Derek Adametz joins the VET S.O.S. Network on The Scoop to dive into leadership, resilience, and navigating life-altering transition. A retired Naval Aviator, cancer survivor, and author of Unbreakable Wings, Derek shares hard-earned lessons from the cockpit, the chemo chair, and beyond.

In this episode, we explore:
• Leadership through adversity and uncertainty
• The mental and emotional battle behind cancer recovery
• Transition, identity, and redefining success after service
• Building resilience when the mission suddenly changes

Whether you're navigating military transition, facing a personal challenge, or seeking leadership perspective forged through adversity, this episode delivers real, actionable insight.

Derek Adametz is a retired U.S. Navy Naval Aviator with nearly three decades of service, a cancer survivor, and the author of Unbreakable Wings. His work focuses on leadership, resilience, and overcoming life’s toughest battles with clarity and purpose.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, service members, and military spouses with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S.
VET S.O.S. – Operation Startup
VET S.O.S. – Learning Lifeline

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#VETSOS #TheScoop #VeteranLeadership #Resilience #MilitaryTransition #CancerSurvivor #LeadershipJourney #VeteranStories #MentalStrength #UnbreakableWings #GrabTheLifeline

Episode Description:

Michael Pack joins the VET S.O.S. Network to discuss the making of The Last 600 Meters and share powerful insight into the Iraq War’s most significant urban battles — Fallujah and Najaf — and the veterans who lived them. He breaks down the emotional, tactical, and historical realities of the 2004 battles and explains why capturing these stories matters now more than ever.

In this episode, we unpack:
• The untold ground-level experiences of Marines, Soldiers, and Airmen in 2004
• Why Fallujah and Najaf remain critical to understanding modern urban warfare
• How the documentary preserves veteran stories for families and the American public
• The meaning behind “the last 600 meters” — and the emotional toll carried for decades

Whether you're navigating the military-to-civilian transition, supporting a veteran, studying military history, or seeking a deeper understanding of the Iraq War, this conversation delivers clarity, perspective, and a lifeline to understanding what service members endured.

Michael Pack is an award-winning documentary producer and director with more than 15 nationally broadcast films on PBS. His newest documentary, The Last 600 Meters, chronicles the largest U.S. battles since Vietnam — the 2004 battles of Fallujah and Najaf. He is the founder of Manifold Productions and Palladium Pictures, and has spent decades preserving complex American stories through film. Though not a veteran himself, he has dedicated years to amplifying military voices and honoring the service of those who fought.

0:00 – Welcome
0:30 – Guest Introduction
2:15 – Why Michael Created The Last 600 Meters
4:00 – Capturing Ground-Level Reality from Marines & Soldiers
6:00 – The Meaning Behind “The Last 600 Meters”
10:20 – The Emotional Weight Carried by Veterans
14:00 – Why These Stories Matter 20 Years Later
18:00 – Fallujah & Najaf: The Battles America Forgot
23:00 – Preserving History for Veterans’ Families
26:00 – How to Watch the PBS Documentary
27:18 – Final Thoughts & Lifeline Message

VET S.O.S. connects veterans, service members, and military spouses with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.
Don’t drown in the sea of transition — grab the lifeline.

VET S.O.S. — Military Transition Resources Show
VET S.O.S. — Operation Startup (Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight)
VET S.O.S. — Learning Lifeline (Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight)
VET S.O.S. Presents The Scoop

Website: vetsospodcast.com
YouTube: @vetsospodcast
TikTok: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: VET S.O.S.
Instagram: @vetsospodcast
Facebook: @vetsospodcast
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #TheScoop #TheLast600Meters #MichaelPack #Fallujah #Najaf #IraqWarStories #MilitaryDocumentary #VeteranVoices #PBSFilm #GrabTheLifeline

Susan L. Combs joins the VET S.O.S. Network to dive into the power of mentorship, the legacy behind Pancakes for Roger, and how every one of us can learn to “slay our dragons” by mastering the pillars of self, love, family, and career. She breaks down the emotional journey of caregiving, the truth about imposter syndrome, and how purpose transforms adversity into impact.

In this episode, we explore:
• How Pancakes for Roger became a national mentorship and service movement
• Why confronting the “dragon in the mirror” is the first step to growth
• How legacy, mentorship, and chosen family shape our path forward

Whether you're navigating military transition, building a business, pursuing higher education, or searching for tools to strengthen your next chapter, this conversation gives you clear, actionable steps you can use today.

Susan L. Combs is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, nonprofit founder, and daughter of Major General (Ret.) Roger Combs. Her book Pancakes for Roger: A Mentorship Guide for Slaying Dragons distills a lifetime of wisdom into four powerful pillars—self, love, family, and career—while her nonprofit continues to support veterans through grants, community engagement, and nationwide mentorship initiatives. Her work blends grit, humor, heart, and service in a way that resonates with audiences everywhere.

The VET S.O.S. Network connects veterans, spouses, and service members with real resources and real people who want to see you thrive.

VET S.O.S. – Military Transition Resources Show
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Entrepreneur Spotlight
VET S.O.S. – Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight

Website: vetsospodcast.com
X/Twitter: @vetsospodcast
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/vetsospodcast
YouTube: youtube.com/@vetsospodcast
Facebook: facebook.com/vetsospodcast
Instagram: instagram.com/vetsospodcast
TikTok: tiktok.com/@vetsospodcast

#VETSOS #TheScoop #PancakesForRoger #SusanLCombs #MentorshipMatters #VeteranCommunity #SlayingDragons #MilitaryFamilies #LeadershipGrowth #GritAndResilience #GrabTheLifeline