We’re back! Marty Skovlund Jr. sits down with Brandon Young and Blayne Smith on this week’s Black Rifle Coffee Podcast for a conversation packed with stories of leadership, perseverance, and transition. Both Brandon and Blayne bring decades of experience from their time in the military—Brandon as an Army Ranger and Blayne as a Green Beret. From their service during some of the most intense years of modern warfare to navigating careers in business and leadership development, this episode dives deep into what it means to lead, adapt, and keep pushing forward. Whether it's combat, sales, or building a team, the same principles apply. Don't miss this one! It’s got everything from Ranger stories to the hard truths about transitioning out of the military and finding new purpose. Grab a cup of coffee and tune in! 🥇 Explore Black Rifle’s Award-Winning Coffee: http://www.blackriflecoffee.com ✅ Subscribe, like, and leave your comments below to join the conversation on everything from coffee roasting techniques to Evan's unfiltered thoughts on life, business, and creativity. Find us on Instagram: BRCC: @blackriflecoffee BRCC Pod: @blackriflecoffeepodcast Evan Hafer: @evanhafer TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Welcome 00:26 - How Marty, Brandon, and Blayne first met 00:45 - The Ranger community in Colorado 01:05 - Blayne’s background 02:12 - Introducing Blayne & Brandon’s book 07:32 - Brandon’s journey in the military 10:59 - Evolution of the Ranger’s 14:28 - Reflections on deployment 23:04 - Leadership lessons 31:45 - How Brandon and Blayne transitioned from military to business 40:13 - Persuasion and negotiation 42:06 - Adjusting from military culture to civilian sales and leadership 49:06 - The power of leadership and mission-driven focus in business 50:35 - Why veterans have the leadership skills companies desperately need 51:09 - The importance of storytelling in leadership and business 55:00 - How military training shapes decision-making in business 1:05:45 - The mental toll of leaving the military 1:10:23 - How small teams and mission-driven work create strong bonds 1:20:14 - How veterans can apply their skills to the corporate world #podcast #blackriflecoffee