Not Letting the Military Define You
Podcast Episode 6 - Caleb Taylor
High Impact Segment 31:00 - 37:00
In this high impact segment, Caleb talks about how getting out of the military isn’t truly the end of your work or service. There is no higher honor than having served our country, but that doesn’t give license to take your foot off the gas.
“Everybody in my unit knows who I am and knows I’m the man and that I’m good at my job. I had this reputation and this respect and that feels great. You get out and you’re stripped of that. No one knows who you are. No one cares what you did.”
Whether you serve one term or twenty years, you’ll be a civilian again someday. You may have the (RET) next to your name, but the reality is that who you once were will not be who you become. And that’s okay - that’s how it should be. Change in our actions and how we see the world indicate growth.
Part of what (should) come with having served is a lesson in humility. Our contributions to this country are critical and should be honored, but that doesn’t give license to brag or embrace laziness. Unfortunately, many people ride the coattails of their service into a life of reliving the “glory days”. I think we all know someone who is quick to remind you of their small town, all star high school football days. Well, the military is the biggest small town around.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Tom Schueman of PB Abbate this weekend (interview coming in few weeks). He reminded me of the concept of the hero’s journey which is so applicable to us.
The Hero’s Journey is this idea that you set out on an adventure, come across helpful people, trials and tribulation, a transformation, and finally return more enlightened. This is an anecdote for different time periods throughout our life.
Tom pointed out, much more elegantly than I’m about to, that life isn’t linear. We experience difficulties in order to grow and evolve. Upon the return, we are ready for a new challenge and period of growth. As veterans returning to our newly positioned lives, we need to be open to the next challenge ahead of us and greet it with open arms. Rehashing an old journey only serves to stunt future growth.
“You get back and you gotta keep working. You didn’t earn the right to coast. With the exception of our glorious wounded and dead, you don’t get to hang the cleats up and call it a career. You gotta keep driving.
Our service is a significant milestone in our lives. One to reflect on, learn from, and celebrate. That process may be ongoing, but should serve as a stepping stone to building a continuing life of humility and service. Don’t waste it.
Not part of the high impact segment, but around the 39 minute mark, Caleb begins a very high impact story.
Caleb recounts working to get his Afghan interpreter out of Afghanistan in the recent US withdrawal. It’s a gripping story that had us on the edge of our seats listening. The story serves as a powerful lesson in networking and the importance of having your ears open when your call comes.
This Week on the Podcast
This Wednesday, 2.9, we speak with Joe Cardamone. Joe is an actor (17 movies!), screenwriter, and photographer. We dive into the business of movies and being a creator in the military.
We also discuss Tim’s terrible taste in movies (Fast and the Furious) and of course, Tom Cruise using wood blocks on his feet to control fighter jets.
If you’d like to have the each episode show up to your phone automatically, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify below.
Food for Thought
I’m currently reading Scott Adams’ book How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big. Scott is the author of the famous Dilbert cartoons which depict typically office humor in newspaper comic strip format. Scott’s ability to transmit nuance and complex ideas in a 2x6” comic strip is remarkable. This ability translates to his book and said something I found interesting:
“If you want to be successful, find out what the price is and then pay it.”
🤘
SC