648: Jason Redman: Leadership Strategies To Overcome Life Ambushes & Adversity

My guest in this episode is Jason Redman. Jason was born in a
small town in central Ohio and attended schools in Ohio, North
Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida before graduating
from Lumberton High School in Southern North Carolina. He joined
the Navy on September 11, 1992 and began his naval career at boot
camp in Orlando, Florida.


Jason spent his first two years in the Navy working as an
Intelligence Specialist working for and around Naval Special
Warfare. During Boot Camp he had tried out and was accepted for
Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training (BUD/S) and he reported
to BUD/S in January of 1995. He enjoyed a full year of friendly
instructors, relaxing times on the beach, and endless nights
under the Coronado moon before graduating with BUD/S class 202 in
December of 1995.


Jason set off on a whirlwind career, completing three deployments
to South America where he conducted numerous Counter Drug
missions throughout Colombia and Peru. He returned in December of
2000 to become an instructor for his SEAL Team’s Basic Land
Warfare block of training. He spent the next year and a half
teaching Marksmanship, Reconnaissance and Surveillance
operations, and advanced communications.


In August of 2000, Petty Officer 1st Class Redman was one of
fifty naval enlisted members selected for the prestigious Seaman
to Admiral Program. He began school at Old Dominion University in
August of 2001.


Jason graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business
Management; Summa Cum Laude with Honors in Business
Administration. He was commissioned in May of 2004 as a Naval
SEAL Officer.


Jason immediately reported to his new SEAL Team and was directly
assigned as an Assistant Platoon Commander. His platoon deployed
to Afghanistan in July of 2005 and conducted numerous combat
operations that directly contributed to the Global War on Terror.


In May of 2006, he graduated from the grueling US Army Ranger
Course of Instruction to further his tactical knowledge and
increase his understanding of Joint Operations and Army mission
planning. In May 2007, Jason deployed to Fallujah, Iraq and
served as Mobility Force Commander and Assault Force Commander
for over 40 Direct Action missions throughout western Iraq.


On September 13, 2007 while acting as Assault Force Commander on
an operation to capture an Al Qaeda High Value Individual LT
Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms
fire and he along with two other Teammates were wounded in the
ensuing firefight. Despite being shot twice in the arm and once
in the face, as well as multiple rounds to his helmet, Night
Vision Goggles, body armor, and weapon, Jason and his Team fought
valiantly winning the fight, ensuring everyone came home alive.


In August, while recovering at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, LT
Redman wrote and hung a bright orange sign on his door, which
became a statement and symbol for wounded warriors everywhere.
This sign gained national recognition and earned LT Redman and
his family an invitation to meet President George W. Bush in the
Oval Office. The original sign on the door, signed by President
Bush, now hangs in the Wounded Ward at the National Naval Medical
Center Bethesda.


In July 2010, Jason joined three other wounded service members
and reached the summit of Mount Rainier as a testament to wounded
warriors and all Americans that there is no obstacle that cannot
be overcome if you have the drive, the determination, and the
tenacity to rise above.


In 2010, While still on active duty and recovering from his
injuries, Redman founded the Wounded Wear clothing line and the
Combat Wounded Coalition, a Non-Profit organization which
inspires combat wounded warriors to Overcome.  Redman served
as the executive director of the organization for almost ten
years.  The organization raised almost $3 Million and served
thousands of wounded warriors.


In November of 2013, after 21 years of service, Redman retired
from the Navy and launched SOF Spoken LLC, a speaking company
which provides inspirational presentations on leadership,
teamwork and overcoming adversity for businesses, first
responders, sports teams, and government organizations.


Redman published the New York Times bestselling book, “The
Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader”. 
His book details lessons learned in leadership and overcoming
adversity throughout his SEAL career while also discussing his
combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as his
personal journey with his wife Erica and their three children.


He was recognized in November of 2009 by his alma mater Old
Dominion University with their prestigious Alumni Service Award
in recognition of exemplary leadership, and significant,
compassionate service to community, state, and nation. He was a
2010 recipient of the Hope for the Warriors, Hope and Courage
award. The Hampton Roads community and Wendy’s recognized him
with their Military Hero award in 2013. In 2014, Jason was
awarded the 2013 Still Serving Veteran of the Year Award for the
Hampton Roads area of Virginia. In 2015 he was presented with the
American Veteran Center – The Honors Paul Ray Smith Award and in
2016 he was recognized by Crown Royal as winner of the your
hero’s name here naming rights contest for the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway. Jason was the first recipient in the history of the
contest to decide not to name the race after themselves, instead
naming the event after his non-profit, the Combat Wounded
Coalition 400 at the Brickyard.


His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with
Valor, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy
Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy
Achievement Medal (five awards), Combat Action Ribbon (two
awards) US Army Ranger Tab and numerous service awards.


Today, Jason has expanded his programs with his focus on helping
individuals, companies and teams to “GET OFF THE X” from “Life
Ambushes.  He provides, speaking, workshops, online
programs, executive coaching and business consulting to
businesses around the world and group coaching through his “Get
off the X Training and Overcome Army group coaching programs.


Jason has appeared on numerous national news networks including
Fox News, CBS, CNN, and CBN.  He has appeared frequently on
Fox and Friends and the Huckabee show.  Jason has appeared
in multiple documentaries including History Channel’s, Navy
SEALs, America’s Secret Warriors.


Jason lives in Virginia with his wife Erica and three children
Phoenix, Angelica, and Mackenzie.


Interview Links:


Jason Redman


Resources:


Create A Strategy


Become The Bank


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