Modern Warriors Summary

"War is ugly: it brings out the best and the worst in people." What does it truly mean to serve, sacrifice, and come home as a modern warrior?

1. Veterans carry stories untold and scars unseen.

Warriors often find it hard to share their experiences after leaving the military, whether due to trauma, shame, or a fear of being misunderstood by civilians. Former US Army soldier Pete Hegseth identified this gap and sought to amplify their voices. Through his television special, Modern Warriors, he gave veterans a platform to openly discuss their journeys.

Hegseth’s realization that Americans were eager to understand soldiers' lives post-9/11 inspired this initiative. Many soldiers return home with physical injuries and emotional scars, like post-traumatic stress (PTS). This transition back into society is daunting, often leaving heroes feeling isolated with no outlet for their anguish or stories of bravery.

Through storytelling, Hegseth believes soldiers not only heal but also help the public understand war’s impact. Honest conversations enable veterans to reconnect with themselves and others while reflecting on the meaning behind their sacrifices.

Examples

• Pete Hegseth’s creation of Modern Warriors to bring veterans’ untold stories to mainstream audiences.
• Veterans discussing topics like survivor’s guilt and post-traumatic stress to foster healing.
• Hegseth realizing Americans’ genuine interest in soldiers’ lives from his experience as a Fox News war correspondent.

2. Determination allowed an amputee soldier to redefine his limits.

Sergeant John Wayne Walding exemplifies determination in its rawest form. After losing his leg during Operation Commando Wrath in Afghanistan, Walding was devastated; the reality that he might never walk again shook him. Yet, instead of letting despair consume him, he used his loss as fuel to achieve greatness.

Walding endured grueling battles both physically and mentally. He not only came off pain medication but also tackled the elite Special Forces Sniper Course, ultimately excelling and becoming the Green Berets’ first sniper with an amputated leg. He turned his perceived defeat into a reason to aim higher and prove himself.

For Walding, the choice to fight back reminded him that even in the face of life-changing injury, purpose and strength can push us beyond perceived limits. His story underscores the exceptional grit of survivors who redefine their destinies.

Examples

• Walding rejoining battle operations despite holding his lifeless leg in his hands.
• Becoming the first Green Beret amputee sniper, proving a refusal to let injury define him.
• Overcoming the mental and emotional weight of amputation through resilience and training.

3. Survivor’s guilt is an invisible struggle many veterans battle.

Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman returned from Fallujah haunted by the loss of three Marines under his command. As he grappled with why he survived while they perished, Workman suffered recurrent nightmares, depression, and insomnia – symptoms of PTS intertwined with survivor’s guilt.

Survivor’s guilt often paralyses veterans, intruding on their daily lives and self-worth. Workman’s emotions were so consuming that he couldn’t even wear the Navy Cross awarded for his heroism in combat. Seeking therapy helped him reframe the harsh realities of war, accepting that no decisions could have altered those outcomes.

Now, as a VA military services coordinator, Workman channels his pain into action, guiding others grappling with trauma. By initiating dialogues and offering support, he illuminates the path to recovery for fellow veterans.

Examples

• Workman’s feelings of guilt kept him from acknowledging his combat awards.
• Therapy sessions equipped him with tools to face and reframe his memories of Fallujah.
• His work at the Veterans Administration Clinic educates others on post-trauma struggles.

4. Leadership in war means sacrifice and responsibility.

Sergeant Mat Best learned that leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about action, loyalty, and sometimes, personal sacrifice. Early in his career, he witnessed his mentor, Sergeant Dale G. Brehm, exemplify these values during a failed mission. Brehm’s bravery stuck with Best and reshaped his approach to life.

Best adopted Brehm’s ethos, choosing to lead from the front and prioritize the safety of his men, often putting himself in danger. Armed with this perspective, Best adhered to the promise of placing his soldiers over himself – a concept vividly clear when Brehm tragically laid down his life for their platoon.

In his civilian life, Best brings these principles forward, leading a veteran-owned coffee company. He uses his wartime lessons daily to foster teamwork and resilience among those he serves.

Examples

• Best’s mentor, Sergeant Brehm, shared a message of self-sacrifice before combat.
• Best echoing Brehm’s leadership philosophy on his final deployment in Iraq.
• Running Black Rifle Coffee Company using values instilled in war.

5. Courage and brotherhood define soldiers in battle.

During the relentless attack at COP Blackfoot, Sergeant Eric Geressy witnessed acts of bravery and camaraderie that epitomized the bond soldiers share. Defending against hundreds of enemy combatants, Geressy pushed his team forward in what seemed an unwinnable situation.

Even injured soldiers like Staff Sergeant Darryl Card joined the fight, wearing flip flops because his swollen feet couldn’t fit into boots. Stories like these are evidence of how courage breeds devotion, even during impossible missions.

The battle concluded with a hard-earned victory – but it’s the shared sacrifices that highlighted the resilience and connection underpinning service.

Examples

• Geressy leading his soldiers during attacks from both al-Qaeda and Jaysh al-Mahdi.
• Specialist Ryan Holley surviving a sniper shot while continuing operations.
• Staff Sergeant Card rejoining the fight despite severe injuries.

6. Women in military roles face unique challenges.

Lieutenant Commander Caroline Johnson’s journey was marked by resistance and criticism because of her gender. From dismissive remarks at the Naval Academy to being relegated to a back-seat pilot, Johnson faced constant obstacles created by outdated stereotypes in military culture.

However, Johnson persevered, proving her ability through rigorous training and flying 42 combat missions against major threats. Her defining moment arrived in Iraq, where she defended Yazidis from an ISIS attack, launching an airstrike that saved innocent lives.

Her story shines a light on the unique hurdles faced by women in the armed forces and the strength it takes to rise above them to make meaningful change.

Examples

• Johnson excelling in flight school despite biases and graduating at the top of her class.
• Successfully flying operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.
• Leading a critical air raid in Mount Sinjar, 2014, defending Yazidi civilians.

7. Snipers confront a complex relationship with death.

Nick Irving, nicknamed "The Reaper," had a unique role as a sniper. Unlike rapid gunfire in combat, sniping demanded him to focus on one individual target, requiring calculated precision to end a life.

Initially, killing brought adrenaline-fueled excitement for Irving. Over time, however, he recognized the toll it took on his emotional well-being, describing it as losing a piece of his soul each time. Ultimately, he chose family over combat, understanding that his identity didn’t have to remain tied to this violence.

Irving’s story outlines the duality of pride and personal cost experienced by those in this deadly profession.

Examples

• Targets tracked through the sniper lens made killing personal for Irving.
• Setting a record by eliminating 33 enemy combatants in three months shapes his "Reaper" legend.
• Deciding to leave service after the birth of his son altered his perspective.

8. Healing begins with sharing stories.

Captain Sean Parnell discovered catharsis in writing his memoir "Outlaw Platoon." Though wounded during harrowing battles, Parnell’s true struggles began once he returned home. Stricken with untreated injuries and emotional scars, he shut others out.

Writing his book helped Parnell release his trauma by externalizing it. Through his passionate recounts, he discovered long-overdue closure, enabling his transition into civilian life. This underscores how storytelling can mend and empower.

Examples

• Parnell recovering from major injuries sustained while shielding his unit.
• Feeling disconnected from friends and family post-combat.
• Writing became an emotional outlet that eventually reconnected him to himself and others.

Takeaways

1. Share your experiences with a trusted ear. Speaking openly, whether through conversations or writing, facilitates understanding and healing.
2. Use personal challenges as fuel to take on new opportunities and reach unforeseen heights.
3. Never underestimate the power of community – find strength in shared purpose and collective dedication.