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Artwork for The Spear
Afghanistan
Taliban
Iraq
Marine Corps
Combat Leadership
Ieds
Special Forces
Iraq War
Operation Red Thunder
Afghan National Army
9/11
Ramadi
Decision-Making
UAS Operations
West Point
United States Army
Nuristan
Moral Courage
Leadership In Military Contexts
U.S. Special Forces

The Spear is a podcast from the Modern War Institute at West Point. It sets out to explore the combat experience, with each episode featuring a guest who tells a detailed and personal story, describing the events and exploring topics like decision-making under stress and what it feels like to be in combat.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes214Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for The Spear

Latest Episodes

In this episode of The Spear, author, journalist, and former US Army Ranger Marty Skovlund sits down with Dr. Charlie Faint to discuss a journey from a rural upbringing in South Dakota to the front lines of the War on Terror and ultimately into a car... more

Ayman Kafel and his family survived civil wars in Lebanon and Liberia before immigrating to the United States. Following the September 11 attacks, Ayman enlisted in the US Army and deployed to Iraq, where he served in several different combat roles, ... more

JJ Pinter graduated from West Point and was commissioned as a field artillery officer. A few short years after 9/11, JJ found himself in Iraq, leading route clearance missions and performing counterbattery fire against persistent insurgent mortar and... more

Fred Lough began his Army career as an engineer officer before deciding to leave military service to attend medical school and become a surgeon. After rejoining the Army to support the Global War on Terror, Fred later served two combat tours in Afgha... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Marty Skovlund Jr.
Author, journalist, former Army Ranger
Former USA Ranger; Writer and entrepreneur
Episode: Ranger Missions in Iraq and Afghanistan
JJ Pinter
West Point graduate and combat veteran who served as a field artillery officer. Currently the deputy director for Team Red, White and Blue.
Team Red, White and Blue
Episode: Route Clearance and Counterbattery in Iraq
Fred Lough
West Point graduate and Army surgeon with extensive experience in combat surgery.
George Washington University
Episode: Combat Surgery in Afghanistan
Unnamed Marine
Platoon commander with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, sharing his story from Iraq
3rd Battalion, 1st Marines
Episode: A Marine Platoon in Anbar Province
Dr. Kyleanne Hunter
Professor of Military and Strategic Studies and Director of the Strategy and Warfare Center at the US Air Force Academy, former Cobra pilot in the Marine Corps.
United States Air Force Academy
Episode: Escort Mission Over Anbar
Dave Berke
Former Marine Corps pilot and forward air controller
U.S. Marine Corps
Episode: Forward Air Controller in Ramadi
Chris Donahue
Lieutenant General and Commanding General of the 18th Airborne Corps
Episode: Last Soldier in Afghanistan
Colonel Kim Campbell
A 1997 graduate of the Air Force Academy with almost 18 years of experience flying the A-10.
US Air Force
Episode: The A-10 At War
Command Sergeant Major Alex Kupratty
Command Sergeant Major of the Fourth Infantry Division
Fourth Infantry Division
Episode: Leadership in the Ranger Regiment and 4ID

Hosts

Dr. Charlie Faint
Host with a focus on military experiences and leadership lessons.
Unnamed Host

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 845 ratings
  • No enlisted stories?

    Overall, an excellent podcast. These are importantly stories that military and civilian would appreciate as part of U.S. history. Would be nice if there were ANY enlisted stories. Seems the podcast only talks to officers. Also, lots of repeated episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Rick from Temple U.
    United States7 months ago
  • RW

    This is a fantastic library of first person narratives of modern war. It is an absolute must for the scholar of military science.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sir Garnet Wolseley
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Podcast length

    I think the podcast would be much better if if it was shorter like half hour 20 minutes.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CDR chuck
    United Statesa year ago
  • Authentic

    You can feel the authentic experience from the combat

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ErezLandau
    Israela year ago
  • Recycled Episodes

    Podcast routinely recycles old episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CharlesEncharge
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is criticism regarding repetitive episodes and a desire for more variety in guest backgrounds and stories.
Feedback indicates an appreciation for the rich, detailed narratives of combat and leadership lessons, resonating with both military and civilian audiences.
Listeners appreciate the authentic and personal nature of the stories shared, emphasizing their importance for historical understanding.
Many value the clear and concise interviewing style, allowing guests to express their experiences fully.
Overall, audiences express admiration for the high-quality content and the significance of preserving these stories for future generations.

Top News Podcasts

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The DailyThe New York Times
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Pod Save AmericaPod Save America
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The Ben Shapiro Show
The Ben Shapiro ShowThe Daily Wire
The Dan Bongino Show
The Dan Bongino ShowCumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino
Candace
CandaceCandace Owens
Pivot
PivotNew York Magazine

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ranger Missions in Iraq and Afghanistan
Q: How did you grow up and what prompted you to join the Army?
I grew up in rural South Dakota, surrounded by reading and family military ties, and the blend of family history and a desire to serve drew me toward the Army, especially the Ranger path influenced by stories of the Regiment and a fascination with action and leadership under pressure.
Route Clearance and Counterbattery in Iraq
Q: What was the perception of that change of mission like for you and your troops?
JJ notes that everyone was excited to be in the fight, despite lacking the necessary equipment initially, showcasing the eagerness of troops to engage in combat.
Route Clearance and Counterbattery in Iraq
Q: What made being in that infantry unit attractive to you?
JJ expresses that he enjoyed being part of the main effort in combat operations, which allowed him to feel more engaged and impactful.
Route Clearance and Counterbattery in Iraq
Q: What attracted you to the field artillery branch?
JJ explains that he didn't initially want to branch infantry due to the intense training and instead saw field artillery as a better opportunity for deployment and service.
Route Clearance and Counterbattery in Iraq
Q: Can you talk to us a little bit about what drove your decision to go to the Academy and why you decided to join the Army?
JJ shares that his decision was influenced by his family background, particularly his father and uncle who were veterans, leading him to join the military while also pursuing a college education at West Point.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Spear

What is The Spear about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the nuances and realities of military combat, this podcast features deeply personal narratives from guests who range from veterans to active service members. Each episode encapsulates a unique story, often detailing experiences of combat in various conflicts and the psychological, ethical, and leadership challenges encountered along the way. Themes like decision-making under pressure, the emotional toll of service, and the complexities of military leadership are recurrent, providing listeners with insights into the human experiences behind military operations.

In addition to exploring the individual combat experiences, the discussions shed light on broader military topics, including health and wellness for veterans, the evoluti... more

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How many listeners does The Spear get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Spear?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Spear:

1. Combat Story
2. The Team House
3. SOGCast: Untold Stories of MAC V SOG
4. Cold War Conversations Podcast
5. SpyCast

How many episodes of The Spear are there?

The Spear launched 9 years ago and published 214 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Spear?

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What guests have appeared on The Spear?

Recent guests on The Spear include:

1. Marty Skovlund Jr.
2. JJ Pinter
3. Fred Lough
4. Unnamed Marine
5. Dr. Kyleanne Hunter
6. Dave Berke
7. Chris Donahue
8. Colonel Kim Campbell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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