Army Veteran Mike Hagel and how scuba helped heal wounds of war [Video]

SHAWANO, WI (WFRV) – You’d never know from outward appearances the challenges United States Army Veteran Mike Hagel has faced since a combat-related cut his military career short.

It was after falling into despair marred with drinking and troublesome behavior that he discovered relief in scuba diving.

“You are weightless, and a lot of that joint and muscle pain can disappear,” Hagel explained. “Mentally, it’s quiet. It’s a completely different world you get to explore.”

Hagel said he knew he could go overseas to war at the time he enlisted.

“I could have gone over there knocked out scratch and come home or I could have never come home. It’s something I accepted when I raised my right hand.”

He trained in Germany as a Cavalry Scout to provide intelligence to American commanders on enemy movements.

His first deployment was with the infantry. It was during what he described as …