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1. What was your reaction when you first learned you had been chosen to be a Viking?
I was pumped. The selection process lasted a couple weeks and I heard that they interviewed several hundred of our personnel. First, there was a telephone interview with some very tough questions. Then, three face-to-face meetings with the producer and writer. When they selected me, I was not too surprised. They made clear that they wanted to select a cross-section of folks with many different personalities. I believe mine was the "desire to learn" personality.
2. What do you believe was your biggest triumph as a Viking?
Since I was only there for two days, my biggest challenge was deciding to go to the ambulance. The final edited version shows me rowing as my final event. My shoulder was seriously injured in performing something that didn't even make the movie. We were running in tight formation through the woods, like they actually did back then, when the British female's spear tripped me from behind. I hit the ground with all 200 lbs of my weight (and speed) and landed ON MY OWN SPEAR (the wooden handle). The rest of that day was absolute torture, but I pressed on. We first rowed the longboat, and that wasn't so bad because I seriously DID use only my left hand. It allowed me ignore the pain in a Zen-like fashion.
All of the other Vikings knew that I was out of commission the entire time, but I didn't tell the director until the last moment. I wrestled right-handed one time, I felt something else tear in my shoulder, then wrestled 10 times left- handed and lost only once. That one loss put me out for good.
3. What was your lowest moment as a Viking?
Seeing my teammates getting embarrassed when they were surprise attacked in their home. That scene was pathetic. Personally, I am highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, but this scene was a setup and the Americans knew it was a setup. So how are you supposed to react? You're being filmed, and we're guests in their country. Trust me, if they actually thought their lives were in danger, a great battle would've ensued.
The Brits should feel very fortunate that I was already out of the picture. At least three of them would've had one helluva miserable night.
4. Overall, how would you rate your performance as a Viking?
Out of 10, a 2. For trying to perform, a 9. If I had not have gone to the hospital, the USAF could have denied future medical [coverage -- ed.] and benefits. I was actually obligated to report to get it checked out.
5. If you had to choose between daily life as a soldier or as a Viking, which would you choose?
Viking life is more to my liking. It more closely resembles the way I grew up. Until I was 14 years old, I had not lived with electricity. We lived day and night with hot plate, wood burning stoves, a water well, outhouse, and all the farm implements included. It was tough work, but necessary. Vikings had a full range of daily activities that kept them busy. That is my definition of a full life.
6. Has your experience as a Viking affected or changed any aspect of your career as a soldier?
This is an interesting question. The mental aspects have not changed me one bit. Physically, I am a train wreck. Back in 1995, I fractured my neck playing squadron football. After many years of recovery, it seemed to be mended (all soft tissue was ripped around my neck). After injuring my shoulder ball-joint, I underwent three months of intensive physical therapy. My shoulder felt stronger than before the injury. Then one day, several months ago, while tying my boots (of all things) my shoulder and neck both seemed to give out at the same time. Now, my wife helps me get my uniform on, I cannot play with my seven-year-old daughter (the way I used to), am taking major painkillers, and I can't do two pushups without mangulating my whole week. I now have 50 lbs of MRI film and might be forced to be medically discharged.
7. Did your experience as a Viking live up to your expectations?
No. I was expecting to be our team's go-to guy. I was the only experienced person with real survival and rescue training. But it wasn't needed. They didn't make us build fires or hunt our own food. They told us not to bring many items with us to the film site. I only took what I was wearing. I couldn't believe that other warriors brought all their little creature-comfort items.
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