Veterans
USMC Recon, Co-Founder
A veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Rudy served with distinction as a member of the United States Marine Corps illustrious 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and played himself in HBO’s Generation Kill, a miniseries based on the bestselling book by Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright. A graduate of the Marine Corps Combatant Diving, Scout/Sniper and Search, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) schools, Rudy has worked as a counter-terror contractor for the Department of Defense, trained African wildlife preserver rangers in anti-poaching techniques and, most recently, appeared in National Geographic Channel’s Ultimate Survival Alaska. Rudy is the author of Hero Living, which chronicles his warrior philosophy and teaches others how to follow it.
USAF PJ
Master Sgt. Roger Sparks has served within the military as both a Recon Marine and an Air Force Pararescueman for over 25 years. Sparks was the recipient of the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, in a ceremony on July 11, 2014 for his actions during a fierce firefight with insurgents in Afghanistan’s Watapur Valley on Nov. 14, 2010. His citation reads: “Despite continued enemy fire and with no concern for his personal safety, Sergeant Sparks immediately performed lifesaving measures for nine wounded soldiers.” Roger struggled with post-traumatic stress in the year after that five-month deployment, during which he turned to tattooing. “I couldn’t shake the catharsis of it, like how healing the experience was to be serendipitously tattooed right after that,” he said. “It’s a metaphysical thing of attempting to master yourself through experiencing the pain of tattooing but through virtuous symbols. The pastime took on greater meaning as he began tattooing fellow veterans. Sparks is currently transitioning from a career of special operations into the civilian world as an artist, author and speaker.
USMC Recon
Will served as an E-5/Sergeant 5 years in the Marine Corps. He is the recipient of the Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and the Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was also a security contractor in high threat areas overseas. Will is also a very accomplished athlete and trainer. He was a competitive swimmer and distance runner in high school, teaching Special Olympics and giving swimming lessons as his high school job. His beliefs in fitness as a form of physical, mental and spiritual health led him to start a CrossFit affiliate at the Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan – the first of its kind at an Embassy anywhere in the world. He ran that for three years in Kabul before leaving to launch Huron River CrossFit in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
British Royal Marine
Jon was born and raised in Durban, South Africa – surf mecca and shark hotspot. His education was not in a classroom. As a young man he was as a safety kayaker on the Zambezi River and worked for whitewater rafting companies in Victoria Falls. After 911, Jon had an illustrious military career with the Royal Marines, including multiple deployments into Afghanistan and as a training officer at the Commando Training Centre. As a civilian he has supported science and research trips onto the coral reefs around the British Indian Ocean Territory and the Chagos Archipelago. In 2010, he founded Blue Ventures Belize marine conservation organization operating in Sarteneja and Bacalar Chico.
USN SEAL
In hopes of fulfilling a dream of becoming a Navy SEAL, Geoff joined the military after college. After several advanced training schools and having earned the coveted SEAL “Trident,” Geoff reported to SEAL Team 10, helping commission the new team and becoming a “plank owner.” Upon returning CONUS, new orders took him to the Navy Parachute Team, “Leap Frogs”, where he performed dynamic parachute demonstrations into stadiums for Major League Baseball, National Football League, NASCAR, horse races, high schools, and X-Game events nationwide. Geoff took his determination and moved to Los Angeles where has worked as an actor and host, and can be seen in numerous movies, television commercials, webisodes and video games. Some of his credits include Transformers and Iron Man.
U.S. Army
Following his service in the US Army, Nathan finished his BA and became a certified Flight and Tactical Paramedic. A full-time nomad, Nathan travels around the world professionally as well as a volunteer – working in Thailand after the tsunami and Haiti after the earthquake. Nathan is an EMS instructor for groups such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, US Special Operations, and Doctor’s Without Borders, teaching at Dartmouth, the Smithsonian Institute as well as courses in Nicaragua, Haiti, and Kenya. His love for the ocean has led him to become a Freediving, Diving, and Sailing Instructor as well as a USCG Captain, sailing across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific.
USAF CCT
A Veteran Air Force Special Operations Combat Controller, Dan served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Niger, and Haiti in multiple theaters of operations ranging from combat deployments to humanitarian missions. An avid health and wellness advocate, he has also excelled in the competitive sports arena as a four time CrossFit Games Regional Competitor, Strongman National Competitor, and Spartan Ultra World Championship Finisher.
Dan entered the civilian world pursuing the path of entrepreneurship where he owns Evolution Athletics, a human performance optimization company and is the Co-Founder of the Spring Lake Outpost, a kayak and canoe riverine adventure center. Dan’s business endeavors highlight the overarching theme in his life of constant human and environmental improvement. His military experience as an Air Force Combat Diver has allowed him to continue pursuing the great unknown, one of which is the Deep Blue.
USAF CRO
Maj (Ret.) Jay Casello served 24 years in the United States Air Force as a Combat Rescue Officer culminating with 7 years at the 212th Rescue Squadron in Alaska. As a Team Commander Jay led Pararescue (PJ) teams in multiple combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq and civilian search and rescue missions in Alaska ensuring survivor contact, treatment, and extraction in denied, adverse, and hostile territories.
Shortly after receiving his B.A. in Political Science at the University of Rhode Island in 1994, Jay enlisted in the USAF as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Specialist and served 6 years as a field training and parachuting water survival instructor. Jay earned his commission in Dec 2001 and was picked to lead his class at the Pararescue Indoctrination Course, graduated in a class with a 90% attrition rate, and continued to excel through the career field pipeline. He has graduated several special operations schools to include the U.S. AF Combat Rescue Officer course, U.S. Army Combat Dive School, U.S. Navy Underwater Egress, U.S. Army Airborne, and the U.S. Army Military Freefall Parachutist school.
Throughout his career, he is credited with innumerable rescue missions resulting in over one hundred lives saved. Among other achievements, Jay has been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, Humanitarian Achievement Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal and multiple Air Medals.
Jay has been diving since 1988 and has gained vast, invaluable experience during Special Forces dive school and multiple rescue and recovery missions deployed both overseas and in the U.S.
USAF CCT
Andy grew up on a retired farm property with this twin brother Matt in New Jersey. From a young age they treated everything like a competition. Their father had them racing go karts, dirt bikes, playing every sport they could, Feeding into the need for adrenaline and excitement. Growing up near NYC 9/11 hit their home town much harder than others. Right out of high school he started flight school thinking he wanted to be a pilot eventually for the military. But that proved to be too boring. He needed more. He needed to serve his country.
In 2009 he joined the U.S Air Force. After 2 years of training in 2011 he became a Combat controller assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics sqdn in Florida. Shortly after earning his Beret he married his wife, Anna. Then the deployments started. The lifestyle of being a special operator tested them both. The hardships of being gone all the time. Experiencing war, losing friends along the way, being severely combat wounded. He felt he was changing. He left Active duty life in 2016 and is currently a member of the 125th STS Air National Guard in Oregon.
U.S. Army Ranger / Green Beret
Thomas Peck is a retired Army Warrant Officer with 22 years of service. He spent all 22 years of duty in Army Special Operations as both an enlisted soldier and Warrant Officer in either the U.S. Army Rangers, or the Special Forces Green Beret. He has logged well over one thousand dives in the waters of the Caribbean, Central America, Fiji, and the coastal regions of the United States. Tom has also worked on numerous humanitarian missions as a Commander or Assistant Commander of Operational Detachments in such countries as Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Thailand, the Philippine islands, Iraq, Sudan, and Egypt; just to name a few.
He has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Saint Martin’s University, and is also a recent graduate of Pierce College with an Associate’s degree in the Occupational Safety & Health (OSHA) program to be a certified safety technician. Tom has found fortune in marriage to his wife Charlotte, a retired school teacher, married for the last thirty-three years. She shares Tom’s love of SCUBA diving and appreciation of natural science and marine biology.
USN EOD
Born in Danbury, CT and raised in Cupertino, CA, Jon is a former Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, who served from 2008-2014, with a combat deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, where he defused IEDs and helped train up the local counterparts. Beyond his combat deployment, he saw a lot of the country and other parts of the world supporting the United States Secret Service, traveling ahead of the President, Vice President, and various foreign dignitaries, helping ensure their safety during their diplomatic missions
After separating from the Navy, Jon found a new a passion within the sport of Natural Bodybuilding. He began competing in 2013 with the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA). He turned Professional in 2014, in the Men’s Physique category, and has competed regularly ever since.
Royal Navy, SBS
A Special Operations Forces veteran from the UK, Clarke served in the British equivalent of the U.S. Navy SEAL Development Group (DEVGRU), both as a combat diver and an operator. With over 17 years operational service under his belt, Clarke spent his military career giving his all for freedoms none of us should ever take for granted.
Clarke vividly recalls seeing the attacks of September 11, 2001 on TV while on base and remembers how instantaneously he knew his life would be forever changed by them. Shortly thereafter, fighting alongside his US brothers-in-arms, Clarke began operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through these conflicts, he, like many others, had dear friends who were wounded or never came home.
Since leaving the military, Clarke’s civilian careers have consistently centered on service—helping others achieve their goals and become more fulfilled individuals. In addition to this work, he has grown increasingly concerned about the health of our oceans and felt compelled to use his specialized diving skills to contribute to their protection and preservation.
Force Blue is giving him that opportunity; a chance to do good for this beautiful but fragile planet and to once again serve alongside those brave and special people that are our veterans.
USN SEAL
Master Chief SEAL(Ret) Steve “Gonzo” Gonzalez served with distinction for 34 years in the Navy, retiring in 2016. He is a combat veteran with multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm and numerous operations around the world.
His awards include 2 Bronze Star for Valor, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Valor, 5 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and various other Campaign Medals and Awards. Gonzo is a native of New Orleans, LA and currently resides in Florida with his wife. He is a Norwich University Alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies & Defense Analysis, Teaching & Learning Certificate, and a Masters of Arts in Strategic Studies.
USN SEAL
Matt served with distinction for 22 years as a Navy SEAL, retiring in 2019 as a Command Master Chief. He is a combat veteran with multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. His awards include the Bronze Star for Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, 5 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and the Army Commendation Medal.
Matt is a native of Virginia Beach, VA and currently resides in Islamorada, FL with his wife and three sons. An avid waterman and licensed Captain, he owns and operates Islamorada Coastal Adventures in the Florida Keys.
U.S. Army Special Forces (18A/18D) / USAF Special Warfare (PJ/CRO)
RJ has 30+ years of Special Operations experience with the Department of Defense and other government agencies. He has multiple combat tours in countries including Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, and Syria. RJ is still serving while consulting for corporations, feature film/TV, and other organizations. Like every member of Force Blue, RJ donates time to 501(c)(3) non-profits to help fellow veterans and is committed to the conservation of our amazing oceans.
USN SEAL
Kaj Larsen was born in Santa Cruz, California, and graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a degree in Political Science. At Harvard University he received his Masters degree in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. At Harvard, Kaj was awarded a fellowship from the Shorenstein Center for Press, Politics, and Public Policy. He was also a joint fellow at Tufts Jebsen Center for Counter-Terrorism studies. His focus includes international security policy, media politics, and political affairs.
Kaj is an award winning filmmaker and correspondent. He is the creator and executive producer of the Netflix original series The Business of Drugs which debuted as the number 1 streaming show in America. He was the Senior Correspondent and Producer for Now This News. He previously hosted the Emmy award winning series VICE on HBO. At VICE Kaj has produced documentaries on conflict and national security issues. He is the only journalist to be embedded in the Nigerian fight against Boko Haram, and conducted the first exclusive interview with the architect of the CIA’s enhanced interrogation program which became the feature film The Torture Report. Prior to Now This and VICE Kaj was a correspondent at CNN as a member of CNN’s Special Investigations and Documentary unit. His on-camera career began in 2005 when he covered the war in Afghanistan for Current TV. At Current TV Kaj helped develop the Emmy Award winning Vanguard Journalism series. He was the first journalist to bring the issue of waterboarding to the public by having himself waterboarded on TV. He broke the media silence on Somalia by being the first western TV journalist in Mogadishu in over a decade. He has since gone on to report from war zones and conflict spots around the world, in places such as Pakistan, Yemen, Cambodia, Colombia, West Africa, and Latin America. His feature documentaries have covered topics ranging from the drug war in Mexico to the devastating floods in Pakistan to Wikileaks. His reporting is distinguished by his in-field and in-depth examination of difficult and dangerous topics around conflict zones, national security, and criminal justice.
Kaj’s intrepid reporting and powerful filmmaking has put him at the vanguard of a new broadcast journalism. He frequently appears on other media outlets such as ABC, NBC, MSNBC, and the Huffington Post. He was the senior correspondent and host of The Current Election, a daily show about politics and public policy. As a producer Kaj has created hit television series such as US Navy Pirate Hunters, a one-hour special for Spike TV, and LOCKUP the highly rated show about life in American prison for air on MSNBC. He was Aaron Sorkin’s private consultant on the hit HBO series Newsroom. His work has earned him critical acclaim including an Emmy nomination, a Peabody nomination, two Telly awards, and several Golden Cine awards.
Prior to his work in television, Kaj spent five years on active duty serving as a US Navy SEAL. As a Lieutenant he led a team of special warfare personnel in covert operations overseas deploying as a detachment Commander in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He continues his service as a SEAL reserve officer assigned to US Special Operations Command.
Kaj is a two time national champion open-water swimmer, and placed third in the Escape from Alcatraz duathalon. Kaj has lived extensively overseas, including Thailand, where he studied Muay Thai boxing. He is a practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and frequently competes in mixed martial arts competitions.
Kaj used his pay from the service to help launch The Mission Continues, and served on the Board of Directors for five years. Kaj also serves on the Boards of Advisors to the Veteran service organization Team Rubicon Global. He has deployed three times in support of Team Rubicon to render Humanitarian assistance in Pakistan, the Philippines, and the US.
USN SEAL
Cory Zillig is 20 year veteran of the SEAL Teams. He has trained, led, served alongside and under some of the most talented and professional souls in special operations. During his tenure, he completed 12 successful deployments, hundreds of combat missions, and was an instrumental figure in several strategic and historical operations. Throughout his career, Cory was known for his leadership, aggressive commitment to high standards, integrity, and creativity. His awards include; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor, Joint Service Commendation medal with Valor, 2 Navy and Marine Corps Commendations with Valor, 4 Presidential Unit Citations and numerous other medals and awards.
After retiring in 2017, Cory now serves the Air Force Research Laboratory, advising on subjects ranging from strategic and tactical planning to innovation and focus in classified technical programs. His experience, leadership skills and creativity have helped numerous companies, government entities and academia focus efforts and field essential equipment.
Despite being born in the middle of America, he has great love for the ocean and loves giving back to her. Cory currently lives in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife of 16 years and their 2 wild and wonderful children. They love to fish, play games and spend time outdoors with each other.
USN SEAL
Raised in St. Augustine, FL and a graduate of the University of Florida, Brent is a former Navy SEAL officer, who served from 1997-2004. While on active duty he served at SEAL Team Two, Special Boat Unit Twenty and SEAL Team TEN and conducted 3 overseas deployments.
After leaving the Navy Brent founded and continues to lead a training and consulting company that prepares operators for some of the security challenges they face while deployed. He currently resides in Sarasota, FL with his wife, daughter, and son.
U.S. Army Ranger / Green Beret
Dan Henderson is a retired US Army Special Forces soldier (Green Beret) with over 20 years on active duty and numerous combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and operations in multiple locations throughout Asia. Throughout his career he attended multiple military schools to include Ranger School, Sniper School, Military Free-Fall school and numerous others. Dan attended the Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course (CDQC) in Key West and was assigned a Combat Dive Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). While assigned to the ODA he dove in every environment possible throughout Asia and the US. His last assignment on active duty was at his units Divers Life Support Maintenance Facility instructing the units Pre-Scuba, physically and mentally preparing unit members for CDQC, and assisting dive teams in training and operations.
Dan became a NAUI Instructor and before he retired and began teaching recreational diving in his down time. In September of 2021 he opened his own dive facility in Washington State, Ranger Sport Scuba. Dan working with other Combat Divers, has a unique approach to training that has taken off in the Pacific Northwest. He also works with other non-profit’s teaching disabled veterans scuba diving. One of his top priorities is giving back to veterans and their families.
He is now a NAUI Course Director and the Lead Scuba Instructor at the Divers Institute of Technology in Seattle Washington where he instructs future commercial divers.
Dan has been married to his wife Sarah since 2003, they coach CrossFit together in their downtime. They have one child, Daniel who is an Advanced Open Water diver.
USAF PJ
Gavin has over 12 years of Special Operation (SOF) and over two years experience with private contracting. Gavin has made seven combat deployments covering the full spectrum of special warfare operations. As an Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), he has served honorably between active duty and Air Force Reserves for over 12 years rising to the rank of Master Sergeant (January 2022). During this time in service, Gavin has executed cross domain mission sets in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti. His experience is hard fought, having been awarded the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and multiple other medals and awards for valor in combat and professionalism in the joint environment.
USMC Recon
Adam served just shy of 10 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Force Reconnaissance Marine and led Recon and Force Recon Marines on combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, South East Asia, and in and around the Horn of Africa. Adam was the dive team leader in his last Force Recon platoon and was also a graduate from the Marine Corps Dive Supervisor Course. After successfully completing the USMC Dive Supervisor course Adam went on to plan, coordinate and successfully execute 20 full mission profile training dives that consisted of both open and closed-circuit apparatuses across the globe. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Adam graduated from Devry University with a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. Adam works as a GORUCK cadre and enjoys following, trading, and investing in the markets. He currently lives in NJ with his wife and two children.
USN SEAL
A combat veteran and Former Navy SEAL, Machine Gunner, Point Man, Sniper and Scout Sniper Instructor, Dale is now the President & CEO of Special Tactical Services, LLC (STS) in Virginia. After 9/11 and the subsequent operational and training events that followed, Dale provided professional, fully licensed, highly trained, Armed Security Teams to counter the worldwide security threats in numerous countries. Under Dale’s leadership, those Armed Security Teams have successfully completed hundreds of high-risk operations without injury, loss or unfavorable publicity. Dale has also consulted on several productions to ensure the accurate portrayal of industry related professions.
USAF PJ
During his service as a member of the 212th Rescue Squadron (Alaska Air National Guard), Jimmy trained exhaustively to execute rescue missions anytime, anyplace, and in any environment. In late 2010, Jimmy was shot in the head in Afghanistan attempting to rescue an injured and pinned down Army patrol. Despite his injury, and with the shrapnel still in his head, Jimmy continued to function as a PJ for a week during the Battle of Bull Dog Bite II. His actions and those of his teammates were recognized as the “Rescue Mission of the Year” by the Jolly Green Association. Though Jimmy’s injuries were not life threatening, they were life changing. Upon his return stateside, Jimmy was medically retired from the Air Force in 2013 as a Staff Sergeant. Since his retirement he has begun taking college classes directed at his interests, as well as written a book, “Never Quit”.
USN & USNR Special Operations
Harlan C. Chase, Jr. (Chip), enlisted in the US Navy in January 1974 and was blessed to have served 35 years in the USN and USNR Special Operations community rising from the rank of E1 to O5. His tours of duty and commands spanned a wide range of military missions and geographic locations.
Chip began diving at the age of 13, became a NAUI instructor at 20, and has spent his life living and working in the oceans of the world. A marine biologist by degree, he understands the fragile nature of our coastal reef systems and is dedicated to protecting the health of this critical ecosystem. Being welcomed as a team member of Force Blue not only gives him the opportunity to further his love for preserving our oceans, but more importantly, it gives him time to give back and create lasting friendships with like-minded brothers and sisters.
As the President of Poseidon International Specialized Consulting & Engineering Services LLC, Chip provides consulting, diving, engineering, and heavy lift project support to various US Government, commercial, and foreign military organizations worldwide. Poseidon International is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and holds a Federal Class III Firearms License providing weapons, ammunition, and tactical accessories to military, law enforcement, and civilian customers.
USN SEAL
Adam Wright served for a decade as a Navy SEAL and national security professional. These days he’s a boring family man in the suburbs of Washington, DC where he works as a consultant and spends his free time training for long-distance, open-water swims.
USMC
Before joining Force Blue, Chief Warrant Officer-4 (Ret) Jeremy Gabrielson served with excellence for 27 years in the US Marine Corps, retiring in 2023. Beginning his military career as an enlisted infantry mortarman he transitioned to the Chief Warrant Officer ranks in 2011. He spent much of his military career in recruiting operations where he was involved in training, mentoring and leading personnel across the United States. Jeremy has a passion for serving others and supporting them to achieve their peak performance.
Jeremy is a native of St. George, Utah and currently resides in Stafford, Virginia with his wife, daughter, and son. He is working on his NAUI Dive Master certification and trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his free time.
USMC
Matt is the founder and CEO of Condition One Nutrition. With over a decade of experience in start-ups, Matt first honed his business acumen in the military. He served five years in the United States Marine Corps as Deployed infantry Team Leader in support of the global war on terrorism, achieving the rank of Sergeant, receiving two meritorious promotions and six commendations for excellent leadership skills. Later, Matt served as Director of Support for Elemental Path, a high-growth voice artificial intelligence platform. Matt is also a veteran entrepreneur coach with Warrior Rising, a non-profit empowering U.S. Military Veterans and their immediate families by providing opportunities to create sustainable businesses.
Force Recon Marine, USAF PJ
Pat was born and raised in Florida where he now lives with his wife and their two labs. He has competed in two Eco-Challenges and was named U.S. Air Force Pararescueman of the Year in 2007. After leaving the PJ’s, Pat spent ten years deploying to Afghanistan. Three of those years were in Executive Protection and seven years as a Medic on a Counter Terrorism team. He has spent the last four years as a full time Weapons/Tactics Instructor.
British Army/22 SAS
Dunc spent 25 years in the British Army, serving 22 of those in Special Operations. Retiring in 2022, he relocated to Florida with his family, where he now lives and works.
Originally from South Africa, he has always had a deep love and respect for the natural world and in Force Blue has found an opportunity to contribute to conservation in a proactive and meaningful way.
USN SEAL
Brad Kolarov entered the Navy in Aug 2000 earning a commission and an Ensign through Officer Candidate School. After successfully completing BUD/S as part of Class 234 and SEAL Qualification Training, Brad earned his Trident as a Plank Owner of SEAL Team 7. Brad was an AOIC of a Platoon focused on Desert Patrol Vehicle’s (DPV’s) until DPV’s were decommissioned. In pursuit of positions of increasing leadership Brad was assigned to be a OIC of the first MKV Special Operations Boat Detachment to deploy to Indo-Pacom. Brad became a reservist in 2005 and brought on as a government employee supporting the Intelligence Community until being recalled to active duty for 3 years and working in Washington DC. In 2009 Brad was selected as a LCDR and later that year Brad resigned his commission separating from the Navy.
Brad subsequently started B23, a data analytics company supporting the Intelligence Community and Financial Services markets. In 2020 Brad sold B23 to Torch.AI where he currently serves as President, Tactical AI & Autonomy. Brad currently resides in Bluffton, SC with his wife Jenny, and 3 children.
USAF CRO
Brian is a retired USAF Combat Rescue Officer with over 24 years on active duty. He served with distinction on multiple combat and humanitarian deployments to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Lifeline. He is credited with saving 68 lives spanning the globe from the Hindu Kush mountains bordering Tajikistan to fishing trawlers off the coasts of Florida and Mexico. Brian has earned the Air Medal with Valor and Humanitarian Service Medals for his actions.
After growing up in Western Massachusetts, he relocated to Charleston, S.C. and graduated from The Citadel in 2000 with a B.A. in International Relations and Military Affairs. He went on to earn two master’s degrees in Management & Leadership from Webster University, and Military Operational Art and Science from Air University. Brian is currently pursuing his passions of sailing, trail running, and scuba diving with a focus on environmental conservation.
USN
Admiral Kurt Tidd retired after a forty-year Navy career, settling in the Florida Keys and is pursuing new interests and adventures.
He is the son of a destroyerman, brown water sailor, and career Surface Warfare Officer Vice Admiral Emmett H. Tidd and Margaret P. “Muggs” Tidd, both proud Texans of the Greatest Generation; brother of the 25th Naval Chief of Chaplains, Rear Admiral Mark L. Tidd, CHC, USN (Ret.); husband of career military physician Eileen S. Tidd, MD, MPH, FACP; and proud father of two strong and talented daughters. He is a 1974 graduate of Porter Gaud School in Charleston, South Carolina, a 1978 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and has a Masters in political science from the University of Bordeaux, as a 1984 Olmsted Foundation Scholar.
Admiral Kurt Tidd served with women and men of all branches of the Armed Forces, the Foreign Service, Federal Law Enforcement officers, and the Intelligence Community. He commanded the destroyer USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968), Maritime Task Force 55 and Destroyer Squadron 50, EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group/CSG EIGHT, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet, and military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean as the Geographic Combatant Commander of U.S. Southern Command. He served in a variety of Navy, joint, and interagency staffs, including for the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Joint Staff, and the National Security Council.
Currently Admiral Tidd supports a variety of benevolent organizations and interests. He serves on the Board at the Olmsted Foundation, a private non-profit organization that provides two years of postgraduate studies at foreign universities in a foreign language for a select number of future military leaders. He is also a Senior Fellow at National Defense University’s CAPSTONE / KEYSTONE / PINNACLE program, mentoring Flag and General Officers and Senior Enlisted Leaders. Admiral Tidd the Board of Directors of the Marine Preservation Society of the Florida Keys, and is a member of the Board of the Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education (I.CARE) foundation, dedicated to restoring Florida Keys’ iconic coral reefs. Admiral Tidd preserves adequate time to support worthwhile local causes, including Key Dives of Islamorada’s Reef Clean Up activities. He indulges passions including underwater photography, and as a professional recreational scuba diving instructor with Scuba Schools International (SSI).
USCG
Kelcie LaRoche served 8 years as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, engaged in the full spectrum of afloat maritime safety and security operations. She graduated in 2014 from the United States Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Marine and Environmental Sciences. During her service, she sailed on three cutters operating out of Washington, Puerto Rico, and Virginia, primarily charged with drug interdiction, counter human trafficking, disaster response, and fisheries enforcement.
Leaving the Coast Guard in 2022, Kelcie became a recreational SCUBA diving professional as a PADI Divemaster and worked as a Fisheries Manager for Florida Fish and Wildlife in the Florida Keys.
USN SEAL
Justin Miller is a retired Navy SEAL with 20 years of active-duty service and Combat deployments all over the world. While on active duty he attended numerous training schools including NSW jump master, dive supervisor, and range safety officer. As a SEAL he conducted dive training and water-based operations around the world. He also served two years as the Research Development Testing and Evaluation active-duty lead for optics and diving systems.
Following his retirement, Justin transitioned to a career as a mortgage loan officer at Veterans United Home Loans. In this role, he assists veterans in using their VA benefits to purchase homes. He is also a board member of the local chapter of the Veterans United Foundation (VUF), which is committed to improving the lives of veterans and the local community.
Currently residing in Virginia Beach with his wife Brittany and their two sons, Justin has a passion for ocean-related activities, including sailing, fishing, freediving, and spearfishing.
U.S. Army Ranger / USMC
SSG Warren Wilson (Ret) from Santa Monica, California served in both the US Army and US Navy for 24 years of combined service. A veteran of both Panama and Iraq. He was in 3rd RANGER Battalion where he participated in a night combat parachute jump during Operation “Just Cause” to seize and secure the Omar Torrijos International Airport and La Commandancia in Panama 1989. He jumped ship over to US Navy where he was assigned to EODMU-7. A few days after the attack on 9/11 he was assigned to underwater security detachment 109. He worked Marine Mammal systems, then returned to the US Army and deploy to Iraq. He first got PADI Scuba Certified in 1988. Since then, he has become a Closed-Circuit Rebreather Trimix Diver. The Water is his home and place of therapy.
USN SEAL
Ricky an active-duty Navy SEAL who will retire from the Navy in May 2024 after 20 years of service. Throughout his career, he has spent time at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team-2, SEAL Team-4, and SEAL Team-2. Currently, he teaches senior enlisted leadership curriculum at the Joint Special Operations University at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. He has completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia as well as Europe during his career. He has received the Bronze Star with Valor, four Navy Commendation Medals with Valor as well as various other awards.
Ricky and his family relocated from Virginia to Tampa, Florida in 2020. He enjoys spending time out on the Gulf ofMexico fishing or spearfishing when he is not spending time with family or at sporting events for his children. His wife, Erica is a registered nurse and has been their family’s rock throughout Ricky’s time away during his career. His children, Hunter and Charlotte are the center of his world and both share Ricky’s drive to succeed and Erica’s care and compassion for others.
USN SEAL
James spent 22 years serving in the Naval Special Warfare community at SEAL Teams Two, Six, Four, Naval Special Warfare Unit Eight, Naval Special Warfare Center as a Phase One SEAL instructor, Officer Candidate School, Naval Postgraduate School, Naval Special Warfare Command and the Joint Special Operations Command.
Retiring from the Navy in July 2020, he entered the private sector and jointed a small defense contracting company (AMTI) where he served as VP of Homeland Security and a number of other senior management positions before taking over as CEO prior to the 600-person company being sold to SAIC, a large defense contracting company in 2006. Mr. Papineau serves, or has served, on several nonprofit boards such as the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, Navy SEAL Foundation, and Spirit of America. Currently Mr. Papineau serves on the board of Everywhere Communications and consults with other for and non-profit businesses and organizations.
MARSOC/JTAC
A combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, former Gunnery Sergeant George Mills served over 18 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, conducting multiple combat deployments. George served as the primary Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) for 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Charlie Company, Team 8133 in Afghanistan, 2012. He initially enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002 as an Infantry Rifleman, serving in the Anti-Terrorism Battalion. He also worked in Iraq as a DoD Private Security Contractor. Returning to the Marine Corps in 2007, George joined the 4th Air/Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) and retrained as a Scout/Observer and JTAC, which led him to MARSOC where he served as a Special Operations Capabilities Specialist (SOCS-B) in Firepower Control.
George is a NAUI Instructor Trainer and Technical/Cave Diver. Currently, he is a Firefighter for the City of West Palm Beach and a Public Safety Diver Instructor for his Department’s Dive Team. He is a Rope Rescue Technician and Paramedic.
George struggled for years with Post Traumatic Stress finding total and complete healing through his faith at Operation Restored Warrior (ORW) and through aqua therapy as a diver in South Florida.
USMC / USAF
Bryan Hart is a retired combat veteran with over 24 years of military service, beginning in the Marine Corps and continuing with a distinguished career as a pararescueman in the U.S. Air Force. Over the course of more than a dozen global deployments, he brought unwavering focus, resilience, and a deep sense of duty to every mission. Since retiring in 2021, Bryan has found purpose and peace in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where he works as a groundskeeper at the historic Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities.
A dedicated father and partner, Bryan is deeply committed to the healing power of nature, the practice of mindfulness, and the importance of continued service. He’s proud to be part of Force Blue—an organization whose mission to protect and preserve our oceans aligns with his lifelong values of brotherhood, conservation, and giving back.
USMC
Zachary Marchun was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. He served for four years as an infantryman and reconnaissance Marine and participated in several deployments to the Mediterranean and Haiti. During a brief break in service, he worked as a commercial fisherman in New England. In 2001, after the attacks on 9/11, he enlisted in the Air Force and began the Pararescue training pipeline in January 2002. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron (RQS) at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. While at the 38th RQS, he deployed on multiple occasions as a combat search and rescue team member and team leader. In May 2006, he assessed and was selected for the 24thSpecial Tactics Squadron (STS) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He spent the next 12 years conducting special operations missions around the world. During his time at the 24thSTS, he served as a team leader, OTC instructor, and troop chief. Zach recently earned an undergraduate degree in Peace, War and Defense and will begin graduate studies towards a masters in social work. Zach, his wife Megan, and their two children live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
USN SEAL
Matt Wagor is a retired Command Master Chief/CMDCM (SEAL) with over 26 years of active duty service with multiple deployments to the Middle East and Indo-Pacific area of operations. During his career he held leadership positions at all levels and served as an open / closed-circuit diving instructor and diving supervisor for Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUD/s), second phase. Prior to joining the military Matt qualified as a commercial diver with the Ocean Corporation and has been qualified as a diver with PADI and NAUI for over 30 years. Matt currently lives in San Diego, CA with his wife and daughter.
US ARMY GREEN BERET
Dave Smyth is a retired US Army Special Forces Officer with over 20 years of Active Duty service, including one combat tour to Iraq during the invasion, four combat tours to Afghanistan, and numerous operational deployments to Colombia, Jordan, Korea, and Thailand. Dave is the graduate of several military schools, most notably the Combat Diver Qualification Course in Key West, Florida (2006), and the SEAL Dive Supervisor Course in Little Creek, Virginia (2008). Dave was the Commander of ODA 715/ 7115 and was the Primary Dive Supervisor for 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Following retirement from the Army in 2015, Dave worked as a Supply Chain Improvement Project Manager for Gulstream Aerospace in Savannah, Georgia; as a Senior Project Manager for CACI-Wexford Group in Reston, Virginia; as the Program Manager for Feature Languages in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia; and as the Regional Expertise and Culture Instructor for the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Dave currently provides consulting and management services through his company, Bull Shark, LLC.
Dave became a PADI Divemaster and Assistant Instructor while deployed to Jordan in 2013, logging 54 dives in six months in the Red Sea. Dave became a PADI Open Water Instructor in Miami, Florida and has been working with Grove Scuba (Miami) and the Silent World Dive Center (Key Largo) since 2019. In 2025, Dave became an Instructor with the Carolina Dive Center in Raleigh. Dave has completed dives on six of the seven continents; most recently logging dives in Antarctica in January 2025, and dives in Portugal in May 2025. He plans to complete dives in Australia in the next few years to close out all seven continents.
Dave is fluent in Spanish, and currently resides in North Carolina where he is a single father of four children.
USN SEAL
Bear was born and raised in Indiana. He attended Yale University, where he played middle linebacker for the Yale Bulldogs. After graduating, Bear worked for Red Bull before commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Navy in 2014 and heading to BUD/S. Bear served at SEAL Team TWO and Special Boat Team TWENTY before his honorable discharge in 2021.
During his time in the Navy, Bear also co-founded the apparel brand Born Primitive, which he now runs full time as the company’s CEO. He is proud to leverage Born Primitive to give back to the veteran and first responder communities while exemplifying strong and unapologetic patriotic values.
USN SEAL
Captain Jeff Drinkard was born in Montgomery Alabama in 1966 and raised in St. Charles Missouri. He graduated from Northeast Missouri State University in 1988 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science. He was commissioned an Ensign in March 1989 after graduation from Officer Candidate School, Newport Rhode Island.
Captain Drinkard graduated Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/S) training in 1989, Class 163. His assignments in Naval Special Warfare include Assistant Platoon Commander at SEAL Delivery Vehicle TEAM ONE, Platoon Commander at SEAL TEAM THREE, Phase Three Officer In Charge at BUD/S, MK V Detachment Commander and Operations Officer at Special Boat TEAM TWELVE, Future Plans Officer at Special Operations Command Korea, Executive Officer at SEAL TEAM FIVE, Operations Officer at Naval Special Warfare Command, Deputy Commander, Combined/Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula. Captain Drinkard served as Commanding Officer, Special Boat TEAM TWELVE, received his Master’s Degree at the U.S. Army War College, and served as the Future Ops Division Chief, and multiple Branch Chief positions in the Current Ops Division at USSOCOM.
His service decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit awards.
Captain Drinkard is married (30 years) to the former Sherry Franklin of San Diego California. A 12 year elementary school teacher in San Diego, she is now teaching locally in Tampa. The Drinkards currently live in Tampa Florida and are the proud parents of Clayton (24), Connor (21), and Kaelynn (17).
“It feels good to actually take the training that we had and implement into real world use. That was one of the things I loved about the military. We had mission. We had purpose. There was something that we were doing every day and there was reason behind it.”
GEOFF REEVES, NAVY SEAL