Episode Details
Back to EpisodesDual Transitions: Military-To-Civilian Life & Transitional History
Description
Today, I sit down with Paul Whitten to talk about military service, combat arms culture, and what life looks like after taking the uniform off. Mr. Whitten shares why he joined the Army, his role as a Forward Observer, and how combat arms training shaped his ability to handle pressure, criticism, and adversity. We discuss the realities of preparing for large-scale warfare while fighting counterinsurgency conflicts, and how many service members never actually perform the job they trained for once deployed.
We also dive into Mr. Whitten’s academic background as a historian, including his studies at The Citadel and his focus on transitional governments, particularly the collapse of the Soviet Union and its aftermath. Our conversation explores how historical literacy, real-world experience, and critical thinking intersect, especially when it comes to modern politics, power transitions, and the ongoing debates surrounding Civil War monuments and historical narratives in the United States.
Later in the episode, we shift to life after the Army and how Mr. Whitten combined lessons from military service, the UK Parliamentary Fellowship, the Peace Corps, and corporate leadership to build Nashville Adventures. He explains how the company helps people experience Nashville through history, culture, and entertainment, while also creating meaningful civilian purpose after service.
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