Purpose After Service: Harmonizing Life, Leadership, and Legacy with JoAnne Bass

What this episode is about

JoAnne Bass discusses her extensive military background and her commitment to supporting veterans and their families, emphasizing the importance of leadership, community, and finding purpose after service. She shares insights from her experiences, highlighting the bonds formed within the military family and the ongoing drive to uplift and empower those who have served.

Key takeaways

• Military career: started for a GI Bill, stayed to serve alongside heroes—civic duty in action!
• 1% serve in the military, yet they guard 100% of our freedom's fabric. Talk about impact!
• Honda Civic debt: the unassuming catalyst for a distinguished military career. Funny yet true!
• Military families: once in, you're always part—a bond that transcends uniform and rank.
• Supporting troops: many want to help, few know how—a gap ripe for bridging with insight.

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 5:00: GI Bill, Robert Irvine, downtown DC, Joanne Bass
2. 5:00 – 10:00: 99% of America, competitive advantage, recruiting, United States population
3. 10:00 – 15:00: people policies, character, military family, millennials
4. 15:00 – 20:00: 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force, balance, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Chief of Staff
5. 20:00 – 25:00: 689,000, balance, civilians, enlisted force
6. 25:00 – 30:00: balance, harmonize, mental, Robert Irvine
7. 30:00 – 35:00: strategic advisor, buddy check week, Columbia Southern University, downtown DC
8. 35:00 – 40:00: sweet potato pie, dressing, Fort Bragg, How to be a good leader
9. 40:00 – 41:56: social justice, barracks, dining facility, How to be a good leader

Notable quotes from "Purpose After Service: Harmonizing Life, Leadership, and Legacy with JoAnne Bass"

• Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged. And today we have someone.

  about Mick Unplugged · at 0:00

• Wow. It's only been earlier this year, but it seemed like forever at an event with Robert Irvine.

  about Robert Irvine · at 1:26

• And figure out life. And then, at the And I tell people this all the time, right? So, I so I joined the United States Air Force and not thinking that it was going to turn into a lifelong career and a real honor, but at the four-year mark, I.

  about United States Air Force · at 3:45

• Generation and the generations that follow after that is we can't have old antiquated people policies that I came into 30 years ago. Mhm.

  about people policies · at 11:54

• Same ones we have in the future. So tapping into that right it is it's trying to figure out that balance of for in the military for instance right you're joining a profession of arms it is a select few it's 1% as I mentioned to you.

  about balance · at 15:11

• Obviously and was so excited and also humbled at the thought of being able to lead our Air Force. 689,000 total force airmen that make up America's Air Force. And I tell people…

  about 689,000 · at 19:50

• To balance the different pillars in my life, the fe the physical, the spiritual, the social, and the mental.

  about social justice · at 26:30

• Balance stuff, right? Ba balance just doesn't happen. So I started to use the word harmonize.

  about harmonize · at 27:16

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Robert Irvine — Person · 3 mentions · first at 1:30
• Joanne Bass — Person · 1 mention · first at 0:21
  To present to you my good friend who has the most brilliant mind and leadership that I know, Miss Joanne Bass.
• General CQ Brown — Person · 1 mention · first at 18:39
  A note from my team when I got into work that day and they said hey the future chief of staff General CQ Brown out of Hawaii out of Pacific is going to call and let you know if…
• Jim Ron — Person · 1 mention
• Marshall Goldsmith — Person · 1 mention

Books & papers

• How to be a good leader — Book · 2 mentions · first at 36:01
  That was one of the first leadership books that I read because there's so many leadership books that tell you how to be a good leader, but in that particular book, it actually…
• What Got You Here Won't Get You There — Book · 1 mention · first at 35:53
  Favorite leadership book is There's too many to choose from. let me just share what got you here won't get you there.
• Bible — Book · 1 mention

Companies & orgs

• United States Air Force — Company · 3 mentions · first at 3:50
• Mick Unplugged — Company · 2 mentions · first at 0:02
• Robert Irvine Foundation — Company · 1 mention · first at 29:33
  Which leads me to kind of our connection with the foundation, the Robert Irvine Foundation, and just what it means to me, and I know what it means to you being on the board of adviserss there,.
• Columbia Southern University — Company · 1 mention · first at 33:36
  The wife and the mom that I want to be. And so I'm I'm there primarily. I'm doing some work with Columbia Southern University as a strategic advisor to them and very excited…
• Hiring Our Heroes — Company · 1 mention · first at 34:19
  Military and what they bring to broader America. So, also a ambassador for hiring our heroes, ambassador to Face the Fight and, and then I go around speaking when I can to larger audiences to share the work that we're doing.
• Face the Fight — Company · 1 mention · first at 34:21
  Broader America. So, also a ambassador for hiring our heroes, ambassador to Face the Fight and, and then I go around speaking when I can to larger audiences to share the work that we're doing.
• mickhuntofficial.com — Company · 1 mention · first at 41:45
  Follow me on social and get the full experience at mickhuntofficial.com.
• Roscoe's — Company · 1 mention
• United States Army — Company · 1 mention
• United States Coast Guard — Company · 1 mention
• United States Space Force — Company · 1 mention
• Venmo — Company · 1 mention
• Yelp — Company · 1 mention

Products & tech

• sweet potato pie — Product · 2 mentions · first at 39:06
  Corn, mashed potatoes, green [clears throat] bean, all the things. I can make a mean sweet potato pie. In fact, even people who say they don't like sweet potato pie cuz they…
• dressing — Product · 1 mention · first at 38:51
  So they taught me how to make dressing, not stuffing.
• stuffing — Product · 1 mention · first at 38:53
  So they taught me how to make dressing, not stuffing.
• macaroni and cheese — Product · 1 mention · first at 38:55
  My wife had to understand. macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, corn, mashed potatoes, green [clears throat] bean, all the.
• sweet potato casserole — Product · 1 mention · first at 38:59
  My wife had to understand. macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, corn, mashed potatoes, green [clears throat] bean, all the things. I can make a mean sweet potato pie. In fact, even people who say they.
• mashed potatoes — Product · 1 mention · first at 39:01
  And cheese, sweet potato casserole, corn, mashed potatoes, green [clears throat] bean, all the things. I can make a mean sweet potato pie. In fact, even people who say they don't like sweet potato pie cuz they.
• pumpkin pie — Product · 1 mention · first at 39:13
  Pie. In fact, even people who say they don't like sweet potato pie cuz they like pumpkin pie. You haven't tried mine. so sweet potato pie and red velvet are both my things.
• red velvet — Product · 1 mention · first at 39:14
  Don't like sweet potato pie cuz they like pumpkin pie. You haven't tried mine. so sweet potato pie and red velvet are both my things.
• corn — Product · 1 mention
• green bean — Product · 1 mention

Concepts & topics

• balance — Concept · 8 mentions · first at 15:16
• social justice — Concept · 4 mentions · first at 26:34
• people policies — Concept · 3 mentions · first at 11:59
• military family — Concept · 2 mentions · first at 1:59
  We always talk about this notion of a military family and when you're part of it, you just never leave it. And when we met you, we're Oh, he's part of the family. So it felt great. and a shout out to.
• GI Bill — Concept · 2 mentions · first at 3:42
  Said, four years in the military, never hurt anybody. And so I thought, well, I'll do four quick years, get a GI bill, and figure out life. And then, at the And I tell people…
• 689,000 — Concept · 2 mentions · first at 20:00
• harmonize — Concept · 2 mentions · first at 27:20
• strategic advisor — Concept · 2 mentions · first at 32:35
  You're a strategic advisor to several organizations. What is it that you're doing now?
• national defense — Concept · 1 mention · first at 3:15
  So I am the daughter of an army soldier. And so for my entire life I have known nothing but national defense, right? Like as a military child. And then as an 18year-old, I'll…
• United States population — Concept · 1 mention · first at 5:07
  I like to talk about it because only 1% of our nation serves. only 1% of the United States population serves our military. yet we are a free and prosperous nation because of that 1%.
• recruiting — Concept · 1 mention · first at 6:47
  As we talk about some of the challenges that our nation is going to face when it comes to, for instance, recruiting in the military, if only 1% serve, what I share with people…
• 99% of America — Concept · 1 mention · first at 7:01
  We need 99% of America who knows that this is their military. And by the way, I share that often with people. I don't this isn't my air force or my army or my marine corps, my space force,.
• competitive advantage — Concept · 1 mention · first at 8:07
  Military. And Mick, one of those things I do call our service members America's greatest competitive advantage. Like if you have again if we realize if employers, if industry…
• character — Concept · 1 mention · first at 10:12
  Parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles have to start teaching character and citizenship.
• millennials — Concept · 1 mention · first at 10:48
  I tell people all the time, it's not bad when we talk about millennials and Gen Z. They're the most resourceful generations that we've ever had.
• war fighting mission — Concept · 1 mention · first at 11:44
  The air force, one of the things I was very much focused on was a people aspect, the people behind the war fighting mission that we have.
• Oceans 11 — Concept · 1 mention · first at 13:05
  Things, but when I think about the military that we're going to need in the future, it looks more like Oceans 11 than it does, from 50 or 60 years ago. I care less about the rank that somebody has on their sleeves or their shoulders. Mhm.
• profession of arms — Concept · 1 mention · first at 15:20
  Trying to figure out that balance of for in the military for instance right you're joining a profession of arms it is a select few it's 1% as I mentioned to you but we're still going to have to take a look at our people policies and if we.
• 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force — Concept · 1 mention · first at 15:52
  She said she was a Chief Master Sergeant. She was the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force, which means you're a bad Shut your mouth. I'm talking about Joe, right?
• Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force — Concept · 1 mention · first at 17:53
  My previous assignment Kiser Air Force Base and I was you know one of the last few that were being considered for Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. I already had a…
• Chief of Staff — Concept · 1 mention · first at 18:39
  A note from my team when I got into work that day and they said hey the future chief of staff General CQ Brown out of Hawaii out of Pacific is going to call and let you know if…
• total force airmen — Concept · 1 mention · first at 20:04
  And also humbled at the thought of being able to lead our Air Force. 689,000 total force airmen that make up America's Air Force. And I tell people all the time, I'm not just…
• enlisted force — Concept · 1 mention · first at 20:10
  America's Air Force. And I tell people all the time, I'm not just the chief to the enlisted force, but I was chief to our officers, our civilians, the aspects of war fighting…
• civilians — Concept · 1 mention · first at 20:13
  All the time, I'm not just the chief to the enlisted force, but I was chief to our officers, our civilians, the aspects of war fighting matters to me, but also their care and…
• officers — Concept · 1 mention · first at 20:13
  All the time, I'm not just the chief to the enlisted force, but I was chief to our officers, our civilians, the aspects of war fighting matters to me, but also their care and…
• international partners — Concept · 1 mention · first at 23:48
  Because we've got 689,000 folks that are counting on us. engagements with international partners, engagements with Congress, engagements with our stakeholders.
• mental — Concept · 1 mention · first at 26:34
  To balance the different pillars in my life, the fe the physical, the spiritual, the social, and the mental.
• spiritual — Concept · 1 mention · first at 26:34
  To balance the different pillars in my life, the fe the physical, the spiritual, the social, and the mental.
• self-care is not selfish — Concept · 1 mention · first at 26:59
  Don't even know that was terminology. But I started to realize as self-care is not selfish.
• buddy check week — Concept · 1 mention · first at 30:36
  We're downtown DC and I was just at an engagement where we were talking about the kickoff today of buddy check week.
• 1% — Concept · 1 mention
• board of advisers — Concept · 1 mention
• rank — Concept · 1 mention
• trust and transparency is the new currency — Concept · 1 mention

Places & events

• downtown DC — Place · 2 mentions · first at 0:51
  This is some love because we're recording this, by the way, somewhere downtown DC and I live in Northern Virginia and it is a whole thing to get here to DC. But one, I just, I'm I'm honored and humbled to be here. I love the work.
• Northern Virginia — Place · 1 mention · first at 0:53
  We're recording this, by the way, somewhere downtown DC and I live in Northern Virginia and it is a whole thing to get here to DC. But one, I just, I'm I'm honored and humbled to be here. I love the work that you're doing. period, but.
• Pacific — Place · 1 mention · first at 18:43
  That day and they said hey the future chief of staff General CQ Brown out of Hawaii out of Pacific is going to call and let you know if you were or weren't. And so, I was okay…
• Greenville (North Carolina) — Place · 1 mention · first at 34:47
  All right. It's in Greenville, South Carolina. So, you and the family get to hang out with us.
• Fort Bragg — Place · 1 mention · first at 38:40
  So remember my first duty station was Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Pope Air Force Base. And so I learned very quickly from the southern women how to cook, by the way, cuz I didn't know how to cook as a young 18-year-old.
• Pope Air Force Base — Place · 1 mention · first at 38:40
  So remember my first duty station was Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Pope Air Force Base. And so I learned very quickly from the southern women how to cook, by the way, cuz I didn't know how to cook as a young 18-year-old.
• barracks — Place · 1 mention · first at 40:02
  Holidays. I always love that, especially when I lived in the dorms and Ron lived in the barracks. We didn't have a way to connect with our family.
• dining facility — Place · 1 mention · first at 40:08
  We, we didn't want to go to the dining facility. Sorry, Air Force.
• Biloxi, Mississippi — Place · 1 mention
• dorms — Place · 1 mention
• Keesler Air Force Base — Place · 1 mention

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged. And today we have someone. The first time that I met her, I was truly captivated by her mind, her vision, all the amazing things that she has done and will continue to do for our military and veterans. I would love to present to you my good friend who has the most brilliant mind and leadership that I know, Miss Joanne Bass.

0:28 This is make unplugged. Let us uncover the because that thing that drives you. That thing that fuels you. I'm ready if you are. Let's go.

0:42 How you doing today, Mick? I'm so glad to be here. like one, you know, this is some love because we're recording this, by the way, somewhere downtown DC and I live in Northern Virginia and it is a whole thing to get here to DC. But one, I just, you know, I'm I'm honored and humbled to be here. Um, I love the work that you're doing. Um, period, but especially the work that you're doing for our veteran community. And so, it's really my honor to spend some time with you. And again, the love to come all the way to DC to come and spend some time with your audience and really hopefully share some good insight that we can all glean from.

1:20 No, absolutely. Absolutely. And you know, it goes without saying I met you. Wow. It's only been earlier this year, but it seemed like forever um at an event with Robert Irvine.

1:32 Yeah. A golf tournament. A golf event to support our military, our veterans, our first responders.

1:38 Yes. And the moment that my wife and I met you and your husband, we were like, "Those are our people."

1:45 Amen. Those are our people. I I feel the same way. But I'll tell you, you know, growing up and spending time in in the military, 31 years for me and 27 years for my husband.

1:57 You know, we we always talk about this notion of a military family and when you're part of it, you just never leave it. And when we met you, we're like, "Oh, he's part of the family." So So it felt great. and and and a shout out to Robert Irvine and the foundation who really is a connector amongst people and brings people together. Um and so thanks for being at that golf tournament.

2:19 Absolutely. I'm not going to admit that we were all in the golf shop together trying to warm up because it was colder than we all thought it was going to be in April.

2:27 Yes, it gets cold here. Yeah. No, but I I want to talk about a little bit of your history with obviously the military. My daughter-in-law is a retired Air Forceman woman.

2:42 Cool. And I'm just so passionate when I see leaders. Yeah. Um because it's not easy.

2:51 Yes. It it especially in the military, it's not easy. Yeah. And your background amazes me. So talk to us about how you got started. Um what made you decide to do the air force? Like go through all of that with us a little bit.

3:08 So um I am the daughter of an army soldier. And so for my entire life I have known nothing but national defense, right? Like as a military child. And then um as an 18year-old, I'll never forget um I wasn't quite mature enough yet to go to college. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I grew up old school, by the way, where my parents were not paying for my college. [snorts]

3:34 Um, and I'll never forget, my dad always said, four years in the military, never hurt anybody. And so I thought, well, I'll do four quick years, get a GI bill, and figure out life. And then, um, at the And I tell people this all the time, right? So, I so I joined the United States Air Force and um not thinking that it was going to turn into a lifelong career and and and a real honor, but but at the four-year mark, I only reinlisted Mick cuz I had a Honda Civic that I need to pay off. So, I wasn't I wasn't completely all We're going to have to get a picture of that Civic and post it. But, I wasn't completely all set in. I'm a I'm a normal 18-year-old like most folks who didn't necessarily sign up for patriotic reasons, but I certainly stayed for those reasons. So, signed up to figure out life, get a GI bill at the four-year mark, signed up to signed up another four years to pay off my Honda Civic,

4:30 and then um it was probably about the 8-year mark when I started serving with people um who we read about, right? some of our nation's heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. And I was part of those organizations and those units of true heroes. And so I started to really understand what it meant to wear our nation's cloth and to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And and the bigger than ourselves piece is where I like to talk about it because only 1% of our nation serves. only 1% of the United States population serves our military. Um, yet we are a free and prosperous nation because of that 1%.

5:18 So, it took me a long time to really grasp and understand that that that what we do is for the sake of our children and our children's children, [clears throat]

5:33 you know, and I'm trying not to get emotional because I I know who you are and and what you stand for. And you talk about that 1%,

5:46 right? Why is it that we only have 1%? Yeah. And and and I'm going to take it a step further because I don't know the number of this, but I don't know how many people that aren't a part of the 1% support the 1%. If you get what I'm saying, right? Like

6:06 like I was not a part of the military, but I can promise you every day of my life goes to support.

6:13 Yes. Right. Yes. Why don't we have enough people that do that part? You know, I am a persistent optimist. I call myself, by the way, um I think by and large the majority of people in our nation do support the military. I think what it is is most people don't know how

6:36 to really support the military or have a full understanding. you know, when uh as as we talk about some of the challenges that our nation is going to face when it comes to, for instance, recruiting in the military, if only 1% serve, what I share with people broadly is we can't count on just the 1% serving to figure out our recruiting challenges.

7:01 We need 99% of America who knows that this is their military. And by the way, I share that often with people. I don't this isn't my air force or or my army or or my marine corps, my space force, right? Like this is America's Air Force, America's Army, America's Navy, America's Marine Corps, America's Space Force and Coast Guard, you know, but it's it's America. So, how do we start to educate, inform? I think it's platforms like yours that really do that. People again by and large appreciate and and and what their service members do for them. They just sometimes don't know the how. And so now as I've transitioned out of uniform in the last 20 months, that's part of some of my how is I know the power of our military service members and their families. But I think it's important that we really do educate America on on the value proposition of a strong military. And and Mick, one of those things I I do call our service members

8:07 America's greatest um competitive advantage. Like if you have again if we realize if employers, if industry, if corporate America really realizes the value that they get when they hire or bring on or on board a service member, their family member and that is talent.

8:28 Yes. Like just anyway. Anyway, I think we have back to you know your question. I think we have more of an issue of helping America realize how they might support

8:38 their military. Okay. And that's your passion now. One of your passions. Yeah, for sure.

8:44 Um I usually ask my guests at the very beginning, what's their because Yeah. That thing that's deeper than your why, right? Like I I say this all the time in every episode.

8:55 Your why is probably your children, right? Your parents, your community, your family. But when I ask you,

9:02 but why? Yeah. That sentence usually starts with, "Well because and I care about your because." And so if I were to say, Joe,

9:11 what's your because? Why do you do what you do the way that you do it? What's that burning desire and purpose for you now?

9:18 Yeah. Why are we getting so deep so early in the morning, man? That's how we do it. That's how we do it.

9:23 This is what I've learned. So, I would say that my because I I said it a few minutes ago. My because is because I want a free and prosperous nation for my two girls and and your children and our great grandchildren. That is why. Um but I know that the only way for us to have um uh you know the the the freedom of democracy it's going to take all of us. So, so, so the military piece is one compon component having a strong military, but we have got to as a nation rally around this thing called democracy. Value what we all bring to the fight.

10:05 Industry has to start building stuff. Schools have to start teaching things. Parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles have to start teaching character and citizenship. Um,

10:17 so that is again I'm still trying to figure myself out, but but what because and why I do the things that I do is because I want years from now to be able to, you know, rest well and know that our our kiddos have it and and their kiddos have it and we're going to continue being a great nation.

10:37 I [snorts] love that. So, speaking of these kiddos, we're in a different era than when you and I grew up, right? And and I say it's not bad. Yes, we are.

10:46 I I I tell people all the time, it's not bad when we talk about millennials and Gen Z. They're the most resourceful generations that we've ever had.

10:57 But there's more things for them. There's more information. There's more access.

11:01 How do we recruit them into military and or service? What's the missing recipe for my kids and those that are going to follow? That is the question of the century. And and and and to be honest, I don't know that that is not a question just for the military. I think all of

11:26 workforce in America and and quite frankly workforce across the globe is really thinking deeply about how do we, you know, tap into the full potential of this next generation. when I served um as the chief master in the air force, one of the things I was very much focused on was a people aspect, the people behind um the war fighting mission that we have.

11:49 Um and I knew for certain that the only way we were going to tap into this next generation and the generations that follow after that is we can't have old antiquated people policies that I came into 30 years ago. Mhm. [clears throat]

12:06 You know, our our workforce looks different today than it did 30 years ago. The military looks different today than it did 30 years ago. 30 years ago, um the workforce was primarily, you know, the the the man coming to work and the woman staying home and and that is what things look like. And I'll never forget, you know, the old generation military would say, if if if the military wanted you to have a family, they'd issue you one. Like that was a thing. that is not the case in today's modern military family or today's working family. And so we've got to update our HR people policies and they have to be relevant um at the speed that we need it to to be able to onboard talent that we have. The other thing that I would say is, and this can be controversial, and I've had a lot of my um peers in the military kind of freak out when I say these things, but when I think about the the military that we're going to need in the

13:05 future, it looks more like Oceans 11 um than it does, you know, from 50 or 60 years ago. Like, I care less about the rank that somebody has on their sleeves or or or their shoulders. Mhm.

13:20 I actually care about the potential and the talent and and and what they bring to the team.

13:27 And so that's where I think we're going to have to tweak up some of our stuff to reach that next generation. The other thing that I would say, it's interesting because people

13:35 people always say, "Oh, this generation." And I'm like, they said that about me

13:41 and you, right? You know, when we entered the workforce and and um what I would say is this generation has choice. This generation wants to know that they are part of something greater. This generation is going to ask why.

13:57 Um, and we better be able to have some transparency to help, you know, just bring them along so they understand the big and they're so smart and talented like they know,

14:08 right? Yeah. They're going to be just fine. It's it's the five gener, you know, we talk about five generations serving. It's the other four. They have to understand this next generation that's coming up. I totally agree and you hit on something that when I'm talking to business leaders I've been saying for the last 12 months. Trust

14:28 Yes. and transparency Yes. is the new currency. Yeah. And so for every leader, trust, transparency, emotional intelligence, those are the three things that you have to make the forefront of what you do

14:40 because this generation air quotes. Yeah. Right. That's what they care about. Listen, Mick. I grew up in the military where and and I said this myself, you know, you're joining the military, we ain't joining you. Like I I grew up saying those things. But again, it gets back after like this is a new world that we live in where the challenges that we had in the past are not going to be the same ones we have in the future. So tapping into that right it is it's trying to figure out that balance of for in the military for instance right you're joining a profession of arms

15:23 um it is a select few it's 1% as I mentioned to you but we're still going to have to take a look at our people policies and if we want to hold hard and fast to right like this is how it is and you joined us well good luck with that [clears throat] you know we we've got to figure out where does that make sense

15:40 yeah yeah again that's why you're one of the most brilliant minds that I know. And from a leadership perspective, you kind of hit it really quickly. So, we're going to zoom in a little bit. She said she was a Chief Master Sergeant. She was the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force, which means you're a bad Shut your mouth. I'm talking about Joe, right? talk about the moment and it probably isn't a moment but but when you realized being the leader

16:14 Yeah. was your destiny because I know for me when I felt it for the first time and it was almost like I looked out and I could see oh

16:24 whatever I do impacts all of them. Whatever I say impacts all of them. The decisions that I make. boy.

16:33 What was that like for you? And it's different because I was just leading a company.

16:38 Yeah. You're leading the people that are protecting our nation. Yeah. I would say that um you know what I recognize is it's funny, right? Like hindsight is is 2020. What I recognize now is that leadership is absolutely a journey. And and now I can look back at over 30 years and see that every assignment that I had, every duty title that I had, every work team, you know, every team that I worked with, it was all a setup for the next chapter that was coming. And so I I've learned that and and and leadership is about, you know, reps and sets, right? Like you you you don't just go in there, right?

17:22 if I evaluated myself based on, you know, me 20 years ago, like I'm a completely different. The foundation's still the same, but the reps and sets that you build and that experience is huge. Um [snorts] I will never forget it was um my birthday June 15th 2020 when I was sitting in uh Buxy uh Mississippi at at my previous assignment Kiser Air Force Base and I was you know one of the last few that were being considered for Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. Um I already had a blessed wonderful career by the way. Um, and at that particular time, um, myself and my husband, we were looking at, um, we were looking at property for when we retired because, you know, just like any other job, right, there's kind of a hierarchy and and and and it just gets fewer and fewer. And so, we thought, you know, hey, we've had an amazing career. We're going to continue serving, but it may be out of the military. But I was being

18:23 looked at for uh chief master of the Air Force and and you know going through the interview process which is you know pretty um pretty selective. And um I got a note from my team when I got into work that day and and they said hey the future uh chief of staff um General CQ Brown out of Hawaii out of Pacific um is going to call and let you know if you were or weren't. And so, um, I was like, okay, no pressure, right? Like, so I, so I go home for lunch, um, and it occurred to me like, man, I haven't even prepared what I'm going to say when and if he calls.

19:02 And so I started thinking about what am I going to say when he says, you weren't it, right? Like, because I'm, you know, again, in my mind, not thinking that I will be the chief master surge in the Air Force. there's so many other strong qualified um capable uh leaders. So I'm prep preparing for my um I'm not going to get it speech and and he calls and um you know again my birthday and he's like you know hey chief I just wanted to let you know that I selected you to be the chief next chief master sergeant in the air force. So, I was shocked. I didn't prepare for what I was going to say for that. And I the the only thing that came to mind was, "General Brown, sir, you made the right damn decision."

19:47 And I don't remember anything else. I blacked out, you know, called the family obviously and was so um excited and also humbled at the thought of being able to lead um our Air Force. 689,000 total force airmen that make up America's Air Force. And I tell people all the time, I'm not just the chief to the enlisted force, but I was chief to our officers, our civilians, you know, the the aspects of war fighting matters to me, but also their care and well-being and that of their families and setting the condition so those total force airmen could could continue to um ensure the safety and security of our nation. So, so it it came down. But when people say, "Hey, chief, you know, um what does it feel like to be the chief master of the Air Force?" I say the same, right? Like it's just, you know, you have more responsibility. [snorts]

20:44 But but I've learned the keys to success and and those are to surround yourself by people who are smarter and more talented than you. And when you know how to bring the secret sauce together and th those are just teams of people that are empowered to get after it,

21:04 then you just get out the way. Yeah. Every leader has a role. And so again, if we're not threatened by the role that people play and the skills and the talents that they bring and we just let them we we provide vision and direction, but we let them handle it. Mhm.

21:20 It was, you know, I tell people all the time again, it was it was truly the team that I had surrounding me, but it was the men and women who serve in our Air Force who who who continue to make our Air Force strong.

21:33 I love that. I appreciate that. I also know you're humble because you don't get chosen.

21:39 Yeah. Right. Yeah. Just for the sake of being chosen. So now I'm g ask you the deeper question because you talk about responsibility and in the Bible it tells us to to whom much is given much is required. Yes. Right.

21:52 So what what was required of [snorts] you with this new responsibility meaning what did you have to channel inside knowing that there's a new requirement?

22:04 Yeah. Um I think a lot of preparation, right? And and a lot certainly a sacrifice of time. Um and so you know I had years of experience to really start to understand how to manage time, how to provide margin in my life,

22:25 um how to prioritize the things that are important and also how to again push down and empower other people to do that. But but you know, one of the things that my family and I talked about, especially as we were entering into the position, I'll never forget again, we were driving from Mississippi to DC, two different cars.

22:46 Um, and you know, you have a lot of uh highway talk as you're trying to stay awake and and I'm talking to my husband as we're driving. And one of the conversations we had is how do we as we enter into this assignment that's one of the biggest assignments I've ever had. Huge responsibility. How do we fortify our family? Like we talk about again, how do we take care of the force? Well, that's great, you know, but winning for us was going to be that we're able to to have a successful tour, do our part, take care of the United States Air Force, but the family can't be broken.

23:24 And it is a tough job, especially when you think about we're on the road 200 days out the year or more. And even when we're not on the road, we're coming home and and the team's giving me trip books and and planning for the next set of engagements. And all of the engagements we have matters

23:43 because we've got 689,000 folks that are counting on us. You know, engagements with international partners, engagements with Congress, engagements with our stakeholders. Um so, so fortifying the family and the loved ones I think is key.

24:00 I love that. And I want to go into something that you just brought up too because I think for all business leaders um we have this challenge. You talked about being on the road for 200 plus days when you had that assignment and I know you now and it's still the same like that hasn't stopped for you. You were still constantly

24:21 but some of it's real fun now. Yes. But you're still on the road. Yes. I'm still on the road. Yeah. How for the listeners and viewers, how can we start to balance integrating family time into all the my words craziness that we have going on? Like how because I think you've

24:42 mastered that, no pun intended, because I I look up to you in that. It's something that I work on every day is how do I balance being a father

24:52 Yeah. being a husband, being the leader that my community needs me to be. Yeah.

24:57 Oh, by the way, I have a circle of friends that need me, too, and I've got to be there for them. And then, oh, by the way, I have this team of like 45 people that I lead that all the decisions I make. Like, how do you balance that?

25:09 Yeah. I I will tell you that it took me probably 24 years to really understand that aspect, right? for the the the first part of my 24-year career. Um I think I was decent at it, sometimes not. But and also sometimes hypocritical, meaning I would tell my service members and fellow wingmen, hey, take care of you, take care of yourself, take care of, you know, all all the things. And I wasn't doing it.

25:42 And I'll never forget that assignment at about the 24 year mark. Um and and cuz it was it was a rough assignment. Nobody knew the struggle that I had and the balance cuz cuz what do we do, Mick? We go on we put on a mask and and the only people who typically know was our families. And so so there somehow I had a wakeup call. I've I've had previous conversations with my kiddos before, but there was one time where my youngest was like, "Mom, you always put on your computer." like like I would come home from work, get home, set up my computer again, and start working thinking I'm present, but I'm not really present. And so that was my 24 year mark in the military was really an inflection point on I need to get it together and I've got to figure out a way

26:30 to balance the different pillars in my life, the fe the the physical, the spiritual, the social, and the mental. Um because if I can't balance that and I'm not a full up brown, then I'm not going to be great to anybody. [gasps]

26:43 And so um so I started to also at the same time study this thing called self-care.

26:50 Yeah. They ain't do self-care when I came in, right? Like you we didn't even know I don't even know that that was terminology. But but I started to realize as self-care is not selfish. that if I take care of myself, I can be a better mother, wife, leader, airman, community partner, what whatever it might be. Um, and so I just started practicing that. The other thing I learned is, you know, you can never balance stuff, right? Ba balance just doesn't happen. So I started to use the word harmonize.

27:22 And so I try to harmonize as much as possible my life. I like that. Um, and and I started including my family into some of the things that are important to me at work, too. And so, it's funny cuz like, you know, I would have work engagements that I that I need to go to, I'm required to go to. Um, and I would tell my husband, right, like, I need you to be there, but not for everything because I can't expect him to take on the same demand. So, I'd say, you can't miss the big stuff. I'll tell you when it's the big stuff. And then of course he would give my kiddos like a 30 or $40 to join me at a dinner event because he wants to watch the football game, right? Like so so so we we learned and it looks different for every family, but we learned to harmonize our lives

28:08 to try to help balance, but it's a conscious decision every day. I'm not great at it, but and I give myself grace, but harmonizing, bringing the family into the stuff, never missing the big stuff for for your family is really important. [clears throat]

28:26 So, I needed that. Yes. I needed that. Yes. So, this episode selfishly is for me because that moment right there harmonized.

28:34 Mhm. That that connected for me. I get it now. It's not balance. Yeah. It's harmony. and asking your family for grace and asking your friends for grace. You know, this time for me in in uh you know, quasi retirement, this new chapter, I've told people this is like my payback tour. Like I feel like cuz we all have to create margin depending what's on our plate. Mhm.

28:58 Um, when I was chief master in the Air Force, by and large, I did not have a ton of time for my for my friends, like people who I love because when I wasn't on the road or pouring into my immediate team,

29:10 I had to pour into the family. So, so that is where for the last four years that focus was and so now as a payback time tour, but if your friends genuinely understand, then you're going to be fine.

29:24 I love that. I love that. So, you brought up self-care. Which leads me to kind of our connection with the foundation, the Robert Irvine Foundation,

29:36 and just what it means to me, and I know what it means to you being on the board of adviserss there, our military, our veterans, and their family. I think a lot of times we take for granted the love that they need to feel from us.

29:55 Yeah. Um, and I say feel because words sometimes can just be words, right? Depending on what the moment is, words aren't even heard. Even with good intentions, they're not heard. How can we start making an impact so that again, our veterans, our current military, the [snorts] family, our first responders can feel the love because it's needed.

30:20 Yeah. I think the aspect of opening up your communities and really just spending time with veterans is huge. [gasps] So, you know, as I mentioned, we're downtown DC and and I was just at an engagement where we were talking about the kickoff today of of buddy check week.

30:40 And that really is kind of a a a week for us to spend time and as veterans remind each other to check up on our buddy um and make sure that they're fine. Because often times when our servicemen and women take off this uniform, they're leaving a community to some degree that that's all [clears throat] they've known.

31:01 Yeah. And it can be tough. Like their entire military life, they've had their teammates, you know, in in their squadrons and their battalions, you know, in their organizations and their units, and then they separate and they don't necessarily have those that same level of folks. mo the majority of military service members um transition well, but there are folks who don't and they feel more isolated. [snorts]

31:28 Um so back to your question, what can people do? We can help bring people in and open up our our hearts and our homes and our minds to this notion of community. Some of the most challenging times that I've had and my family have been trying to break that barrier of coming from an overseas military tour, coming to a stateide community and trying to get plugged into community where these folks have grown up together and they know each other

32:00 and they don't know who that military member is that, you know, that gets up at 5:00 in the morning and and leaves and and so again I think that what all of us can do is really try to get to know veterans, get to know their their families, embrace them, um, and just just just bring them into the community, especially our children.

32:23 Amen to that. Yes. Amen to that. So, talk to us a little bit about some of the things you are doing postretirement. Now, I know you sit on sit on some boards. [snorts] Again, you're the greatest leader that I know. you're a strategic advisor to to several organizations. What is it that you're doing now?

32:41 So, um what first and foremost I am able to be wife and mom. There you go. That that is a blessing. When when I got out, by the way, Mick, um I I I love to write things down. And so, I I wrote down before getting out of the military, you know, what's important to me. And and I wrote down three things. I said, "Whatever I do postmilitary has has to meet all three of these things." And that is, I'm only going to do the things that I love to do. I'm only going to do things that I'm good at, and I'm only going to do things that make a difference.

33:16 Now, not everybody's in that position, right? Like, um, but but, you know, I'm really thankful and blessed that that I was able to say those things. And so in that, I knew that I needed to, you know, in my payback tour, get back to being the the wife and the mom that I want to be. And so I'm I'm there primarily. Um I'm doing some work with Columbia Southern University as a strategic advisor to them and very excited about the work that they're doing to um help change lives through education. I'm working with some corporate um industry partners and and helping them understand the military and veteran community and how they can plug in and make practical differences. And so I'm really excited about the work that I do there. [snorts] Um, and then I do a lot of nonprofit work because again, um, I'm pretty passionate about, um, as you can tell, like our our our the strength of our, uh, military and what they bring to

34:16 broader America. So, also a ambassador for hiring our heroes, um, ambassador to Face the Fight and, um, and then I go around speaking when I can to larger audiences to to share the work that we're doing.

34:32 Amazing. Amazing. Speaking of, so I have an event March 13th. No, March 12th. Okay.

34:40 Um, it's leadership and entrepreneur. I want you on stage. I'd love to be on stage.

34:47 All right. It's in Greenville, South Carolina. So, you and the family get to hang out with us.

34:51 We We get to have some sweet tea. And And is there any other type of tea? Like, why do you have to put sweet in front of it? Tea. Hey, I I love I love my time in the Carolas cuz I know I'm going to get fed. Well,

35:05 we we'll take care of you. Yes. But it it would be my honor to come spend some time with your folks.

35:10 All right. We're going to do that. And it's on film, too. So, now we have to make it happen, right?

35:15 All right. So, I'm going to get you out of here. My rapid five, as I like to call it.

35:18 Okay. Five quick fire. You ready? Number one. Did you get the Honda paid off? I traded it in. Of course, like everybody does. We traded in for something better.

35:29 I started bowling after the Honda Civic. No. Oh, so question two. What did you get next?

35:36 Not what you have now. What did you get next? I think I got an Accord next. Yes.

35:40 Oh, so you upgraded, you know. That's a big deal. Well, yes, that's a big deal.

35:44 There you go. There you go. Your favorite leadership book is There's too many to choose from. Um, let me just share what got you here won't get you there.

35:58 That was one of the first leadership books that I read because there's so many leadership books that tell you how to be a good leader, but in that particular book, it actually has a here's what not to do

36:09 and I needed that like I needed to learn that you don't have to win all the time and that's in that. I would also say that the that you know the title should be helpful to every organization and I used to share this in the air force. You know we're the greatest air force in the world but what got us here will not get us there.

36:30 Amen. If we don't make some changes to get us where we need to be and that applies to every organization. That's a pro tip of the day.

36:38 There we go. Pro tip of the day. All right. your favorite I got to get this right. Your favorite food in the United States. So, if you're traveling the United States,

36:52 Asian food. Asian food. Asian food. Here, here's what's else is fun. For those of y'all who still don't believe that there's algorithms to your devices, there there are. I'll never forget we landed in um LA. We were we were in route somewhere somewhere else. It was COVID time frame. I was with my team and I'm a big foodie. So, so we so we start to Google and Yelp places. And so I'm looking at places to eat and there's all these awesome Asian places. And I'm like, look at all this, you know, man, who knew that all these Asian places, you know, were the top five places to eat here in LA. And and and my battle buddy was with me and he said, "Asian?" He said, "I have all creo." And I'm like, "There's no way. I'm I'm looking at the top five." So all all that to say, algorithms are a thing. But yeah, Asian food. When I'm in LA, Rosco's shows up.

37:42 You see, if we win, we'd have a whole different lineup. There you go. All right. I will end it with this. Who is the best cook in the family? And why is it Ron?

37:50 Oh, you said why is it Ron? So, so we both I love the fact that I have a husband who who also cooks with me. Um he does the grilling. I do most of the cooking. Um we we it was funny. We were talking about even as we get ready to embark on Thanksgiving, you know, he he acts like he's I mean he he does smokes the turkey and and and and does the ham or whatever and it's like everything and I'm like, "Bro, I just did like 20 side dishes, right?" Like I did every everything else, but he's like, "Woo!" You know, so he he we both help out. We both we both have our own specialties.

38:30 Smoking the turkey and the ham, that's time, energy, and effort. I'm with Ron on that one. What are what are the sides you make? So Thanksgiving, what's your top three sides?

38:38 So remember my first duty station was Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Pope Air Force Base. And so I learned very quickly from the southern women how to cook, by the way, cuz I didn't know how to cook as a young 18-year-old.

38:51 So they taught me how to make dressing, not stuffing. Thank you. Dressing. My wife had to understand. Uh macaroni and cheese,

38:59 sweet potato casserole, corn, mashed potatoes, green [clears throat] bean, all all the things. I I can make a mean sweet potato pie. In fact, even people who say they don't like sweet potato pie cuz they like pumpkin pie. You haven't tried mine. Um so sweet potato pie and red velvet are both my things.

39:19 Oh, it's Thanksgiving right now. Yeah. So I can lead a military service. Um, but and I can also cook.

39:27 All right. Thanksgiving this year is the last Thursday in November. Um, I will put in an order for sweet potato pie.

39:34 Yes. You just tell me where to send the Venmo to and I got you. And and I I have to put a plug in again. I know this is, you know, kind of going back to our conversation 20 minutes ago,

39:45 but if if you are a civilian and you don't, again, you know, you want to make an impact and that's what you started off with. Mhm.

39:54 Hey, invite some folks, invite some military folks to your home during the holidays. I always love that, especially when I lived in the dorms

40:02 and Ron lived in the barracks. We didn't have a way to connect with our family. We, you know, we didn't want to go to the dining facility. Sorry, Air Force. We didn't want to go to the dining facility and eat, right? We did sometimes, but man, when communities and and neighbors and people brought us into their home, you know, I mean, you got to take the precautions. But but I would say what a great opportunity to get to know a veteran by inviting them into your home.

40:28 So I have a challenge for everyone and I want you to do this to myself and and I'll make sure I have Joe's socials published too. If you can do something impactful for a veteran, let us know,

40:44 right? Tag us in social. You know, you all know where I'm at on LinkedIn and Instagram. I'll make sure you have Joe's as well too. But tag us in social because it's that impact

40:54 that truly matters. Everyone thinks that it's it's financial gings that you have to do. A lot of times it's just the time that you can sincerely take that drives the most impact. So I challenge you, but I want to see it on social. Tag me.

41:08 Yes. Better together. There you go. And for all the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it. Joe, I appreciate you.

41:18 Thank you for having me. And thanks to everybody for listening. Look forward to connecting with y'all.

41:22 There you go. And this is for you. Oh, I love that. How to be a good leader. About to be one of my next faves.

41:29 Thank you. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I even wrote you a little note in there.

41:33 Oh, thank you, Mick. I appreciate it. You got it. You've been plugged into Mick Unplugged. Don't just listen, take action. Rate and subscribe. Follow me on social and get the full experience at mickhuntofficial.com. Keep building, keep leading, and most importantly, keep dominating.

Questions about this episode

What is "Purpose After Service: Harmonizing Life, Leadership, and Legacy with JoAnne Bass" about?

JoAnne Bass discusses her extensive military background and her commitment to supporting veterans and their families, emphasizing the importance of leadership, community, and finding purpose after service. She shares insights from her experiences, highlighting the bonds formed within the military family and the ongoing drive to uplift and empower those who have served.

What is mentioned in this Mick Unplugged Podcast episode?

76 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including balance, social justice, Robert Irvine, United States Air Force, people policies, Mick Unplugged. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Purpose After Service: Harmonizing Life, Leadership, and Legacy with JoAnne Bass"?

The episode runs 42 min; the transcript is about 7,500 words in 135 timestamped sections.

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