The scoreboard may decide the winner, but it doesn’t tell the story of the game. The Stars and Stripes Classic pits America’s Green Berets against Navy SEALs, renewing Special Operations' greatest rivalries. But beyond the game, every operator on the field, and family member in the stands, represents an unwavering commitment to something greater than themselves.

In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with the President and CEO of the Green Beret Foundation Charlie Iacono, and Chief Warrant Officer Nick Lavery, to discuss why the Stars and Stripes Classic is much more than just a game. It is an opportunity to strengthen the Special Operations community, honor the legacy of those who served before us, and introduce the next generation to the values that define Special Operations.

Charlie shares how the Green Beret Foundation continues to evolve beyond traditional support programs, placing families at the center of its mission and developing initiatives like Task Force Tatanka to deliver customized solutions for Green Berets, veterans, and their loved ones. Nick reflects on the mindset that carried him from catastrophic injury in Afghanistan back to an Operational Detachment Alpha, redefining resilience not as avoiding adversity, but as the willingness to confront it, adapt, and continue moving forward.

Our conversation explores the unique relationship between Green Berets and Navy SEALs - fierce competitors on the field, trusted teammates in combat. From military leadership and entrepreneurship to preserving the legacy of Special Operations, we discuss why sharing these stories remains critical to strengthening the community and inspiring the next generation.

The Stars and Stripes Classic is a reminder that while competition builds excellence, it is service, family, and the enduring bonds of the Special Operations community that define the legacy of the Green Berets and Navy SEALs long after the final whistle blows. Listen or watch this episode and don’t miss this year's game; August 2nd from the Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium in Columbus Ohio and being broadcast on ESPN. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:25 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic
• 4:03 Preparing for the Game
• 5:10 Character on the Field
• 6:35 Green Berets vs Navy SEALs
• 10:05 Green Beret Families
• 14:56 Resiliency Matters
• 21:04 Task Force Tatanka

QUOTES

• “The culmination of teamwork has been fantastic.”
• “No plan survives first contact.”
• “We are more alike than we are different.”
• “We’re like the most stereotypical brotherly relationship that maybe exists.”
• “Families are the bedrock for our foundation.”
• “We’re not telling the story enough.”
• “Adversity is inevitable.”
• “Resiliency is defined as one’s capacity to deal with or bounce back from challenges.”
• “There’s no way this is how this ends.”
• “You have to be unapologetically confident in the decisions you make when you put together a team.”
• “We are continuously evolving that objective.”
• “The biggest challenge with opportunities is they’re continuously evolving.”

The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by OneBrief; enabling military leaders to make innovative, informed and deliberate decisions faster than ever before. Superhuman command wins wars.

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