Why join the U.S. Military when you can raise your own army?

We could spend all week explaining why the above statement is ludicrous, but that wouldn’t stop 36 year-old Matthew VanDyke. The American civilian has traveled to Iraq 20 times to fight the good fight. One time, he was even captured by Libyan rebels and held as a prisoner of war.

No, he wasn’t with any military unit, and no, he’s never received any military training. But VanDyke sure as hell is interested in giving combat tips to any who will listen.

What he lacks in formal skills and muscle mass, VanDyke makes up for in passion. He’s recently established Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), a Christian nonprofit that provides “free military consulting” to freedom fighters in Iraq. His great ambition is to raise an army of Iraqi civilians and U.S. military veterans to finally put down ISIS once and for all.

While VanDyke recruited a slew of military veterans to help SOLI in its quest, many left after they realized the operation was unorganized, unwise and illegal.

Suffice it to say, VanDyke’s gambit has no official support from either the American or Iraqi governments.