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George Edward Hand IV is a Master Sergeant US Army (ret) from the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, The Delta Force. Post military George, known to most as Geo, worked for 16 years as a subcontract to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on the nation's nuclear test site north of Las Vegas Nevada. He has been one of the foremost strategists of developing hunt methodology for Counter Human Trafficking serving in capacity as Intelligence Analyst and Team Leader. He is also a master cabinet-grade woodworker and master photographer. Additionally, he has high military ratings in seven foreign languages. Above all, his children are his proudest accomplishment.

The true story of a potentially devastating terrorist plot in New York City—and the heroes who risked their lives to prevent it. On the morning of July 31, 1997, two young Palestinian men living in Brooklyn, New York, were prepared to sacrifice themselves as martyrs to their bloody cause. Their plan—to board a subway filled with commuters, wait until the train was traveling through the tunnel under the East River, and then detonate a shrapnel-covered explosive belt they had built in their tenement apartment. The attack would have killed hundreds, possibly even thousands, while sending the city—and the country—into a state of panic. This is the inspiring, startling, and frightening true story of how the NYPD learned of the impending attack and made a daring predawn raid on the terrorist hideout. The gripping series of events began with an Egyptian immigrant who, learning of the plan, alerted the police. Coordinating an assault with limited resources and manpower, seven brave members of the NYPD moved in—reaching the terrorists when they literally had their fingers on the trigger—saving countless lives, preventing a disaster that would have paralyzed New York City, and alerting the nation that, in today’s world, violence and terror could begin at home. Samuel Katz is New York City-based New York Times best-selling author, magazine editor, and special feature correspondent. He has written over 30 books, and articles for publications around the world, including editions of Vanity Fair, Esquire, and GQ. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of Special Operations Report, a quarterly magazine dedicated to military and law enforcement special operations, and counterterrorism. He has appeared on numerous international television and radio networks, and also lectures law enforcement agencies and military commands around the world. Katz is also an international business development, marketing, and media consultant for industries around the world.

On his last combat deployment to Iraq in 2017, Eddie led a platoon to successfully defeat ISIS in Mosul. For his performance and leadership, he was highly commended upon returning home. He was named the #1 Navy SEAL Chief, nominated for a Silver Star, and slated for promotion to Senior Chief. He was then awarded a coveted training billet for his ‘twilight tour’ as a SEAL, where in his last years in the SEAL teams he would bestow his experience and knowledge to future SEAL team members as they prepared to deploy. However, despite this record of success and a sterling reputation, a conflict he thought was resolved during his last deployment followed him home. Chief Gallagher and his family suffered in silence for well over a year at the hands of a mounting whisper campaign started by a small group of disgruntled junior members of his platoon who had been called out by him as cowards on deployment. They were unwilling to keep up with his demands as an aggressive team leader and chief, and turned to deceit in order to escape scrutiny. The mutiny and ensuing whisper campaign grew into a hellish process, spiraling out of control. Ed was notified he was under investigation months after returning home but naively assumed his command and investigators would see through the absurdity of what was being said. After all, the claims of this small group defied eyewitnesses, logic, and were downright outrageous. Then, on September 11, 2018 he was arrested and unjustly charged with war crimes. Nearly eight months of pre-trial confinement -- being locked in prison before your court date -- followed.

Only after a national outcry, a grassroots campaign led by his family, and an intense legal battle was Eddie found not guilty. He was finally free – proven innocent – but came dangerously close to being crushed by a military justice system corrupted by political correctness, careerism, and incompetence. The magnitude and terror of the ordeal that Eddie and his family went through will never leave them. During a raid, Eddie and Andrea’s kids were taken out at gunpoint from their home and dragged into the street in their underwear. He was arrested from a TBI (traumatic brain injury) treatment clinic and thrown in jail with a prison population of convicted sex offenders for eight months before his trial. He was denied desperately-needed medical care, legal counsel, and even basic necessities like food and hygiene.

The actions of the government - the very Navy Eddie served for 20 years - were appalling. They illegally leaked to the media to smear Eddie in the court of public opinion. They withheld exculpatory evidence. They spied on his legal counsel. Then, after being defeated, the Navy leadership had the gall to bestow achievement medals -- the same kind that Eddie was awarded for valor in combat -- to the corrupt prosecutors for losing their case.

The Gallagher family tragically learned how broken the system is, that our service members and first responders can be unfairly and unjustly targeted, and how vital outside help can be in fighting back against this kind of corruption. They vowed, having lived through the terror of his case and escaping injustice, they would commit themselves to helping others in similar situations and fight to reform a broken system.

Stuart “Stu” W. Bradin was born on 11 October 1961 in South Carolina into an Army family. His father and brother are retired Army officers that served for over 53 years combined and after more than 30 years of service in 2014 Stu retired from the Army as a Colonel in Special Forces. Stu Bradin began his military career as an Armor Cavalry Scout in the South Carolina National Guard and was commissioned through The Citadel ROTC program on 12 May 1984 as an Armor officer. After serving three years in Germany as the Deputy J3 (Deputy Director of Operations) for Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), he was tasked with establishing a new NATO Special Operations Forces Headquarters. The NATO Special Operations Coordination Center (NSCC) was established in December 2007 and on 1 March 2010 the NSCC was designated as the NATO Special Operation Headquarters, where Stu served as the Chief of Staff until June 2011. Stu then served as the Chief of the Expanding Global SOF Network Operational Planning Team (OPT) tasked with making US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) a global combatant command. The OPT focused on giving USSOCOM greater command authorities, the establishment of a new Force Management Directorate and posturing SOF globally in support of the Defense Strategic Guidance. In 2013 the OPT transitioned into the International SOF Coordination Center (ISCC) to provide USSOCOM with its international hub for all multinational activities accommodating over 24 international partners. Stu’s conventional assignments include duty as a platoon leader and troop XO with the 3rd Squadron 11th Armor Cavalry Regiment, Bad Hersfeld, Germany. In 1992 he was selected to become a Latin American Foreign Area Officer and received a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University and subsequently served in the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia. In 2000 he attended the School of Americas Command and Staff Course. As a follow-on assignment he was assigned to the School of Advanced Military Studies as one of the authors of the first version of FM 3.0, the Army’s Operations manual. Subsequently he was assigned to the Command and General Staff College as a SOF Instructor with a mission to form the Special Operations Program. Stu’s previous Special Forces assignments include service with an element of Joint Special Operation Command, SOCEUR, and extensive service with the 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups (Airborne). As a Captain he served in the 3rd Battalion 7th SFG(A) in the Republic of Panama, where he commanded a SFODA (“A-Team”). In 1st Battalion, 10th SFG(A) he served as a battalion Operations Officer (S3) as well as the Company Commander of the counter terrorist unit designated as the CINC’s In Extremist Force. He has participated in Operation Just Cause, served tours as an adviser in El Salvador and Peru, and is a veteran of multiple unconventional and other special operations with 10th SFG(A) in the Balkans and numerous locations in northern and central Africa. In 2011 he was in Afghanistan as the Director of the Special Operations Fusion Cell – a multinational Joint Interagency Task Force with 19 nations and 8 agencies supporting NATO SOF. Stu is the President and CEO of the Global SOF Foundation (GSF), a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for all aspects of SOF on a global scale. The GSF has over 2,800 members from 60+ nations and 85+ industry partners. In 2020 GSF was designated a US National Military Association by the Department of Defense. Stu Bradin is married to Kelly, the daughter of a retired Air Force Officer, and they have three daughters. They live in Florida.

Ryan Hendrickson has served this nation with the Navy, Air Force, and Army. While serving in the Army as a “Green Beret” he was dealt a catastrophic injury from an IED blast. 28 surgeries later he returned to the front line as a Green Beret to complete his career. Even after retirement Ryan continued to serve as a contractor in forward areas of operations. Ryan Hendrickson is the anthesis of the “Tip of the Spear”.

A U.S. Army Platoon Leader shares an honest account of Iraq War combat and his long journey of healing from trauma in this military memoir. During his time in Iraq, Jeff Morris saw and experienced some truly harrowing events, such as the time he had to pulled shards of another man's skull from the palm of his hand. When he got home, he struggled for years just to face his own reflection. In Legion Rising, Jeff Morris provides a candid account of his service—from the rigors of military training through the thrills, dangers, and tragedies of combat. Jeff tells of losing eight men in the line of duty, and of the second battle he faced once his combat service was over. Scarred by trauma and haunted by the past, Jeff faced a long struggle before his ultimate rise from adversity.

Dr. Jason Piccolo has been in law enforcement for over twenty years. Piccolo has patrolled trafficking corridors as a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the San Diego and Mexico Border and then went on to disrupt major narco-smuggling organizations to landing an assignment to the prestigious White House Security Council’s Human Smuggling Cell.

Piccolo hosts the popular show The Protectors. The Protectors bring true-life stories from Law Enforcement, Military, and Emergency Responders; our Nation’s “Protectors” AND those that support them. Protectors are those that run toward danger, the ones that put their lives on the line to keep us safe; here and abroad.

Dr. Piccolo served in the United States Army from Private to Captain, including a tour in Iraq in 2006 to support the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula as their Anti-Terrorism Officer. Piccolo left military service in 2006 as an Infantry Captain after serving in the active and reserve components since 1993. Piccolo remains active as a mentor to veterans and spouses.

Piccolo is an author, with two published books in circulation. Piccolo has taught college since 2017 in subjects ranging from computer forensics to homeland security to immigration law. Piccolo earned a B.S. in Law Enforcement, a Master of Forensic Science, and a Doctorate in Strategic Security. Piccolo is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Protection Professional (CPP).

John Hurth is the founder of TYR Group, a retired Special Forces Soldier and also the author of the bestselling book “Combat Tracking Guide”. In this position, John Hurth oversees day-to-day operations and works with the TYR Group team to set and implement the organization’s strategic vision. He is responsible for ensuring TYR Groups programs and services continue to have the greatest possible impact on the clients we serve. John Hurth’s US Army military career includes 23 years of active duty service in a variety of Infantry and Special Forces roles. Special Forces is the only DoD organization whose primary mission is to organize, equip, train, advise or direct, and support indigenous military or paramilitary forces in Unconventional Warfare or Foreign Internal Defense activities. John served with 1st Special Forces Group at Ft. Lewis, WA where he participated in multiple deployments overseas to include two combat tours in support of the Global War On Terror. John also served with the Special Operations Training Detachment at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) in Ft. Polk, LA. During John’s Special Forces career, he served in multiple positions as a Weapons Sergeant, Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant and Operations Sergeant. Prior to joining Special Forces, he served as an Infantry Soldier in multiple Airborne, Light and Mechanized Infantry assignments within the continental U.S. and overseas.

Eddie Penney spent 20 years in the U.S. military, first as a Marine and later as a Navy SEAL assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), better known as SEAL Team Six. A high school athlete from the Cincinnati, Ohio suburbs, Eddie was drawn to the challenge and potential for adventure that the military could deliver. When the Marine Corps couldn’t provide the level of action that he sought, he made his way to the navy. During the grueling six-month SEAL training and selection program known as Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training, Eddie and his fellow trainees watched the 9/11 attacks live as the images streamed worldwide. Knowing that he and his classmates would soon be in harm’s way, the training took on a sobering importance. Suddenly, it was real. After two combat deployments with SEAL Team Two, Eddie tried out and was selected for DEVGRU, the elite of the elite and the tip of the nation’s spear in the fight against terrorist threats worldwide. Terrified of missing the action, Eddie became a breacher, the first man to the door on a target and one of the most dangerous jobs imaginable. Eddie endured five more deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa in his role, relishing in taking the fight to the enemy as he engaged in countless examples of extreme close-range combat.