THROUGHOUT 2024, MACK DEFENSE WILL SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON VETERAN EMPLOYEES, SHOWCASING THEIR EXTRAORDINARY
SERVICE EXPERIENCES AND HIGHLIGHTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE TO HELP PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY, AS WELL
AS, BRINGING A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE, DEDICATION, AND A SPIRIT OF SERVICE TO THE FOREFRONT OF THE MACK DEFENSE TEAM
Saluting David Pettigrew, International Sales Director
Mack Defense is privileged to showcase David Pettigrew as an exemplary member of the military community, recognizing
his commitment to duty and the unique skill set he brings to the team. As an integral part of Mack Defense, David’s wealth
of experience and unwavering dedication resonate with the company’s values, making him a valuable asset and source of inspiration for all.
David Pettigrew comes from a proud military family with a deep legacy of service. His father and seven brothers all enlisted, establishing a tradition that continued with their sons serving.
In 1976, he found himself starting a family and, in need of benefits, and made the decision to join the U.S. Army. David attended medical school at Fort Sam in Houston, TX and served as an army medic. Seeking to advance his skills and his career he transitioned to become a flight medic, earning certifications as EMT1 and EMT2 for helicopter missions at Fort Carson, CO. He spent three years flying high level medevac missions in Fort Carson and civilian areas surrounding Colorado Springs, Denver, CO area to include mountain rescue operations during skiing and hunting season.
His journey then took him to Panama, where he was assigned to a U.S. Army Helicopter Ambulance Unit in Fort Clayton to conduct medevac and rescue operations for the military bases, commercial ships transiting the Panama Canal and surrounding waters.
Eager to further enhance his skills, he underwent U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course Phase 1, a challenging eight-week program with only an 85-person graduation rate out of an initial 300. Then attended 24 weeks of intensive language and culture school, as well as, Small Unit and Survival Training for 13 weeks in the rugged and mountainous hills of North Carolina aimed at honing leadership, tactical, and survival skills to foster a tightly knit team.
David then embarked on a journey through one of the U.S. military’s most rigorous and mentally challenging Army medical schools at Ft. Sam Houston Texas with only an 8-person graduation rate out of an initial 25. Here he dedicated 50 weeks to rigorous classroom sessions, laboratory work, and serving in trauma centers across the U.S.
His deployments spanned the Middle East and Africa, with extensive time spent in Iraq, Kuwait, Somalia and other areas facing turmoil. The most challenging aspect of his service was collaborating with individuals who willingly sacrificed their lives to put the mission first. Saving and supporting people, allowing them to lead better lives, became a driving force for David.
Throughout his military career, leadership skills developed, starting with safety responsibilities in basic training and progressing to strategic roles and crisis management.
Translating his military experiences into civilian life, he entered international sales. Leveraging the brotherhood ethos, he found success by emphasizing personal connections before delving into business discussions. The military background became a valuable asset in sales, emphasizing teamwork, training, and a winning mentality.
David has been involved in coaching kids sports, mentoring in Boy Scouts, and contributing to community well-being. He shares his experiences and provides training, emphasizing the value of military discipline and crisis management skills.
Despite the challenges, including the emotional toll of witnessing the loss of soldiers, he retired at 38 years old, grateful for the opportunities provided by the government. He believes sharing his stories is essential, and is willing to speak about his experiences as a form of catharsis.