Pat McNamara served 22 years in U.S. Army Special Operations, 13 of those years were with 1st SFOD-D. Pat has extensive experience in combat zones in Eastern Europe and the Middle East and during his time in Special Operations, he became an elite marksman and would later serve as his Unit’s Marksmanship NCO eventually retiring from the Army’s premier hostage rescue unit as a Sergeant Major. Pat is now the CEO of TMACS a Performance-Based Training company that teaches individuals how to excel in everything from Tactics and Marksmanship through to Security. He is also the author of the two books, “T.A.P.S Tactical Application of Practical Shooting” as well as “Sentinel: Become the Agent in Charge of Your Own Protection Detail,” a book that teaches survival techniques for protecting your family.
In this episode of The Alpha Human Podcast, Pat and I discuss the unique ethos of SFOD-D, the Army’s Tier One Special Operations unit, and the time he spent in Eastern Europe during the Cold War setting up spy networks, as well as his service with the USMLM, a little known unit that contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union in ways that few are aware, including infiltrating communist East Germany under diplomatic cover to collect intelligence on the Soviet and East German militaries. We also discuss Pat’s book “The Sentinel,” which although penned a decade ago is as relevant now as ever given its detailed insight into how to protect your loved ones from the simple, yet often overlooked threats pervasive in our society. We also talk about the imperative nature of regaining our primal instincts and intuition as well as urban survival skills – everything from driving to save your life and the mental checklist necessary for surviving a siege on a Wallmart-style establishment, through to Combat Strength Training, Pat’s unique training system for becoming physically battle-ready. We also unpack the crucial difference between performance-based training vs. goal-oriented training, and why focusing on performance over outcomes is optimal. Pat and I also explore his difficult journey transitioning out of Special Operations and into civilian life, and the challenging period he faced raising young children in an extremely problematic marriage, as well as the epiphany that helped him overcome his downward spiral and fostered his growth as one of the most positive and highly motivated individuals you will ever meet. We also get Pat’s advice on how to acquire “Attitude,” and how to find meaning and purpose in life.
Links:
Pat McNamara’s training company: https://www.tmacsinc.com/
Pat McNamara on YouTube: youtube.com/user/patannamac1
The University of Badassery Podcast: https://universityofbadassery.libsyn.com
Pat on Instagram: @tmacsinc + @universityofbadassery