I got an explosive on a VIP escort mission 2003, Some kind of pressure sensitive IED went off two cars ahead of me (position 3 of 5 in the motorcade). It hit position 1. Instantly next 2 positions disabled. Had no idea my truck was even knocked out. Just noticed i could not accurately depress any controls with my leg. Our training instructed us to keep driving no matter what happened but the CO in my vehicle ordered us to halt he obviously knew the VIP was in one of our trucks could have been him even. We took up defensive infantry positions and awaited backup. 5 dead 9 casualties total.

I had a huge chunk of tungsten in my leg but it was actually worse to take it out. Passed right through a diesel v8. All the first position were lost causes. position 2 had 1 dead 3 badly injured, but I assisted our medic due to my stabilized injury. It was rough, but what i trained for. Car accidents today that i respond too are much worse than anything I've seen violence wise.

This was the defining moment for me. I was only forced to act with violence once, but this moment held more weight on me i think because i lost a good friend.