CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Don Bowen, a resident of Clarksville and a former Green Beret assigned to 5th group at Fort Campbell, will appear on the History Channel’s new show, ‘The Selection: Special Operations Experiment’.
The series follows a group of civilians who want to undergo the rigorous training required by elite military organizations like the Army’s Special Forces or the Navy SEALS.
Sgt. 1st Class Bowen, who retired in 2011, serves as one of the instructors on the show. He and a group of other service members created a program to test the limits of the show’s participants.
“For those guys [the civilians] it was eye opening,” Bowen said. “Everyone is trying to seek some kind of a higher fitness level or seek some kind of new experience, almost likened to some of the stuff we’ve [service members] been through. If they want a beating, we’ll give it to them.”
The best part of the experience for Bowen was working alongside fellow service members who could relate to him and what he’s been through during his time as a Green Beret. He said he enjoyed the camaraderie he felt while filming.
“I just love meeting up with other brothers and sisters that we have been in combat with, being able to work together and share experiences,” he said.
Bowen has been living in Clarksville with his wife and children since his retirement. He currently co-owns and operates Bowen and Reagan Combative Arts & Fitness, a martial arts center that caters to children and adults.
Bowen’s combat experience in both real-world and competitive settings helped propel his business career. He won the All-Army Combat Championship in 2010 and received a bronze medal in the world championship in 2011. He has also participated in a handful of MMA cage fights.
In addition to running his business, Bowen and his wife Michelle also volunteer their time for a nonprofit called Mission Force, which provides counseling for military couples as well as single soldiers.
Bowen can’t reveal very much about the upcoming season of ‘The Selection’, but he believes it will be interesting to watch for those who have military experience and those who don’t.
“I got to work alongside some great Americans and I feel very proud and blessed,” he said.
You can watch Bowen show the civilians just what kind of challenges they’re in for when ‘The Selection: Special Operations Experiment’ premieres Thursday, Dec. 8 at at 9 p.m. on the History Channel.