Episode 204: Tom Marble "DEA FAST TEAMS IN AFGHANISTAN"

In this conversation, Tom Marble shares his extensive career in law enforcement, detailing his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a DEA agent. He discusses the early days of tackling methamphetamine production in Phoenix, the evolution of his career, and the significant operations he participated in, including counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan. Marble emphasizes the importance of disrupting drug funding to combat terrorism and shares insights into the complexities of drug trafficking networks and inter-agency collaboration. In this conversation, Tom Marble shares his experiences as a DEA agent and Marine, detailing the complexities of military operations, intelligence collaboration, and the challenges faced during the Marja operation. He reflects on the emotional toll of combat, the transition to civilian life, and the importance of resilience and adaptation in high-stress environments. Tom discusses his future endeavors and the ongoing impact of his military career on his personal life.00:00 Introduction to Tom Marble's Journey03:25 Early Influences and Path to Service07:27 Transitioning from Marines to DEA13:39 The Drug Landscape in Phoenix16:10 First Case and Learning Curve18:11 Realizing the Right Career Choice23:01 Career Progression in DEA24:52 Impact of 9/11 on DEA Operations28:41 Deployment to Afghanistan and FAST Program33:15 Preparing for the DEA PT Test38:02 The Selection Course: Training and Evaluation43:18 The Role of DEA in Counter-Terrorism50:01 The Impact of Drug Funding on Terrorism52:37 Operational Dynamics in Afghanistan55:07 The Marja Operation: A Tactical Overview01:08:18 Facing Fear: Reflections on Combat Experience01:09:11 Chaos and Complacency in Combat01:13:09 The Impact of Stress and Operator Syndrome01:16:29 Coping with Accumulated Trauma01:20:20 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life01:24:19 Reflections on a Military Career01:29:58 Life After Service: Challenges and OpportunitiesCHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS AT THE LINKS BELOWNOMADIC RESEARCH: https://nomadicresearch.com/HATCHET BREWING: https://hatchetbrewing.com/Stay connected and never miss an episode by subscribing to our podcast on your favorite platform! Don't forget to hit that notification bell to be the first to know when a new episode drops.For exclusive full interviews and behind-the-scenes content, visit our official website: https://www.dtdpodcast.net/Follow us on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more engaging content:🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustin.kelly.79🔗 LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/DTDPODCAST_DJKELLY🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

INTRO and OUTRO music written,performed, and provided by the band Rattle Root. Check them out below.