Eric Kocher

Staff Sergeant Eric Kocher (key military advisor, Gunnery Sgt. Rich Barrett) was a U.S. Marine and a member of First Reconnaissance Battalion and was covered by Evan Wright’s original articles and book. During his nine years with the U.S. Marine Corps., he served four tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan. Kocher was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with “V” for Valor for heroism during an enemy ambush near Fallujah, and received two navy Commendations with Combat Distinguishing Device for Valor. He is an expert in asymmetrical warfare and counter-insurgency tactics and graduated from more than 20 Recon Schools including Amphibious Reconnaissance, Combatant Diver, Survival Evasion Resistance Escape, Assault Climber, Basic and Urban Sniper and Tactical Air Control Party. He also appears in the miniseries as another Marine from the Battalion, Gunnery Sergeant Rich Barrett.