Meet Randy Diel

What is your occupation? I’m an analyst. That’s what I was in the Army, and since then, I’ve continued to retool those skills for different industries. Currently, I am employed at The Home Depot as a Staff Engineer, where I work on special projects and root cause analysis surrounding systems delivery and provisioning.

How long have you been an OCA? Since March of 2019. Danny Stokes and Jeff Farmer brought me home to OEW leading into and after Bataan.

How did you get involved? As I stated, I owe everything to Danny Stokes and Jeff Farmer for bringing me to OEW. I met Danny at a GoRuck event while training for Bataan back in January. Later Danny reached out needing assistance with moving the OEW trailer from South Carolina to New Mexico for Bataan. While doing logistics for the move, Danny mentioned that I would be picking up the trailer from a man named Jeff Farmer. To be honest, I cried at first. Jeff Farmer was one of the most respected men I had ever known in the Army. He was one of my Drill Sergeants at AIT 19 years earlier. Long story short, I joined OEW for Bataan, and I haven’t looked back since. I’ll never be able to thank Danny and Jeff enough, but I’ll be damned if I won’t try. The only thing Jeff really told me was: Just Show Up. I pass that on to everyone I meet. Wanna see change in people? JUST SHOW UP!

Most memorable moment? I would say the first time I saw Jeff Farmer for the first time in 19 years, prior to Bataan, back before I knew what OEW was.

What’s your next event with OEW? As of today, I am writing this while working with the Bradford Rainier Summit Team. My next event will be the Utah Spartan with Chris Wolff next weekend, as soon as I head out from Seattle. WOOT!!!

Why should people become OCAs for OEW? I can’t tell anyone why, bc your why should be personal. What I would challenge is that everyone should join us for an event. Come see what we do. Experience it firsthand. We’d love to see you there.

Behind the Mask: Empower

Q: What does your call sign mean to you?

A: Call sign Empower: When I researched call sign choices the definition of empower really struck me. The basic definition is “to make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights”. What a perfect analogy for what I feel my role is as a Masked Athlete for Operation Enduring Warrior. I truly feel that my role is to help our Honorees overcome obstacles and doubt in their lives and become stronger and more confident. In my day to day position with OEW, assisting Task Force Sentinel, I spend a great deal of time speaking with wounded/injured law enforcement members who doubt themselves and need support and empowerment.

Q: What branch of the military or LEO did you serve in (or are currently serving in), for how long, and what was your job?

A: I never served in the military. Instead of going into the military I decided to enroll in a police academy on my own and got hired by my local Police Department in 1989. I worked a wide variety of assignments including positions as a K-9 officer, narcotics detective, training officer, motorcycle officer and spent more than 18 years as a member of our S.W.A.T. team. I retired in 2018 as a Captain.

Q: Why did you commit to the Masked Athlete program?

A: I committed to becoming a Masked Athlete because I wanted to do more for/with our Honorees. I enjoyed volunteering as a Community Ambassador but I wanted to do more. I also really loved my time as a S.W.A.T. team member working with a tight-knit group to complete missions and I missed it. I saw the Masked Athlete Team as an opportunity for me to once again work with a tight-knit group to complete missions. I love teamwork and I knew if I was selected for MAT I would be able to work with a team to help Honorees achieve their goals.

Q: What is your best or most unforgettable OEW-related memory?

A: My best memory as a Masked Athlete was my first event, the West Point Spartan. This was also Task Force Sentinel’s inaugural event. It was an absolute honor to work with Task Force Sentinel’s first Honorees Officer Peter Tanzilli and Detective Steve Reid. Watching those men complete the Spartan course that day was very emotional. I was so proud for them because I knew the mental and physical obstacles both overcame to complete the course. That event was also special for me because my wife accompanied us through the course so we both shared and incredible day. She supported me while I trained to for the Masked Athlete Team and then she was able to be with me on my first event. I will never forget that day. Another unforgettable MAT memory I have is INDOC. INDOC was by far the most difficult thing (mentally and physically) I have ever done.

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Q: What is the most challenging thing about being a MAT?

A: My biggest challenge as a Masked Athlete is not being able to do all the events. I truly love what I do and I want to be at every event.

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Q: What would you like people to know about OEW?

A: I want people to know that OEW is much more that the physical side most people associate us with due to the Masked Athlete team. Our organization provides Honorees with fellowship, camaraderie, companionship, support and friendship. Our Community Ambassadors, Program Managers, Officers and Masked Athletes truly care and we’re available to our Honorees.

Q: Motto or principle you live by.

A: My motto/principle is simple. Honor, Empower and Motivate. “It’s what we do”. ANYONE can do at least one of those things daily.

Q: How do you stay in shape for the demands of the MAT?

A: I try to workout 5 days a week. I do circuit training, weighted rucking, running and weight lifting to maintain myself as a Masked Athlete. I tailor my training for upcoming events. At least twice a week I train in my mask to ensure that I am ready for events.

Check out our OEW Spotify channel! Each Call Sign will share their own playlists of music that gets them pumped for action or helps them chill during their workday. Follow our channel and receive updates whenever new playlists are posted!

Follow Empower's favorite podcast Behind the Shield.

Don't have Spotify? Click here to download now and enjoy FREE music on your mobile device or desktop.

About INDOC: The application process to apply for the Masked Athlete Team, Warrior INDOC, is now an open enrollment. Pre-requisite is to have military or LEO experience with honorable discharge. E-mail: indoc@enduringwarrior.org for submission details.

Behind the Mask: Legacy

LEGACY at the start line of Pat's Run in Tempe, AZ honoring NFL and Army Ranger legend, Pat Tillman.

Q: What does your call sign mean to you? A:   Legacy.  It's important to me that I leave a positive influence on others, especially family and those closest to me.

Q: What branch of the military did you serve in (or are currently serving in), for how long, and what was your job? A: I enlisted in the Army reserves while in college a few months following 9-11.  I joined ROTC at Indiana University and transferred to a LRS unit in the National Guard.  After a deployment to Afghanistan with 33rd IBCT, I moved to SC where I continue to serve as an infantry officer.

Q: What is your best or most unforgettable OEW-related memory? A: My first time ever walking with OEW. Jonathan Lopez met me at the OCR US Championships in TX, September 2017. I didn't realize it at the time because I was new to OEW, but soon realized what an honor and a blessing it was to meet and hang out with a few legends within the OEW family, Honoree John Hunt and OEW MAT Lead Tito Piñeiro. I would've loved to spend more time with them but it's incredible to see the positive impact that they've left behind through their legacy.

Q: What is the best thing about being a MAT? A: The best thing about being on the MAT is being anonymous. No one can see my "emotion" when it hits me square in the face. We all carry burdens and have obstacles to overcome in our lives and though similarities exist, no two are exactly the same. Being witness to and being a part of empowering and motivating our wounded veterans and police officers to overcome some of their physical and mental obstacles can sometimes leave one tearing up, full of gratitude and awe, over the raw beauty in human perseverance and kinship.

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Q: What piece of advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a MAT? A: Explore your purpose. If you have the right focus driving you, that is the first and biggest step. Once you know what your purpose is, hang onto it and prepare yourself physically and mentally for some of the most difficult challenges you'll ever face.

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Q: What would you like people to know about OEW? A: It's 100% volunteer so we all have to work around our other commitments of life.... family, work, etc. This is great because there aren't executive officers banking hundreds of thousands off of money donated and raised for the mission. It also means we can use all the help we can get to assist in carrying the load. Come on board and change your life for the better.

Q: Motto or principle you live by. A: It's not about you. It's not about me. It's about us.

Q: How do you stay in shape for the demands of the MAT? A: I stay in shape by playing rugby, working out with my girlfriend and other friends on a regular basis. I also prepare for specific events that I have throughout the year. Some require more strength while others more endurance and some a combination of both. For rucking, you have to ruck to prepare your feet, legs, and shoulders/back. For masked events, you have to train in the mask.

Check out our OEW Spotify channel! Each Call Sign will share their own playlists of music that gets them pumped for action or helps them chill during their workday. Follow our channel and receive updates whenever new playlists are posted!

Follow Legacy's playlist here.

Don't have Spotify? Click here to download now and enjoy FREE music on your mobile device or desktop.

About INDOC: The application process to apply for the Masked Athlete Team, Warrior INDOC, is now an open enrollment. Pre-requisite is to have military or LEO experience with honorable discharge. E-mail: indoc@enduringwarrior.org for submission details.