Mike Drop

In this episode, retired U.S. Army veteran Tom Spooner discusses his 21 years in the 82nd Airborne, 7th Special Forces Group, and Delta Force, and how he was an alcoholic who still crushed it in the 82nd. He explains how a sponsor, a notebook, and a very different idea of God helped him get sober. He also covers the Gulf War, going through Delta selection right around 9/11, and the 2006 mortar strike that left him with an undiagnosed brain injury, along with the moral injury that came with it. The conversation also explores Iran, whether the Iraq War was worth it, and the work Spooner is doing now as co-founder and president of Warriors Heart. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to an Israeli air base that hosts U.S. tankers and fighter jets, as the U.S. and Israel discuss resuming major combat operations against Iran. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 20 OCTOBER 2026 Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, with UAE officials present, according to Axios. Mike Ritland breaks down why a trip like this usually means plans are already in motion, why any decision lands on U.S. troops in the region first, and whether the U.S. should finish the job in Iran now or keep up the economic pressure. Also covered: Iran's claim that it shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper over the Strait of Hormuz, and Britain sending fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia after a Houthi missile strike killed dozens of Yemeni soldiers. Finish the job in Iran now, or keep the pressure on and wait? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 Hegseth's unannounced trip to Israel 00:45 What it means for U.S. troops 01:40 Why go in person, and why now? 02:30 Finish the job or keep the pressure on? 05:00 Is Iran comparable to World War II? 06:30 Iran claims it shot down a U.S. Reaper 09:10 Houthi strike kills dozens; Britain sends jets to Saudi Arabia 11:15 Will the U.S. get pulled in? 11:40 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz reopens only if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and leaves the region, as attacks on ships near the strait hit a record for the war. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 19 OCTOBER 2026 Iran's foreign minister laid out Tehran's conditions on Sunday: lift the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, lift oil sanctions and end hostilities, while an Iranian army spokesman said the strait opens when U.S. forces leave. Mike Ritland breaks down whether the blockade still serves the goal of a non-nuclear Iran, and what it costs to keep U.S. sailors in range of drones, fast boats and mines while the war drags on. Also covered: the State Department's warning to Americans across the Middle East as the Houthi-Saudi fight widens, the airman killed in a rappelling demonstration before the Navy-UTSA game, and the rioting sweeping France. Is the Hormuz blockade still worth it? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 Iran: Hormuz reopens when the U.S. leaves 00:58 Is the blockade still necessary? 03:30 Waiting until after Nov. 3 04:45 U.S. troops in range of drones, boats and mines 05:50 State Department warns Americans across the Middle East 08:40 Airman killed in Alamodome rappelling demonstration 12:25 Rioting sweeps France 14:30 Immigration and capacity 19:30 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Iran's new defense minister, a veteran of its missile program, says the U.S. will take casualties if strikes resume, as new details emerge about the Kuwait attack that killed six American troops. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 18 OCTOBER 2026 Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, a U.S.-sanctioned veteran of its missile program, as defense minister, and his first message was a threat aimed at American troops in the region. Mike Ritland breaks down why that threat deserves attention, and what the Kuwait strike that killed six U.S. troops says about the countermeasures still protecting our bases. His take: it's not a reason to back off, but leadership can't leave gaps in force protection again. Also covered: two more tankers burning in the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Iran disagree on what hit them, $10 gas and $110 oil, and President Trump's order exempting Russia from new sanctions as Washington looks for relief at the pump. Are U.S. bases in the region better protected now than they were in March? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns of the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 Iran's new defense chief threatens U.S. troops 01:25 The Kuwait strike: a husband's question for JD Vance 02:50 How seriously to take Iran's threats 03:45 Force protection can't have gaps 04:30 Two more tankers burning in Hormuz 05:20 $110 oil and $10 gas 07:25 Trump exempts Russia from new sanctions 10:25 "It's the economy, stupid" 11:40 Your take Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Iran just attacked a record number of ships in the Strait of Hormuz while U.S. forces wait in range, and the Pentagon is openly talking up the MOAB for Pickaxe Mountain. MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 17 OCTOBER 2026 Former Navy SEAL Mike Ritland breaks down the record week of attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz, the talk of using the MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast) on Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, and Iran's threats to expel U.S. forces from the region. Mike's take: the MOAB is the wrong tool for a deep bunker, the bunker buster is built for that job, and announcing the target for months only gives Iran time to prepare. Meanwhile tens of thousands of American sailors and Marines stay in range while we wait out negotiations and the midterms. If we're going to do it, do it, and stop talking about it. Also covered: France sending troops and air defenses to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks mount, Iranian state media's claim that the U.S. asked permission to strike Pickaxe Mountain, Russia's attacks on Ukraine's power grid and the shift in U.S. tone toward Kyiv, the nearly $2 trillion federal deficit, and a wave of Gen Z Americans returning to faith. Would you use the MOAB as a warning shot, or the bunker buster with no warning at all? Tell us in the comments. Subscribe for daily breakdowns from a former Navy SEAL on the stories that matter to America's military. Want ad-free Newsroom updates? Join our YouTube membership: https://www.youtube.com/@mikeritland/join 00:00 Correction: what MOAB actually stands for 00:50 MOAB vs. the bunker buster: the wrong tool for Pickaxe Mountain 02:05 Why announce the target at all? 03:00 Devil's advocate: watching how Iran reacts 03:58 Record ship attacks near the Strait of Hormuz 05:50 Sitting ducks: U.S. sailors and Marines in range 07:05 Houthis keep hitting Saudi Arabia, France moves in 08:15 Why isn't Europe doing more? 09:50 "We will expel U.S. forces": Baghdad Bob or Tehran Tim? 10:20 Iran's claim the U.S. asked permission to strike 10:52 Russia's attacks knock out power across Ukraine 15:52 The U.S. deficit nears $2 trillion 18:30 Gen Z's return to faith 20:20 Wrap-up Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy