Delta Force Founder SGM Mike Vining on Vietnam, EOD, and Elite Operations

Early Life and Military Motivation

• 💡 Mike Vining grew up with a strong family history of military service, inspiring his own desire to serve his country.
• 🎯 He was motivated to join the military and go to Vietnam to understand the conflict firsthand, despite conflicting reports from the government and media.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Vining comes from a family with a long tradition of service, including his father in WWII, uncles in Korea and Guadalcanal, and ancestors in the Revolutionary War.

Vietnam and EOD Experience

• 🏞️ In Vietnam, Vining observed that many civilians in the countryside were focused on subsistence living and largely detached from the political conflict.
• 💣 He found his work as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician fulfilling, as it involved clearing hazardous devices and making areas safe for both military and civilians.
• 🎬 Inspired by a movie about disarming a bomb in London during WWII, Vining was drawn to the challenge and bravery required for EOD work.
• 💥 During the Cambodian incursion, Vining recounts a dangerous mission to disarm two unexploded bombs, highlighting the intense training and calm required under pressure.

Post-Vietnam and Path to Delta Force

• 🏭 After leaving the Army, Vining worked in a factory in Michigan stamping car parts, but found the work dangerous and unfulfilling despite his promotion to lead man.
• 🏍️ He rejoined the Army in 1973, initially as an EOD technician, and developed a passion for adventure sports like rock climbing, mountaineering, and caving.
• 📞 In 1977, Vining was recruited to join a new unit being formed at Fort Bragg, which would become Delta Force, due to his EOD expertise and combat experience.
• 🎓 Vining was one of the initial members of Delta Force's first operator training course (OTC1) and successfully completed the rigorous selection and assessment process.

Delta Force Selection and Operations

• 🌲 Delta Force selection, particularly in the late 70s in the Yori National Forest, focused on individual endurance, land navigation with weight, and mental fortitude, with no direct harassment from instructors.
• 🚶‍♂️ Candidates were expected to work alone, navigate difficult terrain, and demonstrate an unwillingness to quit, with the option to leave at any point.
• 🤝 While selection emphasized individual capability, the operator training course required teamwork and the ability to function effectively within a group.
• 🇺🇸 Vining expresses immense pride in Delta Force's continued success, citing the recent operation in Caracas as an example of their effectiveness, and notes the improved air support available today compared to his time.

Internet Fame and Legacy

• 📸 Vining became internet famous due to a photo of him in uniform, leading to speculation about stolen valor until his credentials and the context of his badges were explained.
• 🎖️ He clarifies the placement of his EOD badge, noting that its category and requirements have changed since he earned it.
• 📚 Vining's book, "Blasting Through," details his extensive career, including his time in Delta Force and operations like those in Iran and Grenada.