In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Mike Gaffney, Naval Academy graduate, former nuclear-trained submarine officer, and now CEO of Cellphire Therapeutics, Inc., to unpack a career that spans undersea operations, top-tier consulting, private equity, and biotech leadership.

Mike shares how growing up around his father’s Naval Academy classmates and mentors, including a future vice admiral, shaped his decision to attend the Academy, not for prestige, but for values, character, and leadership. An unlikely nuclear submariner who majored in English and later earned a graduate degree in politics, he explains how the process of elimination, the end of the Cold War, and a few hard realities (like getting seasick and wearing glasses) pushed him beneath the surface and into the Navy’s nuclear community.

Mike then walks through his pivot from consulting into the investment world with Allied Capital, where he ultimately became the firm’s de facto healthcare lead. He breaks down how the private equity landscape has transformed since the late ’90s, from a smaller, less crowded field to today’s hyper-competitive market where deal flow, specialization, and relationships are everything and why that shift pushed him toward building companies rather than just backing them.

Throughout the conversation, Mike offers practical insight on:

• Leveraging your network the right way; focusing on adding value, reciprocity, and long-term relationships rather than transactional asks
• Translating military leadership into commercial settings by obsessing over team quality, clarity of purpose, and execution discipline
• Surviving “getting punched in the face” in business through resilience, problem solving, and resourcefulness forged in uniform
• Understanding how modern private equity and growth capital really work; why deal flow, specialization, and operating value creation matter more than ever
• Stepping into a new leadership role with humility, curiosity, and a deliberate approach to listening before changing things
• Shaping culture intentionally so strategy doesn’t just live on a slide, but shows up in daily behaviors and decisions

For veterans interested in private equity, venture capital, or executive roles in high-growth companies, Mike offers grounded advice: this is a brutally competitive space where many people want the same jobs, but trusted introductions, demonstrated grit, and a reputation for solving hard problems can differentiate you. He emphasizes that trust and likeability aren’t built in one conversation or a single coffee, they compound over time through consistent behavior, follow-through, and showing up for others.

🔗 Connect with TheMilVet → themilvet.org
🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations empowering veterans to win after service.

#Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #Healthcare #Biotech #Resilience #Networking #ServiceAfterService #TheMilVetPodcast

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Matthew R. Brooks, Founder and Principal of Second Echelon Capital, Colonel, US Air Force (Retired) and U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to explore his journey from the cockpit to entrepreneurship, and now to investing in fellow veterans.

A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Matt shares how a single touchdown catch against Notre Dame became a lifelong lesson in teamwork, humility, and mission-first leadership. He reflects on his Air Force career, commanding the 5th Bomb Wing, and the values that shaped him; integrity, service, and excellence.

But Matt’s story doesn’t stop at retirement.

After leaving active duty, he stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, acquiring and scaling his family’s hotel supply company before successfully exiting. Now, as founder of Second Echelon Capital, he invests in veteran-owned small businesses, helping other service members navigate the path of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA).

Throughout the conversation, Matt dives into:

• The realities of military transition; what he expected vs. what surprised him
• Entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) and why buying a business can be a powerful path for veterans
• The sleepless nights, financial pressure, and hands-on leadership required to run a small business
• Why community matters, and how organizations like Entrepreneurs' Organization help founders avoid going it alone
• Translating military leadership into building systems, processes, and high-performing teams
• Aligning your commercial pursuits with your personal passions
• The importance of mentorship, financial readiness, and learning when to say “no”

Matt also shares practical resources including books, podcasts, and conferences for veterans interested in business ownership, along with candid advice about preparing your family and finances before taking the entrepreneurial leap.

Whether you're a transitioning service member, a veteran considering buying a business, or a leader looking to invest with purpose, this episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to move from leading airmen to leading companies, and from operator to investor.

🔗 Connect with Matt Brooks → secondecheloncapital.com
🔗 Email → matthew@secondecheloncapital.com
🔗 Follow on LinkedIn → Matthew R. Brooks
🔗 Connect with TheMilVet → themilvet.org

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations empowering veterans to win after service.

#Veterans #AirForce #Entrepreneurship #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #VeteranOwned #SmallBusiness #Investing #ETA #PrivateEquity #TheMilVetPodcast

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Sean Patterson, Founder of CrossGen AI and Chief Operations Officer at StartGuides, a former U.S. Navy submarine officer, and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sean reflects on how the foundation of service, rooted in discipline, accountability, and commitment to something greater than yourself, continues to influence how he leads, makes decisions, and approaches new challenges. Drawing from both high-pressure moments and everyday leadership responsibilities, he shares how clarity of values becomes a compass when circumstances are uncertain.

Throughout the conversation, Sean offers an honest look at transition; what it feels like to step away from a structured military environment and into a world where you must define your own direction. He speaks candidly about identity shifts, professional reinvention, and the internal work required to grow beyond previous titles or roles.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Anchoring your decisions in core values during seasons of change
• Translating military leadership into business, entrepreneurship, and community impact
• Navigating the emotional and professional realities of transition
• Letting go of ego while maintaining high performance standards
• Building resilience through discomfort, responsibility, and ownership
• Redefining success beyond rank, position, or external validation
• Leading with humility while embracing long-term vision

Sean also discusses the importance of mentorship, surrounding yourself with the right people, and continuously refining your mindset as responsibilities increase. His story highlights that growth doesn’t stop when service ends, it evolves.

Whether you’re preparing to transition, currently navigating change, or striving to lead at a higher level, this episode delivers grounded wisdom and practical insight to help you move forward with clarity and conviction.

🔗 Connect with TheMilVet → themilvet.org

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations empowering veterans to win after service.

#Veterans #Leadership #MilitaryTransition #PersonalGrowth #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #ServiceAfterService #Mentorship #MilitaryToCivilian #TheMilVetPodcast

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet