FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From High School Dropout to NORAD Command Staff Officer: Retired Major Dennis G. Smith Joins Forces with Eagle Freedom Presents to Launch “Mental Roadmap” for Resilience

Raleigh, NC — January 7, 2026 — In a strategic move to combat the growing crisis of leadership and mental health, Retired U.S. Air Force Major Dennis G. Smith has announced a partnership with the rising media platform Eagle Freedom Presents to promote his memoir and leadership guide, Rising Up: From Woodsmoke to Wings.

The collaboration kicked off on January 7, 2026 with Smith’s first-ever public interview, premiering exclusively on the Eagle Freedom Presents podcast, available on most streaming platforms including YouTube.

Smith’s story is a testament to the platform’s mantra: Rise, Inspire, Overcome. Raised in the poverty of the rural Ozarks without electricity or running water, Smith dropped out of school at age 16 to support his family. Defying the odds, he enlisted in the military, earned two college degrees while on active duty, and rose through the ranks to command Top Secret logistics at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex (NORAD).

Rising Up: From Woodsmoke to Wings is not merely a memoir; it is a manual for survival. Smith argues that high rates of drug abuse and suicide in society stem from a lack of a “mental roadmap” to overcome obstacles—a tool he aims to provide through this partnership.

“PTSD isn’t just for the military. We lose people every day because they lack a mental roadmap to overcome obstacles,” says Major Smith. “I chose to team up with Eagle Freedom Presents because they understand that true freedom comes from mastering your own mindset. Together, we are getting this roadmap into the hands of the people who need it most.”

Deston Rogers

Our founder, Deston Rogers, a radio broadcasting veteran with a remarkable 40-year career, understands the power of a story because he has lived through immense adversity. He has faced profound personal struggles, including the devastating loss of two sons and their mother, crippling financial difficulties, and the isolating battle with loneliness. 

These challenges didn’t break him; instead, they forged within him an unyielding strength and courage. Deston realized that his life’s purpose wasn’t just to be a voice on the radio but to share his inspirational story and help others discover the same resilience he found through personal development, positive relationships, and a deep-seated faith. He’s a survivor with a motivational mission to serve.

https://eaglefreedompresents.com/