Ones Ready
A team of active duty Combat Control (CCT), Pararescue (PJ), and Special Reconnaissance (SR) leveraging our 69 years of special operations experience to make the next generation of operators smarter, faster and stronger than we ever were. We are the PREMIERE resource for all things Air Force Special Warfare. The Ones Ready Podcast is honest talk about what it is like to go from a know-nothing high school graduate to an elite Special Operator. We will cover important practices for success including physical training, nutrition, recovery, and mindset traits essential to any team. Join us in The Team Room to get all your questions answered!! With battle-tested operators from across USAF SPECWAR and far-reaching web of recruiters, subject matter experts, and friends, there are no questions we can’t answer- and if we can’t, we know exactly where to look. See you in The Team Room!Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the OnesReady team are those of the team and do not reflect the official policy or position of the DoD. Any content provided by our Podcast guests, bloggers, sponsors, or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign the DoD, any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone.
Ones Ready
Ep 477: Special Tactics Officer & Combat Control School Commander - Lt Col Rylan Tanner
Some dudes show up shredded with swagger. Others show up ready to grind. Rylan Tanner showed up both — and still had to bleed for it. In this brutally honest episode, Aaron and Jared break down the rise, stall, and redemption of one of the most talked-about Special Warfare candidates to come through the prep pipeline.
You’ll hear about what it’s like to crush PSTs and still struggle, the lessons of humility when leadership doesn’t think you’re ready, and why “doing everything right” sometimes still ends with you getting dropped. But guess what? That doesn’t mean you’re done.
This episode’s about embracing failure, owning the pain, and building back with twice the fight. If you’re preparing for A&S and think heart alone will get you through, press play. You’re gonna need more.
🔥 Key Takeaways:
- 💀 You can crush PSTs and still get dropped
- 🧠 Special Warfare selection doesn’t care about potential—it demands performance
- 🛑 Rylan got told “No.” Then “You’re not ready.” Then “Still no.”
- 💡 The difference between being trainable vs. being ready right now
- 🔁 Second chances come—but only if you’re humble enough to deserve them
- 💬 Real mentorship requires honesty, not just motivation
- 🥵 A&S is about pressure, not perfection
- 🧭 You are not entitled to success—earn it every damn day
- ⚔️ Leaders don’t pick the best—they pick who can survive with the team
- 🔁 Ego kills. Grit saves. Know the difference.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro and why Rylan Tanner’s story matters
01:30 – The early potential: PST domination
04:00 – What instructors really look for
06:15 – Getting dropped: not personal, but always painful
09:00 – Feedback vs. feelings: the harsh truth
12:00 – What humility sounds like in uniform
15:30 – Rebuilding from failure the right way
18:00 – Second attempt mindset
21:00 – Why ego is the ultimate liability
24:00 – Lessons for every A&S candidate
27:30 – How mentorship can suck but still save your life
30:00 – Final thoughts and Rylan’s message to others
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