When a gunman entered an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University on March 12, 2026, students and faculty were forced to make life-or-death decisions in seconds. Their actions stopped the attacker, but the incident also revealed critical lessons about mindset, decisive action, leadership, and emergency medical care.

In this episode, former Green Berets Adam McIntyre and Mike Bearden join Brink and Tom to break down the attack step by step, discuss what went right, what could have changed the outcome, and explain why this real-world incident closely mirrors the principles taught in Defend Systems' D.E.F.E.N.D.® curriculum.

Whether you're an educator, first responder, business leader, or simply want to be better prepared, this conversation offers practical lessons that could save lives.

1:00 Guests Adam and Mike, former Green Berets and members of the Defend Systems team, recap the Old Dominion University shooting and explain why it reinforces the principles we teach in our training.

7:40 Overview of the attack timeline and what happened inside the ROTC classroom.

9:00 The shooter's Army National Guard background and reported ISIS ties.

10:44 Why we intentionally don't name the shooter.

13:00 Colonel Brandon Shah becomes the first person to confront the shooter.

13:14 The decisive actions students took to stop the attack.

15:05 How a student intentionally created a handgun malfunction—a skill taught in Defend Systems training.

15:56 How many Defend Systems training concepts played out in the first 30 seconds.

16:40 The warrior mindset that empowered students to act.

18:35 Student Samuel Reineberg's account of treating Colonel Shaw's wounds.

24:40 Where bleeding control kits and tourniquets should be placed in buildings.

26:55 What to do if you don't have a tourniquet.

29:41 Recognizing the students' decisive actions and quick notification of law enforcement.

33:30 The shooter's weapon choice and why determined attackers will find a weapon.

34:25 Two critical lessons about fighting over a gun.

38:30 Accepting injury over death.

38:55 How this incident demonstrates the final step of the D.E.F.E.N.D.® curriculum.

39:13 Why an options-based approach helps people respond effectively.

40:55 Adam and Mike's three biggest takeaways from the incident.

44:55 Brink's biggest takeaway: decisive action and mindset ended the attack quickly.

45:07 How mental scripting helps people respond faster under stress.

47:40 Watch student Samuel Reineberg's interview on The Shawn Ryan Show.

49:05 Why training matters, the impact of medical training, and why everyone should learn Stop the Bleed.