SFC Matt Tardio is a retired Army Special Forces soldier and law enforcement officer. Tardio served as an Engineer Sergeant in the United States Army Special Forces. In addition to completing the Special Forces Qualification Course (Q Course) and follow-on engineer training, Tardio is also sniper qualified and a graduate of Ranger School, among others.Tardio gives a good breakdown of his experience in Ranger school before we talk in general about his three deployments, two of which were to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Special Forces soldiers normally deploy to train and advise an indigenous force and we go through some of how that was applied to the Afghan National Army and villages they operated around.I really enjoyed this episode and look forward to sitting down again with Matt to talk more about his career. Podcast and Website links: https://linktr.ee/formeractionguys Contact:Website: www.jcramergraphics.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/formeractionguys Instagram: www.instagram.com/jcramergraphics Twitter: https://twitter.com/4meractionguys Email: formeractionguyspodcast@gmail.com Reference:117 - Backpackable radio for tactical use152 - Walkie-talkie style tactical radio7-Ton - Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (Dump truck-sized military vehicle for hauling troops, supplies, etc.)9-Line - CAS mission brief formatABC - ANGLICO Basic CourseANG - Air National GuardANGLICO - Air Naval Gunfire Liaison CompanyBLT - Battalion Landing TeamBRC - Basic Reconnaissance CourseCAR - Combat Action RibbonCAS - Close Air SupportCCT - Combat Control TeamCLB - Combat Logistics BattalionCO - Commanding OfficerCOC - Command Operations CenterCOP - Combat OutpostCorpsman - Navy medic attached to MarinesEOD - Explosive Ordnance DisposalFAC - Forward Air ControllerFCT - Firepower Control TeamFDC - Fire Direction ControlFET - Female Engagement Team.FSCC - Fire Support Coordination Center. Where fire missions are deconflicted and approved prior to shooting.GBU - Guided Bomb Unit GLT - Georgian Liaison Team. Georgian military advisors in Afghanistan.Hesco Barrier - Earthen filled barriers used to make or reinforce outpostsHMMWV - High mobility multi-wheeled vehicleIED - Improvised Explosive DeviceIOC - Infantry Officer's CourseJDAM - Joint Direct Attack Munition (GPS guided bomb)JTAC - Joint Terminal Attack ControllerLGTR - LASER Guided Training RoundM-ATV - MRAP All-terrain vehicleMARSOC - Marine Corps Special Operations CommandMART - Marines Awaiting Recon TrainingMCAS - Marine Corps Air StationMCMAP - Marine Corps Martial Arts ProgramMCRD - Marine Corps Recruit DepotMCIWS - Marine Corps Instructor of Water SurvivalMCT - Marine Combat TrainingMEU - Marine Expeditionary Unit (Unit attached to ships for deployment)MRAP - Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (armored vehicle)MSOT - Marine Special Operations TeamMTU - Marksmanship Training UnitOCS - Officer Candidate SchoolOP - Observation Post. An area where forward observers spot enemy positions and conduct fire missions on targetsPB - Patrol BasePGM - Precision Guided MunitionsPLDR - Portable Lightweight Designator Rangefinder PosRep - Position ReportPSS-SOF - Precision Strike Suite Special Operations Forces. Targeting programQ Course - Special Forces Qualification CourseRO - Radio Operator (Sometimes called an RTO)ROMAD - Radio Operator, Mechanic, and DriverR&S - Reconnaissance and SurveillanceSACC - Supporting Arms Coordination Center (FSCC on a ship)SALT - Supporting Arms Liaison TeamSERE - Survive, Evade, Resist, EscapeSOCS - Special Operations Capabilities SpecialistSOI - School of InfantrySOTG - Special Operations Training GroupS Shops - S-1 (Administration), S-2 (Intelligence), S-3 (Operations), S-4 (Logistics), S-6 (Communication)SVBIED - Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive deviceTACP - Tactical Air Control PartyTaco Rice - Greasy food for drunk Marines stationed in OkinawaWater Dogs - Logistics Marines in charge of purifying water and running sanitation faciliti