His name was Commandant Big. It’s almost too perfect a name for a rebel leader. I had read about him in cable traffic while serving as a case officer in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Commandant Big was one of the powerful Forces Nouvelles “comzones” (zone commanders) of Zone 3, a territory that included the rebel-held …
Last week I was on vacation with my family in Hawaii. For the first time in 14 years my wife and I had five days all to ourselves while our kids attended a Navy SEAL Foundation overnight camp on the island. This was such a rare and welcome opportunity for us to unplug …
Here is a rundown on all details for June 2021: Fear It felt outside of my control, the draw to war. Emboldened by the invincibility of youth and the calls of my country, I sought it. I watched the cool guy movies and I read the cool guy books and of course I was scared. …
A few years ago, I was at a fundraising dinner seated next to a Vietnam veteran who self-admittedly suffered from severe PTSD. While discussing his condition, he said to me, “that stuff never goes away.” My response wasn’t what you might expect. I told him that while the memories bothering him won’t disappear, the …
Back in 2018, I had been training to attempt my first HTL in September in Pittsburgh alongside my sister and quite a few other Steel City Ruck Club GRTs. I’d been in the best shape of my life since having my two sons in 2011 and 2013. Then I found out I was pregnant, and …
For those of you who did the D-Day Heavy in DC with me, many of you got to hear about this man right here. For those of you who didn’t, I am excited to tell you his story. This is my neighbor John. He just turned 100 this year and he is a World War …
