In this conversation, Tanner Yackley, founder of Remote Warrior, discusses the often-overlooked psychological toll of remote warfare and the complexities of Drone or RPA operations. He highlights the challenges faced by remote operators, including quality of life issues, the disconnect in military recognition, and the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life. Tanner shares his experiences as a former RPA operator and the emotional and psychological challenges faced by those in the remote warfare community. We discuss the unique pressures of making life-and-death decisions from a distance. Tanner highlights the moral injuries that arise from remote combat and the urgent need for better mental health support for veterans.

Resources and Links:

Remote Warrior LLC

On Killing Remotely: The Psychology of Killing with Drones

VA PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)

VA Vet Centers

Mental health YouTube resources -Nick O'Kelly

https://remotewarrior.carrd.co/ https://invisiblewarfare.carrd.co/
https://rwpanicpack.carrd.co/
https://rwsmarthome.carrd.co/

Sponsors:

Finance 4 vets-Nick O'Kelly

PoleStar CoffeeGuest Info:

Tanner Yackley is a former MQ-9 Reaper Sensor Operator and Instructor Evaluator who spent a decade supporting combat operations remotely for the U.S. Air Force. He is the founder of Remote Warrior™, a mission-driven organization advocating for the recognition and care of drone and remote warfare veterans. Through his work, Tanner is helping bring visibility, language, and healing to a community often overlooked in traditional definitions of combat service

Keywords

Remote Warfare, RPA, Psychological Impact, Military Service, Drone Operations, Mental Health, Combat Experience, Advocacy, Veterans, Air Force, fighter pilots, RPA, mental health, combat, moral injury, remote warfare, veteran support, PTSD, community, education

In this episode, Thad and Tyler welcome back three familiar faces—Doug White, Katie Huckett, and John “Eight Knees” Turner—for a wild, hilarious, and emotional recap of their return to Scotland with the Allied Forces Foundation. From absurd duct tape survival strategies to deep reflections at Arlington Cemetery, this is a brutally honest look at endurance, camaraderie, and how shared struggle brings people closer together. If you’re looking for inspiration, laughter, and a reminder that you’re not alone—this is the episode.

Resources & Links:

• Alone and Unafraid Website

• Doug White – Episode 10

• John Turner – Episode 29

• Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly

• Doug White – Law enforcement officer, previous guest, and Yomp veteran.

• John “Eight Knees” Turner – Marine, poet, and endurance runner.

• Katie Huckett – Tyler’s wife, Yomp finisher, and silent badass.

  
  

“I wanted Katie to see where I feel like I actually belong.” – Tyler
“The magic wasn’t on the trail—it was in the van, in the barracks, at the mess hall.” – Doug
“Can you suffer and still come out better on the other side?” – John
“We got to the point where I just spackled my butthole with jelly.” – Tyler (context… essential)

Former Navy SEAL Ben Davis joins us to talk identity, transition, and mental health. After a decade in the teams, Ben faced TBIs, depression, and the difficult shift to civilian life. He shares how childhood struggles, wrestling, and military service shaped him—and how writing and the outdoors helped him reclaim purpose. Now a full-time writer and director of the Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, Ben helps other vets find healing beyond the battlefield.

Links & Resources:

• Ben’s Substack – “The Transition” – bldavis3.substack.com

• Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group – voag.org

• Polestar Coffee – polestarcoffee.com

• Finance4Vets – Nick O'Kelly – finance4vets.com

• Alone and Unafraid – aloneandunafraid.org

Guest Bio:

Ben Davis is a former Navy SEAL, full-time writer, and Executive Director of the Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group. His Substack, The Transition, explores the unseen side of leaving service and rebuilding purpose.

Standout Quotes:

• “Writing didn’t fix me—it gave me purpose.”

• “Mental health doesn’t come with a cast.”

• “You don’t realize how much of you is tied to the mission until it’s gone.”

🎧 Listen to Alone and Unafraid wherever you get your podcasts
🌐 Visit: aloneandunafraid.org
☕ Support the show: polestarcoffee.com
💼 Finance help for vets: finance4vets.com
✍️ Read Ben’s writing: bldavis3.substack.com