Surviving Post-Combat Darkness: Beating PTSD, Addiction, and Writing 'Moon Child'
In this episode we sit down with Anthony Dyer, retired U.S. Air Force Special Missions Aviator and author of 'Moon Child.' We discuss Anthony's upbringing in Sylva, North Carolina, his military career, the impact of 9/11, and the emotional toll of combat. Anthony shares his journey of writing as a cathartic process to cope with his experiences and the importance of close air support in military operations. He offers advice for young veterans and reflects on the significance of fatherhood and personal growth.
Anthony Dyer hails from the small Appalachian town of Sylva, North Carolina and served in our military for over 20 years. Enlisting in July 2000, Dyer’s extensive military career began as a weapons loader on F-15E Strike Eagles before he realized his goal of becoming a Special Missions Aviator on the AC-130H Spectre gunship. Driven by a desire to leave a lasting impact after 9/11, he deployed to combat zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, and East Africa with the 16th Special Operations Squadron, where he provided critical close air support and participated in high-stakes rescue missions.
Dyer’s debut book, Moon Child is a memoir that bridges his Appalachian upbringing with his intense life in special operations. Born from a therapeutic need to process the "silence that followed" his service, the book explores themes of trauma, addiction, and the search for identity beyond the uniform. His work serves as a call to break the stigma around mental health for veterans and others seeking redemption.
Purchase ‘Moon Child’ on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Child-Special-Missions-Aviator/dp/B0DZMXBHJ4
