THE STORY:
Team Valhalla Armory is made up of Craig Coal and Gary Dudley.
Craig Coal
Gary Dudley
Gary is a USAF Security Forces Veteran, Internet Entrepreneur, Part-time Deputy Sheriff, Father to six kids, Husband to one woman for 21 years, and an avid outdoorsman and shooter. He completed a GoRuck Challenge in May and will do a Spartan Race in June. He's always looking for the next mountain to climb - just for the sake of doing it.
Craig spent nearly 10 years in the USAF in many roles, but primarily as a ground combat skills instructor. Craig spent a great deal of time on international operations with the UN’s International Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol School (currently International Special Training Center) as a Senior Patrol leader, Marksmanship and Close Quarter Battle Instructor for the 14 participating nations. He currently works for Avaya as a Strategic Consultant, but enjoys adventure anywhere he can find it. Leading the Boy scout and Cub scout troops in the local community, adventure racing, Search and Rescue, competing in triathlons, Krav Maga, and climbing mountains are just a few activities that he is active in any given weekend. Craig has just celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary and has 5 kids which keep him very busy; but also provide the drive and passion behind his competing and are usually participants in any given adventure.
Why We Want to Compete in the Survival Trial
We served in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces together as Ground Combat Instructors at the USAFE Regional Ground Combat Training Center at Sembach Air Base, Germany and both participated in the International Special Training Center- Intel and Patrol divisions with multi-national special operations teams. We have a long history of facing near insurmountable challenges together, with a ruck, a rifle, a sidearm and our wits. How could we pass up the chance to once again put those skills to the test in a most fascinating race? We also operated together on an OPFOR (Opposing Force) Team for all European Theater forces that was banned from ever working together again because we killed too many opponents and caused too much chaos resulting in “demoralization of the trainee’s and a general environment not conducive to progressive learning!” (Here's to you MSgt Stewart).
After military careers, we went our separate ways, raised our families, and pursued our civilian lives, but have stayed in contact and decided to put ourselves to the test once again at Survival Trial 2012. It's also a realistic test of our preparedness, equipment, and ideas.
Our Goals with the Survival Trial
To have fun, push ourselves farther than we thought possible, and cross the finish line running. We also both love to learn. There is no better way to continue learning than to work with and around the best. Anyone actually signing up to compete in the ST, just by the nature of signing up, has our respect and admiration. As such, we fully expect that the comradery of those who would accept such a challenge is in itself worth the meager cost the preparation and training.
Other pertinent information that we feel would be helpful for potential sponsors to know about us:
We're proud to be racing for Not Alone and tip our hats to Veterans every where - especially to those who have sacrificed so much for this Nation, our Freedom, and our Way of Life. The saying, "All gave some and some gave all" is true. All veterans gave a part of themselves in protecting our freedom, but some gave more, and others have given their last breath in defense of liberty. We welcome this chance to GIVE MORE to fellow veterans who have given so much.
Please consider making a donation to help us reach our goal for this event. Your donation will provide programs and services to returning war veterans and their families to help them deal with the invisible wounds of war. To read more about the event, please visit www.survivaltrial.com.
Want to help Fundraise or Volunteer for this amazing Fundraiser? Join the Team
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