This week on Inside Great Mind, Adam welcomes Medal of Honor recipient Florent "Flo" Groberg.
Groberg, a former US Captain in the Army, is a living lesson in persistence and determination. Listen as he unpacks his story of overcoming challenges and adversity to achieve the remarkable things he has accomplished.
Here are just a few bullet points of his story and accomplishments:
👦 Born and raised in France by his adopted parents
🏃♂️ Ran D1 track at the University of Maryland
💪🏾 Accepted and completed the elite Ranger School in the Army
🩼 Injured while saving the lives of high-level officials in Afghanistan
🎖 Awarded the Medal of Honor
🕴 Sr. Director for Strategic Missions and Technologies for Microsoft
📢 Shares his story and lessons as a keynote
Flo frequently speaks for organizations and corporations and has been a guest on several TV shows including the Colbert Report.
It was a joy to interview my old college friend and rediscover his incredible journey from wartime hero to now business leader and veteran advocate.
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ABOUT FLO GROBERG
Florent “Flo” Groberg is a native of Poissy, France and became a naturalized citizen of the United States February 27, 2001. Flo was a Varsity Track and Cross Country at University of Maryland College Park, where he graduated in May 2006 with a degree in criminology and criminal justice, and later his Master's in Management with a Specialization in Intelligence Policies.
Flo entered the Army in July 2008 and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. He received his commission as an infantry officer on Dec. 4, 2008. After completing Infantry Officer Basic Course, Mechanized Leaders Course, U.S. Army Airborne and U.S. Army Ranger Schools, he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo., as a platoon leader.
On the morning of Aug. 8, 2012, U.S. Army Capt. Florent Groberg served as a personal security detachment (PSD) commander for Task Force Mountain Warrior -- responsible for the safety of 28 coalition and Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel, including several principals: two brigade commanders, two battalion commanders, the brigade command sergeant major, a battalion command sergeant major and an ANA battalion commander.
The patrol's escort mission included moving on foot from Forward Operating Base Fiaz to the provincial governor's compound in Asadabad, Kunar, Afghanistan for a weekly security meeting.
As the patrol advanced toward the governor's compound, they reached the choke point along the route, a small bridge spanning a canal feeding the Kunar River. The patrol halted near the bridge as two motorcycles approached from the opposite direction. The motorcyclists began crossing the bridge, but stopped midway before dismounting and retreating in the opposite direction.
As the patrol observed the motorcyclists, Groberg also spotted a lone individual near the left side of the formation, walking backwards in the direction of the patrol. The individual did not cause immediate alarm as there were other local civilians in the area.
However, when the individual made an abrupt turn toward the formation, Groberg rushed the suspect and shoved him away from the patrol. Groberg then immediately confirmed the individual was wearing a suicide vest, and with the help of Sgt. Andrew Mahoney, a fellow Soldier with the PSD, grabbed the suicide bomber, physically driving him away from the formation and down to the ground.
While on the ground, the bomber's explosive vest detonated. The explosion caused a second suicide bomber, who remained hidden behind a small structure near the road, to detonate his vest prematurely. Most of the blast of the second bomber's suicide vest went straight into a building, adjacent to the patrol.
Groberg's actions disrupted both bombers from detonating as planned, saving the majority of lives he was charged with protecting. On November 12, 2015, Flo received the Medal of Honor for his acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above the call of duty from President Obama.
Flo has continued his embodiment of the Warrior Ethos and Service to his Country with Leadership roles at Department of Defense, Boeing and Microsoft. Flo now serves as a Microsoft Sr. Director for Strategic Missions and Technologies and leads many of the mission solution outcomes used by our Defense Business Unit customers. Flo serves on numerous organizations that supports fellow Veterans, including the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, President Biden’s American Battle Monuments Commission, Adaptive Training Foundation, Merging Vets and Players, and LinkedIn expanding platforms for outreach.
