In episode 7, we meet Kory Knowles, who’s worn many hats over the course of the past few decades. From Navy SEAL to BUDs instructor to recruiter to NSW contractor, Kory speaks about the hardest parts of his own transition story, including the abrupt lack of community & accountability, feeling isolated, learning how to navigate a structure-less environment, and being thrust into an unfamiliar world where camaraderie and loyalty were absent. Kory talks about feeling completely void of emotions and sleeping 16 hours a day after transitioning out, and the struggle of having a unique skill set but the inability to figure out where to use it.
Kory touches upon how, like many service members, he had to stuff things away & compartmentalize them, but was never taught or encouraged to unpack, revisit or process any of it. Kory shares how he found (& created) newfound mission, structure and purpose in his life after the military in a successful & fulfilling career that’s spanned 17 years.