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From Fuel to Fire: Mike Brunger's Journey
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What happens when a 25-year-old father of one decides to finally pursue his long-held desire to serve in the military? In this candid conversation, Mike Brunger takes us on an unlikely journey from small-town Michigan to overseas deployments and eventually becoming one of the state's top military recruiters.
Growing up in rural Michigan as the oldest of ten siblings, Mike's path to military service wasn't immediate. Despite early interest and even attempting to join the Marine Corps, it wasn't until 2007 that a chance encounter with a National Guard recruiter finally opened the door to service. As a 92F fueler in the Michigan Army National Guard, Mike embraced the "one weekend a month" commitment while balancing civilian life and fatherhood.
Mike shares refreshingly honest perspectives about his deployment experiences in Kuwait and Afghanistan, including surprisingly comfortable living conditions, exceptional food, and adapting to temperatures reaching 149 degrees. His matter-of-fact approach to military challenges reveals how attitude shapes experience – from the camaraderie that makes basic training "kind of like a vacation" to finding humor in challenging situations overseas.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Mike discusses his transition to military recruiting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging deep connections in his hometown communities, he achieved remarkable success, winning both Rookie of the Year and Michigan's Recruiter of the Year simultaneously. His recruiting philosophy centered on genuine service rather than meeting quotas, demonstrating how authentic leadership produces exceptional results.
Now facing medical retirement, Mike offers valuable wisdom for anyone considering military service: talk to a recruiter with an open mind, recognize that today's military differs dramatically from previous generations, and understand that your experience directly correlates to your level of commitment. "If you're just that guy hanging out in the back of the room trying to get through the drill day, your military service is going to be horrible," he advises. "But if you're the guy that wants to progress your career and do more, you're going to get a lot more out of it."
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By Bill KriegerSend us a text
What happens when a 25-year-old father of one decides to finally pursue his long-held desire to serve in the military? In this candid conversation, Mike Brunger takes us on an unlikely journey from small-town Michigan to overseas deployments and eventually becoming one of the state's top military recruiters.
Growing up in rural Michigan as the oldest of ten siblings, Mike's path to military service wasn't immediate. Despite early interest and even attempting to join the Marine Corps, it wasn't until 2007 that a chance encounter with a National Guard recruiter finally opened the door to service. As a 92F fueler in the Michigan Army National Guard, Mike embraced the "one weekend a month" commitment while balancing civilian life and fatherhood.
Mike shares refreshingly honest perspectives about his deployment experiences in Kuwait and Afghanistan, including surprisingly comfortable living conditions, exceptional food, and adapting to temperatures reaching 149 degrees. His matter-of-fact approach to military challenges reveals how attitude shapes experience – from the camaraderie that makes basic training "kind of like a vacation" to finding humor in challenging situations overseas.
The conversation takes an unexpected turn when Mike discusses his transition to military recruiting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging deep connections in his hometown communities, he achieved remarkable success, winning both Rookie of the Year and Michigan's Recruiter of the Year simultaneously. His recruiting philosophy centered on genuine service rather than meeting quotas, demonstrating how authentic leadership produces exceptional results.
Now facing medical retirement, Mike offers valuable wisdom for anyone considering military service: talk to a recruiter with an open mind, recognize that today's military differs dramatically from previous generations, and understand that your experience directly correlates to your level of commitment. "If you're just that guy hanging out in the back of the room trying to get through the drill day, your military service is going to be horrible," he advises. "But if you're the guy that wants to progress your career and do more, you're going to get a lot more out of it."
Support the show