Danny McKnight:
Colonel Danny R. McKnight, U.S. Army, Retired, was born in Columbus, Georgia. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Florida State University in 1973, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in management. In 1985, Danny earned his masters degree in higher education from the University of Florida while assigned as an assistant professor of military science in the ROTC Department. Among his numerous military assignments were the following:

Executive Officer, 3rd Ranger Battalion, Fort Benning, GA
Executive Officer, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, GA
Battalion Commander, 4th Battalion 27th Infantry, Schofield Barracks, HI
Battalion Commander, 3rd Ranger Battalion, Fort Benning, GA
Student, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA
Chief of Staff, First U.S. Army, Fort Gillem, GA

His military career also included combat duty on two occasions – Panama 1989 and Somalia 1993 (basis for the book and movie Black Hawk Down). Colonel McKnight’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Star, and the Pathfinder Badge. After completing more than 28 years of service to our country, Colonel McKnight returned to his hometown in Florida. He has served in two Homeland Security related positions in Brevard County as the Homeland Security Coordinator for the County’s Emergency Management Office, then as the Homeland Security Training Coordinator in the Criminal Justice Center at Brevard Community College. Colonel McKnight now focuses all his efforts on being a nationwide motivational speaker.


Keni Thomas:
You can see it in his eyes, you can hear it in his music; Keni Thomas can't hide his passion for living, and his mission in life is crystal clear. Whether standing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry or entertaining the troops in Iraq, the southern country-rocker is indeed using his God-given gifts to deliver a message through his words and his music. His undeniable charisma and tremendous talent as a singer, songwriter and performer have firmly established him as one of country music's brightest new stars.

More than a gifted musician, Thomas possesses an exceptional personal story that is uniquely inspiring. He is a decorated combat veteran of the elite 75th Ranger Rgt special operations unit. As a military analyst, Thomas has made numerous appearances on every major television network, including a featured story on Good Morning America and specials on the History and Discovery channels. He is regularly booked as a keynote speaker for corporations and organizations around the nation sharing his motivating story of teamwork and leadership.

As a country singer, his dedicated work on behalf of our veterans has been recognized by Congress and the National Defense Foundation. Thomas is the recipient of the American Patriot Award, The Carlton Sherwood Media Award and the bronze star for valor. Thomas is very proud of his appointment as the national spokesman for the Hero Fund (www.HeroFund.com) and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides a college education to the children of our special ops personnel killed in combat or training. Since its inception, the Hero Fund has helped provide for the educational needs of more than 700 children.


“Mad Max” Mullen:
Howard “Mad Max” Mullen, Jr. is a retired Master Sergeant from the United States Army Rangers and a living legend amongst his Ranger Peers and the Special Operations community. Mullen is one of the most dynamic ranger instructors to serve during the 1980s and early 1990s. Mullen is known to most as “Mad Max” for his bold, motivating and aggressive leadership style. Mullen served in the 1st Battalion Ranger 75th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion Ranger 75th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion Ranger 75th Infantry Regiment, 75th Ranger Regimental Headquarters, 2nd Battalion 503rd Infantry Regiment “The Rock” (Air Assault), 101st Airborne, 3rd Battalion “Rakkasans” 187th Infantry (Air Assault) and 2nd Infantry Division. Max distinguished himself as being one of only a handful of men to serve in all three Ranger Battalions and served as a Ranger Instructor during Ranger school, transforming from committee groups to the Ranger Training Brigade (RTB) concept.

In 1987, Mullen was instrumental in the co-authoring of the US Army Combative Manual FM 3-25.150. He has also conducted more than 200 hand-to-hand combative demonstrations for visiting foreign dignitaries, diplomats and Ranger students. On October 25, 1983, Max conducted a 500 foot combat parachute assault on the island of Grenada, “Operation Urgent Fury” with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion Ranger 75th Infantry Regiment and participated in “Operation Restore Democracy” Haiti, 19 September 2004. After retiring from a successful Army career, Max has stayed busy as a consultant to military and law enforcement in training both in Close Quarter Battle, Small Unit Movement, Hand-to-Hand Combatives and a technical advisor to independent films. He also appeared in numerous film documentaries involving military simulations (MilSim). Mullen is the CEO and owner of Tactical MilSim Magazine, a magazine being hailed throughout the industry for being on the cutting edge of real force and on force training to serve as the example on how to teach tactical operators from both the law enforcement and military community to help them stay alive in their high risk jobs. The magazine also provides the civilian community with the same life-saving advice to keep them from harm’s way. as well. Note: Mad Max was the first African American to have a toy soldier produced in his likeness.


Charlie Manis:
While not a member of the Battle of Mogadishu, we think that today’s troops will find Charlie Manis and the history of the National Guard’s only Ranger Company very interesting. While the unit has been decommissioned, the stories that Manis can tell are still alive and meaningful.

In the summer of 1966, when he was 17 years old, he decided to officially join the Army and become a paratrooper. “I went ahead and took my physical, but needed my mother’s permission to officially join since I was under age. Unfortunately, she would not give me her permission. When I turned 18 (November, 1966), I learned that our local National Guard Unit was enlisting men who would sign up for jump school. Even though I had a good job, a pocket full of money and a new car, I thought the Guard would be a perfect ‘fit’ for me. I could keep my job, my ‘things’ and still become a paratrooper. Shortly after I enlisted, I attended Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Lewis, WA. In June of 1967, fresh out of AIT, I attended jump school at Fort Benning, GA. Then, 17 of us learned that we were being transferred from our hometown unit (Muncie, IN) to a unit in Greenfield, IN.”

In May of 1968, he was called to active duty and trained from May 1968 to December, 1968. “During that time, I was sent to Radio School in Fort Jackson, SC. Even at the age of 19, my feelings were that I should have been there all along and I felt ready for the call to duty. While on my 30-day leave before leaving for Vietnam, I proposed to my, now, wife of more than 40 years. Although I was not a tabbed Ranger, we did, however, go through phases of more informal Ranger training. My team spent two weeks in the field training with British SAS troops who were amazing soldiers. I learned so much in such a short period of time (I even developed a fondness for curry).”

“Arriving in Vietnam in December of 1968, we replaced F Company LRPs. They trained and worked with us, which was a huge help. After a few weeks of training, I was then sent to MACV Recondo School. This was a very difficult school, but my summer and fall training, prior to arriving in Vietnam, made it somewhat easier. Today, my Recondo patch is still one of my prized possessions. Returning from Recondo School, I was assigned as an RTO with my LRP Team Two-Six. Throughout my tour, I was part of approximately 18 missions lasting anywhere from two hours to five days. Of these missions, I believe there were nine enemy contacts. My service time with Company D, Indiana Rangers, in Vietnam, had definitely given me the confidence and drive to have a successful life, career and family.”

Medals and Recognition:
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Bronze Star with V-device
Combat Infantry Badge
Purple Heart
Parachute Badge



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