Rob Saale is a retired FBI Special Agent with 23 years of service. He is also the former director of the FBI's Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, a U.S. Government Interagency organization directly responsible to the President of the United States for coordinating recovery efforts for U.S. hostages held abroad. Prior to the FBI, Saale flew UH-60s for the United States Army.

in 23 years at the FBI, Saale worked cases ranging from white-collar crimes to bank robberies and conducted operations against Mexican drug cartels and terrorist organizations in multiple countries. We cover all of these topics before moving on to his time at the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and how American and ally governments work to repatriate their citizens after capture.

Specifically, we discuss the case of former Marine infantry officer turned freelance journalist, Austin Bennett Tice, and his 2012 capture in Syria while covering the conflict. The US government and the Tice family believe that Austin is still alive and being held by the Syrian government or their surrogates.

Austin Tice Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Tice
STAR Consulting Website: https://starriskconsulting.com/

Podcast and Website links: https://linktr.ee/formeractionguys

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
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
HVT - High Value Target
IED - Improvised Explosive Device
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
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
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
S Shops - S-1 (Administration), S-2 (Intelligence), S-3 (Operations), S-4 (Logistics), S-6 (Communication)
SVBIED - Suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device
TACP - Tactical Air Control Party
Taco Rice - Greasy food for drunk Marines stationed in Okinawa
Water Dogs - Logistics Marines in charge of purifying water and running sanitation facilities
VBIED - Vehicle-borne improvised explosive device