Combat Story (Ep 41): Chris VanSant [Part 2] Delta Force | Ranger | All Secure | TYR Tactical

We left our first interview with Chris at the height of his career: in the Unit, combat rotations, and close friends. We pick up in round two where things start to get more difficult and the optempo, intensity, and constant fighting begin to take a toll.

Chris describes how he overcame some very dark days that many can relate to and found new opportunities he never would have imagined.

He’s gone on to become the Chief Operating Officer of TYR Tactical and is a board member for Tom and Jenn Satterly’s All Secure Foundation, both of which continue to protect those in need.

I hope you enjoy this deep dive into combat and recovery from a very humble Tier 1 operator as much as I did.

Find Chris Online:

Find Ryan Online:

Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

#deltaforce #combatstory #chrisvansant #veteran #tier1 #CIA #ryanfugit # specialoperations #specialforces #aviation #rangers #allsecurefoundation #tyrtactical

Key Quotes

[6:40 – 6:47] You did form personal bonds like they were, they were very connected to the mission to what we were doing to the people we were trying to help.
[17:24 – 17:29] Fight or flight is the first response when someone thinks they may die.
[32:40 – 32:54] The biggest difference amongst organizations is that the time, energy, and training it takes to get to the point of coming at each other and not having a friendly fire incident is significant.
[44:32 – 44:40] You do it in the name of survivability. You do it in the name of the mission, you do it in the name of your teammates, but you shut everything out and you focus on what you're doing.
[44:46 – 44:59] All you're doing is categorizing, boxing up all of that emotion, all of that stuff that you don't understand because it doesn't make you feel good and you feel like it pulls that what makes you combat effective.
[57:39 – 57:46] You got to understand the individuals in your charge to get the best out of them; you got to know what motivates them, what makes them tick.
[1:10:05 – 1:10:11] Open up. Talk to the people that matter to you. It doesn't have to be a lot. It just has to be a few.
[1:19:11 – 1:19:17] There are winners and losers; a loser is just a winner that tried one more time.

Show Notes

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Guest bio
1:52 - Interview begins
2:37 - Chris’ thoughts on Afghanistan
14:18 - Where does the exhaustion come from?
17:18 - What are some other interesting fear responses?
17:24 - “Fight or flight is the first response when someone thinks they may die.”
20:11 - The next deployment
30:00 - Tactics and Procedures
32:40 - Different ways to attack a building.
36:23 – When did the trauma and stress start
43:33 – Early Indicators that will help others
48:25 – Pivotal moments during combat
57:39 - “You got to understand the individuals in your charge to get the best out of them; you got to know what motivates them, what makes them tick.”
58:48 – Starting to change
1:09:04 - Key things in your journey that you try to make sure a wider audience hears
1:10:05 - “Open up. Talk to the people that matter to you. It doesn't have to be a lot. It just has to be a few.”
1:13:13 – Getting fired from the Unit
1:18:53 – Pushing yourself
1:19:11 - “There are winners and losers. A loser is just a winner that tried one more time.”
1:22:40 – Pieces of advice
1:31:11 – Getting in touch with Chris

[electrichadow]

Chris VanSant has become my #1 favorite DeltaForceGuy to listen to in an interview. He’s so articulate and a fascinating storyteller.

[mb]

"Winner is just a loser that tried one more time", probably the correct version.
Fascinating stories and many important insights. Respect.

[lesflynn]

Ryan is turning out to be a great interviewer, and this is one of the best podcasts so far. He is respectful, sensitive and really thoughtful in the questions he asks. I think he brings the best out of his subjects. Chris Van Sant is amazing in revealing his journey and how all humans are capable of failing, losing almost everything. Then with some resolve, support, maybe a bit of love and some hard work they can recover. They can recover to become better people with great futures. I thought episode 41 was pretty special.

[UCBoxer]

I truly appreciate operators like Chris, Tom Satterly, John Shrek McPhee talking about the toll that they went through and the challenges they faced. Especially battling the depression and other things. I always thought Tier 1 guys were unbreakable gods. Seeing that they are human beings makes me feel better about the stuff I’ve dealt with.

[Discokid]

This dude is super smart. What an asset for our Special Forces. 👍

[chestyp]

1:07:30 I only did 4 years as an infantry Marine from 2002-2006 but saw quite a bit of combat in that time frame having been apart of 1/5 and being deployed to Baghdad, Falluja, and Ramadi. The whole time I was in we would always be reminded how were not real Marines “yet”. Out of boot camp it was “your just basically trained Marines” then out of school of infantry it was “your not a real Marine yet” then finally out of our first deployment to Iraq it was “you didn’t see “real combat”. It wasn’t until after our third deployment and my final year that we started being acknowledged as legitimate combat veterans but you were still left with the feeling of not being there yet

[urgentadam]

I love how gingerly and tenderly they speak to each other. It makes sense, and I wish the average person would speak this way.

[bvRGiskard]

I heard this man in other YT interviews and always thought he was a cut above in every aspect. Now I know. Well done, both of you. 👏👏👏

[dolovlogz]

I'm thankfully he didn't take his life. This convo needs to be heard by many ppl. We need these story's . It makes ppl better. Thank God for this legendary war fighter. God bless chris

[lancet.]

Chris seems like a really good dude. It would be cool to have a beer and talk story with him. Thanks again for this podcast, Ryan! Great stuff. Semper Fidelis

[MAACotton]

I never served, but one of my best buddies did. I can definitely tell I am a member of his support group. Podcast like this give me more tools in the shed on how to help him and a better perspective of what he went through.

[Nsdus]

I have listened to Chris several times and learn something every time on perspective. Chris if you’re reading this thank you cause I have had my own struggles with depression and anxiety. Unsure of what to do or how to move forward but I have learned to talk about it and be more of an open book with those close to me. I have a few failed relationships that have really stung but it’s been the genesis of me unearthing the underlying root causes and feel what I need to to feel better in life. Moreover, I have learned more about being that so called “good person” and have come to focus on what I can give and do to enrich lives. Better late than never.

[josedavila]

Refreshing listening to such an introspective, borderline intellectual ex-unit member.

[jd]

Amazing podcast and an even more amazing human. Thank you, Chris VanSant, for your service, sacrifice, and, most of all, your vulnerability to sharing your story and struggle. God bless you.

[b.bruster]

Thank you men. Chris, your comments about ‘the op’ that created the hate monster ring clearly. I had an event 06 also that did the same. We did 270 days per year in country to avoid tax in our own country. For me that started 03.

Moving on, within 3 months I had no emotions. Period. Moving on to 09 thru 13 I can’t remember most of what happened

(My PTSD had been diagnosed in 04. Nothing to do with Iraq. My youngest Brother has died of a heart attack. I didn’t know it, but that flattened me.)

I’ve got a long way to go. I don’t like people or socialising. It’s a battle to go anywhere, even shopping. But at least now I recognise it’s me that’s the problem

Thanks again. You’ve both been more helpful than treatments I’ve had

[kensota]

Thank goodness we have humble and honest individuals like Chris VanSant to keep our country strong. We need similar men and women in US Armed forces to keep our country safe from those (hostile nations/terrorists) who want to take us out.

[arrad]

This guy has heart. I respect Chris and his story is awesome.

[markhelbraun]

Ryan, you are such a talented and compassionate interviewer. That is the highest complement I can pay to a man's man.
And to Chris, I would say the same, and also add my gratitude for all you have done and suffered on behalf of our nation and its non-veterans like me. It warms my heart to hear how you have grown and prospered as a human being, who took himself to the point of desperation and back again to emotional health.
I have personally been involved, for twenty years, in supporting the families of Tier One operators who have not come home. From this experience, I believe I have met with the finest citizens our USA has ever produced. You men deserve the admiration, gratitude, and utmost respect in all the ways we can proffer it to you. Your lives are shining examples of what it means to be a good human being,

[C--Brandan]

This podcast, Mike Drop & Vigilance Elite are definitely the best combat/military oriented and focused by far! They're way more exciting, interesting and have better guests than Cleared Hot & Jocko's. These stories are incredible!

[WilliamnWendySue]

Brilliant testimony, Chris. Very few can imagine the human costs of endless war but you summed it up in a very personal way that speaks to so many of our fellow vets. Yours is a story that can heal others. Thank you. ❤️🇺🇸