WDW | With Gregg 'Pup' Johnson | Former NZSAS Operator/Team Commander
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- čas přidán 20. 07. 2022
- Welcome back everyone it's Joe Hotai and Brian Osman Co-founders of Epich Aotearoa - Create a Better Future Podcast! And in this episode Joe has the opportunity to speak with Gregg 'Pup' Johnson. Former NZSAS Operator/Team Commander. As part of the "In the Service of Others - Who Dares Wins"
My co-host/co-founder Brian couldn't make it today, but we didn't let that hold us back.
During this conversation Pup speaks openly about some of his fears/concerns that were holding him back from applying to do the NZSAS selection in the first place.
The catalyst which helped him follow through and ultimately apply. He speaks honestly about his decision to voluntarily withdraw from the British SAS selection course. Working in the private security sector, going back to the NZSAS and deploying on a number of operations whilst back in the unit.
He shares some hardcase (funny) stories in typical Kiwi fashion and highlights some of the other SF units comments around "if it isn't nailed down the Kiwi's will take it" 😂.
Pup speaks about his transition journey, going back to school, going back to the infantry battalion and working in the training wing/department and his passion for helping veterans and others who may be struggling and needing help.
He shares some heart warming stories about Dougie Grant and John McNut - 2 former NZSAS Operators who were/are still to this day "Highly Regarded, Respected and Missed" by ALL who knew these incredible Men.
Disclaimer: He mentions a few well known characters within the unit either by first name ONLY or by INITIALS. Where possible I've tried to mute out those names and/or initials - however, I may have missed some at different points as I wasn't taking notes of when that happened.
That aside I hope you enjoy hearing Pup speak about some of his journey and that if possible, you're able to take something positive away from it which might help you on your path.
Pup has a genuine respect and love for the unit and his desire is that hopefully through sharing some of his experiences (where he can) on a podcast like this, might help inspire the next generation of operators seeking to serve in the SAS.
WDW!
Joe & Brian
Epich Aotearoa - Create a Better Future
Co-Founders
OTHER LINKS:
JOE HOTAI: / joehotai1936
ZERO ALPHA WEBSITE: www.zeroalpha.co.nz/
Music: www.bensound.com - Zábava
Greg " Pup " Johnson : I Want To Personally Thank You For Your NZDF Military Service As A Tier One NZSAS Operator Extraordinare. As An Honorably Discharged Regular Component United States Marine Corps (USMC) Infantry Rifleman ( MOS 0311) and Reconnaissance Marine ( MOS 0321), I Recognize That The NZSAS Is Indeed " The First Among Equals " And Your NZDF Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Special Operations Forces ( SOF) Operators Are The Proverbial Tip of The NZDF Spear. We Americans Are Proud of Everything You've Done As Both Countries Share A Common Bond That Goes All The Way Back To The Pacific Campaign Of WW2, To Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq, Respectively. Thank You For Sharing Your Story And You're Always Welcome Here In My Home In The United States of America. God Bless You and The NZSAS. Semper Fidelis, Spiritus Invictus, Brother.
Thank you for that. Our SAS are well trained but they don't have the gear that overseas operators do, i.e., (USA) thanks for this NZ KIWI
Awesome thank you for your experience and honesty. Onward / Ubique.
Thanks for sharing your experiences brothers
thanks for your service ... i appreciate your podcast ,and sharing your truth... proud to be a kiwi of maori descent and more so when i see the kiwis in tier one units and then to see the human side of our best operators...ka nui te mihi kia koe .carry on cuz x
Great to hear Operators just shoot the shit.
Could listen to these stories for days!
Thank you very much bro for the kind words and for taking the time to have a listen and drop us a comment. 💯 🙏 👊
Working my way through this one slowly but just wanted to comment and say a big thankyou to both of you for sharing these stories and lessons. To have two amazingly humble and grounded guys share their stories is simply outstanding. Respect and Salute to you both.
Loved this. Thank you gentleman. Slightly inspired to be better
Great interview. Thankyou! I got a lot from this....great guy. Cheers
Good old Commando comics still read them today thanks for sharing Pup
Incredible episode. Both you and pup are lovely to listen to. Extremely grateful for the content.
Hey thanks very much Hunter - appreciate your kind words and for stopping by and giving us some of your time. Much appreciated mate 💯 👊 Best regards, Joe.
Thanks guys for an amazing interview and a very insightful look at our future as a nation. We all have a lot of mahi to do which is a privilege. Churr
This is the best - absolute real talk. Well done Pup and Joe, the Mahi you are doing is 💯, still warriors but of a different kind now!
Appreciate you Gavin - thanks very much for your kind words and for giving us some of your time. 💯 🙏 👊 Much appreciated 💯
Another great conversation. I haven't quite figured out yet whether these are good for me or not. On the one hand, I love the insights and feelings I get from remembering my time in the service and deployments, but then, on the other hand, my biggest regret in life, I did not have the courage or confidence to try and get badged. So a content reminder of that. Oh well. Keep up the excellent work.
Brother hugest respect for your self honesty.
Grab and hold on to what you might find good/useful and keep smashing forward brother. Thank you for your time and thoughtful comment(s). 💯 👊 Onward!
@@pupjohnson730 As an ex regular serviceman who was raised by a sociopath who gave me a glass of pesticide to drink as a kid and whatever other parenting style you can imagine goes with that, I sometimes wonder if guys who get badged come from similar childhoods.
My health is failing me and the mental health battle has always been there.
I would have never attempted your path for the diving module alone but my point is, is there mental health stories that might inspire people to hang in. When I was 27 I could count 19 names of people in Hawkes Bay who chose to let go. I think people can draw strength when they can see solid people have their moments too.
I saw Dougy Grant walk through 25ESS and people greeted him like a rock star. They did some work on his house. I helped out.
I should be asking Joe really but thanks for sharing your experience.
I started typing before watching right though, so you covered it really.
I think a lot of us are chemically maimed these days, it explains a lot of things if you look at the big picture. It's a lite fingerprint and it's hard to prove but agricultural sprays have a lot to answer for in my opinion.
This is an amazing channel. Thank you! Even just as inspiration to keep fit, healthy, and achieve goals.
thank you for you kind message and for stopping by 💯 👊 very much appreciated.
Hey mate absolutely loving the channel, very useful info and really enjoy hearing everyone’s background and stories. Cheers!
Thanks very much for the kind comments and feedback mate - thank you also for giving some of your time to have a listen and stop by 🙏 💯 👊
Awesome talk. Great to start to hear NZ stories. They are inspiring.
Thanks very much Brendon - Continuing to try and get more as we go. Really appreciate your time mate. 💯 👊
Outstanding, Honest interview.
Love the realness - But also inspiring.
🙏 bro - Yeah Pup is one genuine dude.
Another Epic interview Joe and Pup
Thanks very much Stuart - Pup's a top man alright. 💯 👊 Appreciate you Stuart. 🙏
Another Awesome interview, good stories.
Appreciate you Tony - thanks very much mate 💯 👊
Awesome interview as always Joe. 👍
Salute my brother - thank you mate. Appreciate you 💯 👊
Awesome podcast Joe…
what a couple of cool and modest legends
Haha very kind words mate - Pup certainly fits the bill with your description. I was just lucky to have the opportunity to speak with him. He's got so much more to offer as well.
Awesome podcast lads
🙏 John much appreciated mate 💯 👊 Best regards, Joe
2 truly epic guys, huge achievements throughout your careers, so humble to give back, the army has so many old dickheads with zero life skills that hang around and powertrip, zero compat experience… imagine cleaning out the top ranks and getting the SAS to run the battalions!
You think you can get Christian craighead on your podcast??. I love your podcasts bro.
We'd love to have that guy on - what an absolute Legend! Hopefully one day. 🙏 💯
Great interview! Enjoyed listening to you guys talk and it was really insightful. What is the dunes u guys were talking about early in the interview?
If you are known and served with people in the unit that goes a long way as well and that can be a good thing or a bad thing 🔥
I hated Mark Moldens guts in Battalion he told me once to get down and give him 25 pressups for some bs infraction in front of the whole Coy so I got on my knees and opened my mouth and everyone cracked up laughing and the prick punched me in the face 😂 just as the OC walked around the corner 😂😂😂 got called into the office and i Fkn covered for the a hole he would have lost his stripe otherwise so I took that one on my own shoulders He passed selection a few years later 😂😂😂
I might add that the army was foolish to stuff you around and not treat you with the respect you deserve-there are too many egos in the military, especially in the infantry.
😀
👍 😃
I served in 2/1 RNZIR in Support Coy Mortar Plt the same time as Pup was in Recon Plt I did my Selection in 97 and failed miserably 😂😂😂
Life experience thou, Fella 😎👍
I know what it’s like to have a Nick name that stays with yah , everyone knows me as Krackers , my mate gave it to me on Batt 4 and it stuck 😅😅😅😅😅😅 still to this day they still call me Krackers
Hey Pup I was only joining 2/1 in 98 and knew of you until you left the Bn. Your words with Joe were amazing! Thanks for telling your story it means alot to me bro, and alot of what you said resonate with in some of your operational deployments.
On another note Pup I've taken you're advice and have contacted veterans affairs to start the ball rolling. Thanks for recommending to do this.