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-CHAPTERS-
00:00 Introduction to Dave Lucas and His Background
03:37 Growing Up in a Military Family
06:39 The Decision to Join the Army
09:12 The Importance of Service and Sacrifice
11:50 Navigating Family Dynamics in Military Life
15:00 Communication as a Key to Marriage Success
17:30 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
20:07 The Impact of 9/11 on Military Aspirations
22:50 Pursuing a Career in Special Forces
38:09 Transitioning to Big Army
41:33 Deployment to Iraq: The Unexpected Journey
45:02 First Combat Experience: Emotions and Realities
48:33 The Weight of Leadership in Combat
52:13 Love, Sacrifice, and Commitment
57:03 Changing Perspectives: From Hope to Disillusionment
01:00:53 Memorable Moments: Best and Worst Days in Iraq
01:07:41 The Call to Special Operations: A New Path
01:13:26 Facing New Fears in the Ranger Regiment
01:14:44 The Transition from College to Combat
01:17:00 Deciding to Join Special Forces
01:18:38 The Challenges of Leaving the Ranger Regiment
01:20:49 Adapting to Special Forces Missions
01:23:22 Understanding the Evolving Nature of Combat
01:25:30 Normalizing the Experience of War
01:28:29 The Role of Experience in Leadership
01:33:28 Reflections on Deployment Experiences
01:36:56 Personal Growth Through Leadership
01:41:11 Finding Balance and Understanding Loss
01:44:15 Commitment and Future Aspirations
01:48:51 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
-SUMMARY-
In this episode of the DTD podcast, host DJ engages in a deep conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Dave Lucas, who shares his remarkable journey through 27 years in the military, primarily in special operations. The discussion covers Dave's family background in the military, his decision to join, the importance of service and sacrifice, and the challenges of balancing family life with military duties. They reflect on the emotional toll of deployment, the impact of 9/11 on military careers, and the complexities of love and commitment in the face of danger. The conversation highlights the significance of communication in military families and the drive to serve one's country. In this conversation, the speaker reflects on their military career, discussing the emotional complexities of combat, the evolution of their leadership style, and the importance of commitment to service. They share personal experiences from deployments, the challenges faced in Iraq, and the transition to special operations. The discussion highlights the weight of responsibility in leadership roles, the normalization of combat experiences, and the significance of understanding the sacrifices made by service members.
-TAKEAWAYS-
Dave Lucas shares his family background in the military.
He discusses the decision to join the military despite parental concerns.
The importance of service and sacrifice is emphasized throughout the conversation.
Dave reflects on the emotional toll of deployment on military families.
He highlights the significance of communication in maintaining relationships during deployments.
The impact of 9/11 on military careers is a pivotal moment in the discussion.
Dave shares his experiences transitioning from military to civilian life.
The conversation touches on the complexities of love and commitment in military life.
Dave expresses the feeling of responsibility towards his team and family.
He reflects on the personal growth and lessons learned throughout his military career. The emotional complexities of combat can shape one's perspective.
Leadership evolves through experience and reflection.
Normalizing combat experiences can impact mental health.
Commitment to service requires putting others before oneself.
Understanding the sacrifices of military service is crucial for society.
The Ranger Regiment fosters a culture of excellence and accountability.
Transitioning to special operations presents new challenges and responsibilities.
Experiences in Iraq highlight the realities of war and its
INTRO and OUTRO music written,performed, and provided by the band Rattle Root. Check them out below.
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Battalion Commander
LTC David (Dave) Lucas is a career U.S. Army officer with 27 years of service, almost entirely within Special Operations.
He is an expert in Irregular Warfare as well as the creation, training, and employment of unique and specialized capabilities. He has commanded Special Operations elements up to the Joint Task Force level, employing HUMINT, SIGINT, GEOINT, OSINT, IMINT, Cyber, and Direct-Action capabilities.
Dave currently commands a Battalion within the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center & School (Airborne) where he oversees the creation of the next generation of Green Berets. He previously commanded a Battalion within the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), a Special Operations Task Force in CENTCOM, and a Joint Task Force. He has extensive operational experience around the globe and enjoys leading teams focused on national security, emerging technology, and operations.
He holds a B.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University and a M.A. in Strategic Securities Studies from the National Defense University. He has been married for 22 years and has two children with whom he enjoys many adventures.
CSM Matt Williams
Matthew Williams, a 3rd Special Forces Group operations sergeant, graduated from Angelo State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Driven to serve, Williams enlisted into the Army under the 18X Special Forces enlistment program in September 2005.
After completing Infantry One Station Unit Training, Williams attended Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He then… Read More
