#276 Nick Brokhausen - The Deadliest Stories From Vietnam with MACV-SOG
In this Shawn Ryan Show episode, former Green Beret Nick Brokhausen discusses his time with MACV-SOG during the Vietnam War. From his early life in the wilderness of North Dakota and Minnesota to his intense combat experiences with Recon Team Habu, Brokhausen describes the extreme dangers his team faced and the psychological toll of combat, including his ways of coping with what would later be recognized as PTSD.
The conversation covers Brokhausen's challenging transition back to civilian life, including his struggles with culture shock and anti-war sentiment upon returning home. He shares how he found new purpose through work in counter-surveillance in Berlin, writing books about his experiences, and training SWAT teams. The episode also touches on the upcoming Netflix adaptation of his story, "American Ronin," scheduled for release in 2026.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Feb 2, 2026 episode of the Shawn Ryan Show
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1-Page Summary
Nick Brokhausen's Service in Vietnam With Macv-Sog
Nick Brokhausen's military career, particularly his service with MACV-SOG as a Green Beret, represents a remarkable journey through one of the most challenging periods of military history.
Early Life and Military Career
Brokhausen's journey began in the wilderness of North Dakota and Minnesota, where he developed crucial survival skills through hunting and trapping. After serving in the Marine Corps, he transferred to the Army to pursue his dream of becoming a Green Beret. His training at Camp McCall under Rodney Nail prepared him for his eventual role with MACV-SOG, where he would face unprecedented challenges with Recon Team Habu.
Combat Experiences and Psychological Impact
During his time with MACV-SOG, Brokhausen experienced intense combat situations and narrow escapes. He reveals that only three of his original nine team members remained active after a year, highlighting the extreme dangers they faced. The psychological toll was significant, with Brokhausen describing haunting memories and ghostly visions that persisted long after combat. He and his teammates coped through camaraderie, humor, and sometimes self-medication, particularly as PTSD wasn't yet recognized by the military.
Post-War Life and Recovery
Civilian Transition Challenges
Brokhausen's return to civilian life was marked by significant difficulties. He describes experiencing culture shock, disconnection from family and friends, and the collapse of his marriage. The anti-war sentiment of the era further complicated his reintegration, leading to some violent confrontations.
Finding New Purpose
After his military service, Brokhausen found healing in Berlin, where he worked in counter-surveillance. He later channeled his experiences into writing books about his Vietnam experiences and other ventures, including training SWAT teams and supplying armored cars.
Netflix Series Development
Brokhausen's experiences are being adapted into a Netflix series titled "American Ronin." Working with his partner Jeff Miller and Show Dog Studio, Brokhausen plans to adapt each chapter of his book into an episode. The writing is scheduled to begin in spring, with filming starting in fall and a targeted release date of late 2026.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore resilience through outdoor activities by planning a weekend of basic survival training, such as building a shelter or identifying edible plants, to understand the skills Nick Brokhausen developed and their application in building mental toughness.
- Engaging in survival training can give you a firsthand experience of the challenges faced in the wilderness, fostering a deeper appreciation for the skills required in extreme situations. For example, you might attend a local survival workshop or use online resources to guide you in a safe, controlled environment.
- Create a personal narrative project by writing or recording your own experiences with overcoming adversity, akin to how Brokhausen wrote books about his Vietnam experiences.
- This activity can serve as a therapeutic exercise and help you process past events. You could start a blog, keep a journal, or even record voice memos on your phone, focusing on the emotions and lessons learned from each experience.
- Develop empathy for veterans by volunteering with organizations that support their transition to civilian life, reflecting the challenges Brokhausen faced.
- By offering your time to help with resume writing, job searches, or simply providing companionship, you can gain insight into the reintegration process. Look for local veterans' associations or online platforms that connect volunteers with veterans in need of support.
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Nick Brokhausen's Service in Vietnam With Macv-Sog
Nick Brokhausen's extraordinary military career is marked by his distinguished service with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). His journey from a rugged upbringing to the apex of unconventional warfare, as a Green Beret and SOG member, is both harrowing and illuminative.
Nick Brokhausen's Journey To Becoming a Green Beret and Sog Member
Brokhausen on Childhood Wilderness and Survival Skills in North Dakota and Minnesota
Raised on a North Dakota farm and later in Minnesota, Nick Brokhausen honed his survival skills early. His childhood in Glenwood was replete with hunting and trapping to afford school clothes—a natural foreshadowing of his future abilities as an elite operative. Brokhausen gamed the system by using porcupine pads to maximize bounties, demonstrating an early knack for resourcefulness.
Brokhausen on Marine Corps, Army Transfer, and Special Forces Selection and Training
Brokhausen’s illustrious 17-year career began in the Marine Corps, post which he transferred to the Army with aspirations to become a Green Beret. He reflects on the discipline he learned in the Marines, which served him well in the Army. Drawn by the allure of the Special Forces, he underwent rigorous training at Camp McCall and was taught by the venerable Rodney Nail. Brokhausen mastered survival skills, weaponry, and the military way before his assignment with the sixth group and eventual work with MACV-SOG.
Brokhausen Recalls First Missions With Macv-Sog's Recon Team Habu, Intense Combat, Close Calls
Nick Brokhausen witnessed unconventional behavior in MACV-SOG, marking a stark change from the more traditional facets of military life he previously encountered. He shared the highs and lows of field missions, marked by camaraderie and ingenious pranks to intense combat, salvage missions for fallen pilots, and harrowing jungle warfare. Trekking through minefields and battle-torn landscapes, his missions with Recon Team Habu were fraught with danger, inevitability of close calls, and the constant specter of loss.
Intensity and Psychological Toll of Brokhausen's Macv-Sog Experiences
Brokhausen Details His Team's Ferocious Combat, Narrow Escapes, and Losses
The ferocity of combat Brokhausen's team encountered epitomized the term 'war party'. Their high-powered arsenals and Brokhausen's custom ammunition were sometimes the thin line between life and death. He speaks of intense engagements, combat leadership, and the heart-wrenching task of body recovery. The psychological toll is discernible as he recounts how only three of the nine individuals assigned with him remained active a year later, a stark testament to ...
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Nick Brokhausen's Service in Vietnam With Macv-Sog
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Actionables
- You can develop resilience by practicing survival skills like foraging and orienteering during weekend nature trips, which can help you adapt to unexpected situations and foster self-reliance. Start by learning basic plant identification to forage edible plants safely and use a compass and map to navigate trails. Gradually increase the complexity of your trips by planning longer routes or visiting unfamiliar parks to challenge your adaptability.
- Enhance your problem-solving abilities by creating a "resourcefulness journal" where you document daily challenges and brainstorm multiple solutions. For example, if you encounter a broken household item, instead of immediately opting to buy a new one, list possible ways to repair it or repurpose it for a different use. This practice encourages innovative thinking and can be applied to both mundane and complex problems.
- Build a support network by jo ...
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Aftermath of Vietnam War For Nick Brokhausen
The aftermath of the Vietnam War was a difficult period for Nick Brokhausen as he struggled with reintegration, relationship issues, and found new paths in his post-military life.
Brokhausen's Difficulties Reintegrating Into Civilian Life After Vietnam
Nick Brokhausen faced a significant cultural shock and emotional disconnect upon returning to civilian life from the Vietnam War.
Brokhausen on Culture Shock and Disconnect With Family and Friends Upon Return
After serving in Vietnam, Brokhausen described his return to the U.S. as a period of decompression and shock, compounded by the era's anti-war sentiment. He shared an incident of being spit on once in Oakland and admitted to responding violently. He felt disconnected from his friends from high school and the outskirts of his family, unable to relate to them because of his wartime experiences. Although his immediate family supported him, he admitted to a disconnect from the civilized world and considered leaving society to stay with the local people he fought alongside in Vietnam.
Brokhausen on Failed Marriage and Relationship Struggles After Wartime
Brokhausen's personal relationships suffered dramatically upon his return. He mentioned the absence of personal relationships and struggled with trusting someone who hadn't shared his experiences, an emotion shared by many of his friends who faced marriage and relationship issues. Excessive alcohol consumption was a method used among Brokhausen and his peers to manage post-war adjustment. His marriage deteriorated while he was stationed at Fort Devens. He was frequently absent, saw his wife for only 112 days due to various training, contributing to their marital issues. Brokhausen found his government housing emptied after returning from training, marking the end of his marriage. Attempts to reconnect with his wife and daughter years later proved unsuccessful, with unresolved issues hinting at the lingering difficulties in their post-Vietnam relationship.
Brokhausen's Post-Military Life and Work
Even with challenges, Brokhausen discovered purpose and opportunities for healing post-military.
Brokhausen Finds Purpose and Healing In Ber ...
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Aftermath of Vietnam War For Nick Brokhausen
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can write a personal memoir or journal to process your own life experiences, much like Brokhausen turned his into books. Start by jotting down significant events from your past, reflecting on how they've shaped you, and consider sharing your story with others if it feels therapeutic.
- Engage in language learning or a new skill to find purpose and challenge yourself, similar to Brokhausen's time in Berlin. Choose a language or skill that interests you, set achievable goals, and use online resources or community classes to immerse yourself in the learning process.
- Create a personal project or venture that channels you ...
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Adapting Nick Brokhausen's Experiences Into a Netflix Series
Nick Brokhausen's stories of combat and camaraderie are set to make a leap from the page to the small screen with the upcoming Netflix series "American Ronin."
Brokhausen's Memoirs Adapted Into Streaming Series "American Ronin"
The production team is turning Brokhausen's written memoirs into a gripping streaming series. With a title that evokes images of a masterless samurai navigating a landscape of conflict and uncertainty, "American Ronin" aims to capture the essence of Brokhausen’s experiences.
Brokhausen Shares Hopes and Optimism About His Wartime Stories on Screen
While the provided transcript doesn't explicitly capture Brokhausen's sentiments, it’s clear from the developments that Brokhausen is optimistic about his wartime stories making their way to the screen. The adaptation is a signal of Brokhausen's last hopes to see his compelling narratives reach a wider audience, providing a raw and authentic portrayal of his time in service.
Brokhausen on Series Development: Creative Process and Timeline For Writing and Filming
Nick Brokhausen's partner, Jeff Miller, has taken steps to bring Brokhausen's tales to life through collaboration with ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Adapting Nick Brokhausen's Experiences Into a Netflix Series
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore the concept of "American Ronin" by reading about samurai culture and applying its principles to personal challenges. Delve into books or online resources about samurai philosophy, such as Bushido, and reflect on how the values of honor, courage, and loyalty can guide your decisions in uncertain times, much like a masterless samurai.
- Create a personal memoir project by documenting your own life experiences in a journal or blog. Take inspiration from Nick Brokhausen's approach and consider how your individual stories could be structured into chapters or episodes, each with a unique theme or lesson, fostering a deeper understanding of your personal journey.
- Engage with military history and stories through local veterans' organ ...
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