Episode 24 COL Ken Mintz (G2)

Ken talks about some of the critical moments and people in his life's journey. In 1974, his single mom headed across the country from Washington DC to California with just a suitcase and her young son Kenny. Her steely resolve and courageous spirit helped to define the man that Ken is today. Ken continues to serve after 28 years as an Infantryman. His most defining leadership moment was serving as a Battalion Commander in combat. Ken talks about the pain of losing soldiers killed in combat. Most notably the soldier pictured here Specialist Jordan Morris being awarded his Combat Infantryman's Badge... he was killed in action the next day. We learn that Morris was actually a West Point Cadet serving time in the Army under the Army Mentorship Program. Had he not been killed in action, he would have returned to West Point as a cadet in good standing. Ken looks forward to a day when he will road-march across the country retracing the journey his mom took with him from Washington DC to San Diego.