Inside The Night Stalkers | Stephen Dwyer, Sr.

Today we sit down with retired Army Colonel and former Night Stalker Stephen Dwyer for a powerful Memorial Day conversation about military service, leadership, sacrifice, family, and loss.

With over 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, Stephen shares stories from West Point, Desert Storm, the 160th SOAR Night Stalkers, and the realities of combat leadership. From flying scout helicopters along the East German border during the Cold War to serving in special operations aviation, this episode offers a rare look inside the mindset, discipline, and brotherhood of America’s elite military community.

But beyond the battlefield, this conversation becomes deeply personal.

Stephen opens up about the loss of his son, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Dwyer Jr., who tragically lost his life during a military training mission in 2023 while serving as a Night Stalker. He shares the emotional realities of grief, fatherhood, Gold Star families, and the mission behind the Dwyer Fire Gold Star Foundation.

We talk on:

The five stages of manhood and leadership

Growing up in a multi generation military family

Lessons learned from West Point and Army leadership

What separates the 160th SOAR Night Stalkers from the rest

Stories from Desert Storm and military aviation

The intensity of special operations missions

Combat leadership and responsibility under pressure