Episode 216: Byron Russell "From CIF Hits to Startup Grit"
Byron Russell didn’t run from hard things—he ran toward them. Abused childhood. Infantry to Special Forces CIF in 5th Group. Afghanistan’s invasion, Iraq’s hardest nights, and the moral calculus of war. Then the toughest chapter: coming home, grieving, and unlearning the habits of combat to become a better dad, husband, and builder. Today he leads Black Armor Guns and Greybeard Syndicate, teaches drone defense and land navigation, and shares the lessons that kept him alive—and honest.We talk selection mindset and why Green Berets are teachers first, hearts and minds versus ideology, contractor friction, regret and family, starting a sub-MOA rifle company, and why staying busy is survival.Watch, share, and drop your takeaway in the comments. Your story might help someone else write their second chapter.Find ByronBlack Armor Guns site: blackarmorguns.usInstagram: black_armor_gunsGreybeard Syndicate YouTube and siteFind DTD PodcastYouTube: Dynamic Tales DeliveredSite: DTDpodcast.netInstagram: dtd_podcastPartner shoutNomadicResearch.com — travel tough, live ready00:00 Intro03:44 Why he joined and escaping abuse07:17 Finding the first real male role models14:01 80s and 90s Army vs GWOT pivot21:46 Green Berets are teachers first26:09 The image from Afghanistan he can’t forget33:59 Taliban control and ideology44:34 Iraq reality and DA tempo51:55 Coming home and choosing family55:10 Civilian work and transition pain1:30:11 Building Black Armor Guns and standards1:42:41 Greybeard Syndicate and community1:50:33 Stay busy or die inside1:52:01 Advice to his 18-year-old self1:55:24 Proudest moment and legacy1:57:29 Where to find Byron#Veterans #GreenBeret #SpecialForces #GWOT #Afghanistan #IraqWar #DirectAction #Leadership #Transition #Entrepreneurship #Firearms #PrecisionRifle #SubMOA #DroneDefense #LandNav #GreybeardSyndicate #BlackArmorGuns #Resilience #MentalHealth #Family #Podcast #DTDpodcast #NomadicResearch #soft
INTRO and OUTRO music written,performed, and provided by the band Rattle Root. Check them out below.
