You Know, It's Always Going to Be a Battle

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Wounded While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

I am honored to know Jimmy Hatch.  He truly is an American Hero.  He was wounded while on a search mission for Bowe Bergdahl (the US Soldier who has since been charged with desertion).  This episode was incredible.  To hear the real life stories and the danger that Jimmy has been in to serve our great country is incredibly inspiring. 

In July 2009, Jimmy Hatch’s team - part of the Navy's Special Warfare Development Group - was on a search mission in eastern Afghanistan. The warriors landed in the dark and were hit with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades as they made their way across a field.

Jimmy was an old hand at this kind of mission. He'd become a SEAL in 1990 and joined his elite unit in 1994, back when there was no war. After six years, he left the unit to teach parachuting. When war broke out, he pushed hard to get back to Virginia Beach.

That was in 2004. Now, five years later, Jimmy was a senior chief, a leader of expert commandos, strong and alert and brimming with confidence. He was one of the toughest guys in the world. The bullet that found his leg exploded through his femur just above the knee. It exited with pieces of bone and flung him through the air. The pain was exquisite. In the seconds it took him to land, he told himself not to scream because that would give away the location of the men around him. Then his lungs filled with air, and he couldn't help it. He screamed in agony.  Two SEALs shot their way through the firefight, stabilized him and shot their way back out to pull him to safety. – Credit Dianna Cahn from hamptonroads.com/

Episode 034: Jimmy Hatch – Wounded While Searching For Bowe Bergdahl And Sky Diving With Gabby Giffords

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The Learning Leader Show

“There is a vetting process.  If you weren’t invested, then people would die.”

Some Questions I Ask:

• What does being invested mean to you? And others in the military?
• How did you and Gabby Giffords become friends?
• Your mission was the get Bowe Bergdahl… How do you feel about him?  Do you see him as a deserter?
• What did you learn about your team when adversity struck?
• Why do you have such a strong connection with dogs?
• How have you learned about the strength of people when they are faced with challenges?
• Which individual leader has had the most influence on you?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The importance of investment and what it means to Navy SEALs
• The specific feelings going through Jimmy’s head when he got shot
• The importance of leaders being transparent
• The challenges faced when coming home from battle
• How Jimmy dealt with alcohol and drugs
• The importance of preparation in battle and in life
• The elements that define a quality life

 “When I got shot, I went from being in command, to being a spectator.”

Continue Learning

• Go To Jimmy’s  website: http://spikesk9fund.org/
• Read article referenced in podcast by Dianna Cahn: Jimmy Hatch
• Read about Jimmy and Gabby Giffords Skydiving together: Jimmy Hatch & Gabby Giffords

You may also like these episodes:

Episode 001: How To Become A Master Connector With Jayson Gaignard From MasterMind Talks

Episode 002: How To Take Over And Set Bigger Goals With Chris Brogan

Episode 004: How Todd Wagner (and Mark Cuban) Sold Broadcast.com To Yahoo! For $5.7 Billion

Episode 010: Shane Snow – How To Accelerate Success Using Smart Cuts

Did you enjoy the podcast?

This was a huge honor for me.  Jimmy Hatch is a leader who is a real life American Hero. Who do you know that needs to hear this?  Send them to The Learning Leader Show!

Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

Bio From http://spikesk9fund.org/

Spikes K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired Special Warfare Operator. As a K9 handler on several deployments, James’ life was regularly spared by the work of K9s – one of the most memorable was Spike. And on James’ final deployment, the night he was critically wounded, a K9 spared James’ life while losing his own. From that evening on, James oriented his life around the training, care and preservation of working dogs. In addition to working as the founder and president of the fund, he works with local law enforcement and has adopted a former service dog in need of medical attention.

From Dianna Cahn: hamptonroads.com -- In July 2009, Jimmy Hatch’s team - part of the Navy's Special Warfare Development Group - was on a search mission in eastern Afghanistan. The warriors landed in the dark and were hit with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades as they made their way across a field.

Jimmy was an old hand at this kind of mission. He'd become a SEAL in 1990 and joined his elite unit in 1994, back when there was no war. After six years, he left the unit to teach parachuting. When war broke out, he pushed hard to get back to Virginia Beach.

That was in 2004. Now, five years later, Jimmy was a senior chief, a leader of expert commandos, strong and alert and brimming with confidence. He was one of the toughest guys in the world. The bullet that found his leg exploded through his femur just above the knee. It exited with pieces of bone and flung him through the air. The pain was exquisite. In the seconds it took him to land, he told himself not to scream because that would give away the location of the men around him. Then his lungs filled with air, and he couldn't help it. He screamed in agony.  Two SEALs shot their way through the firefight, stabilized him and shot their way back out