Today’s guest is Dave Berke, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, fighter pilot, ground combat leader, and now a leadership instructor with Echelon Front.

As an F/A-18 pilot, Dave deployed twice from the USS John C. Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan before joining the ranks of TOPGUN, where he was dual-qualified in both the F/A-18 and F-16, serving as the Training Officer—the senior pilot responsible for the conduct of the TOPGUN course.

He later served on the ground in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller with the Army’s 1st Armored Division, supporting SEAL Task Unit Bruiser. 

Dave was the first operational pilot to fly and be qualified in the F-35B Lightning II, commanding the Marines’ first F-35 squadron. He also holds a master’s degree in International Public Policy and Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University.

Now, as Chief Development Officer and leadership instructor with Echelon Front, Dave draws from decades of combat and aviation experience to teach principles of leadership, discipline, and teamwork to organizations around the world.

In this episode, Jack talks with Dave about growing up under the flight path of El Toro Marine Base, early influences that led him to Marine aviation, and the journey from the cockpit to the streets of Ramadi. They discuss the power of teamwork under fire, the lessons learned at TOPGUN, and what true leadership looks like—whether in the sky, on the battlefield, or in business.

His book, THE NEED TO LEAD: A TOPGUN INSTRUCTOR'S LESSONS ON HOW LEADERSHIP SOLVES EVERY CHALLENGE, is available now.

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