Unveiling the Fusion: RPG Meets Antenna

Good morning, everyone! Hopefully, you've experienced some victories this week and can conclude your Friday with tangible achievements. If not, remember that you still have the rest of the day to stack some wins, so go out and get some!

A Story

As a machine gunner by trade, I reveled in my role, finding sheer joy in being a weapons Marine. Serving with 3rd Battalion 8th Marines, my initial two deployments had me stationed as a turret gunner. During my second deployment in 2006, based in Ramadi, Iraq, I operated as a turret gunner on a MK-19 in the third vehicle. This experience was a dream come true for me, a pinnacle that resonates with the aspirations most machine gunners hold dear.

During one of our patrols, as we headed back to camp, a hunger for rest filled me. Approaching the final stretch to base and turning left at a four-way intersection, my turret faced right – my designated sector for that patrol. In the turning motion, my gaze fixated on a sizable building, standing seven stories tall. Numerous windows were shattered, and the right side of the building seemed to collapse. Suddenly, a deafening whooshing sound enveloped me as I witnessed a trail of smoke emanating from one of the top-floor windows.

Swift, loud, and hurtling straight at my truck – there was no time for anything but bracing for impact. A bouncing sound echoed, reminiscent of a rock skipping across water. At that moment, our large green antenna plummeted into the turret on my head. Instinctively, without a second thought, I tossed the antenna into the truck and rapidly discharged about fifteen (40MM) grenades through the window as we accelerated back to camp.

No explosion, no injuries—just a three-second window of "that was close."

A Discussion

This close call turned into laughter; someone had forgotten to pull the safety pin, causing the RPG to skip across the ground until it came to a halt. We dispatched a team to confirm this. The fear I experienced was intense, as that projectile was heading directly toward me, and considering the precarious situation for gunners in these wars, I thought I was done for. Yet, upon realizing it was a dud, it transformed into just another narrowly averted disaster.

Upon returning to camp and initiating our cleanup procedures, we discovered why the antenna had fallen on me. The RPG had struck it dead center, snapping it in half. Reflecting on this scenario made it even clearer how perilously close that call was. Had the pin been pulled, there was a strong chance the RPG would have detonated upon hitting the antenna, exploding at eye level just inches from my head. I recall one of my Staff Sergeants stating that I had narrowly avoided what could have been a certain death sentence, once again.

Back then, a message like that didn't faze me; it was a daily occurrence. Close calls and situations outside our control, dictated by speed and limited technology, were routine. IEDs were ubiquitous; our truck had already encountered three, all with me in the turret. When an IED detonated, you waited for the smoke to clear, assessing if you were still intact. It was a way of life—focusing on what you could control, not what you couldn't. That was then; this is now.

Now, 17 years later, my perspective has undergone a profound shift since that pivotal day. I contemplate the individual who fired the RPG, staring directly at me to eliminate me. Their mistake, ironically, became the catalyst that preserved my life. I reflect on the fifteen rounds I launched into that window—an attempt on my part to reciprocate. I ponder the potential years I might have missed out on if that pin had been pulled, acknowledging the fragility of life and the intricate web of moments that unfolded since that close call.

A Lesson

What I take from that incident is the profound realization of alignments in our day-to-day lives. The scenario of a moving truck during a turn, an unarmed RPG striking an antenna directly at eye level, is nothing short of extraordinary. Precision is not the defining factor for the combatants; it's a play of pure luck on both sides. The RPG hitting our antenna and, fortunately, not being armed—it all boils down to sheer luck.

In the realm of small businesses, this theme echoes consistently. Amidst the chaos and struggles, individuals often find themselves fighting to escape a challenging situation. When I established Proven Valor Professionals in 2021, the goal was clear: assist leaders in uncovering victories within the daily struggle. Many times, we aided business owners in deciphering their chaos, and upon reflection, there was always an element of pure luck that played a role in their success—an element often overlooked in the heat of the moment. The lesson lies in acknowledging that while strategic planning and resilience are vital, there are moments where uncontrollable factors, akin to the stroke of luck, play an unforeseen yet critical role in overcoming challenges. It's a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and business, urging us to be open to recognizing and leveraging those strokes of luck that may just tip the scales in our favor.

Even though I've entrusted Proven Valor to my exceptional business partner, Aubrey, I find immense joy in our monthly calls where he shares the remarkable achievements of the company. During some of these conversations, I can't help but marvel and think, "That's sheer luck—who would have anticipated that?"

Imagine a small business, struggling to navigate the challenges of a competitive market. The owner, determined to turn things around, implements a series of strategic decisions and marketing initiatives. However, amidst the chaos, an unforeseen stroke of luck occurs—the right social media influencer stumbles upon the business, falling in love with its story and promoting it to its massive following. The result? A sudden surge in visibility and customer interest propelled the small business out of obscurity. In the owner's eyes, it might initially seem like a stroke of luck, an unexpected boon. Yet, upon reflection, it becomes evident that embracing the unpredictability of the business landscape and being receptive to unexpected opportunities played a pivotal role in the company's success. This underscores the lesson that, even with the best-laid plans, an element of chance can become a catalyst for transformative outcomes in the world of small business.