In a split second realization set in and it became painfully clear. There were four of us, multiple wounded, no medics, help was hours away, and all we had was a satellite phone with crappy reception and my handy backpack of extras. This was a mass casualty incident.

Before there was time to register that this was dangerous, before I had the chance to say no, or to duck in and put on a seat belt - we reached the bottom of the hill, while going full speed and hit a tank ditch.


Ok, Outward Bound Canada Veterans Program. Get me the f&*k out of here. Now. Those were my thoughts by the first night, and the second, and the third for that matter. (…) This just might possibly be just the BEST medicine and biggest lesson I’ve taken in a long, looooong time.

After congratulating a row of young men, the surprised old airborne veteran looked at the commanding officer and asked; “are you sure?” before pinning those wings on my chest. To this day I have no idea if he was serious or being cheeky. I’m hoping cheeky.