Hazard Ground

Each time Peter van Agtmael has been to war, he's gone without a weapon. No pistol, no knife, no rifle. The only thing he's carried into combat is a camera. And through that camera he has captured the human toll of war, both mental and physical. Since 2006 he has covered the Global War on Terror, working primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has since produced three books of images from these wars that are at times just as moving as they are haunting. Without these works, we would be devoid of a very important and sobering reminder:  That war is an instrument so powerful, it should only be used when all other options have truly been exhausted. This conversation with Peter van Agtmael is an interesting and thought-provoking discussion on that perspective, and what it's like to not only document, but to feel the consequence of such violent action. www.petervanagtmael.net | "2nd Tour Hope I don't Die" | "Disco Night Sept. 11" | "Buzzing at the Sill" 

There's probably no greater act of patriotism or selflessness than signing up for military service right after your country has been attacked. That's exactly what Joel Carpenter did after September 11, 2001. Prior to 9/11 he had gone to Hollywood to pursue a career in film and television, but the coordinated terrorist attacks compelled him to fulfill a higher sense of purpose, even though Joel was teetering on the cusp of "making it" in LA. He soon joined the ranks of the Army Rangers at the 75th Ranger Regiment, alongside a few others who had given up lucrative paths in life to serve their country. After serving multiple combat deployments as a Ranger, Joel decided it was time to leave the military and head back to civilian life and a job in the private sector. Part of that transition included picking up where he left things off in Hollywood. He has since taken on developing and writing the screenplay for a film about the Battle of Takur Ghar, the story that was the impetus for "Hazard Ground," and one that

For Dan Futrell, joining the military was at first just a means to pay for college.  After initially shunning the idea of joining ROTC, he started taking some of the classes and found he enjoyed working with the people in the program. He eventually earned a four-year ROTC scholarship, and from there the Army became more than just a way to pay for college. Following graduation and commissioning, he joined the Infantry, because as he put it, "I wanted to be right in the thick of things." After multiple combat tours in Iraq, where he participated in over 400 combat missions, Dan eventually stepped away from the military to continue serving in a different capacity. In 2012 he earned a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Harvard, where he attended the Kennedy School of Government as a Pat Tillman Scholar and Rappaport Public Policy Fellow. That achievement launched several endeavors to continue public service and working to better society and enrich the lives of those around him. From the military to working in h

Staff Sergeant John Diem knows what it means to serve one's country. That phrase gets thrown around a lot, but John Diem embodies the spirit of patriotism in every sense of the word. He has served multiple combat tours as an infantryman, spending most of that time on the line as part of an infantry squad. He survived a year-long deployment to Iraq's "Triangle of Death", where he and his unit suffered almost daily bomb, mortar, and small arms attacks, before four members of his platoon were convicted of murdering an Iraqi family of four in Yusufiyah. Although he projects a somewhat reserved appearance, his peers have described him as an "absolute killer in combat." The steady and calm timbre he uses in normal, everyday conversation, is the same tone he uses when the bullets are flying all around him. The rigors of combat and in general, the Army, have challenged Diem's mettle many times, but perhaps nothing tested him more than when Private First Class Justin Watt broke the news to him about the family in Yusu

Even if you've seen the movie "Black Hawk Down," and know everything about the book by the same title, you'll want to listen to this very special episode with Mike Durant, the pilot who was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Gothic Serpent in 1993. The level of courage and bravery displayed by him and the other soldiers who fought that long day on October 3rd, 1993, is unmatched. In this episode, Mike takes us through what it's like to fly helicopters for the Army's most elite aviation unit, and what it was like to face an angry mob who wanted him dead, with crippling injuries after being shot out of the sky over Mogadishu. Listen and get a perspective on the Battle of Mogadishu and the story of "Black Hawk Down" you just can't get from book or film. Hear from someone who lived through and survived the very worst moments of that battle on this incredible episode of Hazard Ground! "In the Company of Heroes: The Personal Story Behind Black Hawk Down" | "The Night Stalkers" | www.pinnaclesolution

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be shot down in a helicopter in the middle of a war zone, then you definitely want to listen to this week's episode. Even if you haven't, then you'll want to listen to how this week's guest, Robin Brown reacted cool and calmly under pressure, and crash landed her Kiowa Warrior helicopter after literally being blown out of the sky by enemy fire in 2003, when the war in Iraq was starting to go from bad to worse. Many years later, Robin would go back to Iraq to take on a much different challenge and potentially dangerous, but fulfilling experience. Recently she climbed and skied Mt. Halgurd, the highest mountain in Iraq, with two other veterans (and past guests on Hazard Ground), to help find peace and beauty in a land that has for so long been associated with war, pain, and suffering. Her trip was chronicled in The North Face short documentary, "Adventure Not War." Hear her complete impassioned journey on this episode of Hazard Ground.   www.brownhousepr.com | www.adve

From as early as he can remember, Stacy Bare wanted to be in the military. To him it was adventure, coolness, and selfless service, all in one. When Stacy finally got to be the soldier he always dreamed of, he went to war, and served with honor during Operation Iraqi Freedom. But when he came home, his life began to unravel. War had never left him. After battling addictions and a downward spiral that was sure to end in death, Stacy found peace in the outdoors. He became a climber and mountaineer, and is now helping other veterans find that same peace through adventure in the mountains and teaching outdoor leadership. Among other things Stacy is the Director of Sierra Club Outdoors and co-founder of Veterans Expeditions - a non-profit that seeks to enrich and heal the lives of veterans, especially those who suffer from PTSD. He is also a brand ambassador for The North Face and Keen footwear, and was named the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2014. He is an incredible, motivating individual, who we

On the show today, we go back over 70 years and cover the most significant attack on American soil prior to 9/11. Our guest on this episode is retired Navy Lt. Jim Downing. At 104 years old, Jim is the 2nd oldest known American survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jim's memory of that day is still as sharp and clear as it was the day it all unfolded, so we are incredibly lucky to get this firsthand account of the day "which will live in infamy," as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt observed after the attack. Hear on this episode how Jim survived the attack, and rushed in to save his fellow shipmates. Also hear Jim explain why he had the greatest peace in his life during such a horrific scene of shock and carnage. This episode will take you back to a very pivotal time in America's history, as told by someone who lived every eye-opening moment of it! www.jimdowning.net | "The Other Side of Infamy: My Journey Through Pearl Harbor and the World of War"

Early in the morning on September 20, 2004, and during some of the bloodiest days of the war in Iraq, Jacob Schick and his fellow Marines received a quick reaction call. With no sleep following the previous night's mission, Schick rounded up his Marines and jumped in a Humvee. Even though he had a bad feeling about the situation, Schick demanded he drive the lead vehicle. Shortly after moving out, his vehicle ran over a triple-stacked tank mine IED. Schick took the brunt of the blast. He was blown 30 feet into the air. He never lost consciousness, and he never went into shock. Every horrific moment about that day is locked in his brain. The blast took limbs and parts of his body away, and caused him to endure 46 operations. But the most difficult part of the entire ordeal was the mental pain Schick had to endure during recovery. Not being on the battlefield with his Marines, literally nearly killed him, physically and mentally. Severe depression, painkillers, and thoughts of suicide became his new enemy. Hear

Part II of our episode with Nate Self, and the incredible Battle of Takur Ghar. Thanks for listening! www.nateself.com | "Two Wars"

Nate Self's story is the reason "Hazard Ground" was born. Early on the morning of March 4, 2002, Self, a young officer and elite Army Ranger, found himself fighting for his life on top of a remote mountain in Afghanistan, markedly outgunned by al Qaeda fighters. Self was tasked with leading the Ranger Quick Reaction Force that was sent to rescue Navy SEAL Neil Roberts and Air Force Technical Sergeant John Chapman, who had become trapped on top of the mountain known as Takur Ghar, during Operation ANACONDA. As the chinook helicopter that Self and half of his team were riding in attempted to land on top of Takur Ghar, it was immediately hit with rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire, forcing it to crash land. Within seconds, some of Self's men lay dead in the snow, just off the helicopter's back ramp. And so began a day-long battle between Self's small team of Rangers and well-entrenched al Qaeda fighters, that lasted until after sunset. After Takur Ghar, another battle raged inside Nate Self's head -

Mike Erwin is an amazing human. After surviving three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Intelligence Officer, much of that time directly supporting Special Operations, he started one of the premier veterans support organizations in America: Team Red, White & Blue, or "Team RWB" as it's commonly known. For several years now, Team RWB has been connecting and helping veterans heal through physical fitness, building community, and enacting positive change. Mike is also the Founder and President of The Positivity Project and CEO of The Character & Leadership Center, both organizations that are making incredible strides in developing the next generation of great leaders. In a world that's seemingly saturated in negative energy, Mike Erwin is a positive force connecting those who want to be something truly greater than themselves! "Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude" www.teamrwb.org | www.posproject.org | www.characterleadership.center

General (Ret) Ann Dunwoody holds the distinction of being the first woman in the US Military to achieve the rank of four-star general. But when you listen to her speak and understand a little bit of who she is as a person, you get the sense that there is no military rank high enough to quantify who she is as a leader. Her 37 plus years of military service have helped transform the US military for the better, and inspired other servicemembers to become incredible leaders like herself. She has deployed in support of major combat operations from Desert Storm to the Global War on Terror, and finished up her military career by commanding the largest global logistics network in the Army. It goes without saying that she's an incredible woman, human, and leader, who knows the true meaning of humility, integrity, and selfless service. We are again honored to have such an outstanding guest as General Dunwoody on the show! "A Higher Standard: Leadership Strategies from America's First Female Four-Star General"

In the spring of 1966 a 19-year old Bill Reynolds was on top of the world. The young Californian had it all: the killer car (a '65 Chevelle Super Sport to be exact), the gorgeous girlfriend, and a well-paying job in Los Angeles. Then, just before summer hit, his world changed forever - he received a draft notice in the mail, with orders to report to the Los Angeles Induction Station on May 17, 1966. Bill knew that it was his time to serve, like his father before him in WWII, so he went without question. He went to war with the Army's 9th Infantry Division, which had been re-activated for combat in Vietnam. Throughout his tour, Bill fought some extremely tough battles, lost some very good friends along the way, and served honorably. This episode was actually recorded one day after the 50th anniversary of one of the last battles Bill fought in, where he lost several of his good friends. Bill ultimately completed his tour of duty in Vietnam, and returned home to pick up where he left off back in 1966. We're hono

Chris Roessner's attitude and work ethic speak for themselves. In a relatively short period of his life, he's gone from surviving a year in Iraq in the Sunni Triangle performing a wartime mission with one of the lowest survival rates, to being awarded a prestigious academic scholarship through the Pat Tillman Foundation, to writing and executive producing his own film, "Sand Castle," which recently debuted as a Netflix Original Movie in April 2017. Part of his reason for joining the military, like so many other young soldiers, was to earn money for college. That decision set Chris on a path to discover his passion for writing and motion pictures, and it's clear he's taken advantage of every opportunity he's earned along the way. It's not too often that your first major screenplay is made into a movie as quickly as "Sand Castle" was. And most importantly, Chris was able to make a film that was as true as possible to the experience he and so many others like him had serving in combat - a feat that's not easily

Dale Dye is probably best known for the roles he's played in numerous motion pictures on war and combat...Films like "Platoon," "Casualties of War," and "Saving Private Ryan." But before he landed in Hollywood, he spent a majority of his time fighting and leading Marines on real battlefields - the ones where the slightest mistake or sniff of bad luck meant you weren't coming home. He's a veteran of multiple tours in Vietnam and survived 31 combat operations there. He's a decorated Marine who embodies every bit of the warrior spirit. And now he continues his mission to ensure that warrior spirit is accurately portrayed in motion pictures, and conveyed to and understood by as many people as possible. His latest project is called "No Better Place To Die." It's a World War II film, Dye hopes to make on his own terms, "outside the traditional Hollywood way," as he puts it. It's a venture as unconventional as the life Dale Dye has been fortunate enough to lead, and looks to be, no doubt just as incredible. www.warr

You might be wondering why our guest this week is not affiliated with the military. Every now and then we like to feature a special guest on the show - someone who hasn't necessarily experienced combat, but who works to better the lives of others through podcasts, music, books, and other forms of media. And that's exactly why we have John Brenkus on the podcast. He has an amazing story of how he created his own show for ESPN, called "Sport Science." And he has an even more amazing story of how he met the woman of his dreams, who he created his own podcast with, called the "Brink of Midnight" where they feature successful athletes and entertainers who experienced a life-changing moment that turned everything around and changed them for the better, sending them on path to greatness. It's an inspiring show that accentuates the positive, and that is why we're featuring John Brenkus on this week's edition of "Hazard Ground"! "Brink of Midnight" Podcast | www.brinkofmidnight.com | "Brink of Midnight" Music

Most people know Mark Bowden as the best-selling author of the book, Black Hawk Down, the basis for the 2001 film by the same name. But this is only one small part of a collection of books Mark has written that detail some of the most instrumental US military operations in modern history.  In the last several years he has covered the Iran Hostage Crisis, the hunt for Pablo Escobar, and the final chapter of Osama Bin Laden, as seen through the eyes of those that were there on the ground, and all the while capturing the human element amidst the profuse inhumanity of armed conflict. His most recent book tells the story of the fall of the city of Hue, Vietnam's intellectual and cultural capital, during the 1968 Tet Offensive, and the Americans' struggle to take the city back. Hue 1968 is an incredible book that captures a polarizing slice of military history that badly deserves preservation. Like the book, this is an incredible episode you don't want to miss! "Black Hawk Down" | "Hue 1968" | "The Finish" | "Killi

Struck by a sense of duty to defend his country after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Will Bardenwerper walked away from a comfortable job in Midtown Manhattan to join the military. Despite some unexpected downtime while waiting to start his initial training, and then more schooling to become an Airborne & Ranger qualified officer, Will was finally dropped into the "hornet's nest," as he describes it, near Ramadi, Iraq in 2006, at the height of the initial Iraqi insurgency. Having fulfilled his initial military commitment and surviving one of the most dangerous deployments in recent history, Will transitioned from the military to become a full-time author. His latest book, which came out this month, details Saddam Hussein's last months alive and his daily interaction with his American guards. It's called, "The Prisoner in His Palace" and it provides an interesting perspective on the emotional and psychological toll guarding Saddam, in secret no less, took on both the young and more mature US soldiers who were

Johnny "Joey" Jones seemed to have it all. He was a young, good looking Marine, who had earned one of the most technically difficult, interesting, coolest, and coveted jobs in the U.S. military - that of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician (Think back to Ep. 3 w/ EOD Tech, Brian Castner...). It's also one of the most dangerous jobs in the military, and on August 6, 2010, that danger caught up with Jones when he stepped on a very well hidden IED in Afghanistan, instantly severing both of his legs above the knee and severely damaging his right forearm and both wrists. Lucky to even be alive, Jones headed for a most difficult path to recovery, which he has endured with incredible strength, optimism, and grace. Hear in this episode how Jones went from the top of the mountain, to the bottom, and back to the top again, and how he handled his injuries in the immediate aftermath of the explosion that changed his life forever. Simply put, this is another inspirational story you don't want to miss! www.johnnyj