Jonathan Garrett Zech
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
- Special Effects
Jonathan Garrett Zech was born on July 26, 1976 and grew up in St.
Clair Shores, Michigan. After watching the first episode of the TV
series "The Fall Guy" in 1981, he knew he wanted to become a stuntman.
While on his honeymoon in Florida in 2000, he stumbled upon the
opportunity to participate in a four-day stunt course. Attending the
stunt course solidified his desire to become a stunt performer and opened
his eyes to how difficult stunt work is.
His goal to become a stuntman was put on hold when he joined the U.S. Army in 2002. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and assigned to the 118th Military Police Company (Airborne). In December 2002, he was deployed to Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan and served as his squad's .50 caliber machine gunner. His unit provided base security, detainee operations, and area security patrols.
He deployed to Iraq in March 2004 and in April of that year, he was a part of the first wave in the battle for Fallujah were he earned an Army Commendation Medal with Valor. After Fallujah, his unit was stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kalsu where his unit conducted area security patrols, provided convoy security, and was the FOB's quick reaction force. His platoon was relocated to Al-Kut in July and conducted area security patrols as well as trained the Iraqi police in that providence. While in Al-Kut, his platoon, consisting only of three Armored Security Vehicles and seven Humvees, single-handedly foiled an assault by the Shia Mahdi Army when they attempted to take over the city of Al-Kut.
Once back at Fort Bragg Jonathan was assigned to the 42nd Military Police Detachment and became a member of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. In the Traffic Enforcement Unit, he finally was able to do what he joined the Army to do: Law Enforcement. The duties he performed were Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigations, DWI Enforcement, Speed Enforcement, and VIP escorts.
January 2007 started a new chapter when Jonathan re-enlisted and became a Military Working Dog Handler. He didn't forget about his dreams of becoming a stuntman, however, so he saved up his leave time and took a month off in 2008 to train with the United Stuntmen's Association in Seattle, WA. Later that year, he attended a stunt and special effects workshop in Georgia; it was here that he met Ron Keller, owner of Florida-based special effects company, KFX. Ron helped him realize that stunts and special effects go hand-and-hand, and working with Ron would provide more opportunities to break into the business. Unfortunately, with time still left in the Army, his stunt career had to get put on the back burner again.
His last deployment was to Iraq in August, 2009. This time he didn't go with unit of fellow soldiers, it was just a team of two: Sergeant Zech and his Military Working Dog (MWD), Rony / L229, the best partner a police officer could have. MWD Rony was a Patrol Narcotics Detector Dog and they were assigned to FOB Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. Their duties there consisted of conducting narcotics sweeps alongside customs officials and walking patrols to ensure the safety of the personnel on the FOB.
The end of his third deployment was also the end of his Military service. In November 2010, Jonathan was out of the Army and working for the Department of the Army Civilian Police. He stayed at Fort Bragg and went back to work in the Traffic Enforcement Unit. After 11 ½ years, his time at Fort Bragg came to an end. Military awards he earned; Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal w/ Valor Device, 4 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, 2 Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, 2 Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge. Some notable accomplishments include 498 DWI arrests, recognized by MADD for outstanding DWI Enforcement, and two presidential escorts.
In June 2013, Jonathan relocated to Alabama were he continues to work as a Police Officer and hone the skills he learned over the years: armed and unarmed fights, drags, harness and wire work, high and low falls, police/working dog attacks, precision driving, pyrotechnics, and weaponry. His knowledge of military and law enforcement skills and tactics is an asset to any action movie. From the air ram to zerk hits, Jonathan is truly the "A to Z" performer.
His goal to become a stuntman was put on hold when he joined the U.S. Army in 2002. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and assigned to the 118th Military Police Company (Airborne). In December 2002, he was deployed to Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan and served as his squad's .50 caliber machine gunner. His unit provided base security, detainee operations, and area security patrols.
He deployed to Iraq in March 2004 and in April of that year, he was a part of the first wave in the battle for Fallujah were he earned an Army Commendation Medal with Valor. After Fallujah, his unit was stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kalsu where his unit conducted area security patrols, provided convoy security, and was the FOB's quick reaction force. His platoon was relocated to Al-Kut in July and conducted area security patrols as well as trained the Iraqi police in that providence. While in Al-Kut, his platoon, consisting only of three Armored Security Vehicles and seven Humvees, single-handedly foiled an assault by the Shia Mahdi Army when they attempted to take over the city of Al-Kut.
Once back at Fort Bragg Jonathan was assigned to the 42nd Military Police Detachment and became a member of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. In the Traffic Enforcement Unit, he finally was able to do what he joined the Army to do: Law Enforcement. The duties he performed were Traffic Crash/Traffic Homicide Investigations, DWI Enforcement, Speed Enforcement, and VIP escorts.
January 2007 started a new chapter when Jonathan re-enlisted and became a Military Working Dog Handler. He didn't forget about his dreams of becoming a stuntman, however, so he saved up his leave time and took a month off in 2008 to train with the United Stuntmen's Association in Seattle, WA. Later that year, he attended a stunt and special effects workshop in Georgia; it was here that he met Ron Keller, owner of Florida-based special effects company, KFX. Ron helped him realize that stunts and special effects go hand-and-hand, and working with Ron would provide more opportunities to break into the business. Unfortunately, with time still left in the Army, his stunt career had to get put on the back burner again.
His last deployment was to Iraq in August, 2009. This time he didn't go with unit of fellow soldiers, it was just a team of two: Sergeant Zech and his Military Working Dog (MWD), Rony / L229, the best partner a police officer could have. MWD Rony was a Patrol Narcotics Detector Dog and they were assigned to FOB Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. Their duties there consisted of conducting narcotics sweeps alongside customs officials and walking patrols to ensure the safety of the personnel on the FOB.
The end of his third deployment was also the end of his Military service. In November 2010, Jonathan was out of the Army and working for the Department of the Army Civilian Police. He stayed at Fort Bragg and went back to work in the Traffic Enforcement Unit. After 11 ½ years, his time at Fort Bragg came to an end. Military awards he earned; Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal w/ Valor Device, 4 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, 2 Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, 2 Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Parachutist Badge. Some notable accomplishments include 498 DWI arrests, recognized by MADD for outstanding DWI Enforcement, and two presidential escorts.
In June 2013, Jonathan relocated to Alabama were he continues to work as a Police Officer and hone the skills he learned over the years: armed and unarmed fights, drags, harness and wire work, high and low falls, police/working dog attacks, precision driving, pyrotechnics, and weaponry. His knowledge of military and law enforcement skills and tactics is an asset to any action movie. From the air ram to zerk hits, Jonathan is truly the "A to Z" performer.