EP 93 * What war left behind, thinks by Grandfather didn't tell me openly * Atlas Aultman

This is one of the most personal episodes of Targeted Podcast I have ever recorded. For the first time on this show, I share stories from my grandfather, SFC Gary L. Frye, his service during the Vietnam War, his connection to the early Special Operations community, the 1st Cavalry, combat trauma, and experiences he carried with him for the rest of his life. Some of these stories were never openly discussed while he was alive. My grandfather served during an era when American forces were developing tactics, missions, and capabilities that would help shape generations of U.S. Special Operations. His experiences included helicopter warfare, unconventional missions in Vietnam, the loss of friends in combat, earning the Purple Heart, and living with the psychological consequences of war. His story also intersects with an era of Vietnam history many people recognize through the book We Were Soldiers Once... and Young and the 2002 film We Were Soldiers. This episode isn't about glorifying war. It's about what happens to the people who survive it. Years later, while I was deployed to Iraq, my grandfather reached out to me with a simple message: if I ever needed to talk about what I was experiencing, he might understand. Only after his death did I fully understand how much he had carried himself. This episode is about combat, family, PTSD, the warrior mindset, Special Operations history, and one lesson my grandfather left behind: Get it out of your head. If something is eating at you, talk to someone. Write it down. Put it in your phone. Tell someone you trust. Don't allow the battle inside your mind to become one you fight completely alone. ⚠️ MENTAL HEALTH / SUICIDE PREVENTION If you are in the United States and are contemplating suicide, self-harm, or harming someone else, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. ***FILM & BOOK RECOGNITION / COPYRIGHT NOTICE*** This episode discusses and references historical events portrayed in the motion picture We Were Soldiers (2002) and documented in the book We Were Soldiers Once... and Young: Ia Drang—The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam. Book: We Were Soldiers Once... and Young Authors: Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway Originally published by Random House. Film: We Were Soldiers (2002) Directed and written for the screen by Randall Wallace Distributed by Paramount Pictures Based on the book by Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. All film footage, imagery, audio, characters, trademarks, and other copyrighted material from We Were Soldiers remain the property of their respective copyright holders. Targeted Podcast does not claim ownership of third-party copyrighted material. Any referenced or incorporated material is presented in the context of historical discussion, commentary, criticism, education, and personal storytelling. No affiliation with or endorsement by Paramount Pictures, the filmmakers, authors, publishers, or other rights holders is implied. LINKS: Watch "WE WERE SOLDIERS" the movie, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC1SzvhVAM0 Read "We were soldiers once and young" book - buy anywhere books are sold   DISCOUNTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY: https://gravity-force.com  - best electrolytes, discount code: ATLAS10 https://www.getfightscrub.com  – natural disinfectant, code: FIGHTSCRUBATLAS https://www.buckedup.com - creatine+ 20% discount: ATLAS25 https://leaders-kit.com  - leadership, management, media consultations https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - Merch   GUEST APPLICATIONS: [email protected]   Share this with someone who would love it. Aim for excellence AND stay on target, thank-you for tuning into TARGETED Podcast. Share this with someone who needs it and Thank you for supporting TARGETED Podcast. Aim for excellence and stay on target - that's living targeted.