From Top Gun Instructor to Four Star Admiral: A Conversation with Sandy "Jaws" Winnefeld

Support this channel by using the SUPER THANKS (heart icon above) or by becoming a Patron at / wardcarroll
Buy one or all three of the books in the PUNK'S TRILOGY, Ward's popular first three novels about life a Tomcat squadron, at www.usni.org/p.... Use the PUNKYT discount code at checkout for 25% off to KZbin channel subscribers.
Also available in KINDLE format here: www.amazon.com...
Get official channel gear at my-store-b7f9c...
To support the Winnefeld family's Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic Project go to www.safeprojec...
Check out the Adrenaline Zone Podcast at TheAdrenalineZone.com and watch the trailer at open.spotify.c...
Admiral Sandy "Jaws" Winnefeld talks about his career from NROTC at Georgia Tech through duty as a Top Gun instructor (including assisting with the filming of the movie) to his final assignment as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[@thomasquinn284]

Admiral Winnfeld's interview was one of the Best 👌. Honest, transparent, enthusiastic and engaging. What a nice man. And what great service to the Navy. Thank Ward.

[@Borzoi86]

Admiral, I too wore those same gold wings (as a Marine) and I cherish all the experiences and friends that environment provided through the years. But I have heartfelt sorrow on the news you shared here about the untimely loss of your son.

[@randallgschwind3799]

Wow!!!! Once Again: showing diversity of a Individual going his own way into the Navy ; showing ability of leadership without ego, yet supporting every mission with uniqueness; showing ability, yet, never showing negativity to the mission needing to be Accomplish; and, not being a Naval Graduate of Annapolis!!!!

[@johnemerson1363]

Colin Powell is another excellent example. He was army rotc, did not go to the trade school. (West Point).

[@ianjohnson739]

Hello from Perth, Australia, and yes, duty in Perth during WWII was hard....maybe. The stories about the Submarine Base at Fremantle are the stuff of legend, and that only covers the missions. The parties the sailors and submariners held during that time...are still talked about in awe! There is a book called 'Secret Fleets' which tells the story about the base, the submarines, the men and women, and the bond between the people of Western Australia and the United States of America....

[@davidpf043]

Ian, I was aboard USS Coral Sea in 1975 when we did a one week inport in Perth at the end of our cruise. First US Navy ship to hit Perth in five years. We got there just after Coral Sea Days which--as you know--is a significant holiday. That week remains one of the most memorable in my life. We had just completed the evacuation from Vietnam and the Mayaguez incident. Moral was devastated after participating the the final inning of a lost game. Perth saved our souls. Couldn't buy a drink. Party with the Aussies all night and crash during the day. Aussies partied all night, went to work, and partied all night. God they were tough. Beautiful city.

[@dutchholland6928]

Another “knock out of the park” Mooch. Solid interview of a great American. I first heard of “Jaws” Winnefeld in George Hall’s 1987 book, “Top Gun”. Amazing to listen to his career path. Thanks for all you do on this channel. Great Stuff as always.

[@indycustommade3568]

Admiral Winnefeld is a testament to how leadership should be done. He is a very cool-headed guy. I was fortunate enough to have the best unit commanders and division commanders in my time while I was in the Army. I can't remember how many times we had leadership come into our TOC and speak to us and not down to us. This has to be one of your best videos to date. It was actually awesome to hear things from a leadership position. Great interview. My heart goes out to the Admiral and his family for the loss of their son. God bless.

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

Ward, I'm quite moved here....A man devotes his entire life to the service of our country and looses his only son on his 4th day of college. One would have to wonder how much more this man must sacrifice? Admiral, if you read this I am grateful for your commitment to our country and I hope God will anguish your pain and provide comfort in these days 🙏

[@JoshuaC923]

That's so heart breaking, may him and his wife find comfort in such trying times🙏🏻

[@randyberetta6277]

Ya gotta feel for this Highly Intelligent Man.! Thank you sir for all you have done.!!!

[@edstyer2566]

Assuage

[@seanelucero]

God Bless you Admiral. Thank you for all you have given in defense of freedom

[@sstearns2]

I was fighting back the tears when he talked about his son. :-(

[@keithcolwell3703]

Sandy, your Dad was the skipper of my first active squadron, VS-21. I made my 1st-night carrier landings with him in the S-2E. I always enjoyed his leadership skills.

[@leeg4804]

Small world

[@jamiereid7637]

One of the best channels on KZbin Ward, looking forward to watching this later.

[@TreeSadler]

Most outstanding Ward! I used to relish ADM Winnefeld’s articles when he was the editor of the TOPGUN journal. Great interview with a great American.

[@JoyStk1]

Term Limits!

[@motorTranz]

May God comfort the Winnefeld family on the loss of their son. My sincerest condolences.

[@roberthightower709]

Condolences.

[@chrisdarling9704]

Outstanding episode; that's time well spent. Admiral Winnefeld is one impressive individual, and our nation is lucky to have had his services for 37 years. Thanks Mooch, for bringing him on the show and introducing him to us!

[@seanelliott7504]

Chris Darling? You didn't grow up in Stone Mountain did you?

[@LuvBorderCollies]

He was one very busy guy. I can relate to issues in D.C. Swampland. The swamp creatures make everything way more laborious, complex and downright stupid. It really drains you and burns you out.

[@phillipbracaglia2284]

I serviced with him in VF-24 and VF-1 I was a AME1 I got a good bottle of booze from him from his ejection also played flag football with him at Miramar he was a pretty cool officer during the time I knew him

[@pjingham11]

Another fantastic interview. We usually only get to see men like Admiral Winnefield as "suits", testifying or possibly interviewed by a talking head on TV. It was great listen a great human being talk about his journey with all it's warts and successes.

[@JoshuaC923]

Totally agree!

[@touristguy87]

...that's because they have better things to do than hang around on your front pooch, drink beer and shoot the shit with you. Much as you would have better things to do if you'd stop bitching on YT about not getting to see men like him except as "suits".

[@sleat]

Exactly. Ditch the sound bites, and get into the "gears and wheels" of how a successful naval-aviation operation is done, in detail and the people who lead and do.

[@muzzaball]

What a brilliant interview again Mooch - I was hanging on every question; and wasn't Jaws a legend of the game. Your channel is getting better and better, and it was great at the start. Cheers mate.

[@JoshuaC923]

Really love it when he shared about caring for the boots on the ground, what a great leader and all around great human being. Really great insight to what commanders are thinking, thank you Ward for bringing us such awesome content!

[@kevinhoughton9134]

He's labelled as James "Jaws" Winnefeld in the closing credits of the Top Gun movie.

[@davidpf043]

Sandy did most of the F-5E (pseudo Mig-28) sequences in the film.

[@madjock2878]

What a great conversation really didnt notice the time go by could have listened for a lot longer

[@robchapman5366]

Ward, stuff like this is amazing to listen to. Thank you so much for putting this together.

[@johnford1575]

Wish there were more leaders like you still in the service,

[@BrianRhodes9763]

Mooch, you have some of the best guests on your show, Thank you for the quality content that you continue to bring as.

[@oldgoat142]

Sir, this was a wonderful interview with a remarkable man. I was intrigued and listened the entire time, as I do for all your streams and episodes. One of these days I swear, my timing for your happy hours will get better. Just my rotten luck that I'm on my way to the job when you have them. I'll be going to both the SAFE website to support that cause, and I will also go to the admiral's Spotify podcast to sign on. Thank you for providing such great content. This channel has rapidly become my go-to for just good, solid content. No screeching, hollering, jumping up and down. Just real meat and potatoes stuff. Thank you.

[@TorToroPorco]

Another great interview, it’s amazing that Ward is able to have such distinguished high ranking naval officers appear on his channel. Admiral Winnefield has a terrific manner about him, he seems very down to earth and very relatable.

[@joseph.lopresti]

A most interesting and engaging interview. I remember Admiral Winnefeld when he was an LT serving as an Instructor during my tour at NFWS as an E-5 working in the PR shop. He was among Topgun's finest cadre of Instructors during the heady Fightertown days of the 80's. A storied and remarkable career in Naval Aviation.

[@WardCarroll]

Love me some PRs. Thanks for the effort, Joseph.

[@davidpf043]

Great interview. Sandy's character and intelligence shine through. I went through Topgun in the same class as Sandy (Class 82-5). It was obvious to everyone that Sandy was the winner of the Topgun Trophy that they don't have, however, his modesty doesn't allow him to claim it.

[@touristguy87]

...which they don't have, because it would cause the pilots to focus on winning a trophy...which they would obviously care about more than they should? Like you?

[@davidpf043]

@@touristguy87 Remember, the movie is a cartoon and the school's purpose was to train the squadron level tactics instructors to ensure the fleet was using the best tactics at any point. Significant portion of ground school lectures focus on teaching and learning techniques. Excellent module developed for Topgun by professional educators. The Topgun Trophy is that the instructors identify the best student and let them know they would be welcome back as an instructor. That isn't because he kicked everyone's ass in the air but because he would best help the school accomplish its mission. It was a serious place.

[@touristguy87]

@@davidpf043 ..so the whole Topgun program is just a place for Naval aviators to avoid being deployed overseas...much less into real combat against actual opposing hostile force. Got it.

[@davidpf043]

@@touristguy87 What is your real name and where do you live? I didn't immediately realize I was dealing with an internet troll. Ward's is a serious channel addressing serious issues. I post in true name as a result. If you don't have the courage to stand behind your comment, please just shut up.

[@touristguy87]

@@davidpf043 you mean if I don't want to post my real name to a bunch of psychos on YT and elsewhere? Is that a serious question? If you and "Ward" want to do that much less do do that then you both are crazy. Never been doxxed or swatted before, huh? Woke up to find someone standing next to your bed or driving away in your car with your wife and kids? You want that to happen?

[@larry5508]

Ward, and Admiral Winnefeld, thank you both for a superb interview and your service to our country. Watching and listening to officers such as yourselves makes me even more proud to be a Naval Aviator.

[@alexcraig8543]

My father is an aerospace engineering professor at GA Tech, and had Winnefield as a student. Later in life, Admiral Winnefield invited him to fly out in an E2 to the Roosevelt. He was all suited up waiting in the hanger, but the plane had a maintenance issue, and they had to cancel the trip at the last moment. He was so bummed he never got to experience a carrier landing. When Adm. Winnefield said at the beginning of the video that he went to tech I had to ask my dad what his old student's name was who became the admiral. He said Winnefield! Lol. So cool. Professor Craig says hi sir.

[@martinh4630]

Great job Ward - you've created a fantastic channel

[@budaviates]

Great interview Mooch. I'm always ready to hear about the new Navy since I'm definitely "old School" having attending pre-flight in class 18-53 as a Navcad. Keep up the good work

[@donc9751]

What a great interview with a great man!

[@roberthightower709]

An honor to listen to my former two time commander.VF-211 1994,and U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CVN-65 2001.

[@chiefpace]

What a great interview and a great officer. That was so well done. Thanks Ward!

[@bigearsandnoddy1]

Hiya mooch im watching this vid and it brought back a nice memory of me with my now wife back in 93/94 cant remember exactly what year but one of the two looking out across the beach in Tenerife canary islands at a warship moored up at about a mile out to sea for some shore leave which I now know it was the enterprise because it had the numbers 65 painted on the turret which I cant forget because its my year of birth & what a beautiful site that was was and admiral winnefeld said he was the C/O back in 94 so maybe it was him controlling that very same vessel I salute you Sir & everyone else who has served or is serving to keep us all free✌ PEACE✌.

[@bakergene2404]

Absolutely amazing interview you had with the admiral. It’s leaders like him that I wish we had in command now.

[@jimsharer1167]

Awesome Ward. I'm new to your channel but will be digging in deeply after this episode. Im from a Navy background, as my Dad was a 20 year man serving thru WW2 in the P.I.. I've lived between WA and CA during my time, and live 25 miles from NAS Whidbey Island, where I was born during my Dad's service. I'm a big airplane guy, Dad got about 1200 hours as a flight engineer at the end of his career flying in long range patrol. I have to say the daily sound of F-18s flying overhead here in the Strait, is a good feeling. Kudos to the Admiral, he definitely is part of the kind of historical fabric of our country, that gives me hope for our future in these strange(to me) days.

[@soniasowa8940]

Incredible interview! Admiral Winnefeld has surely accomplished so much in his years with the Navy. He is articulate and brilliant. So proud that he and you Ward protected our country. God bless his family 🙏🇺🇸⚓

[@kilohotel6750]

I opened up a fresh box of crayons and a cold beer and really enjoyed this episode. Semper Fi.

[@Smokey2-2016_USMC]

What a great interview with the Admiral, Ward. Had my undivided attention. Look forward to the next video.

[@dohc22h]

"Time to do some Pilot SHIT" quote made it into DCS. Jester says it when flying the F-14

[@starguy2718]

"I hate it when that happens!" -- Goose

[@navigator5426]

Knowing that there's good people in this world, like Mr. Carrol and Mr. Winnfield, making a positive differrence gives me hope for a better future for this country and the world.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Thank you Admiral Winnefeld for an amazing interview. The knowledge and insight is phenomenal. I can not overstate this, your channel has become the best military channel on the web. Thank you and please keep the videos coming. God bless and protect you Sir.

[@vesjohn4539]

Thanks for bringing him on for an interview. It’s great to see or military leadership in a down to earth setting. Love your channel thanks.

[@94Whiskey]

An amazing interview about career & leadership....until the part about his son. My heart dropped....a multi faceted interview....as always...another great interview! Thanks Mooch!

[@bjbetts]

Your interview with Admiral Winnefeld was inspiring, and so heartbreaking to learn of the loss of his son. On behalf of my family, thank you both for your service to our country, and thank you for your great work on this channel Mr. Carroll.

[@robmitchell5636]

Excellent interview. Demonstrates the dedication to service that a person makes along their path of a very successful career. More importantly shows the magnitude of accomplishments one can achieve in the service by putting others above Self, being open to compromise, and caring for the welfare of your team. This video should be mandatory viewing for high school students as an example of the positive outcome they can achieve by working hard in whatever field they choose for their career. As a Coast Guard non- aviator type I must admit That I Googled many of the acronyms mentioned in the video. Naval aviators have a language all to themselves!!

[@larrywoodall5735]

Georgia Tech !!!! YAY !!!! I graduated from Georgia Tech in 1965 and went straight to OCS Newport, then to Pensacola.

[@Ras7685]

Can you imagine being an enlisted guy on the flight deck and seeing a 2 star exit the jet......I would have said "Holy Sh*t" where did that guy come from ?

[@glockpilot]

Great interview with Admiral Winnefield! I was riveted to learning more about the Navy and the leadership. Can you consider putting out some info on the F-35C that are now on board 2 carriers. They must be the future of Naval aviation warfare. Thank you for this channel.

[@AA-xo9uw]

With the completion of the Vinson cruise only the Lincoln currently has Cs embarked.

[@scottlowell493]

The thing I appreciate most about a channel like this... it's an experience subject matter expert speaking matter-of fact. I observed early on in my career that thing that stood out about pilots is that they spoke in precise language. Outside of facetious "there I was". stories , there wasn't exaggeration or strong opinion based on weak knowledge. Ok scratch that...we maintainers did encounter operator error on aircraft avionic systems. But I digress. This channel is something that can't be faked without getting caught. No one is shouting an opinion, and no one is disingenuously hawking a product. It's edutainment at it's best.

[@kennethpaulson6540]

Admiral, it was a pleasure seeing and hearing you again as well as finding out what you were up to after you left the Big "E". Of the many CO's I had during my 12 years in, yourself and my first CO are hands down the ones who knew how to lead and inspire your crews. Fair winds and following seas sir for many more years.

[@nomar5spaulding]

One special thing I'll always have in my heart from my time as a merchant marine officer - I was aboard Maersk Kentucky as 3rd Mate. It wasn't technically my first shipping job as a licensed officer, but my first job on the Sealand Mercury was a 3 week fiasco with a notorious captain who hated new officers (I love an excuse to rant about that guy, so feel free to ask about him lol). Anyway, I came aboard Maersk Kentucky in the fall of 2012 and I was on the ship for a 49 day voyage as relief 3rd mate. I was ashore for 49 days before getting lucky and picking up the 3rd Mate job on the ship again, but this time I had the full 120 ticket. I stayed on for 2 more 49 day trips back to back, then got off early to try and keep the job between me and a few other guys in Norfolk (the guy I turned over to promptly took the short term cash, stayed on for all 120 days and instantly gave the job back to New York where all the work was). Anyway, here I am, brand new officer on my first *real* shipping job in fall/winter of 2012. We were headed back westbound from the Middle East and west coast of India and as we did our northbound transit of the Suez Canal, we were the 3rd ship in line in the northbound convoy. Behind us was another container ship or maybe an LNG carrier or something I don't remember. Then there was a DDG-51 class after that. Following the DDG-51 was CVN-65 herself. Good old Enterprise herself. She was on her last active duty deployment. She was 50 years old, and she was heading home from her last long watch at sea. We don't get a lot of time to stand around and sight see as a deck officer during the Suez Canal transit. Even when there is nothing to do, you have to keep an eye on the Suez pilots and appear to be busy, but I did manage to steal a few moments to look back behind us, and the sight of that legendary warship just making her way home through a desert canal was something beautiful and profound and it'll always stay with me.

[@thenerv37]

Thank you Ward for another great interview with an American Hero.

[@timaz1066]

So so true that our system is broken and he hits every Mark. It’s nice to see a top military man especially in these days speaking the truth about our politics and how bad they’ve gotten. And I totally agree both sides are the problem.

[@OvelNick]

I can't speak to moral boost and the confidence that a 2 star evokes from being out there like he was but the fact that he was hammered for it a bit seems par for the course as to the disconnect of bureaucracy. That's the description heard about a leader that would confidently be followed to the gates of hell and back by his men.

[@johnmarkey5470]

Damn straight

[@kevinbrennan8794]

Thanks Ward. Another great interview with someone who has walked the walk. Much appreciated.

[@forthwithtx5852]

Doing the math, Sandy was in the Service for 5 years before me and 10 years after. I retired after 22. That is a long hitch. Some could just retire to the farm after that. Great guest!

[@KidnapSix]

Great video Mooch! Lets get some EA-6B guys on here!

[@ronmoore5827]

4 stars and still a regular guy. Obviously very intelligent, a good leader, and a good pilot. Wish we had a thousand more like him!

[@livingadreamlife1428]

Sandy - We hear you loud and clear about Congress and it’s self-serving nature. Term limits will/would greatly curtail that problem. On another note, my deepest sympathies (as the father of three children and granddad of 5) to you and your wife on the loss of your son. Thank you for your service to our country.

[@densonsmith2]

I'm glad to hear you call us "viewers" instead of "fans". I watch you because of earned respect not fandom.

[@gregtesson5423]

Ward A very good interview. I am so grateful that we as a country have men and women like Admiral Winnefeld who are willing to serve us all and protect us all. Thank you

[@LIamaLlama554]

Incredible interview, Mooch. You’re a natural interviewer. Man, is Admiral Winnefeld a class act. Bravo Zulu from East Asia.

[@parischarley8956]

Thank you i love sharing your conversations. Because you are US NAVY and you are sympathique. 🇫🇷🗼🇺🇸🇫🇷🗼👍😙😀

[@jefferymaxfield7826]

I think your interview of senior leaders is fascinating, as a retired CWO4 you see young LT most of who will talk and very approachable when your a 1st or chief, then years later their COs some make it to flag but you really don't know what their thinking unless your on their staff you lose interacting so I am pleased to hear their journey thru upper echelon ranks. Thank you sir!

[@PatrickJMele]

If Sandy Winnefeld ran for president I would vote for him..... Thanks Ward for this great episode, made me feel my trust in his leadership skills...... possibilities and what could be!

[@v1rot81]

The sad truth is that men and women of the Admiral’s competence and integrity want no part of the job. Which says a lot about the people who do.

[@vivek27789]

@@v1rot81 True.. Very True 😞

[@914Rocky]

I gotta say that your wonderful videos have ruined my ignorant thoughts as to what flag officers must be like. They are nothing of what I expected. They are intelligent, thoughtful, accomplished, and kind people. I’m blown away.

[@Xman8184]

FIGHTERTOWN USA 82 - 90 VF-124 , VF-111 CVW-15 USS CARL VINSON ----------TOMCATS FOREVER.

[@johnnunn8688]

I was in the Royal Air Force for 27 years. Apart from a couple of officers…….Would have been very happy to serve, under this fellow. Kudos, Admiral.

[@Duckfarmer27]

Ward - Great interview, as always. I'm just a dumb retired grunt but was fortunate enough to have had Army Aviation unit as part of my command later in my career - so all I could do was fly the door gunner seat with them when so invited. Would have enjoyed serving with either or both of you. Keep telling it like it really is.

[@jconwell84]

Great episode. What a great leader. I would have liked to hear more about his relationship with his enlisted men.

[@peterduncan1322]

I literally sat glued to the screen , watching the Admiral discuss his career only to hear of the loss of his son. Both my parents were in medicine, my father an anesthesiologist , called Fentanyl the worst analgesic ever given FDA approval. My heart sank to hear this. I am truly sorry in my very core for your and your wife's loss .Fantastic interview Ward...

[@timblack6422]

Outstanding interview! God bless you both!

[@aaronhrk]

An incredible career, and a fascinating conversation. I truly hope to see you make more appearances ADM Winnefeld, as I'm sure that you have many more hair raising, hilarious and interesting tales to offer! 😉👌 Your channel just keeps getting better Mooch; and it is clear that you definitely keep good company. I'd most definitely enjoy buying a round (or 6) of quality lager, and having a long to chat to any one of the folks on your channel! (Yourself at the top of the list of course 😆👍🍻) Keep up the amazing work. Your channel is a ray of light in some otherwise dark times at the moment.

[@L8nightride1]

Ward, could you put me in touch with admiral winnefeld? Looking at ending my career with the federal government in the healthcare industry. Would be interested in learning more about his program that he and his wife started.

[@chief1960]

WARD, ADMIRAL WINNEFIELD IS A TRUE LEADER,NEVER ASK YOUR CREW TO DO ANYTHING YOU WOULD NOT DO. AND HAVE ALL READY DONE AND WILL DO AGAIN IN HARMS WAY. THE BEST LOOK AT THE TOP LEADERSHIP OF NAVAL AIR AND OUR NAVY. CONGRATS ON TWO MILLION HAPPY VIEWERS SEMPER F-I THANK YOU COMMANDER

[@Leartech81]

If the World had more Sandy Winnefeld's it would be an infinitely better place. Men like Admiral Winnefeld are what make this Country the very best on the planet.

[@steverocks4849]

Miss the days of flying in the back seat of a S3-A viking as an AW2, 266 arrested landings, maybe the first double centurion in the S-3A. Listening to you talk about Uss America and the Indy, brings back fond memorys. And North Atlantic, we were on a double sortie wearing poopie suites working the first Russian Alpha coming out, had a sea state of Oh My God. All I can say, you were talking about props coming out of the water, forget that I was leaning over into the aisle, and I have never seen a ball do that. Thank God I had a Ex. A-7 stick flying, he caught the third wire which was a miracle the way the fan tail was climbing. Great Job Ward, great analysis and very good break down of being i the Navy... Lets not always forget the Cluster F**k of a carrier flight deck, God and the Big Boss sit in the same chair o any carrier.

[@bobg1069]

just a brilliant interview; many thanks. Love the last comments about the political class, hear hear Sir.

[@dougstitt1652]

Thank you both for your time . Great interview ! I am so sorry for the loss of your son .

[@MRTsHaircut850]

Jaws was my Skipper during our cruise on Big E 2001. I was one of his TAO’s. Better know your shit when he asks you a question! Fair and extremely competent. A great Skipper to work for. Admiral, I was your only CWO on the watchbill and your last qualified TAO on Big E and my wife and I still have the spoon you and Mary gave us for our son’s baptism on Enterprise. It was a pleasure Skipper. OT Div O ASW Officer TAO

[@parischarley8956]

Thank you Admiral .🇫🇷🗼🇺🇸🇫🇷🗼🇺🇸

[@thedhl777guy]

BZ Mooch what a wonderful interview. Great to have outstanding officers and leaders such as the Admiral to share these stories hopefully it will inspire a new generation and hopefully it will inspire that new Butterbar thinking I’ll just get my time and head to the airlines.

[@BurnNotice2023]

I went to Nuclear Power School, I'm puzzled on how Admiral Winnefeld ended up there and then had a pilot career

[@baruchba7503]

Fabulous interview. I could listen to the Admiral all day. I'll be sure to check out his upcoming podcast and book. Thanks, Ward, for continuing to provide exceptional, in-depth interviews.

[@lychan2366]

Admiral Sandy "Jaws" Winnefeld is the real deal, exceeding both Pete "Maverick" Mitchell as Top Gun instructor and Tom "Iceman" Kazansky's final role as Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, to become VC of US JCOS. Wow!

[@olsondavid1084]

Please keep it up. Interviews of great Americans, wonderful content. Thanks!

[@boat_topper6147]

MAN! AGAIN!!! one more great interview! I wish more leaders like you guys ran our great country. The Admiral is amazing!

[@bobwampler3387]

Absolutely remarkable interview. Hell of a guy.

[@pdoherty]

Thank you Ward and the Admiral for another great episode. Good stuff!

[@aaronbethea7234]

Didn’t realize there were two guys with the callsign “Jaws” aboard Enterprise back in ‘01. Winnefeld was (technically) my CO then… other than Brian “Donger” Gawne. The other “Jaws” was Mason Molpus… best stick in VF-41 at that time.

[@hughmac13]

How is proficiency and skill-to be able to determine the best stick-measured in the fleet? Is it based on statistics, or is there a consensus based on intangible factors? I've been curious about that because it would seem that once in the fleet everyone has a baseline proficiency that allows them to do the jobs at hand. Thanks.

[@aaronbethea7234]

@@hughmac13 It's a bit of both from what I could tell.

[@mrmongo656]

Wrapped a nearly 60o mile drive back to Utah from California, and then had the pleasure of watching this interview as a nightcap. Thanks for another pleasurable episode!

[@poncho6784]

All I can say is WOW. What a fantastic discussion and privilege to hear from a true leader and genuine human being. Thanks to you both for your lifetime of service to our great country and my God bless you every day.

[@JHillNC]

I would vote for Winnefeld! He could do great things as an elected leader.

[@mainiac4pats]

Thank you for your service Admiral Winnefeld

[@karlbrundage7472]

@8:10- In the submarine force, a "Poopy Suit" is the blue coveralls we all wore (everyone, from the CO down) when underway. Only after leaving the pier on my first underway did I don one of my issued poopy suits, to discover that it was at least two sizes too large for me (think of zipping-up a 4-man tent around yourself). That lasted for the first day, then the COB managed to find a few that were approximate to my size. I still have a few.

[@AdamosDad]

I am very glad that these are the type of people, that are in charge while we that we enlisted, did our jobs. I was along for USS Enterprise when she ran her sea trials, and 40 years later Capt. Winnefeld, is CO and the end of her career. Damn I'm old. Very sorry Sir that you lost your son, I can't imagine, the pain.

[@RobertHolster1]

The Admiral has a distinction that sets him apart from other CVN Skippers: as a Captain, he was the only Skipper that brought a CVN into NAS Pensacola in 2000, while the USS Enterprise CVN-65 was conducting INSURV. A former childhood friend and fellow Milton High School graduate was aboard the Enterprise, and as a deputy sheriff, I was allowed to tour other spaces of the ship and met the Skipper. I thought he was 200% professional. For Admiral Winnefeld, as a father of a 22 year old son and a 7 year old daughter, I cannot possibly imagine the loss you and your wife has endured. I am very sorry for your loss. God Bless- Robert Holster, Pace, Florida (east of Pensacola)

[@rox6385]

Outstanding interview as always...you do it right! Press on!

[@NilleFix]

Top notch content, sir! Love hearing these stories!

[@JordanDinRI]

Love all the CVW-1 swag on your respective flight gear!

[@bdogjr7779]

Wow《☆》👍✔The USA needs men like this in the White house🙏

[@spanpt]

Thanks Ward! I served under (then) CAPT Winnefeld when he was CO of ENTERPRISE. I was always curious about his background, but was too afraid to ask!