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181. A Cop's Amazing Recovery | From Army Ranger to CHP | Shot by Ak-47 and Returns to Work

John Wilson

 

This time on the Transition Drill Podcast, John Wilson shares his journey of resilience, transformation, and the relentless pursuit of challenge. Growing up as a military dependent, he developed an adventurous spirit that led him to an unexpected path—becoming an Army Ranger in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. After years in special operations, he faced the difficult decision to leave the military, a choice that brought immediate regret as he watched his former unit deploy after 9/11. Seeking a new mission, he transitioned into law enforcement, joining the California Highway Patrol and eventually working in specialized enforcement. His career nearly ended when he was shot in the line of duty, facing a grueling recovery that tested him physically, mentally, and emotionally. Despite the odds, he fought his way back to full duty and served until retirement. Now, John dedicates himself to mentoring veterans and first responders, helping them navigate their own transitions and find purpose beyond service. His story is a powerful testament to adaptability, perseverance, and the unbreakable warrior mindset.


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Born into a military family, John spent his early years moving from base to base as the son of an Air Force noncommissioned officer. Growing up in places like Nellis Air Force Base and Okinawa, he developed an adventurous spirit, a love for the outdoors, and a mindset shaped by exploration and independence. His formative years in Japan, where he immersed himself in the island’s culture, martial arts, and ocean sports, would later influence his approach to discipline, problem-solving, and leadership.

 

Despite growing up in a military household, John had no initial plans to join the service. In fact, he was adamant about forging his own path. But a chance encounter between his father and an Army recruiter led to an unexpected conversation that changed everything. With no prior interest in military life, John found himself sitting in a recruiting office, captivated by a poster of an Army Ranger. The image of the elite soldier, along with a video showcasing the high-adrenaline world of special forces, immediately sparked something in him.

 

After  basic training at Fort Jackson, John entered the grueling Ranger Indoctrination Program, where every day was a relentless test of endurance, strength, and mental fortitude. The training pushed him to his limits, but he refused to break. He absorbed lessons from senior Rangers—many of whom had just returned from combat in Somalia—and shaped himself into a soldier worthy of wearing the black and gold Ranger tab. Upon completion, he was assigned to 3rd Ranger Battalion. Life in Ranger Battalion was unforgiving. The training never stopped, and expectations were impossibly high. Missions required precision, teamwork, and an ability to endure hardship without hesitation. But for John, it was exactly where he belonged. His years in special forces forged him into a warrior, ready for any challenge thrown his way.

 

But no military career lasts forever, and as his time in service neared its end, John faced a critical decision: stay and make the Army his career or step into the unknown of life after service. Leaving the military is never easy, and for John, the decision to transition out of the Army came with uncertainty, doubt, and an immediate sense of regret. He had excelled as a Ranger, thrived in the intensity of special forces, and built an unbreakable bond with his fellow soldiers. As his enlistment came to an end, he faced the daunting choice that all military veterans eventually encounter: reenlist and continue down a familiar path, or step into the unknown world of civilian life.

 

His father, now retired from the Air Force and working in corrections, encouraged him to consider law enforcement, painting it as a career that would offer structure, camaraderie, and a sense of purpose similar to what he had in the military. John initially hesitated, but after weighing his long-term future, he made the difficult decision to walk away from military service. Transitioning out was immediate and disorienting. Within months of leaving, the events of 9/11 unfolded, and he watched as his former unit deployed to combat. The feeling of missing out—of abandoning the mission—was overwhelming. He wrestled with the idea of returning to duty, but life was already moving in a different direction.

 

Determined to find a new purpose, John explored career options that would match the intensity and structure he had in the military. He applied to multiple law enforcement agencies, ultimately choosing the California Highway Patrol for its opportunities in specialized enforcement and its statewide reach. However, the transition from soldier to police officer wasn’t as seamless as he expected. Unlike the military, law enforcement operated under different rules of engagement, required a shift in mindset, and demanded adaptability in high-stakes, unpredictable situations.

 

Over time, he excelled in his new role, pushing himself into more challenging assignments. His background in the military made him a perfect fit for CHP’s specialized enforcement teams, where he worked on high-risk operations targeting dangerous criminals. The pace was demanding, the work was dangerous, and once again, he found himself thriving in an environment where precision, physical fitness, and mental toughness were essential.

Then came the day that nearly took his life.


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During an attempt to arrest a felon in a hotel room, the situation escalated into a gunfight; the suspect had a AK-47. John was shot, critically wounded, and left fighting for survival. The training, the discipline, the years of conditioning—all of it came into play in those crucial moments. But even with all his experience, nothing could fully prepare him for the long road ahead.

 

Recovery would be grueling. The physical damage was extensive, but the mental and emotional toll would prove just as challenging. For the first time in his life, John wasn’t sure if he would ever return to full duty—or if his career in law enforcement was over.

Surviving a shooting is one thing—recovering from it is another battle entirely. After being critically wounded in the line of duty, John faced the toughest fight of his life: the long, painful journey back to full strength. The physical toll was severe, requiring extensive surgeries, rehabilitation, and an unrelenting commitment to regaining his fitness. But the real struggle wasn’t just in the body—it was in the mind.


The mental and emotional impact of that moment lingered far beyond the hospital walls. The experience of being shot, of coming so close to death, created challenges that training couldn’t fully prepare him for. The weight of the incident sat heavy on his shoulders, not just as an officer but as a husband and father. His family had been there through his military service, through his transition into law enforcement, but now they were witnessing something different. The stress, the uncertainty, and the slow pace of recovery tested their resilience as much as his own.

 

Returning to full duty wasn’t guaranteed. Many officers in his position never make it back—either because of physical limitations or the psychological toll. But quitting was never in John’s nature. He attacked his rehabilitation with the same intensity that had carried him through Ranger training and special operations. Physical therapy sessions became his new missions, and every step forward—no matter how small—was a victory. John finally did what many thought impossible: he returned to duty, back in full uniform, ready to continue the career he had fought so hard to build. But while he had overcome the physical battle, the mental challenges of life after service were just beginning.

 

Years later, after a full career in law enforcement, John made the decision to retire. The transition from military to police had been difficult enough—but leaving law enforcement behind came with its own challenges. The structure, the adrenaline, the sense of purpose—suddenly, it was gone. Like so many military veterans and first responders, he faced the question: What now?

 

Today, through his own company CBL Training & Consulting, John focus is to MOTIVATE, INSPIRE, EDUCATE, and EMPOWER professionals and communities with practical lessons that enhance safety, efficiency, wellness, and awareness. Whether through leadership coaching, or simply sharing his story, he works to ensure that others don’t face the same struggles he did alone.

 

His journey—from an elite Army Ranger, to a police officer who survived a near-fatal shooting, to a mentor for those stepping into the unknown—embodies the resilience and adaptability that define military veterans and first responders. Through his own battles, John has learned that transition is never easy, but with the right mindset and support, it can lead to a new mission, a new purpose, and a new way forward.

 

The Transition Drill Podcast is the best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life. If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for more compelling stories of resilience, leadership, and transformation from veterans and first responders. Share Dave’s journey with someone who could benefit from his wisdom—whether they’re preparing for life after service, seeking guidance during a career shift, or simply looking for motivation to tackle their next challenge. Together, we can empower others to navigate transitions with confidence and embrace their new beginnings.


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