In this episode of the Tango Tango Podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Air Force veteran and former Deputy of Military Affairs at USAA, Michael Kelly, for a candid conversation about leadership, transition, and building a meaningful career after service.

From his early days as a security policeman to retraining into public affairs and ultimately becoming an officer, Michael shares the pivotal moments, mentors, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey. He reflects on the realities of military life, lessons learned through deployment and leadership, and how those experiences translated into a successful 20+ year corporate career.

The conversation also dives into one of the most critical topics for service members: transitioning to civilian life. Michael offers practical advice on networking, planning ahead, and positioning yourself for success in a competitive job market.

Whether you're currently serving, transitioning, or simply interested in leadership and career growth, this episode delivers real-world insights you can apply immediately.

Additional Links & Resources:

• Connect with Michael Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfkelly/
• Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango
• Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight
• Connect with Patrick Flood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/
• Learn more about Owners in Honor: https://www.ownersinhonor.org/
• Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk

Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/serving-those-who-serve-2tt7

Purpose often emerges from unexpected paths. For Patrick Flood, that path ran from small-town Wisconsin to Hollywood sets, from Special Forces deployments to entrepreneurship, and ultimately to helping veterans build and exit businesses with dignity.

In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, Lloyd Knight speaks with Army Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and Owners in Honor founder Patrick Flood. Flood reflects on growing up in Wisconsin, earning an ROTC scholarship to George Washington University, and beginning his career as an Army officer before an unexpected turn into acting in Los Angeles. After booking commercials, television roles, and film work, he realized that success in Hollywood still felt empty and pulled him back toward a life of service.

They discuss Flood’s return to active duty through the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, his deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, and the injuries and hardships that shaped his leadership and sense of purpose. He also shares how his father’s business was sold for far less than it was worth due to poor exit guidance, an experience that inspired him to found Owners in Honor. Today, he is focused on helping veterans buy and sell businesses in ways that preserve dignity, strengthen communities, and create new pathways for purpose after military service.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:16) Growing up in Ephraim, Wisconsin

(04:53) ROTC scholarships and family sacrifice

(10:18) Commissioned, but stuck in limbo

(11:56) Los Angeles move and Army recall

(13:25) Reviving a struggling reserve unit

(17:03) An accidental start in acting

(26:11) Brother’s loss and horse therapy

(29:38) Hollywood emptiness, Army purpose returns

(32:09) Fort Bragg and early war deployments

(33:58) Advised to try Special Forces

(34:43) How acting helped in combat

(37:09) Explaining his Afghanistan combat rotations

(41:52) Bit by a cobra mid-firefight

(47:11) Blast injury, broken neck, TBI

(53:03) Why he founded Owners in Honor

(58:09) Helping veterans buy and sell businesses

(59:23) Fatherhood, walking, swimming, and healing

Additional Links & Resources:

1. Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango
2. Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight
3. Connect with Patrick Flood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/
4. Learn more about Owners in Honor: https://www.ownersinhonor.org/
5. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk

Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/after-battlefield-tragedy-purpose-rise-ceo-2tt6

Nobody trains and educates better than the military. That belief, shaped by decades of service and leadership, continues to guide how she develops people and advises organizations today.

In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight speaks with retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, the first woman to serve as the senior enlisted leader of a United States military service. An Army brat who grew up moving around the world, from Illinois to Germany to Hawaii, Bass reflects on her early years, including getting into trouble as a teenager and joining the Air Force in 1993, looking for direction and discipline.

They discuss her journey from aviation management in the operations world to senior enlisted leadership at Ramstein, Goodfellow, the Pentagon, and Second Air Force. Bass shares lessons on mentorship, resilience, and learning to take care of herself after experiencing burnout. She also speaks candidly about becoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during a time of global uncertainty, navigating public scrutiny, addressing suicide and people policy reform, and leading through the challenges of the digital age. Now in her next chapter, she continues to focus on national security, leadership development, and building strong people and strong families beyond the uniform.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(01:15) Army brat life across Germany

(03:50) Banned from Hawaii military bases

(07:07) Open general enlistment decision

(10:10) First assignment at Pope AFB

(11:40) Meeting husband at Fort Bragg

(16:58) Ramstein AMOC and DV scheduling

(20:29) NCO Academy during 9/11

(29:35) Ramstein squadron and group leadership

(31:31) Selected chief despite discouraging advice

(34:11) Command chief at Goodfellow AFB

(39:28) Leading professional military education at Pentagon

(45:26) Birthday call selecting next CMSAF

(59:10) Testifying before Congress on force issues

Additional Links & Resources:

1. Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango
2. Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight
3. Connect with JoAnne Bass: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-bass
4. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk

Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/aim-high-airman-chief-master-sergeant-air-force-journey-2tt5