# Leading Special Forces Selection, Media Battles, and the Fight for Veteran Suicide Reform | Ep. 285 | Pt. 3

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mike-drop-63606/leading-special-forces-selection-media-battles-and-the-fight-for-veteran-suicide-reform-ep-285-pt-3
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mike-drop-63606/leading-special-forces-selection-media-battles-and-the-fight-for-veteran-suicide-reform-ep-285-pt-3.md
Podcast: [Mike Drop](https://stenobird.com/podcast/mike-drop-63606)
Published: 2026-04-03T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/WWO8491279685.mp3?updated=1775022781
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/WWO8491279685.mp3?updated=1775022781
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/mike-drop-63606/episodes/leading-special-forces-selection-media-battles-and-the-fight-for-veteran-suicide-reform-ep-285-pt-3
Duration seconds: 4308

## Resource

Former Australian 2nd Commando Regiment officer and combat veteran Heston Russell opens up about his personal journey, including coming to terms with his sexuality while serving, family reactions, and the cultural differences in veteran support between Australia and the United States. He details his exchange posting with the 75th Ranger Regiment, a later deployment to Iraq in a joint special operations planning role, insights into high-level interagency operations, and the challenges of transitioning out of the military. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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