By Marlin Heater, US Army, Retired

I had the honor of serving with Seth Bodnar during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was my platoon leader and I was his first rifle platoon sergeant. In all my years in uniform — across Iraq, Afghanistan, and some of the most demanding combat environments our nation has faced — very few leaders have left as deep and lasting an impression on me as Seth did.

What stands out most, even after all these years, is his genuine concern for his soldiers and his unwavering commitment to protecting Iraqi civilians during our operations. In the chaos of combat — during raids, counter‑IED missions, and the long stretches where danger was constant — Seth embodied the spirit of that famous Rudyard Kipling line: “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…” He lived that calm, steady leadership every single day.

While the mission always came first, Seth brought something rare to the battlefield: a combination of bravery, humanity, and moral clarity that you simply don’t often see in such a young leader. I used to think I was setting the standard for him as he grew into his role. The truth is, he set a standard for me — one that stayed with me long after Iraq.

I hope the people of Montana have the opportunity to be led by someone of Seth Bodnar’s caliber — a superlative leader, a man of character, and one of the finest human beings I ever served with.

Thank you, Seth, for the example you set and the lives you impacted, including mine.

Marlin E. Heater Jr. is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant, seasoned security management professional, and cross‑border operations leader with more than two decades of experience supporting U.S. Government missions in high‑threat environments. His career spans the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and more than a decade of Department of Defense and Department of State contracting roles across Iraq and Afghanistan.