This episode of The Mess Deck Chronicles features Eric Wolf's personal and professional journey from aspiring Navy SEAL to aviation ordnanceman. He recounts the hardships of training, the bonds and rivalries within his squadron, and the often harsh realities of deployment, including experiences in places like India and Bahrain. The conversation expands to broader issues in military life, such as leadership challenges, recruitment and retention struggles, and the evolving culture of bootcamp.

Eric also shares his transition to civilian life, the beauty of Washington state, and the difficulties of career changes. The discussion shifts into entrepreneurship with the founding of Unsat Observations, a business rooted in military culture. Topics include branding, morale patches, balancing production methods, and leveraging AI and social media for growth.

The episode explores themes of creativity, marketing strategies, and the shared experiences of veterans, including the impact of social media, financial challenges, and dynamics in military life. Personal stories highlight the importance of community, identity, and adaptability in both military and post-military environments.

You can check his site here : https://unsatobservations.com/ and Instagram here : https://www.instagram.com/unsat.observations/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Eric Wolf and His Background 02:31 Transition from Navy SEAL Aspirations to Aviation Ordnance 04:58 Life in the Squadron: Challenges and Experiences 07:35 Deployment Stories: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly 10:03 Port Visits: Expectations vs. Reality 12:11 Life After the Navy: Career Transitions and Reflections 19:06 The Challenges of Military Life 21:04 Retention Issues and Leadership Dynamics 24:53 Changing Military Culture and Bootcamp Experiences 34:41 The Birth of Unsat Observations 41:48 Future Aspirations and Social Networking 42:43 Navigating Marketability and Business Opportunities 44:02 The Birth of a Brand: Morale Patches 45:01 Outsourcing vs. In-House Production 46:10 The Business of War and Capitalism 49:10 Self-Taught Entrepreneurship 51:22 Utilizing Resources for Business Growth 53:44 The Role of AI in Creative Processes 56:42 Building a Brand Identity and Engagement 01:01:55 The Power of Marketing and Merchandising 01:04:04 Creative Collaborations and Artistic Endeavors 01:05:58 Navigating Business Opportunities in Military Communities 01:08:57 Challenges of Online Marketing and Engagement 01:09:57 Experiences and Anecdotes from Military Life 01:14:05 Humorous and Cautionary Tales from Deployment 01:17:54 Life Aboard a Naval Vessel: Heat and Humor 01:23:37 Consequences of Relationships in the Military 01:26:13 The Value of Friendship and Support 01:29:22 Navigating LGBTQ+ Dynamics in the Military 01:31:35 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 01:39:05 Taxation and Financial Insights Post-Military

In this episode of The Mess Deck Chronicles, we interview Thomas Commander, a first-class Navy diver with extensive experience in Naval Special Warfare. Thomas shares his journey from wanting to be a diver to navigating the complex cross-rate process, preparing for dive school, and the rigorous training he underwent. He discusses the challenges faced during dive prep and dive school, including the physical and mental demands, and the importance of achieving high scores in the Physical Screening Test (PST). The conversation also touches on the additional training required after dive school, including expeditionary combat school. In this segment, Tommy Commander shares his experiences and insights from dive school, detailing the rigorous training and challenges faced by Navy divers. He discusses the various stages of training, including scuba qualifications, advanced techniques, and the use of specialized equipment. The conversation also touches on the transition from training to real-world applications, including operations with SEAL delivery vehicles and the camaraderie among divers. Tommy emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and mental resilience in the demanding environment of military diving. In this segment, the conversation delves into the responsibilities of rescue operations, the thrilling experiences of diving in Alaska, and the cultural exchanges that occur during military collaborations. The speakers share anecdotes about their experiences, including the challenges faced during rescue missions, the excitement of underwater adventures, and the humorous interactions with international military personnel. In this conversation, the speakers delve into various themes surrounding military life, particularly focusing on the experiences of Navy divers. They discuss cultural misunderstandings between Australians and New Zealanders, share personal diving stories, and reflect on a harrowing experience of surviving a heart attack. The conversation also provides valuable advice for aspiring Navy divers, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-investment. Finally, they reflect on their military memories, highlighting the camaraderie and unique experiences that shape their lives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Navy Diver Thomas Commander 02:29 The Journey to Becoming a Diver 07:17 Navigating the Cross-Rate Process 11:40 Preparing for Dive School 18:22 The Rigorous Dive School Experience 30:53 Post-Dive School Training and Expeditionary Combat School 31:28 Diving into Dive School 36:10 The Rigorous Training of Navy Divers 41:44 Advanced Techniques and Equipment in Diving 47:52 Transitioning to Real-World Applications 52:39 Life After Dive School: Commands and Operations 01:01:39 Rescue Operations and Responsibilities 01:10:02 Diving Adventures and Experiences 01:19:12 Cultural Exchanges and Military Collaborations 01:24:01 Cultural Misunderstandings: Australia vs. New Zealand 01:27:02 Diving Stories and Experiences 01:28:29 Surviving a Heart Attack: A Diver's Tale 01:36:04 Advice for Aspiring Navy Divers 01:48:58 Reflections on Military Life and Memories

www.themessdeckchronicles.com

Join us as Grayson Trogdon, a second lieutenant in the United States Army, shares his inspiring journey to becoming a National Guard pilot. Growing up with a father in the National Guard, Grayson initially considered a career as a military police officer before finding his true calling in aviation. He discusses the challenges of flight school, the significance of mentorship, and the transition from flying the Lakota to the Apache helicopter. Tune in to hear about his experiences, the intricacies of military aviation, and valuable advice for aspiring aviators and those navigating military life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 02:14 Selecting Aviation as a Career 04:27 From Criminal Justice to Flight School 07:15 Preparing for Aviation 09:16 The Academic Challenges of Flight School 14:08 The Rewards of Becoming a Pilot 16:01 The Wait and Preparation for Flight School 20:09 The Academic Side of Becoming a Pilot 22:08 The Importance of Discipline and Study Habits 26:48 The Achievement of Becoming a Pilot 29:01 The Progression System in Flight School 32:31 Different Weapon Systems on the Apache 46:47 Types of Aircraft in the Military 49:07 Paths to Becoming an Aviator 54:23 The Minuteman Scholarship 56:41 Pros and Cons of Being a Warrant Officer 01:04:16 Marriage in the Military 01:06:00 Possibility of Seeing Action as an Apache Pilot

www.themessdeckchronicles.com

Alex Baker, a Navy veteran, shares his journey in the Navy, from initially planning to be a commercial diver to choosing a different path. He discusses selecting overseas assignments and the dynamics within different divisions on the ship. The conversation offers insights into the experiences and challenges faced by Navy personnel, including intense schedules, camaraderie, and unique lifestyles. It also touches on the drinking culture in the military, the transition to civilian life, and the benefits and opportunities in the trades industry, emphasizing stability, camaraderie, and potential for success.

Embark on a thrilling journey as we share tales of international travel. From Guam's unique attractions to Singapore's strictness, we explore shooting range escapades, and humorous anecdotes from naval ships. Join us for a whirlwind ride through the joys and challenges of globetrotting!

www.themessdeckchronicles.com

In this episode, military movies take the spotlight as we critique their accuracy and share personal insights as veterans. From intense dramas like The Hurt Locker to humorous takes on Navy life in McHale's Navy, we cover a wide range of films. Spielberg and Hanks' attention to historical detail in Saving Private Ryan earns praise, while the lack of World War I cinematic coverage is noted. Tune in for a deep dive into the portrayal of military life on the big screen.

www.themessdeckchronicles.com

Join us as we discuss climate change, the food industry, electric vehicles, and automotive trends. From skepticism towards environmental warnings to the evolution of car manufacturers.

www.themessdeckchronicles.com

The week we cover joining the military, boot camp experiences, life aboard the USS George Washington, transitioning out of the military. Preston Murphy shares his decision to leave the military.

www.themessdeckchronicles.com