In this episode, I got to talk with Andrew “Sully” Sullivan, a retired Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer. Sullivan shares his journey to becoming a member of one of the most elite military units in the world. After serving for 18 years and medically retiring in 2020 he started the non-profit Community First Project, where he and his team are providing training to law enforcement which focuses on tactics and emphases de-escalation. Sully's story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and a sense of duty.

Sully, grew up in a blue-collar family with a modest military lineage. His passion for sports and a desire for a challenging career led him to consider joining the military. However, it wasn't until the tragic events of 9/11 that Sully felt a strong call to serve his country. Sully's journey to becoming a Navy SEAL wasn't easy. He faced numerous physical and mental challenges during his training, but his determination and resilience saw him through. He attributes his success to his slightly older age and life experience, which gave him an edge over his younger counterparts.

 Once deployed, Sully's experiences were not what he initially expected. His first two deployments were to Iraq, and he found the work less fulfilling than he had hoped. This led him to consider leaving the military. However, after screening for the Development Group (DEVGRU), Sully found the challenge and sense of purpose he had been seeking.

Sully's time in the SEALs was marked by camaraderie and a shared sense of purpose. He talks of his teammates, describing them as the best group of guys he's ever worked with. However, the demanding nature of the job took a toll on his personal life, leading to a divorce and shared custody of his children.

Sully is using his experience to help others. He has started Community First Project, a non-profit organization that provides training to law enforcement. Sully emphasizes the importance of this work, stating that it's not just about improving the skills of individual officers, but also about strengthening the bonds within the law enforcement community.

 

PODCAST - LISTEN, WATCH, AND SUBSCRIBE 

https://linktr.ee/TransitionDrillPodcast

 

CONNECT WITH SULLY:

https://c1p.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sullivan-647826175/

https://www.instagram.com/community_first_project/