General Carl Stiner is not only a man of honor, he's a decorated American hero.
"I never sought out anything. I just took what they gave me and did it to the best of my ability," said Stiner.
His love of country dates back to childhood. At age 6, General Stiner vividly remembers watching neighborhood boys answer the call during World War II.
"Seeing them walk out of the farms, across the fields on this road- that was the only one that existed at the time- they were going off to war," explained Stiner.
In his hometown, it was God and country and farming was a way of life.
"We had a big cattle farm, but we always raised corn and tobacco in those days. We worked 6 days a week, sun up to sun down. My father would've made a good First Sergeant," said Stiner.
His father only had an 8th grade education, so college was a priority for his son. At then Tennessee Polytechnic, he majored in animal husbandry and agriculture.
"I thought I might want to be a veterinarian," explained Stiner.
He coupled his studies with ROTC. On graduation day, Stiner was commissioned Second Lieutenant and ordered to Fort Benning, Georgia that night.
General Stiner's next 35 years of service to the Army are incredibly impressive and impossible to respectfully chronicle in a few minutes.
From tours in Korea, Vietnam and Lebanon,to special assignments in the Middle East, the Pentagon and as Military Advisor to Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
"We would go around and visit the 22 modern Arab nations within the region, trying to get their support to end all the blood shed," said Stiner.
General Stiner not only rose through the ranks, he became a special ops architect and spearheaded key covert missions.
In 1985, Palestinian terrorists hijacked cruise ship Achille Lauro and killed American, Leon Klinghoffer. Stiner and his special forces responded immediately.
"I dropped off a contingent of Navy Seals and 2 little bird gun ships. We forced them down with the help of the 6th fleet. Sicily, that's where we captured the terrorists," said Stiner.
And rescued the hostages including Klinghoffer's wife.
"I was a 2 star at that time."
In 1998, his expertise and team were needed in Panama. The target-- Leader Manuel Noriega.
"He was into some terrible things for 9 years. We struck at night. We came from 16 bases here in the U.S," said Stiner That was when they captured Noriega.
"After that, I got promoted to my 4th star."
General Stiner also took command of all military special operations forces.
In 1993, through new legislation, Congress forced the General and other top military leaders into early retirement based on ages and number of years served.
"They didn't realize the impact the law would have on the military."
So, General Stiner was called back as a senior mentor.
"It's a great opportunity to have an influence on the younger leaders coming up," explained Stiner.
His book with Tom Clancy, "Shadow Warrior," is a tribute to the military's Special Forces.
"I swore I'd never write a book because I didn't keep any notes. Everything we did was classified," said Stiner.
And like his career, his wife, Sue was incredibly supportive. She even typed out his thoughts which became manuscript.
"That's the best decision I ever made- marrying Sue. We'll be married 51 years the 29th of November."
And that includes 26 moves and two daughters he calls exceptional.
"I get up at 5:30 every morning."
Still regimented, the General is home after 40 years.
"Things sure change."
But some things haven't changed- most days you'll find General Stiner back on the farm.
"I enjoy it. You can do a lot of thinking out there."
General Carl Stiner, Born in LaFollette, HomeGrown in Tennessee.
In addition to being a top military advisor, General Stiner also serves as Chairman of the Special Operations Warrior Fund. The organization provides full college scholarships and education counseling to the children of fallen special operations personnel.