In remembrance of the attacks on September 11th, 2001, we have a special guest on the show, and for the first time in our Combat Story community, we’d like to introduce Darin Kinder — Former Secret Service Agent • 9/11 Survivor.

Darin Kinder brings a rare blend of courage, clarity, and conviction from years spent navigating the world’s most high-pressure moments. As a former Secret Service Agent and survivor of the 9/11 attacks, he uses his story to help individuals and leaders live with bold purpose and unwavering resilience.

Author of Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man’s Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11, Darin invites listeners to reframe how they live—seeing everyday work not simply as provision, but as purpose in motion. His own experience, assisting, evacuating, and enduring on that fateful day, embodies the idea that courage is always a choice.

Darin’s story is one of heroism and humility—his actions during the 9/11 attacks earned him the Secret Service Medal of Valor. As the founder of Fierce Comms, based in Dallas, Darin empowers people to rediscover mission and meaning—not just in what they do, but why they do it. Through keynote talks and multi-session seminars, he challenges audiences to “get their suit dirty”—to choose the narrow, courageous path of sacrifice over comfort.

Join us as we sit down with Darin Kinder—a man who invites us to embrace the grit of life, unlock purpose in our work, and live courageously, even when the world tells us we can’t.

 

Find Darin Kinder Online:

🔗 Website: https://www.darinkinder.com/

📸 Instagram   / darinkinder

 

Find AJ Online:

📸Instagram:   / ajpasciuti

📘 LinkedIn:   / angelo-pasciuti

 
🔗Personal Website & Book Pre-Order (“Darkhorse”): https://www.ajpasciuti.com/

👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 1 – USMC Sniper & Force Recon in Fallujah):

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4aqn...
👉Combat Story Podcast (Part 2 – Sniper vs Sniper Battle):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast

👉Urban Valor Facebook Feature:
  / 602000529075284

👉DVIDS Video on Infantry Marine Course:
https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leaders

Find Ryan Online:

🎙️ Ryan’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/combatstory

🔗Merch https://www.bonfire.com/store/combats

🛒 Email ryan@combatstory.com

📸 Instagram @combatstory   / combatstory  

📘 Facebook @combatstoryofficial https://fb.me/combatstoryofficial

📖 Send us messages at https://m.me/combatstoryofficial

✔ Learn more about Ryan www.combatstory.com/aboutus

🎵 Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle

 

Chapters:

00:40 Introduction 
00:59 Meet Darren Kinder: 9/11 Survivor and Secret Service Agent
02:47 The Story Behind 'Bury Me In a Dirty Suit'
07:17 Darren's Path to the Secret Service
11:06 Inside the Secret Service: Training and Missions
24:20 First Days in New York: Pre-9/11 Assignments
30:58 Isolation and Law Enforcement Collaboration
31:24 AJ Pesi's Story and New Book Announcement
32:46 Recounting 9/11: Initial Impact and Evacuation
35:59 Heroic Efforts and Personal Sacrifices
45:55 Surviving the Collapse and Aftermath
56:02 Reflecting on the Day and Moving Forward
57:06 Veterans Help Group Sponsorship
58:28 Divine Intervention and Final Thoughts
01:01:47 Evacuation Efforts on 9/11
01:02:37 Returning Home and Reuniting with Family
01:04:32 Receiving the Secret Service Medal of Valor
01:05:31 Serving on the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force
01:06:23 Protecting President George W. Bush
01:07:38 Reflecting on 9/11 and Ground Zero
01:14:29 Traveling the World with the Secret Service
01:18:40 Memorable Moments and Close Calls
01:24:06 Leadership Lessons and Personal Reflections
01:30:28 Final Thoughts and Farewell