Adam is a Michigan native, born in Michigan and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from high school in Germantown, Tennessee, in 1999. In the fall of that year, he moved back to Michigan to be closer to family and enrolled in a community college. Shortly thereafter, he felt a calling to serve.

Both sides of Adam’s family have served in the United States military. His maternal grandfather was a military police officer during World War II. His paternal grandfather served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and later as a tank commander in the Korean War. Adam’s father served as a supply sergeant in the Army during the Vietnam era and later transitioned into communications, serving a total of 17 years. Both of Adam’s brothers enlisted in the Army—Kevin, the oldest, as an engineer, and Brian as a chaplain’s assistant.

In December 2000, Adam enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a rifleman (0311). He attended Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and, upon graduation, was sent to the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, California. Adam then reported to his duty station with the 4th Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines, Charlie Company, out of Lansing, Michigan.

In 2003, Charlie Company was sent on official orders to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In March of that year, the unit moved north for the invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, Adam and his fellow Marines conducted multiple missions, including Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARP) operations, the Battle of Nasiriyah, operations at the air base in Kut, Iraq, and providing physical security for numerous missions.

What began as a group of strangers became a brotherhood. The life and times of a Marine Corps infantryman have been told countless times, yet every story is unique. Adam’s story is viewed through a lens of mixed emotions. One of those emotions—loss—took many years to fully recognize. The sense of camaraderie and brotherhood often felt lost in the civilian world. Another enduring value was honor. The standards to which his platoon and company held themselves differed greatly from those he later encountered outside the military.

After returning home, Adam initially moved forward without much reflection. He found employment with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) as a cataloger for military supplies. Over time, a coworker noticed behaviors consistent with post-traumatic stress. Following several DUI incidents and multiple unsuccessful attempts to confront his struggles, Adam was court-ordered to undergo a PTSD evaluation.

Since then, Adam has achieved goals he once thought unattainable. He now serves within the DLA as a Physical Security Specialist. He attended Purdue University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire and Emergency Management. He also holds the Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC), Anti-Terrorism Credential (ATC), and Physical Security Credential (PSC) from the Center for Development of Security Excellence.

Adam has been married to his wife, Ashley, for 11 years, and together they have two energetic young sons, Oliver (9) and Sawyer (7).

Adam previously served as the Program Lead for the Battle Creek Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing program for four years and is one of the founding members of the Holy Waters Tournament in Grayling, Michigan. He finds true peace in the woods, where he hunts white-tailed deer and turkeys, and occasionally enjoys upland bird hunting.