Dale Stark was living in his car at 19. At 25 he was flying close air support over Afghanistan in an A-10 Warthog. 

In episode 2 of the Idaho series, Dale sits down with David to break down how he went from rock bottom to one of the most selective pilot programs in the world — and what the training really does to you. You'll learn why the A-10 community calls themselves "cowboys and outcasts," what happens when pilot training exposes a weakness you didn't know you had, and how Dale flew MQ-9s for four years hunting insurgents during the Marjah push before earning his way back into the A-10. 

David and Dale also get into the brutal reality of watching a war unfold through a sensor pod, the moment Dale's body finally broke under G-forces, and why surfing — of all things — is what keeps him grounded now.

Dale Stark is a retired U.S. Air Force A-10 pilot with combat deployments to Afghanistan and four years operating the MQ-9 Reaper during the Afghan surge. 



✅ Sponsor: ☕️ Black Rifle Coffee: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/

➡️ Dale's Ranch, Belt Business & More: https://dalestark.com/
➡️ Follow Dale on X: https://x.com/DaleStarkA10

🏫 Get coaching by David Rutherford: https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/

📕 Get David's novel, The Poet Warrior: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior

📰 Sign up for David's newsletter for free coaching tips, updates, and more: https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/

Dale Stark was living in his car at 19. At 25 he was flying close air support over Afghanistan in an A-10 Warthog.&nbsp; In episode 2 of the Idaho series, Dale sits down with David to break down how he went from rock bottom to one of the most selective pilot programs in the world &mdash; and what the training really does to you. You'll learn why the A-10 community calls themselves "cowboys and outcasts," what happens when pilot training exposes a weakness you didn't know you had, and how Dale flew MQ-9s for four years hunting insurgents during the Marjah push before earning his way back into the A-10. David and Dale also get into the brutal reality of watching a war unfold through a sensor pod, the moment Dale's body finally broke under G-forces, and why surfing &mdash; of all things &mdash; is what keeps him grounded now.
Dale Stark is a retired U.S. Air Force A-10 pilot with combat deployments to Afghanistan and four years operating the MQ-9 Reaper during the Afghan surge.&nbsp; 
✅ Sponsor: ☕️ Black Rifle Coffee: <a href="https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/">https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/</a> ➡️ Dale's Ranch, Belt Business &amp; More: <a href="https://dalestark.com/">https://dalestark.com/</a> ➡️ Follow Dale on X: <a href="https://x.com/DaleStarkA10">https://x.com/DaleStarkA10</a>
🏫 Get coaching by David Rutherford:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/">https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/</a>
📕 Get David's novel, The Poet Warrior: <a href="https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior">https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior</a>
📰 Sign up for David's newsletter for free coaching tips, updates, and more: <a href="https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/">https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/</a>

The David Rutherford Show represents the highest form of the emerging new media landscape. As a former Navy SEAL, CIA contractor, and world championship performance coach, David has been exploring the human condition for the past 30 years in his epic quest to understand how individuals and teams can defeat the negative insurgency. In his new show David will give experienced analysis to most pressing topics of our time. His mission is to consolidate the battlefield of information and provide unique context to most important issues of the day. Don’t miss this exciting show and allow David to be your flash bang of truth. 

The David Rutherford Show represents the highest form of the emerging new media landscape. As a former Navy SEAL, CIA contractor, and world championship performance coach, David has been exploring the human condition for the past 30 years in his epic quest to understand how individuals and teams can defeat the negative insurgency. In his new show David will give experienced analysis to most pressing topics of our time. His mission is to consolidate the battlefield of information and provide unique context to most important issues of the day. Don&rsquo;t miss this exciting show and allow David to be your flash bang of truth.&nbsp;

The David Rutherford Show

David Rutherford Show: From Living in His Car to A-10 Pilot: Dale Stark On A Warfighter’s Mindset

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c22f26e9-77cd-4cb0-bf94-b43400e0bd36/transcript