Guest Bio: The Honorable Raymond D. Kemp Sr., FLTCM (Ret.)

The Honorable Raymond D. Kemp Sr. is a 33-year veteran of the United States Navy and the first Black Fleet Master Chief of U.S. Naval Forces Europe & Africa. With 19 years of sea duty and 11 combat deployments, his leadership spanned every level—from the deckplates to the Pentagon. Following his retirement in 2019, he was appointed by President Joe Biden to serve on the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Kemp is also a certified John Maxwell Leadership Coach, founder of Kemp Solutions, and author of Building Resilience for Hybrid Success: Anchored in Adaptability. His mission today is rooted in mentoring, speaking, and legacy-building through leadership, dignity, and inclusion.

Episode Notes:

In this episode of Permission to Speak Freely, hosts CMDCS Andamo McCullough and Tisha are joined by The Honorable Raymond D. Kemp Sr. for an unfiltered conversation about identity, legacy, and leading with purpose beyond the uniform.

From becoming the first Black FLTCM in his region to navigating the emotional shift after retirement, Kemp opens up about trust, inclusion, mentorship, and the cost of high-impact leadership. He also shares his TICAG framework, his philosophy as a “Why Coach,” and powerful reflections on race, resilience, and what it means to plant seeds you may never see bloom.

This episode is a must-listen for military leaders, veterans, and anyone seeking truth, growth, and grounded leadership.

To have your “Do Better” reviewed on a future episode, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

Keep up with the ‘Permission to Speak Freely’ podcast on our social media and YouTube - https://linktr.ee/Ptsfpodcast

Connect with The Honorable Raymond D. Kemp Sr.:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdkemp/

Kemp Solutions: https://www.kemp-solutions.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raymonddkemp/?hl=en

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/fltcmkemp

Buy Raymond’s  Book:

Building Resilience for Hybrid Success: Anchored in Adaptability

Purchase on Amazon

Additional Credits:

PTSF “Theme Music” - Produced by Lim0

Subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast!