Blake Flannery is a Reconnaissance Man in the United States Marine Corps and has been serving since July 2001. In addition to passing the grueling Basic Reconnaissance Course (BRC), Flannery has also completed Military Free Fall (MFF), Marine Combatant Diver, SERE, Foreign Weapons Instructor, and more.

The attacks on September 11th occurred while Flannery was in boot camp at Parris Island, SC and he hit the fleet running. He did his first deployment with Alpha Company of 1st Battalion 5th Marine Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom I (OIF I) and quickly returned with the Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) platoon from 1/5 in 2003 during OIF II.

We'll be discussing these details and more of Flannery's career on this episode of the Former Action Guys Podcast so make sure to subscribe to this channel, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and more!

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Reference:
117 - Backpackable radio for tactical use
152 - Walkie-talkie style tactical radio
7-Ton - Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (Dump truck-sized military vehicle for hauling troops, supplies, etc.)
9-Line - CAS mission brief format
AAV - Amphibious Assault Vehicle (Also called Tracks)
ABC - ANGLICO Basic Course
ANG - Air National Guard
ANGLICO - Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
BLT - Battalion Landing Team
BRC - Basic Reconnaissance Course
CAR - Combat Action Ribbon
CAS - Close Air Support
CCT - Combat Control Team
CLB - Combat Logistics Battalion
CO - Commanding Officer
COC - Command Operations Center
COP - Combat Outpost
Corpsman - Navy medic attached to Marines
EOD - Explosive Ordnance Disposal
FAC - Forward Air Controller
FCT - Firepower Control Team
FDC - Fire Direction Control
FET - 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 outposts
HMMWV - High mobility multi-wheeled vehicle
IED - Improvised Explosive Device
IOC - Infantry Officer's Course
JDAM - Joint Direct Attack Munition (GPS guided bomb)
JTAC - Joint Terminal Attack Controller
LGTR - LASER Guided Training Round
M-ATV - MRAP All-terrain vehicle
MARSOC - Marine Corps Special Operations Command
MART - Marines Awaiting Recon Training
MCAS - Marine Corps Air Station
MCMAP - Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
MCRD - Marine Corps Recruit Depot
MCIWS - Marine Corps Instructor of Water Survival
MCT - Marine Combat Training
MEU - Marine Expeditionary Unit (Unit attached to ships for deployment)
MRAP - Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (armored vehicle)
MSOT - Marine Special Operations Team
MTU - Marksmanship Training Unit
OCS - Officer Candidate School
OP - Observation Post. An area where forward observers spot enemy positions and conduct fire missions on targets
PB - Patrol Base
PGM - Precision Guided Munitions
PLDR - Portable Lightweight Designator Rangefinder
PosRep - Position Report
PSS-SOF - Precision Strike Suite Special Operations Forces. Targeting program.
RO - Radio Operator (Sometimes called an RTO)
ROMAD - Radio Operator, Mechanic, and Driver
R&S - Reconnaissance and Surveillance
S Shops - S-1 (Administration), S-2 (Intelligence), S-3 (Operations), S-4 (Logistics), S-6 (Communication)
SACC - Supporting Arms Coordination Center (FSCC on a ship)
SALT - Supporting Arms Liaison Team
SERE - Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape
SOCS - Special Operations Capabilities Specialist
SOI - School of Infantry
SOTG - Special Operations Training Group
SVBIED - Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
TACP - Tactical Air Control Party
Water Dogs - Logistics Marines in charge of purifying water and running sanitation facilities
VBIED - Vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
VCP - Vehicle Check Point