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What does it mean to navigate a military career when life throws unexpected challenges your way? Gary sits down with James Thompson, a retired Navy Lieutenant with an unconventional journey that spans from the hallowed halls of MIT to the engine rooms of Navy warships.

Thompson's story begins with a strong naval heritage as a fourth-generation sailor who seemed destined for officer ranks through an ROTC scholarship. When family circumstances forced him to withdraw from MIT, he faced a pivotal choice: repay $86,000 in scholarship funds or enlist in the Navy. This decision placed a college-educated young man into the demanding role of machinist mate on an aging steam-powered amphibious ship.

Despite this detour, Thompson's natural abilities and academic background propelled him through the ranks at remarkable speed. The conversation reveals how mentorship played a crucial role in his development, particularly during his time at Afloat Training Group San Diego, where he earned the nickname "Six" for achieving Chief Petty Officer rank in just six years. His subsequent selection for the Limited Duty Officer program opened new opportunities on warships like the USS Cape St. George and USS America, where he faced complex engineering challenges and leadership responsibilities.

Perhaps most valuable is Thompson's candid discussion about mental health challenges that ultimately led to his medical retirement. His willingness to seek help when needed demonstrates true courage and offers important lessons about resilience and self-awareness. Now thriving in the financial services industry, Thompson shares his "Three T's of Leadership" philosophy that guided his naval career and continues to serve him well in civilian life.

Whether you're currently serving, a veteran navigating transition, or simply interested in authentic leadership principles, this conversation offers valuable insights about adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining your core values and purpose.

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What does three decades of Navy service really look like? Through typhoons, volcanic evacuations, nuclear disasters, and war deployments, Master Chief Mike Piazza lived a career most can only imagine.

From his early days dreaming of Navy service as a 13-year-old in small-town New Jersey to becoming a respected senior enlisted leader on some of the Navy's most powerful vessels, Piazza's journey reveals the extraordinary challenges and profound rewards of military service. Working his way up from Boiler Technician to auxiliary engineering roles across multiple platforms—LSTs, amphibious ships, cruisers, and ultimately aircraft carriers—his story traces both the evolution of a sailor and the transformation of the modern Navy.

During our conversation, Mike shares what it was like living through pivotal historical moments: evacuating civilians after the Mount Pinatubo eruption, responding to the 9/11 attacks while stationed overseas, and coordinating emergency operations during the 2011 Fukushima disaster aboard USS George Washington. His firsthand accounts of port-and-starboard watch rotations, Chief Petty Officer initiation, and forward-deployed operations paint a vivid picture of Navy life few civilians ever glimpse.

Beyond sea stories, Mike offers timeless leadership wisdom distilled from mentoring countless sailors. His mantra—"Attitude, attitude, attitude"—helped him navigate everything from rigorous inspections to personal challenges. His practical advice on leadership, teamwork, and professional growth applies whether you're manning a warship or leading a corporate team.

Whether you're a Navy veteran reconnecting with your heritage, a prospective sailor curious about what service truly entails, or simply someone who appreciates authentic stories of leadership under pressure, Mike's experiences illuminate the human dimension behind military service—where technical expertise meets character, and where ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things through teamwork and resilience.

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Leadership's darkest moments rarely make it into motivational speeches or training manuals. For this former Command Master Chief of Naval Base Guam, what began as a stellar career culminated in a 10-month nightmare that pushed him to the brink.

After successfully navigating COVID-19 challenges as the only operating base in the Pacific—receiving awards and recognition for exceptional leadership—everything changed with new regional leadership and a mandated command climate survey. What followed was an investigation that dragged on without transparency, updates, or resolution for nearly a year, all while he continued performing his duties managing barracks, security forces, and the welfare of hundreds of sailors.

The psychological toll was devastating. "I would never let this happen to one of my sailors," he reflects, revealing how he considered self-harm while trying to understand why no one would advocate for him. Between losing his father, being placed on medication, and facing expanded investigations for increasingly trivial matters, he found himself isolated in a system that seemed designed to break him rather than resolve legitimate concerns.

This raw account exposes the "deep state" of military installations—entrenched civilian employees and senior enlisted who create self-serving ecosystems where politics trumps people. It shows how the JAG Corps can weaponize regulations against individuals rather than seek justice, and how leaders who fail to stand up for their people ultimately fail the entire organization.

Have you witnessed similar leadership failures? Are there systems in your organization that allow extended investigations without accountability? Whether in uniform or civilian leadership, this story challenges us to consider how we protect people from becoming casualties of bureaucratic politics and personal vendettas.

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What happens when three military veterans with over 75 years of combined experience tackle one of today's most polarizing topics? In this explosive conversation, Gary Wise, Chris Cahill, and Enrique flip the script on DEI, reframing it as an IED—Inclusion, Equity, Diversity—examining how these concepts can become landmines when mishandled.

These battle-tested leaders cut through the noise with practical wisdom that transcends political divides. "If you summarize everything we've said, it goes back to where we started—it's merit-based," says Chris, capturing the essence of their straight-shooting approach. The veterans share raw, unfiltered perspectives from decades of leadership in environments where excellence wasn't optional and lives depended on performance.

Rather than dwelling on divisive aspects, they offer a powerful alternative framework: replace Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity with Opportunity, Ability, and Unity. As Gary explains, "I want everybody on my team to know they have a fair opportunity based on their abilities to accomplish whatever is being asked of them." This shift in perspective puts accountability back in focus while acknowledging genuine leadership responsibilities.

Whether you're leading a military unit, a corporate team, or a community organization, you'll find actionable insights on creating high-performing teams where standards remain high while everyone gets what they need to succeed. Discover why these veterans believe that with clear communication, proper support, and unwavering standards, we can move beyond divisive rhetoric toward genuine team excellence.

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From the hills of Kentucky to the depths of nuclear submarines to commanding Naval Base Guam during an unprecedented global crisis, Captain Jeffrey Grimes' journey through naval leadership offers profound wisdom for anyone navigating challenging environments.

The conversation opens with Grimes' unlikely path to military service, where joining JROTC in his junior year of high school changed his trajectory forever. With refreshing candor, he shares how the Naval Academy Preparatory School and Annapolis shaped his understanding of discipline, teamwork, and the foundations of leadership.

What truly distinguishes this discussion is Grimes' articulation of submarine service philosophy—the necessity of self-reliance and readiness to "fight from where you stand." He reveals the career-defining advice from an early mentor: "If your standards are higher than your bosses, you work for yourself." This entrepreneurial mindset within structured military environments became his north star through increasingly complex leadership roles.

The heart of the conversation explores Grimes' command of Naval Base Guam during the COVID-19 crisis when the USS Theodore Roosevelt arrived with infected sailors. His team's extraordinary efforts to house, feed, and care for 2,400 sailors virtually overnight exemplifies crisis leadership at its finest—leveraging limited resources, maintaining confidence amidst uncertainty, and prioritizing both mission success and human wellbeing.

This isn't just another military career reflection; it's a masterclass in leading through ambiguity, building resilient teams, and maintaining ethical standards when stakes couldn't be higher. Whether you're leading a small team or a major organization, Grimes' experiences offer invaluable perspective on accountability, mission focus, and the true meaning of service leadership.

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Accountability forms the bedrock of effective leadership, yet many struggle to embrace it fully. In this thought-provoking conversation, Gary and Jeremy explore the complex dynamics of taking ownership in professional environments.

Drawing from their extensive military backgrounds, they dissect why certain individuals resist accountability—whether from fear, incompetence, ethical compromise, or simple avoidance of stress. Rather than simply identifying the problem, they offer practical strategies for cultivating an ownership mindset both in yourself and those you lead.

"You can't lead from the armchair," Jeremy emphasizes, highlighting how the most effective leaders demonstrate accountability through action rather than mere words. This philosophy extends to how organizations should approach mistakes; as Gary shares from his naval experience, creating an environment where people feel safe admitting imperfections ultimately strengthens the entire team.

The discussion takes fascinating turns exploring how opportunity and accountability intertwine. Those willing to take ownership often find themselves presented with increasingly significant challenges that accelerate their growth. As Gary recounts through the story of a sailor who rose through the ranks, sometimes the journey begins with simply expressing a desire for greater responsibility: "The number one thing was do what you just did. Let me know you want more opportunity."

Perhaps most powerfully, they conclude with reflections on resilience and the race of leadership: "It's not always how you start, sometimes it's not even how you finish. Mainly it's about how you ran the race...can you defend the race that you ran?" This perspective reframes accountability not as a burden but as an opportunity to lead with integrity, regardless of outcome.

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Unlocking the secret language of true leadership begins with mastering the conversation you have with yourself. Gary Wise pulls back the curtain on his journey from high school dropout to Command Master Chief in the Navy to reveal how authentic communication transformed his leadership impact.

This episode explores the critical difference between leaders who merely talk about their vision and those who embody it through consistent action. Drawing from his military experience commanding damage control divisions on aircraft carriers and his current work teaching Navy Junior ROTC, Gary demonstrates how internal clarity directly influences external effectiveness.

The conversation dives deep into why your personal leadership story matters – not as a polished presentation, but as a genuine connection point with your team. You'll discover why vulnerability strengthens rather than weakens leadership positions, illustrated through Gary's powerful story of defending team members who made mistakes during a high-pressure inspection.

Most leadership fails because of a "say-do mismatch" – when words don't align with actions. Through practical examples from Navy deployments and classroom leadership, Gary provides a blueprint for communicating with clarity and consistency, even under stress. He outlines how to simplify complex messages, connect daily tasks to bigger missions, and build trust through relentless authenticity.

Whether you're leading a military unit, classroom of students, or corporate team, this episode offers actionable communication strategies that transcend setting. The wisdom shared goes beyond typical leadership advice – it's about becoming a leader people follow not because they must, but because they believe in both your message and your character.

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From the dusty baseball diamonds of Dublin, Georgia to the deck of a Navy warship in Japan, Chief Tavares Clover's journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and the power of staying true to your roots. In this heartfelt conversation with host Gary Wise, a fellow Navy veteran, Chief Clover reveals how his upbringing in a small Southern town shaped the foundations of his character long before he put on a uniform.

Chief Clover's story takes us through unexpected career pivots – from reluctantly entering as a cook to finding his true calling in logistics. With refreshing candor, he shares how he navigated the challenges of military advancement, cross-rating to create opportunity, and eventually achieving the coveted anchors of a Chief Petty Officer. His perspective on leadership, particularly his commitment to "flawless execution of the basics" and deck plate leadership, offers wisdom applicable far beyond military contexts.

The conversation deepens as Chief Clover reflects on maintaining long-distance relationships during deployment, finding love unexpectedly before his overseas tour, and the profound decisions that led him back to his hometown after retirement. His account of building a life after service – constructing a home on family land, finding meaningful work as a defense contractor, and raising three daughters in the community where he grew up – provides a roadmap for those contemplating their own transitions.

What makes this episode exceptional is how it weaves together the professional and deeply personal aspects of military service. Chief Clover's journey demonstrates how our earliest influences shape our approach to challenges, how faith guides critical life decisions, and how sometimes the path forward requires returning to our beginnings.

Whether you're currently serving, contemplating military life, or simply fascinated by authentic stories of personal growth, this conversation offers insights into finding purpose and creating meaningful connections in an increasingly fragmented world. Listen now to discover how small-town values can translate to global impact and enduring leadership.

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