#94: Doc Jacobs: There and Back Again

The Hardwick Life Podcast

Joining us today on the Hardwick Life Podcast is Doc Jacobs. Daniel “Doc” Jacobs is a 36 year-old medically retired Navy Corpsman. He served eight years and two months in the United States Navy. He has served six- years and six months of this service as a combat wounded Corpsman. Doc was sent to 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment just weeks prior to their deployment to Ramadi, Iraq in September of 2005. Doc was in combat for six and a half months on a seven-month deployment when his “gun truck” was struck by an I.E.D (improvised explosive device) that consisted of three 155mm artillery rounds. Up until that point, Doc had over 225 Combat Patrols. After two full years of full physical, mental, and spiritual recovery which included losing his left leg (below the knee), three toes from his right foot, and three partial fingers from his left hand, Doc returned to the Fleet Marine Force and became one of the few in the Navy to do so. Not only was Doc one of the few amputees to return to the Fleet Marine Force for the Navy, but he also made US Naval and Marine Corps history by being the first amputee Corpsman and of all Naval Personnel to EVER be assigned to an infantry unit. Doc did more than just his job as a Corpsman: he has done 21 world marathons, most recent being the San Diego Rock and Roll Half Marathon on June 2, 2019 with a modest time of 2 hours and 50 minutes and Detroit’s International Half Marathon on October 20, 2019 in 3 hours and 2 minutes. All marathons were completed as an amputee. Doc is planning to be one of the few amputees to ever run a half marathon on all seven continents. Doc has not only had a passion for helping those in uniform but has a passion helping all that need any assistance. He founded the Doc Jacobs Foundation (an official 501(c)3). The Doc Jacobs Foundation (www.docjacobsfoundation.org) funds sports scholarships for kids of military and veteran families. To date, the Doc Jacobs Foundation has funded thirty scholarships totaling $17,610 (an average of $587.00 per scholarship) in sports scholarships and has embarked on a partnership with the San Diego Gulls (AHL Team for the Anaheim Ducks). He played on the US Paralympic Sitting Volleyball team while trying out for Major League Baseball (2013-2015 with the Dodgers, White Sox, Tigers and Brewers) and running half marathons. During Doc’s various tryouts and training he played in the San Diego Adult Baseball League, was a Team Captain for Purple Heart Baseball and played in College Wood Bat Summer Leagues while working on his degree. Doc is also featured in a documentary, produced by Anthony Edwards, called: “Searching for Home: Coming Back from War”. Doc has also recently co-stared in a Sharp Healthcare Commercial that has aired on Hulu and throughout the San Diego County. Doc has been featured on ABC Nightly News, NBC World News Tonight, ESPN on the 4th of July, FOX5 San Diego and various other news outlets. He volunteers as a keynote speaker, leader, an athlete and an inspiration for the Gary Sinise Foundation, Achilles Freedom Team, Semper Fi Fund, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Waterboys, Chris Long Foundation, Operation Gratitude, California Disabled Veterans Business Alliance, Air Compassion for Veterans, as well as various military commands throughout the world. You can find Doc Jacobs at: https://www.docjacobsfoundation.org See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.