Rodney Magallan: Navy SEAL To CIA Operative, 35 Years in High-Stakes Protection

Team Never Quit

In the Line of Duty: Rodney Magallan’s Legacy in Protective Operations
In this week’s Team Never Quit episode, Marcus and Melanie welcome Rodney Magallan, a distinguished expert in protective operations and personal security with an unparalleled career spanning over 35 years. From his early days as a Navy SEAL to his pivotal roles with the U.S. Marshals, CIA, and corporate executive protection, Rodney has operated in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Join us as Rodney shares his journey through completing BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training, his deployments with SEAL Team 4 and later SEAL Team 6, where he became a leader in cutting-edge maritime capabilities, transitioning into federal law enforcement as a U.S. Marshal and training protective agents with the CIA's Global Response Staff. Leading executive protection teams in both corporate and private sectors. Commanding special operations teams in high-stakes, non-permissive environments.
Rodney’s extensive accolades include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the CIA’s Exceptional Performance Award. Beyond his operational expertise, he’s a certified firearms instructor, a martial arts apprentice, and a mentor to the next generation of security professionals. Rodney brings to the table leadership lessons from a career built on discipline, adaptability, and service.
Tune in for a riveting conversation with one of the most seasoned experts in the field of personal security and protective operations. Whether you’re in the industry or simply intrigued by high-stakes security, this episode is a must-listen.
In This Episode You Will Hear:
• People don’t believe me when I tell them that the first time that live bullets were coming my way – it was uneventful. (6:27)
• When I went to Jumpmaster school, it was easy because 18 Delta just drove that process into me. (11;07)
• In 2000, we found out that my mother was one of 17 heirs to 160,000 acres of land and gold. (13:40)
• I thought being on the Teams and running hard was what I was supposed to do. I realize now that family matters. (16:49)
• We’re all gonna do a swim test to qualify for SEALS or diver. Hey, we’re gonna do the sidestroke. And I’m like “What’s the sidestroke?” I’d never even heard of the sidestroke. (22:34)
• I don’t see myself as cool. I just see it as something I did. Every time I do something else, I’m not gonna quit. If I commit to it, I’m gonna do it to the best of my ability. (28:22)
• You matter, and you can do it. You choose if you’re gonna let them beat you down, or motivate you. You can do it. (32:17)
• No one could hurt me more than my mom. (32:26)
• I actually lied and said I spoke Spanish. That’s how I got to Team 4. (36:19)
• AIDS was huge back in the 80s and 90s. AIDS is gonna kill you. You couldn’t do mouth-to-mouth unless you had a pocket mask. (43:44)
• [Melanie] Q: Your total service time is what? A: 35 ½ years. (65:44)
• II you go make and look at all the decisions I made, all but one, to go to the CIA, that was the only one where “I gotta get back to war. My brothers are there. “All the rest of ‘em were, “I wanted to provide. I wanted to be a good husband. I want to be a good dad. (81:05)
• When I interviewed with Walmart, there’s five of ‘em sitting there, and they’re asking me questions. And they’re like “What are your goals here at Walmart?” And I’m like “Well, I want to be a soccer dad.” And they started laughing. (81:22)
• [Marcus] Some guys have to switch into the life. We’re always in it. (91:34)
• You don’t have to be like me. Just be the best at what you say you are. (94:38)
• Don’t take a space that someone else wants, if you have no intentions on going and doing what you took the oath to do. (94:51)
• [Some guys get it the easy way, just living they get it. Some of us have to go out and bleed for it. (95:21)
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