Episode 18 Brett Crozier, Surf When You Can

Welcome to Episode 18, and the final episode of season 1, of the In The Name of Service Podcast. I’m your host, Dr. Barb Thompson. Here we broadcast stories of every day men and women who’ve answered a call to serve in hopes of inspiring and catalyzing the rest of us to follow suit in our own way. Today’s interview is with Brett Crozier, recently retired Navy Captain and Operations lead for the California-based non-profit Veterans Village of San Diego. As part of his 30 year Navy career, Brett was the ultimate go-getter, his drive fueled by an insatiable desire to learn, grow, and improve. He graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, became a Helicopter pilot, then a Fighter pilot, a US Navy Nuclear Power School graduate, and finally, the appointment that ultimately drew the world’s focus onto him in March 2020: Commanding Officer of the USS TheodoreRoosevelt, the most prestigious carrier in the US fleet. That’s when COVID-19 spread through the ship like wildfire, leading Brett to take steps that protected the lives of his 5,000 Sailors, but ultimately led to his dismissal. And he wouldn’t change a thing about it.Brett is the ultimate paradox: a career military professional whose exploits led to the highest levels of leadership, but also a kind, gentle, and forthright human being whose philosophies on living a better life make him extremely approachable. In his book SURF WHEN YOU CAN: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain, Brett reflects on his life, career, and commitment to doing the right thing in a book that celebrates the power of kindness, the importance of teamwork, and the value of standing up for what you believe in. Through a series of captivating stories set all around the world, he takes us along on the grand adventures of his extraordinary career and introduces the incredible people he met along the way. Among the unexpected lessons included in its pages are: When in Doubt, Be Kind, Never Turn Down an Espresso, Learn Like You’re Going to Live Forever, Stand Up for What You Believe In, No Matter the Consequences, And Surf When You Can. I hope this conversation drives home the idea that anyone, and I mean anyone can start right now making an impact in the world around them. For more information on Brett, his book Surf When You Can, or Veterans Village of San Diego, please see below.. Thank you for listening!Amazon link to Surf When You Can: https://www.amazon.com/Surf-When-You-Can-Leadership/dp/1982191007/ref=sr_1_1?crid=U0FZBHXFO6HB&keywords=surf+when+you+can+by+captain+brett+crozier&qid=1687175673&sprefix=surf+when+yo%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1Veterans Village of San Diego: https://www.vvsd.net