SFC(R) Randy Nantz enlisted in the Army after 9/11/01, upon completing basic training in March of 2002, at Fort Benning, GA, he reported to 3rd Infantry Division located at Fort Stewart, GA. In January of 2003, he deployed to Kuwait to prepare for the initial invasion of Iraq. After the completion of that tour, he redeployed back home August 25, 2003.
He then volunteered for and attended SFAS, Special Forces
Assessment and Selection course in January of 2004, after getting selected, he continued to graduate successfully, Airborne, and the Special Forces Qualification Course, as a Communications Sergeant in March of 2006. At that time, SGT Nantz then reported to 5th Special Forces Group Airborne and deployed back to Iraq, in August 2006.
On Dec. 22nd of 2006, while taking part in a small recon mission, in Baghdad Jadida, Baghdad, Iraq, an Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP), a devastating roadside bomb and shaped charge, struck his Humvee. Randy’s body sustained 22% total body surface, 3rd-degree burns, considerable muscle tissue loss, and severe nerve damage. The nerve damage was severe enough, it ultimately led to a below the knee, left leg amputation. To date, he has undergone four amputations on the same leg because of multiple infections and difficulties. Late OCT 2017, he underwent surgery, to place a full thickness graft over a problem area, and so far it has been successful, and its prognosis is promising.
During his eleven-year rehabilitation and recovery, Randy discovered the value in shared experiences; he became a mentor for other veterans in similar situations. After his injuries, his next duty assignment was, the USSOCOM Care Coalition where he served in that capacity from 2007 to 2012; In his duties, he worked on numerous benevolent and Wounded Warrior and Military Family issues. After his medical retirement from the Army in NOV 2012, Randy joined the Green Beret Foundation as Director of Programs and Services from SEP 2012 though NOV 2016. Whereas part of his duties he was able to serve over 2000 Green Beret families.
Randy has two beautiful children – Ashley 23, who will be finishing up her undergrad this coming fall, at the University of Kentucky, & Joshua 18, who will be graduating High School in Tampa this May.
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