Rephonic
Artwork for The Spear
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
Third Infantry Division

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 monthlyEpisodes217Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Spear

Latest Episodes

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

In this episode hosted by MWI's Charlie Faint, Retired Command Sergeant Major Curt Donaldson reflects on a career shaped by the 75th Ranger Regiment’s relentless standards, emphasizing that true leadership begins with genuinely caring for people whil... more

As a young platoon leader in Iraq during the 2003 invasion, John Faunce experienced the chaos of combat, including shifting missions, limited intelligence, and the need to rely on soldiers’ input to make decisions in uncertain conditions. His later e... more

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

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

Modern War Institute
Modern War InstituteModern War Institute at West Point
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Recent Guests

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
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

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 852 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 States9 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 Kingdom10 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
    Israel2 years ago
  • Recycled Episodes

    Podcast routinely recycles old episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CharlesEncharge
    United States2 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
#229
Italy/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Long-Range Precision Fires and the Fight for the First Island Chain
Q: Why did the Army create the long-range fires battalion and what sets it apart from other artillery units?
The MDTF arose from a shift toward near-peer competition in the Pacific, integrating space, cyber, and long-range fires into a forward, networked force designed to shape and fend off adversaries early in a conflict; it emphasized joint, multinational operations and progressive experimentation to inform future force design.
Long-Range Precision Fires and the Fight for the First Island Chain
Q: Ben, can you please give our audience a little bit about your background, such as why you decided to join the Army and what your career has consisted of so far?
Ben describes growing up in a small town, a desire to serve, and a path through West Point into field artillery, with a career spanning airborne units, combat deployments, and ultimately leading the MDTF in the Pacific, where he helped transform concepts into a fielded, networked force.
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.

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?

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. War on the Rocks
5. School of War

How many episodes of The Spear are there?

The Spear launched 9 years ago and published 217 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. Lieutenant Colonel Ben Blane
2. Curt Donaldson
3. John Faunce
4. Marty Skovlund Jr.
5. JJ Pinter
6. Fred Lough
7. Unnamed Marine
8. Dr. Kyleanne Hunter

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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