Into the Darkness: Dave Fielding on Mental Health, Resilience, and Veteran Healing | Security Halt! Podcast
- Security Halt Podcast
- Mar 8
- 4 min read
The battle doesn’t always end when the deployment is over. For many veterans, Green Berets, and intelligence officers, the real war begins when they return home—facing mental health struggles, relationship breakdowns, financial hardships, and the loss of mission focus.
In this powerful episode of the Security Halt! Podcast, host Deny Caballero sits down with Dave Fielding, a former Green Beret and CIA intelligence officer, to discuss his personal journey through military service, divorce, mental health crises, and eventual healing. His raw and unfiltered story provides a rare look into the realities of veteran life after service, coping strategies for trauma, and the critical need for emotional wellness.
Whether you’re a veteran, first responder, entrepreneur, or someone facing personal struggles, this episode offers valuable insights into resilience, suicide awareness, and the importance of personal growth.
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From Green Beret to Intelligence Officer: The Highs and Lows of Service
Dave Fielding’s career reads like something out of a movie—Green Beret, Special Forces operator, and later a human intelligence officer who played pivotal roles in targeting ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and participating in the 2020 strike that eliminated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
But behind the headlines and mission successes, Dave was fighting a personal war.
💣 The Struggles of Special Operations Forces – The mental and emotional toll of prolonged deployments, high-stakes missions, and constant operational pressure.
💔 Divorce & Financial Hardships – How personal loss and financial instability compounded stress and isolation.
🧠 Mental Health, Trauma & The Breaking Point – A veteran’s raw account of hitting rock bottom and contemplating suicide.
Dave’s candid discussion about his darkest moments sheds light on the mental health crisis within the veteran community, particularly among Green Berets, intelligence officers, and high-performing individuals.
"Just End It": A Veteran's Struggle with Suicide and the Turning Point
At his lowest, alone in a CHU (Containerized Housing Unit) in Iraq, Dave found himself staring at his pistol, overwhelmed by thoughts of suicide.
“I’m broke. My life is a joke. What’s the point?”
💬 The Moment of Crisis – Dave shares his inner battle, the whisper in his mind telling him to give up, and what ultimately pulled him back from the edge.
💬 Mission Focus as a Lifeline – How clinging to duty and the mission saved his life in that critical moment.
💬 Why Veterans Don’t Seek Help – The fear of being sidelined, judged, or seen as weak within the military and intelligence community.
Dave’s experience highlights the silent struggles of many veterans—the ones who appear strong, capable, and resilient on the outside while battling internal demons.
Breaking the Silence: The Road to Healing & Resilience
After returning home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation forced Dave to confront the emotions he had suppressed for years.
💡 The Power of Verbalizing Struggles – The importance of saying out loud, "I want to kill myself," and why acknowledging these feelings is the first step toward healing.
💡 Creating a Mental Health AAR (After Action Review) – How Dave approached his mental health like a military debrief, tracking thoughts and patterns to understand his own psyche.
💡 The "Rucksack of Life" Concept – The importance of balancing mission, fitness, social wellness, emotional wellness, and intellectual engagement to build true resilience.
This holistic approach to mental wellness, emotional stability, and personal growth is what helped Dave rebuild his life. His practical, real-world advice is something every veteran, entrepreneur, and individual struggling with purpose can apply.
Coping Strategies, Resilience & A New Mission in Life
Dave’s hard-fought wisdom is a blueprint for anyone struggling with personal or professional challenges.
✔️ Building Mental Toughness – How tracking emotions, reframing thoughts, and self-analysis can help navigate trauma.
✔️ The Role of Community & Relationships – Why staying connected and building support networks is critical for veterans.
✔️ Entrepreneurship & Personal Growth – The importance of creating new missions after military service.
Dave’s story is a testament to the power of resilience—proving that even in the darkest moments, there is a way forward.
A Call to Action: Support Veteran Mental Health & Suicide Awareness
This conversation is about more than just one man’s struggle—it’s about breaking the stigma around veteran mental health, encouraging emotional wellness, and creating a culture where seeking help is a sign of strength.
🔹 Spread Awareness – Share this episode with veterans, first responders, or anyone facing mental health challenges.
🔹 Engage in Open Conversations – Normalize discussions about suicide prevention, coping strategies, and personal growth.
🔹 Support Veteran Resources – Whether it’s therapy, community groups, or financial aid for struggling veterans, small actions make a difference.
Join the Conversation & Help Change Lives
The Security Halt! Podcast is dedicated to amplifying veteran voices, sharing real stories of struggle and triumph, and fostering conversations that lead to action.
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📺 YouTube: Watch Here
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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, reach out. There are resources, communities, and people who care. You are not alone in this fight.
🔗 Veteran Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
🔗 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
🔗 Mission 22: www.mission22.com
🚨 You matter. Your story isn’t over. Keep pushing forward. 🚨
Tune in to this episode today and be part of the conversation. Together, we can make a difference. 💪🎙️
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