Episode #56
56 Kevin Braziel - 20 Year US Navy Veteran, Chief Petty Officer, Project Executive
Kevin Braziel served more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer after multiple combat deployments. In this episode, Kevin shares the leadership lessons that shaped him, the cost of putting the mission ahead of family for too long, his experience with PTSD and VA mental health care, and why Veterans can elevate the construction industry. Today, Kevin is a Project Executive at McGough Construction and an advocate for Veterans entering the trades and construction leadership. ️ Hosted by Adam Stark · Supported by Jet.Build #Veterans #NavyVeteran #Leadership #MilitaryTransition #Construction ➡︎ The VWB show is sponsored by: https://jet.build/ Mentions in This Video Kevin's Info: ➡︎ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-b-44a341102/ ➡︎ Non Profits: https://www.ntvrf.com/ Subscribe To Our Podcast Here ➡︎ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKONY1n1qysTx2RiBiwj28QzLc8gI2oui ➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZizGddgHgKA4oimoLkNRc?si=cd7c0afd6b064292 ➡︎ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Vt3rCE ➡︎ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vwbshow/ ➡︎ X: https://twitter.com/TheVWBShow ➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamstark512/ ➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veterans-who-build ➡︎ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranswhobuild/ The Veterans Who Build Show ➡︎ At VWB, we are on a mission to provide a platform for Veterans to share their story, empower others for success, transition from Military to civilian to profession, chat translatable skills, professional and personal wins, and all things Built Environment The VWB Show Sponsors ➡︎ The VWB show is sponsored by @jetbuild ➡︎ Find more information on Jet.Build, here: www.jet.build ➡︎ Jet.Build is THE central command for RE development and construction project management software. Solutions range from project finance to stakeholder collaboration, construction operations, and data reporting with AI. Jet.Build is the better way to build Timecodes Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:51 The Decision to Serve: A Father's Perspective 06:04 Cultural Gaps: Veterans in the Civilian Workforce 09:03 Childhood and Early Influences 11:57 Enlisting in the Navy: The Journey Begins 15:13 Life as a CB: Experiences and Lessons Learned 17:52 Leadership Lessons from the Military 21:09 Transitioning to EOD: New Challenges 23:59 Mentorship and Growth in Leadership 26:47 Comparing Military and Civilian Construction 30:06 Final Thoughts and Reflections 37:07 Overcoming Adversity in Leadership 40:45 Lessons from Military Experience 41:41 Empowering Teams in Combat 44:40 Transitioning to Civilian Life 50:12 The Importance of Mental Health 52:22 Navigating Post-Military Career Challenges 56:27 Finding Purpose in Manual Labor 60:08 Embracing New Roles in Pharmaceutical Construction 68:31 Key Takeaways for Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life 78:13 Commitment and Accountability in Leadership 79:12 Navigating Challenges in Project Management 80:36 Turning Around Failing Projects 83:30 Military Principles Applied to Construction 86:36 Empowering Teams for Success 90:15 The Hidden Superpower of Veterans 92:08 Leadership and Adaptability in Uncertain Environments 95:34 Building Trust and Transparency in Teams 99:40 Translating Military Skills to Civilian Success 102:07 Valuing the Veteran Mindset in the Workplace #veteranswhobuild #realestatedevelopment #construction #aec #cre #veterans
