Ep 454: Combat Rescue Officer #8 J Harmon - Rescuing Marcus Luttrell (Part 1)

Welcome to the most line-stepping, career-defying, rule-dodging episode in Ones Ready history. We’re joined by none other than Jonathan Harmon—PJ-turned-CRO, Red Wings rescue mastermind, tactical genius, and part-time aircraft hijacker (allegedly).

From failing swim tests and skydiving with squirrels in Florida, to running the Combined Air Operations Center during Operation Red Wings, Harmon proves one thing: you don’t need a six-pack or clearance to change the entire course of a war—you just need audacity and a spreadsheet.

We’re talking real-deal combat rescue, bootstrapping squadrons from zero gear, calling out toxic “quiet professional” culture, and the exact moment where someone looked him in the eye and said: “You’re not Adonis. Get out of my team room.”

Strap in. This is not a SEAL movie. It’s the story of the actual dudes who saved lives, built the system, and then had to figure out how to buy drywall to build their own squadron walls.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

💥 "Quiet Professional" ≠ Silent Professional – Your silence isn't noble. It's just unhelpful.
💥 Built Different (Literally) – The man built a squadron from a paint bucket and a dream.
💥 Red Wings – Harmon saw the blip, did the math, got ignored... then changed the op.
💥 Hijacked a C-17 – “Not arrested—detained.” Sure, bro.
💥 Enlisted First, Officer Second – Pro tip: know the job before you try leading it.
💥 PJ Team Room Energy – Flannel. Divorce. Granola. Tattoos.
💥 From Tactical to Strategic – A PJ saves a life. A Crow changes the game.
💥 Respect Is Earned – Even in jammies, Marcus Luttrell got nearly drawn down on.
💥 We ARE the Old Guys Now – So start talking before your story dies with you.

✅ Like this episode if drywall and duct tape built your first team room.
💬 Comment if you’ve ever stepped over the line… and stayed there.
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