He has faced a hail of bullets while serving in some of the deadliest places on Earth.
He has even had the misfortune of taking a bullet from an AK47 as a result of friendly fire.
Now Dundee man David O’Neill, 40, fears a rock will fly through his window at any moment and kill him.
Last year ex-soldier David’s Lochee Road home was one of those hit by a major landslide, which resulted in structural damage and many residents being forced to leave their properties.
David is convinced that a second landslide is on its way and blames Dundee City Council for failing to clean up the mess left behind from last year’s devastating event.
Speaking outside his home, which sits a mere five feet from the rock face which caused such damage just 18 months ago, he said: “We are fearing a second landslide, that’s how bad things are.
“My boss is in construction and says all it will take is for some rain to cause rocks to dislodge. You can actually hear them moving during the night.
“I could be doing my dishes in the kitchen and a rock could fly through my window and kill me at any moment.
“I’ve served in the South African army in places like the Congo and the Ivory Coast and was actually shot in the belly after a prank went wrong and now I’m facing this.
“It’s unbelievable.”
David has accused the council of leaving residents to fend for themselves and says they have been repeatedly “fobbed off”.
He claims contract workers who were out to resolve the situation admitted to him that they had to cease operations because the council no longer had the money to continue with the clean-up.
David said: “McAlpine were out doing work and were using our power point at one point, but they said to me that they had to pack their equipment up and move because they were no longer getting paid.
“The council don’t appear to have the funds.
“Our fire door had been bolted shut after the landslide.
“It’s now open again but literally just five feet from a fence they put up and the landslide itself.
“We’ve tried to speak to the council on a number of occasions but we’ve had nothing.
“We just keep getting the same statement again and again. It’s ridiculous.”
Despite the claims, the council insist they have received no complaints for residents in relation to structural movement and confirmed that work will begin again in September.
A spokesperson said: “It is anticipated that works to reconstruct the collapsed retaining wall will start next month.
“Council technical officers will coordinate with affected owners and tenants in the adjacent properties in advance of and during the work.
“City engineers have received no reports or complaints of any structural movement to properties in Lochee Road, nor is there any evidence that this has happened.
“Occupiers have previously been told that the rear door to the properties is not a fire exit and is closed to prevent public access on to the rock armour.”