A day in the life of a National Guard Servicemember…Fom a Civilian’s Point of View.
As CEO of Weapon Brand, I had the chance to experience firsthand the professionalism, skills, and pure grit of the Florida National Guard Servicemembers thanks to Bosslift, a program put on by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve / Florida ESGR
This was an opportunity to see the Florida National Guard in action. showcasing their talents and provide their employers with a clear understanding of the training National Guard Servicemembers undertake to support both their State and Federal missions.
The day kicked off with about a 90-minute flight in a BLACKHAWK helicopter (bucket list moment!) up to Fort Blanding. Once we landed, we spent some time networking with other employers of National Guard Servicemembers like of National Guard Servicemembers like the City of St. Pete Beach, Florida, CarMax, Raytheon Technologies Corp, KnowBe4 , JPMorganChase, BayCare, Ring Power, Aledade, Inc., Med Fleet, The Executive Office of the Governor of Florida, and a bunch more. I think there were about 50 people from the state of Florida chosen to represent their companies. Thank you Colleen Trout for choosing Weapon Brand to be one of them.
We heard all about the missions they’re working — supporting Florida State Prisons, ICE, securing major events like the Super Bowl — and why hiring National Guard Servicemembers is basically stacking your team with winners. They’re loyal. Focused. Resilient. Trained to figure it out and get it done, no excuses. ESGR also explained how they support companies who employ Guard members, which is something more businesses should know about.
After that, we spent some time with the chemical and biological warfare officers (crazy fascinating) — and then headed into Weapons Simulations using M4s.
And that’s where the real gut-check happened.
Even though I run a company that teaches self-defense and firearm safety, I’m not one of the trainers.
I’m the one behind the business, making sure the right instructors, the right programs, and the right opportunities are in place.
And even though I’m confident in my ability to defend myself — firearms are a different game. If you own a firearm and you’re not training CONSTANTLY under pressure, you're not ready.
There was a guy in our group — full of swagger — bragging he’d "qualify" no problem. Spoiler: he didn’t. No one in my group did. Not even the firefighters.
I wasn’t wearing my glasses — I could barely see the targets.
Now imagine being woken up out of a dead sleep by a predator. It's dark. You’re scared. And somehow you’re supposed to magically make a perfect shot without training... and training... and training... and training... and training?
It’s ridiculous.
But people think just because they have a CCW, they’re “trained.”
Let me be really clear:
Owning a gun doesn’t make you trained.
Going to the range a few times a year doesn’t make you trained.
Getting your CCW doesn’t make you trained.
Training — real, consistent, under-pressure training — is what makes you ready.
Training — real, ongoing, high-stress training — is what makes you prepared.
After the simulation, we witnessed a Patriot Award presentation to CARMAX and to a Physician Assistant (still mad at myself for not remembering her name — she was awesome), and signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.
We wrapped up the day with another flight back to Lakeland Airport — doors off the Blackhawk for part of it (YES) — but man, the heat and those metal seats were no joke. Respect to the servicemembers doing this in full gear day after day.
Driving back home to Tampa Bay, hot (98 degrees at 5:00 PM), sweaty, tired, and full of gratitude, I couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky we are to have men and women willing to put it all on the line.
My dad.
My boyfriend.
My business partner and Weapon Brand founder Brian Anderson-Needham
Our instructors Dylan Brieck and Gabrielle LePore.
You’re the real heroes. Every single day.
P.S.
If you're still reading, you're my kind of people. 🙌
Just a heads-up: at Weapon Brand, we don’t just teach self-defense and firearm safety (even though we're kinda obsessed with it).
We also get you ready for the things you hope never happen — like Active Shooter Response training, Conflict Management and De-Escalation workshops, Personal Safety and Threat Awareness programs, and mindset training like “Creating a Weapon Mindset” — because being tough starts way before a punch ever gets thrown.
I’m always sharing what’s really going on in my world, inside and outside of Weapon Brand. (Spoiler alert: it’s not always pretty, but it’s always real.) 💥
PS - for more pics and video check out our Facebook page!