In this episode of Shoot Me Straight, Eddie and Dave sit down with Sam Brasfield, a retired Navy EOD officer with over 36 years of service, to talk about combat, leadership, transition, and finding purpose after the uniform comes off.

Sam shares his journey from enlisted sailor to EOD officer, multiple combat deployments in Iraq, defusing hundreds of IEDs, and leading teams in some of the most dangerous environments in the world. But this conversation goes far beyond war stories.

After retiring from the Navy, Sam hiked the Appalachian Trail as a way to decompress, reflect, and reset — a transition that reshaped how he views service, identity, and life after the military. That journey ultimately led him to his current mission: helping build Veterans Lodge, a first-of-its-kind campus focused on healing veterans and their families — mentally, physically, and spiritually.

This is an honest, grounded conversation about leadership, purpose, faith, burnout, transition struggles, and why so many veterans feel lost after service — and what can actually help.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of combat, war, suicide, and veteran transition challenges.

Watch. Listen. Decide for yourself.

📌 TOPICS COVERED

• Navy EOD & combat deployments
• Defusing IEDs and car bombs in Iraq
• Leadership and responsibility under pressure
• Transitioning out of the military
• Hiking the Appalachian Trail after retirement
• Loss of identity, purpose, and direction
• Veteran suicide & mental health
• Faith, reflection, and personal growth
• Veterans Lodge & helping veterans heal with their families

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