The Spear

Modern War Institute at West Point

The Spear is a podcast from the Modern War Institute at West Point. It sets out to explore the combat experience, with each episode featuring a guest who tells a detailed and personal story, describing the events and exploring topics like decision-making under stress and what it feels like to be in combat.

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The Spear

Episodes (222)

Thursday Explosive Ordnance Technician in Training and Combat
Jul 30th Joint Planner for Security Assistance Group–Ukraine
Jul 16th The Crucible of Innovation in the Indo-Pacific

The Spear

Aug 13, 2026
1¾ hours
69 MB

Dr. Charlie Faint sits down with EOD officer Michael Villahermosa in this episode for a wide-ranging conversation about combat, leadership, professional growth, and service. Villahermosa traces his path from an unsuccessful attempt at Special Forces selection to becoming an explosive ordnance disposal technician, deploying to Afghanistan during the surge, and eventually earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal for Valor after taking charge of a ground element under fire and helping prevent fellow soldiers from walking into an ambush. Drawing on experiences as both an enlisted NCO and commissioned officer, he emphasizes calm leadership under pressure, competence, humility...

The Spear

Explosive Ordnance Technician in Training and Combat

Modern War Institute at West Point

00:00 -01:26:54