Blue Squadron Cole Fackler

Cole Fackler is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and a veteran operator of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Blue Squadron). After graduating high school in 2002, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and successfully completed the grueling BUD/S training to earn his Trident. During his distinguished 17-year career (2002–2020), Fackler served with SEAL Team 10 before being selected for the elite ranks of DEVGRU, where he operated at the "tip of the spear" during the height of the Global War on Terror.

As a core member of the "Pirates" (Blue Squadron), Fackler was part of a high-tempo deployment schedule, participating in numerous sensitive and high-stakes counter-terrorism missions across multiple theaters. His service is defined by the immense physical and mental toll of Tier 1 operations; after nearly two decades of continuous combat, he was medically retired in 2020 due to injuries sustained throughout his intense operational history. Since departing from the teams, Fackler has remained a respected figure in the tactical community, bridging the gap between elite military experience and the civilian tactical industry.

Gold Squadron Eddie Penney

Eddie Penney is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and a veteran operator of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Gold Squadron). After enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1996, he underwent the grueling BUD/S training and was initially assigned to SEAL Team 2, where he honed his skills during early deployments. His exceptional tactical proficiency led to his selection for the elite ranks of DEVGRU, where he served as a key member of the "Crusaders" (Gold Squadron) at the height of the Global War on Terror.

During his distinguished 20-year career (1996–2016), Penney completed numerous high-risk combat deployments, operating at the absolute "tip of the spear" in some of the world’s most hostile environments. His service is marked by his role in high-stakes counter-terrorism operations, earning him a reputation for lethal efficiency and leadership within the Tier 1 community. Following his retirement from the teams in 2016, he founded Contingent Group, a tactical consulting firm, and authored the memoir "Unafraid," where he details his journey through the shadows of combat and his transition to a life of faith and family.

Gold Squadron Edward Byers

Edward Byers is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Special Warfare Operator and one of the most highly decorated members in the history of Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Gold Squadron). Enlisting in 1998, Byers served as a Navy Corpsman before completing BUD/S and joining the SEAL Teams. During his legendary 21-year career (1998–2019), he deployed 11 times and completed nine combat tours, serving as a cornerstone of the "Crusaders" (Gold Squadron) during the most intense periods of the Global War on Terror.

Byers is most famously known as the recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, for his conspicuous gallantry during a high-stakes hostage rescue in Afghanistan in 2012 (Operation Enduring Freedom). During the mission to rescue Dr. Dilip Joseph, Chief Byers was the primary breacher who fearlessly rushed into a room filled with enemy fire. He famously used his own body to shield the American hostage from a hail of bullets while simultaneously subduing an enemy guard with his bare hands. His "undaunted courage and intrepid fighting spirit" saved both the hostage and his teammates, cementing his legacy as a premier Tier 1 operator. Since retiring in 2019, Byers has continued to serve the special operations community as a leader and mentor, embodying the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Gold Squadron Eric Frohardt

Eric Frohardt is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and a distinguished veteran operator of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Gold Squadron). Enlisting in the Navy in 1998, Frohardt successfully completed BUD/S and served at SEAL Team 8 before being selected for the elite ranks of DEVGRU. During his nearly 12-year career (1998–2010), he operated as a core member of the "Crusaders" (Gold Squadron), deploying multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan at the height of the Global War on Terror.

Frohardt’s service was defined by extraordinary resilience; in 2003, during a high-stakes mission in Afghanistan, he was severely wounded when his MH-47 Chinook was engaged by enemy fire, an incident that tragically claimed the life of his close friend and teammate. Despite the physical toll of his combat injuries, he continued to serve at the highest level of Tier 1 operations until his medical retirement in 2010. Since transitioning from the teams, Frohardt has become a prominent leader in the veteran community, serving as the former CEO of Lone Survivor Foundation and co-founding several successful ventures in the tactical and outdoor industries. His journey from a elite operator to a champion for veteran mental health remains a powerful testament to the spirit of the SEAL community.