Commander Tom Dietz, U.S. Navy(Ret), was a member of SEAL Team Five, where he deployed to the Middle East supporting Operation Desert   Storm. Tom led his platoon on numerous combat missions, to include an Amphibious Deception Operation, earning him the Bronze Star Medal   with “V” for Combat Distinction. 

Commander Dietz was selected to be the first SEAL in the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Congressional Liaison Office, where he worked   closely with the Senate and House Appropriations, Armed Services and Intelligence Committees from 1992-95. 

Following the 9/11 attacks, he surged forward as NSW Unit One Commander, and his Team filled many of the initial combat positions in   Afghanistan. 

Commander Dietz retired in 2004 but his numerous deployments in very difficult and sometimes unbearable situations provided life lessons  of   leadership through adversity.