The Jack Carr Channel

This week on DANGER CLOSE, Jack Carr is joined by Eugene H. Pugh, a Vietnam veteran and former member of MACV-SOG’s elite Recon Team Asp. Born in Colón, Panama, Gene began his military journey in 1966, volunteering for Special Forces and serving as a communications sergeant, assistant medic, and intelligence specialist. In 1968, he deployed to Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group and was assigned to the highly classified MACV-SOG. His recon team, RT-ASP, was uniquely comprised of former North Vietnamese soldiers—an extraordinary advantage in conducting prisoner snatches, wiretaps, and deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines. Following Vietnam, Gene taught school in Washington, D.C., became a pilot, and later worked as a private investigator in Texas. Now retired, he is an author, screenwriter, and co-founder of both Impact Studios and Veterans Mortgage of America. His novels include SURRENDER NOT AN OPTION [https://amzn.to/43IcP9q] and THE DIPLOMAT [https://amzn.to/4l6obtI]. FOLLOW GENE Instagram: @veteransmoa [https://www.instagram.com/veteransmoa/] Facebook: Veterans Mortgage of America [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557130210224] LinkedIn: Veterans Mortgage of America [https://www.linkedin.com/company/veterans-mortgage-of-america/?view/AsMember=true] FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA [https://www.instagram.com/jackcarrusa/]  X:  @JackCarrUSA [https://x.com/JackCarrUSA] Facebook:  @JackCarr  [https://www.facebook.com/jackcarrusa] YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA [https://www.youtube.com/@JackCarrUSA] SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ [https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/] Bravo Company Manufacturing - https://bravocompanyusa.com/ [https://bravocompanyusa.com/] and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ [https://www.sigsauer.com/] and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear [https://jackcarr.co/gear]

The Jack Carr Book Club June 2025 selection is POINT OF IMPACT [https://amzn.to/4kkJE1k] by Pulitzer Prize–winning author Stephen Hunter. POINT OF IMPACT introduces readers to legendary Marine Corps sniper Bob Lee Swagger, a war hero turned recluse who is lured out of retirement for one final mission—only to find himself framed as the patsy in a high-level assassination plot. With the country hunting him down, Swagger must rely on instinct, skill, and raw grit to uncover the truth and bring the real conspirators to justice. A modern classic of the thriller genre, the novel blends precision marksmanship, deep psychological tension, and breakneck pacing. POINT OF IMPACT was adapted for both television and film as SHOOTER. Stephen Hunter is the author of over 20 novels and was the chief film critic for The Washington Post, where he earned the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Criticism. His fiction is known for its authentic detail, razor-sharp prose, and unflinching portrayals of American warriors. In this episode, Jack and Stephen dive into the roots of the Bob Lee Swagger character, the cultural legacy of the Vietnam War, the evolution of the modern thriller, and what it means to write with authenticity, precision, and heart. FOLLOW STEPHEN Website - https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Stephen-Hunter/1485163 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Stephen-Hunter/1485163]  FOLLOW JACK Instagram - @JackCarrUSA [https://www.instagram.com/jackcarrusa/]  X - @JackCarrUSA [https://x.com/JackCarrUSA] Facebook - @JackCarr  [https://www.facebook.com/jackcarrusa] YouTube - @JackCarrUSA  [https://www.youtube.com/@JackCarrUSA] SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ [https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/] Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/ [https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/]  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ [https://www.sigsauer.com/] and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear [https://jackcarr.co/gear]

This week on DANGER CLOSE, Jack Carr is joined by military historian and national security expert Dr. Mark Moyar. Dr. Moyar is the Director of the Center for Military History and Strategy at Hillsdale College, where he holds the William P. Harris Chair of Military History. A summa cum laude graduate of Harvard with a Ph.D. from Cambridge, he served in the Trump administration as Director of Civilian–Military Cooperation at USAID and has advised across government and military institutions. He is the author of eight books, including his most recent and widely discussed work, TRIUMPH REGAINED: THE VIETNAM WAR, 1965–1968 [https://amzn.to/3ZR2aab]. In this episode, Dr. Moyar and Jack explore the Vietnam War through the lens of revisionist history, challenging the conventional wisdom that has shaped public perception for decades. From the early influence of French colonialism and the flawed assumptions that guided U.S. foreign policy, to the critical decisions of Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, Moyar offers a clear-eyed reassessment of America’s involvement. They examine the Domino Theory, the role of media figures like David Halberstam and Neil Sheehan, and the controversial legacy of the Phoenix Program—often mischaracterized in pop culture and politics alike. The conversation also delves into the 1963 Buddhist protests, the assassination of President Diem, and the missed strategic opportunities that could have changed the trajectory of the war. Dr. Moyar draws compelling parallels between the U.S. exit from Vietnam and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, connecting lessons from history to modern military and diplomatic challenges. He also speaks to the cultural forces—films like JFK and distorted media narratives—that continue to shape the American understanding of Vietnam to this day. This is a powerful discussion about the weight of history, the cost of misinformation, and the importance of revisiting the past with intellectual honesty. FOLLOW MARK X: @MarkMoyar [https://x.com/MarkMoyar] Website: https://markmoyar.com/ [https://markmoyar.com/] FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA [https://www.instagram.com/jackcarrusa/]  X:  @JackCarrUSA [https://x.com/JackCarrUSA] Facebook:  @JackCarr  [https://www.facebook.com/jackcarrusa] YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA [https://www.youtube.com/@JackCarrUSA] SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ [https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/] Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/ [https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/]  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ [https://www.sigsauer.com/] and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear [https://jackcarr.co/gear]

This week on Danger Close, Jack Carr is joined by two pivotal figures behind the hit Amazon Prime Video series THE TERMINAL LIST: former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw and Executive Producer and Showrunner, David DiGilio. Jared Shaw, a longtime friend and SEAL teammate of Jack’s, played a crucial role in bringing THE TERMINAL LIST to life — handing the manuscript to Chris Pratt before the book was even published. That single act set the project in motion and laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse creative team. David DiGilio entered the story after reading the novel and immediately connecting with its authenticity, psychological complexity, and emotional depth. As showrunner, he helped shape the tone, structure, and cinematic vision of the series alongside director Antoine Fuqua and star Chris Pratt. Jared came on board as a technical advisor and producer and was later cast as “Boozer,” training alongside fellow SEALs and contributing to the show’s realism, tactical authenticity, and emotional weight. David guided the production through the unique challenges of the COVID era, with writers’ rooms, casting, and collaboration taking place entirely over Zoom. Together, Jared and David worked closely with Jack at every stage — from script development and character arcs to tunnel fight choreography and post-production editing. Their combined efforts helped ensure that The Terminal List remained grounded in truth, honoring the brotherhood and sacrifices of those who serve. This episode pulls back the curtain on how a bond forged in the SEAL Teams — and a shared commitment to authentic storytelling — helped create one of the most compelling and accurate military thrillers ever brought to screen. FOLLOW DAVID Instagram: @digiliofilms [https://www.instagram.com/digiliofilms/] FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA [https://www.instagram.com/jackcarrusa/]  X:  @JackCarrUSA [https://x.com/JackCarrUSA] Facebook:  @JackCarr  [https://www.facebook.com/jackcarrusa] YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA [https://www.youtube.com/@JackCarrUSA] SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ [https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/] Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/ [https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/]   and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ [https://www.sigsauer.com/] and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear [https://jackcarr.co/gear]

Jim Hawes, a Navy SEAL and CIA paramilitary officer, whose covert maritime missions in the 1960s helped shape the early fight against communism in Vietnam and Africa. In 1964, Jim became the first SEAL Team 2 officer permanently assigned to MACV-SOG in Vietnam, where he led maritime operations into North Vietnam - operations initially run by the CIA and unknown to most outside a tight circle of operatives. From a remote base outside Da Nang, Jim conducted coastal raids and intelligence-gathering missions behind enemy lines.  These formative missions, including involvement in what was to become known as the Gulf of Tonkin incident, laid the groundwork for the Navy’s involvement in the larger SOG effort.  Following Vietnam, Jim brought his maritime expertise to Africa, joining the CIA’s paramilitary ranks during the height of the Cold War. On Lake Tanganyika, he helped run one of the most successful clandestine operations in Agency history - intercepting weapons, disrupting communist movements, and tracking Che Guevara’s insurgency in the Congo. Jim is the author of Cold War Navy SEAL: My Story of Che Guevara, War in the Congo, and the Communist Threat in Africa [https://amzn.to/45G1fN8]. Today, six decades after BUD/S, he lives in Africa - now telling the stories that shaped a generation. FOLLOW JACK Instagram: @JackCarrUSA [https://www.instagram.com/jackcarrusa/]  X:  @JackCarrUSA [https://x.com/JackCarrUSA] Facebook:  @JackCarr  [https://www.facebook.com/jackcarrusa] YouTube:  @JackCarrUSA [https://www.youtube.com/@JackCarrUSA] SPONSORS CRY HAVOC – A Tom Reece Thriller https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/ [https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/cry-havoc/] Bravo Company Manufacturing - BCM Stock MOD3: https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/ [https://bravocompanyusa.com/bcm-stock-mod-3-black/]  and on Instagram @BravoCompanyUSA THE SIGs of Jack Carr: Visit https://www.sigsauer.com/ [https://www.sigsauer.com/] and on Instagram @sigsauerinc  Jack Carr Gear: Explore the gear here https://jackcarr.co/gear [https://jackcarr.co/gear]