Top Gun Instructor on AI Killing Autonomy, Quitting Colonel Promotion & Joining Jocko Willink | Ep. 267 | Pt. 3

Episode 267 Part 3 of the Mike Drop Podcast with host Mike Ritland welcomes Dave Berke—the only Marine to ever fly the F-22 Raptor and F-35 while also serving as a TOPGUN instructor and ground combat leader in Ramadi alongside Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.

In this final part of an epic 3-part conversation, Dave and Mike go deep on the toughest leadership questions facing the military today: Should AI ever be allowed to pull the trigger on its own? Why fighter pilots hated autopilot landings, the real reason Dave walked away from command and promotion, and how a single phone call from Leif Babin turned retirement into the smoothest transition in military history.

They also break down life at Echelon Front (how they teach Extreme Ownership to Fortune 500 companies), why leadership is hardest at home, ego vs. humility, military standards under the new administration, and readiness challenges for the next generation of warfare. Packed with never-before-heard stories, raw honesty, and laugh-out-loud moments, this is one of the most requested Mike Drop episodes ever—perfect for veterans, aviators, leaders, and anyone who loves real talk about combat, flying, and life after the uniform.

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