Risk Management Magazine

As we flew the assistant division commander for operations to Forward Operating Base Warhorse for a meeting, we received a frantic call for help over the common frequency. The message was clear: A critically wounded Soldier at a smaller FOB needed immediate evacuation or he would die.

You know that moment when someone looks back on their life and wishes they’d chosen a different path? For me, this was that moment. Just envision a miniature angel standing on one shoulder and a devil on the other. This time, the devil won. 

My friends and I were pumped for the upcoming bow-hunting season. For the past 11 years, we’d gotten together to hunt on a 600-plus-acre farm we signed a lease to use. For us, the property is sort of a retreat from the everyday grind because it’s very secluded and has few amenities. Little did we know that this trip would nearly have a tragic outcome.