Retired Master Sergeant Darrell Utt joins us to share the brutal realities and hard-earned wisdom from his time leading Green Berets through one of the deadliest rotations of the Iraq War. From the backwoods of West Virginia to the chaos of Baghdad, Darrell walks us through his path of service, sacrifice, and leadership—and how he turned those lessons into the book Grit to Glory. We also reflect on the tragic loss of a fellow veterans and the responsibility we all share to check in on our brothers and sisters-in-arms.
Resources & Links:
💼 Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly☕️Polestar Coffee
MSG (ret.) Jarion Halbinsengibbs Award Citation
Guest Info – Darrell Utt:
Master Sergeant (Ret.) Darrell Utt embodies a lifetime of excellence and extraordinary service. Raised in Huntington, West Virginia, he rose through the ranks to join the elite Green Berets, leading high-risk missions in some of the world’s most hostile environments. Known for his sharp tactical mind and calm, disciplined leadership, Darrell has inspired those around him through his humility, unity-focused leadership, and unwavering commitment to the mission. He continues to mentor the next generation of soldiers and Special Forces candidates, passing on hard-earned lessons rooted in courage, loyalty, duty, and selfless service. Among his many accolades are five Bronze Star Medals—including one with valor for heroism in Baghdad in 2006—as well as the Larry Thorne Award for best operational detachment in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Robert T. Frederick Award for military excellence. Darrell retired from the U.S. Army in January 2017 and now lives in Denton County, Texas, with his wife
Standout Quotes:
“Courage is contagious. Calm breeds calm.”
“We’re here now. Let’s go kill these motherf***ers.”
“Even the strongest warriors carry scars.”
“Sometimes all someone needs is a reason to push one more day.”
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