2nd battalion 8th marines

In this episode, Tyler and Jose catch up with their fellow 2/8 Brother Court Heyborne. Court completed two combat tours with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines. After his honorable discharge, Court struggled with his transition into civilian life. He had a breakthrough on his final attempt to go through PTSD treatment. Since then, Court has been living a whole life attempting to piece together his past and his future. In this episode, Court opens up in attempting so that others in the shadows needing help know that there is a way out. We thank Court for his openness. About Court Heyborne served with 2/8 as a Machine Gunner. He deployed to Iraq with Fox Company and Afghanistan with Weapons Company. He is a proud father of three sons. Court Served as a Corrections Officer in southern Utah. Graduated from Southern Utah University in Construction Management. Meeting and leading the Construction Management Club was a pivotal moment for Court's life, as leadership was necessary to regain traction in his life. Court Struggled with alcohol and physical health for many years. After the 4th attempt with PTSD treatment, it finally stuck and drastically improved his mental health and physical wellness. As a Superintendent for Layton Construction, managing the new Utah State Prison construction, he recognized the importance of effective communication of expectations. He Found happiness in daily life. In his words, "I want to change the world through conversation. My concept of "squeaky door theory" means a lot to my self-awareness and deeper understanding of appreciating the gifts of every day. I will always maintain an avid golfing life."

In this episode, Tyler and Jose reunite with their former Company Commander Andrew Dabbs. After Op Khanjar, many of us went our separate ways; almost 12 years later, we're picking up where we last left off. Andrew shares his personal story of development, and transition from Marine Officer to a citizen, his combat experiences from the Invasion of Iraq to the lush river valley of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Throughout this episode, you will find a warrior scholar's wisdom elucidating the meta-modern issues we face as a country and as Brotherhood. We hope you enjoy our conversation with our beloved Company Commander Andrew Dabbs. We want to thank Andrew Dabbs for taking the time out of his schedule to speak with our community of war veterans and families and being among the first of our leadership to step up and address the Marines they once led. Semper Fidelis.

In this episode, Tyler and Jose sit down with their fellow 2/8 Brother Reagan Roberts. Reagan shares with us his lessons in ownership and accountability within an evolving Marine Corps, his humbling moments, and the triumph in overcoming life-changing decisions by envisioning his future after his time and service. While on Active Duty, Reagan dedicated his time to establishing his now thriving business Mission Essential Gear, obtaining his degree, and attending the fire academy. Since then, Reagan has given back to the Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement, and Veteran communities. Reagan is a living example of his philosophy "We Do It For The Boys." and an outstanding example of Marines, especially 2/8 Marines who have continued serving their communities after service. To support Reagan, his Company, and Projects, please visit https://megearco.com/ or find him on social media at https://www.instagram.com/missionessentialgear/ or click this link tree https://linktr.ee/missionessentialgear

In this episode, Tyler and Jose sit down with Steve Matias, former 2/8 brother. Steve shares with Tyler and Jose his experiences throughout 2/8 2004-2007, his unexpected orders to Quantico, Virginia, and his continued service and training in Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. Steve is the owner of Cohesion BJJ and Director of Gis 4 The Brave Project. Steve has committed his life to instruct and share the therapeutic facets of martial arts to cultivate resilience and stop suicides within 1st Responder and Military Communities.

In this episode, Tyler and Jose catch up with their fellow 2/8 brother Steve Kupryk. Steve takes us back to his childhood and his love for all things active, his two combat tours with 2/8 Weapons Co as an 0331, and his Professional Wrestling Career. We are very grateful for Steve's time and his motivation in pursuing excellence while representing 2/8 and the Corps. Steve completed two combat tours with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines as an 0331, he was part of Operation Khanjar in (2009) and in (2011) he returned to the fight in Marjah. After his time and service, Steve rekindled his love for professional wrestling, and with the help of childhood friends, he was introduced to a New Jersey native WWE Superstar. Realizing he might have a chance to become a professional wrestler, Steve joined The Monster Factory in Paulsboro, New Jersey, in 2012. After one tryout with a WWE recruiter, Steve received a full-time NXT contract for WWE's developmental brand and moved to Orlando, FL, in January 2014. Steve worked for WWE for seven years, traveling the world performing and ultimately ending up on Smackdown as a tag team, The Forgotten Sons. Now, Steve is employed at IMPACT Wrestling, where his character, Steve Maclin. Semper Fi

In this episode, Tyler and Jose reunite with fellow 2/8 brother Dayne Prall after a decade. Dayne takes us back to his childhood and early experiences as he transitioned into the fleet. Dayne shared his experiences during Operation Khanjar in 2009 and the TBI sustained during an IED attack. Dayne, choosing to stay with the unit, redeployed in 2011 and shared his take on Afghanistan in 2011. Proud of his service Dayne reenlisted and discussed the dichotomy of Infantry life versus the airwing life. Dayne's injuries from his previous deployments caught up after a 12-month tour of duty with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, which performed operations in Spain, Italy, France, and Africa. Dayne eventually departing ways honorably with the Marine Corps now advocates for veterans.

In this episode, Tyler and Jose sit down with their former Company Gunnery Sergeant, 1stSgt Grimmett USMC Ret. Nearly 12 years after Operation Khanjar, the bond between senior enlisted and junior Marines lives on. 1stSgt Grimmett takes us on a journey after the events of 2009 and forward, where he grappled with the pain of leaving 2/8, transitioning, and finding his foundation amidst a Hyper-polarized United States. We want to thank 1stSgt Grimmett for taking the time as a senior enlisted Marine and sharing with us the complexity, politics, and outlook in these uncertain times, Semper Fi.

In this episode, Tyler and Jose host an open forum on Afghanistan. A special report called The Gray Zone from USSOCOM (United States Special Operations Command) briefed across agencies characterized the last 100 years of conflict. USSOCOM reported nine losses, 43 ties, and only 12 wins. Increasingly the U.S. finds itself containing conflicts rather than resolving, and enemies adapt in novel ways, making traditional doctrines nearly obsolete. Iraq and Afghanistan are among these 57 instances of conflict characterized in the Gray Zone Report. So what does it mean for the U.S. moving forward? And what does it mean for Veterans and the Operational Community who fought in those conflicts? In this forum, veterans from across the Marine Corps share their concerns.

In this episode, Tyler and Jose sit down with Doug Sterner, a decorated former Army Combat Engineer who served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Doug is the Curator of the "Hall of Valor," the largest and most complete unofficial database of U.S. Military award recipients in the world. Doug is also the most published military historian, with more than 85 books published. In this episode, we also get an opportunity to speak with Pam Sterner, Doug's wife. Pam authored "The Stolen Valor Act," which she and Doug shepherded through Congress, as well as hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court in what became a landmark 2012 First Amendment decision. Their story is documented in Restoring Valor a book authored by Doug and Pam.

In this episode, Tyler and Jose sit down with Senior Marine William Anthony Rodriguez and traverse various topics ranging from a time before 9/11, the old Corps, Bootcamp, V 3/3, Security Force Regiment, and V 2/8 Echo Co. Themes explored in this episode with William focused on gratitude, resilience, the surrealness of war, God (Dios) and the state of affairs with digital technologies. We honor our Senior Marines as they paved the way for us younger guys. We also thank Anthony for keeping his grit, integrity, and fire.

In this episode Tyler and Jose sit down with Mike Dalgliesh father of Rory Dalgliesh a fellow 2/8 Marine who served with the unit during OEF (2011) and OEF (2013). Mike shares his experience with losing his son Rory with the (War at Home). Mike also shares his mission to eradicate the "22 a Day" by carrying an American Flag and trekking along the road remembering the fallen, especially those lost at home. Mike also describes his efforts in trying to gain traction to pass legislation in order to make the Month of April Veterans Suicide Awareness Month.

In this episode, Tyler and I sit down with our Brother Chris Murray (Senior Marine 2/8) and traverse the landscape of today's cultural, political, and technological climate. In this PT I episode, Chris also takes us back to the early days of 2/8, where Chris pays homage to OIF I Marines who fought in the battle of (Al Nasiriyah). Tyler and I want to thank Chris for coming forward and sharing with us the sacred.

Dominic Davila (U.S. Marine Corps. Ret.) On November 27, 2006, Dominic joined the Marine Corps and went through boot camp. After graduation, Dominic went to School of Infantry West (SOI West), where he became an 0331. Upon graduating, SOI West Dominic was sent to Camp Lejeune, NC, and assigned to 2/8 Echo and Weapons Co. On October 31, 2007, Dominic deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, where he was a gunner in an MRAP. After a 7 month tour, he returned stateside. A year later, on May 15, 2009, he was deployed to Helmand, Province Afghanistan, for OP Khanjar. A few months into his deployment, on July 23, 2009, Dominics life changed. “We were rolling down the road when our Humvee ran over a 100lb IED. The blast killed the driver, Lcpl. Jeremy Lasher instantly, and our vehicle commander died later from sustained injuries; his name was Cpl. Nick Xiarhos. Our Corpsman HM2 Trevor Parr and myself were ejected from the Humvee. I was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical center, where I spent the next 3 years recovering and completing my Med Board.”-Dominic Davila

November 2020 marks 11 years since 2/8 Fox came home from Afghanistan. In 2009 2/8 was part of Operation Khanjar (Strike of the Sword) the largest helicopter insertion since Vietnam. In the early morning of July 2, 2009, 2/8 Fox inserted into Garmsir District. Join me and Tyler as we discuss the paradox of war, meaning, joy, love, and brotherhood. Friedrich Nietzsche said “to live is to suffer; to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” Tyler lives by this and I suspect many of us do. We remember our fallen and the living by embracing our suffering and turning it into life.

In this episode, Tyler and I sit down with our Brother Eamon LeBlanc-Shoemaker, a fellow 2/8 Marine. We traverse time before our paths crossed and culminated in 2009 during OP Khanjar (Strike of the Sword). Shoe shares his experiences about the early days in the fleet, his choice to extend for a third combat tour, and finally, the burden of command, as he assumed the billet of Squad Leader after an IED took two Marines out, both of them lived. Personal note, in 2009, during the summer of decisions, as they dubbed it, there was plenty of fear and rage to go around. I oftentimes wondered how things fell into play when the world around you was falling apart. War is a metaphysical paradox, and more than often, it takes away the young and bright, but seldomly does it give you something back. On behalf of 1 Charlie, we are indescribably grateful that Shoe was given to us, to lead and finish a most deadly combat tour. Shoe is the epitome of what a Brother should be.