PDF Summary:Thank You for My Service, by Mat Best

In his memoir Thank You for My Service, Mat Best recounts his experiences as a Ranger in the elite 75th Ranger Regiment during five deployments that included engaging in fierce combat, witnessing the tragic loss of fellow soldiers, and displaying a daring disregard for personal safety while facing enemy forces. The book also chronicles Best's difficult transition to civilian life and his journey to find meaning after the military—exploring entrepreneurial and entertainment ventures focused on supporting other veterans.

Best's candid narrative documents his struggle to adapt to the trivialities of civilian society and his quest to create fulfilling business opportunities, such as apparel brands and Black Rifle Coffee Company. It details his path to ultimately committing wholeheartedly to providing assistance and opportunities to his fellow servicemembers through entrepreneurship.

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The author recounts his struggle to find employment as exhilarating as his time in the military, expressing a longing for the adrenaline of battle and the personal turmoil he experienced upon exiting the armed forces. He sought additional education to introduce discipline and direction into his life by utilizing the educational support programs available for former service members. The writer, recognizing his past as a soldier, grappled with various emotions during this transitional phase and realized the significance of applying his leadership abilities in business and entrepreneurial ventures to reestablish his sense of self and direction.

Practical Tips

• You can create a personal transition plan by identifying the skills and experiences from your past that are most meaningful to you and mapping out how they could be applied in a civilian context. Start by listing out your top five skills or experiences, then research and brainstorm ways they could translate to civilian jobs or hobbies. For example, if you were a logistics coordinator in the military, consider how those organizational skills could benefit event planning or supply chain management roles.
• Develop a mentorship relationship with someone who has successfully transitioned from a similar background to yours. Reach out to local veteran organizations, LinkedIn groups, or community centers to find potential mentors. Regular meetings with your mentor can provide you with insights and advice on navigating the civilian landscape, much like a guide who has already traversed the path you're on.
• Engage in volunteer work that aligns with your values and leverages your unique skills. This can provide a sense of purpose and community connection. Look for opportunities in areas that resonate with your interests, such as disaster relief if you have a background in emergency management, or youth mentoring if you want to pass on leadership skills. Volunteering not only helps bridge the gap between military and civilian life but also expands your network and can lead to employment opportunities.

The writer's foray into the domain of contractual employment and the challenges he faced.

The author narrates his own path to self-sufficiency in the military, emphasizing the numerous obstacles he faced throughout the process.

The author chose to pursue a career in the field of personal security services.

The author describes his reasons for choosing to engage in contracting work and the initial advantages it offered.

The author was drawn to the idea of contract work in "Executive Protection," advertised on Craigslist, because it offered a high salary and a chance to apply the skills he had honed in the armed forces. The author's zeal was ignited by chances to partake in drills that ignited his fervor, which encompassed showcasing his precision in shooting skills. During his time with the Rangers, he developed a deep-seated pride in his marksmanship skills, which were crucial to his role as a contractor. When you're passionate about an activity, it often feels more like pleasure than work.

The author encountered numerous obstacles throughout his period working in a contractual capacity.

The author narrates his encounters with red tape, regulations, and the mental strain associated with his professional duties.

The author openly addressed the unsavory aspects of executive protection, likening it to withstanding a series of disagreeable events. His role had been reduced to that of an inconspicuous backdrop during his time safeguarding an affluent family, a far cry from the profession's initial appeal.

The physical fitness examination, which included challenges such as transporting a mannequin, took many candidates by surprise. The writer, a former member of an elite military group, recognized the difficult situations he faced. The rigorous preparation that ensued imparted a comprehensive understanding of the group's strategies, techniques, and protocols, encompassing a wide array of military exercises and field operations.

Among the program's most challenging aspects was a drill that subjected participants to high-stress scenarios while blindfolded, employing simunitions to lend a realistic and formidable aspect to the training. The author regarded the difficulties endured as a fair trade-off for the job's prospective benefits, despite the mental and physical strain they caused.

Other Perspectives

• The high salary in "Executive Protection" may not adequately compensate for the potential risks and stress associated with the job.
• The application of military skills to personal security services may not always be direct or beneficial, as civilian protection roles can differ significantly from military operations.
• Pride in marksmanship skills, while valuable, may not be the most relevant skill for all aspects of personal security services, which often require a broader set of interpersonal and strategic skills.
• The obstacles faced, such as red tape and regulations, are common in many professions and may not be unique to contractual work in personal security services.
• The physical fitness examination, while rigorous, may not be a comprehensive measure of a candidate's suitability for the role, as it may not fully assess the mental and emotional competencies required.
• The author's elite military background may have prepared him for the physical aspects of the job, but it may not have fully prepared him for the unique challenges of executive protection, such as managing client relationships and navigating complex social environments.
• Military exercises and field operations training may not translate seamlessly into the skills needed for executive protection, which can involve more subtle and nuanced tasks.
• High-stress scenarios in training, while intended to prepare candidates, may not accurately simulate the real-world conditions and pressures of executive protection work.
• The author's view that the difficulties in training are worth the job's potential benefits is subjective and may not hold true for all individuals in the field.

The author's escalating engagement in producing content and entrepreneurial ventures culminated in his choice to depart from contracting.

The author discovered a distinctive path to assist his comrades-in-arms and to articulate his thoughts by engaging in content creation and entrepreneurial activities, which eventually prompted his departure from his contracting profession.

The author's success in amassing an online audience was due to his production of engaging videos.

The author recounts how he initiated a YouTube channel, garnered a significant audience, and realized the potential to evolve this endeavor into a business venture.

The author, known among his colleagues for producing engaging content, aimed to boost the profile of his YouTube channel, MBest11x, by taking part in the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Despite being deployed to Afghanistan instead of Iraq, the author's renown endured, resulting in recognition of his online presence. His efforts in portraying veterans in a relatable manner for a broad audience not only facilitated their transition back into civilian life but also gave him a deep sense of fulfillment. He realized that his love for music and creative drive could lead to a viable career in creating content that would fully engage his interest.

The author's co-founding of various veteran-focused businesses

The author narrates his journey of establishing multiple businesses, such as a clothing brand, a distillery, and a coffee enterprise, all renowned for their dedication to assisting veterans.

The author broadened his business ventures, resulting in the creation of a clothing line and a spirits brand, and subsequently joined forces with Evan Hafer and Jarred Taylor to launch Black Rifle Coffee Company. The businesses were created to develop a commercial infrastructure that is managed and owned by individuals who have served in the military, fostering an environment and purpose that resonates with the fellowship and organization they knew in their time of service. Despite initial successes and the excitement of creating content and engaging in these businesses, the companies faced internal struggles and challenges inherent to managing a growing operation.

The author committed wholeheartedly to his business ventures, shifting his focus from contracting work.

The author realized that his true purpose lay in creating successful enterprises and offering unwavering assistance to comrades who had also served in the military, leading him to transition away from contract work.

Mat Best recognized that as his online popularity grew and the demand for his work surged, he was faced with a crucial choice. His increasing fame was both motivating and problematic, as it clashed with the need for discretion and safety essential to his contracting duties. He found immense fulfillment in his entrepreneurial endeavors, especially by founding a coffee enterprise that focused on helping veterans, thereby offering jobs and assistance to those who had served in the military. The author was motivated to commit wholeheartedly to his business ventures by the fulfillment he felt and the noticeable difference he made, fueled by a profound desire to significantly improve the lives of his fellow veterans.

Practical Tips

• You can start a blog or vlog series sharing stories of local veterans, focusing on their transition to civilian life and how the community can support them. By doing this, you create a platform that raises awareness and can potentially lead to business opportunities that benefit veterans. For example, if you're a baker, you could feature a veteran each month and create a special pastry in their honor, with proceeds going to a veteran charity.
• Consider volunteering your professional skills to veteran-owned startups or businesses in your area. If you're skilled in marketing, offer to run a free workshop or provide a consultation to help them grow their audience. This not only aids in their success but also gives you insight into the entrepreneurial process and how to leverage your abilities for social good.
• Create a local online marketplace where veteran-made products are featured and sold. This doesn't require you to start your own business but supports those run by veterans. You could collaborate with local tech enthusiasts to set up a simple website where veteran entrepreneurs can list their products, similar to Etsy but focused on your community's veteran businesses.