Sep 11, 2021
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Today we complete the second segment of our Combat Story with Chris VanSant, a retired Army infantryman, Ranger, Green Beret, and Operator in 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (1st SFOD-D).
You can hear the first round with Chris at https://youtu.be/tdSA8O_T6mE.
We left our first interview with Chris at the height of his career:
in the Unit, combat rotations, and close friends. We pick up in
round two where things start to get more difficult and the optempo,
intensity, and constant fighting begin to take a toll.
Chris describes how he overcame some very dark days that many
can relate to and found new opportunities he never would have
imagined.
He’s gone on to become the Chief Operating Officer of TYR Tactical
and is a board member for Tom and Jenn Satterly’s All Secure
Foundation, both of which continue to protect those in need.
I hope you enjoy this deep dive into combat and recovery from a very humble Tier 1 operator as much as I did.
Find Chris Online:
Instagram @vansanttyrtactical
Website TYR Tactical
Board Member at All Secure Foundation (Tom Satterly’s
organization)
Instagram @allsecurefoundation
Find Ryan Online:
Follow on Instagram @combatstory
Follow on Facebook @combatstoryofficial
Email ryan@combatstory.com
Learn more about Ryan
Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Video Edited by: Owen Fugit
Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Guest bio
1:52 - Interview begins
2:37 - Chris’ thoughts on Afghanistan
14:18 - Where does the exhaustion come from?
17:18 - What are some other interesting fear responses?
17:24 - “Fight or flight is the first response when someone thinks
they may die.”
20:11 - The next deployment
30:00 - Tactics and Procedures
32:40 - Different ways to attack a building.
36:23 – When did the trauma and stress start
43:33 – Early Indicators that will help others
48:25 – Pivotal moments during combat
57:39 - “You got to understand the individuals in your charge to
get the best out of them; you got to know what motivates them, what
makes them tick.”
58:48 – Starting to change
1:09:04 - Key things in your journey that you try to make sure a
wider audience hears
1:10:05 - “Open up. Talk to the people that matter to you. It
doesn't have to be a lot. It just has to be a few.”
1:13:13 – Getting fired from the Unit
1:18:53 – Pushing yourself
1:19:11 - “There are winners and losers. A loser is just a winner
that tried one more time.”
1:22:40 – Pieces of advice
1:31:11 – Getting in touch with Chris