Podcasts > REAL ONES with Jon Bernthal > Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

By Jon Bernthal

In "REAL ONES with Jon Bernthal," actor Jon Bernthal steps away from his on-screen persona to delve into the real-life experiences of an anonymous Israeli Defense Forces special operations soldier. In a poignant episode of crisis and valor, Bernthal offers a heartfelt platform for the soldier's unvarnished perspective of an October 7th terrorist attack, showcasing the intensity and emotional depth behind the factual accounts of the day. The conversation is steeped in respect and admiration as the guest reveals what it means to confront war's stark realities and personal sacrifices up close.

Amid the backdrop of family, values, and the chaos of an escalating situation, the soldier shares his journey from peacetime to conflict, articulating the fusion of his deep sense of duty with his unexpected re-engagement in military action against rising danger. The episode captures the soldier's tactics to protect both his loved ones and his country, including the psychological strategies required to maintain focus under fire. Listeners will be transported to the front lines, gaining an insider's view on the strategic decisions and ethical dilemmas that punctuate the life of a soldier in active territory.

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

1-Page Summary

Engaging the Soldier's Perspective

Jon Bernthal's Insightful Dialogue with an Israeli Special Forces Veteran

Actor Jon Bernthal, known for his roles in action-packed films and television series, takes a moment from the screen to engage in a profound conversation with a soldier formerly of the Israeli Defense Forces' special forces unit. With respect, he listens to this soldier's firsthand accounts of the tumultuous events taking place on October 7th. Bernthal voices his appreciation for the opportunity to learn from those with real-life combat experience, commending the soldier for the bravery it takes to recount such personal and harrowing tales of war.

Personal Reflections on Conflict

Values and Community: A Soldier's Bond with Family During Turmoil

Our soldier, who chooses to visit his family in Even Yuna, near Tel Aviv, for the Jewish holidays, speaks poignantly about the significance of family and community. Though he doesn't consider himself particularly religious, the deep-rooted values of togetherness and kinship hold a special place in his heart. Amidst the initial signs of the attack, what starts as a minor disturbance quickly snowballs into something far more severe.

The Onset of Crisis

From Calm to Chaos: Misjudging the Severity of an Attack

As the crisis unfolds, what was first deemed an inconsequential ripple becomes a wave of terror, with the appearance of rockets signaling a much darker turn. The gravity of the situation is underscored by an urgent call from a comrade at 8 a.m.—a seasoned sniper not known for his humor—but known for his skill, indicating that the threat level had reached new heights.

The Call to Arms

Above Politics: A Soldier's Unwavering Commitment to His Country

Bracing for Battle: Expedited Preparation Amidst Emergency

Despite previously disengaging from his reserve duties over political disagreements, the call of duty is insurmountable: his loyalty to his homeland is a force that demands his immediate action. In what seems like an instant, he reassures his wife of his return, gears up with unfamiliar weaponry, and heads out. This rapid mobilization underscores the dire urgency of the circumstances, compelling soldiers to forsake standard procedures in the face of imminent danger.

In the Heart of Action

Staying Grounded: Managing Stress Through Music and Meditation

Together with four fellow servicemen, two of whom are strangers, our soldier embarks on a tense journey towards the fray, all while forging a quick and decisive plan of action. Even during this high-stakes drive, each soldier finds solace in calming exercises, using relaxation music as a tool to soothe the inevitable rush of adrenaline and to maintain sharp focus on the mission at hand.

Maintaining Focus Under Fire

The Dual Front: Protecting Family Morale While Tracking Enemy Combatants

To allay his wife's fears back home and maintain an unclouded focus on the approaching combat, our soldier cleverly manipulates his smartphone's location services. This act of love and protection tricks the technology to show him safely in Tel Aviv, rather than near Gaza, where reality paints a different, far more dangerous picture. As they near their destination, the team identifies two Hamas operatives, relying on prior intelligence and tell-tale signs such as their distinct attire.

Confronting the Horrors of War

The Torment of Choice: Balancing Humanitarian Impulses with Strategic Imperatives

As the landscapes give way to scenes marred by destruction and death, our soldiers are confronted with devastating decisions. The dilemma of aiding those beyond help or focusing on the larger mission to protect the living encapsulates the harsh reality of warfare. The somber choice these soldiers make, to continue pressing forward, reveals the gut-wrenching complexities they must navigate: a battlefield fraught with moral quandaries and the weight of life-or-death decisions.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The soldier had previously disengaged from his reserve duties due to political disagreements. This suggests that he had some form of disagreement or conflict related to his obligations as a reservist in the military. This decision to step away from his reserve duties highlights a personal stance he took regarding political matters within the context of his military service.
  • During times of emergency mobilization, soldiers may be required to use weaponry that is different from their standard-issue equipment. This could be due to various factors such as availability, urgency, or specific mission requirements. Soldiers are trained to adapt quickly to new weapons to effectively carry out their duties in rapidly changing and high-stress situations.
  • The manipulation of a smartphone's location services involves altering the device's settings or using specific techniques to deceive the system about the user's actual location. This can be done for various reasons, such as privacy concerns, security measures, or in this case, to mislead others about one's whereabouts for strategic or personal reasons. By manipulating the location data, individuals can make it appear as though they are in a different place than they actually are, providing a layer of protection or deception in certain situations. This tactic can be utilized in diverse scenarios, including military operations, personal safety measures, or even for privacy purposes.
  • Balancing humanitarian impulses with strategic imperatives involves making tough decisions in war where soldiers must weigh the desire to help those in need against the necessity of achieving broader military goals. It requires prioritizing actions that serve the overall mission's success while considering the ethical implications of choices made on the battlefield. This delicate balance often involves sacrificing immediate humanitarian aid to focus on strategic objectives that could lead to a greater good or mission accomplishment. Soldiers must navigate the moral complexities of warfare, deciding between acts of compassion and actions that align with the strategic goals of their mission.

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

Engaging the Soldier's Perspective

Jon Bernthal's Insightful Dialogue with an Israeli Special Forces Veteran

Actor Jon Bernthal, known for his roles in action-packed films and television series, takes a moment from the screen to engage in a profound conversation with a soldier formerly of the Israeli Defense Forces' special forces unit. With respect, he listens to this soldier's firsthand accounts of the tumultuous events taking place on October 7th.

Bernthal voices hi ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

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Engaging the Soldier's Perspective

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) special forces unit is a highly trained and elite military group within the IDF. They undergo rigorous training and are tasked with carrying out specialized and high-risk operations. These units are known for their expertise in counterterrorism, reconnaissance, and other specialized combat missions. The I ...

Counterarguments

...

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

Personal Reflections on Conflict

Values and Community: A Soldier's Bond with Family During Turmoil

Our soldier, who chooses to visit his family in Even Yuna, near Tel Aviv, for the Jewish holidays, speaks poignantly about the significance of family and community. Though he doesn't consider himself particularly religious, the deep-rooted values of togetherness and kinship hold a sp ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

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Personal Reflections on Conflict

Additional Materials

Clarifications

...

Counterarguments

...

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

The Onset of Crisis

From Calm to Chaos: Misjudging the Severity of an Attack

As the crisis unfolds, what was first deemed an inconsequential ripple becomes a wave of terror, with the appearance of rockets signaling a much darke ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

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The Onset of Crisis

Additional Materials

Clarifications

...

Counterarguments

  • The initial misjudgment of an attack's severity could be due to a lack of information rather than a failure to recognize the signs.
  • What is perceived as an escalation into a wave of terror might be a subjective interpretation, and the situation could be less dire than presented.
  • The appearance of rockets does not always signify a darker turn; it could also be a defensive measure or a show of strength without inten ...

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

The Call to Arms

Above Politics: A Soldier's Unwavering Commitment to His Country

Despite previously disengaging from his reserve duties over political disagreements, an urgent call from a former comrade—a highly-skilled and humorless sniper—at 8 a.m. vividly signifies a dramatic rise in threat levels. There's an undertone of loyalty and resolve that could compel one to action despite philosophical differences.

His conversation further highlights the soldier's ethical stance and showcases the moral complexity of choosing to stand by his country.

Bracing for Battle: Expedited Preparation Amidst Emergency

The rapid sequence of assurance to his wife of a s ...

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The Call to Arms

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The ethical stance and moral complexity of standing by one's country often involve considerations of duty, loyalty, and the greater good. Soldiers may face dilemmas when their personal beliefs clash with the actions or policies of their country, requiring them to navigate between their individual values and their obligations as a member of the military. This tension can create a challenging internal struggle as individuals weigh their responsibilities to their nation agains ...

Counterarguments

  • Loyalty to one's country may sometimes conflict with personal ethical beliefs, and the decision to respond to a call to arms is not always clear-cut or morally unambiguous.
  • The notion of an "unwavering commitment" could be challenged by the fact that the soldier had previously disengaged from reserve duties, suggesting that commitment may waver under certain circumstances.
  • The soldier's assurance of a safe return to his wife could be seen as potentially unrealistic or overly optimistic, given the unpredictable nature of military conflict.
  • Readiness to engage with unfamiliar weaponry might raise conc ...

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

In the Heart of Action

Our soldier, alongside four other servicemen including two unfamiliar faces, immediately evaluates where their skills would be most beneficial.

This on-the-fly strategizing and team assembly, out of necessity with unfamiliar comrades, exemplifies the spontaneous creation of a fighting unit under extreme pressure.

Staying Grounded: Managing Stress Through Music and Meditation

During this high-octane ride ...

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In the Heart of Action

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • A grounding technique is a method used to help individuals stay connected to the present moment and reality. In the context of combatting heightened states of arousal, such as stress or anxiety, grounding techniques aim to bring a person back to a calmer state by focusing on sensory experiences or physical sensations. This practice can help individuals manage overwhelming emotions and maintain a sense of control in challenging situations. By engaging with grounding techniques like relaxation music or meditation, individuals can regulate their emotions and reduce the impact of stress on their mental well-being.
  • Assembling a team on-the-fly under extreme pressure involves quickly forming a group of individuals, often in urgent or high-stress situations, to address a specific task or challenge. This process requires rapid assessment of skills and coordination among t ...

Counterarguments

  • The effectiveness of on-the-fly team assembly in combat situations may not always be ideal compared to pre-established teams with strong cohesion and familiarity.
  • The use of relaxation music and meditation might not be practical or effective for all soldiers, as individual responses to stress management techniques can vary widely.
  • There may be other stress management techniques that are more suitable or effective in a combat environment than music and meditation.
  • The assumption that psychological balance can be maintained in the throes of war could be overly optimistic, as the extreme conditions of war can have profound and lasting psychological effects.
  • The text does not address the potential need for p ...

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

Maintaining Focus Under Fire

The Dual Front: Protecting Family Morale While Tracking Enemy Combatants

In a savvy bid to keep his wife's worries at bay and to concentrate solely on the mission, the soldier employs a deft use of his smartphone to falsify his location, maintaining the facade of being in Tel Aviv. This technological sleight of hand serves a dual purpose: safeguard ...

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Maintaining Focus Under Fire

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The soldier is on a mission in a potentially dangerous area where revealing his true location could put his family at risk. By falsifying his location, he can protect his family from unnecessary worry and maintain their morale. This deception allows him to focus on his mission without distractions or added stress.
  • The soldier falsifying his location helps him create a sense of distance from his family, reducing their worries and allowing him to focus on his mission without distractions. By maintaining the illusion of being in a safe location like Tel Aviv, he can concentrate on identifying threats without the added stress of his family's concerns. This separation between his actual location and the one he presents to his family helps him mentally compartmentalize his responsibilities, enabling him to prioritize his mission-critical tasks effectively. The act of deceiving his family about his whereabouts serves as a psychological shield, allowing him to immerse himself fully in the task of tracking enemy combatants without the emotional burden of worrying his loved ones.
  • ...

Counterarguments

  • The use of technology to falsify one's location may raise ethical concerns about honesty and transparency in relationships.
  • Misleading one's family about one's location could potentially lead to greater issues of trust if the deception is discovered.
  • Relying on distinct attire to identify enemy combatants could lead to misidentification and potential harm to innocents if such attire is not exclusive to combatants.
  • The strategy of maintaining family morale through deception might not be sustainable in the long term, as prolonged conflict could require more robust support systems.
  • There could be alternative methods to maintain family morale that do not involve deception, such as providing l ...

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Ex-Spec Ops Soldier in Israel on Vacation when October 7th Terrorist Attacks Begin | Real Ones

Confronting the Horrors of War

The Torment of Choice: Balancing Humanitarian Impulses with Strategic Imperatives

Confronted with visceral scenes of destruction and death, the soldiers are forced to make heart-wrenching choices. Their predicament of potentially stopping for casualties versus co ...

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Confronting the Horrors of War

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • In warfare, stopping for casualties can slow down the progress of the mission and expose the soldiers to additional risks. On the other hand, continuing without stopping may prioritize the mission's strategic goals but could mean leaving wounded comrades behind. This dilemma highlights the tension between the immediate humanitarian impulse to help the injured and the strategic necessity to achieve ...

Counterarguments

  • The concept of "maximizing effectiveness" can be subjective and context-dependent; what is effective in one scenario may not be in another, and effectiveness can also include maintaining troop morale and ethical standards by aiding casualties.
  • The dichotomy presented between aiding casualties and continuing the mission may be a false one; in many military doctrines, there is an emphasis on doing both simultaneously, as leaving wounded can have negative strategic and moral implications.
  • The text may oversimplify the complexity of decision-making in war; soldiers often operate within a chain of command where such decisions are not made by individual soldiers but by higher-ranking officers who weigh various factors.
  • The framing of the issue may not fully account for the role of medevac (medical evacuation) procedures and combat medics, whose specific role is to care for casualties without necessarily impeding the broader strategic mission.
  • The text ...

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