Today I talk to Jeff Struecker (@jeffstruecker) about the importance of being a person of your word. Jeff Struecker is a pastor, podcaster, author, and featured keynote speaker. He enlisted in the US Army at age 18 and served for almost 23 years before retiring with the rank of Major.
Jeff now leads the Unbeatable Army, the faithful followers of his top-rated podcast. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2017 and holds many decorations and recognitions for his military service, including the Silver Star from his service during Black Hawk Down.
Purchase Jeff’s book Start Here: https://amzn.to/3t7Bvoq (Amazon Link)
It’s not when the bullets are flying, but it’s when the dust settles that you really have the hard work to do of dealing with it emotionally, psychologically, & spiritually with what you just saw or did.
Jeff Struecker
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In This Episode, Jeff Struecker And I discuss the Importance of Being a Person of Your Word
If you’re looking for advice on achieving your goals, you need to listen to this episode of the Passion Struck Podcast. Jeff and John discuss the importance of being a person of your word and how it’s critical for success in life. Jeff provides his perspectives from Black Hawk Down and the two discuss the importance of having a strong sense of moral conviction and how it can help you act in accordance with your commitments. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to take control of your life and achieve your dreams!
- The two types of people in the military
- The toughest job in the military is being a Private in the Rangers
- The role of a US Army Ranger vs other special operations forces
- The key difference between a coward and a hero
- How black hawk down taught him the importance of being a man of your word
- How you overcome fear
- The importance of life’s transition points
- How to deal with PTSD in or out of the military
- Transitioning from Ranger to Chaplain
- The key to making a difference in the world
- Why are people leaving the church?
- The need to feel and give love
- How to make sure you are on God’s right path
- Excuses are one of the worst things if you want to live your best life.
- Have any questions, comments, or stories youโd like to share? Drop us a line at [email protected]m!
- And much moreโฆ
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More From My Interview With Jeff Struecker on the Importance of Being a Person of Your Word
During our interview, I asked Jeff if he would talk about his Black Hawk Down experience, through the lens of the importance of being a man of your word.
Jeff Struecker explains, “You just asked the question for a warrior on a battlefield. And I don’t know if most people understand this going into the military, especially those who have never served. When I returned to the base from retrieving wounded and killed soldiers, my boss came up to me, saying, ‘Hey, Jeff, a second, Blackhawk just got shot down. We’ve already put the Ranger search and rescue force in at the first crash site. We don’t have anybody else out there, we need to get you back on your Humvees, and you need to go out to the second crash site.’
And I’m thinking to myself, everybody is going to die if I do this. And here’s where being a man of your word comes in John because the Rangers swear their lives to one another almost every day. They do it quite literally in what we call the Ranger creed. And one of the phrases of the Ranger creed says I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy.
And now I’m at my Humvees getting ready to roll back on the city streets with a guy whose dead body is being pulled off to the back, and I think if I go back out there, I’m going to die. All of my men are going to die. But if I don’t go back out there, the guys at that crash site are going to die. And I’ve sworn my life to them. I gave my word and said I would never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy.
And now keeping my word is probably going to cost me my life. And I’ll just be honest, man, I had this moment where I had to wrestle with Are you going to be a man of your word or not? Jeff? And if it costs you your life tonight, are you going to do what you promised your brothers and sisters in arms that you’re going to do? And that really that moment, and my strong faith gave me the courage.
My faith gave me the courage to get on the on these. But that moment is what pushed me in that direction. Because had it not been for the Ranger creed, I don’t think I would have gone back out there not once, but multiple times all night long that night.”
Thanks, Jeff Struecker!
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Resources From The Show With Jeff Struecker
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- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffstruecker/
- My solo episode on whether or not free will exists: https://passionstruck.com/does-the-concept-of-free-will-really-exist/
- My interview with Seth Godin on why we need systems to change to save the planet and address climate change: https://passionstruck.com/seth-godin-we-need-systems-change-save-planet/.
- My interview with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman and Dr. Jordan Feingold on Choosing Growth and transcending self-doubt, fear, and anxiety: https://passionstruck.com/jordyn-feingold-scott-barry-kaufman-chose-growth/
- My interview with Dr. Katy Milkman on the behavior science behind how we change: https://passionstruck.com/katy-milkman-behavior-change-for-good/
- My solo episode on why micro choices matter: https://passionstruck.com/why-your-micro-choices-determine-your-life/
About Todayโs Guest, Jeff Struecker
Jeff Struecker is a pastor, podcaster, author, and featured keynote speaker. He enlisted in the US Army at age 18 and served for almost 23 years before retiring with the rank of Major. He now leads the Unbeatable Army, the faithful followers of his top-rated podcast.
Jeff spent most of his military career serving in special operations units. He served in many positions in the US Armyโs 75th Ranger Regiment. He left active duty as a Sergeant First Class to become a US Army Chaplain. Jeff served in various Airborne and Ranger units before retiring from the US Army in 2011. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2017.
Jeff was deployed to combat in Panama, Kuwait, Somalia, and on many tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He holds many decorations and recognitions for his military service, including the Silver Star. He has attended many professional military schools and has received many badges to recognize his specialized military training as an Infantryman, a Paratrooper, a Ranger, and a Chaplain.
Jeff is an avid runner and has completed numerous marathons and ultra-marathons. In 1996 he won the Best Ranger Competition. He holds a Ph.D. from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an award-winning author with many books in print. Jeff is the founding pastor of 2 Cities Church in Columbus, GA. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Dawn. They have five children and three grandchildren.
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