Here are some of my most recent appearances.
MARSOC is an abbreviation for Marine Forces Special Operations Command. While the Marines have fielded special operations forces before, (the “Raiders” conducted amphibious light infantry missions in World War II) there has always been some resistance within the Corps against establishing an elite unit within what many already consider an elite force.MARSOC The “Raiders” were disbanded in 1944. However, after the 9/11 attacks, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the Marine Corps to establish a “proof of concept” unit that would report to US Special Operations Command. John A. Dailey was one of four team leaders selected to form the 1st Reconnaissance Company – Det. 1 for short. His Commander only gave him one prerequisite for the 86 men who would form the unit; “They must be tough rugged bastards with strong backs and hard feet”. “Tough Rugged Bastards” would become the title for John’s memoir of life in a Marine Special Operations Unit.
In this episdoe, my friend and former mentor John "Ranger" Dailey talks about his early days in the Marine Corps, failing the Recon indoc, Budapest at the end of the Cold War, being a founding member of Det-One and the birth of MARSOC. After retiring from the Marine Corps Ranger stayed with MARSOC to oversee the growth of the unit, specifically the Marine Raider Training Center (MRTC) where all aspiring MARSOC Marines begin their journey. Ranger also found a second calling in writing and discusses his new book, "Tough Rugged Bastards: A Memoir of Life in Marine Special Operations." You can follow Ranger on instagram @j.a.dailey and on LinkedIn at John Dailey
John Dailey is a former member of the experimental MARSOC Detachment 1 who was hand selected to create the Marine Raider sniper program. Prior to Det 1, John served with the 3rd Battalion 7th Marines Surveillance and Target Acquisition platoon and 1st Force Recon