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    French Foreign Legion Navy SEAL Taylor Cavanaugh | Mike Ritland Podcast Episode 165



    The French Foreign Legion – a unique corps of the French Army that, unlike nearly any other army in the world, allows foregin nationals to enlist at will. It’s a diverse fighting force, deploying all over the world into any conditions necessary. They’re also the home of Taylor Cavanaugh, a former U.S. Navy Vet that enlisted just a few years ago. But Taylor’s not just any veteran – he’s a former U.S. Navy SEAL from SEAL Team Seven.

    Safe to say there’s a lot of questions to ask here – why’s Taylor living in France? What made him leave the United States to fight for another country? And how exactly did he come to join – and then ultimately depart from – the Tip of the Spear? One thing’s for sure – when Taylor’s at the wheel, it’s gonna be a wild ride.

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    Chapters:

    00:00 – Intro
    04:20 – 2:15am
    9:33 – SEAL Team Dreams
    16:38 – Four Months in Lockup
    21:36 – Welcome to the Navy
    33:58 – SEAL Team Seven
    40:00 – Operating with Handcuffs On
    45:50 – Back with a Clean Slate (for 30 Days)
    52:29 – General Discharge, Under Honorable Circumstances
    01:02:09 – Kicking Fentanyl in Hawaii
    01:06:59 – Hopping a Plane to France
    01:13:18 – Welcome to The French Foreign Legion
    01:31:06 – Legion Army Boot Camp
    01:36:49 – Building a Brotherhood
    01:45:06 – Live Fire
    01:56:53 – Joining the Mountain Legion
    02:05:31 – French Territory in South America
    02:14:32 – Avignon to Estonia
    0231:05 – Going on YouTube, No Editing Required

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    Support Taylor Cavanaugh –

    Website: https://www.taylorcavanaugh.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcavofficial
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tcavofficial

    ———-

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    45 Comments

    4. @texastoast5202 on

      Well, steroids will make you do dumb shit….And PS, the Teams are so GD overrated. U can thank Hollywood for that. Ask any Sf or conventional unit thats ever worked with them and they will tell you they’re the most overrated, incompetent, undisciplined unit they’ve ever worked with!

    7. @Cuffsmaster on

      I don't think I'd walk across the street to see this guy speak. But good luck. I'd rather see and hear someone that made good decisions in life. This guy is a wreak.

      This guy should of never been allowed to join the Navy based on his criminal record. Once in the Navy they waited way to long to kick him out with cause. I don't care about his story of constant failure. I'd rather hear of people succeeding in life not constantly failing because of their weakness as a human . He has problems.

      It does not say much for the Navy for letting him join or stay in as long as they did. It was a failure on their part. They know better. He has an addictive personality and I don't think he has it under control yet. He needs professional help.

      I don't need to pat him on his head and say "good job" when he is no more than a constant failure as a person or military person. Passing BUDS alone does not make you a good person or someone you can depend on. There is nothing noble about his story.

      I could of never passed BUDS but that is not how I judge a persons worth. He failed basic things in life that all of us have to do. His criminal records is disgusting and shows his problems. He gets no pass because he made it thought BUDS. Running off to the Foreign Legion will not correct his problems.

      It seems he has fucked up everything he tried even the Legion. We don't know if he is giving us the whole story. . I hope I am wrong. I also hope he properly deals with his addiction by getting professional help . Alone he does not seem to be doing a good job.

      So I am not interested in hearing him do a public speech. He thinks he is wonderful but he needs to take a real look at himself. Get Help.

    8. @TheBucktowncrazy on

      Question,
      Once in the legion, and then you get out and / or finished. Are you allowed to get back in, in the time of war. Can France recall those in the legion if over 39 years old??

    11. @RTWMC on

      Great interview, I came across Taylor's YouTube podcasts a couple of weeks ago. Unbelievable story, thankfully found himself. Love the many interviews you've presented…and love the dog angle. I contend people who don't know the "dog world" will never really be whole.
      Semper Fi…
      PS: Also really liked your Andy Stumf & Shawn Ryan interviews…and of course many others!

    16. @rangerswidow on

      Mike, thank you for having Tcav on your program. His up front honesty is 💯 total from the soul inspiration! I am a devoted follower of his channel and definitely will support yours as well.
      God bless him and God bless you as well. Thank you both for your service.❤

    18. @jaredchandler4491 on

      He was a wild child liberty risk at NSW— finally finding his wings and trying to do an honest AAR!! I hope his lessons learned help others, but I hope he lives up to them during a belt buckle check. I’m half French, my grandfather was a SGM in 1st REP— so I found this fascinating !! 🇺🇸🇫🇷 #dol

    23. @Beefry222 on

      Real compelling interview. Let's be careful how much we celebrate a dude like this though. He's wired to wreck shit, even now. Not necessarily a dude I'd want on my team. Congrats on squaring away the tattoos and the gold grill though killer.

      That being said, his story is important as a cautionary tale and I respect the shit out of him for telling it raw like he did. Great job on this one Mike

    26. @mikewingert5521 on

      Never ever forget. The FFL is for the dregs of international society. The people it takes are the world’s worst humans; many never having used a flushing lavatory. When admiring the ‘honesty’, never forget Taylor was booted out of the US military and ran away to France. Don’t be taken in by the dental prosthesis or the cheap tattoos…..

    29. @user-so1jb4tk8x on

      He doesn't even talk about Corsica smh🤣and the Legion is a lot worse than he makes it to be, believe me…and I'm a fkn Marine, there's no way in hell anyone that's had the training me, or a seal would put up with that bs, shoulda asked him about the Legion's sops @mikeritland

    33. @TheInfidel_SlavaUA on

      Objectivley all emotions set aside how did the Teams fare when Obama took over … did they have everything they needed and more to do their job under Bush already, or did it go better or worse up until they day Osama was clipped? Like to hear a insider opinion about it.

    38. @FransVantichelen on

      Just for info, France has between 350 to 380K active duty soldiers. Not a 100k. It is Basically the only country in Nato next to the US, that is up to standards personell and equipmentwise. They're also the only ones that dont have to ask anyones permission to fire Nukes. Everyone else needs US and Nato to agree, even the UK.

    43. @rmrsm79 on

      Probably the most fascinating Podcast I've ever listened to. What a top level redemption story on life. Wheter you are a military guy or not, I don't see anyone that can't get something positive from this. It shows how when you're focused and disciplined what you can do, and when you are not what can happen. This is a human story from a guy who has been at the top and bottom of this mountain we call life. This is the ultimate winning, losing, and non stop fighting to get back to winning. Ultimate respect. Also you have to give Mike props on his own accord, but in this case as an interviewer. Mike is a Legend in his own right, but he has no ego in this interview and gets the best out of Taylor's story. You can tell the SEAL bond and love for one another even though they had never met or served together. Awesome to get Taylor on the show and Taylor to make the trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire interview. If I had kids this would be mandatory viewing. I hope this story can save someone someday, and I think Taylor's videos he puts out probably already have. Well done and wish both of you guys nothing but the best.

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