Green Beret Dave Kenney spent more than two decades in U.S. Army Special Forces, deploying around the world and serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and beyond. But after years of combat, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and life as a Green Beret, the fight that nearly killed him came after the uniform.

In this episode of Not Special's Americana Series: Montana, Dave Kenney opens up about Army Special Forces, combat, PTSD, alcoholism, addiction, suicide, veteran mental health, divorce, military transition, faith, fatherhood, and rebuilding his life after hitting rock bottom.

Dave's drinking eventually reached two fifths of vodka a day. His marriage ended. His relationship with his children suffered. He contemplated ending his life. After years of alcohol abuse, his health deteriorated so severely that doctors told him there was little more they could do.

He was sent home to die.

He didn't.

Dave takes Herb and Corrie Thompson through the remarkable story of what happened next, the people who helped save his life, and what it took to build a life he actually wanted to live.

This is a raw conversation about the parts of military service we don't always talk about: losing your identity when the mission ends, the damage we can do to the people we love, asking for help, surviving addiction, rebuilding relationships, finding purpose again, and learning how to be a father after spending decades becoming a warrior.

Dave also shares what he's learned from helping other veterans through their darkest moments, why sometimes the heaviest thing in the world is a cell phone, and why he believes that when you're struggling, you need someone who can help bring you back up for air.

This isn't a story about a broken veteran.

It's a story about a man who went all the way to the bottom and found his way back.

ABOUT THE AMERICANA SERIES: MONTANA

Herb and Corrie Thompson traveled to Montana to share five very different American stories. What they found were conversations about service, family, failure, purpose, and the experiences that shape who we become.

Subscribe to Not Special for more conversations with people whose stories remind us that there's something extraordinary in the ordinary.

NEED HELP?

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988. Veterans can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.

OUR PARTNERS

The Americana Series: Montana was made possible with the support of:

GOVX: https://www.govx.com/

loanDepot: https://www.loandepot.com/home-loans/va-loan

Alliance Nationwide Exposition: https://alliance-exposition.com/

Bellator Recruiting Academy: https://www.bellatorrecruiting.org/

We're grateful to each of them for believing in what we're building and helping us bring these stories to life.