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"When you got a barrel of monkeys, you put a gorilla in charge." With these words, a drill sergeant forever shaped Michael Megan's understanding of leadership – wisdom he now passes to the next generation of military officers at Texas A&M University.

Megan brings over 13 years of experience from the prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment to his role as Senior Enlisted Advisor for Rudder's Company, an elite organization within Texas A&M's Army ROTC program named after James Earl Rudder, former university president and WWII Ranger commander. His transition from special operations to academia wasn't merely a career move but a mission to shape future officers and strengthen the critical officer-NCO relationship that underpins military effectiveness.

Throughout our conversation, Megan reveals what truly makes elite units exceptional – not flashy tactics or equipment, but relentless accountability and fundamentals. "The regiment just gets back to the basics constantly," he explains, highlighting how the organization's unique structure with lower-enlisted personnel creates both its greatest strength and challenge. His candid reflections on the selection process, the difficulty of maintaining standards, and the brotherhood that develops through shared hardship offer rare insights into one of America's premier fighting forces.

Perhaps most fascinating is Megan's ability to identify tactical patterns across different domains – drawing direct parallels between military operations, football strategies, and combat sports techniques. This pattern recognition helps him teach complex concepts by meeting cadets where they are, using familiar frameworks to explain unfamiliar tactics. Under his guidance, Texas A&M's Ranger Challenge team has secured back-to-back national championships, outperforming hundreds of ROTC programs nationwide.

Whether you're fascinated by military culture, leadership development, or the psychological elements of high-performance teams, this episode offers valuable insights applicable far beyond the battlefield. Follow Megan's continuing mission to prepare the next generation through his "Ranger U" podcast, available on all major platforms.


Ranger U Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/michael-meegan1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r.a.n.g.e.r.u/
https://linktr.ee/r.a.n.g.e.r.u?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZyR1ze7Oum38h-n3682enNDrLje8DGOP9aAS2ZUyWzaY2ljLjDvA_Av8g_aem_e4l5gCeWKR9TGoJR83N_pA

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What happens when you reach for your gun in a life-threatening moment only to realize you don't actually know how to use it? This raw, honest conversation with firearms instructors Michelle Waldran and Bonnie Lanzarini reveals how their own terrifying encounters transformed them from casual gun owners into passionate advocates for proper training.

Michelle shares her heart-stopping moment at a gas station when a knife-wielding attacker approached her car window. Despite having access to a firearm, she discovered in those critical seconds that she couldn't operate it properly—the holster was still on when she pointed it at her assailant. Though the attacker fled at the sight of the gun, the experience left an indelible mark. "Before that, I thought you know, I have my gun, I'm fine... And that's all I can remember, like I didn't even know how to pull it out."

Bonnie's wake-up call came during force-on-force training when she couldn't access her purse-carried firearm quickly enough during a simulated attack. These pivotal moments led both women to dedicate themselves to becoming proficient and helping others—especially women—avoid similar situations.

Throughout our conversation, we explore the false confidence many new gun owners have, the value of competition shooting for building skills under stress, and the unique challenges women face in firearms training. Michelle and Bonnie bring refreshing humor and authenticity, from stories about Michelle's viral "tactical spoon" videos to their shared mission of making firearms training more accessible and less intimidating for women.

Whether you're an experienced shooter or just considering firearms for personal protection, this episode offers valuable insights into the psychological and practical aspects of defensive training. Subscribe now and join our community of responsible, empowered gun owners committed to ongoing education and preparedness.


Social Links:

Bonnie:
https://www.instagram.com/bonbonsnguns/?hl=en
https://bonbonsnguns.com/
https://www.hopp.bio/bonbonsnguns

Michelle:
https://www.instagram.com/tacgirlmichelle/?hl=en
https://tacgirlmichelle.com/
https://taprac.app/tacgirl

Find out more about Big Tex Ordnance at bigtexordnance.com

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What if the future isn't just about starships and laser battles, but also about confronting the ethical complexities of artificial intelligence and interstellar governance? Inspired by sci-fi classics like Star Trek, we delve into these questions and more.

Aaron talks about his journey as an author and discusses his novels including the latest Sci-Fi series.

Find out more about Big Tex Ordnance at bigtexordnance.com