Career Roadmap
Dana's work combines: Armed Services, Action Sports, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew
University of North Dakota
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Self-Enrichment Teachers:
High School
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
After graduating from high school, I entered military service at the age of 18.
2.
I was named as a "distinguished undergraduate" at Army Ranger School.
3.
I was a Green Beret and a member of the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army's elite parachuting team.
4.
I suffered a traumatic accident in which my parachuting partner died and I lost both of my legs.
5.
Five months after my accident, I did another jump to prove that I could literally land on my feet.
6.
I decided to reenlist; became the first double amputee to reenlist into the U.S. military.
7.
After my time in the military, I went to college to get my degree and become a commercial pilot.
8.
I'm now most proud of my nonprofit foundation and my thousands of motivational speaking engagements.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You're never going to amount to anything. You're just lucky.
How I responded:
I was a terrible student in high school. In fact, when I took my transcripts to college, the counselors looked at me like, "Really?" My kids now think it's hilarious to show their friends my high school report card. But when I found success after my accident, my dad told me, "You're just given everything," as if I hadn't worked hard at my recovery. I've moved past it because all that matters is giving back; we're only here for a short amount of time, and I want my legacy to be inspiring.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I got my degree from the University of North Dakota in aerospace commercial aviation. Not only was I the first in my family to get a degree, but I also completed my degree after my tragic accident.
I'm a double-amputee and I've never let it stop me. I continued to do jumps just five months after my accident, I reenlisted in the military, I got my pilot's and helicopter pilot's licenses...I haven't let my disability slow me down for a second.