Rima is a medic in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a tactical medicine instructor originally from the United States. She came to Ukraine as an NGO volunteer in 2022 and began medical studies in 2023 before enlisting in 2024. Now, she works on medical evacuations of soldiers from the frontlines and works in stabilization points where they receive casualties and stabilize their injuries for transport to the nearest hospital.

Before enlisting, she taught tactical medicine per TCCC standards at the International Center for Tactical Medicine in Ukraine. In her spare time, she writes about tactical medicine for a wider audience based on evolving needs and lessons learned on the ground in Ukraine.

More about Rima:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rimamedua

Send Rima and her team medical supplies: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3QM0WCUA0PBK2?ref_=wl_share

Or, snacks from home: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/390U40XEQSS4P?ref_=wl_share

Blue Yellow USA address for care packages:

C/O Blue Yellow USA NFP

PO box 641

Naperville, IL

60566

Timestamps:

00:00:21 Introduction to Rima Ziuraitis

00:01:07 Being a Medic in Ukraine

00:03:24 Typical Day on Location

00:04:50 Critical Medic Skills

00:06:51 Defense Against Incoming Drones

00:08:54 Change in Kits and Armor Since Stationed

00:12:34 Acronyms Taught in TCCC

00:15:04 CMC and CLS

00:16:52 Quick Civilian Medical Training in Ukraine

00:17:49 Knockoff Tourniquets

00:21:44 Impactful Experiences Treating Patients

00:25:23 Coping with Loss and Trauma

00:26:42 Restoring Hope and Humanity

00:28:07 Working with People from All Over the World

00:28:47 Working with Cultural Differences

00:29:37 Important Qualities for Joining an International Unit

00:31:51 Exaggerating Backgrounds

00:34:40 Unique Challenges in Ukraine

00:37:21 Tourniquet Training

00:41:41 Tourniquet Placement

00:44:41 Tampons in the Medkit

00:47:41 Key Factors to Help Teams Stay Resilient

00:50:15 Maintaining Physical and Mental Health

00:52:07 Supporting Comradery with the Team

00:54:00 Change in Perspective on War

00:57:21 Rebuilding and Healing After War

00:58:38 Encounters with Russian Soldiers

00:59:32 Advice for Those Considering Humanitarian Work

01:00:49 How to Donate Fruit Rollups

01:01:37 How Often Does Rima Come Home?

01:02:15 Being Back in the U.S.

01:04:28 One Book Everyone Should Read

01:05:27 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

01:08:11 Outro

Chris Brennan served for 15 years in the Australian Army, 11 of which were as an operator within the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).

He fulfilled multiple team specialist roles, including as a JTAC and Tandem Bundle Master within a Freefall Assault Team, before progressing into leadership roles as a team 2IC and culminating his career as an SASR Team Leader.

Chris deployed on multiple occasions and spent two years as a specialist trainer and assessor in the SASR's selection and training squadron.

He assisted in the design and implementation of high-risk training for new members undergoing the SASR reinforcement cycle, as well as assisting in the delivery of team-leading packages to
those undergoing progression into tactical leadership functions.

Upon transitioning from the Australian Defence Force, Chris completed his Master of Business degree through the University of New South Wales, which provided academic backing to his lived experiences within the SASR.

As a result, Chris founded OMADA Performance Concepts, a high–performance team consultancy. Through OMADA, he now delivers specialised Team Development solutions, Team Leadership packages, and Instructor Development programs for critical response teams operating in high-risk environments.

More about Chris:

Website: www.omadapc.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omada.performance.concepts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-brennan-991215353/

Timestamps:

00:00:21 Introduction to Chris Brennan

00:01:41 Brennan’s Career in the Australian SAS

00:04:05 Unit Supporters' Success in the U.S.

00:05:39 Hardest Part of Selection

00:07:16 Testing Standards

00:09:17 Quick Note: Mental and Emotional Demands of Selection

00:10:14 Freefall Rules

00:11:19 Jumping Bundles

00:12:24 Working as an Instructor

00:13:21 What Makes a Student Stand Out in the Reinforcement Cycle?

00:14:51 Evaluating Attributes

00:21:24 Cultural Fit

00:24:44 Team Gear, My Gear, Me

00:25:25 Training Other Team Leaders

00:26:03 What Makes an Effective Team Leader?

00:31:02 Tom Satterly and the Hot Wash

00:35:55 Staying Focused on Things You Can Change

00:39:17 Founding Omada

00:44:40 Applying Previous Experiences

00:51:37 Future Plans for Omada

00:53:36 Working for Omada

00:54:06 One Book that Everyone Should Read

00:58:09 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received

00:59:48 Contact Chris Brennan

01:00:37 Outro

Philip Andrew Armstrong is a decorated combat veteran, elite-level medic, program manager, and resilience-driven father of four. Raised in the woods by hippies and unable to read until the age of 14, his early life was unconventional, marked by hardship, self-reliance, and grit. Those experiences became the bedrock for a path of resilience that carried him through combat, service on some of the world’s most elite special operations teams, and ultimately, earning a master’s degree from Harvard, proving that where you begin doesn’t define how far you can go.

Philip began his military journey as a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart for his actions under fire in Afghanistan. He earned additional valor recognition while serving as a civilian contractor with various agencies, deploying five more times to Afghanistan and once to Libya in support of counter-terrorism operations.

In 2018, Philip sustained a leg injury from an AK-47 ricochet during an overseas deployment. He officially retired from contracting in 2019 to focus on recovery, his family, and building a purpose-driven life beyond the battlefield.

Today, Philip serves as a medical and operational program manager, co-owner of a real estate brokerage in Florida, and co-founder of Ambassadors of World Wildlife, a nonprofit delivering medical and conservation support in remote, high-risk environments.

He holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University Global and a Master of Liberal Arts in Sustainability from Harvard Extension School. He is a board-certified Critical Care Flight Paramedic and has completed some of the most grueling and advanced tactical training in U.S. Special Operations. He’s also a triathlete and a licensed private pilot and paraglider pilot.

Philip lives in Florida with his wife—a former F-15 Strike Eagle backseater with two combat deployments—and their four young children. Together, they are embarking on the journey of homeschooling, with a focus on cultivating resilience, leadership, and adaptability in their family. Through social media, Philip shares raw, honest reflections on post-traumatic growth, high-performance living, mental health, and the challenges and triumphs of modern fatherhood.

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Follow Philip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/operator.drama.llama/

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