Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore was raised in Tennessee, where an early fascination with aviation, engineering, and disciplined teamwork set the course for his career. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in electrical engineering from Tennessee Technological University, along with a master’s degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee. Before NASA, Wilmore served as a U.S. Navy aviator, test pilot, and squadron officer, accumulating more than 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings in tactical jet aircraft. Wilmore flew A-7E and F/A-18 aircraft during four operational deployments aboard the USS Forrestal, Kennedy, Enterprise, and Eisenhower. He completed 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm and also flew in support of Desert Shield, Southern Watch, and NATO operations over Bosnia. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, he contributed to the early development and carrier certification of the T-45 jet trainer, experience that proved critical to his later astronaut duties. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000, Wilmore flew three space missions totaling 464 days in space. He piloted STS-129 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009, delivering critical hardware to the ISS. In 2014–2015, he launched aboard a Russian Soyuz as part of Expedition 41, later assuming command of Expedition 42, spending 167 days in orbit and conducting four spacewalks. Most recently, he commanded Boeing Starliner’s first crewed flight in 2024; following an uncrewed return decision, he completed a long-duration ISS mission and returned to Earth in March 2025 aboard SpaceX Crew-9. Wilmore retired from NASA in July 2025 after 25 years with the agency, one of the few astronauts to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, Soyuz, Starliner, and Crew Dragon. He is married to Deanna, with whom he has two daughters, and is known for steady leadership, deep technical skill, faith, and continued commitment to mentorship and STEM outreach. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join Shawn Ryan Show Links SUBSCRIBE: http://www.youtube.com/@ShawnRyanShow Sign up: https://shawnryanshow.com/pages/newsletter Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/VigilanceElite Download Free Content: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lF-8_5jwRc5eAhzDkqqCOp-6yvd05vAw?usp=sharing Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shawn-ryan-show/id1492492083 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=59f9d106e56a4509 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawnryanshow/ Follow on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/@shawnryanshow Follow on X: https://twitter.com/ShawnRyanShow SRS Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4pqo9Uoh0WuUKxw0BmaK1yrg9Kd7E4lk #vigilanceelite #shawnryanshow Butch Wilmore Links: Website - www.butchwilmore.com Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Live better longer with BUBS Naturals. Get 20% OFF on collagen, MCT creamers, and more with code SHAWN at https://bubsnaturals.com/srs Ready to upgrade your eyewear? Check them out at https://roka.com and use code SRS for 20% off sitewide. If you’re serious about selling to the Department of War, go to https://SBIRAdvisors.com and mention Shawn Ryan for your first month free. Get 30% off your first subscription order at https://armra.com/srs with code SRS. 00:00 Meeting Butch Wilmore 05:46 Leadership Across Missions 07:51 Spaceflown Gifts & Hidden Tech 20:39 Survival Training 24:23 Family Mementos in Space 26:58 Weapons & Recovery Planning 29:47 Tennessee Roots 37:57 Path Into Aviation 42:02 Choosing the Navy & Boot Camp 44:54 First Jet Assignment 49:12 Low-Level Bombing & Carrier Landings 01:00:29 Jet Training & Combat Prep 01:03:55 First Night Combat Mission 01:15:34 Kill Box Operations 01:19:17 Solo Strike Under Pressure 01:23:15 Carrier Life & Refueling Stack 01:24:55 Top Gun Purpose 01:29:42 Transition from Navy to NASA 01:31:35 Astronaut Selection Process 01:39:09 Shuttle Training 01:42:26 First Launch to Space 01:50:11 Building the ISS 01:55:00 First Spacewalk Experience 02:03:28 Why Mars Is Difficult 02:09:54 NASA Safety Culture 02:12:20 Starliner Mission Goals 02:22:21 Thruster Failures Near Docking 02:29:33 Manual Docking Under Pressure 02:41:21 Docking Success & Extended Stay 02:46:24 Helium Leaks & Launch Decisions 02:56:23 286 Days in Space Logistics 03:01:31 Life on the ISS 03:02:54 Effects on the Human Body 03:09:00 Staying Connected Through Faith 03:12:25 Return Plan Mindset 03:20:44 Message of the Book 03:23:10 Final Reflections & Family Legacy