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Michael Kloepper, former commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and current Brigade Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy, joins Joe to explore leadership, readiness, and the responsibility to pass hard-earned lessons to the next generation.

This episode examines what it means for a generation of leaders shaped by more than two decades of war to “empty the rucksack” before leaving the Army. Michael reflects on the urgency he and many of his peers feel to pass on what they learned through success, failure, command, and combat so future generations do not have to repeat the same mistakes.

Colonel Kloepper also shares how his experiences in battalion and brigade command shaped his views on mental, physical, and spiritual readiness. Rather than simply pointing soldiers toward more resources, he believes leaders and chains of command have a responsibility to create healthier organizations. He explains how programs built around outdoor challenges, shared hardship, reflection, and time with teammates helped reduce high-risk behavior while strengthening trust and readiness.

Joe and Michael also discuss:

• Why learning organizations must do more than collect information
• Why leaders should invest in people before problems occur instead of only responding afterward
• How shared challenges and time outdoors can strengthen teams and reduce destructive behavior
• Why people fight for what they believe in
• Why accessibility matters, especially when information is not moving through the chain of command
• The difference between highlighting problems and becoming a reactionary leader
• Why presence remains one of the most important qualities of leadership
• What lieutenants and captains should understand about character, toughness, command authority, and example
• What Mike has learned from leading and developing cadets at West Point

This episode is for leaders who want to build stronger organizations, invest more deeply in their people, and pass hard-earned lessons forward. It is also for veterans reflecting on what their service meant, commanders trying to create healthier teams, and anyone who believes leadership begins with presence, trust, and the willingness to stand alongside people when things are hard.

Watch the interview on YouTube

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