STAFF SERGEANT BRENT NADJADI

Warrior Story

Like many high school grads, Brent Nadjadi needed to do something next. Sensing junior college wasn’t right, he decided to follow in the bootsteps of his twin brother, Derick, and enlist in the United States Army.

In 2008, Brent found himself far from his small hometown of Bath, New York, and at Fort Bragg, NC, for basic training as a heavy-equipment operator.

A year later, SSG Nadjadi stepped onto the soil of eastern Afghanistan. His unit, 161 ES, 27th Engineer Battalion, was immediately ordered to conduct a two-day route-clearing operation. While he wasn’t supposed to be on the mission, Brent stepped up and joined them.

“Clearing bombs off roadways creates a safe path for forces and citizens, and also creates a great sense of service and camaraderie,” said Nadjadi.

On September 13, 2010, day two of the mission, Brent’s an Improvised Explosive Device struck his up-armored vehicle. In an instant, everything went black.

Days later, SSG Nadjadi woke up at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany. Unsure of where he was, he was set at ease when he saw his friend, one of four passengers in his vehicle, safe beside him.

The incident left Brent with multiple fractures in his legs and feet, a crushed vertebra, broken spine and broken jaw during the incident. With his deployment over, he returned to the United States for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

After a year and a half of ongoing medical care and surgeries, his left leg had not progressed — leading to him make the difficult decision to amputate it below the knee.

After spending three long years at Walter Reed Medical Hospital, Brent retired from the U.S. Army in April 2013 — proving to be the most difficult thing he’s ever done. Determined to find a new purpose in life, Brent found a love of fitness and adaptive sports — which motivated him to be a player and board member of the USA Patriots “America’s Amputee Softball Team.”

Nine years into his fitness journey, Brent noticed a gradual decline in bone and tissue in his right leg — ultimately leading to its amputation in March 2020.

“I might not have my legs, but I’m still here. I chose to live a life thankful for the blessings I still have.” says Nadjadi.

Today, Brent is a police officer for the Village of Canisteo Police Department. When not helping his community, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing corn hole, golfing, and hand cycling. He also takes great pride in helping others accomplish their goals.

Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors is proud to give Brent a mortgage-free home in his hometown so he can focus on doing what he loves most.

Help us show our gratitude for SSG Nadjadi’s service by signing our guest book below. To help fund his home build, please consider making a donation.

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