Howard E. Wasdin joined the navy to get money for college as a search-and-rescue swimmer but reenlisted to become a navy SEAL. He graduated with Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Class 143. After the Battle of Mogadishu, he was medically retired in November 1995. He finished his biology degree and later became a doctor of chiropractic. He currently sees patients at his clinic located in Jesup, Georgia.