Delta Force Operator Recounts One of the Most Horrific Scenes of War

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[@ShawnRyanClips]

Thanks for watching everyone. You can watch the full episode with Tom Spooner here kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHLbgnZng9B2rrcsi=-A1pf2rij3VTWNQR Additionally if you want to support the Shawn Ryan Show you can join the community. www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite

[@thenegociater3387]

I'm a spinal surgeon now, but years ago I did rotations through trauma surgery. The best way to describe it is attempting to bring order to carnage. The vast majority of people only ever see other people more or less in good form and function. Seeing a person torn apart, unrecognizable strikes your humanity deeply. I can only imagine the deep and sudden erosion of humanity from seeing carnage on such a scale in an uncontrolled environment. Surgeons have time to do humane things, help people to increase their reserves of humanity to continue on. A frontline soldier might not have that chance, and may be called to inflict further carnage. Compartmentalization can only get you so far. It is a great test that Mr. Spooner put himself through out there. I understand why he and others dedicate the rest of their lives to rehumanizing themselves. Thank you.

[@rp1645]

A big thank you to you my surgeon friend I have been in a major trauma center when I rode the third guy as a ride alone. We young FF got to ride with the medical rig. I remember lots of standing around just in "A" of trauma team in ER room. The one time I got ready Light headed was the doctor asking me to just hold the stretcher still, they had not transferred to the ER bed. All the BLOOD like that say Got me very dissy.

[@GardenGuy1942]

Doing my gen surg residency right now; attending I work with was a trauma surgeon on a forward surgical team in the army. Talk about carnage, the limited resources available with injuries some soldiers present with is truly humbling.

[@andrewdampf5807]

Well said

[@w_stew8912]

Spinal surgeon…what’s that pay a man yearly?

[@michajozwiak5557]

My father's best friend was a trauma surgeon for many years. We're in a big city, but not a particularly rich country, so there was always horrible stuff going on, and not enough resources to do everything right. He developed something of a mental syndrome over time, where he was obviously super burned out, but felt the need to keep going, because various explanations which boiled down to "I'm doing very important work, I can't stop". Thankfully he did stop... and learned to do hair transplants. Some of his colleagues weren't so lucky. The alcoholism and recreational thrill seeking in doctors is at a horrible level, and their life expectancy shows it. I hope my dad's friend keeps doing the hair - it's probably boring, but he's off the booze, and he sold the overpowered Mazda convertible.

[@patches6309]

We lost one of our Lt's in an IED attack in Ramadi in 2005. I vollunteered to remove his remains from the blown up humvee due to the fact I did not want any of the younger and junior soldiers have to deal with the memory of scraping the remains of our friend into a body bag. It was the worst day of an entire year under fire then, and there were so many bad days. Glad you made it thru brother. Keep on keepin' on!

[@ns5545]

God bless you sir. I hope you have people around you to love and support you for the rest of your days. You deserve the best of what America can provide you.

[@Snowwarrior]

Hope your doing well. Thank you so much for everything. Pray for you everyday

[@frankgetsfit5291]

God bless you man thank you for your service

[@nacolewagner211]

You are really appreciated. Sending you love.❤

[@patches6309]

@@thatampguy I was already a cop in Philadelphia with 14 years experience on the street so I had dealt with death and carnage alot unfortunately. But it changes you and sticks with you if you experience too much? I did not want that weight upon their minds.

[@nellietolb420]

" I didn't want their blood soaking into the ground in that fucking place . " SEMPER FIDELIS !

[@1HOTCHKIS]

God Bless them all!

[@marksstudio]

Holy Jesus, God Bless you and those men. Oh man. I loved that sentiment though.

[@thomasaghotmail]

👊🏼 semper fidelis!!

[@AllenCarr-Anasty-ok3js]

What F’d me up the most/haunts me like it was yesterday was kids playing soccer younger than 10 that took some indirect intended for us. At 19 y/o that rocked my world once I got back state side and hugged my 10y/o little brother. What does that little brother do? Serves out a decade w 1st Ranger battalion 11 years later. Overachiever.. :)

[@leisurelee1897]

There are some badass units of every major army, but Sempre Fi scares nightmares out of them! Do or die! Lt. Leland Miller USMC, Viet Nam 1967

[@zachbishop5421]

​@@leisurelee1897thank you for your service! Vietnam vets never got the recognition they deserved

[@diatonicjon]

Ma was a medical specialist, E5, Vietnam, '70 - '74. Rest in peace, Mom. You were a hero.

[@VictorMartinez-vw3gj]

Tom Spooner is a class act gentleman warrior. He should be THE standard for all aspiring to be called "American warrior". God bless him and others like him.

[@mikeglynn5824]

Agreed

[@ruck27]

Combat medic is the hardest job in the military imo

[@Chris-fw8wo]

This one of the main characteristics of the Army's Tier 1 operators that I admire so much is how sincere and humble they are. We are fortunate that most of them are back and retired. Pick one, anyone of them you watch are similar in this. Total professionals, yet still human.

[@gingerstockwell]

Amen

[@just_another_gearhead]

I was a medic for 8yrs in Army and did my time in Afghansitan…I saw a lot of messed up things but also had some of the absolute best mentors. The battalion surgeon and my close mentor, an Army Captain who was a Pa but was prior enlisted for 18yrs as a Special Forces 18D medic. He taught me so much, I can’t convey how much they made us learn. Each medic had to come up with a 30min-1hr class each week and we medics would have classes everyday if you didn’t have any task and we would teach our classes to each other. So great training, we never felt there wasn’t things I couldn’t handle…but, working on kids. Man that memory and thought still tears me up a little…soul damager. It took many many years of fucking up and self reflection and introspective thought and healing to be the man I am today and to have been able to use those experiences as traumatic growth…they weren’t always growth though, believe me.

[@juniorlazaro935]

Ex-police officer here now retired in the Philippines 🇺🇸🇵🇭 I don’t miss any of your shows. I can no longer watch news, too much bias right and left. What I appreciate the most about your show sir, is the caliber of your guests you have. True Americans who have been there and done that, willing to share their experiences so other patriots can hear the truth. If I had to describe your show in one word “Integrity” Thank you sir for your service and what you do 🙏🏻

[@scottbee501]

I was a trauma nurse for 26 years and here is a short summary of that experience, “the truth is a whole lot stranger than fiction”.

[@publicuser2534]

I worked security at a trauma hospital. When the life flight came in and landed on the roof, it would remind me of Blackhawk helos landing at EMEDS in Iraq…EMEDS is the Air Force equivalent of an Army MASH unit.

[@aprenticexx]

I swear, it is so important that this show exists. Having people talk about there traumatic events really helps and makes it relatable to anyone who experienced something similar. It gives me the goosebumps just to hear him explain his emotional phase after his functional one. A reminder how similar we all are despite our differences. Lots of love and stay safe 🙏

[@jimmyboeingbeep]

Worked as a medic in the ER, we’d typically get several wounded around 3PM. Air America contractors pulled out of Laos usually, we sat one guy aside on a gurney (“selection”) and hours later I went over to prep him and the basin placed under the gurney drain was completely full. As I carried that coagulating blood to the toilet to dump it my humanity shifted at that point, so I at least partially understand this operator’s feelings. Wish every politician with power would carry such basins.

[@thomasotoole3212]

The sacrifice is so enormous.. My family and I at forever indebted to these men and women who gave so much..

[@publicuser2534]

My hat is off to those guys and gals that were in the initial push and subsequent months after. I showed up into country in 07 and 2010. It was Iraq, but a different place than those early days.

[@succulentP]

The beauty of the SRS; Allowing humble men to remain humble, while they tell the tails of superheroes. Stories are meant to be shared. For growth. To learn. Thanks for giving them a place to speak comfortably

[@robfgruber3]

Got me with the cliffhanger Shawn, now I need to watch the whole interview. Nicely done.

[@publicuser2534]

I saw a short clip from this interview. Blew me away because he talks about getting sober from alcohol. I am a little over ninety days into my first time sober since coming back from Iraq in 08. He said quitting drinking was the hardest thing he has ever gone through.

[@navychief8425]

Retired 8404/8425 Corpsman, brother I had chills when you spoke about the coagulated blood stalactites. I had a similar episode during my 15 years with various Marine units. My time feels minute to what you did and experienced, thank you for your service and all you did. Semper Fidelis my brother.

[@HuntFishGolfColorado]

I am not a soldier. I cannot imagine the physical and emotional pain associated with war. These stories are overwhelming. It is important to listen to these heros despite the sadness that I feel.

[@breakshot7451]

while on the other side of the planet me stupid, had years of partys and f--- arounds behind me. at least 04 my girlfriend became pregnant and my boy was born 05 so made me grow up a bit. in many ways i tick like tom but thank god without the pictures in his brain

[@publicuser2534]

I am not an operator. I did go to Iraq twice. I was fortunate though. I rarely had to leave our Forward Operating Base. We were called Fobits. 07 was a rough year for sure though. A few days into our tour a mortar killed a soldier in his bunk and wounded a few more. 07 was the deadliest year of the Iraq War. It was somewhat quiet in 2010. I graduated in 2005.

[@brockhuber6859]

"Not in that fucking dirt". Realest statement

[@Lemmy30294]

Love you guys. Thank you

[@grovepeate3316]

Really enjoying Mr.Spooner Shawn.Great guest.

[@Steamerbeen]

Those deep breathes he takes means he remembers it clearly.

[@Steamerbeen]

@@emmanuellimon5158 what are you ranting about sweetheart?

[@dEAdAimGUNSHOT]

@@Steamerbeenthat other guy was agreeing with you. You must’ve been dropped on your head as a baby to formulate a response like that 😂

[@dannydanny3154]

That comment “didn’t want that blood soaking into that ground “ oh man many emotions go through me !!

[@Hawaiian80882]

Mahalo's Shawn...truly putting some of this in my tool bag

[@jamesmccaughey7754]

If you don’t get anything out of that you’re dead inside. Thanks guys for reliving that. So important for the rest of us to remember that cost. Too bad the scumbags running this country aren’t listening.

[@RGVNC]

I was a big fan of the TV show M.A.S.H. when I was a little, but it wasn't until my time in the service that I understood why they built a Gin Still in their tent.

[@publicuser2534]

Right! Our barracks were right next to the EMEDS tents and landing pad. That helipad was always receiving Blackhawk traffic. To this day, I still look up when I hear life flight helicopters. I worked at a trauma hospital for a little bit after.

[@CaptainWillard830]

I was the S-3, Combat Service Support Group 15 Forward, 1st Force Service Support Group Forward, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward when this attack happened. The Navy Hospital at Camp Fallujah, and Al Asad, and all of the Forward Resuscitative Surgical Suites in Al Anbar Province, were part of the unit. I remember when this mass casualty event happened. The HSSE (Health Service Support Element) team in my Combat Service Support Operations Center (CSSOC) managed by Navy Medical planners, got very busy. Navy medical personnel, surgeons, most of them reservists who as civilians worked at major trauma hospitals in major U.S. cities, saved lives

[@ColKurtzknew]

"that was the reality of war for me. American blood." Powerful.

[@DairyHamilton]

Starts around 2:54:00 in the full interview video if yall wanna hear the rest

[@bodybong]

Legend

[@xn--g5h6690ovb]

You rock dude

[@mwhitelaw8569]

I've worked in slaughterhouses when i was younger He's right There is a very distinct smell when blood is heavy and it's hot. Especially human with all the iron we have in us. Not surprising it got him

[@johnlefucker9323]

The smell of shit mixed with the blood is what I remember the most.

[@davidritchie9344]

I still can smell the blood when a friend tot his leg cut off by a train. That was probably 25 years ago. Also, don't try to jump on moving trains. Trying to learn to skate with a prosthetic looked like a pain in the ass.

[@zenmonjoshin9996]

Lol i bet he begrudges going skating with you!​@davidritchie9344

[@philyamascunt7518]

I also worked in a huge slaughter house when I was 18 years old and the smell of the blood, guts and every part of an animal seeps into your pores. The smell was so "Different" that I would take a shower immediately after I was done at work in the work locker room to keep the smell from permeating throughout the interior of my truck and then I would shower again as soon as I got home from work With this double shower taking place in about a 45 to 55 minute time span my wife still complained about the smell and my friends said that they could smell the death and guts that had soaked into my pores but no matter what soap and scrubbing apparatus, hell even the "Wives Tales" and the multitude of hillbilly remedies I tried that smell was LOCKED IN I worked at the slaughterhouse for about a year and a half, got into a kerfuffle with a new foreman that lost his job at Goodyear Tire where they make the tires so this new foreman knew nothing about meat except how to eat it so the new foreman was ALWAYS at odds with me and a few other guys I ended up dragging up on that job and about 2 months after I quit I walked in to talk to a Marine recruiter and 2 months after that I was on my way to bootcamp. The bad part about me talking to the recruiters of all of the branches that makeup the military was that I didn't mention it to my wife or my young daughter (Yeh the wife was mad that I didn't ask, or mention my lan to our 7 month old daughter sooooooooo I hit the military circuit on my own and my wife divorced me and told me about it when I was buried half way up to my ass in bad shit in Beirut but the smells were pretty much the same at either place

[@LionAstrology]

Thanks for sharing.

[@THEGOAT223_-]

I’m grateful for this channel

[@cgardner753]

God bless you all, all our veterans. You're all heroes. Thank you for our freedom.

[@SplitWigz]

thanks shawn love the content

[@mattmacpherson1033]

I am so proud to be an American protected by such fine men! Thank you for all that you do! ❤

[@nicksmith8166]

Listened to this one from start to finish. Gonna listen again. This one and DJ Shipley are the best ones in my opinion.

[@JModMatthewZ]

when he said cause hes dead as shit it broke me on top of his breath shaking every word he says you can tell hes about to break down

[@geraldwest3428]

Salute to you, mister! I thank God for great men 🙏

[@joshroten3997]

Great stuff Shawn (and Tom).

[@leecook7904]

Dude spooner seems like the nicest guy. You would never guess he is capable of the complete opposite. Never underestimate your opponent.

[@publicuser2534]

He went through a substantial change in his life too. I understand what he went through when he talks about getting sober off of alcohol. Out of all the things that he has done and been through, alcohol was the most difficult. I hear him. I’m a little over ninety in.

[@blazetaylor6989]

What a patriot and exemplar of warrior! I swear I met Mr. Spooner up in Tall Afar in 2005, late night meeting with H. R. McMaster at the regimental TOC--pretty sure anyway. We picked them up on the tarmac and their bags weighed about 150lbs each lol, we were like "What the hell do you guys have in here!?"

[@kevinerbe6297]

Enjoy your show, Shawn.

[@jamesmcdow945]

God bless the D boys, nothing better.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

He's sponsored by BCM. He's in a couple of vids called The American Gunfighter. A good one with him doing building clearing is on JD Poytensky's AGF profile. Those two shows some good movement through an uncleared structure. Another cool clip is called THE CAPABILITY on Bravo Company USAs channel. I wouldn't want those guys coming after me.

[@sneakydeathrabbit1164]

This comment is to support the channel ( im too dumb with money to support better im sry 🥺)

[@SiriusDogStar369]

Same.

[@ShawnRyanClips]

This helps us more than you know! Thank you!!

[@ronicaballero2970]

Me too bud

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Thank you.

[@rasputinscastle]

Thanks for what you do.😊

[@michaelhood1291]

HM3(FMF) Hood Iraq War Veteran 2004 - Operation Phantom Fury Ramadi / Fallujah / TQ YUUUUUUUUUT 🇺🇸💪🏼🇺🇸💪🏼

[@publicuser2534]

Hood is also 1st Cav as well too, right? I passed through there when we did some pre-deployment training. They had a decent urban site for jacked up paintball training.

[@glenmeyers1360]

ThankYou for all you do,God Bless you all.Our country has gone through hell in the last few years and i'm afraid it's just beginning,we all know what is truly going on at the border,in government,our education system etc,im only guessing at what it will take to right these wrongs ,so i wanted to say ThankYou to all of those with true morals true spine and true dilligance,as a one legged amputee at 60 years old all i can do is to pray,and hope there's enough real men and women to save our beautiful country from the pits of hell we have created......Thankyou Sir

[@lonewolf30531]

Yeah I understand that switch he mentioned. I never understood my mindset and thought it was not normal . I missed my calling I guess but at least I know that I’m not alone. Not alone with this mindset.

[@rp1645]

You can still get involved with this kind of treatment if you want to. Will explain my personal things I do in 2024. I am an Advisor for FF Cadets. We have two converted Aid rigs as Rehab rigs. When toned out to big 2 alarm fires, large EMS events we are there working with MSO & Paramedic. We record vitals for FF or the other mass injury people. We cool FF down in the back of Rehab rigs and Medic rigs. We have even had Cadets or Advisor treat patients as the MSO goes through all the injuries, to prioritize the treatment and transport. We are taking care of the FF one on one. Rehydrating them, giving them Gatorade or water, having them eat energy bars ( Paydays) are the FF favorite. And a Retired Paramedic who is also the chaplain. He told me about what's in Payday bars, which is very good for bringing back your body energy. Anyway that's my story 😊 you can still get involved with Groups that get in the middle of this crazy mass treatment. Check out in your area, is there a REHAB unit that has volunteered to help man the unit. What we are trying to incorporate is a Light Duty FF drive the rig with 1 or 2 Cadets who by the way get school credits for doing ride alongs, with not only the Rehab but the different engine companies

[@iprophecy6768]

Yeah id probably be the same way. Idc about killing people trying to kill me, ill do that in a heartbeat and will sleep like a baby. But seeing my buddies arm or leg get blown off, or watching a friend just horrifically injured, man that would crush me in the moment. Especially if i could do nothing to give aid to that friend. Thats one thing ive always been is a good friend, and to know i cant be there for a friend while dying that would rip me apart mentally. And im sure this guy probably thinks about it all the time, probably has anxiety out the ass when thinking of it too

[@JayySwann-tf3tp]

Try losing your team leader from a fall from a MH60 during infiltration, still continued the mission, fuck bugs me to this day that he wasn’t snapped in. DOL

[@Daveradcliffevegasrealestate]

Thanks!

[@ShawnRyanClips]

You're welcome. Hope you enjoyed the short clip!

[@ruck27]

Combat medic is the hardest job in the military imo

[@Foldy435]

Every single available resource should be made available to help our veterans, who not only suffer physical trauma but also mental trauma. Money should be no object when you have men and women who have put their lives on the line to save ours.

[@terrysalazar1928]

Sean Thank You

[@chrisbreezy-ryanbarbosa4320]

Man I was on the verge of tearing up and he suddenly says "well he's dead as shit" just burst out laughing. Such a morbid, sad story yet his way of speaking is hilarious to me at some points.

[@Boss-Possum]

I tried to help someone who was beyond help in a car accident once and it didn't bother me I was numb to it. But at home my wife cut the tip of her finger off and man, I went pale and nearly blacked out. It's so strange.

[@chrisabella624]

No ieds in 04 yet the 82nd we were getting decimated in late 03 by road side bombs.

[@blackwater1828]

Love your show ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@markkus1134]

We owe them everything! Even God says you must be brave!

[@Marcus-vk5nx]

I'm guessing God's idea of brave does not include humans slaughtering each other..

[@markkus1134]

@@Marcus-vk5nx that’s been happening since the beginning of time you are smart enough to know why that is ???

[@Marcus-vk5nx]

@markkus1134 since the beginning of time..? I'm reasonably sure you have not one speck of an idea of a clue what was going on at the" beginning " of time..God knows though...and only him..

[@mikepalmer8051]

We should have been there for a year. Took out the deck of cards then gtfo instead of a 10 yr proxy war

[@astralreisender]

you still think you should have gone there at all?

[@CorePathway]

@@astralreisenderWe went in their on lies. My condolences to the families of the service members who died without doing anything to make America safer.

[@astralreisender]

@@CorePathway exactly, shouldend been there, we supported you based on lies, politic sucks, have a nice one!

[@publicuser2534]

@@astralreisenderIt is what it is. Hindsight is 20/20. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I didnt make the effort after 9/11.

[@DG-oo8zf]

Id like to see US NAVY SEAL Bill Brown on this show. Tremendous patriot with an absolute story to tell.

[@jakeweeks9135]

Love this podcast

[@braudhadoch3432]

They are hero's because what they have to carry the rest of the lives. The sin that must be processed, the horror, the choices. And for what? For who have I done this to myself for?

[@thomasmarchese2808]

Every tq and chest seal you have. 30+ dudes laid out …

[@l.halsey2991]

My pop was a Hospital Corpsman.

[@M4A1_DELTA6]

FHF Corpsman are no joke , respect to your pops man , im a US Army fanboy but theres something about US Navy Corpsman that i prefer over 18D , SARCs that do the full course SOIDC , to me are the most trained out of the them all , not taking away from 18D but They know dive medicine which is a bonus over the armies counterpart

[@jonathanphillips2388]

Delta guys, both ends of the spectrum, one minute they are wasting people...the next minute, fixing people...on both sides!!! War is Madness!!!

[@Maria-qn6fe]

Please speak of the trauma of the situation of the killings of Shani Louk and the many victims of both sides of the conflict in Israel and Gaza

[@Slide164]

Wah Wah!

[@rjohne7]

What was Tom Spooner's rank?

[@johnhiggins1028]

This particular guy was so fkn interesting,great pod,but it takes two,one to ask the interesting and relevant questions etc....

[@hueginvieny7959]

What did the nurse say

[@tomstanton6952]

That was sad as F !! WTF 😱🤦🏻‍♂️

[@BM-is4lf]

Amazing

[@kevinkozak7044]

Heroes All

[@l.devinfisher5762]

Throw down in a small town

[@trapj5983]

Tom seems cool as shit!!

[@Fog66]

What does selection event mean???

[@sevirz13]

I'm guessing selection for awards

[@themog4911]

To join delta force you have to pass "selection." Mentally and physically demanding events. He thought that the mass casualty he was part of, would make a really tough event for selection.

[@nonserviam9673]

Nightmare fuel. ☻

[@joshuastenzel8101]

These are your best interviews. Real, complex things even the most capable among us have to live with. I’m still in, and the yearly mandatory crap on dealing with trauma pale in comparison.

[@mcriser]

This comment is for KZbin analytics.

[@bdu2sac]

Wow

[@StoicJason]

Tom is one of the finest men you can ever hope to meet.

[@austinbratton9973]

😢😢😢😢

[@vizantbogoljub3147]

Slava Srbiji💪🇷🇸💪🇷🇸💪🇷🇸💪

[@Gree1060]

Stay out of other people's countries.

[@vincenta.1677]

Fuk man...

[@jg5875]

The second event can be found via Google: May 2, 2004, five NMCB 14 Seabees perished and 31 were wounded in a rocket attack at Forward Operating Base Junction City, Ramadi.

[@Devilfrog03]

I remeber during preop for ONE of my daughters open heart surgeries , my wife says "listen im not my husband, you need to break this down into english, explain it to me like ive never been to goat lab" so they break it down to understable reletable terms. At this point i havent said much, before we walk out the room, one of the guys on the surgical team said yeah i got a question have you been to goat lab? Moral of the story when a mans sitting in a room and the topic if discussion is maybe your daughter will be alive 16 hours from this moment, tell us a story is not what that father has on his mind. But up until right after my daughters sucessful open heart surgery, when the surgical team as a whole wanted to basically hear about goat lab and how cool it was. For those of you not familiar with it. It is hands down one of the best trauma medic training courses available.

[@bryonblanchard3148]

Thanks!

[@ShawnRyanClips]

You're welcome!