Marine Corps 250th Birthday Special: Sgt. Tommy James and the Dogs of War | Ep. 74
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton ShowPublished On: Mon Nov 10 2025
Description: 📍In honor of the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, David Rutherford sits down with Sgt. Tommy James, a Marine K9 handler whose life story embodies everything the Corps has stood for — discipline, loyalty, and courage under fire. From his humble beginnings in Arkansas to boot camp at Parris Island, from patrolling Quantico with a 130-pound Czech Shepherd to facing snipers in Afghanistan with his specialized search dog “Rona,” Sgt. James’ journey captures the Marine ethos: “The Few. The Proud.” Next Steps: 🏫 Get coaching by David Rutherford: https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/ 📕 Get David's novel, The Poet Warrior: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior 📰 Sign up for David's weekly newsletter for free coaching tips, updates, and more: https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 - The Allure of the Marine Corps 12:57 - Boot Camp Experience and Transformation 27:59 - Military Working Dog Training and Deployment 41:13 - The Battle of Chaparral and Its Aftermath 41:44 - The Journey of a Marine: From Boot Camp to Deployment 48:50 - First Combat Deployment: The Reality of War 01:03:03 - Training and Bonding: The Special Relationship with K9s 01:06:31 - Engagement in Combat: The Challenges of ROEs 01:17:18 - Casualties and the Harsh Realities of War 01:19:34 - Entering the Compound: A Tactical Overview 01:22:06 - The Reality of Combat: Friendships and Loss 01:25:44 - Transitioning Units: Challenges and Adjustments 01:29:04 - The Aftermath of Deployment: Reflections and Regrets 01:36:36 - Life After the Marines: Adjusting to Civilian Life 01:51:01 - Lessons Learned: Integrity and BrotherhoodFollow Clay & Buck on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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