#214 Jay Cal - SAS Operator Charged with Murder
In this episode of the Shawn Ryan Show, Jay Cal shares his experiences from an 18-year military career in the Royal Marines and SAS, including his role as lead instructor at GBRS Group specializing in Close Quarters Battle training. The discussion centers on a 2022 Afghanistan detention operation where Cal engaged enemy combatants, leading to a controversial three-year investigation.
Cal details how the investigation, which he attributes to political motivations by the Director of Special Forces, affected him and his team members. The episode covers the investigation's impact on their careers and personal lives, including visa denials and forced departures from military service. Cal also addresses what he sees as systemic problems in military leadership and his current efforts to reform how servicemembers are treated during investigations.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jul 3, 2025 episode of the Shawn Ryan Show
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Jay Cal's Military Experiences and Controversial Incident
Jay Cal's distinguished 18-year military career spans service in the Royal Marines and SAS, including 11 combat deployments. After joining the SAS in 2012, Cal participated in high-intensity operations before becoming GBRS Group's lead instructor, where he specialized in Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training.
The 2022 Afghanistan Incident and Investigation
In July 2022, Cal led a detention operation targeting high-value targets in Afghanistan. During the mission, Cal engaged and neutralized two enemy combatants in what he describes as a necessary response to protect his team. However, the incident led to a controversial investigation initiated by Gwyn Jenkins, the Director of Special Forces, reportedly for political reasons rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Impact of Investigation on Jay Cal and Team
The investigation resulted in arrests and interrogations of Cal and his teammates, with searches conducted at their homes and personal devices confiscated. Cal reports they were initially denied adequate legal representation and forced to write witness statements without proper legal counsel. The investigation's impact was severe: Cal faced US visa denial, disrupting his career plans, and two team members left the military due to their treatment during the three-year investigation, though all were eventually cleared of charges.
Systemic Problems and Cal's Reform Efforts
Cal criticizes military leadership for failing to support servicemembers during investigations and making politically motivated decisions. He points to Jenkins' admission of initiating the investigation for personal gain as evidence of systemic problems. In response, Cal is advocating for changes to protect future operators who follow rules of engagement, documenting unprofessional actions, and using his platform to promote accountability within military leadership.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can write a letter to your local representative advocating for better legal protections for service members. Explain the importance of ensuring that those who serve have access to fair legal representation and support during investigations. For example, you might highlight the need for a dedicated legal fund or advisory body that can be accessed by service members in times of legal uncertainty.
- Start a blog or social media campaign to raise awareness about the importance of accountability in leadership positions. Use stories and examples from various fields, not just the military, to illustrate how accountability can impact team morale and the well-being of individuals within an organization.
- Volunteer with a veterans' support organization to help those who have faced similar challenges as the individuals in the podcast. Offer your time to assist with administrative tasks, fundraising, or simply providing a listening ear to veterans who may feel disenfranchised by their experiences.
Get access to the context and additional materials
Jay Cal's Military Experiences and Controversial Incident
Jay Cal's extensive military career, including his time with the Royal Marines, the SAS, and his role as a CQB instructor, is marked by several combat deployments and a controversial incident during a detention operation in Afghanistan.
Jay Cal's Military Career: Marines, Special Forces, Cqb Instructor
Jay Cal served 18 years in the Royal Marines, with 11 combat deployments, influenced by the legacy of his grandfather who fought in the Second World War. After joining the SAS in 2012, Cal was deployed on high-intensity operations and later became GBRS Group's lead instructor, training future operators in Close Quarters Battle (CQB).
Served 18 Years In Royal Marines, 11 Combat Deployments
Cal's military career was filled with rigorous training and significant challenges, like rehabilitation after breaking his foot and losing his troop sergeant, Baz Weston. He took pride in the quality of commandos produced by the Royal Marines, a sentiment echoed in his rigorous training methods as a CQB instructor.
Joined Sas In 2012; Deployed On High-Intensity Operations
Cal's ambition to join the SAS was influenced by working with a member of the regiment, admiring their effectiveness and proactive operations. Once part of the SAS, he participated in various high-stakes missions, such as detention operations and raids, which involved collecting sensitive site information and sometimes engaging in fierce battles.
Gbrs Group's Lead Instructor: Training Future Operators
As an instructor, Jay Cal was responsible for maintaining high CQB standards, ensuring that the lessons learned from combat and the loss of comrades were passed on to the future generation of operators. His commitment to the role is evident from his efforts to make incremental improvements and being the custodian of hard-earned knowledge.
Controversial 2022 Incident During Detention Operation in Afghanistan
In 2022, Jay Cal led a mission to detain a high-value target in Afghanistan which resulted in a controversial use of force.
Jay Cal Led Mission to Detain High-Value Target
The operation, which took place on 3rd and 4th July, targeted known jihadis. Cal was involved in an intense situation where he had to engage the enemy, and his quick response escalated into a two-way gunfight. He faced immediate threats from hostile combatants and neutralized two enemy fighters in protection of his team.
Mission Escalated; Jay Cal Neutralized two Combatants
Upon arriving at the compound, his team faced fire from multiple points and Jay Cal m ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Jay Cal's Military Experiences and Controversial Incident
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Reflect on your own life experiences to identify moments of significant challenge or change, and journal about them to understand their impact on your personal growth. Just as Jay Cal's military career involved rigorous training and personal challenges, you can gain insight into your resilience and adaptability by writing down your own experiences with difficult situations, such as starting a new job, moving to a new city, or overcoming a personal setback.
- Develop a decision-making framework based on values and objectives to use when facing difficult choices. Cal made critical decisions based on hostile intent during missions; similarly, you can create a set of guiding principles that help you make decisions when under pressure. For example, if you value honesty and family, your framework might prioritize actions that uphold these values, even in challenging circumstances.
- Create a suppo ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Impact of Investigation on Jay Cal and Team
Jay Cal and his teammates faced harrowing experiences due to a formal investigation by the Royal Military Police, which led to arrests, mental health issues, and career disruptions.
Investigation and Arrest of Jay Cal and Team
Jay Cal, Teammates Arrested, Interrogated, Searched
Jay Cal details a full investigation leading to the arrest of him and his teammates, which included a formal complaint against the Royal Military Police (RMP) for unprofessional conduct. They were ordered to write witness statements without legal representation. The incompetence of the Royal Military Police provided some solace as their attempt to arrest all team members simultaneously failed. Despite that, the team members were arrested in front of their families, their homes searched, and personal devices confiscated, leading to a lack of contact.
Denied Adequate Legal Representation During Investigation
During the four-hour interrogation and subsequent investigation period, Jay Cal and his team were deemed fit for duty and returned to operations despite facing serious accusations. The lack of support was evident as they were initially forced to write witness statements without appropriate legal advice. They struggled with legal aid, only being allowed £62 an hour for representation, which led to months of uncertainty.
Long-Term Consequences and Impact of the Investigation
Jay Cal's US Visa Denial Disrupts Career Plans
Jay Cal's life was significantly impacted as he faced issues acquiring his visa due to being under investigation for murder, disrupting his plans to train law enforcement officers and military units in the United States. His record's implication that he was under investigation negatively affected his ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Impact of Investigation on Jay Cal and Team
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Educate yourself on your legal rights and the importance of legal representation by reading up on basic legal resources available online or at your local library. Understanding your rights can prevent situations where you might be compelled to provide statements without proper legal advice. For example, you could start with government websites that outline citizen rights during legal proceedings or consult free online legal advice forums.
- Create a personal emergency plan that includes steps to take if you ever face a legal investigation, such as a list of local lawyers to contact and a prepared statement for family members. This plan could be stored in an easily accessible place at home and include instructions for securing personal devices and important d ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Case Implications and Jay Cal's Preventive Efforts
Jay Cal addresses the systemic problems within military leadership and the lack of accountability, along with his determination to instigate changes that will protect future military operators.
Military Leadership: Systemic Problems and Lack of Accountability
Cal criticizes military leadership for failing to offer adequate support and treating allegations of wrongdoing as politically driven rather than genuine concerns. He suggests that the higher-ups are harming the organization and intimates that the current leadership is not taking proper care of its members. Cal specifically points out that the lack of accountability among those making decisions is a systemic issue, indicating that investigations into servicemembers are often politically motivated. He identifies Jenkins as having initiated an investigation to protect his own reputation, despite knowing no wrongdoing had been committed. Cal infers a pattern where similar investigations yield lasting negative consequences for Special Forces members. Additionally, Cal recounts an incident where a Director of Special Forces, "General Nick," changed his stance on the team's actions, raising questions about political influence over what should be fact-driven decisions.
Special Forces Director Initiated Investigation for Political Reasons, Not Wrongdoing Concerns
Cal believes the Director of Special Forces referred their case to the Royal Military Police politically, seeking to protect his own standing. His commanding officer originally approved his actions as correct without issue, but it was escalated due to the Director's personal motives. Cal and others perceive that wider systemic problems are at play, with former servicemembers from various conflicts continually facing unresolved investigations.
Military Leadership Failed to Support and Protect Jay Cal's Team During the Investigation
Jay Cal and his team lacked support and protection during the investigation, and he personally felt let down by the leadership. The treatment and lack of support during the investigation drove team members to leave the military and adversely impact their lives. Cal emphasized the disheartening lack of compassion from military leadership and reflected on not being informed or included in briefings about the investigation, feeling cut off from the chain of command.
Jay Cal's Determination to Prevent Recurrence
Dissatisfied with the military leadership's response, Cal is motivated to ensure that similar incidents do not recur.
Jay Cal Advocates Changes to Protect Future Operators
Cal is outspoken about instituting systemic changes to safeguard future military op ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Case Implications and Jay Cal's Preventive Efforts
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can foster a culture of support by starting a peer-to-peer recognition program at work. Create a simple system where colleagues can acknowledge each other's efforts and challenges, such as a shared digital board or a physical "kudos box" where employees can drop notes of appreciation. This encourages a supportive environment and highlights the importance of backing each other up, especially during tough times.
- Encourage accountability in your community by creating a transparent feedback mechanism. Set up an anonymous online survey or suggestion box that allows members to voice concerns about leadership or decision-making processes. Ensure that there's a clear follow-up process where the issues raised are addressed, and the outcomes are shared with the community to promote transparency and accountability.
- Advocate fo ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
