Combat Story (Ep 21) Eddie Penney - Navy SEAL | DEVGRU | Marine | Entrepreneur
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Today, we hear the incredible combat story of elite Tier 1 operator Eddie Penney. Eddie was a Marine and Navy SEAL and part of Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) also known as SEAL Team Six.
This is an incredible inside look at the mind, perseverance, experience, and journey of those who serve at the very tip of the spear, including the moments that seemingly broke Eddie and made him who is today. Eddie shares insights that many would not, including the loss and courage that those of us who were never part of the Tier 1 community can only imagine.
Since retiring from the military, Eddie founded and runs The Contingent Group, which provides risk mitigation services and executive protection to clients. He also created the UNAFRAID mindset and has an app called The Den where people can gather to share inspirational stories and seek motivation from others. You’ll be excited to learn that Eddie is releasing a book with Keith Wood about Eddie’s experiences that’s sure to be an incredible read.
Eddie is an inspiration in the way he approaches his life, the way he recovered from some of the dark places many of us can relate to, and the way he forms meaningful connections with others.
This is one of my favorite interviews and I hope you enjoy his stories as much as I did.
Find Eddie online:
Instagram - @eddie.penney
Unafraid and The Den - www.eddiepenney.com
The Contingent Group - www.contingentgroup.com
#DEVGRU #SEAL #EddiePenney #sealteamsix #specialops #JSOC #TFBlue #marine #marines #marinecorps #devildog #hoorah #USMC #Navy #ROTC #veteran #veterans
Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
0:43 - Eddie Bio and Introduction
1:55 - Interview begins
2:17 - Where did Eddie’s ambition come from?
5:02 - Hard to believe that Eddie ever quit anything. It’s a great lesson though.
16:52 - A key loss in Eddie’s life: his swimming coach Larry Lyons (who still has an award given out each year to the best coaches in Ohio).
19:25 - Marine Corps “boot camp was awesome.”
21:28 - A life changing event (“a switch” from boy to man) at boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina.
30:18 - Decision to move from the Marines to the SEAL teams.
31:03 - TOMS disease (terrified of missing stuff) aka FOMO (fear of missing out).
31:57 - An experience that almost pushed Eddie out of the military trying to get to Marine Sniper school.
36:34 - Another great story of how one man can leave a lasting impact on you by just believing in you.
44:18 - A scary gang attack in Chicago that could have been much worse.
52:40 - Combat Story #1 with SEAL Team 2 going into a house on an operation.
56:03 - How do you find your way to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU)? A description of assessing into the Tier 1 world.
59:58 - Intangible quality unique to DEVGRU that operators from other SEAL teams might not have.
1:01:23 - Combat Story #2 and how combat became like “crack.”
1:06:20 - Combat Story #3 when moving to assault a building.
1:08:06 - Combat Story #4 when a mortar landed nearby in Mosul, Iraq.
1:10:33 - Combat Story #5 where Eddie is in the stack and he felt a need to move while on an operation in Iraq. This is a tremendous story for those who also battle with “survivor’s guilt.”
1:20:19 - Eddie describes “dark seasons” when he dealt with the emotional and psychological challenges that come from the Tier 1 community and how he learned to deal with it.
1:25:18 - “Unafraid” motivational mindset with a reference to the Skillet song “Lions,” the idea behind it and how to take on big plans beginning with Step One. ( • Skillet - "Lions" [Off... )
1:30:52 - Contingent Group’s origins and focus now (spoiler...it sounds awesome).
1:35:32 - What Eddie carried on missions that had significant meaning to him.
1:37:11 - Would you do it again?
Пікірлер: 472
"Usually they shot bac...and usually we'd drop em" dude's hardcore for sure
I am originally from Coronado, California, where BUDS is. I have known quite a few SEAL team guys while living there in the early 80's. During this time, I became pretty good friends with a SEAL who was dating my cousin's best friend. As it turned out, this guy applied for and was accepted as a member of a new team located back east. This was the initial cadre of SEAL team 6. He went through all the stories that revolve around its first CO, Cdr Dick Marcinko. Years later, I was an AFSOC pilot flying gunships and was involved in the invasion of Panama and Operation Just Cause in 1989. After the initial hit, we were flying 10 hour missions looking for Noriega, keying in on his white Mercedes. One afternoon, we had finished flying for the day and went down to the base bowling alley for a burger and fries. As I was standing in line, I hear this familiar voice, 'Jeff, is that you? I turn around and there is my friend from Coronado, all those years ago, a man who'd been through the incredible evolution and development of SEAL team 6 and their amazing missions. Although he is no longer with us, I think of him often and miss him. He was an incredible man and a great American. It is comforting to know that he and guys like Eddie Penney have been serving our great country and taking care of the evil that exists in this world.
@JesusChrist2000BC
3 жыл бұрын
You need to be on an episide of the podcast.
@willandrews9741
2 жыл бұрын
That’s a cool story bro. Wow. I always wonder do these devgru guys know dick marcinko, is he just a legend built into the place or was he persona non grata so they moved on to an extent or so many others have also had a hand in shaping the place that he is just literally a part of the history and that’s it, and yeah he like never comes up, so finally a mention of demo dick.
@iamdeepsea
2 жыл бұрын
Yeah my ex-girlfriend is from the Niagara falls area, and her brother's bro from Coronado High School shined shoes on Orange street. Anyway, he lived close to BUD/s, and when he joined the Navy he was on a ship that transported SEALs. SEALs like Marcus Luttrell. So, here's the deal. I joined the Navy, too. The same one that has SEALs. NAVY. SEALs
@TheBoatPirate
2 жыл бұрын
@@willandrews9741 he IS a legend, but only his friends call him dick. i kinda wish all these fuckin podcasters would get Cmdr Marcinko on their shows. even if there was some trouble, his words are still valid and much needed. hell he even had the first video game based on an actual SEAL that id LOVE to get him to sign. BTW, anyone wanting to learn a little about some real killers, check out a naval history book called soldiers and ghosts.
@chrishandsome4267
2 жыл бұрын
Dude that is an awesome story
Eddie seemed like a very open and down to earth. Failure teaches us so much. I always look at failure as chance to grow.
@davidmiller5708
3 жыл бұрын
At tc
Haven't heard "smear the queer" in 50 yrs. That made it real. BTW, I did play 4 yrs of high school football, but didn't follow my WWII Marine's wishes. 18 yrs of boot camp was enough. Love this interview.. Respect to you sir. 🇺🇸
I had a horrible day today… so I came back a few years later to watch this episode it always helps
This is one of my favorite podcast series out there and Ryan is such a great interviewer
@jayklink851
3 жыл бұрын
👍
@LP3me
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed , he does a good job
@willowwillow7112
2 жыл бұрын
Agreed it’s an art to keep quiet and let it flow.
@KM_1983
2 жыл бұрын
This and the Shawn Ryan Show
@wizzardofpaws2420
2 жыл бұрын
me too. I've watched this one several times
Eddie’s podcasts are the best ones out there of any SEAL that’s been on a podcast
@ANoobJust
3 жыл бұрын
False. Listen to Jocko Willink on the Tim Ferris podcast. That's some intense shit, Jocko is a badass
@MrPurpleeater
2 жыл бұрын
Definitely. His humility is incredible to see from somebody with his achievements. Such an incredibly down-to-earth guy
Hey Eddie, I just wanna say thank you for doing this podcast and thank you for having the courage to be open. I did 4 yrs at 3rd Ranger Battalion. Worked with you guys on several deployments and developed a respect for you guys. Earlier this year I was really struggling with anxiety and I would out of nowhere find myself crying for what seemed like no reason. I felt the same as you talked about when you mentioned crying watching a disney movie. "what's going on with me? how am I so weak?" I was really feeling down and self-conscious about it, but then out of the blue(Jesus led me) I found these combat stories and I saw yours and it helped me see that I'm not alone. Don't get me wrong I hate that you are dealing with this as well, but to know that someone like me, someone who some might say should be tougher than me, is feeling and dealing with the same stuff, man, that gave me so much peace. It took me two DUI's, Jesus and a decade maturing to really see how much war had affected me. Hopefully because of guys like you and these stories it won't take so long for others to get the help they need. RLTW
@dannystranahan1004
2 жыл бұрын
kzread.info/dash/bejne/iZyBwbpwm8Kthrg.html
@ib3scope
2 жыл бұрын
Look into HBOT and transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy
@rtdc5662
2 жыл бұрын
Don't ever give up and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service ♥
@a.williamsii9136
2 жыл бұрын
Praying for you to our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus the Christ… Great job brotha..
@wizzardofpaws2420
2 жыл бұрын
I can't even imagine the things you guys go through. The thing is there are those of us who are eternally greatful for all you've done. Don't forget that. WE CARE. Hold on to Christ. He is the one who strengthens us.
Something I’ll never forget is having apaches as air assets while I was a boots on the ground Army grunt in Afghanistan. Fullback was the call sign for the Apache I’ll never forget but I got to listen in to the convo between the toc and an Apache that came on station while on radio duty at a remote fob near Pakistan. He lit up some heat signatures he seen with guns and rockets. It was night and i could watch it..So cool, but thanks, always felt safer with you guys overhead in that shithole.
I have to add that any young people listening to this with interest in military service should realize that the positive mental attitude and absolute committment, the refusal to quit no matter how uncomfortable, tired, itchy, stressed out they feel while earning their titles. It's not often spoken, but your leadership actually want you to make it, but the nature of the work simply leaves no room for hesitancy or uncertainty in yourself and your bond with your teammates.
This one of my favorites channels on KZread. The stories you get out these American heroes are nothing short of amazing. Keep up the great work!
Same here! I didn’t hit puberty until like 20 or 21. Grew like 3” and gained like 40lbs!
@tinihemara2634
3 жыл бұрын
Hello 👋 from NewZealand prayers blessing to you 🙏 amen 🙏 🙌
These interviews are very well structured and executed with a completely natural flow. I walk away with a twinge of guilt for having eavesdropped on a great conversation. Great work.
I love how incredibly humble Penny is. The modesty is amazing to me. Thank you for your service both of you.
@controllertakes0skill278
Жыл бұрын
A rare quality in SEALs it seems anymore
This is the first podcast I’ve ever seen and it was AMAZING! Please do more on tier one guys
Damn!!! REST EASY LOUIE! THANK YOU BROTHER FOR YOUR SACRIFICE! #RLTW 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
A Former Marine- turned- Navy SEAL ( in both SEAL Teams Two and Six). A real and true Department of The Navy Warfighter.....!!🇺🇸🦅🗽🪂💣💥
@pitbull82
3 жыл бұрын
Yup. I've personally only heard of one other guy that was a Marine and a SEAL. He was interviewed on here as well
Great interview, Ryan. Thank you for your service Eddie.
Thank you for your service. It's very interesting to hear the stories you guys have. I got sick at a young age and couldn't join the military but almost every male in my family served. I have so much respect for anyone who joined. Just watching my 2 boys go through bootcamp and living far away always gone. It not an easy choice to make. Keep putting out the awesome videos and God bless you and all who served and are still in.
Great interview. Thank both of you for your service, and glad you are now sharing these experiences and helping other warriors in the process.
Thank you for your service Eddie. Much respect
@joecox5488
3 жыл бұрын
Wtf man I like your name, and yes great interview!
@kojoe6984
3 жыл бұрын
Holy shit too many joes lol
Cant wait for the book. Great listening to this podcast. Thanks to you both for y’all service and sacrifices. The book Fearless was my first tier one Navy Seal book. Amazing.
18 years old brazilian here, watching his amazing story...
@brianjob3018
3 жыл бұрын
"Salute, miho," or how ever you say "Greetings, my son" in Portuguese. Anyway, "dah-bon" having you here, young man. Let's say we give Seal Team 6 a collective "Hurray for our heroes!" from all of us here for making the world a little safer for us. Well, what do you say, Patriots?.... 🇺🇸 💙 🇧🇷 always! 🚫😷. U, Brazilian man: 🤙, 🖖, & 🙏, 👌?
@mec23
3 жыл бұрын
Brbrhuehue
Powerful, powerful stuff. Thanks for this and everything you do man!
Thanks combat stories thanks Eddie as always this was great can’t wait for book
Thank you Sirs! You are our Hero’s! Thank you for serving at the Tip of the Spear! You are an inspiration to me and I’m sure your family! Please stay safe, and Happy Ritirement!! God Bless you and your team members!! And your Marine family!
I bet these guys are livid over the sloppy Afghanistan withdrawal and how all of that was handled. They put in a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Thanks for your service fellas
@marstuv5068
Жыл бұрын
WORD
@marstuv5068
Жыл бұрын
❤
Back again, still love listening to Eddie! Great podcast Ryan!
Awesome interview, he is definitely a man’s man. Thanks for your service.
Respect, you’ve got some wisdom. And crying goes away and is replenished with a soft smile. All the emotion though.
Great interview,Eddie is a good story teller.All that he went through and his worst encounter was on the mean streets of Chicago.
Good to have a Cincinnati boy on here . I’m west price hill and I’m proud of you bro
I just want to thank you both for your service both you deserve nothing but the best in life your real hero's
Amazing human being. Impossibly - even a better man than Operator. Gold Standard.
Awesome interview. What a great guy. Very laid back and humble, very rare with some of the T-1. Semper Fi.
Absolutely love eddie. When he stated he didn’t shoot anyone until he got to the command having been on 2 deployments speaks to his character bc most dude would be like “yeah had a bunch of kills” whilst on the vanilla side of things
Ryan, I love the videos man. They truly show the Elite Warriors for the humble and amazing people they are. Truly the Tip of the Spear! (You HAVE to try and get Roger Hayden on. Not many "O.G" Seals like that man left to interview. His story and his ability to tell it is second to none!)
Amazing individual, what a career! This interview FLEW by, good shit guys👊
loving listening to Eddie as per usual. You touched on really good topics that mic drop didn’t so learned a lot ! Thanks
Great podcast. Thank You. What a super guy, Eddie. Never met him and I love him already.
Eddie is a true warrior. God bless him for his sacrifice and loss of time with his children. I bought the pen from contingent group. Outstanding
Sharing your story makes you better a man. You’re a great American. I really appreciate you sacrificed so much. I’m very sorry it has caused grief.
Finally... someone else got Eddie on their show. His story is badass. I’ve listened to his Mike Drop episode like 8 times already
@josephvega3763
3 жыл бұрын
I've listened at least 4 times so I'm almost caught up
@BostonsF1nest
3 жыл бұрын
@@josephvega3763 lmao ... his story, Shawn Ryan’s, Chris Osman, Clark Impastato, and that Ranger he had on recently are my favorite ones
@josephvega3763
3 жыл бұрын
@@BostonsF1nest those are all badass!!! I just checked out Chris Osman's second appearance. Fuckin awesome
Fantastic questions, answers and interview. Love these.
This interview was awesome to watch. It’s cool to hear from the guys at the very tip of the spear.
Another great interview with a tier 1 operator! God bless
Thank you for your services
I got such a kick out of the bootcamp stories! I went through recruit training starting in late September, 1984 and graduated 13 weeks later in December. Before going I didn't know it yet, but I had been indoctrinated by my father starting way back around ten years old. He was a marine as well as his brother, my Uncle Ted, who served in the island hopping campaign during WWII. My dad didn't believe I was truly going to join the Marine Corps, but taught me things that turned out to be a great benefit later on. I remember him specifically saying I needed to make up my mind and once I did to stick to my guns and never quit no matter what. Never quit. Aside from the refusal to quit, my dad repeatedly said another thing that later proved to be true and specific to the Marine Corps. It's simple really. In my father's words, "Do what you are told, when you are told, as quickly as possible, to the very best of your ability and nothing less." Many high school pals and other students said I was too skinny, not strong enough, but as it turned out being tall and thin yet strong in running and core exercises were a great starting point and the drill instructors made sure I gained weight and built muscle. Stuff that punished others not used to lots of situps, pushups, pullups and running were super easy for me, mostly thanks to my dad's 6 or 7 years occasionally telling me about his experience. I was so afraid of failure and letting my future platoon down that I was obsessed with my fitness. In fact, the pullup bar I hung in the garage of my parent's house has been there FORTY plus years! It's hilarious to see today, because it's the poorest built excuse in construction, a one inch diameter steel pipe hanging crookedly by two-by-fours from the garage rafters. What a great discovery this channel is!! I'm looking forward to going back through the whole list of podcast interviews.
@marymartini2839
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah but it nevea failed you just as you are still standing after all thosr forty plus years is still there waitin for one more go round
Amen Eddie! God is good. Thanks for your service!
Eddy has the best attitude about right and wrong. A pure American through and through.
Life’s not a deployment, it’s a process. Keep TruckN👊
First one of your podcasts I had seen, one of the best. Now I’ll have to go watch all the others!
@la3615
3 жыл бұрын
If it’s the first one how do you know it’s one of the best ?
Respect and honor to all of you.
Hell yea Eddie's podcast with Mike drop podcast was one of the best I've heard to date. Looking forward to this.
@mikelee7876
3 жыл бұрын
Yea man mike drop and cleared hot andy stumpf is my top 2 favorite casts
Love this guy. Ed Penney is absolutely the real deal. The thing I like most about Penney's accounts is that his stories are not about him; they're about his failures; they're about how others made him better. That's the mark of a true professional.
Awesome interview, and Godspeed to yalls family.
Another great interview...
Hey im from the uk ..... Just watched the interview bro. Total respect is all i can say.... Il b getting your book, love your honesty.
Legend !
Awesome page I am a retired Army Infantry SFC/E-7 who deployed to Iraq a few times and had a very hardtime admitting I had issues with PTSD. I've been outabout 9 years and have been lost dealing with my demons alone but I came across this video and listening to Eddie speak about his issues and being a single dad really helped me to see I can overcome and get back to normal hopefully one day thank you Eddie.
@matthewmaynard5460
Жыл бұрын
Give it to Jesus. It’s the only way to find peace
Stoked💯
these guys are total bad asses. i have nothing but respect for the seals and other special forces groups.
Thank you Eddie.
Incredible stories. Seriously- thanks for doing these.
I whole heartedly agree! My 3 months on Parris Island was a great time! Alpha 1076, summer 92
Wow unreal Fantastic story and a true never quit example that everyone should hear.
Excellent interview. Semper Fidelis 🇺🇸
God Speed brother... Thank You for Your Sacrifices and Keep Your Head Up...
Great podcast...really enjoyed it
Great interview. Keep up the good work.
Another great one! Eddie is fast becoming My favorite story teller. The Mt Everest/ K2 mission, 3 points of contact. I was actually drinking a cold beer watching this podcast and started laughing. Awesome.
This interview; this perspective; this influence . . . 100%. Welcome home boys.
Great podcast. Great guest. I’ve seen his interview with Mike Ritland and have nothing respect for this guy! Interesting as hell! Love it!
Incredible discussion. Very inspiring.
Awesome interview, NSDQ!
Man I just love how most of these other guys are like yea played football or wrestled went to state blah blah stuff and he’s like yea I tried for a bit then stopped tried this then stopped. It’s makes you see that he’s just a real person just testing the waters and trying
Awesome dude and a great story!
Much love and respect! 🇺🇸
Great interview, love it 👍🏽
Looking back I always wish I had enlisted, I ate slept and shit motorcycles so all I wanted to do was race. Looking back I wish I had used my drive to be the best in the service. I could have still rode motorcycles. Thanks Eddie for your service to our country.
@Nediler
2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like your passion led you to a good life - no regrets, but hindsight 2020, brother.
This was amazing. 💪🤘
Another great podcast!
I've joined the marines in dedication to the force reconnaissance mission! Semper Fi.
@Johnstone72
3 жыл бұрын
How's it going in the Marines?
@josephvega3763
3 жыл бұрын
Semper Fi brother!! Go for it!! I got selected for marsoc screening towards the end of my enlistment and turned it down and have lost a little bit of sleep about it for the last 10 yrs.
This is one of the greatest military or just general interviews I’ve ever heard. Guest is amazing amazing amazing I think I have a man crush, forgive me, but you let him talk and that’s a rare gift to let the guest speak but stay engaged and actively listen. Great job. I subscribed.
I havent watched this video yet but already gave the thumbs up👍
Real one. God can use whoever he wants to do His will. God bless you Eddie and your family.
You are a very talented interviewer sir! I’m really enjoying your stuff!
You can pt me all you want. I’ll do push-ups until my body fails. You’ll make me do another exercise and I’ll do it until my body fails. But, you’ll never make me quit.
Amazing podcast
Whoa…all I can say is thank you for your service
Good man. Thank you.
Eddie is something else,Ian uncommon common man.
Outstanding podcast!
This guy was gnarly
I wish these were longer
Thanks Eddie
Awesome 👍!!!!
Pretty sure it was 2008. Your warrior brothers recieved every bit of care that could have been given that night. God Bless
What a beast.
Great interview