Gaido Leader Development

Life has a way of throwing the unexpected at you.

Today I finaled out of housing and brought this chapter to a close. Tomorrow, Diesel and I head up to Gettysburg and then Mae our trek across the country.

These past two years at the Pentagon have brought the completion of an incredible assignment, the closing of a chapter in my personal life, and the beginning of several new ones.

It also brought perspective.

I’ve been reminded that life is not just about professional success. It is about resilience, reflection, and deciding who you want to become when things do not go as expected.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue building with Military Mentors, helping create cultures where mentorship is intentional and development is designed.

I’m proud of what AJOC continues to become as we work to elevate junior officer voices and strengthen trust, retention, and leader development across the Army.

I’m honored to continue as a fellow in the LTG (Ret.) James M. Dubik Writing Fellows Program, surrounded by leaders who believe writing is a professional responsibility.

I’m grateful to continue on my PhD journey in Adult Learning and Leadership, focused on the power of mentorship and how we intentionally develop people and organizations.

This next chapter is going to be exciting.

Onward to the PNW and the hunt for Bigfoot!

The hardest orders to execute aren’t the ones that come from above.

They’re the ones you give yourself — to step into something new. 🪖

This week’s Friday Formation leads with Andy Yakulis on the courage it takes to start over — alongside drones, AI advantage, polar strategy, Iran, and the enduring demands of the profession.

🔗 Full issue on Substack — link in bio.

It’s been an incredible SIX years

Here’s to many more

#6 Iron Sharpens Iron