Team Never Quit - Michael Halterman: 1st Marine Raider Battalion & VP of "The Honor Foundation" Recounts His Time In The Military & Success After Service

Michael Halterman: 1st Marine Raider Battalion & VP of "The Honor Foundation" Recounts His Time In The Military & Success After Service

11/08/23 • 77 min

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Welcome friends, to this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast with your host, retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell. In today's episode, Marcus has the honor of hosting Michael G Halterman, the Vice President of Operations at The Honor Foundation. With a career spanning over two decades, Michael has a wealth of experience, particularly in operations, leadership, and the military and veterans education sectors. His mission consists of a commitment to help fellow veterans navigate the transition process, ensuring they find their unique path and thrive in the process.
Michael served as a Marine Infantryman for 10 years and is a Plank Owner of 1st Marine Raider Battalion. His profound respect for Special Operators is deeply rooted in his experiences and dedication to the military community.
His story is a testament to the power of a clear personal why and the impact of laser focus in achieving remarkable goals. Join us as we explore the lessons learned and the wisdom gained through Michael's diverse and impactful career.
Socials:
www.honor.org

Sponsors:
- GoodRX.com/TNQ
- NavyFederal.com
- UncommonGoods.com/TNQ

In this episode you will hear:
• I grew up waving the red, white, and blue. (4:58)
• Growing up in the 80s, guns weren’t like pink and purple. (6:59)
• I was a kid running around with tri-color camo on and realistic-looking guns. (7:05)
• [In the military] I got to learn about life. People from other cultures, because you really don’t know nothing growing up in a small town. (8:28)
• The first thing I remember pulling into Southern Nasiriya, [Iraq]. It was the first time I had seen American vehicles with bullet holes in them - on fire - American military uniforms with blood on them - Helmets tipped over. (12:48)
• How do you go from spending as much time in the military as [the time] I’ve had on the planet? (45:35)
• [The Honor Foundation] is fully designed for you to explore all opportunities in a safe space. (48:22)
• [The Honor Foundation] is an executive-style education, and it’s three months long. (50:15)
• The big differentiator of who we are at the Honor Foundation is that the entire first phase has nothing to do with LinkedIn, resume’s or any of that. We make these dudes figure out who they are again. (51:44)
• Who are you when no one cares about rank anymore; no one cares about sniper school; no one cares that you can free fall. They wanna know who you are, and before you can tell them that, you have to know who you are. And you have to articulate that well. (52:04)
• The reality is... you’re gonna have to struggle with who you are, who your community is, how to make sense of the world, and the purpose and meaning of life for a while. (61:31)
• We advocate the best time to get a job is when you have a job. (62:40)
• At no time do we tell them what to do. We empower them to go do what they want to do. (70:29)

Previous Episode

Nick Allard: How Unusual Encounters Led Him To Uncovering War Stories In Ukraine & Create "Dima"

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In this week's Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus engages in a gripping conversation with Nick Allard, whose life took an unexpected turn at the onset of the Ukrainian war. Nick's seemingly ordinary life in Austin, Texas, was disrupted by two extraordinary events that ignited a profound shift in his perspective. Motivated by a newfound sense of purpose, Nick made a spontaneous decision to travel to Ukraine just weeks later, driven by a desire to amplify the untold stories of those affected by the conflict.
The podcast delves into the transformative experiences that shook Nick to his core and convinced him of a greater calling. While in Ukraine, Nick encountered a man whose life had been shattered by the ravages of war. This encounter inspired Nick to create a powerful film titled "Dima." The film vividly captures the horrors endured by its protagonist along the perilous journey, providing a poignant glimpse into the human cost of the conflict.
Kickstarter:
- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nickallard/dima-0
Socials:
- IG: iamnickallard

In this episode you will hear:
• Athletics was always king for me when I was growing up. (7:00)
• I was a kid obsessing on war movies, and as I got older, I transformed into an athlete type, and once that ended, I transitioned back to what I’m doing now. It’s come full circle. (7:16)
• That communal feeling was more important than anything growing up as a kid. (8:11)
• [One night] I was knocking out emails on my computer, and all of a sudden I hear a knock on my door. There’s a voice mumbling “Please open the door” and there’s a woman with zip ties firm behind her back and she said that three guys had tried to rape her. (14:34)
• When things like that happen, I have to find ways to put meaning to it. Otherwise it’s just a thing that happens. (20:22)
• [Marcus] If one thing goes wrong, that’s a day. Days are hard. They’re supposed to be. But when you have two or three constantly pushing you in a certain direction, a lot of people can’t pick that up. That’s why their life get so difficult. That’s your purpose. (22:07)
• [When my friend was drowning] to save my friend was my second thought. The first thought was “God what the hell do you wanna do? What is this?” Then I went into the mode of we gotta pick this guy up and move him. And that was a defining moment. (27:57)
• Once the train’s on the tracks, there’s always the prospect of something happening. (28:46)
• The next place that I went to was Auschwitz. To see and feel the energy that place has was something - unlike anything I’d ever felt. (31:12)
• The have photos of where specific things happened, and then looking at the photo of a woman with her son walking down the path to the gas chamber, and you’re looking at the photo taken in that exact spot. (32:21)
• When you’re backpacking Europe, you get all the kids on vacation. When you’re backpacking in Ukraine, you get like every person from every walk of life that’s involved in war. (36:50)
• [I asked a man] “Were you there when the invasion all started? All of a sudden in his face he was trying to get it out, but there was this pause, his eyes kind of like wearing off into the distance. It was this gut instinct at that moment. It felt like “Oh my something happened.” Something in that pause... (49:14)
• Every dime I had went into that film. (50:53)
• I grew up Catholic but I was always a dude that tried to skip church, then after those 2 life events, I gave up thinking I was in control of all this. (54:26)
• The Ukrainian people feel like they’re ten years behind everybody. (58:22)
• The history that Ukraine and Russia has is brutal. (58:36)
• Don’t forget about it. You don’t have to be posting Ukrainian flags – everybody’s got things to do. Just don’t lose sight of it. (71:31)

Next Episode

Remi Adeleke Details His Incredible Journey From SEAL Teams To Hollywood & Host of the “Down Range” Podcast

In this episode, Marcus has the privilege of hosting a remarkable individual who has traversed diverse worlds - from the military to Hollywood, and beyond. Remi Adeleke, born in Nigeria, is not only an accomplished writer and actor but also a fierce advocate against organ trafficking. Join us as we delve into his incredible journey, from the streets of the Bronx to the high-stakes world of Navy SEALs and the glimmering lights of the entertainment industry.
Remi's life story is one of resilience and determination. His world took a drastic turn following the death of his father. At just five years old, Remi, alongside his mother and brother, embarked on a new chapter in the Bronx, New York. Little did he know, this move would set the stage for a life of extraordinary experiences.
Driven by a profound sense of duty and an unyielding spirit, Remi enlisted in the Navy, but his journey didn't stop there - he went on to join the elite Navy SEALs, specializing in combat medicine and HUMINT (Human Intelligence/tradecraft).
From the battlefield to the big screen, Remi's transition into the world of Hollywood is a tale of its own. His notable roles in films such as "Ambulance" (2022), "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" (2023), and "Plane" (2023) highlight not only his acting prowess but also the breadth of his experiences.
Beyond the glamour of Hollywood, Remi is actively engaged in a cause close to his heart - combating organ trafficking. Drawing from personal experiences and a commitment to justice, Remi works tirelessly to raise awareness and combat this illicit trade. We explore the motivations behind his involvement in this critical issue and discuss the impact he hopes to make in the fight against organ trafficking.
Join us as we unravel the layers of this multifaceted individual, gaining insights into the extraordinary life of a man who continues to inspire others through his actions and advocacy.
Socials:
- https://www.instagram.com/remiadeleke/
- https://www.youtube.com/@remiadeleke1278
- https://www.instagram.com/team_neverquit/
In this episode you will hear:
• [Marcus] I wanted to be a Navy SEAL so bad, but I just thought it was impossible. (6:41)
• Every single day of my life I try to maintain a standard of excellence. (7:51)
• I feel like I owe it to guys who gave their lives. (8:01)
• I want to be excellent because I want to honor their legacy. (8:18)
• I love America. I’m not ashamed to say it. (8:31)
• It’s so interesting how so many people outside America see it, and love it, and want it. (9:03)
• [Marcus] When you really appreciate being an American is when you freakin’ leave. (9:19)
• A lot of people don’t know this, but Nigeria is a very rich country, because there’s so much oils, natural gas, gold, and minerals. (9:59)
• 9-11 played a role in me getting into the military. It’s bittersweet. (18:08)
• [Organ trafficking] is a multi-billion dollar industry. (23:27)
• There are some corrupt doctors that on the American border playing a role – “providing intelligence” to organ harvesters. (24:25)
• A woman in India traveled to New Delhi for a job. When she went to get a physical, she heard the nurse say to the doctor “this is the girl who’s giving these organs”. She ran out, alerted the police and uncovered a multimillion dollar organ harvesting ring, any of whom were doctors. (25:21)
• We’re not dealing with idiots. We’re dealing with intelligent people. (26:41)
• My feature film is called: “Unexpected Redemption.” (31:02)
• I love storytelling. I love taking and idea from the beginning, writing a screenplay, rolling a camera and shooting it. (32:03)
• It’s a very tough business to be in, but just that “no quit” attitude had stayed with me. (32:58)
It’s all about the story to me. What message can impact people the most? (33:56)
• Fear breeds fear; Calm breeds calm. (43:35)