Jack MacTavish is a retired United States Army Colonel and author of action-adventure and espionage fiction. Over a military career spanning more than 36 years in both the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, he served in airborne, special operations, and joint assignments, including roles supporting U.S. Army Special Operations Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.

His operational experience took him across multiple global regions, including Afghanistan, Korea, Haiti, Central and South America, and the Middle East. In addition to his military service, MacTavish has supported missions within the U.S. Intelligence Community as a contractor.

MacTavish is the author of Royal Diamonds (2026), his debut novel, which blends action-adventure, espionage, and historical intrigue. His writing is informed by firsthand experience, emphasizing realism, operational authenticity, and the complexities of modern conflict and global power dynamics.

He currently resides in North Carolina, where he continues to write and remains an advocate for veteran causes, including support for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Jack MacTavish is a retired United States Army Colonel and author of action-adventure and espionage fiction. Over a military career spanning more than 36 years in both the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, he served in airborne, special operations, and joint assignments, including roles supporting U.S. Army Special Operations Command and U.S. Special Operations Command.
His operational experience took him across multiple global regions, including Afghanistan, Korea, Haiti, Central and South America, and the Middle East. In addition to his military service, MacTavish has supported missions within the U.S. Intelligence Community as a contractor.
MacTavish is the author of Royal Diamonds (2026), his debut novel, which blends action-adventure, espionage, and historical intrigue. His writing is informed by firsthand experience, emphasizing realism, operational authenticity, and the complexities of modern conflict and global power dynamics.
He currently resides in North Carolina, where he continues to write and remains an advocate for veteran causes, including support for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Special operations military news and straight talk with the guys in the community. Hosted by former military operators. As seen ranked #1 in Apple Podcasts government category.

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Operator to Author: Jack MacTavish on the Story Behind Royal Diamonds

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f0ebf590-ffe6-4061-878f-b41100f05734/transcript

Kyle Steiner is a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and combat leader who served in the Global War on Terror. He enlisted in the Army in 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, serving in the Korengal Valley during some of the most intense fighting of the war. His experiences there were later captured in the acclaimed documentaries Restrepo and Korengal.

During combat operations, Steiner was wounded in action and awarded two Purple Hearts after surviving multiple enemy attacks, including an RPG blast and a machine-gun round that struck and deflected off his helmet.

He later went on to serve in U.S. Army Special Forces, conducting missions across the Middle East, Central America, and South America. Over the course of his career he became Ranger-qualified, Combat Diver-qualified, HALO-certified, and a graduate of the Special Forces Sniper Course. His assignments included service with SOCOM’s Crisis Response Force.

Steiner’s military decorations include two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor.

Today, he is the founder of Operator Mindset, a leadership and performance coaching platform focused on discipline, resilience, and purpose. He is also a husband, father, and speaker who shares lessons from combat, leadership, and personal transformation.

Kyle Steiner is a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and combat leader who served in the Global War on Terror. He enlisted in the Army in 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, serving in the Korengal Valley during some of the most intense fighting of the war. His experiences there were later captured in the acclaimed documentaries Restrepo and Korengal.
During combat operations, Steiner was wounded in action and awarded two Purple Hearts after surviving multiple enemy attacks, including an RPG blast and a machine-gun round that struck and deflected off his helmet.
He later went on to serve in U.S. Army Special Forces, conducting missions across the Middle East, Central America, and South America. Over the course of his career he became Ranger-qualified, Combat Diver-qualified, HALO-certified, and a graduate of the Special Forces Sniper Course. His assignments included service with SOCOM&rsquo;s Crisis Response Force.
Steiner&rsquo;s military decorations include two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, and the Army Commendation Medal with &ldquo;V&rdquo; device for valor.
Today, he is the founder of Operator Mindset, a leadership and performance coaching platform focused on discipline, resilience, and purpose. He is also a husband, father, and speaker who shares lessons from combat, leadership, and personal transformation.

Two Purple Hearts: The Kyle Steiner Story

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/723a34ad-7d54-44ed-86b2-b40a00e8eb76/transcript

Michael Kracyla is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret with more than two decades of experience leading teams in environments where trust, judgment, and execution were critical under real pressure. Following his military service, he recognized a gap in the business world: many highly capable veterans and operators were entering the private sector without the systems, networks, or structured development needed to translate their leadership experience effectively.

To address this challenge, Kracyla founded Business Sergeant, a leadership development and executive search platform designed for organizations that cannot afford leadership failure. The platform serves founders and CEOs seeking trusted leaders, while also preparing veterans and operators to step into high-level roles in business.

At its core, Business Sergeant is built around community. Leaders are developed, observed, and held to high standards long before they are placed in positions of responsibility. Its executive search work flows directly from this network, allowing the organization to place leaders it knows, trusts, and has helped develop into mission-critical roles.

Michael Kracyla is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret with more than two decades of experience leading teams in environments where trust, judgment, and execution were critical under real pressure. Following his military service, he recognized a gap in the business world: many highly capable veterans and operators were entering the private sector without the systems, networks, or structured development needed to translate their leadership experience effectively.
To address this challenge, Kracyla founded Business Sergeant, a leadership development and executive search platform designed for organizations that cannot afford leadership failure. The platform serves founders and CEOs seeking trusted leaders, while also preparing veterans and operators to step into high-level roles in business.
At its core, Business Sergeant is built around community. Leaders are developed, observed, and held to high standards long before they are placed in positions of responsibility. Its executive search work flows directly from this network, allowing the organization to place leaders it knows, trusts, and has helped develop into mission-critical roles.

Behind the Uniform: BizSgt Michael Kracyla on Combat, Leadership, and Reality

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9966aff3-2ffc-41d9-a605-b40300f33ea9/transcript

Rob Kelly is the founder of ALWAYS READY™ and a former New Hampshire police officer, Department of Defense contractor, K9 instructor/handler, and lifelong public servant. Built on a foundation of discipline, mindset, and action, ALWAYS READY™ was born from Rob’s personal transformation and his commitment to helping others take ownership of their lives. In December 2023, Rob hit a breaking point—overweight, burned out, and stuck in self-made excuses. Instead of chasing motivation, he chose discipline. That shift—from “I should” to “I must”—sparked a complete transformation and became the core philosophy behind ALWAYS READY™. Today, Rob’s mission is simple but uncompromising: help people uncover their “why,” eliminate excuses, and show up stronger in body, mind, and purpose. ALWAYS READY™ is more than a brand—it’s a movement for anyone willing to build real readiness for life’s challenges, whether in service, work, family, or personal growth. Being ALWAYS READY™ means cultivating a resilient body, a disciplined mind, and a heart grounded in service—ready to face whatever comes next.

Rob Kelly is the founder of ALWAYS READY&trade; and a former New Hampshire police officer, Department of Defense contractor, K9 instructor/handler, and lifelong public servant. Built on a foundation of discipline, mindset, and action, ALWAYS READY&trade; was born from Rob&rsquo;s personal transformation and his commitment to helping others take ownership of their lives. In December 2023, Rob hit a breaking point&mdash;overweight, burned out, and stuck in self-made excuses. Instead of chasing motivation, he chose discipline. That shift&mdash;from &ldquo;I should&rdquo; to &ldquo;I must&rdquo;&mdash;sparked a complete transformation and became the core philosophy behind ALWAYS READY&trade;. Today, Rob&rsquo;s mission is simple but uncompromising: help people uncover their &ldquo;why,&rdquo; eliminate excuses, and show up stronger in body, mind, and purpose. ALWAYS READY&trade; is more than a brand&mdash;it&rsquo;s a movement for anyone willing to build real readiness for life&rsquo;s challenges, whether in service, work, family, or personal growth. Being ALWAYS READY&trade; means cultivating a resilient body, a disciplined mind, and a heart grounded in service&mdash;ready to face whatever comes next.

No Feel-Good Talk: Real-World Readiness from  DoD Contractor Rob Kelly

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/eead31e0-d0b6-42d2-b835-b3fb01724c51/transcript

Operator to Author: Jack MacTavish on the Story Behind Royal Diamonds

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