Black Hawk survivor Michael Durant visits Marion Military Institute

Retired military officer Michael Durant paid a visit to the Marion Military Institute (MMI) on Wednesday, April 4 where he delivered an address to the cadets and staff. 

Durant is the survivor of a Black Hawk helicopter that was among others shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. 

Durant was captured and held prisoner until his release 11 days later. The battle became the subject of the non-fiction book "Black Hawk Down" by Mark Bowden and a later film adaptation by director Ridley Scott. 

Durant also served in military operations in the Persian Gulf, Panama and Kuwait. Despite the serious injuries he sustained in Mogadishu he was eventually cleared to fly helicopters again. 

He is a retired Chief Warrant Officer Four or CW4. 

"Addressing the Chapel audience, he shared examples of perseverance from his 22-year Army career, recalling multiple times when he opted for Plan B to reach career goals (such as flight school or special forces)," said a post on the MMI Facebook page. "He advised the college students to seize opportunities as they present themselves."