Hazard Ground

Wanting to do more for his country and serve in a time of war, Ben Kesling joined the Marine Corps to become an officer at the start of the Global War on Terror. As most conflicts do, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan changed him. But not in a way where he wanted to bury their memory, but more along the lines of understanding them and what effects they have on not just veterans coming home from war, but also those whose soil has been occupied. So, following his time in the Marine Corps, he went back to school to become a journalist, in hopes of putting his experience in war to good use in conveying the seemingly never ending conflict to those who had never been. He now reports for The Wall Street Journal, and spends a good portion of his time focusing on veterans affairs. He’s a unique individual with a rare perspective on two wars that have affected so many people, and he shares that perspective on today’s episode of HAZARD GROUND!

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We’re back from a short hiatus, with an incredible guest! Retired Air Force Colonel Tommy Goode has led an unconventional career as an Air Force helo pilot. From the story behind how he made it into the flight program, to flying the rescue/recovery mission after the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, to now flying fire attack helicopters…Tommy Goode is no ordinary pilot. He’s about as humble as they come, but when you hear him talk about his time in the air, you know he’s the real deal! Check out the complete story this week on HAZARD GROUND!

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He completed five combat deployments between Iraq and Afghanistan as both an infantry Marine and Marine Special Operator. He has been awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for Valor for actions on the battlefield during those deployments. He has seen the hellish, unlucky, and simply chaotic side of war, and lived to tell about it. After eight years of service, he left the Marine Corps to become a writer. Now Elliot Ackerman is an accomplished author, who has plenty of life experience to keep the pen on paper for years and years to come. And out of all of the living that he has done, and accolades earned, he approaches life with a humility unexpected from someone so accomplished. And that’s what makes his story a must-listen. Hear all about it on this episode of HAZARD GROUND!

“Dark at the Crossing” | “Green on Blue: A Novel”

This week’s episode is brought to you by our newest sponsor, Onnit! Looking for Total Human Optimization? Head over to www.hazardground.com/sponsors, and click on the Onnit banner and check out all the great products Onnit has to offer. Think clearer, train better, perform at your peak…Get Onnit. Remember, support for our sponsors goes right back into making Hazard Ground the best show it can possibly be!

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Facing a draft notice and challenged by his Marine father to prove his mettle, Jim Hackett signed up for the Marine Corps in 1967. The war in Vietnam was heating up considerably in the late '60s, and Jim Hackett the Marine - and a crack shot at that - was heading right for the meat grinder. Except a funny thing happened at boot camp graduation: Hackett wasn't immediately sent to the infantry. Instead, as a top graduate of his class, he was sent off to "Secret School" to learn how to track the enemy on the battlefield, at close range no less. By the time Jim made it to Vietnam, the war was quickly headed toward the height of chaos. Two Purple Hearts and a full enlistment in the Marine Corps later, Jim Hackett left the military to take on other pursuits. He bounced back from his combat experiences to become a working actor, and live an incredibly interesting life after the war. Hear all about it on this episode of HAZARD GROUND!

The Greatest Generations Foundation

This week's episode is brought to you by our newest sponsor, Patagonia clothing and gear! Whether you're into fishing, hiking, climbing, surfing, or just need a good rain jacket, backpack, or travel gear, find the sustainable and ironclad solution at Patagonia. Backed by their Ironclad Guarantee, you will not be disappointed with their products and customer service. So get on over to www.hazardground.com/sponsors, and click on the Patagonia banner for FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $75…Remember, support for our sponsors goes right back into making Hazard Ground the best show it can possibly be!

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This week, in honor of Mother's Day, we have a very special guest. Dianne Layfield is the proud mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Travis J. Layfield, who was killed in action on April 6, 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dianne was gracious enough to sit down with us and share Travis' story, as well as talk about her journey coping with his passing, and experiencing some unexpected and amazing discoveries that followed. Parent or not, this is one episode everyone can take a little something from. Dianne has done an incredible job keeping her son's memory alive, and we are absolutely honored to have her as our guest on this week's episode of HAZARD GROUND!

This week's episode is brought to you by our newest sponsor, Patagonia clothing and gear! Whether you're into fishing, hiking, climbing, surfing, or just need a good rain jacket, backpack, or travel gear, find the sustainable and ironclad solution at Patagonia. Backed by their Ironclad Guarantee, you will not be disappointed with their products and customer service. So get on over to www.hazardground.com/sponsors, and click on the Patagonia banner for FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $75…Remember, support for our sponsors goes right back into making Hazard Ground the best show it can possibly be!

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What an absolutely amazing story! Driven by a keen interest in medicine & a desire to give back to his country, Karl Holt joined the Army to become a Green Beret medic. After several years of assessment, selection, & special forces training, Holt found himself in the heat of combat, putting his SF medic training to use. On one particular mission though, while trying to escape an overwhelming counterattack, the helicopter Holt was riding in crashed & literally fell out of the sky into a 2-story building. There were few survivors. Badly injured, Holt managed to escape the wreckage with the help of his friend & fellow SF teammate. Following recovery & many, many surgeries, he decided to pursue his Medical Degree, so he could continue to serve & help others as a physician. With the help of the Pat Tillman Foundation, through which Holt is a Tillman Scholar, he is on his way to completing medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill. If you’re looking for motivation…inspiration, you’re certain to find it in this unbelievable story of the Green Beret-turned-White Coat, Karl Holt!

www.pattillmanfoundation.org

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This episode with JC Glick could have gone on for hours…That’s how good conversations with JC, especially those about leadership, can be. JC went from battle tested Army Ranger, serving over 11 combat tours between Iraq & Afghanistan, to leadership consultant, couch & author. He’s been tested in just about every way imaginable, from making it through a difficult childhood to leading special operations soldiers at some of the highest levels in the US military in combat. And what came out of that cauldron is one of the finest leaders you’ll ever meet. JC Glick now works as a leadership consultant who advises at the strategic, operational, team, and individual levels, including at Fortune 500 companies & for the Denver Broncos & Carolina Panthers of the NFL. Hear how he went from combat Ranger, to struggling with PTSD and suicide, to arguably one of the greatest modern day thought leaders on education, development & resilience on this cerebral & very inspirational episode of HAZARD GROUND!

www.kenningassociates.com | “A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown” | “Meditations of an Army Ranger: A Warrior Philosophy for Everyone”

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A combination of factors led Lewis Nelson to enlist in the Army after college – 9/11; a family history of military service; and a history degree with a job that was going nowhere. So Nelson enlisted to become a linguist, and after several years of specialized training found himself in Iraq on two separate deployments with the 101st Airborne Division. While deployed, Nelson ran the gamut of combat occupations, from intelligence collection, to running convoys, to helping combat arms soldiers clear houses. All of it seemed pretty natural and exciting to someone who lives life on the heels of the next adventure. But the return home & reintegration with normal life is where the adventure of war caught up with Nelson. He found himself battling a new enemy – PTSD. Hear his story & how he worked through those struggles on this very enlightening episode of HAZARD GROUND!

www.wanderingveteran.com | “Life After Loyalty”

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Matt Gallagher thought he was just keeping a regular blog of his time spent in a war zone as a way to chronicle daily life as a Platoon Leader during the Iraq War in 2007-08. Little did he know that his blog, aptly titled, “Kaboom” was a much bigger hit on the internet than he thought. His chain of command was even okay with it, until, as Matt puts it, “they weren’t.” And soon the US Army was shutting the young officer’s blog down. But, with the internet being the internet, Matt’s war journal & war memoir-in-the-making never left the internet (you can still find it online today). And what “Kaboom” did was help Gallagher organize his thoughts about the war, provide levity to the daily grind & sludge factory that war often becomes, & help shape an author-in-the-making. Matt Gallagher is now out of the army & is an accomplished author. His work has appeared in “The New York Times,” “The Atlantic,” “The Paris Review Daily” & “Wired,” as well as other publications. Hear how he went from “Kaboom” to novelist on this very enlightening episode of HAZARD GROUND!

www.mattgallagherauthor.com | www.wordsafterwar.org | “Kaboom” | “Youngblood”

This week’s episode is brought to you by our newest sponsor Patagonia clothing. Another company we stand behind 100%! Their clothing and gear is next level, and customer service is top notch! We only have show sponsors w/ products we know and trust, otherwise they wouldn’t be a sponsor. Patagonia is another one of those brands. Click on the Patagonia banner at hazardground.com/sponsors for FREE shipping on all orders over $75!! Supporting our sponsors, helps support the show!

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Trey Grissom entered the Naval Academy to play football & left there to become a Marine after highlighting his collegiate football career in one of the great Navy upsets over rival Notre Dame in 2010. The rigors of the Academy & college football prepared Grissom well for leading Marines in combat. But as combat goes, nothing ever fully prepares you for that experience, except the experience itself. That sentiment is reflected in Grissom's thoughts on his combat tour in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as well as in his reflection on probably one of the most high profile assignments a Marine can undertake - platoon commander at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. There, he oversaw several Marine burials at Arlington National Cemetery, bringing honor & dignity to those who didn't make it home alive. This episode goes deep inside the mind of a Marine who has been in the unfortunate position of laying his brothers to rest both on & off the battlefield, but has exemplified the leader he is by handling this duty with incredible poise & strength. Check it out!

This week’s episode is brought to you by our new sponsor Adidas Outdoor & Five Ten shoes. Again, this is gear we use, put to the test, and stand behind 100%!  Otherwise they wouldn't be a sponsor. Go to hazardground.com/sponsors and click on the Adidas/Five Ten banner for FREE SHIPPING! Supporting our sponsors helps support the show!

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