By Gunnery Sgt. Ryan O’Hare
USASOC News Service

BAGRAM, Afghanistan — Becoming a part of the U.S. Army’s Green Berets takes total dedication and an unwavering fortitude to persevere in the toughest environments.

For Maj. Kent Solheim, the Company C, 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Company commander, and Maj. Robert Eldridge, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group executive officer, their personal courage, coupled with their desire to continue to serve alongside their Special Forces brothers, was stronger than any challenge that confronted them, including the amputation of their limbs.

Solheim was injured July 27, 2007, in Karbala, Iraq, while conducting a raid to capture an insurgent commander. During the firefight that ensued, Solheim was shot four times. The barrage of bullets struck both legs and also hit his left shoulder.

His road to recovery was long, taking two years and involving 29 surgeries. This included one year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as both an inpatient and outpatient.

Solheim did not initially lose his leg. It was only after he lost function of his lower left leg that doctors felt there was a slim chance of making a full recovery.

“I had dealt with my injury at its worst for 18 months, so it was a relief to have the surgery. It marked an opportunity for me to get a new start and end a long and hard chapter of my life,” said Solheim. “I was uncertain, but I saw many other amputees being more capable than I was, so I was confident that it would improve things for me.”

For Solheim, overcoming challenges was nothing new. “I did not want to be defeated by my injury and felt that I could still contribute regardless of the fact that I am an amputee,” he said.

Although both officers spent time recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center, their paths to recovery were different.

Eldridge was injured while on a combat patrol in Shkin, Patika province, Afghanistan, Dec 17, 2004. He was in the lead vehicle when it was struck by an anti-tank mine. In the aftermath of the horrific blast, Eldridge knew he was critically wounded.

“I have a medical background, so I knew I was seriously injured,” Eldridge said. “Our team medic was driving and was able to get to me quickly.”

Eldridge’s injuries included severe damage to his left leg, multiple fractures in his right leg, a shattered ankle and damage to his left eye. At one point, a large piece of his leg bone was lying on the floorboard of the vehicle. Upon arriving at Forward Operating Base Salerno, his left leg was immediately amputated in order to save his life.

Within three days of the explosion, Eldridge was stateside beginning his recovery process. Eldridge didn’t waste any time, and quickly began exercising on his bed’s support bars.

“I knew my arms worked, so I just started doing pull-ups,” Eldridge said.

In less than a week, he was in physical therapy working out several hours a day.

For both these men, having their Family and friends surrounding them through rehabilitation made the difference in improving their physical capability and outlook on life.

“There have been many people who have helped me along the way since my injury. Most of these people also had difficult experiences in their lives, but have persevered,” Solheim said. “ I hope my experience might help someone else overcome a trial they are facing like the people that were able to help me.”

Now back in uniform, and once again serving in a combat zone for the second time since their surgeries, both Solheim and Eldridge pass on their knowledge and leadership to others.

“The most important advice I could give someone is to make an honest assessment and determine if their personal injuries are such that they still have the capability to contribute,” Solheim said. “What we do is bigger than any one person, and continued service needs to be for the benefit of both the individual and the organization.”