This is Jockel Podcast number 152 with Echo Charles and me, Jockel Willink. Good evening echo. Good evening.

These are men that would rather die than live with the shame that they didn't offer their last breath in service to the men to their left and to their right in battle.

Each man was shaped through immense trials, personal fortitude and dedication, giving all he had to offer.

At times, when only the great pride of walking in the path least traveled was there to keep him company.

Through constant discipline, drive and sacrifice, they have risen to the top of their trade and embodied the ethos of the marine raider.

A man who displays the very pinnacle of soldiery virtue and unwavering loyalty.

A man who will never quit or surrender and who will at all times stand ready to sacrifice whatever is needed to accomplish the mission.

They stand as shiny examples of what our nation entrusts its freedom and respect to.

Nothing is more awe-inspiring than the look on a fellow operator's face as they are surrounded by death.

The casual smile of confidence as they acknowledge that things will be what they'll be.

And if this is the way we die, then let's do it right and honor our legacy.

When surrounded on all sides, we faced what seemed the inevitability of death.

Not a man before you skipped a beat in their commitment.

All or nothing.

Death or glory.

And those are some excerpts from a speech by Marine Raider, Gunry Sargent, Brian C. Jacqueline, talking about a mission that he was on.

And I think in that speech, he did a great job of explaining the type of man that makes up the Marine Raiders, which is the Marine Corps component of Special Operations.

And tonight, we are lucky enough to be sitting with one of those men, a United States Marine, a Special Operations Raider, and a true hero.

Derek Herrera.

Derek, welcome, man. Thanks for coming on.

Thanks for having me. It's a pleasure to be here.

It's awesome to have you on here, man. I know we got hooked up through some old mutual friends, and I'm glad we did, and I'm glad to sit down and be able to talk to you.

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