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Aaron, Trent, and Peaches tackle the rising tide of valor inflation, where every LinkedIn bio says “warfighter,” but no one can pass a PT test. This episode is a spicy roast of our participation trophy military culture, bloated titles, and the thirst for validation that’s killing authenticity.

We dig into why the guy who’s “changing the game” on Instagram hasn’t deployed, why you shouldn’t need a 9-slide PowerPoint to explain your leadership style, and how the real ones are too busy doing the work to make motivational content about it.

Also: whether the military actually values mentorship, why you should be suspicious of people who over-brand themselves, and how chasing recognition is the fastest way to lose your soul in the team room.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• The “valor economy” is collapsing under the weight of everyone’s brand.
• Want to be elite? Shut up and show up.
• If your shirt says “Mentor” but your actions don’t — you're part of the problem.
• The algorithm won’t save you during selection.
• Mentorship isn’t marketing. Stop confusing clout with impact.
• The best leaders usually have the fewest followers — because they’re too busy leading.
• If everyone’s a warrior… why does everything suck?

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Opening Shots: The Warfighter Wannabe Epidemic
04:10 – “Mentorship” Isn’t a LinkedIn Endorsement
09:45 – Valor Inflation and the Branding Arms Race
14:20 – DoD Culture vs. Do The Damn Work
20:00 – The Reality of Mentorship in Today’s Military
26:00 – Aaron: If You’re Still Talking, You’re Not Leading
32:10 – Trent: Feedback Isn’t Meant to Coddle
36:30 – When Marketing Becomes the Mission
41:00 – Outro: The Quiet Professionals Still Win

🎯 Call-to-Actions:

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• COMMENT: What’s the worst example of valor inflation you’ve seen?
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