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After reaching the pinnacle of military service, former Delta Force operator Gary Harrington was unexpectedly removed from the unit he had worked his entire career to join.

What followed was a battle with identity, purpose, failure, faith, and finding meaning beyond military service.

In this episode of The Not Special Show, Gary shares his journey from Marine Corps officer to Green Beret, Special Forces operator, Delta Force member, and later CIA officer during the early years of the War on Terror. He discusses Afghanistan after 9/11, counterterrorism operations, leadership, resilience, life in elite military units, and the personal cost of operating at the highest levels of national security.

But this conversation goes far beyond combat stories.

Gary opens up about losing the identity he had built around being a Delta Force operator, the struggles many veterans face after military service, and how one of the most painful setbacks of his life ultimately became one of his greatest blessings.

If you're interested in Delta Force, Special Forces, the CIA, Afghanistan, military leadership, veteran transition, personal growth, faith, purpose, and overcoming adversity, this episode offers a rare and honest perspective from someone who lived it.

Sometimes the thing we believe will destroy us becomes the thing that transforms us.

⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Why Gary Is Special
01:51 - Marine Corps Office to Enlisted Green Beret
06:10 - Being a Green Beret
07:46 - Did He Like Special Forces or Delta Better
10:41 - Kicked Out of Delta Affected Him
12:47 - Difference Between Delta Force and Green Berets
17:39 - What Happened After He Got Kicked Out of Delta Force
19:59 - A Panic Attack Going to 5th Special Forces Group
26:23 - Going to Yemen Before the USS Cole Attack
31:01 - September 11th 2001
36:01 - Tora Bora and the Early Afghanistan War Days
41:09 - First Day at Special Forces, Delta Force or the CIA Stick Out
42:25 - Thank God I Was Kicked Out of Delta Force
45:00 - The Toll of a Legendary Career
49:46 - Advice Learned From Being in Rooms With the Best and Worst of Humanity
54:37 - The One Thing That Made Him Successful
56:12 - Giving Himself up to God
57:38 - Meeting the Love of His Life
01:01:51 - Being a Honest Rule Breaker
01:02:53 - How His Faith Evolved
01:07:11 - Giving Advice to Young Gary
01:08:12 - What Gary Values Most in Life

#NotSpecial #DeltaForce #GreenBeret #CIA #VeteranStories

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