Hazard Ground

As someone who was rising through the ranks and performing at a very high level in the Army's top tier, elite special operations unit, Patty Collins never thought she would suffer an injury that would end up taking her leg, when she wasn't serving in a war zone. But, in 2006, while riding her bike to work on Fort Bragg, she was struck from behind by an automobile. The marathon runner and triathlete, survivor of multiple combat tours, and recipient of both a Senior Parachutist Badge and the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge, was now facing injuries and excruciating pain that would eventually lead to the decision to amputate her left leg. Undeterred from continuing to serve on active duty, Patty would go on to complete over 24 years of active service and retire as a Colonel. Hear her very powerful story on this latest edition of HAZARD GROUND!

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As far back as he can remember, Joe Kent wanted to be a soldier. He not only wanted to be soldier, but the history of the Green Berets drew him toward eventually becoming one. His intense dedication to serving as a Green Beret in the GWOT only made it that much more natural that he would eventually marry a Navy Cryptologist serving in Special Operations with an equal amount of passion and drive. Her name was Shannon, and like Joe, she knew deeply the meaning of selfless service and sacrifice for one's country. On January 16, 2019, nearly a year ago, Shannon Kent made the ultimate sacrifice when she was killed by an ISIS suicide bomber in Syria, leaving behind Joe and their two sons. Joe Kent has now turned from fighting on the battlefield to raising his boys and working to keep Shannon's memory alive. Hear his powerful story in this latest episode of HAZARD GROUND.

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation

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It is an incredible honor to have Marine legend and Medal of Honor recipient, Major General (Ret) James Livingston, on the show this week! Listening to him speak, you can tell that despite his age, he's just as tough as he was when his actions on the battlefield in Vietnam earned him the nation's highest decoration for valor in combat. In May of 1968, while serving as Commander, Co E, 2nd Bn, 4th Marines, General Livingston distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty while leading his Marines in the Battle of Dai Do. Livingston led his men across open rice paddy in a brutal assault under intense enemy fire, to rescue a company of Marines trapped inside the village of Dai Do. His efforts would lead to relieving the pressure on the stranded company, and defeating heavy enemy counterattack. Livingston was painfully wounded three times during the battle, to the point where he could no longer walk, but he stayed on the battlefield until he was assured all of his fellow Marines were safe. Hear the full story on this latest edition of HAZARD GROUND!

Congressional Medal of Honor Museum Foundation | "Noble Warrior"

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Born prematurely due to drugs and alcohol, to a mother he would never meet, Kionte Storey spent the first 10 years of his life raised by his second cousin. He would spend 8 more years in foster care, before he found the Marine Corps. Joining the Marines was a form of escape, but also a way to prove something to himself, and possibly a chance at a better life. Unfortunately, his time in the Marine Corps would be cut short by an IED in Afghanistan that took his right leg. Storey found new challenges in recovery, this time fighting thoughts of suicide and hopelessness with his newfound physical injuries. But through it all - an adverse childbirth and upbringing, and now life as an amputee - Kionte Storey has found the strength to persevere and push through the dark times. And now he hopes to be a beacon and inspiration for others who are struggling. Hear his powerful and inspirational story on our very last episode of 2019!

The Headstrong Project | The Heroes Project | Kirstie Ennis Foundation

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As an Infantry Marine, Geoff Hopf experienced a unique side of the Persian Gulf War we rarely hear about. Hopf's relatively small team was tasked with forming the first line of defense if Saddam Hussein decided to invade Saudi Arabia during the buildup of coalition forces prior to Operation Desert Storm. Left in the desert for week's on end, Hopf's team literally ran out of food at one point, while still carrying out the vital mission of defend and delay. The kick-off of combat operations would bring further perils as the chaos of war nearly swallowed up the small contingent of Marines. Following his exit from the Marine Corps, Hopf would embark on an equally unique career as a fiction writer. He has since authored dozens of novels, making a name for himself in both the post-apocalyptic and western genres. Hear about his unorthodox journey from Marine to best-selling author on this latest edition of HAZARD GROUND!

www.gmichaelhopf.com | "The End: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Series)" | "Vengeance Road" | "Nemesis: Dead Center (An EMP Surviv al Novel) (Nemesis Trilogy)"

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Anytime combat photographer Kevin Wallace was involved in a firefight, he often had a critical decision to make: shoot back at the enemy, or pick up his camera and take a much different shot. The decision could be painstaking, but Wallace knew the importance of documenting combat, while still trying to help those to his left and right. The process weighed on him so much that he spent hours and hours training himself so that he could flip from camera to weapon and back without thinking about it. This proved vital for one particular and pivotal battle, from which Wallace received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with valor while serving in Afghanistan. Wallace alternated between engaging the enemy and visually capturing the actions of his teammates with his camera, successfully documenting the battle, and helping to ensure he and his teammates made it back to base alive. Hear him share this incredible story and more on this week's episode of HAZARD GROUND!

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There isn't much we can say about Kyle Carpenter to further accentuate just how special a human being he is. He served as a Marine in combat and received the military's highest award for valor with humility, strength, and optimism - qualities that were certainly tested by the years of pain and frustration that followed his exit from combat. Kyle was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan on 21 November 2010. On that day, Carpenter threw himself on an enemy grenade in order to save the life of a fellow Marine. But to get the best sense of who Kyle Carpenter is deep down, and understand the steadfast character he exemplifies day in and day out - beyond what's written in headlines and citations - you have to hear him tell it. His story is incredible, for not just what he did in combat, but also for what he's done since. You can hear him share it on this latest edition of HAZARD GROUND!

www.williamkylecarpenter.com | "You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For"

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Unless you served in Vietnam, you probably weren't aware that U.S. forces fought alongside other allies, Australia being one of them, and an important one at that. Dave Sabben was one of those soldiers who bravely led Australian military forces not long after the U.S. war in Vietnam began. Sabben joined the army as part of Australia's National Service program in 1965. By the end of '65 he had completed officer training, graduating as a 2nd lieutenant. Shortly thereafter he deployed to Vietnam as platoon commander of 12 Platoon, D Company, 6 Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). After only a couple of months in-country, Sabben's unit experienced their first battle, and what would come to be known as one of Australia's fiercest and most intense engagements of the Vietnam War - the Battle of Long Tan. Hear how Sabben led his unit against overwhelming odds and survived a battle that in his words, "no amount of training could prepare you for," in this special edition of HAZARD GROUND!

www.sabben.com | "The Battle of Long Tan" | "Through Enemy Eyes" | "Danger Close"

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Geoff Dardia's special operations career was pretty much over before it even began. Having rolled multiple phases of BUD/S due to injuries, at 21, Dardia had broken his body down to the point where the Navy was willing to compensate him for the rest of his life, if he chose. But having a goal to become a SOF operator, Dardia switched gears, enlisted in the Army, and relatively quickly worked his way to becoming a Green Beret. Perseverance would earn Dardia a successful career in Special Forces, but that also came with a heavy price. In this episode Dardia talks about how operating in combat was actually "safer" than the long-term hazards associated with preparing for combat. And how the Task Force Dagger Foundation Health Initiative Program gave him the unconventional and much-needed opportunity to mend those wounds outside the normal and restrictive military medical system. Hear his inspiring story in this latest edition of HAZARD GROUND!

Task Force Dagger Foundation Health Initiative Program

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Two completely different military career paths: one, a Lieutenant General who served over 30 years as an Army Infantry officer, the other an enlisted Infantry Marine who served four years, with two overseas deployments to combat zones. Both brought together though, by their experiences and unique perspectives serving multiple combat tours. Now retired, Lieutenant General "Burke" Garrett would go on to become the Executive Advisor to the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program, a nationally renowned program that provides transformative care for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. Tim Banik, the Marine, would become close friends with General Garrett while he was immersed in the intensive outpatient Emory program, after struggling for years with PTSD. Together they continue to help others who are struggling with the invisible wounds of war. Hear their story on this Veterans Day edition of HAZARD GROUND!

Emory Healthcare Veterans Program

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