Episode 380: Private Armies, Wars & Blackwater From a Navy Special Operator

War isn’t what you think it is.

A former Navy Special Warfare operator and Blackwater contractor reveals what really happens behind military operations, private armies, and global conflict.

This episode of Live From America features a powerful and unfiltered conversation with Trevor Fortner — a former Navy Special Warfare operator and Blackwater private military contractor.

Trevor shares firsthand experiences from war zones, including protecting U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad in Iraq, and gives rare insight into how modern warfare actually operates beyond what the public sees.

We break down the reality of war — the difference between controlled military strategy and the chaos experienced on the ground — and explore the controversial world of private military contractors (PMCs), including Blackwater and comparisons to groups like Russia’s Wagner Group.

The conversation dives into:

The truth about private military companies and how they operate

The Nisour Square incident and the complexities behind it

Accountability, regulation, and the evolution of PMCs

The business of war and who really benefits

Patriotism, national service, and cultural identity

Why war may be inevitable — or driven by leadership decisions