Veterans Transitioning into the Workforce (with BRCC's Evan Hafer) - Change Agents with Andy Stumpf

Today on Change Agents, Andy Stumpf sits down with Black Rifle Coffee Company Founder Evan Hafer. Prior to founding BRCC, Evan spent 20 years in the military serving as a U.S. Army infantryman, a Special Forces soldier (Green Beret), and a CIA contractor. Today, BRCC is dedicated to hiring 10,000 veterans and supporting the veteran community.
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00:00 - Intro
1:00 - Who is Evan Hafer
2:36 - How Black Rifle Coffee Got Started
6:15 - The Surprising Reason Evan Hafer Left The Military
8:16 - How Evan Hafer Made It His Mission to Hire Veterans
12:12 - Evan Hafer's Shocking Solution For Veteran's Struggles in the Workplace
17:25 - Offboarding From The Military
20:00 - Growing A Company Around Veterans
28:00 - Sacrificing Your Ego In Business

[@thisisironclad]

New episodes of Change Agents every Monday only on IRONCLAD KZbin. Subscribe and Turn On Notifications To Never Miss A Upload! 💪🎬🎥

[@justjsse8917]

The real ceo of black rifle interviewing evan hafer. Saweeet

[@plunger110]

Hahaha Good catch!!!

[@swiggamortis5521]

Bingo!!!!

[@justinlake6604]

I'm glad he let's Evan be the face he needs something to do.

[@jeff.pitts.]

🧐 I read this as a spoiler that the puppet makes an appearance 🤔

[@jasons4882]

I really enjoy seeing content from Evan around Andy - for some reason they mesh on an extraordinary level.

[@Nelsonjosh24]

I have worked on a type 1 firefighting crew for a few years now. I’m an oef infantry vet and have worked-with/hired other veterans. It’s so hit and miss working with other vets. Literally 50/50. They either make my skin crawl to the point that I cannot stand to be around them or I make rock solid lifelong relationships with them. Guys show up to the crew, completely out of shape, do not work hard and think that they get a pass for being a veteran. It’s important to recognize your past and be proud of all that you have accomplished. However, refusing to move on from who you were in the service will only stagnate your professional life and hinder you from moving forward. Veterans will always support other veterans. You just have to be a veteran with supporting.

[@paulbeam4744]

Thanks for this video. Perfect timing. Just spoke with 2 veterans who are going to help us become the # 1 employer of veterans in Southern IL. Thanks Andy, Evan, & all the people involved in this group.

[@thisisironclad]

Best of luck!

[@negativeionz]

Andy is truly gifted as an interviewer. His questions on this shorter format are exceptional. I've seen so many podcasts with Evan on them on both sides of the table and none of them came close to the quality of this episode. And the answers Evan gave were as exceptional as the questions Andy had for him. You guys are killin' it. I strongly agree with Evan's ideas on transitioning to civilian life. It absolutely should be the military's job to transition veterans back to civilian life better, especially in the combat arms with the frequency of deployment schedules and operation tempos of the last 20 years. I'm from a military family, primary Marine infantry, and have had the privilege of training under, training with, and working with SOF guys for several years of my life. Seeing how those combat and peacetime experiences impacted my friends and family over and over again makes it painfully obvious we can do better as a society. If this respect and love of the military in American culture is anything but a bullshit vapid gesture, we should ashamed we haven't done better and determined to course correct.

[@baghdaddymike6669]

Great great video!!! “Transition battalion” is a brilliant idea. When I got out, I was like “how do I cut my hair? What do I wear to work? How do I call the boss ‘Dave’?” 1. Find a mentor - a vet whose been out a while (btw, sign me up) 2. Find a company, university or fellow group of entrepreneurs that is vet friendly 3. Focus on the skills that you needed to get to the trigger pull: preparation, planning, teambuilding, SOP, procedures, training drills. Use these to create value. 4. Redefine the trigger pull as your new objective, and get just as good at the new thing as you were with the old thing. Put in the time. Good luck, all!

[@antoniomilone5472]

As a business owner. I enjoyed hearing Evan's perspective on veterans in new work settings. A few things definitely made a lot of sense. I'll be sure to take all of this into consideration when hiring and training with all employees. Thanks again, Andy. And Evan.

[@italianfoodmadefromthehear8729]

Being a former Cav Scout and ODA guy for over 22 years my transition was that my story was not finished, and I no longer bring up my military life in conversations.

[@chipwood7104]

I'm about to retire from the Army, and build a career in the civilian world. This episode was very helpful! Thank you!

[@maxcullen3427]

Major respect to all from England ☕️

[@gabrielmariscal9554]

Veteran (Combat Infantryman) with over a decade of service; now corporate executive - BRCC is one of the only companies that I would leave my cush life for to start a new venture..

[@JimTripp2159]

My first job after getting out was a disaster. Progressive Ins wasn’t prepared for my honesty and I wasn’t prepared to watch my mouth nor my honest opinions. I spoke out for those that wouldn’t, but I am no longer a NCO…..

[@joshwheeldon1400]

Simply amazing!

[@yogi6917]

Can we have a video with Evan about the methods in which veterans can best navigate lawsuit hurdles? Also, maybe a segment on how to effectively communicate, as a leader, during one on one workplace conferences? Thanks!

[@mdub78]

That is hilarious. Yes we need pointers on how not to sexually harass male employees for sure.

[@negativeionz]

@@mdub78 And perhaps also how to refrain from sexually assaulting office equipment and furniture.

[@jmacd412]

Thank you Evan and Andy. Another among your many amazing videos. Very well done! Such an important topic that I don’t think very many people are talking about, if they are even aware of. I’ve heard some of what you are saying from my fellow veteran friends. The military is great at “turning the switch on, in terms of training and/or combat, but no one turns off or tells you how to turn off the switch”. Society wants our military, but they don’t want to deal with the consequences of service when someone gets out. God’s speed gentleman. You are on a noble and necessary mission.

[@PinstripeJim]

"don't give people a pass just because they served". this is exactly right. Our society needs to think of this before making so many decisions about vets. Some of the worst people I have ever met or know are/were in the Army

[@budrothefox3666]

43 deployments in 7 years holy fuck. Also i love that the dog makes cameos throughout! :D

[@thisisironclad]

:D

[@AKsusan907]

Thank you gentleman. Excellent!

[@thisisironclad]

You bet!

[@MrLefty27]

To all airmen, marine, sailor, soldier, space force, leaving the military in 2023 and not sure where to start, join the RAILROAD. (Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, ETC). Military personnel ARE needed and the challenge is rewarding!!!!

[@heathenamerican8149]

UPRR is one of the worst companies to work for, I went with BNSF as a signal apprentice $30/hr to start.

[@MrLefty27]

@@heathenamerican8149 There are options out there. Thank you for the feed back!

[@_anon111]

I think BRCC interviews should all begin with "Tell me your thoughts on a kid named Kyle...."

[@Mr_Nobody913]

Who gives a shit now. Get over it

[@partlysunny5402]

@@Mr_Nobody913 No

[@williamchase5698]

I've talked with vets about this topic..... excellent content!

[@Misdby1]

It's hilarious to me the way Evan is so precise with his language regarding coffee and so non-chalant when it comes to his Ranger experience when the other 99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999% of people are EXACTLY opposite.

[@seanwhite304]

Awesome interview

[@smadm2437]

Great stuff 👏 isn't it weird to interview a friend? Andy's journey is inspiring. Excellent interview, bravo

[@internet_internet]

For anyone wondering, Andy and Evan are in fact in a relationship.

[@CA.0verview]

Man I love these segments 🇺🇸🔥

[@Kevin-hl9vo]

Great story teller. Love the javelin toting officer story along with using your pajama wearing terp as a landing pad.

[@thisisironclad]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

The Tandem Terp story is legendary 😂

[@The_Red_Off_Road]

So there he was, somewhere over Thailand…

[@negativeionz]

@@The_Red_Off_Road Wait, where the fuck were these stories at? These sound like stories I need to hear.

[@georgefloydsinhellwbreonna5330]

@@negativeionz listen to Cleared Hot podcast. The stories are buried in there. I’d suggest listening to the ones where he interviews other members of the SOF community.

[@tomrivers379]

Oh good Andy interviews Evan again.

[@camron1501]

Thank you.

[@thisisironclad]

You're welcome!

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

​@@thisisironclad great video

[@baztop1800]

camera work & production is awesome in this series.

[@thisisironclad]

💪💪

[@sethdunlap9868]

Best thirty eight minute video of an awesome dog I've seen in ages.... OH, the conversation was pretty good too 😃 Just kidding, great topic and important conversation to have. I hope more people get to see this.

[@jekkjace3817]

Might add a spot about how if your running a business maybe don't harass your employees with constant threats of sexual deviance

[@georgecoull1883]

We need to incorporate Jack Carr in one of these somehow. Keep up the good work

[@BirdDogey1]

My father was in the Naval officer from 1935 to 1955. He saw the world when much of it was underdeveloped. He never adjusted to civilian life. A very scattered existence. My experience was vastly different. However, I fear my son won't be able to transition. He is on his second enlistment and I hope he just stays in.

[@thecombatengineer7069]

I want to build an indoor wind tunnel/sky dive trainer with a BRCC cafe in it. Clarksville,TN.

[@OGStrong]

How does this not have a million views?!

[@CodyAnderson333]

This is like the pointing Spiderman meme if we had one more Founder and CEO of Black Rifle Coffee present.

[@thisisironclad]

hahaha!

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

​@@thisisironclad 😮😮😮😮

[@debrafisher7373]

Still a better love story than Twilight😜

[@J.Allen_]

All of this is so valuable and so very true. I DO MY BEST TO HIRE VETERANS FIRST for many reasons. First I have a 26 year career with military inside and out. Second nobody loves my Vet brothers and sisters more that I do. The reality is I have to justify hiring anyone I bring on the team based on skillset and leadership capability. We can't use rifles anymore. The education bullet points on your resume now count more than bullets down range. We, as a veteran community, really need to focus as much attention on out-processing our military citizens as we do with in-processing (indoc). AND ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT are the current military leadership pressing education while in the military so we can actually increase the likelihood we can look out for our vets in the community. Apply your leadership skills NOW and help your people succeed later in life not just on your current narrow mission. We take an oath, a serious oath, to look out for our people as leaders in the military. Do you think that oat has a boundary or an end date ? Because I don't see it that way, I don't remember that and I don't accept any excuses to not help out our own.

[@mikeg3754]

Best bulletpoint for them on resume is being mission focused.

[@brucebollinger8217]

Great insights from a SOF veteran (Evan Hafer) - Missing insights from equal leveled civilian business person who knows the terrain (I have mentored 43 SOF veterans over the last 5 years, currently on 44th + financial donations over $100k - as a volunteer of 501c3 specializing in transitioning SOF guys after their elite careers). Biggest mistake that I have witnessed is veterans mentoring veterans (the optimal mix is 90% civilian expert 10% veteran). Caveat; civilian expert must be well experienced with successes but most importantly failures (the most important of which is being FIRED because then you will have truly experience a job search and/or career change). My experience (8 fortune 500 companies spanning 27 years, 7 years entrepreneur [Awarded Top 10 Burger joint in US twice via TripAdvisor out of Jackson Hole 2015 & 2018] - But most importantly, I was FIRED 3 times, not for cause or performance - That's where the real insights come from). To give back to the most elite veterans has been and continues to be the greatest honor and privilege of my professional career!!

[@chad5577]

26:30 very astute observation

[@edwardnelson9807]

A recreational cause in my professional development. That caught me off gaurd lol

[@zsedcftglkjh]

How to use veterans to build your business.

[@roydization]

Well done ... check ego at the door is good advice, anytime. Came live off past laurels

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

There are alot of veterens who are shit. I had a co worker who said he was a veteren. But he got a medical discharge in the navy in basic. I was thinking bro your not a veteren u gotta look at the dd214 to see how they served their time.

[@user-dy5ue2tb6u]

The shadow boxer and his shadow have a complex and dynamic relationship that can be explored through the lens of the aurora borealis, a natural phenomenon of glowing lights in the night sky that occur primarily in high-latitude regions. At the core of this theory is the idea that the shadow boxer and his shadow are two sides of the same coin, existing in a state of constant balance and opposition. This duality is reflected in the aurora borealis, where the dancing lights of the aurora are created by the interaction of charged particles from the sun with the Earth's magnetic field. In this analogy, the shadow boxer represents the charged particles from the sun, constantly moving and changing, while his shadow represents the Earth's magnetic field, a constant and stable force that shapes and guides the movements of the charged particles. Together, they create a beautiful and dynamic display of light and movement. Furthermore, just as the aurora borealis is influenced by external factors such as the sun's activity and the Earth's magnetic field, the shadow boxer's relationship with his shadow is also influenced by external factors such as his environment, his experiences, and his interactions with others. Sometimes, the shadow boxer and his shadow may be in harmony, moving in sync and creating a unified image. Other times, they may be in opposition, creating a stark contrast of light and dark. And in rare moments of intense emotion or transformation, they may even merge together, creating a new and transcendent entity. Overall, the theory of the shadow boxer, his shadow, and the aurora borealis serves as a reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of the universe, where seemingly disparate elements can come together to create something truly beautiful and awe-inspiring.

[@832KJV]

Great subject matter guys. Btw, who owns the beautiful dog and what's it's name?

[@thisisironclad]

Its Evan's Dog, and i don't think he has said his name publicly yet.

[@markskorich9193]

💪🏻❤️🙏🏻🇺🇸

[@jordanann5747]

I feel like we've been through this.

[@gdt19871]

I get the feeling this series is trying to reach a wider audience. Which is important. Even though we've heard a version of this, not everyone has.

[@jordanann5747]

@@gdt19871 refer to second post for clarify. my mother and father, etc. Did 9/11. Duluth, MN and Iron Range, MN.

[@texasdogg8498]

To be that close to his feet.... How could you not hold yourself back from just going "daddy I need it!" and then just ripping his socks and shoes off? Please, I don't care how you do it. Just please get him barefoot. Mat Best has a wikifeet/men page with 4.5 out of 5, but I believe Evan can beat this score!

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

Yes as veterens alot of veterens think we are owed things. Like we deserve a position just because we are veterans. Never have I got hired because I'm a veteran because non of my infantry skills can be used in the real world. The only thing the word veteren means is you'll show up on time and do your job. But still if you don't have experience for the job being a veteren won't get you that posting

[@Tr1pl3pFL]

Space Force goes through AF BMT but is planning to create separate SF BMT.

[@thisisironclad]

Interesting!

[@miketrask7559]

Idea... Start a 'Black Rifle Beer Company'. (BRBC) I mean its genius! 90% of the logos and merchandize is already labeled. Just tweak it with a 1 letter change. This will allow me and other Americans to buy beer from a company that I can support their cause and product. And in doing so........ wait for it.... think how many vets you can hire to help run and distribute beer for that company all throughout the country. You did it with BRCC. Do it with the same MOJO you run BRCC now, but its beer! Buy a couple microbreweries (or start one) and label them with cool names the way you do with BRCC coffee. Tell Stumpf to sell a special Montana micro brew only available in his store so he feels special. Its brilliant! I mean, of course hire me cuz it was my idea. But come on, it would be awesome and give tons of vets that environment you describe for a real workplace(where you can make jokes about axes in skulls). Signed - guy who got hurt in basic so didn't do squat, but dad was a Beret in 69-70 in VN

[@partlysunny5402]

What would be the difference to Bud Light?

[@MiguelGonzalez-ei9og]

Another great episode but....it’s obvious in this video that Andy was reading from a teleprompter and.....it sure did seem like a commercial for BRCC.

[@adamcarlson6004]

Evan is like Brad Pitt. He’s ALWAYS eating on camera. 😂

[@user-fz5bk6jk3h]

Munching on ice more like it.

[@doveadventures]

“Does Space Force have boot camp” 😂

[@thisisironclad]

Hahaha!

[@chrisjorgensen6401]

How the hell are you just not going to pet the dog bro!? Not once lol

[@greyghost7168]

There is a battalion like that at bragg but commanders are to concerned with wasting people's time

[@tunatangor8835]

Great to learn that there are still American companies out there that stands for values like community, family and brotherhood. This was a great interview.

[@swiggamortis5521]

I’m not Gay but seeing that American Grade A beef makes me question my sexuality.

[@clockworknunez-dv2yh]

Evan Hafer for president!!!!

[@partlysunny5402]

The dems already have their candidate. He'll have to wait till 2028.

[@dannyboybogdan2356]

You want another democrat as president?

[@tonycoleman2184]

This isnt a disparagement to what was said in this video. Perhaps people getting out of the military should weigh their options to stay out of public sector jobs. because their service training has no value to the companies they are applying to if that bothers you . go for jobs that appreciate your skills they are in demand. just don't let these people discourage you because they are established in a public sector and don't need your skills to flip their hamburger or need you to break a door in . the world's a dangerous place what you learned is needed outside the common work place. Still gauging what a roll you are willing to assume is helpful in job acquisition no one knows what you want in after service life better than you.

[@TacticalXRays]

Needy dog is judging Evan for ignoring

[@jt.8144]

9:53. LIFE LESSON.

[@partlysunny5402]

Step 1: Find something you're passionate about. Step 2: Grift it to the right because they're so ready to buy anything from a company that pretends to share the same values. Step 3: Get found out to be grifters but you already cashed in so screw you.

[@bubblegump2577]

woke rifle coffee

[@secoff1]

This is all you guys talk about! talk about a group of non well rounded people please!

[@notlisted-cl5ls]

ahhhhh wat do the commies at brcc have to say today?

[@papalou7171]

@fatcitybbq good

[@Radicalfreedom227]

@brittanydixon

[@Radicalfreedom227]

@kylewiliams