Brian Scoggins, retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, in Episode 233 of the Transition Drill Podcast, explores identity, accountability, and consequence for veterans and first responders navigating the long shadow of family history and personal choice. You’ll hear Brian on carrying mistakes that weren’t his, surviving moments that should’ve ended his life, and what it took to take ownership anyway and build a future he could stand behind.

Brian Scoggins grew up on the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota, in a split world: one side of the family steeped in stability, military service, and tradition, and the other marked by addiction, chaos, and hard lessons at home. He talks about how that environment pushed him to grow up early, protect his younger siblings, and figure out who he was when things around him weren’t steady.

Brian takes you through the turning point that changed the trajectory of his life as a teenager, including a near-death moment that led him to recommit to faith and make a clean break from the path he was headed down. From there, it’s the messy real-life version of “getting it together”: trying to join the military, dealing with legal problems caused by his older brother using his name, and learning fast how systems work when you’re the one stuck proving you’re not the guy they’re looking for.

He originally wanted a rescue-focused path and even chased the idea of being a firefighter, EMT, or special operations, but the Marine Corps became his lane after a recruiter encounter that felt like a dare. Brian shipped to boot camp in 2004 and ended up in aviation ordnance, loading guns, bombs, and munitions on aircraft, often in high-tempo environments where mistakes can get people killed. He shares what it was like hitting the fleet and deployments to Iraq, and how deployments and leadership experiences shaped him, including time inside a struggling helicopter squadron where he had to confront dysfunction head-on and protect Marines by forcing uncomfortable accountability.

After 20 years of service, including recruiting duty, and fighting MMA, Brian retired in June 2024, and explains the work he’s doing now working for Northrup Grumman and in the nonprofit space with No Lone Wolves, focused on reducing isolation and suicide risk by building connection through community and online gaming meetups.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life. Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.

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