Ep. 22 • RJ Casey: Green Beret, PJ, OGA Operator - and Hollywood Insider

RJ Casey has lived one of the most extraordinary careers in modern special operations - and he’s just getting started. A U.S. Army Green Beret, Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), OGA Operator, entrepreneur, and Hollywood insider, RJ’s journey spans elite military units, covert missions, and blockbuster film sets.

In this episode of the Liberty Risk Podcast, we dive deep into:

Inside stories from the Green Beret and PJ training pipelines.
High-stakes deployments and OGA special operations.
The real history behind the Pararescue green feet logo.
Transitioning from special operations to entrepreneurship.
Building veteran-owned brands like Brigands Co and Four Branches Bourbon.
Behind-the-scenes moments from Hollywood productions, including Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.

From pushing through injuries to complete impossible missions, to creating a bourbon brand with a mission to give back, RJ’s story blends grit, humor, and hard-won wisdom. Whether you’re here for military special operations stories, veteran business advice, or Hollywood behind-the-scenes tales, this conversation delivers.

Some highlight stories from this episode:
• Growing up as a military brat and finding his way into special operations
• Contrasts & similarities between Green Beret and PJ training
• Origins of the Air Force Pararescue green feet logo
• High-risk global operations and OGA contracting
• Veteran-owned bourbon brand launch story
• Hollywood experiences on Jack Ryan and other major productions

1:20:39 Nick getting rolled up at Sniper school for an antler on his drag bag
1:23:51 Some “walkers” in Sniper school are cool, some are not, funny story about both.
1:26:25 Ryan getting Sniper school as a new guy and not understanding “dead space”, having to low crawl for 2,000 yds
1:31:28 Sniper school with Andy Stumpf (the dude is GOOD!)
1:45:33 The crew talks about foreigners not making it through BUD/S and being killed when they go back home, also an Estonian Diver who got sent to BUD/S thinking it was just a diving school (he did well).
1:53:32 RJ recovering from an injury, and going from Green Beret to PJ.
2:16:23 Some hilarious infighting between previous SpecOps guys and PJ’s in the PJ pipeline
2:19:50 The origin story about the green feet tattoo tradition of the PJ’s
3:13:41 The etymology of the Four Branches logo and the saying: "stop drinking to forget and sip to remember"

🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ By the way, our Patreon page is now LIVE! 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️
Here you can get exclusive access to the behind the scenes action, the hidden conversations between breaks, a private community chat, and LOTS more, including discounts on Liberty Risk merch as well as some of our partner brands. Come check it out and join the conversation!   / libertyrisk  

Find out more about Four Branches Bourbon at fourbranches.com and follow RJ’s adventures in service, business, and beyond.
✖️ Personal Instagram -   / rjcasey1  
✖️ 4 Branches Instagram -   / fourbranchesbourbon  
✖️ Brigands Co Instagram -   / brigands_co  

Liberty Risk Hosts:
✖️ Ryan Williams -   / invictus5326   
✖️ Kevin Kent -   / therealkevinkent  
✖️ Nick Betts -   / n_betts  

Liberty Risk Podcast Sponsored by:
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✖️ K-Squared Advising - https://www.k-squared.cc