U.S. Army

MIKE SCHLITZ

SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
ARMY – 11B / INFANTRYMAN
YEARS OF SERVICE – 14 YEARS
DEPLOYMENTS – 1 [OIF]

AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK
“I got in a lot of trouble in high school. I didn’t want to work dead-end jobs, so I joined to figure out what I wanted to be. I fell in love with it. In February of 2007 my unit took over the road clearance mission from a sister platoon. One of the vehicles we had wasn’t fully up-armored, so I made that one mine since I was in the back and those vehicles are rarely targeted. But that day: Boom. I remember looking back at my vehicle and I couldn’t see my guys. I got up and I could feel the flames on my face and torso. I dumped my body armor and started to roll ’til my body locked up. I‘ve had ninety-nine total surgeries to date. I’d get invited to events, usually because of my disfigurement, and it didn’t feel right. I didn’t like being on the receiving end like that. I also knew I wasn’t going back in after losing my hands and because I now have such bad vision. I got really depressed. I lost my purpose. One organization I did something with was Operation Comfort. I asked if I could volunteer with them, rather than being supported, and that was the start of me becoming a veteran advocate. I’ve also worked with the Gary Sinise Foundation and Gallant Few, among many great organizations. Find your purpose. Every day is a struggle in some aspect or another for everyone. Find what gets you out of bed in the morning.”
LISTEN

MIKE SCHLITZ Featured on "Never Left Behind" Podcast

Mike has had an incredible journey throughout his life including working with the Gary Sinise Foundation, sharing his words of wisdom and positivity in public speaking events, to continuing to serve and motivate other veterans.

Photo: © Beau Simmons, 2020

U.S. Army

MIKE SCHLITZ

SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
ARMY – 11B / INFANTRYMAN
YEARS OF SERVICE – 14 YEARS
DEPLOYMENTS – 1 [OIF]

AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK
“I got in a lot of trouble in high school. I didn’t want to work dead-end jobs, so I joined to figure out what I wanted to be. I fell in love with it. In February of 2007 my unit took over the road clearance mission from a sister platoon. One of the vehicles we had wasn’t fully up-armored, so I made that one mine since I was in the back and those vehicles are rarely targeted. But that day: Boom. I remember looking back at my vehicle and I couldn’t see my guys. I got up and I could feel the flames on my face and torso. I dumped my body armor and started to roll ’til my body locked up. I‘ve had ninety-nine total surgeries to date. I’d get invited to events, usually because of my disfigurement, and it didn’t feel right. I didn’t like being on the receiving end like that. I also knew I wasn’t going back in after losing my hands and because I now have such bad vision. I got really depressed. I lost my purpose. One organization I did something with was Operation Comfort. I asked if I could volunteer with them, rather than being supported, and that was the start of me becoming a veteran advocate. I’ve also worked with the Gary Sinise Foundation and Gallant Few, among many great organizations. Find your purpose. Every day is a struggle in some aspect or another for everyone. Find what gets you out of bed in the morning.”
LISTEN

MIKE SCHLITZ Featured on "Never Left Behind" Podcast

Mike has had an incredible journey throughout his life including working with the Gary Sinise Foundation, sharing his words of wisdom and positivity in public speaking events, to continuing to serve and motivate other veterans.

Photo: © Beau Simmons, 2020

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