Tyler Lawson (TPF)

Tyler Lawson is a United States Army enlisted soldier who served with the 101st Airborne, 75th Ranger Regiment and now serves with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. A decorated soldier, Tyler has proved himself to be an effective leader, tactician and smart soldier. Enlisting at 19 years old, Tyler served 22 years in active combat before retiring. Once retiring, Tyler was recruited by the CIA to be apart of the Special Activities Division.

Early Life
Born to Richard and Paige Lawson on May 9th 1985, Tyler grew up in Telluride, Colorado. With two older sisters, he spent his time alone learning to snowboard, kayak and mountain bike. Being an avid outdoors man, Tyler became a tour guide and later a snowboard instructor during the resort seasons. Spending less time at home, Tyler enjoyed being out in the wilderness and by himself.

When in school, Tyler struggled throughout his years. Unlike his sisters, Tyler had an extremely hard time progressing through his days at school. Being teased by his sisters and classmates, Tyler continued on a downward spiral of going nowhere with academics. Barely graduating high school, Tyler had little to no options of college and was stuck in Telluride.

With his sisters coming back from Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley, Tyler found himself going nowhere. Attempting community college for a semester, Tyler struggled throughout the semester in basic classes and dropped out. Coming back home in the summer, Tyler saw a recruiting office and decided to enlist into the Army.

Training and Specialty
Shipping out to Fort Benning, Tyler underwent Boot Camp and Basic Training. Learning to become disciplined and an Army soldier, Tyler worked at something he knew that he could achieve. He wasn't a favorite from the Drill Sergeants but worked at trying to get himself disciplined so he would stop doing extra PT.

Once graduating from Boot Camp, Tyler went on to Airborne School. Excelling at Airborne School, Tyler worked on building his confidence up and know that he could achieve things set in front of him. Now having the drive to accomplish the tasks set in front of him, Tyler started to become a great soldier.

Assigned to the 101st Airborne in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Tyler joined the 327th Regiment as a Specialist and a designated rifleman. Working with other soldiers, Tyler learned to get a better shot and become more accurate. Once getting his shot down, Tyler found himself becoming a remarkable rifleman.

Assignment
Assigned to the 327th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Able Company, 1st Platoon, Tyler was a designated rifleman and often the point man. As a young Specialist, Tyler would lead his platoon through dangerous areas and try to bring them out alive.

Operation Iraqi Freedom (2005-2008)
Deploying during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005, Tyler and 2nd Platoon served in Kirkuk where they focused on the Iraqi forces attacking the Americans from the north. Launching numerous campaigns against the north, Tyler was able to get into combat skirmishes with the enemy and test himself in battle.

Over the course of his eleven months in Kirkuk, Tyler came under fire and later hunted down the enemies that attempted to kill his friends. Being a relentless fighter, Tyler became an effective and strong soldier for his platoon. Willing to go back out to protect his friends, Tyler became one of the few who would lead patrols and often be the first to do anything.

With the conflicts in Kirkuk only getting worse, news coverage came and the Specialist was seen on television back home. Out of contact with his family for the past two years, Tyler continued to defend his brothers and ignore the news coverage. Pulling out of Kirkuk at the end of the eleven month deployment, Tyler knew what he wanted to do and found his calling.

Returning back to Iraq in 2007 for a fifteen month deployment, Tyler, now a Corporal deployed to central Iraq. With a combat deployment under his belt, Tyler felt more comfortable in the country and willing to do more things to protect his friends. Continuing to lead patrols and take the fight to the enemy, Tyler picked up where he left off and didn't take one step back.

Launching more offensive campaigns, Tyler found himself in more combat situations than he did in 2005. Still able to come at each fight with the same intensity as before, Tyler became a force to be reckon with. Still working within his platoon, Tyler worked with other soldiers on flanking and gaining an upper hand on the enemy that were attacking them.

With another successful deployment under his belt, Tyler reenlisted into the Army and continued his work. Following the end of the deployment, Tyler was promoted to Sergeant and spent the next months working on becoming a Sergeant after his platoon leader left. However, Tyler decided to tryout for the Rangers and see where things would fare out for him there.

Training and Assignment
Undergoing RASP, Tyler worked through the program and fought his way to become a Ranger. Doing everything he could possibly do, Tyler barely made it as Ranger. Struggling through RASP, he was almost thrown out until they looked at his dedication to never give up. Due to his ability to never give up and find a way, Tyler was able to make it as a Ranger.

Still not happy with his performance during RASP, Tyler worked on becoming a better Ranger. Attending Reconnaissance classes and performing better medical procedures on himself. Working with veteran Rangers instructors, Tyler was able to get better training and become the Ranger the United States Army needed him to become.

One of the instructors that Tyler asked for help from was apart of the Regimental Reconnaissance Company. Seeing the young Sergeant's ability to never give up, Tyler was accepted into the RRC and trained with the Tier One group on becoming an effective reconnaissance soldier. After passing the Operator Training Course, Tyler joined the RRC.

Operation Enduring Freedom (2010-2012)
Deployed to Afghanistan twice for four months in 2010, Team Five picked up their pace against the insurgents after the detonation of a nuclear device and an attempted attack on the United States. Exploring connections between the insurgents and Russian Ultranationalists, deploying to the Balkh and Kondoz Province, Team Five was tasked with finding any leads between the two.

Deployed deep into enemy lines, Tyler and Team Five were able to record and send intelligence indicating that the Russian Ultranationalists were supplying fighters with weapons. Assisting DEVGRU and the 1st SFOD-D on raids, Team Five was successful in taking down insurgents and the flow of Russian weapons. In the short four months, Tyler was able to make a drastic difference in the region.

Returning back in two months, Team Five continued to their search for more leads. Now in the Kondoz Province, Tyler was able to operate within villages and work with the locals on rooting out the insurgents who threaten the area. Able to work with the locals, Team Five was able to find out more about the connection and use more Tier One operators to clear out the areas.

Working along DEVGRU and CAG, Tyler and Team Five were able to deal blows to the insurgents and ultranationalist trades happening in the area. Returning back home, Tyler accepted his promotion to Staff Sergeant and prepared for another deployment. That changed when the 1st SFOD-D was looking at him to become a prospective operator.

1st SFOD-D
Training and Specialty

Undergoing 1st SFOD-D training, Tyler was put to the test of his life in a week. Passing impossible odds in the first week, Tyler was accepted into Operator Training Course. Undergoing intense training, Tyler was used to the intensity of being in this setting and started to excel. Becoming an operator, Tyler was able to join the 1st SFOD-D where three other people passed in the class.

Due to Tyler's background, he was placed in many classes where he would become an effective reconnaissance and surveillance operator. Taking many classes around the area, Tyler became an effective operator who could work within a small team and gather important intelligence. Being able to gather this intel would allow his team to act fast.

Along with his training, Tyler became fluent in Russian and Arabic. Working with CIA linguistic officers and practicing his language, Tyler became an expert at the language and worked with other operators on learning bits of Russian and Arabic. Able to speak Russian and Arabic allowed his upcoming team to be able to understand enemy plans and how to avoid their movement.

Assignment
Tyler was assigned to G Squadron and placed in AFO Grizzly. A four operator personnel team that operates behind enemy lines with other nation Special Operation Forces. As a designated rifleman and surveillance specialist, Tyler is tasked with gathering intelligence and preparing plans with the leader of AFO Grizzly. Tyler would deploy across the world hunting down enemies.

Operation Inherit Resolve (2015-2016)
Tyler and AFO Grizzly deployed to Africa hunting down leads within the continent that connected the KGB and African War Criminals. Over the next year, Tyler would deploy twice to the continent hoping to find out what the goal of the Russians were. Mapping out the Inner Circle in Africa, AFO Grizzly worked with other nations SOF to take down the terrorist organization.

First deployed to South Africa, Tyler and AFO Grizzly worked with South African SOF to find Inner Circle safehouses. Once conducting the raid, Tyler was able to tap into Inner Circle communications and figure out who the main players were. Mapping out the codenames, Tyler was able to piece together the enemies that were working together in Africa.

Hunting down African War Criminals, AFO Grizzly was able to cut off the Inner Circle gun trade. Successful in taking it down, they forced Inner Circle agents out into the open and hunted them down across Africa. Chasing them through the streets of Johannesburg and other cities, AFO Grizzly was able to capture terrorists and bring them in for questioning.

Deploying back in 2016, AFO Grizzly assisted with taking down more war criminals in Central Africa. Their hunt took them across the continent where they were able to wipe out many militaries that were threatening the way of life in the area. Along with taking out enemies, they were able to restore order to the area and allow the UN to come in and help those countries.

In late summer of 2016, AFO Grizzly was deployed into Mongolia and prepared to sneak into Russia. With the United States under attack, AFO Grizzly would work with Russian Loyalists, SAS and other units to take out military leaders in the Inner Circle. Once finding the Inner Circle's Headquarters, they were able to take out enemies and end World War Three.

Able to bring down the Inner Circle, AFO Grizzly was respected for their work in the SOF community. Extending their deployment by six more months, they were able to prevent World War Three from spiraling out of control and becoming a much bigger blood bath than it needed to be. With the actions, Tyler was promoted to Sergeant First Class.

Operation Circumspect Sentinel (2018-2021)
With the fall of the Inner Circle, weapons were sent across the world and to many enemies of the United States. In the next three years, AFO Grizzly deployed as a unit to track down arms traffickers and secure any weapons they were able to. Deploying to Iran, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea and China, AFO Grizzly was able to secure weapons and stop terrorist attacks from happening across the world.

Hunting down the Russian agents first, AFO Grizzly worked with the Russian Spetsnaz on finding illegal weapons trading along the border of Russia and securing the weapons that were intended to be shipped out. Finding out ships and shipping locations, AFO Grizzly worked with DEVGRU and secured enemy freighters that were moving weapons over international waters.

AFO Grizzly conducted raids with South Korea SOF in North Korea to take down the weapons they were sold. Securing the area, they traced more weapons to China and worked with China SOF to eliminate the terrorists who were planning to detonate a nuclear device in Hong Kong. Following the weapons across Asia, AFO Grizzly was able to secure and stop many threats against civilizations.

Moving to Iran and Pakistan in 2020, now a Master Sergeant, Tyler was able to help with special reconnaissance operations and shut down trading with arms traffickers. Tracking them out of Pakistan and Iran, AFO Grizzly launched operations with DEVGRU and the SAS on taking down these enemies. Able to gather intelligence from them, Tyler traced the weapons to Yemen and Somalia.

Hunting the enemies down to Yemen and Somalia, AFO Grizzly worked with DEVGRU, 75th Ranger Regiment and the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. Able to secure and shutdown the final weapons that were being sold in Somalia, Operation Circumspect Sentinel was concluded and all weapons that were stolen from the Inner Circle are now in safe hands.

Operation Noble Crusade (2022-2024)
With Israel and Palestine becoming more hostile towards one another. Israel invaded Palestine and put the people under military order. Violating their human rights and torturing the people of Palestine, the United States responded with four AFO teams to help the Palestine people. AFO Grizzly deployed to the Gaza Strip and began the most controversial combat campaign against Israel.

AFO Grizzly worked with Palestine forces to push back the Israeli forces and out of their sector. Securing a warm water port for the people of Palestine allowed their civilians to be evacuated. While working with the Palestine forces, Tyler was able to reinforce the defenses that Palestine had in place. Once leaving the Gaza Strip, AFO Grizzly posed as working for the Israeli forces.

Giving faulty intelligence and putting Israeli forces in combat, they pulled away from the Gaza Strip and soon focused on the West Bank. Establishing underground communication with Palestine, AFO Grizzly was able to assist rebel fighters in Palestine and secure their land back. AFO Grizzly continued to play with the Israeli forces and force them to pull out of Palestine.

In 2024, the United States assisted Jordan in securing their borders in pushing back the Israeli forces. Disguised as Jordan soldiers, AFO Grizzly was able to help push back the enemy that invaded Jordan. Securing the border of Jordan, they were able to push Israel back into their borders and secure the land that Jordan had lost.

Retirement
Promoted to Sergeant Major at the end of 2024, Tyler pulled out of G Squadron and moved on to an advisory role. Still working with the AFO teams, Tyler advised officers on their readiness, operations and their results. For the two years he spent as a Sergeant Major, the CIA Special Activities Division took an interest in Tyler's ability to work with the AFO teams and communicate with the other officers.

Receiving a honorable discharge in 2026, Sergeant Major Tyler Lawson left the United States Army after 22 years of service. With 14 overseas deployments, 39 medals and 12 years in 1st SFOD-D, Tyler is a decorated soldier who has spent his career defending the United States and the globe from terrorist threats. Now offered a job at the CIA, Tyler takes the next step in his career.

Assignment
Tyler is in control of Task Force Phoenix. A task force in the CIA that uses AFO teams from DEVGRU and 1st SFOD-D. He continues to work as the mission handler and intelligence guide for the two teams he has control over. Knowing the teams, he is able to give them good intel and come back with information he needs to secure the enemy that he is hunting.

Education
While apart of the RRC, Tyler took classes at the University of Georgia to achieve a Bachelors of Arts in Communications Study, Human Relations. Instead of struggling through his time as a student, Tyler excelled as a student and became better at communicating with other people while deployed. Spending two years in college, Tyler was able to get his degree and graduate.

Equipment
Joining the 101st Airborne, Tyler was given an M4 Carbine. Attaching a forward grip, flashlight, advanced laser and a TA01NSN ACOG. Being able to engage the enemy up close and further away, Tyler was able to be deadly at all rangers and be the most effective soldier on the field. As a Screaming Eagle, Tyler spent his time becoming accurate with the Carbine and knowing just about everything inside of it.

Becoming a Ranger and joining the RRC, Tyler upgraded to the H&K 416 assault rifle. Using a forward grip, flashlight, advanced laser, suppressor and an eotech holographic sight, Tyler was able to be far more quiet and deadlier than he was with a M4 Carbine. His versatility and ability to operate at any range only made him a far better operator than he already was.

Continuing to use an H&K 416 assault rifle in the 1st SFOD-D, Tyler used many variants of the same rifle. Keeping the same rifle, he'd adjust the stock or change up the barrel length in case he was going to be going close quarters. Using the same equipment he didn't have to change anything about his rifle and kept what he liked, the same.

Using a Beretta M9 his 22 years, Tyler kept a stock variant on him and never used a different sidearm. Knowing that it would never fail him in combat, Tyler kept full faith that his sidearm would never fail him. In the 22 years of combat service, it never did. When retiring, Tyler bought his Beretta and it's the only firearm in his house.

Personality
Known to be quiet and relaxed, Tyler is one of the few that doesn't talk much during a deployment and focuses on his work. Finding his calling to the Army, he did everything he could to not butcher his chances. Also quiet off deployment, he doesn't say much in general and people think he's a mute due to how little he'll talk. Tyler taught himself to know when to talk and when not to.

Picked on when he was younger, Tyler used the lessons he learned from his childhood and worked on becoming a stronger individual. Not taking anything from anyone, he was known to stand up for himself regardless of who was in front of him. Later in life, he learned to get over those issues from his childhood and move on.

Being on the receiving end of unfortunate luck for his life, Tyler never got a chance to get up and going for quite some time. Struggling through school and some parts of training, he felt that he wasn't good enough. Once reaching the 1st SFOD-D, Tyler began to see things fall in his path and line up. Working for the CIA, Tyler felt that his life had fully turned around.

Fighting for his friends and family, Tyler did everything he could to the best of his ability. Not holding back on the smaller missions, he was willing to do it all to make sure his friends would make it back home. Having the drive to do so, made him a great soldier, Ranger then operator. Tyler never gave up and always tried to find a way to win, regardless of the situation.

Tyler never wears his uniform and boast about his service. Seeing the ones who do, he avoids them and wants to be treated normally. Tyler knew how to stay out of the spotlight and did everything he could to stay away from it. Once becoming an operator, he found himself being extremely comfortable with the rules set in place and not having to do all these formal balls.

One to keep perfecting his craft, Tyler worked on his job and becoming the best he could. Working with trainers and practicing outside of drills, Tyler found himself prepared for more situations than he was able to handle. When his team showed the same intensity, Tyler felt he was on the same level as the rest of his team and they were able to beat anyone who stepped in their way.

Family
Tyler had a hard time with his family. The one struggling while the rest were successful, Tyler never spent time with his family. Forced through school, Tyler struggled to get C's while his sisters were going to top schools in the country. Due to feeling dumb and stupid, Tyler enlisted in the military and cut off communications with his family for three years.

After three years of being in the dark, Tyler returned home to find his sisters engaged and living happy lives. Learning that he was spotted on CNN during a battle, his parents were worried for him since they didn't know what happened to him. He kept minimal contact with his family during his career in the military and missed both of his sister's weddings during his fifteen month deployment to Iraq.

Due to constant deployments, training and academics, Tyler had an extremely hard time trying to maintain a connection with his family. Missing every possible event, he felt that he defeated his family as a son and gave up on them. During 2016, his family learned of his line of work and slowly came to understand just what their son and brother was doing.

After joining the 1st SFOD-D, Tyler moved back to Colorado where he was able to keep in contact with his family. Able to restore connections and relationships with his family, Tyler was able to get back the family he once had. Keeping his family close, Tyler worked on never letting them go and did everything he could to make up for everything he missed out on.

First Marriage
Tyler met Gretchen Stafford while he was taking classes at the University of Georgia. Dating for two years and married for six months, it was a total mess for Tyler. Trying to maintain relationships and keep everything together, he failed to keep it together and it ended with a bad divorce. She filed for divorce during his third deployment with the RRC.

Coming back home, Tyler learned that she already moved on and expected him to sign it. Tyler gave up on her and let her have her way. Cutting off all communication with her, Tyler focused on his job and didn't speak to her ever again. He often saw her around Fort Benning and avoided her whenever she attempted to make a move to talk to him again.

Second Marriage
Moving back to Colorado in 2014 and graduating from 1st SFOD-D, Tyler met Rebecca Young when reconnecting with his older sister Alyssa. A friend of his older sister, Tyler felt awkward when she asked him on a date. Agreeing, Tyler started to date Rebecca. Learning she was a lawyer and that he was apart of Delta Force, the two tried to make what they had work.

In between deployments, Rebecca noticed Tyler's attempts to make up for occasions he missed. Learning that he had a failed marriage and missed every possible family occasion, she worked with him on getting his relationships squared away. With help, Tyler was able to reestablish the relationships with his family he once had and continues to improve upon them.

In 2020, Tyler proposed to Rebecca taking a second shot at marriage and dating the same person for six years. The two married in 2021 with both families there and friends. Taking a step in the right direction, the two improved their relationship together and Rebecca learned more about the 1st SFOD-D through the other wives. Taken into an elite sorority, Rebecca cherishes the life she has with her husband.

In 2023, Daniel Lawson was born and Tyler was able to be there for the birth. Three years after the birth of their son, the three moved from Colorado to Virginia where Tyler works for the CIA and Rebecca works for a private law firm in D.C. Once completing his service, Tyler dedicates all of his time to raising his son and making sure that he doesn't go down the same path as he did.