Mark Nutsch is a former Army Special Forces Officer who joined the army because he felt called to do so in college on top of the army being something that went back multiple generations in his family. When the tragic events of September 11, 2001 took place, Nutsch’s team would be one of the first teams called into action.
“In 2001 none of our special operators were being trained, really, in how to ride horseback so it’s by pure fate having ranching cowboys from the foothills of Kansas and team roping buddies, that upbringing around horses and rodeo, was so critical to our mission,” Nutsch said.
When Nutsch and his team landed, they joined forces with a militia that had over 300 soldiers horseback. To this day, Nutsch is still close with people he worked with on this successful mission.
The team’s story has been told multiple times by different authors and even by a director in Hollywood. Swords of Lightning is the book that was written by Nutsch and his Chief Officer Bob Pennington that gave the first-person point of view of their 21-day journey.
“These guys are my heroes. They’ve been at the forefront of some of the most impactful special forces missions the last 20 years that our green berets have been involved in,” he said.
When their careers in the field came to an end, some of the team went into business together to develop Horse Soldier Bourbon. This brand started in Florida and eight years later, can now be found in 32 states.
“I’ve got to get back to horses,” Nutsch said.
Horses have always been the reset for him and he continues to give back through War Horses for Veterans. They have multiple events coming up to help America’s veterans.
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