We Do. We Fail. We Learn

 

 

In February of 2009, the one-month culmination exercise known as Robin Sage stood between myself and the coveted Green Beret. I had spent the last two years suffering at the hands of battle hardened Green Berets, who made it clear that we would be tested until the last minute of training. With two months left, the light at the end of the tunnel burned bright; however, this training iteration would prove to be the most difficult and enlightening month of my life.

From the first day it seemed as if the stars were aligned against me. I was the youngest and least experienced man on my team, so I was chosen for numerous leadership positions. It snowed multiple times, with temperatures frequently dropping into the 20’s. Every night I shivered underneath the stars, literally wondering if I might freeze to death. I suffered through a terrible case of gastroenteritis. At one point my team ran out of food for three days and when we did eat it was no more than 1,000 calories a day. Between the elements, physical exertion, illness and lack of food, I lost almost 30 pounds during Robin Sage. Even after getting shot, I still use this period as a barometer for what a bad month looks like.

If these extrinsic factors were not enough, I was also plagued with self-doubt. I had made it through 22 months of training; however, I was untested and unsure of my ability to perform the duties of a Green Beret.

Lesson #3

Lesson #3 “Live your life like you are going to die tomorrow”

By: Kevin R. Flike

the hat 1My teammate placed this hat on a stick to draw out Taliban fire.  Immediately after he exposed the hat, a member of the Taliban shot right through it.

Kevins pictureI kept this picture of my wife and I in my grenade pouch.  When I pulled it out on the ridge line, I thought it was the last time I would see her.

 

Kevin R. Flike is currently a graduate student pursuing dual masters degrees from the MIT Sloan School of Management (MBA) and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government (MPA) with an expected graduation date of spring 2016. Prior to grad school Kevin served as a Special Forces Engineer assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group and deployed to the Philippines, Thailand and twice to Afghanistan. On September 25, 2011 during his second deployment to Afghanistan, he was shot in the lower abdomen and was medically retired due to his injuries.

19th Special Forces Group Green Beret Awarded the Silver Star

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(Proud mother Jennifer Sargent and her son Staff Sergeant Michael Sargent)

19th Special Forces Group Green Beret Awarded the Silver Star

By: Kevin R. Flike

Staff Sergeant Michael Sargent (cue the Sergeant Sargent jokes) was awarded the Silver Star last week for heroic actions in Afghanistan last year.  In addition to being an American badass, Mike is also one of my dearest friends.  Mike and I were fraternity brothers at Union College in Schenectady, NY, with me being two years ahead of him (I am like the older brother that Mike never wanted).  After graduation in 2008, Mike enlisted in the Army and two years later earned the Green Beret.  Mike and I were re-united when he was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group.  After I was wounded, Mike was always there for me.  No matter what was going on, if I needed something, he dropped everything to help me out.  I would not be where I am today if it was not for him.

After deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines and multiple SE Asian countries, Mike left active duty and joined the 19th Special Forces (National Guard) while pursuing an Executive MBA at the University of Virginia – Darden School of Business.  After Mike’s first year of school, he un-selfishly put his education on hold to deploy with his company to Afghanistan in the summer of 2015.   The following text is the narrative to Mike’s Silver Star citation from that deployment.  

The Epitome of a Leader: Colonel (R) Richard Thomas

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The Epitome of a Leader: Colonel (R) Richard Thomas

By: Kevin R. Flike

Former 1st Special Forces Group Commander Colonel (R) Richard Thomas is running for office in the state of Washington.  If I was still a WA resident, he would have my vote and this is why…

In the spring of 2012 I was a shell of the man I used to be. After six surgeries and thousands of hours of physical therapy I was not progressing as fast as I thought I would. I became bitter and cynical as I slowly realized that I was a different man. I had defined myself by my physical prowess, and now I could barely put my own clothes on. I knew my injuries would prevent me from continuing my service in the 1st Special Forces Group, so I started thinking of what I should do when my medical retirement was finally processed. I wanted to do something big, something that told people I was better than ever.   Mostly, I wanted people to stop feeling sorry for me. I decided I would apply to graduate schools like Harvard and MIT. A lot of people laughed at me when I told them this, however, everyone who knew me understood that I was serious – I just needed a little help.

One of my mentors, Master Sergeant Tom Williams put me in contact with Colonel (R) Richard Thomas after I told him my plans.