“What every warrior needs most when returning home from war is a community to whom their experience matters.”
This episode is completely different from any interview so far on The Alex Pursglove Show, and it is one of my heart’s favorites.
When I relaunched the show, I immediately felt called to sit down with Sgt. Adam Hartswick, a former US Army combat medic, to try to understand what it was like for him to walk through unimaginable trauma and loss, and still choose love, laughter, and service in his life.
He tells the story of a tragic day in Kilewal, Afghanistan, in which his unit walked into an IED minefield, and he and his brothers did all they could to save each other. The story is painful, and it is also a story of courage, brotherhood, devotion, and healing.
In our conversation, I asked Adam why it matters to him to keep the names of his fallen brothers alive, and his answer went so much deeper than I expected. It affirmed my belief that when civilians listen to, understand, and grieve the experiences of our warriors, the tides of war will turn in our society.
Also in this episode, Adam reveals the sacred lessons he’s learned about preparation, grief, resiliency, and how embracing your tribe can transform even the darkest moments into light.
This episode is my invitation to be part of that community, the one to whom our warriors’ experience matters.
And I invite you to say these names out loud as you start the episode:
Sfc. Jefferey Baker
Spc. Mitchell Daehling
Spc. William Gilbert
Spc. Cody “Doc” Towse
This conversation offers a rare, intimate look into the realities of war, moral injury, and what it looks like to heal after combat.
About Adam Hartswick
Sergeant Adam Hartswick is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a Combat Medic with the First Armored Division, known as "Old Ironsides." A proud graduate of State College Area High School in 2009, Adam's military journey began with deployments to Iraq in 2011 and Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013. He trained at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, until his life changed on May 14, 2013, during a combat operation in Afghanistan. For his exceptional courage, Adam received the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor.
Medically retired in 2015, Adam turned his focus to a new mission: using his experiences to train others in life-saving battlefield medicine. Since his retirement, Adam has shared his knowledge and skills with tens of thousands. He currently works for Penn State and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), where he trains cadets at the Pennsylvania Sheriff's Academy. Through his work, Adam continues to inspire others with his resilience and dedication to service, ensuring that the lessons learned on the battlefield save lives in the future.
Connect with Adam:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.hartswick.2025
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robodoc_hartswick/
Connect with Alex:
Website: https://www.alexpursglove.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexpursglove/
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexpursglovecoaching/videos
If you resonated with what you heard, be sure to follow and leave a review!