War leaves a lasting impact-not just on those who fight, but on the generations that follow. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Naughton grew up in the shadow of his father's Vietnam service, ultimately choosing to follow in his footsteps. With a career spanning the infantry, medical corps, and leadership roles in Washington, D.C., he brings a unique perspective on how war shapes identity, leadership, and transition. In this episode, we discuss the lessons military leaders should have learned from Vietnam and how those mistakes were repeated in Iraq and Afghanistan. Patrick shares insights from his book, Born From War, which parallels his father's time in Vietnam with his own service in Iraq, and how history continues to shape the military experience. We also dive into the challenges of reintegration, the importance of finding a new mission after service, and why military leadership isn't always about filling sandbags next to your troops. Whether you're navigating transition, struggling to find purpose, or just looking for real conversations about military life, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom from the front lines and beyond.
Timestamps
00:02:45 - From Infantry to Medical Officer: A Unique Military Journey00:07:15 - Vietnam and Iraq: The Same Mistakes Repeated00:16:00 - The Truth About Military Leadership and Mission Creep00:29:30 - Why Metrics and Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story00:37:00 - Finding Purpose and Passion After Service
Links & Resources
- Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
- Website: https://www.patnaughton.com/
- Born From War: https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636245140/born-from-war/
- Follow Patrick Naughton on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.naughton.37
- Follow Patrick Naughton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricknaugh/
- Follow Patrick Naughton on Twitter/X: https://x.com/PatrickMilHis
- Follow Patrick Naughton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-naughton-0a077b158/
Transcript
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