In one of the most raw and honest Blue Yonder conversations yet, Jess Knutson opens up about the highs of his Air Force career, the depths of post-service alcoholism and mental health struggles, and the long road to recovery and accountability. Joined by Jason Acre, the discussion shines a light on what it truly takes to rebuild when life falls apart.

In this episode, Jake sits down with retired Air Force officer Kylene Ruth to discuss her journey from the Academy to squadron command, her evolution as a leader, and the challenges and triumphs of transitioning into civilian life.

Dan Slaughter shares his 26-year journey from Army brat to Special Forces officer, cybersecurity expert, and real estate developer. A grounded and thoughtful conversation on transition, identity, and service beyond the uniform.

In this episode of Blue Yonder, Jacob reconnects with retired Chief Rich Pelletier to explore how purpose, service, and leadership shaped his military career and post-service success. From their time launching leadership initiatives at Shaw AFB to Rich's transition into Amazon, the conversation dives deep into discovering your next mission, the power of mentorship, and why role modeling matters more than ever after hanging up the uniform.

Episode Title: The Power of Purpose: Rich Pelletier’s Journey from Weapons Chief to Amazon Leader

Guest: Rich Pelletier Host: Jake Peeterse Podcast: Blue Yonder

• 00:00 – Introduction and reconnecting at Shaw AFB

• 01:00 – Transition from military to Amazon

• 04:00 – How PME and leadership development shaped his civilian leadership

• 05:20 – Why Rich joined the Air Force (inspired by Top Gun)

• 08:40 – Overcoming early military setbacks and the decision to re-enlist

• 11:00 – Peer rivalry and its impact on career decisions

• 13:00 – Decision to retire and the command chief opportunity he passed on

• 18:50 – COVID-era retirement: no ceremony, but no regrets

• 20:10 – Discovering purpose through LinkedIn and intentional networking

• 26:00 – Career offers, role alignment, and turning down aviation

• 35:00 – Transferable skills, underselling himself, and being elevated at Amazon

• 42:00 – Redefining service post-retirement

• 50:00 – Ripple effects, role modeling, and continuing to serve others

• 56:00 – Fighting for Airmen and the value of standing up for others

• 58:30 – Advice to pre-retirement Rich: “Don’t worry about the what-ifs”

• Purpose drives transition: Identifying what drives you post-military is essential. For Rich, it was serving people and developing leaders.

• Leadership beyond rank: From weapons troops to Amazon teams, leading with empathy and clarity translates across industries.

• Be of service always: Service doesn’t end with the uniform; it evolves into mentorship, parenting, and community involvement.

• Start early: LinkedIn and networking played a pivotal role years before his actual transition.

• You bring more than you think: Many veterans underestimate the depth of their experience.

“Don’t think about what you can’t do because you’re retiring. Think about what you will do because you’re retiring.”

“You don’t take pride in just making the package move, but in growing the people who make the package move.”

In this episode of Blue Yonder, Jacob reconnects with his first Air Force roommate, Jeff Tucker, to reflect on nearly three decades of friendship, service, and transition.

Jeff shares his unexpected path to the Air Force at age 23, his experiences as a recruiter, and the highs and lows of military life — including leadership challenges, post-9/11 deployments, and tough career decisions.

They talk openly about transition struggles, the loss of identity after service, divorce, depression, and how Jeff ultimately rebuilt his life through real estate and community in East Tennessee.

This episode is a candid, often humorous look at military culture, personal growth, and what it takes to move forward when the uniform comes off.

🎙 Topics include: – Real estate after retirement – Leadership lessons from basic training – The mental toll of military missteps – Building identity beyond the rank – Advice for service members nearing the end

🔗 More episodes: intotheblueyonderpodcast.com

In this powerful episode of Blue Yonder, Jake reconnects with longtime friend and retired Air Force veteran Charles Holman for the first time in nearly two decades. What unfolds is a deeply candid conversation about trauma, transformation, and the often unseen weight of military service. From his chaotic early years and near-death experiences to becoming a respected leader in both military and tech startup spaces, Charles reflects on the cost of service, the struggle of transition, and what it means to truly reinvent yourself after the uniform comes off.

In this candid conversation, Jake sits down with retired Air Force Master Sergeant Michael Rainer to explore the highs, lows, and unexpected realities of life after the military. Michael opens up about the decision to join the Air Force, the challenges of staying in, and the pivotal moment when he chose retirement—not because he was ready to stop serving, but because his family needed stability.

He talks through the emotional complexity of letting go of the uniform, struggling through five different jobs post-retirement, and how the cultural shock of civilian life caught him off guard. Michael’s story also touches on the importance of community, the quiet weight of losing daily purpose, and the emotional trigger behind a simple act like shaving his beard.

For anyone navigating the military-to-civilian transition—or supporting someone who is—this episode offers raw insight, practical reflections, and a powerful reminder: taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s survival.

In this episode, Jake sits down with Willie Payne, a man who has built a life around hard work, humility, and staying true to his values. From the early days of working under pressure to navigating career changes and building family life, Willie shares reflections on what it means to keep showing up—no matter what life throws your way. It’s a story of quiet strength, resilience, and real-world wisdom that listeners from all walks of life can relate to.