SOG Prairie Fire Stories #1: John "Tilt" Stryker-Meyer

An interview with SSG "Tilt" Meyer, who helped create our new Arma 3 DLC game. Find out more: sogpf.com
A fascinating insight into the life of MACV SOG Special Forces operating in Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
Watch more of Tilts stories on Jockos podcasts in our MACV SOG playlist.
0:00 - Intro
0:09 - Pre Roll
01:57 - Interview starts 'What is MACV SOG'?
11:08 - POW raids
18:20 - Tilt gets grabbed by the foot on recon
21:41 - What was a usual mission?
31:22 - What were the stakes?
39:06 - Teams go missing
52:50 - South Vietnam
01:23:56 - Weapons
01:41:00 - 500 pound bombs
01:50:00 - Air support
02:00:00 - PF SOG is authentic
02:04:03 - Photo montage

[@shannonjason1134]

John is an amazing guy - working tirelessly to keep the memories of his fallen friends and those still with us from being lost. Hats off to you John

[@copper4045]

I am so happy this game is being made responsibly, paying tribute to the brave folks that lived it. Can’t wait to play it! Thank you, Tilt!!

[@billseventy6825]

@Copper yeh the Dev's of this DLC for Arma 3 have spent alot of time and effort to make it as Realistic as possible with the "Game mechanics " that are avialible ...

[@YUPSON]

Go listen to jocko's podcast for more s.o.g stories

[@jklivn25]

@@YUPSON I fell in love with the SOG stories from those podcasts. Have read all of Tilts books and other authors. Then they released this DLC. I am such a happy gamer right now.

[@113charlie7]

JOCKO PODCAST 180 181 182 AND MANY MORE WITH JOHN STRYKER MEYER AND MANY MORE SOG VETS!

[@libertylivesin1776]

@@jklivn25 My favorite SOF unit of all time. CAG is dope and if I find myself in a Panama prison want them on the OP but the things these guys did is damn near mythical.

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

tilts whole personality is incredible. jolly, articulate, endearing, and smart. I could listen to him all day. I wish I could be like him, maintaining an easy smile and pleasant demeanour even after everything he's been through. a strong minded man.

[@SavageGameDesign]

you're not wrong!

[@BlueCollarRay]

If you disliked this video.....you have some soul searching to do. John is a National Treasure. God bless you Sir.

[@sheepdawwg]

Not even the VC would dislike this interview

[@jacobriley4531]

I can't express how happy I am to see this project. Bringing in veterans and Reenactors like the Modern Forces UK guys in to accurately capture the experiences of the men of MACVSOG and to accurately recreate the equipment they used. I'm so excited, I'm rebuilding my old desktop because of this. This is how historically themed games should be done.

[@SavageGameDesign]

Thank you Jacob. We hope we did it right.

[@abrb1223]

@@SavageGameDesign You did not do it right. You did it fucking flawlessly! Fantastic jobs guys, thank you and congrats!

[@SBPTeam]

Thank you in name of Slovenian Arma Community for bringing us this amazing interview. What a legend. We all can't wait to experience Prairie Fire DLC for Arma 3.

[@paulmackenzie5526]

Across the fence . is an amazing book . reads better than any movie

[@rowmagnvs]

1000% agree

[@brohemia6575]

Thank you for providing these. I have played Prairie Fire, but didn't even know you guys did interviews with S.O.G guys. These stories are seriously hard to come across without dropping a few hundred on a book collection.

[@SavageGameDesign]

They also helped us write the game

[@brohemia6575]

@@SavageGameDesign reasons like this is why S.O.G is my favorite CDLC :)

[@CAPITAOCOMMANDO]

I'm Brazilian and don't knew the SOG history until the DLC Prairie Fire release. At my first look I liked it so much that I began to read about it, buyed the John Plaster's book, and then I fell in love for this incredible story of bravery, loyalty and courage these men wrote ind the history's page. Like you I'm reading the book for a second time. Congratulations for your initiative to honor and make the world learn about these heroes. I'll watch all interviews. God bless your team. God bless you, John "Tilt". Regards from Brazil.

[@SavageGameDesign]

thanks! here's a cool SOG playlist you might appreciate then open.spotify.com/playlist/2sMuc56VsPLMHjotaor5FH?si=c301eafd668b4032

[@CAPITAOCOMMANDO]

@@SavageGameDesign Tks. I'm editing some SOG missions in Eden to my MilSim community and I have a question: do you intend to insert a functional STABO/ McGuire rig for extractions?

[@SavageGameDesign]

@@CAPITAOCOMMANDO that sounds great - sadly STABO cannot work well in Arma 3 engine, we hope in some future game we can do it one day :) I did make one in unsung mod, so you could try that. it's kinda funky though.

[@coastal9181]

As a veteran myself, hats off to these great warriors and your entire team. The game pulls you in and is incredibly immersive. 8 hours go by and a sore ass and numb hands is the only reason you stop.

[@JumpingJimmyJet]

Wonderfully done, thank you the "Wild Carrot"

[@SavageGameDesign]

Hey Jim! You're up soon!

[@budgibson185]

Can’t wait to hear n see Mr. Jim’s episode

[@flyinglizards80]

Check out sog cast with TILT and other sog warriors

[@colemanstein9554]

54:18 really says a lot. The A Shau Valley was one of the worst places during the Vietnam War. These guys were running practice missions there.

[@benyoung552]

I think I’ve watched every video Tilt has done. Lol. The jocko podcasts like 6 times. 😆 He’s So Badass

[@SavageGameDesign]

He has a writers knack of conveying the power of a moment so well. Comes from years of practice as a journo and writer.

[@TheLordJarhead]

Incredible insight into this dark chapter! These stories need to be told!

[@lbircher1]

John is a GEM!! He is as down to earth as anyone you know!!

[@renatonovis]

damn, I'm just finishing his "Across the Fence" book, about to start Lynne M. Black book Whisky Tango Foxtrot. Amazing, lot of respect for Mr. Meyer

[@b-52eggbeast88]

WTF is a truly awesome book and so is We Few by Nick Brokhausen. Must-reads

[@renatonovis]

@@b-52eggbeast88 will add that one to my list , thank you.

[@britishforeignlegion-arma7901]

Thank you for honouring their story! Everyone at BFL can't wait to jump in and learn these breathtaking stories - BFL CDLC giveaways and jungle warfare training is in order! :D

[@weshoward4301]

Grateful that Rob & team captured these further oral histories. Having several hours of other interviews with John (as well as his books) I'm always amazed at the fine gentleman he remains indulging anyone who sincerely wants to know about MACV-SOG recon operations. John, looking fit as ever and glad you're still walking the planet with us, and sharing your stories & those of your comrades.

[@mikewinter7697]

This man is a true hero and a great human being. I’ve chatted a little bit with him via messenger and he was nothing but polite and humble. Respect.

[@SavageGameDesign]

Yep, the best guys don't brag.

[@billseventy6825]

Nice job on the Interview , Rob, Sam , and Thank you "Tilt" ,, playing the mod on Arma3 has shown me over the years how it was back then , Being Ex Mil I fully understand what the peeps of MACV SOG had to go through ,and fully have Respect for what they had to do !!! Cant wait for the official release of the DLC!!! ,, regards "Bill70" ;)

[@RockyMountainWest13]

Crazy to think these men carried THIRTY freakin 20 round mags.

[@SavageGameDesign]

Dick Thompson carried FIFTY

[@OhItsThat]

This is fantastic. I love all the LRP and LRRP stories too. It would be great to see some of those units and missions in the DLC at some point.

[@Operator11B]

Looking very forward to this “DLC” guys. Hope it’s a success

[@HazBofficial]

I know very little about the Vietnam war but such a fascinating interview...some of the stories/accounts of engagement is just plain scary. I think the cDLC is going to do those fine servicemen and their supporting allies a great justice. The recounting of multiplayer experiences with the machine gun also goes to show the passion the devs have for it. Well done guys & girls!

[@IceTactics]

Makes you appreciate life, right? Really puts things in perspective for me whenever I get down or start feeling sorry for myself. These guys went into hellfire and many never made it back. I think about that and realize how much I have to be thankful for.

[@cmbunit01]

I'd thoroughly recommend watching The Vietnam War by Ken Burns, it'll give you a real appreciation for the wider context of the conflict, from both sides.

[@budgibson185]

Oh I think if we start making noise they will make a SOG flick! The Maloney they could make which is all they care for is immense and it would be full of action and awesome real life characters

[@Bobby_Dazz]

This was great to listen in on. Thank you for doing this, and thank you for your contribution to the A3 community.

[@hippiedaveshappyplace1797]

Incredible podcast and the photos are the perfect ending WELCOME HOME BADASSES You have made your country proud!!

[@slow9573]

We homeschool, Tilt. I'll be sure and teach this as best I can when my kids are old enough to do military history. Thanks for sharing the info.

[@jackcrossman7948]

Thanks for adding "Bait" as a superior reference. I was able to bring him into the SFA, Chapter XXII, last year. I am always awed by their service and sacrifice. Thanks, Jim McLeroy.

[@kgw100]

Glad there was a collaboration between two of my long time favorite things. Arma 3 and John Meyer

[@rkymtn571]

How in the hell , can a person say more than a huge THANK YOU to these men ? Real Heros !

[@ronhaworth5471]

Tilt laugh alone gets your interest. The path was unique!

[@MinhTran-vp8bv]

They used the China Lake for testing. What chads dude.

[@layciepiper293]

Tilt has been on the jocko podcast like 7 times. Hes god some pretty wild stories

[@Gofaw]

this DLC blew my mind and got me completely hooked on everything related with SOG, outstanding

[@SavageGameDesign]

then we can say "mission complete" :)

[@sapien82]

Full tilt

[@SavageGameDesign]

It is!

[@geoffroberts1608]

Omg when John talked about that pilot coming in and saving his butt,then saluting him and seeing the cigarette in his mouth. wow 😮

[@Lonestar187]

I am going to read this man's book. Great men who display the intestinal fortitude to go do missions knowing the odds are stacked against them and if they are caught, the government will deny their existence.

[@SavageGameDesign]

you can find a link to Tilts books on our website: www.sogpf.com/military-advisors

[@RockyMountainWest13]

Damn I didn’t realize these were actual interviews with the SOG guys. Thought this was just about some video game or something. Glad I checked this out.

[@chrismayo4902]

There needs to be a decent series’ not a movie! A series off all these stories! I have read everything on these guys from six silent men to all the MACV SOG guys and there missions’ stories that could stop a heart! Total bad ass guys!

[@Patchaddictedpolymath]

I love Tilt. I hope our country can do right by men like him.

[@jackcrossman7948]

John, thank you for your contribution. I'm looking forward to the episode from the Wild Carrot. He's in my SFA chapter; wonderful human being!

[@crazy_mikee]

very awesome

[@SavageGameDesign]

cheers Mike

[@333BlkFlagg]

The man the myth the LEGEND!!! J. Stryker Meyer Tilt

[@xivid1234]

Amazing! Thanks for the insight!

[@InvisibleHotdog]

Just found out about this, listened to the podcast, and gonna listen to the rest. Glad these stories can be told.

[@productionfarming5678]

I have read tilts books as well as others in SOG and I have been playing this game. This game is hands down the best I have ever played and really brings a historical level that is a complete immersive experience. Hats off to the developers!!! Those who respect history will love it!!!

[@ethanwilson5310]

I read his and other books before i got my first cell phone. Truly mad men. I love them all..

[@collinmc90]

This is amazing. Thanks for making these interviews.

[@ryrygilory]

I hope I’m not the only person who has suggested this but recreate his story in the game while he is voicing events. People will pay money to see that in theater

[@TheQuantumPotato]

John's book is great - I instantly recognised some of the missions from it! It's called "Across the Fence" if anyone is interested - highly recommended.

[@n__rtu8324]

Great interview - fascinating piece of cold war history

[@bobburke8584]

Those guys were brave and crazy as hell to do this! WOW!

[@RichardColwell1]

Keep these up!

[@Cyarrick1]

It would be very good if you could find and interview some North Vietnamese veterans for further context.

[@ThePollaxtroy]

Well done on a well made mod. I got it a few days ago. On foot recon in Vietnam through Bamboo forests. With the time period weapons. Brilliant.

[@etnogamer7073]

How is the single player campaign? Some say it's not so good and the whole thing is made primarily for multi-player experience.

[@Error_404_Account_Deleted]

This DLC is AWESOME!

[@Error_404_Account_Deleted]

Listened to this while learning Map Editor and playing with Onslaught mode. 😁

[@Lakarak]

thank you. Ha Long Łódź

[@skutterbuster666]

You guys did a seriously good job on this DLC. I've been playing ArmA 3 for about 2.5 years now, bit late to the game.........but this is by far the best DLC, and the AI functions better than the actual normal game, which is notoriously buggy in certain aspects. Everyone who has worked on this DLC, every single one of those 120 people should be proud of themselves for keeping it authentic. And extra credit for ironing out some small things in the general gameplay too Seriously, good job........some more missions, in future updates would be great, but no rush.

[@SavageGameDesign]

thanks for your kind words! it means a lot to the team to receive well-considered feedback and praise :)

[@blabberer8950]

Also, there is a book called IN THIS VALLEY THERE ARE TIGERS by McDonald that is unreal!

[@flyinglizards80]

TILT is a freaking LEDGEND. Love ya brother ❤

[@jasonrespass5770]

A real American Hero thanks for your service and God bless you and all that served in that hell

[@user-ct8ji7jt6n]

GOD BLESS YOU! 🙏

[@christiansample6009]

You don't see this much. I wish more game designers put real faces to the stories they make

[@SavageGameDesign]

Thanks - yeah it really helped us write the campaign, having these guys looking over our shoulder changing things, making suggestions, saying yes or no a lot til we got it right. Such an honour for us.

[@maccumhaill5534]

How is Tilt Alive? Step aside Chuck Norris.

[@L11ghtman]

I wish modern shooters were about a) regular US Army soldiers but also B) Green Berets. It's always CIA, mercenaries, or one-man-armies in modern games. You always have to go back to Vietnam or WWII to get games about guys like this.

[@whata86]

I’d love to find out more about the nva counter sog hunters. How would the sog guys loose the hunters ?

[@SavageGameDesign]

Toe-popper mines (M14), 5 second claymores, WP, frags, 40mm nades from sawn-off M79s, and a lot of brass!

[@whata86]

@@SavageGameDesign thank you

[@rkymtn571]

Is there somewhere where you could put a list (link) of SOG members books , Pod Casts , or any other information where a person could go to learn more about these amazing men ?

[@SavageGameDesign]

community.sogpf.com/threads/97-Books-and-Graphic-Novels

[@SavageGameDesign]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKepZHygf5prbJI

[@cavscout62]

Go to the JOCKO PODCAST and start with episode 180

[@Jam-vj8ig]

Tilt is the best !! 🎉

[@patrickoglesbee3519]

Great Interview!! I want to suggest something that I think the Arma Community and this DLC in particular would be great. So Elevator Pitch. You Take Tilt and Others like him. It Is a Community Event. 6 Macv SOG teams comprised of members from the MILSIM community. They have Objectives. Tilt and Others Like Him Play the Opfor Commanders who receive intel reports of actions grids etc conducted by the community Macv Sog Teams. Their job is to hunt the MACV sog Teams. They give orders and if desired they could even make in person decisions during the gameplay for manuevar and orders of forces like you would see in a TOC. It is a rough Idea but I think it would be an excellent way to meld history connection and awareness and extremely fun. Development wise theres some work to do but I toyed with this concept a few years ago in a differrent medium for a hybrid Arma mil Sim Campaign.

[@chillymoe0331]

Great interview with Tilt. What's the name of the song at the end?

[@SavageGameDesign]

Unsung Heroes by originalsas, part of the game soundtrack available here store.steampowered.com/app/1616620/Arma_3_Creator_DLC_SOG_Prairie_Fire_Soundtrack/

[@willbo6017]

Bought it on Steam. Same Rock tracks from the DLC, plus the score. It’s great. Easily worth $5

[@nickh.27]

1:31:40 i can imagine rimmy "CAN NO ONE FOLLOW ORDERS AROUND HERE FOR FUCKS SAKE"

[@jwspeakermre5968]

Yeah the pump m-79 grenade launcher was called the China Lake.

[@SavageGameDesign]

there's a great photo of Lynne Black holding it posted in our sogpf discord

[@jwspeakermre5968]

That's so cool, I'll have to check that out

[@YUPSON]

Go listen to jocko's podcast for s.o.g stories

[@SavageGameDesign]

we have them all as a playlist on our channel

[@YUPSON]

@@SavageGameDesign I want jocko to do more. And I need him to do one with Lynn black

[@beefers96]

Great stories here. I'm enjoying the DLC, but I really wish that the game could be a little more "solo friendly" with at least the addition of AI teammates. I would love to be able to take my time enjoying the missions you crafted. The theory behind co-op is solid - and more realistic - but unless you've got a hardcore squad to roll with your single player options are playing alone ala Rambo or rolling the dice and get stuck in a group with two edgy racists, three squeakers, and a neck-beard that demands you call him "sir"....

[@RogerCharlamange]

1:55:00 There are no Orangutans in Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos. He's definitely talking about Rock Apes, which is just more proof they exist.

[@BungSpoot]

This game brought people together and gave me some real good times

[@ryanvogel9610]

Nothing against you guys or game but this is what COD:COLD WAR should have been

[@b-52eggbeast88]

If only we had a budget like that or they had a vision like us!

[@user-xy1ep6qp4y]

I am amazed that one of Sam Waltons sons (walmart owner) was mavsoc. When your worth millions you still take most dangerous job? Respect.

[@nagyiman]

Orchids and Spectres

[@asclark0970]

What is the name of this game and when will it be available????

[@jeepdanielgladit749]

When is the game coming out?

[@SavageGameDesign]

Hi Dan It was released May 6 2021 on Steam Workshop store.steampowered.com/app/1227700/Arma_3_Creator_DLC_SOG_Prairie_Fire/

[@SavageGameDesign]

We are collecting questions for our live discussion with 5 MACV SOG legends this Friday / Saturday (24-25 September 2021) here sogpf.tiny.us/run

[@patrickoglesbee3519]

Great experience for these guys. I have a Suggestion given the historical context of this. What about hosting a community event within the Mil Sim Community. Take Tilt and Several other surviving MacV Sog guys. Have them play the OpFor Commanders who receive a weekly intel report on the actions of 6 Community Based MACV SOG Teams. The Blufor is given Objectives and must Sustain persistently in the game. This means Ammo equipment etc while they accomplish these objectives. A Hybrid Zues Format would be best here. The Opfor Objective Eliminate the macv Sog teams. Balance is important so you can't just drop a division on a grid square. This would require a bit of hybrid in game and real world but It would be incredibly engaging in a way that I do not think any game has ever done before.

[@matthewsaenz99]

I could see this as the future competitive gaming competition, I feel if more former sf guys could get behind it with also enough of a fanbase , yea this would be awesome to get a FAT DOCUMENTARY ON THIS

[@billseventy6825]

@Patrick Oglesbee we actually do have at least one Vietnam vet that plays with us on our server ( he was a door gunner on huey's , 70+ years old , one hell of a guy !!) I'm pretty darn sue that IF Tilt or any of the other "peeps" from MACV SOG , or any other VN Vet that wanted to come onboard and help out or just too hang out , ,then they'd be more than welcome , there are quite a few EX-Mil playing with us on the server ( meself included lol ) ....

[@billseventy6825]

Since posting this post I've found out we now have two , "door Gunners" onboard lol , I personally haven't had the chance of meeting the new one but I sure have heard the stories of how one certain person sat in a huey with these two on the door guns ,listening to there stories of VN ... Two hours long lmao .....

[@warrenheadley7139]

Met this older gentleman that was at SF camp campsites near Cambodia he was with the big red one artillery there was two artillery guns there Basecamp got hit one of his brothers was killed fast planes getting shot out the sky special force guy with little people leaving the war the 105 with protecting medic was killed at the base camp and The Interpreter John was killed at the base camp he always talked about the brave man that would go out into the jungle with the little people he was at his artillery gun told the sergeant that he wanted to go out there with him the sergeant said come on said the sergeant was a very brave man he wondered if he ever made it out the man I'm talking about got two bronze Stars at the base camp I would like to see if there's someone that could help this man you never thought he was going to leave that Basecamp alive when it got hit I gave this brother a lot of respect he did not volunteer to go to this base camp they said these were the best two guns in his regiment and they went to the Special Forces camp give you all God's much love and much love to the brother I work with he's my painters helper maybe you guys can help him out his hearings bad from the 105 going off he has amazing stories maybe someone would like to hear from the artillery guys protected the Special Forces base camps thank you God bless

[@needlepark212]

What is a hatchet force?

[@SavageGameDesign]

a larger team of go-getters, indig troops led by US SF officers and NCOs. They do the noisy work - like raids and blocking roads and diversionary attacks - read up on Operation Spindown or Tailwind for some idea.

[@guyroger4131]

Anybody understand the rivalry btwn MacV and C**?

[@FeWolf]

You have been Tilted 😉😤

[@flyinglizards80]

Check jocko podcast 180 and many others to get to know this American Hero

[@steven3775]

"Sal could smell the enemy"!

[@b-52eggbeast88]

Sau the team interpreter

[@hippycracktalksmack]

I’m sorry what a 500 lb bomb chilling at the LZ⁉️

[@Gofaw]

they'd rigged it to a tripwire, which one of the indigenous troops spotted from the Kingbee somehow. After calling it in, a Cobra (or some other aircraft, idk) did a gun run on that LZ and a huge bomb went off

[@MikeSmith-go8wk]

Please tell me this is true. This is going to he a video game??? That's the coolest thing

[@hans4120]

A late reply but yes. And one of the best if not the best addon to arma3

[@MichaelPCarr10]

Better than Joe Rogan

[@Swngflwr]

Tilt is one badass mofo

[@germfreepizzawi1839]

El CID?

[@b-52eggbeast88]

No Rl Cid is Ken - on the other i terview

[@cavscout62]

It’s not SOG from his point of view. Damn.

[@not4you484]

Found this kzbin.info/www/bejne/jousYX2VbNNqnJY is this what it looked like in reality?

[@tonihelminen7405]

you should try and get some1 of those old wolfs to show how to shoot from the hip. shame to see guys trying guns what they used, some lame single shot shooting sight down. not even doubles, just lame single shots.