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How to Bounce Back from Seemingly Hopeless Setbacks
Timothy Payne was supposed to go to college to learn how to write stories and make movies. But after witnessing the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, he made up his mind to join the military instead.
In the U.S. Army, he learned the values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. He also took to heart the Army Warrior Ethos: place the mission first, never accept defeat, never quit, never leave a fallen comrade, and no matter what happens… just go!
After his supernatural encounter with the Holy Spirit while he was in combat in Afghanistan, he went through a series of events that led to him getting his legs blown off, then to a multi-year healing process that involved several levels of personal hurdles. He evolved from someone who hasn’t even read a single line from the Bible into a warrior who regularly quotes Scriptures.
Listen to Timothy piece together all the “clues” and patterns that he collected when he fought a war, got injured, went through a healing process, fight medication addiction, battled suicidal tendencies, and ultimately started reading the Bible.
When he was still isolating himself, he was in such a dark place and full of negativity. Then he started hanging out with other disabled veterans. They motivated each other through adaptive sports. He emphasized that there’s a lot of healing from that kind of encouragement and interaction.
So if you are going through a tough time, Timothy recommends: Find someone who is going through a similar battle, and get involved in something together. It doesn’t have to be sports. It could be community activities or anything that promotes human interaction. You will encourage and push each other to rise above the challenges.
Be careful what you pray for. – Timothy Payne
What You’ll Learn
- Why Timothy joined the U.S. Army
- The story of his supernatural encounter with the Holy Spirit… while in live combat!
- The brutal incident where both his legs got blown off
- His first Scripture that he ever read (The story will give you goosebumps!)
- Advice for people going through tough times
Resources
- Chosen Leadership
- Chosen by Timothy Payne
- The Squad Leader’s Bargain by Timothy Payne
Bio
Staff Sergeant Timothy Payne retired from the U.S. Army February 2014. He had an eleven year career with versatile positions. They ranged between Infantry Team Leader to program Manager of the Personnel Recovery Cell for the newly formed United States Army Africa Command. Now as a retiree he conducts himself as an “Ambassador” for disabled veterans, living up to the Army standard, Corp of Noncommissioned Officers, the United States Army and the United States of America.
As an Ambassador for disabled combat veterans he travels and shares valuable lessons learned fighting in close combat, battlefield injuries and the process of recovery. Payne’s motivation comes from the Creed of Noncommissioned Officers placing his soldiers’ needs above his own. He has also ridden in multiple city marathons with the Achilles Freedom Team, competed in the Department of Defense Warrior Games wining multiple gold medals and also the international Invictus Games winning multiple medals. He’s been invited to the United Nations, the White House and the Joint Special Operations Command to give an account of his testimonies.
As a native of Buffalo, New York, Payne enlisted in the Army in 2002 and attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as 11B (Infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia.
In addition to 3 tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, Payne served overseas in Italy with the Southern European Task Force monitoring personnel going in and out of the African theater. He was decorated with the coveted recruiter ring by Syracuse Recruiting Command 2007 for his actions during strenuous recruiting operations. He was meritoriously promoted on two occasions. During his career, Payne has served with the 82nd Airborne, 173rd Airborne, and 10th Mountain Infantry Division. After being medically dropped for Special Forces Assessment and Selection Payne was handpicked to serve in the Personal Recovery Cell in Army Africa Command to aid in the recovery of Captain Phillips. While serving in the United States Army Africa Command Payne was approached by the Special Operations Civil Affairs Command and was encouraged to pursue a new military specialty.
Payne’s military and civilian education includes Airborne school, Combat Life Savers Course, Combatives Level 1 and 2, Army Recruiting and Retention school, Warrior Leadership course, Advanced Leaders Course, Joint Personal Recovery Plans and Operations Course, and Foreign Disclosure Agent.
Payne’s awards include Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award) Army Achievement Medal (5th award), Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 campaign Stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2nd award), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Gold Recruiter Badge (with 3 star sapphires), Expert Marksmanship Badge, Drivers Badge (wheel) and Airborne Badge.
