Risk Management Magazine

Have you ever wondered how a Soldier feels after coming home from a deployment in a country like Iraq? After living in dangerous and demanding conditions for a year or more, some of us feel incredibly strong — almost invincible. That feeling of invincibility got me into a dangerous situation during the winter of 2007.

I grew up in the Midwest and spent a large portion of my early childhood living out in the country. It was there I formed my earliest memories of using various firearms while under the direct supervision and training of my father.

As a National Guard CH-47 company, we are always subject to possible call up for state and national emergencies or deployment overseas. When Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast in 2008, we found ourselves being called on like never before.