Same Warrior, Different Mission (Michael Thorin) | S1E15

My friend Michael Thorin served in the Army from 1990-1994, and then the Alabama Army National Guard from 1994-2009.  He deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq, where he served as a scout, providing security for convoys, quartermaster supply missions, and fuel and essential supply deliveries. Michael saw combat during his tours. He left the Army as a Sergeant qualified as a Scout, Communications Specialist and a Combat Medic.

Today, Michael suffers from several medical issues he discusses openly. Most people refer to it at “Gulf War Syndrome,” citing the burn pits, landfills, and other contagions to which soldiers were exposed.

In this episode we talk about Michael’s story…

He goes way back, explaining how he was called into ministry when he was 16. Then, when he was 24, he was “re-called.”

But, he continued serving and soldiering… even as he sought to figure out how and when he could make that transition.

Along the way, due to his illnesses, Michael lost his house. And then went bankrupt. He lost jobs and titles and roles…

And, yes, he eventually had to hang up his uniform.

But…

… and this is something we teach in the final chapter of Warrior Hope….

“You remain that warrior.”

The training is good for all of life. The discipline is good for anything you do. And, your ability to strategize, to make things happen, and to get it done… it is needed.

Michael reminded me of something Victor Frankl said: “When a man can no longer his circumstances, he must change himself.”

Michael how spends a lot of time at home. But, he’s extremely active on social media where he douses people with hope and encouragement daily.

In his words, “A lot of people are looking for something extraordinary to do… but, it’s amidst the ordinary of everyday life that we find the extraordinary.”

Taken from a man who’s done “both” (or, rather, what many people who label as “both”), those are wise words…

… and it’s part of what we do in the Centers of Hope / Warrior Hope material— we empower warriors to identity their next mission.

This is part of his story…

 
++++++++++

Find Michael on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/michael.thorin.1 

Purchase the book Warrior Family at https://amzn.to/3eAsdYs 

To find the Warrior Hope manual on Amazon, go to: https://amzn.to/2OCd5zs 

Or, locate the leader guide here: https://amzn.to/2ZBnCRF