A Veteran’s Journey from Military Service to Winemaking
I’ve been asked a lot lately to write down my military stories—how I got into the Army, the lessons I learned, the funny moments, and the times that made me question every life choice I had ever made. Maybe it’s for posterity’s sake, maybe it’s for my kids to read someday, or maybe it’s just for my friends, family, and everyone on Facebook to poke fun at.
People have also suggested I start a podcast or jump on one to share these stories. So if you’re a podcaster looking for hilarious military tales, I’m your guy. But until that happens, I’ll keep writing them here.
From Swimming Laps to Jumping Out of Planes
Before the Army, my life revolved around swimming. I wasn’t just a casual swimmer—I lived and breathed the sport. All through junior high and high school, I was in the pool, breaking records, and pushing myself to the limit. That dedication got me to the University of New Mexico as a college athlete, but reality hit hard.
I loved swimming, but my grades? Not so much. And let’s be honest—I wasn’t headed to the Olympics. At some point, I had to face the fact that my swimming career had peaked. Quitting didn’t sit well with me, so let’s call it retirement—that sounds more dignified. But I still needed something physically and mentally challenging to fill the void. That’s when I started looking at the military.
The (Almost) Navy SEAL Career That Never Was
Like any young guy looking for adventure, I thought, Hey, I’d be the perfect Navy SEAL. I could swim like a fish, I could run, I could jump—what else do you need? So I walked into the Navy ROTC office and laid it all out for them.
“Look, I want to be a Navy SEAL.”
They didn’t seem too impressed. Instead, they told me, You have to start as a Seaman first.
Without missing a beat, I responded,
“I’ve already been a Seaman once. I’m not doing that again.”
And just like that, I walked out. That was the beginning and end of my Navy career.
Enter: The Army Guy Who Changed Everything
By the grace of God, I crossed paths with Terry Leroy Clark.
Terry wasn’t just any Army guy—he was the quintessential badass. Airborne Ranger, HALO-qualified, combat veteran who jumped into Panama with the 2nd Ranger Battalion. The man had scrolls on both shoulders, meaning he had served in Ranger battalions.
Everything about him screamed professionalism, intensity, and cool under pressure. I looked at him and thought,
“Yep. That’s who I want to be.”
If Terry said the Army was the way to go, I wasn’t going to argue. Hook, line, and sinker—I was in.
From ROTC to the Infantry
So I joined Army ROTC, fully believing I was on the path to becoming an officer, doing Ranger, Special Forces, and HALO jumps like Terry. I had my plan set.
Then, a year before graduation, my commission orders came down.
Reserve duty. Infantry.
Unacceptable.
I didn’t want to sit in the Reserves. I wanted to be in the fight, in the thick of it, doing everything I had imagined. So instead of taking my commission, I quit ROTC, resigned my commission, and enlisted in the Army.
That’s how I started my active-duty career as an 11 Bravo Infantryman, unassigned—Airborne Ranger.
Why the Infantry?
Simple. I wanted to be just like Terry. I wanted to jump out of planes, ruck through the woods, and do all the cool stuff you see in the movies. And, truthfully, after spending my entire life as a competitive athlete, I needed the structure. The Army provided that in a way that nothing else could.
Learning to shoot, ruck for miles, fast-rope out of helicopters, and rappel down cliffs—it just fit. It was exactly what I was looking for. And before I knew it, I was bouncing around from Fort Carson to Korea, Fort Campbell, Fort Lewis, and beyond.
The Next Challenge: Becoming an Apache Pilot
If there’s one constant in my life, it’s that I’m always looking for the next challenge. Infantry life was demanding, but I wanted more. Airborne school, fast-roping, motorcycles—it was all great, but I wanted to push myself further.
That’s when I decided to become an Apache pilot.
At the time, I didn’t fully grasp how big of a shift that was. It wasn’t just another challenge—it was a completely different world. And, honestly, I didn’t realize how impressive people thought it was until after I left the military.
Flying an Apache isn’t just about controlling a machine; it’s about commanding a weapon of war, making split-second decisions, and staying ahead of the battlefield. It was everything I had ever wanted—a mix of adrenaline, precision, and responsibility.
From Warrior to Wine
That’s how it all started—the journey from college athlete to almost-a-SEAL to Army Airborne Infantry to Apache pilot. And eventually, somehow, I found my way to owning a vineyard.
It’s been a wild ride, filled with stories I’ll keep sharing.
So stay tuned, because there’s plenty more where that came from.