Delta Force Operator: "They Were Wizards Man" | Official Preview

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Tom Spooner, in his extensive military career, often likened the skilled leaders he encountered to "WIZARDS," a term he used to describe the profound impact these mentors had on his development both as a soldier and as a person.
Tom's combat career is marked by his progression through highly respected and demanding roles. After starting as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division, he advanced into Special Forces, becoming an 18C with the 7th Special Forces Group. His expertise and resilience were further honed in Delta Force, where he served as an operator, assaulter, and sniper. Over his 12 combat deployments-11 in Iraq and one in Afghanistan-Tom faced the realities of war head-on, engaging in hundreds of direct-action raids and enduring a cumulative 40 months in combat situations.
This episode goes deep into the life of a Tier 1 operator.
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Tom Spooner Links
Website - warriorsheart.com/
IG - / 1factfinder
X - / 1factfinder
Movie - www.amazon.com/gp/video/detai...

[@ShawnRyanShow]

Watch the full episode this Friday on Vigilance Elite Patreon for a toll of $5. www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite

[@robinstevens9189]

This is my new Fav channel! Thank you for the excellent content Shawn!

[@Kennoisewater123]

❤

[@theog7244]

I can't find it on your site!

[@ldyobaca]

Your interview with billy carson is not on youtube i see the shorts from it where can i see the full interview

[@daveinmontana77]

When can you get Dale Comstock on your show?

[@WarInHD]

Kyle Lamb talked about being a Cadre for CAG’s selection when Tom Spooner went through. Tom failed a 5 mile timed run, the other Cadre wanted to kick him from the course, Kyle had him checked by medical. Tom did a 5 mile run with a broken leg. Absolute stud

[@Chris-xv7wd]

God makes very few of these men

[@cadreops6067]

​​@@Chris-xv7wd Out of every one-hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior and he will bring the others back. -Heraclitus

[@halbos7637]

F' all the political stuff, this is the REAL! I ONLY follow and listen to WARRIORS. For the they know the true price of life and liberty. GOD Bless them.

[@michaelhastings2253]

I served with Tom in the 82nd when he was a young high-n-tight wearing, hard drinking, PT mutant/ Sergeant E5 that seemed to have a perpetual smile on his boyish face. Everyone liked Spoon-dog, and his impressions of our Company First Sergeant were hilarious. When I next saw him ten years later, it was in the middle of GWOT and he was sporting tousled hair and a fu-Manchu mustache. The ready smile was gone, and his eyes examined me with suspicion. Combat took away the old Tom Spooner forever. I’m so proud of what he’s accomplished and inspired by his story. God bless you, Tom; thanks for agreeing to this interview with one of the best in the business- can’t wait!

[@terrybreadon335]

War takes a piece of a man’s soul

[@uncleslam9436]

I checked myself into Warriors Heart the same day that I got out of the military last year. Just hit a year sober. Tom and his crew saved my fucking life.

[@patty7804]

That is amazing. Great job getting sober!

[@JosephKolp313]

Ditto Bro. DOL/RLTW.

[@user-en8uq8rf1e]

Congrats bro 🎉❤🎉😊 Simple not easy Keep talking ;)!

[@Ryan-Goble]

Desert fff AC cccccccccc c c

[@SirThomasHarber]

Thank you! I wish you good luck on your next journey in life.

[@bdusknitting1076]

Tom!! I love this guy..know him personally..hes saved 1000s of addicts and alcoholics on top of being a war hero...amazing man

[@willsimmons9946]

I met Tom in 2015 when I did a 3 day pistol/carbine class in NC with Northern Red. He is an absolute class act. Very humble, highly intelligent, excellent instructor, and just a damn good American. This will be a great interview for sure.

[@tbone6203]

Moyock alumni

[@workingguy6666]

can't wait

[@WhatsNextFam]

Alot of the SF guys are in nc so I believe you

[@jennesset1102]

Excited. All glory be to our savior and Lord, Jesus. These are the best kind of interviews.

[@mr.channel6467]

@@tbone6203 tf are you even saying

[@docholliday3374]

Tom Spooner. This is going to be amazing.

[@1stdeltacommando]

Tom is the man!!!

[@ShawnRyanShow]

It was a great interview!

[@havanamarlena]

Thanks for opening our eyes to the whole story and focusing on our American warriors.🇺🇸🌹

[@jesiah391]

Woo woo woo! Lol

[@0SlowOperator0]

Doesn't he own a retreat or therapy place for Combat Veterans.

[@timcarey7967]

This man has saved my life with Warrior’s Heart!! Thank you Tom and keep it going

[@JesseJudah144]

🙌🏼❤️‍🔥

[@warriorshearthealing]

Proud to have Tom Spooner as one of our leaders. We are very much looking forward to this episode.

[@ShawnRyanShow]

Love what you guys are doing. I’m excited for you guys to see the interview in it’s entirety.

[@lauramounir3660]

With the zealots yelling hate in the streets about our beloved country, moral starts to buckle but listening from one of our great American warfighters restores faith that all is not and will never be lost for as long as we have men like these walking among us. Thanks Shawn!

[@joesgotya9930]

Legendary CAG, A Squadron member . His younger brother Scott Spooner was in the Unit with Tom at the same time in Iraq. Imagine how surreal that would be?

[@PaytonTickle]

That entire family is filled with studs I grew up went to school with both of toms sons became friends with his youngest almost the entire friend group had they’re dad in sf and we all went into the military every single one of us. I left the week after toms youngest son left we came out of the same recruiting station every workout was a competition between him and I and we loved it.

[@austinrains5636]

Tom and warriors heart turned my life around! If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired in ur life be it booze,pills,any substance known to man,or ptsd reach out to them. Its ok to not be ok!

[@matthewzellers9777]

Each episode is getting better and better. This is my favorite KZbin channel. Love watching these with my military family Semper Fi and be safe guys. 🙏

[@ShawnRyanShow]

Thank you!

[@hendew]

Fuck yes it is. Amazing things coming down the pipe for the Shawn Ryan show!!

[@eamonia]

Semper Fi, good buddy.

[@somefrigginguy2844]

I am absolutely impressed. It's inspiring. Lots of people have stories to tell. I think the way to save the future, is to discuss the past.

[@kevinrichards1539]

Joined Patreon. Should have done that loooong ago. I have been so impressed with the content the SRS has presented. Many of these interviews need to be archived for historical reference. I never served in the military. Only male in my family not to do so. My service was the fire department, about an two hours outside the city. Non of my family that served in combat ever really talked about it. This show has given me a deep deeper appreciation of what they endured. I've laughed, been on the edge of my seat; shocked, mortified and hear broken. Been pissed off, and most of all been enlightened. Shed a few tears along the way at the brutal and unwavering honesty of the toughest men alive. I have been moved by your ability to listen, allowing the story to unfold. Gently, and respectfully nudging the often drifting conversation back on track. This show has kicked off countless hours of looking deeper into issues. Some issues I had no idea were issues to begin with. Thanks Shawn..

[@dandauganda8777]

Whoever did the editing of this video knows his craft. Very well done 👍

[@jerrodbates8480]

I was just thinking damn this is some serious production

[@dustinwalker8152]

One could say a wizard.

[@dougcarey1928]

Proud to serve in the same company with him. D co 1/504 82nd. Great man!

[@ShawnRyanShow]

Right on!

[@TomRolfson]

Doug, copy the thanks I gave Tom. You deserve all good things. I was on that path until a careless driver broke my neck.. I'm not the kind of cyborg that can serve.

[@MikeFree22]

B Co….glad to see there are some other old Red Devils on here!

[@Robert_H_Diver]

@@MikeFree22 HHC 1-504🤙🏼

[@dynamicsintrading6636]

A co and Recon 1/504th here

[@johndunbar2393]

I hope this is one of those epic 4-6 hour episodes. This is probably the most excited I've been about a guest on here.

[@clintdeshazo2171]

Same. Give me Tom Spooner leading all day. Thanks @shawneyanshow

[@rezzyn94]

Been waiting for this one for years. Legendary for his career and even more so for helping vets and first responders after his military time. This is who young men should look up to

[@RICOVYBEZ]

His Eyes Tells A Story Within Itself, Blessings unto you & your Family. 👊🏽

[@eversforgeworks]

Finally got Tom on! Absolute legend and such a good humble feller to spend time with!

[@johnsoutherland3403]

If only incredible men like this had been able to serve under a righteous and moral government instead of the monster, the creature, the predator which is the United States Government. It tarnishes their reputations and calls into question the content of their souls. These are not the men of Valley forge or bunker Hill. They are the tendrils of a world covering Demon. Soldiers of Hell, not warriors of heaven.

[@ShawnRyanShow]

It’s a good one!

[@Baseballisbest67]

Sounds like he’s been changed by Christ. Doesn’t sound like he was humble or a good guy before. Let’s not make the mistake of thinking that was all right. Good for him for changing and praise Jesus for the change.

[@eversforgeworks]

@@Baseballisbest67 brother, it was absolutely the power of Jesus Christ! It's good to see the Lord work in alot of folks recently being more public. I lived a similar life and by his grace was saved in 2021.

[@StE2155]

🙄

[@jrmiller6464]

Proud to say I’ve known Tom since I was a kid. My father dated his mother for years. Him and his brother Scott were some bad dudes.

[@GeoffPeterson33]

HOLY SHIT YOU GOT TOM SPOONER. I’ve never been so pumped for an episode man.

[@thiswanderlove3500]

Same!!!

[@randyunderwood4996]

Ya know I dont think you will ever find a more dignified man on that planet than Tom. I just marvel at the man he is...

[@hejdu13337]

Tom Spooner, finally. this is gonna be a legendary interview with a legend.

[@_dain_bramaged_9346]

Hell yeah! Another vet from Mogadishu, looking forward to seeing this interview. Can't wait

[@discofishing]

He was?

[@ArnoTrek]

He was not a Mogadishu vet. He was referring to his cadre during selection/OTC that were Mog vets...Tom Satterly and Kyle Lamb.

[@jsmith8646]

As ex ADF I am always blown away when guys like Tom say "12 Deployments", for ADF a deployment was 6-8 months but from what I understand with the USA its up to 12 months?. That's a decade of in country combat, just insane what a legend.

[@Economics70]

I think it depends. The Delta guys I think it's usually less than normal Army.

[@caliber693]

The reason why the US is the strongest and most battle capable and feared Nation on Earth isn't simply because we're just the best, plenty of other nations have elite soldiers and combat units, however one thing the United States has done since it's founding is always been at war so we have what many countries lack and that is experience and tactical advantage at war. You can build the biggest army in the world you want like China but when you have a bunch of kids that have never seen anything and even the generals have never seen any combat it's a totally different story than a group of men that have done this many times in a country that has constantly been doing this for 200 plus years.

[@Nperez1986]

​@@caliber693Eh...you're not wrong...but you're not right. The OSS didn't start till WW2...led to Special Forces.

[@caliber693]

@@Nperez1986 I am 100% correct, I'm not talking about any special forces, operators, or anything of that nature I'm talking about us as a country since our founding period.

[@Repsol000]

AT EASE BOYS!!!

[@1054delta]

I can not wait for this interview. I love this show. You are one great interviewer Shawn, you never interrupt even when they misunderstand the question, you let them get the thought out and then you redirect. Keep up the great work.

[@Sw22944]

Shawn, you are killing it with these interviews, just brilliant!

[@alliancejiujitsuauckland-m6231]

I met Tom and he’s an absolute amazing human. 🙏🏽

[@G6Tyrantula]

The caliber of editing on these previews is just…. Idk. I’m speechless. They are utterly superb and that’s a serious understatement.

[@briangrady367]

Thanks Shawn! Keep them coming! The ability to tell our stories or hear our brothers and sisters stories is keeping those of us who struggle on the right side of the dirt. Also, thanks for your involvement with All Secure Foundation. Tom, Jen and Stacy saved my life and changed my relationship with my wife.

[@terrybreadon335]

Much respect. Can’t imagine going through that! I was so angry and cried about Mogadishu for a day. What they did to our men. My dad was a Normandy Vet I wasn’t born yet but I have his Purple Heart and Bronze. Star. Thank you for walking through fear to hero 🫡

[@bbarker2663]

I have to say your production from when you started the podcast has gone from very good to beyond amazing. Love watching the evolution of VE and your success. Cheers, señor.

[@starkicker5623]

I've been watching your show develop since 2019, and it's incredibly satisfying to continue to watch. Your interview skills are wonderful. Thank you and I'm excited to 'get there' someday too.

[@Chevydude1982]

love Tom. him and his brother are 2 of the baddest men ive ever served with. Much love brotha, miss u guys.

[@miguelorengo8506]

This is going to be one of the most awesome interviews I’ve ever seen! 💪😎

[@BigTpetty]

Wow. I have always wondered about this guy. Heard much about him. Amazing that we get to have a front seat with you as you interview him. Thanks Shawn! 💪🏻

[@TheNatestEver]

Been wanting to hear full interview with Tom for two years this is amazing, Tom is a legend with a ton of deployments and does alot for the community! Thank you Shawn and Team

[@nicknoble9955]

Can’t wait for this episode! Tom is a true American hero and someone I have respected since the day I met him and his brother Scot. Very excited about this show. Great work Shawn.

[@REKLUSE53]

Shawn, your videos have changed my life for the better.

[@Epiphany715]

Whoooooo! This will be legendary. @ShawnRyanShow you've done it again Sir 🙌🏾

[@Grits_and_Glamour]

I don’t know who does these shorts but props to you. They are amazing ❤

[@billplunkett8989]

Looking forward to this interview!!

[@brandonwhorley674]

DUDE! YES! One of the most capable and humble men. Absolutel legend!

[@paul-martinkellyialtd2855]

Awesome, and powerful as ever. Looking forward to the interview

[@barry6557]

Excited for this one. Let's Go!

[@jollyg83]

I love listening to Tom’s story and May 13 is my birthday. What a treat it will be, looking forward to this one for sure.

[@samanthabalmaceda221]

The amount of knowledge and truths you are exposing just keeps getting better and better! Thank you and keep doing what you were called to do Shawn!! Fighting the good fight. God bless you and your family

[@jimmyjameswu6474]

😮Yes! SRS keeps bringing more and more captivating content. Can’t get enough.

[@JohnFlynn-np5wv]

Shawn, thank you for all that you do. I wonder if you knew you had this gift back when you were on the Teams. Congrats on your success. Keep it coming.

[@trippylongstalkings9515]

This is going to be a great show. Can't wait.

[@LikeLikeLikeLikeLi]

Great interview. My first impression of him is that he is extremely humble. It seems like he has no ego whatsoever.

[@johnnyturbo8460]

Looking forward to hearing his story.

[@canadianjake1995]

Shawn, uou are absolutely killing it with these guests man! Top teir man, respect!

[@callightman5409]

Beyond excited for this. This man is legit as they come. Can’t wait to hear his story. I’ve been following him and his brother for years. Ryan this is amazing.

[@dustinwalker8152]

Wow! Having this dude on is some epic stuff Shawn! Edit: Documenting these guys stories are recording and preserving history, thank you Shawn and team for doing this work.

[@tedheath2326]

It’s amazing what Tom Spooner has accomplished, 1 in a million guys !!!! …. I’m definitely watching this whole show !!!!

[@commonsgiant]

You have always been good at asking the right questions, but you have taken it to the next level. It feels like you trust yourself more. Well done!

[@JaneLaPlace]

Thank you for bringing me back from the edge with these testimonies & your story, Shawn. Forever grateful. ❤

[@MikeFree22]

Excited for this one Shawn! Doing great work brother….GREAT work!

[@lisap4251]

I can’t wait to see the whole interview.

[@semii001]

Cannot wait to listen to the full podcast and hit the gym, nothing more motivating than listening to these warriors stories. Thank you Shawn for putting these out for the public!

[@snactimusmaximus]

A+ production quality, man!

[@LOGFAN87]

Damn Shawn it’s amazing how far you come! Been here since the beginning. One of my favorite podcasts!

[@andysenadbajric]

Awesome interview!!!

[@guillermomira2122]

THANK YOU RYAN!! Have been waiting for this one for a long time!

[@davidkelley6986]

I was always hoping you would have him on your show. Great human being !

[@manuelsuda]

Hey brother, it's great to see this many subs on your channel. Keep it up man. Blessings

[@jeremyhirst4937]

Looking forward to this episode!

[@randomman057]

I've seen clips from another interview with this man and always wanted to know more, this is awesome.

[@JungleJerk]

Love what you have done for so many

[@ColKurtzknew]

You got him on !? Huge !!! So much respect for both Tom and his brother. There's a cool vid with him and Jamey on an Iraqi rooftop well worth a view. Looking out for this drop.

[@zachariah9739]

Tom IS an absolute legend! Stoked for this one!

[@juliusarnold2844]

America is fortunate these guys are on our side.

[@chrisbarnett7591]

This is going to be great!! Awesome job Shaun

[@josephbayha7320]

Just joined. This Man speaks to my heart.

[@matthellcat2494]

Oooh man. Im excited to watch this! Man your channel is great Shawn

[@douga9253]

Hell ya!! The legend himself!

[@bostonfrombrady]

12 and More than !000! Ty Mr. Spooner. Getting better Mr. Ryan! We appreciate the work

[@figgiefigueroa7372]

Like always this channel has great guests. Love it 🎉🎉🎉

[@rahker]

I can not wait for this. I've been wanting to see Mr. Spooner on your show for a looooooong time.

[@gabrielmartin7008]

I can’t wait to see this. Interview Tom Spooners brother too he is a bad ass.

[@Basher45RC]

This episode is going to be amazing! Shawn, who ever does your intros & edits is top notch!!

[@John-kc8ln]

Absolutely love what you are doing Shawn. Keep pushing forward!🇺🇸

[@kabaenvironment2537]

God bless you and your family Shawn. It's amazing what you have done with this channel for putting on the table the stories of our brothers...God damn few can understand 🙏🤙

[@johnottobre3674]

Aw man. I’ve been waiting for spooner interview!

[@ivandoinstuff]

The editing is awesome!

[@justinalbers3167]

Holy shit! I can't wait to hear you and Tom chatting!

[@blech71]

Wow I can’t wait to hear this one and go on an amazing journey!

[@elisgritface1997]

I gotta say, I really like the Delta Force Guys interviews in perticular

[@akiheavenly6]

Me too. The Navy Seals guys are all bragging and telling combat stories. The Delta guys bring a redemption story full of life lessons

[@jasoncutler3332]

Amen

[@Becarhodzic]

@@akiheavenly6Some Navy Seals…

[@bcy412]

Thank you for your service

[@facilitatinghappiness]

This is a good one Shawn!

[@JamieMays-nw8ni]

Tom you the best and one of the most humble men I know!! ❤️ Send my love to baby Girl Aka Ms. Laurie 🔥🙌🏽💪🏽🙏🏽

[@gladiator_games]

These previews are awesome.

[@timw.6910]

SRS just gets better and better. Thank you Shawn for the wonderful content.

[@karlboilard6925]

Excited for this one love all the delta and tier 1 episodes so much amazing stories

[@scottedwards402]

Oh my. Spooner, Spooner? Not a tactical guy but I was in the Army in the 80's, then an LEO from 1988 - 2014.and I have heard of Spooner. He is one of the old school legends that these new guys should be listening to and learning from.

[@sterlingtobin441]

I went to selection with one of his sons. He raised one hell of a child!

[@leelee0404]

From a local in Leipers Fork TN keep doing what youre doing!!!

[@Jasebamb]

That’s a weird name town 😂 what does that name come from

[@bazztiki]

So excited to see this episode