Episode 187: Sean Keane "Ranger, Green Beret, Surfer, Mezcal Master"
-CHAPTERS-
00:00 Introduction to a Legend
05:58 Military Beginnings: Joining the Army
11:51 Mentorship and Growth in the Military
14:55 Reflections on Military Culture and Standards
17:57 Current Military Landscape and Future Threats
21:07 The Evolution of Warfare: Cyber and Beyond
24:07 Personal Growth and Lessons Learned
27:01 Navigating the Ranks: From E6 to Leadership
29:57 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations
37:56 Building Relationships in the Military
40:00 Reflections on Military Decisions and Disillusionment
41:43 The Impact of News on Military Personnel
43:13 Transformative Training Experiences
48:19 Adventures in South America
55:21 The Aftermath of 9/11
01:00:44 Transitioning from Civilian Life to Military Duty
01:11:17 Maturity Through Experience
01:16:49 Reflections on Humility and Learning
01:17:34 The Shift in Iraq: Politics and Operations
01:21:10 Targeting: Criminals vs. Terrorists
01:25:32 Justifying Targets: Patterns of Life
01:28:43 Transitioning to Central and South America
01:32:37 Rewarding Operations: Homeland vs. Overseas
01:36:31 Leadership Challenges in Military Promotions
01:39:52 Final Rotation: Chaos and Leadership
01:52:11 Impact of Operations: Capturing ISIS Leaders
01:53:35 Life After Service: Embracing New Chaos
01:54:06 Navigating Chaos and Mission Focus
01:56:54 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
02:01:01 Facing Fears and Embracing Challenges
02:03:11 The Decision to Run for Mayor
02:06:12 Balancing Family and Ambition
02:07:46 Finding Passion in New Ventures
02:10:41 Quality Over Quantity in Mezcal Production
02:12:39 Building a Legacy Through Mezcal
02:18:08 The Future of Okanaga Mezcal
-SUMMARY-
In this captivating episode, we explore the extraordinary journey of Sean Keane, a retired Command Sergeant Major with over 30 years of experience in the U.S. Army Special Operations. From his early influences growing up in a military family to his remarkable career in Special Forces, Sean shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and the evolving landscape of warfare. He reflects on the importance of maintaining military standards, the challenges of modern threats, and the personal growth that comes from embracing new experiences. This conversation delves into the experiences of military personnel, focusing on the importance of building relationships, the impact of significant events like 9/11, and the transformative nature of military training. The speakers reflect on their journeys, the challenges faced during deployments, and the lessons learned throughout their careers. The conversation delves into the complexities of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighting the shift in political dynamics, the challenges of targeting criminals versus terrorists, and the justifications behind these operations. The speakers reflect on their experiences in special operations, the transition to different mission sets in Central and South America, and the rewarding nature of protecting the homeland. They also discuss the challenges of leadership and promotions within the military, the chaos of their final rotation, and the impact of their operations on capturing ISIS leaders. Finally, the conversation touches on life after military service and the new forms of chaos they embrace. In this conversation, the speaker reflects on their journey from a military career to civilian life, emphasizing the importance of managing expectations and finding a new mission. They discuss the challenges of transitioning, facing fears, and the decision to run for mayor, highlighting the balance between personal ambition and family responsibilities. The speaker also shares their passion for mezcal, focusing on quality production and the significance of building relationships in their new venture. Ultimately, they express a commitment to creating a meaningful legacy through their work in the mezcal industry.
INTRO and OUTRO music written,performed, and provided by the band Rattle Root. Check them out below.
Sean Keane
CSM
Sean Keane is a retired Command Sergeant Major (CSM) with over 30 years of experience in the US Army Special Operations/Special Forces. Sean joined the FLARNG in April of 1990 as a Rep-63 and is one of the youngest Soldiers to complete the Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course. Pre 9/11, Sean attended the Special Forces Underwater Operations Course, US Army Ranger School, conduct multiple Foreign Internal Defense (FID) operations through Central/South America, assigned to the Pentagon working directly for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and JSOC and conducted another short tour as a guest Ranger Instructor for Phase 1 of the US Army Ranger School. CSM Keane has held the positions of Junior and Senior Weapons Sergeant and Team Sergeant on Special Forces Underwater Operations ODAs, Battalion Dive Officer, Special Forces Company SGM, AOB 2310 SGM, AOB CENTAM/SOCSOUTH SGM, Battalion CSM, Combating Transnational Organized Crime Task Force CSM/Senior Enlisted Leader, Special Operations Detachment-Central CSM, and most recently Special Operations Joint Task Force-Iraq/Syria Deputy Commanding General Senior Enlisted Leader/Special Operations Advisory Group SEL overseeing US and nine Coalition Special Operations Elements, which led to 300 operations resulting in killing or capturing of 270 ISIS leaders, financiers and facilitators. CSM Keane conducted his first combat rotation into Afghanistan in 2003. Since then Sean has conducted multiple rotations to Afghanistan, Iraq/Syria, Central Africa and Central/South America. On… Read More
