William Hansen

Name: William Hansen
City/State: Frisco, TX
Branch of Service: Army
Dates of Service: 2/1/2002 – 2/1/2014
Last Rank Held: E5
Military Occupation: Infantry
Current Occupation: Rehabilitation and Personal Training
X: NA
Instagram: bigsargestrongllc
Facebook: NA

William outside of the military:

Father of 6 daughters ages 34-16 and one son age 4. I have been a history teacher, coach, dean of students, and a public speaker on a variety of topics. I currently work doing rehabilitation work on injured civilians and veterans along with personal training and competition prep. I have competed in crossfit, road bike races and strongman the past 10 years as part of my own personal rehabilitation from my injuries from my last deployment. This past year I finished 3rd in the nation in Masters Strongman for my second time and competed in the Arnold’s. In the past 8 years, I have done the Army 10 miler, numerous crossfit and strongman competitions, took a team of Veterans and road the Tahoe Century, trained 4 groups of Veterans to complete the Tahoe Tough Mudder and competed on CBS’ “Triumph Games” in 2017. I was in the US Marines Infantry from 1986-1996 and was in Desert Storm, embassy duty, and I/I Staff. My BA Degree is in Communications from Liberty University. My parents run an Orphanage in Mexico for the past 25 years, so I have grown up and matured with the idea of service since a young age.

William on joining the IAVA Cavalry:

While I have been on TV and have done Veteran specials and promotional work for the past 10 years. I want to get deeper involved in the work that our elected officials do to shape but uphold our constitutional rights. I have been pushed around in the VA system, and I have seen how some state laws make life more difficult for veterans. I want to lend my voice to the fight. This seems like the most efficient way to do my part in my time and lifestyle constraints (fatherhood and work)

How the military experience affected William’s personal growth:

The first thing we learned in USMC bootcamp in 1986 was the principle of improvise, adapt and overcome. I have used that in practically every aspect of my life, from military to teaching, coaching and being a husband and dad. I feel like my life was rebooted – I had this original life where I served in the Marines, became a teacher, coached wrestling and was pretty much focused on what I could do to build myself up. After Iraq in 2009, and after my injuries – I believe I adapted to more of a “How can I help the most people” with my skill set. I didn’t want to become a vegetable who just sat around and did nothing with my life. I grew up in a life of service and I started with what I knew and have spent the past 10-12 years growing mentally and physically to become a better voice for others.

IAVA’s policy priorities that are the most pressing:

Reforming the special authorizations for force. Unless we are attacked, I don’t want any president to be able to send my son (who will probably follow my footsteps and be a Marine) or anyone else’s kid to go off and fight someone else’s war so weapon companies in America can make more money. it’s that simple

IAVA’s policy priorities with the strongest personal connection for William:

Stated Above