Join us on Operation Insight as we host Lieutenant Commander William "Trey" Warren!

There's a poignant scene in Top Gun: Maverick in which Tom Cruise's iconic character meets with his rival-turned-friend Iceman, played by Val Kilmer. During the scene, Iceman (now an Admiral and technically Maverick's superior) instructs him, "It's time to let go." The context for that advice revolves around the death of Maverick's former backseater, "Goose," for which Maverick feels responsible. While Lieutenant Commander Trey Warren fantasizes that he is young enough for the Top Gun sequel to have been his inspiration for joining the Navy, that timeline doesn't quite add up! It is, however, still fitting for a connection to be made. Just as Maverick had to "let go" in order to teach his TOPGUN students to become elite fighter pilots, Trey learned how to let go of his ego in order to free his mind of all the pain he had caused and experienced. And overcoming one's ego is no small task, especially for a Naval fighter pilot and TOPGUN graduate. In fact, as Trey explains, it's hard to resist developing an oversized ego or a God complex once you strap into a multi-million-dollar flying killing machine.

On this eighty-fourth anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Trey not only presents his story of service, but also that of his grandfather, who was there on that infamous day. Trey's paternal grandfather, William Kenneth Warren, would continue his service in the Pacific Theater, where he even became an honorary Marine for several weeks during the Battle of Guadalcanal. Trey drew inspiration from him, as well as an uncle who returned from the Vietnam War with seemingly no signs of what they called "Vietnam Syndrome," or so the family thought. Later, after his own service ended, Trey began to recognize the extent of moral injuries incurred through combat. Now, Trey is speaking out and opening up about his struggles with post-traumatic stress and the uncommon (sometimes controversial) methods he has used to regain peace in his life. We are so grateful to Songs4Soldiers for highlighting Trey's heartbreaking and inspiring story this past fall and to Ambio Life Sciences for the care and support they provide to our American heroes!

(00:00) Disclaimer

(01:22) Introduction

(40:02) TOPGUN: The Navy Fighter Weapons School

(50:26) Top 3 Close Calls

(1:14:25) Part II

(1:51:02) Getting Out & Getting Help

(2:12:18) Trey's Ibogaine Journey

(2:34:40) The God Molecule & Rediscovering Love

(2:54:00) Closing