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Today we hear the Combat Story of Dean Stott, a former operator with the UK Special Boat Service (SBS) who saw combat with both SBS and the Commandos.
Dean would eventually injury his leg in a HAHO (high altitude high opening) accident getting ready for another deployment that would end his military career but would not end his thrill seeking sense of adventure.
In fact, only two days after leaving the military, Dean was providing security for people in remote and dangerous parts of the world, eventually standing up his own security company.
Dean, like many former operators, tried a more predictable existence in an office but quickly found himself searching for the adrenaline highs he’d left behind. As a result, he found his way to biking and set two world records.
Dean’s book “Relentless” will be available on November 28th in the US that details some of the topics we discuss in this interview and more, including his close friendship to Prince Harry, who listeners will know I appreciate given his background flying Apaches.
Dean’s got more adventures ahead including another record breaking task in Africa. I hope you enjoy this discussion of what can only be called a full life lived to the edge as much as I did (and if you’re like me, you’ll also be a little jealous!).
Find Dean Online:
– Dean’s Website https://www.deanstott.com/
– Dean’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/Deanstott
– Instagram @deanstott https://www.instagram.com/deanstott/
Find Ryan Online:
– Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory
– Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combatstory/
– Instagram @combatstory https://www.instagram.com/combatstory
– Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial
– Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial
– Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus
– Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes:
0:00 – Intro
0:40 – Guest Introduction (Dean Stott)
1:53 – Interview Begins
2:11 – Bike ride on the world’s longest road, The Pan-American Highway
8:14 – Connection to Prince Harry
13:00 – Growing up with a military family and competitive drive
16:34 – Events that led to joining
21:03 – Path from Commandos to UK Special Boat Service (SBS)
24:58 – SAS and SBS selection and the differences and similarities between them
29:35 – First time outside the wire in Kosovo and a funny story about why he always asks about wildlife
34:42 – First contact post 9/11 in SBSand a HAHO jump
36:55 – HALO vs HAHO – the training, the dangers, and the mindset for operational jumps
44:45 – Would you have done anything different in your career?
46:23 – The injury that ended his military career
40:41 – Identity crisis after leaving the military and finding a role in crisis management and private security
58:41- Purchasing weapons on the black market and finding a niche in the private sector
1:05:57 – Are there any jobs you’ve had to turn down?
1:07:55 – Becoming the first man in history to cycle 14,000 miles in under a hundred days and still making it to Harry and Meghan’s wedding
1:14:22 – The inspiration, process, and content of the book “Relentless”
1:18:59 – What did you carry into combat?
1:20:08 – Would you do it all again?
1:22:02 – Philanthropy work
1:24:07 – Listener comments and shout outs
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MINT
Perfect timing, another awesome episode to watch while doing my hour of cardio this morning lol. Keep Killin' It with these awesome guests! Really enjoy your content & how well prepared, spoken & edited the videos are. Happy holidays to you & your family! 🙏🔥👍🎅🎄🦌⛄☦️✝️
Solid ep. Idk if you know or have interviewed the Helo pilot “Spanky” I think his call sign was and he was the guy that picked up Marcus Luttrell in a crazy landing. You should try to get him if you can. There’s many infamous combat missions with guys that have and many that HAVE NOT had their shot to tell their POV’s and their combat story. The pilots on RedWings, Roberts Ridge air crew and ground forces, Dakota Meyer and the pilots that were helping him find his teammates. And so many more. My favorite episodes are the ones with many combat stories. Because as civilian it’s riveting to hear their actual pov’s and experiences. We see TV/Movies try to exemplify what it’s like but to here guys that are willing to tell their stories is awesome. Couldn’t be more thankful for all those guys. Hell i think the way you conduct your interviews you could get the best out of Marcus Luttrell or even Tim Kennedy. I’ve rarely heard him do a sit down on his missions but man it’d be cool to hear you get their COMBAT STORY.🫡🙏🏻🙏🏻
Just a FYI, the video of the jumpers under NODs is of "static line" jumping not free fall
Great interview once again, thank you Ryan, and Dean I heard you say I believe it was with the commandos that you went out in 6 man teams but prior to that you mentioned that when you deployed with them it would be the Commandos, the Royal Engineers, and the Royal artillery for the Forward Observers, I was a Forward Observer with the U.S. Army with the 1st Infantry Division, back then we were called FO’s and now it’s Fisters, you said it was three 6 man teams, was a Forward Observer included on those infil or direct action teams or did they set up a separate OP, I or any of the other FO’s I knew at the time never went out with the SF teams, we would go out with a couple FO’s, a couple Grunts, depending on the mission and assets we might’ve had a Forward Air Controller also known as a FAC who would direct any air assets in the area, if we didn’t have a FAC then we as FOs were cross trained a bit and could call in air assets, and we would infil into an area and set up our own OP and stay there for several days having pre-planned fire missions and also call in any targets of opportunity, anyway tyfys to both of you and everyone you’ve served with.
The SAS Call the SBS Shaky boat service 🤦🏻♂️😄 Good podcast👍🏻👍🏻
Good episode col. wanker
Excellent video like usual, btw can you interview OG Delta operator Mike Vining.
Love the show Ryan and as a limey it’s great to see the UKSF getting represented – it’s a different circus in the UK even if the show might seem the same, our budgets and reach pale to SOCOM and US. You should look into the UK SFSG as well.
Algo
The brits seem to talk way less about actual experiences whilst in SF than the Americans. Official secrets act the reason why maybe?
SBS and SAS for the win, great stuff boys
Pitty harry is where he is now, under the thumb of the woke rubbish
Ryan I was wondering if you could possibly get Cole Fackler and DJ Shipley on combat story???
Thanks Ryan! Great episode once again! 👏 Could you also interview Kevin Holland, DevGru & Delta operator? He did Jack Carr not long ago and I'd love to see your interview of him. More SOG guys would also be a welcome addition, especially since they're getting old and every week there's one fewer left to tell their story.
I haven't been watching lately just listening via podcast app. It really does make such a huge difference, for me anyways. The editing is top notch young Fugit. Much appreciated!
Met this guy when I went to Poole as a royal marine recruit at the beach assault phase.
Ryan, here I am again. Wanna hear YOUR STORY!
Hi Ryan, I have followed you since about your 20th show. I am fascinated with combat stories and the journeys your guests have experienced. So many great life lessons and experiences in the military that are hard to replicate anywhere else. If I had my time over, I would’ve joined the forces.
I’ve listened to many other similar interviewers and I gotta say you have the perfect balance of seeking information without sounding like you”re just asking a question just for the heck of it. Please don’t change up your format to much. Keeping up the great work mate.
Nathan from Brisbane, Australia.
Pongos have a very rough time doing the all arms course. It's a condensed course, but the booty's show the pongos less respect than they do the nods.
Full candour, no frills. Loved it.
please sir dont put that belt every couple of minutes its annoying
Great chat, top man Dean, good to discuss Harrys service too as he just gets bad press these days.
Informative
💯💯💯
S.B.S were responsible for the Nord Stream gas pipeline sabotage .
S.A.S blew the Crimean Bridge up !