Kevin Lacz

Kevin Lacz was born and raised in central Connecticut. He enrolled at James Madison University in 2000 in pursuit of his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. When the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 claimed the life of a good friend's father, however, he decided to leave school in favor of the military. A SEALs poster on the wall at a Navy recruiter's office inspired Kevin to enlist in the Navy with orders for BUD/s (Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL training). He went on to graduate with BUD/s Class 246. As a Hospital Corpsman, Kevin also attended 18-D Special Operations Combat Medic School at Fort Bragg before checking into SEAL Team THREE in Coronado, California. Soon after, he attended Army Sniper school and returned to Charlie Platoon where he began preparing for his 2006 deployment. In 2006, Kevin deployed to Ramadi, Iraq with Charlie Platoon, Task Unit Bruiser. The work he did as a platoon sniper and medic contributed to his task unit becoming the most highly decorated special operations task unit since Vietnam. Kevin personally conducted numerous sniper over watches, direct action missions, raids, and tribal engagements in support of the effort to halt the spread of violence through Ramadi. For his actions on his 2006 deployment, including acquiring numerous enemy kills and braving enemy fire to carry a fallen comrade to safety, Kevin was awarded a Bronze Star with a Combat 'V.' In 2008, Kevin returned to Iraq, this time as a member of Delta Platoon. His focus was the Iraqi border with Syria and the interception of foreign fighters trying to infiltrate the country. He completed another deployment, this time as a platoon sniper, medic, and breacher - a trifecta of certifications that made Kevin the only member of his platoon qualified to go on literally any operation they planned. As a SEAL, Kevin gained extensive experience in Special Operations Combat Medicine, Special Operations Dive Chamber Medicine, Military Free-Fall HALO and HAHO Operations, Long-Range Target Interdiction Sniper work, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) Training, Battlefield Interrogations, Close Quarters Combat (CQC), Counter-Terrorism Operations, and Naval Special Warfare Lead Breaching Operations. In addition to his Bronze Star, Kevin was awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat 'V's and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Upon completing his enlistment, Kevin was honorably discharged from the Navy. He returned to Connecticut and enrolled at UCONN with the intention of continuing his career in medicine. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science in 2011 and began the application process for Physician Assistant School. While earning his undergraduate degree, he also got married and started a family. In 2012, Kevin moved his family to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to pursue his Masters of Medical Sciences at Wake Forest University. He graduated in August 2014 and passed his medical boards. He is a certified and licensed Physician Assistant. Kevin's 2006 deployment has been discussed extensively in the media and in books, including Dick Couch's 'The Sheriff of Ramadi', Jim DeFelice's 'Code Name: Johnny Walker' and Chris Kyle's 'American Sniper.' Because of his close working and personal relationship with Chris Kyle, Kevin was asked to contribute to 'American Sniper' through interviews with Chris' coauthor, Jim DeFelice. Chris also discussed Kevin frequently when referencing the 2006 and 2008 deployments (as "Dauber"), laying the groundwork for Kevin's involvement in the production of and eventual casting in the Clint Eastwood biopic by the same name (starring Bradley Cooper). In early 2014, Kevin auditioned for the role of "Dauber" and was cast to play himself. He was also hired to provide SEAL Technical Advising for the film. Kevin's past military service influences him greatly as he seeks to actively support service members and veterans in his Florida Gulf Coast community and around the country. He and his wife, Lindsey, have two children.