Retired Air Force veteran Brandon Fertig has transformed from a conservative, mild mannered civilian to a passionate outdoor adventurer.

An employee of Philips, he has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, skydived and whitewater rafted in Colorado, and gone scuba diving, rode horses, skied, fished, snorkled, kayaked, biked, and hiked all over the world.

Fertig’s eight-day climb of Mount Kilimanjaro was in support of MedTechVets, a nonprofit that helps veterans transition to rewarding careers.

Other topics in Episode 290 include the return of a Medal of Honor recipient’s remains, an update on Gulf War Illness treatment and a rare Stars Wars trading card.

Army Navy Game

USA250 Challenge

CDC recognizes Gulf War Illness

Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Capt. Willibald Bianchi have been identified

One-of-a-kind Star Wars collector’s card surfaces at US Army post exchange