From SEAL Platoons to Survivor's Guilt: Chris Osman's Battles On and Off the Battlefield | Ep. 268 | Pt. 2
In this gripping second part of Episode 268 from the Mike Drop podcast, hosted by former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland, guest Chris Osman—a veteran Marine, Navy SEAL, and entrepreneur—delves deep into his extraordinary life story. Listeners will discover raw, unfiltered accounts of Osman's journey from rigorous SEAL training and high-stakes deployments in Afghanistan, including untold real-world missions and the emotional toll of survivor's guilt from helicopter crashes and lost comrades.
The episode explores his transition to civilian life, building multimillion-dollar gear companies like Tactical Assault Gear (TAG), and the dark side of success: grappling with "spending dead man's money," family sacrifices, and a descent into alcohol, Adderall, Molly, and cocaine use amid a partying lifestyle. Through candid reflections on professionalism, addiction, and redemption, Osman offers profound insights into the mental battles faced by elite operators, making this a must-listen for anyone interested in military life, personal resilience, and the unvarnished truth behind the SEAL ethos.
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Chris Osman Breaks 30-Year Silence: “My Sergeant Quit in the Middle of a Firefight” | Ep. 268 | Pt. 1
In this raw episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, Chris Osman opens up like never before—sharing childhood struggles, the brutal realities of BUD/S (including two moments he nearly rang the bell), combat in Somalia, and the darker personal battles that followed his 11 years of service, including addiction, failed marriages, and the long road back to redemption.
With zero victim mentality, Chris lays it all bare: the vi*lence that once defined him, the lessons learned from organized crime fascination, his evolving faith, and why he now refuses to sugarcoat anything—even if it means exposing his own lowest points. From near-quitting in H*ll Week surf t*rture to candid thoughts on loyalty, fatherhood, Elon Musk, and why some men are drawn to special operations while others cling to victimhood, this episode is both a cautionary tale and a masterclass in owning your story.
Whether you’re a longtime listener who remembers Chris’s legendary first two episodes (the Haiti jail story is still a fan favorite) or this is your introduction, prepare for five hours of absolute honesty from a man who’s lived on both sides of the guardrail—and finally found his way back. Chris Osman, welcome back. This one hits different.
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Top Gun Instructor on AI Killing Autonomy, Quitting Colonel Promotion & Joining Jocko Willink | Ep. 267 | Pt. 3
Episode 267 Part 3 of the Mike Drop Podcast with host Mike Ritland welcomes Dave Berke—the only Marine to ever fly the F-22 Raptor and F-35 while also serving as a TOPGUN instructor and ground combat leader in Ramadi alongside Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.
In this final part of an epic 3-part conversation, Dave and Mike go deep on the toughest leadership questions facing the military today: Should AI ever be allowed to pull the trigger on its own? Why fighter pilots hated autopilot landings, the real reason Dave walked away from command and promotion, and how a single phone call from Leif Babin turned retirement into the smoothest transition in military history.
They also break down life at Echelon Front (how they teach Extreme Ownership to Fortune 500 companies), why leadership is hardest at home, ego vs. humility, military standards under the new administration, and readiness challenges for the next generation of warfare. Packed with never-before-heard stories, raw honesty, and laugh-out-loud moments, this is one of the most requested Mike Drop episodes ever—perfect for veterans, aviators, leaders, and anyone who loves real talk about combat, flying, and life after the uniform.
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From Topgun Instructor to SEAL Teammate: Dave Berke on Ego, Luck, Leadership, and the Real Cost of Iraq | Ep. 267 | Pt. 2
In Part 2 of this epic episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, host Mike Ritland continues his deep-dive conversation with Dave Berke – the only Marine to ever fly the F-22 Raptor and a legendary Topgun instructor.
This episode is packed with raw, unfiltered stories from the skies and the streets of Ramadi. Dave breaks down why fifth-generation fighters (F-22 and F-35) dominate not through speed or maneuverability, but through total battlespace awareness – “If I know everything you’re doing and you have no idea I’m even there, I’ve already won.” He shares unforgettable combat moments with Jocko Willink’s Task Unit Bruiser, including riverine boat insertions with Chris Kyle, calling in a Hellfire missile through a second-story window to save SEALs under fire, and the emotional weight of losing Marines on the ground.
From feeling like a “fish out of water” running with SEALs in Ramadi to the humbling transition into the F-22 cockpit, Dave reflects on luck, leadership, ego, and the real cost of the Iraq War. Whether you’re a military aviation geek, a combat veteran, or just love real stories of extreme performance, this episode delivers powerful lessons on teamwork, situational awareness, and what it truly takes to dominate in chaos.
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Inside Top Gun: The ELITE Training That Pushes Pilots Past Limits | Ep. 267 | Pt. 1
Join host Mike Ritland for an unforgettable conversation with Dave Berke – the only Marine in history to fly the F-16, F-18, F-22, and F-35, a legendary TOPGUN instructor, former Forward Air Controller attached to Jocko Willink’s Task Unit Bruiser in Ramadi 2006, and co-author of the Extreme Ownership series. From the cockpit of the world’s most advanced fighters to the blood-soaked streets of Ramadi alongside SEALs, Dave pulls zero punches on what real high-performance leadership looks like when lives are on the line.
In this nearly 4-hour deep dive, Dave reveals the brutal debrief culture at TOPGUN that turned good pilots into lethal ones, why the peacetime military he first joined in 2001 was nowhere near ready for war, how 9/11 instantly transformed training forever, and the life-changing moment he left the world’s premier fighter-weapons school to volunteer for ground combat in the deadliest city in Iraq. He also shares his unfiltered take on AI ending the era of the single-seat fighter pilot within our lifetime and the raw lessons that still keep him up at night from Ramadi.
Whether you’re obsessed with fighter aviation, extreme ownership, or what it really takes to lead when failure isn’t an option, this is one of the most powerful veteran-to-veteran conversations you’ll ever hear.
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Mike Drop, hosted by former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Mike Ritland, is a no-holds-barred platform that dives deep into the stories and experiences of extraordinary individuals. Known for his candid and unfiltered approach, Mike interviews guests ranging from special operations veterans and elite athletes to renowned authors and thought leaders, offering listeners a exclusive glimpse into the human side of those who have excelled in their fields. Whether it's discussing the intense challenges of combat or the resilience required to overcome personal adversity, Mike Drop provides a space where real conversations happen.
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