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Afghanistan
Iraq
Taliban
U.S. Army
Combat Experience
Ieds
Iraq War
Leadership
Panjwai District
Marine Corps
West Point
75th Ranger Regiment
Operation Strong Eagle III
Kunar Province
Close Air Support
Special Forces
Baghdad
Mental Health
Kandahar
Combat Leadership

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes220Founded9 years ago
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GovernmentNews

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Artwork for The Spear

Latest Episodes

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dale Hunter joins MWI's Charlie Faint on this episode to discuss how a new Army unit—the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)—transformed intelligence collection, targeting, and technology integration to compete against sophisti... more

In this episode, MWI's Dr. Charlie Faint speaks with Captain Francis Ambrogio, an Army armor officer, West Point graduate, and observer, coach, trainer (OCT) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, to discuss how the... more

In this episode, Dr. Charlie Faint hosts Lieutenant Colonel Tiane Garner, commander of the Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB) in the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, to discuss the Army's evolving approach to operations in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on... more

In this episode of The Spear, host Dr. Charlie Faint speaks with Lieutenant Colonel Ben Blane about the rapid evolution of long-range precision fires and the Army’s shift toward multidomain operations in preparation for conflict with near-peer advers... more

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Recent Guests

Dale Hunter
Chief Warrant Officer 4, MDTF veteran and future CTO for US Forces Korea
Multi-Domain Task Force, US Army
Episode: The Crucible of Innovation in the Indo-Pacific
Francis Ambrogio
Armor officer, OCT at JMRC
U.S. Army, Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC)
Episode: Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
Lieutenant Colonel Tiane Garner
Battalion commander, Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (now under MDCPAC)
U.S. Army
Episode: Commanding a Multi-Domain Effects Battalion in the Indo-Pacific
Lieutenant Colonel Ben Blane
Lieutenant Colonel, Army; first commander of the Army's long-range fires battalion
US Army
Episode: Long-Range Precision Fires and the Fight for the First Island Chain
Curt Donaldson
Retired Command Sergeant Major, former Regimental Command Sergeant Major of the 75th Ranger Regiment
U.S. Army Ranger Regiment
Episode: The Ranger Regiment's Fighting Platoon Sergeant
John Faunce
Retired Special Forces Officer
U.S. Army / Special Forces
Episode: Staying Alive in Iraq and Afghanistan
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

Host

Charlie Faint
Host of The Spear; affiliated with the Modern War Institute at West Point. Frequently engages in in-depth conversations on combat experiences, leadership, and decision-making under stress.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 854 ratings
  • No more combat stories?

    Have we gone so far past the GWOT that nobody has an untold combat experience? This used to be my 5-start go-to podcast on modern warfare. They produced citation-worth professional interviews narrowly focused on individual combat actions and experiences. Rough estimate, original shows were 85% combat and 15% (relevant) intro and lessons. Now the shows are either 90% or 100% career story telling. Some episodes have no combat. There’s a place for in-depth career and personal stories. A podcast cal... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Abcmarine
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 Kingdoma year 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
    Israel2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the authentic, firsthand storytelling and practical leadership insights.
Guests are frequently described as credible and deeply knowledgeable about combat experience.
Some criticize repetition and a desire for more enlisted perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#66
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#155
Sweden/News
Apple Podcasts
#184
Belgium/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
Q: How is JMRC different from other training centers and what value do you see in multinational training?
JMRC is a living laboratory for combat, weaving together live scenarios, allied forces, and a broad range of terrain to simulate real-world operations; training with NATO partners, learning from diverse practices, and integrating drones/AI shows how coalition warfare evolves and why cross-cultural readiness is critical for success in future wars.
Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
Q: What was it like being a general's aide and what did you learn from that role?
Being a general's aide meant being a jack of all trades and a trusted advisor—seeing how the operation of a high-level command works, understanding the human side of generals, and learning to contextualize small actions within the larger strategic picture; it also underscored the importance of timely, honest communication and the need to stay adaptable under pressure.
Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
Q: Why did you choose a military career and the armor branch specifically?
Growing up in a military family with vivid World War II stories and a strong sense of service drew me to West Point; I was torn between armor and infantry, ultimately leaning toward armor due to its multi-faceted opportunities and the chance to integrate firepower with maneuver in complex environments.
Commanding a Multi-Domain Effects Battalion in the Indo-Pacific
Q: But before we get into that, can you tell us a little bit about yourself, a little bit of background and what your experiences in the Army have been up to this point?
The guest traces a 19-year career from transportation to MI, with formative Iraq deployments as a gun-truck/platoon leadership experience, followed by INSCOM, West Point teaching, and JBLM assignments that shaped focus on the Pacific and the MDTF concept, culminating in command of the MDEB and involvement with MDCPAC.
Long-Range Precision Fires and the Fight for the First Island Chain
Q: Ben, you got your start in the middle of the global war on terror. How different, if any, was the combat you experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan from what you expect in a conflict with China?
Lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan emphasized adaptation and avoiding one-for-one transfers; the future Pacific fight will demand quicker adaptation to a different mix of systems, including space-based sensing and persistent contact, with new battle drills evolving for space and EM spectrum operations.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Spear

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

The show centers on personal, battlefield-level storytelling from military professionals, exploring decision-making under stress, leadership, and the realities of combat across a wide range of deployments and theaters. Episodes frequently cover topics like cross-domain warfare, military medicine, mentorship, and the human side of warfare, often tying individual experiences to broader strategic or organizational lessons. A standout element is the depth of firsthand perspective, with guests ranging from special forces operators to physicians and pilots, offering nuanced views on teamwork, ethics, and the evolution of modern military operations. The format tends to emphasize candid narratives and practical leadership takeaways, making it a com... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Spear?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Spear:

1. Modern War Institute
2. Irregular Warfare Podcast
3. Urban Warfare Project
4. Combat Story
5. War on the Rocks

How many episodes of The Spear are there?

The Spear launched 9 years ago and published 220 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Spear?

Recent guests on The Spear include:

1. Dale Hunter
2. Francis Ambrogio
3. Lieutenant Colonel Tiane Garner
4. Lieutenant Colonel Ben Blane
5. Curt Donaldson
6. John Faunce
7. Marty Skovlund Jr.
8. JJ Pinter

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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