think has turned the America I knew into a country where those people who control the means of communicating, hold all the power. That was a very long-winded way of say THANK YOU for all the work you do to record these stories. It’s become my favorite channel on UA-cam-by far. Semper Fi from Ohio.
GUNS UP
@@lancet.346 That’s the call! I had a mini-flashback! 👍😂
@@gregusmc2868 ..similar story...I being a teenage farm boy, ended up in Lebanon (twice), Grenada & NATO Europe 3 more years. Came back to southern Michigan farm living for over 34 yrs now.
WOW. Ryan, this may be the best interview yet … ordered Thom Shea’s book and can’t wait to start reading it. This is what leadership looks like. ❤️🇺🇸
thank you so much for your service tom , just buried my dad ww2 army air corp vetren 5 th airforce south pacific 97 years old god bless you all
God bless you family
God bless you Dad thank you for all his service may he rest in sorry for your loss you're my prayers and your r2 God bless America long live Republic
The greatest ERA OF LIFE. Late 70s mid 80s
Yes it was my friend. The absolute best. Too bad we’re ever gonna feel that way again. The smell of the baseball diamonds, meeting new friends and discovering girls. Taking “dad’s “ shotgun for a rabbit hunt. Having some Boone’s Farm wine after a Friday night football game. Gas was $1.50 or less. Cubs played at 1pm on channel 9 in the Summer afternoons. Sure miss those days bro....
Now, as we've matured . . . in our late 50's, early 60's, we've matured towards a leadership realm . . . and guide the direction that your team will evolve towards ! 🇺🇸
He is so nonchalant about such heroic things! True American hero!
Thom's awards have more Vs than a convent.
HAHA! That's for sure.
Failing anything, especially B.U.D.S that many times and having the courage to dust yourself off, pick yourself up, and fucking get it done is truly awesome!!! That's real shit right there... That's the difference between a weak man and a man of true strength... So cool...
And another awesome interview!!! Love your interviewing style and so far haven't watched a bad episode yet... Please keep them coming...
Someone who goes through that that many times is exceptional, and even if he ended up never passing, just attempting that many times is worthy of tremendous respect.
I had the privilege of knowing the Shea family as a youth. Our dads were classmates at USMA and we had many an Army vs Navy watching feasts at both our houses. Thom and my platoon of brothers would play "war" all day throughout the neighborhood into the night. We stayed with them in the old house in Indiana and canoed the river and played in the woods. I remember casting Thom's GI Joes out on fishing lines and reeling them back in over the roughest terrain we could find and scream out in laughter when they came back cranked out in odd contoured body positions. Exploring the hidden passageways in the old houses walls. Fun times indeed, those were good times! I've read his first book, a good read.
Absolute epitome of a true leader/hero! Thank You Thom Shea for all you have done!
This is an inspiring story. And the details are great. Ryan is a great interviewer.
Seals just have that swag that no one else has. It's like u could point one out of a crowd for sure
All of your interviews are fantastic. They are well structured and professional and all the people that you choose to interview are magnificent people. Keep up the strong work!
Thom Shea is a BEAST of a Navy Seal and a leader of men!! God Bless this man!
What a great podcast. One of my favorite interviews you've done. Thom is a fantastic American and seems like a hell of a leader.
I've watched tons of your videos from unit operators to A-10 pilots and this guy has the most amazing story!
Awesome interview. I am not in the military, however I have a son who is brilliant but experienced some life altering events the have given him PTSD. I am going to put this interview in his hands and get Thom’s book. Thank you brilliant interview. BTW it’s 4am and I could not stop this listening to this interview. Please have a part 2.
God bless the country boys! My dad was a trapper and I learned gun safety so young, I can't even remember.
One time my dad trapped a Mexican eagle in a trap and he got torn to shit letting it go. He told that bird, if I see you in a trap again, I will shoot you dead. Next week that bird was in the same trap, but he laid over and sat still and let my dad let him out.
My father taught me how to be patient and sit still as a 3 year old, while calling coyotes.
Great video with Thom. Buying his book. Thanks- first interview that I’ve seen where the professional operator doesn’t act like he was the best or slightly arrogant to his audience. My opinion.
Wow. This was amazing. Thank you Ryan for introducing me to this amazing American Warrior. I will definitely pick up his book as soon as I finish the John Chapman book I can't put down.
Dude was at BUDs so many times and for so long the instructors thought he was one of cadre,a true albatross .
Outstanding interview. Will share with my Grandson and Grandaughter. I was drafted along time ago, did 2 years, non combat. I was eighteen and learned a lot from senior non coms. Tom is a great American.
Thom is a legend! I worked with him just before he retired. Just a great soul, and incredible storyteller.
Great interview! Very interesting. Love that there’s someone out there capturing stories of warriors.
This is great! And thank you for your service!
I grew up in the 80s and early 90s and it also was a great time to be a kid in northern, Maine, anyways. Nowadays social media, cell phones, and the internet have destroyed being a kid in my opinion.
Hi Ryan, I don't usually subscribe to channels, let alone comment on them, but your content is just so good. Each interview i watch i think it can't get better, but then the next one is just as good. This is top class interviewing top class people. Love the channel, and thanks for what you're doing, getting this stuff out there for us!
Very incredible story. Thom thank you for protecting the American people. Thank you for risking your life. Thank you for being you. You are the best of the best.
Great interview Ryan, you are one of the best at interviewing hero’s. Thanks for your service Thom. Looking forward to reading your book.
A great interview, thank you. An amazing story from an amazing man, thank you for your service sir. God bless you all.
Ryan , I admire how you get the best speakers/ operators that every cast I’ve listened to has made me rethink life & say I’m that 40+ guy who’s pissed at the world & hate my life because I let a “B” talk me outta serving because a child was involved... I may not be making sense...lol but I learn so much from you & the amazing people I know that I could have been...😕
Thank you for your service!!! Unbelievable stories. God bless
Wow! What powerful experience and hard won leadership skills. Thank you for your dedication and service! I'm so glad you survived and are enlightening others to what you learned, the hard way.
Thanks to the both of you, i listen to it all. I grew up with two uncles a one star and a four star in the Navy and was always told that I should join. I have had a good life and still do at the are of 56. The only thing I regret is that I never joined the service. Thanks again.
Love your show man! Keep up the great work!
Amazingly good interview. So many of the questions that were asked were ones I was thinking of or very close to it. You've got an awesome thing going here, Mr. Fugit. Looking forward to many many more!
Wow! Insanely good stuff!! Extremely well done interview.
I'm 29mins in and Tom just made it to his 3rd hell week and now has a 2 yr wait for the next BUDS class and I'm just blown away at this man's drive to be a SEAl. To go thru 3 BUDS classes and go as far as he did to get hurt and sick to the pint he gets rolled and I can't imagine going thru all the torture of getting all the way to hell weekn3 tines and still have that hunger to go again. Tom is a machine and maybe the best story of someone doing whatever he had to to accomplish his extremely difficult dream that I bet 95% of men wouldn't ever be able to go through what he did and still want it so badly. I can't wait to hear the rest of his story!
Your interview style is fantastic. Very professional well prepared.Thankyou very enjoyable
Thank you for your service and sacrifices God Bless you America and your families 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you for your service,your a bad ass, what a life you lived.
Wow, Ryan, Tom Shea, what a fascinating perspective on battle and leadership. Wow.
Incredible interview! Please keep em coming!
Really appreciate it John. Got another in the works that I think you'll enjoy. Thanks for the support!
His book is really good and super motivational read it a couple years ago and love it.
One of my favorite interviews you've done.
What an amazing story and some fantastic life lessons. This channel is tragically undiscovered (probably not algorithm friendly), I really believe your channel has the potential to blow up.
What a great interview!!
Spot on with the women make men. Beautiful conversation. A lot of food for thought here.
Great podcast. Super humble man, no excuse giving, straight up!
I really admire this guy.
Indiana boy here !!! Its cool to hear this man talk about how everyone carried guns !!! I always had a rifle in my car and it was normal .. I had a .22 cal rifle at 7 years old, and i became very good with a rifle at a very young age. That was all their was to do in indiana in the winter was shoot and summer was fishing .
I love these. So much solid good info
Just came across your great channel! Loved and Subscribed!
Man what you said from 43 - 45 mins in made me feel real good about life brother cheers
I was in Marjah in 2010....as a First Class. I know some badass men during that time. Crazy times for sure
Keep these coming!
I wanna know who the 7 people who gave a thumbs down to this and ask them how it is to be in the Taliban. Jackasses
Loved this whole interview, one of my favorite lines though has to be when he referenced the SEAL Instructor saying: “Stop telling yourself anything.“ Golden. (36:30)
👍
Amazing video, thanks!
just found this channel, ty so much!
As usual another Dam good show man thanks
Man is this guy an absolutely incredible leader, its almost like leading is simply second nature to the way his brain works. And to think this guy had failed BUDS 4 times and could have easily never made it, just to think how many guys could have been killed if it wasnt for him making it into a leadership position to lead great warriors and make them into even better men and warriors. Ive never heard a guy who really mentally grasps the psychology of leading men so well, let alone men that are highly trained warriors, and is still so down to earth.
Great interview!
Dude really did buds 4/5 times this dude is the definition of never quitting
Awesome Story/Interview....
Thanks... Semper Fi GB
Really appreciate it!
Absofuckluty outstanding. Thanks for showing me the positive side of my failures that taught me how to achieve my successes.
Another superb interview
I wish the interview elaborated on TS' comment that humans want to die very quickly. I subscribed, I love that you have these interviews with such a clear mission.
I grew up during the 70s and had a shotgun in my truck, went dove hunting, duck hunting, or quail hunting after school all the time. Even went hunting with a shop teacher, and football coach a few times. Never recall anyone pulling a gun out for a fight or settle a score. Played football, I sucked, but those where the best years and cherish that I got to do all that growing up.
Sounds like you grew up in the Texas Hill Country.
That’s how it was in Ohio but kids in Bed Stuy or Compton pulled guns to settle scores.
You have got to have a great partner to get through those tough times, everyone needs someone to take care of them. IF you can get through the 1st 7 years and marriage, in which the fights are always about family, you are going to be together forever, like us, we got married on 10/09/1982 and are still together and love each other to this day, I didn't say we were high school sweethearts since 1976. She is still is my rock.
Manly men, very impressive. Keep being who you are.
Green beret will argue that SEALS are no comparison and their training is much longer. SEALS get to be in movies and get all the attention while the real silent professionals “green berets” continue to do their spec ops job silently. 🤷🏻♂️
Green Berets are force multipliers…they are expert door kickers…but that’s not their main mission…they train up indigenous forces…that’s their main mission…they are both tier 1 with different main objectives…
The only people who argue about "who's best" are civilians and POGs.
Best interview so far
Best UA-cam content for military mission stories in details
Much Respect sir.
“Tell me a hairy story on deployment”, well this guy I recruited , he was in medical hold, harriest dude ever.
Fucking epic interview! So badass that they went into so much detail about stuff most don't. good on ya 👊 💯
Great story from a great man
The deer hunting story is so true. Staying in a stand when you're miserable pays off if your in the right place.
Def right..called the golden 30 mins here in Nova Scotia lol...I even painted 2 pieces of plywood white and put them at my stand and the trail to get me 10 more mins of scope time lol..it works
@@vector1classified685 It never fails. Ten minutes after you leave the stand the antlers appear as evidenced on your trail cam.
@@peggybrown9694 like the saying goes..pics don't lie
for sure as a professional hunter and guide that says it all
It's absoutely thrilling as a civi to listen to these podcasts. I sit on the edge of my chair the whole time.
Thank you Sir and may G _ D Bless you
Thank you for your service ✝️✝️🇺🇸🇺🇸
Amen 🙏
33:38 wisdom that few learn. Thank you for sharing this with us. lts what i needed to change my outlook on things for the better.
Yes, the “internal dialogue”: whatever you tell yourself IS TRUE. Yes. Gospel.
Ooorah Chief, thanks for your service.
Great show, BZ.....Thanks
Awesome interview, there all good but some of them are off the charts . I liked the one with Todd Opalaski as well ..
Amazing Warrior!
America's finest! Individuals that make up the fabric of our country should be cherished.
I was born in 78' so I grew up in the 80's and 90's before the internet and smart phones 📱...We didn't have a TV until I was a junior in high school....Not for any reason other than we could've cared less because you couldn't keep us in the house...I kinda know what Tom is saying when he talks about the 60's and 70's being the best time to be a child growing up
Great stories! Love the snuff story!
love these but this one was great! the skoal story n sniper on sniper, oh n that big guy one was cool too!