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Ian Kennedy is a professional coach who began his career in the U.S. Special Forces. After serving for 7 years, he transitioned into the tech world where he worked at Khosla Ventures and studied at Stanford.

Timestamps:

00:23 – The recruiting process for Green Beret’s

08:59 – Different components of training

10:29 – Is there a Green Beret archetype?

13:28 – Learning Mandarin

15:06 – Types of work done as a Communications Sergeant

17:52 – Different types of equipment used

21:28 – Near-death experience during training

24:04 – Locations of training

24:46 – Interactions with different military divisions

26:29 – America’s opinion on Canada’s military

27:09 – Being stationed overseas

30:43 – Different types of military bases

33:55 – Meeting old soldiers

37:14 – Reinventing interest in subjects and keeping things fresh

41:48 – Setting expectations correctly

46:55 – Treatment of veterans in the United States

50:57 – The good and bad behind diversity programs

In part two, we discuss Ian’s time as a Communications Sergeant in the U.S. Special Forces. Many recognize the Two Weeks in Hell documentary and assume it depicts the full path to becoming a Green Beret. In reality, it only covers the first step known as the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) phase. Candidates who pass SFAS then begin the much longer Special Forces Qualification Course (Q Course), which includes small unit tactics, language training, and specialized skill development. Ian shares personal highlights from this journey, including a near-death experience during a parachute exercise.

We then shift into a broader conversation about military culture, covering different service branches, war stories from old soldiers, and how Americans perceive foreign militaries. As a final note, Ian highlights most people in uniform are far more ordinary than you’d think. Even among Special Forces, you won’t find any superheroes.

The episode closes with a discussion on veteran reintegration. Transitioning to civilian life isn’t always seamless, especially since certain skills don’t transfer to the private sector. Echoing the words from Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf, “the best way to treat a veteran is to treat them like everyone else.”

Thank you for your service Ian.