Two Marines cross paths and change a life. Gilbert traces a path from cadet drills and satellite comms in Helmand to a rural deputy’s hostage rescue, the grief that followed, and the choice to heal and help first responders get resilient.
• early structure through Navy cadets and family service
• choosing the Marine Corps and a comms MOS
• building battlefield communications and wire work in Helmand
• reaction to the Afghanistan withdrawal
• hiring, culture, and rural patrol realities
• prioritizing guns, warrants, and drugs over tickets
• hostage rescue decision-making under stress
• deputy coroner duties and mortality up close
• cumulative trauma, suicide loss, and therapy that worked
• 2020 riots, restraint, and policy limits
• leaving the badge for coaching and writing the book
• actionable mental health and fitness for first responders
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