Across the Fence: A Glimpse into the Secret War in Vietnam

💪The volunteers of the Mac V SOG command and control unit were well-aware of the risks but chose to serve in the unit despite the high casualties and tough conditions.

🔒Members of the Mac V SOG unit were required to sign confidentiality agreements, prohibiting them from discussing their operations even with family members.

🌲The North Vietnamese Army controlled neutral countries like Laos and Cambodia, which served as infiltration routes for troops and supplies.

🎯Mac V SOG operatives had to operate without any identification, ensuring plausible deniability for the U.S. government if they were captured or killed.

👥Mac V SOG operatives were considered spies and did not have the same protections as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention.

What motivated the volunteers to join the Mac V SOG unit despite the risks?

—The volunteers were motivated by a sense of duty, challenge, and the desire to contribute to their country. They believed in the mission and were willing to sacrifice for the greater good.

What types of operations did Mac V SOG carry out?

—Mac V SOG conducted classified covert operations, including reconnaissance, direct action, and sabotage missions deep inside enemy territory. Their operations were aimed at disrupting the North Vietnamese Army's supply network and gathering intelligence.

How did Mac V SOG operatives ensure their anonymity?

—Mac V SOG operatives operated without any identification or personal belongings that could link them back to the U.S. military. They wore sterile fatigues without any insignia or badges.

What challenges did Mac V SOG operatives face in the field?

—Mac V SOG operatives faced constant danger, including the risk of capture, execution, or being left behind if their mission failed. They also had to navigate through hostile terrain and withstand harsh living conditions.

What impact did the Mac V SOG unit have on the overall war effort?

—The Mac V SOG unit played a crucial role in disrupting enemy operations and gathering intelligence. Their efforts contributed to the overall strategic success of the U.S. military in Vietnam.

00:00Jocko Podcast #180 features John Stryker Meyer, a former Special Forces soldier, who shares his experiences as a member of the Mac V SOG command group.

06:29Despite the warnings and risks, Meyer and his fellow Green Berets volunteered to serve in the Mac V SOG unit.

18:32Upon arriving in Vietnam, the volunteers received a top-secret briefing and were assigned to the Mac V SOG command group.

47:37Meyer highlights the challenges and sacrifices made by the Green Berets in the top-secret missions carried out by the Mac V SOG unit.

54:09The Mac V SOG operatives had to operate under strict confidentiality agreements, prohibiting them from discussing their operations even with family members.

01:02:44Meyer discusses the North Vietnamese Army's control of neutral countries like Laos and Cambodia, which served as infiltration routes for troops and supplies.

01:08:32Mac V SOG operatives had to operate without any form of identification, ensuring plausible deniability for the U.S. government in case of capture or death.

01:13:58Mac V SOG operatives were considered spies and did not have the same protections as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention.

01:17:02The podcast offers firsthand insights into the realities of war and the bravery of those who served in the Mac V SOG unit.